Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized tour with great local guides. Excellent food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hawk flying experience. The Blasket Center. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ireland is an enchanted Emerald Isle. The tour included a good blend of history, culture and geography. The Irish are friendly, proud of their country and welcoming of visitors. Or guide Declan was a wealth of knowledge with an Irish sense of humor. He delighted us with his stories and music. Our travel partners were the best overall group we have encountered on any of our 6 RS Tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the geology and landscape of Ireland: the Coast Line, the Islands, Seahead Drive, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, the Antrim Coast and the Giants Causeway. The falconry was informative and quite unique."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Declan our guide and Allen our bus driver were excellent. Declan was very knowledgeable of all of Ireland along with the local tour guides who were excellent. The places we visited were all amazing. The only downfall of the trip was that one of the couples came on the trip with Covid. When we got on the bus on the first day they were wearing masks and separated on the bus but…..everyone on the bus got covid but 2 people which put a damper on the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the wooden bridge outside Portrush and seeing the 9 foot waves"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great mix of sites and activities with superb information presented by guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Music with local artists following dinner at the Dingle Peninsula"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Experienced, knowledgeable guide, professional, skillful driver, 4+star accomodations, enlightening, enthralling sites, worthwhile side-trips

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many but Cliffs of Mohrer…could have used more time there as I only was 1/6 of the site "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 14 day tour was a trip of a lifetime. Joe was an experienced, informative guide and Mark was an outstanding driver. The specialty guides enhanced the educational value of the tour. I came away knowing more about the Viking impact on Ireland. I will treasure this tour for as long as I have a memory.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher was a wow moment. The walled Catholic section of Belfast was a sobering wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good balance of group and private times

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That England occupation of Ireland was so long"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

How do you decides the people who are so kind The way they speak was fasanating there way cool actcent the. Music the sight the food fish and chips I liked the ice cream too

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we found our family names in Ireland A long with the history "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very organized, well planned out tour. Pascal was a fountain of knowledge and always had a ready smile. He had endless patience as I was trying to book my bus ride from Belfast to Dublin. Group was laid back, casual and friendly. The tour was loaded with activity, local tour guides and wonderful experiences. I am glad I went!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were more than a few Wow moments. But one I keep talking about was the visit to Ashford Castle and the Falconry. Having that beautiful hawk land on my arm and look me right in the eyes was breathtaking. I'll always remember those moments."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour provided a good mix of exposure to significant cities, towns, country side, cultural locations, history and political context.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The amazing miles of stone walls in southern Ireland that represented untold hours of manual labor. The Irish seacoast is also pretty dramatic."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed our 14 day tour of Ireland. Our guide (Paschal) and driver (Stephen) expertly led us while having fun. We were often the first group at a location allowing us to see the site with a smaller crowd. The dynamics of our group worked. We saw many places with free time appropriately built into the schedule. The local guides were very knowledgeable and enhanced the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many and it's hard to pick a favorite. The Giant Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Trinity Library and Slea Head Loop Drive."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pascal and Steven were "Excellent " what a duo a great combo! They kept us entertained with stories. Both very passionate/knowledgeable about Irish History. They were absolutely incredible making me want to come back and tour all the other things Ireland has to offer

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many WOW moments absolutely loved the sheep farm with their talented dogs, the school of Falconry, making Irish coffee, our tour guide in Derry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our Seventh tour with RS and we have enjoyed all of them. It seems to me like you have upgraded some of your hotel stays, Thank you. The Ireland tour met all our expectations and more, being our first visit. An added bonus was a nonstop flight on AER from our home city, they have added lots or flights to the USA. Pascal our guide was wonderful and did a great job with all aspects of the tour, even arranging for a private taxi, for us to see a family history site on some down time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pub life in Dublin and Dingle, what fun..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A good group, a great guide and a nice tour.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great museums, beautiful scenic views, wonderful driver and guide, lovely hotels. intriguing stories about the history of Ireland that explain what the Irish people have endured through the centuries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant's Causeway and I loved the music"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I love it, It was magical, Pascal was a great guide, He was like old friend, He gave us the Irish welcome!! He guided us through the beauty of land from Dublin to Belfast, He gave us amazing history of his country, I learn so much through his stories about the people the customs, music, the food and drink. Plus, Stephen the bus driver was delight full of Irish humor. Plus, the Irish people were so happy friendly, and welcoming," It was just great crack" as they would say it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say the whole tour was my wow moments!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything advertised and more. Pascal was the perfect guide, with great stories, history, anecdotes and humor. His sidekick, our driver Steven, was also a lot of fun. I have always heard of the beauty of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but to see and experience it firsthand was special. Driving the entire perimeter of the island gave us the chance to explore a variety of experiences and take in the Irish culture. Every stop, every hotel, every meal, was well chosen.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow was more than a moment. Driving the Wild Atlantic Way made for fantastic bus journeys every day. The Atlantic Ocean on our left and the lush Irish landscapes on our right were unbelievably beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was enjoyable but there are some things that could be improved.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Ireland School of Falconry visit was definitely the "wow" moment of the tour. I never once imagined I would get to hold a hawk on my arm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a terrific trip. Had great weather and not so good weather a couple of days. It was good to be prepared.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed Galway area as well as Northern Ireland history and Giant's Causeway."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I think this Ireland tour is a great general overview of Ireland and sets the foundation for future trips to explore parts in more depth.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Kilmainham Gaol Museum was an eye opening start to the understanding of Irish and British relations going back to the Plantation of Ulster in 1609."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, wonderful food, accommodations were lovely. Lots to see and do with just enough "down" time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to pick the Giant's Causeway. Just amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The places we visited on this Ireland tour were pretty awesome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have more than one ! Loved the Cliffs of Moher, wish we had more time there. Loved the visit to Inishmore although it was rainy. Loved visiting Dingle, Kinsale, and the Giant’s Causeway."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of the best vacations I ever experienced! We were immersed in the culture and beautiful countryside of Ireland. The experience is beyond word that do it justice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Giant Causeway"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was so much more than I expected in so many ways. The people in our group were enjoyable, our guide Connor was fabulous, the itinerary was amazing, the accommodations and meals were higher level than I was expecting. The local guides were all good--some outstanding. We had a nice balance of group time and time on our own. This was our first Rick Steve's tour and certainly not our last!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We experienced so much it's hard to narrow it down to one thing! I really loved Kinsale, the time we had there, and Barry Malone's tour. I fell in love with Irish music and the lovely community culture it promotes. Some of the scenery--especially around Dingle and the Wild Atlantic Way--was spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was packed with experiences we would not have easily found for ourselves, gave time for our own exploration, and gave us our excellent guide, Conor, and our outstanding driver, Paul.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite experiences were all of the small group musical opportunities we had in Dingle. Conor’s connections to musicians made for intimate experiences that were easier to feel comfortable in than trying to appreciate Irish jamming in noisy bars where you couldn’t hear the music over the din of the crowd’s conversations."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Let me preface this by saying that both my wife and I both got sick on this tour,(R.T.I.) respiratory tract infection, which kind of slowed us down in keeping up with the tour somewhat. There might have been a 'grump' that weaseled their way onto the tour but mostly a good group of people. We liked most of the stops on the tour. The tour director , Connor was excellent, as was Paul the bus driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'd say we were WOWED by Kinsale & secondly by the Dingle Peninsula. The Muckross House & gardens were beautiful but we were disappointed that we weren't given the opportunity to tour the inside of the house! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group was very nice, guide was wonderful, weather was good and food and accomodations were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That's hard! There were several, but the falconry was my favorite."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed everything about the tour from the country to the people in our tour group and had a wonderful guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The countryside with the rock walls to the sheep with their babies in the fields. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing, a lot packed in for a great overview of Ireland. Our guide made all the difference, Joe was phenomenal. He made it such a comfortable environment and was kind and welcoming to all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved visiting the School of Falconry. What an amazing experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful! Joe is a delight. Very knowledgeable and I loved his singing and storytelling. Loved the happy half hours. Our group was great too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having the falcon land on my arm. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great tour with a lot of history, fun , and drinking. The tour guide Joe went above and beyond to make sure everybody enjoy their time, especially during the bus drive. We were also lucky to have an excellent group that got along very well( we still talking in WhatApp).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dún Aonghasa: love the challenge going up the ruins and finally see it. I also love Kinsale and walking around with the local tour guide : Barry"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very very fun, interesting and informative. I enjoyed the information about the history of Ireland and the consequences in the 20th century

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle was my my favorite place. The Irish dancing evening was fun, and we were able to rent bikes and hike on our free day. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our trip to Ireland was interesting and enjoyable. We visited beautiful sites and felt like we got a good taste of Ireland; culture, history, geography and food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I guess I have 2: I loved our music evenings! So fun to hear the different instruments and see the dancing. Visiting the falconry and having the hawk land on my arm was amazing! The beautiful grounds was an added bonus. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall tour was well planned and expertly led by Joe. Hotels were great, located in good locations and overall amenities were better than some of the other RS tours. Bus Driver and bus were outstanding - great driver! Selection of locations were good, however, some of the walking tours could have been better. Like to have at least 2 nights in each hotel, but we did have a couple 1 nighters.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed the smaller towns of Kinsale and Dingle. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guides, group experience, and great places of interest.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dun Aonghasa! The trek up there, and the ruins, Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent tour with many different cities and activities! Joe Darcy, our tour guide, is an asset to the Rick Steves tour program!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved Kinsale and Dingle, and the Titanic Experience Museum in Belfast."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Joe Darcy was full of stories, knowledge and good cheer! Alan, our bus driver, skillfully delivered us where we needed to be and was great company! This coupled with a comprehensive itinerary ensured a fantastic experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kilmainham Gaol, the Raptor experience, the Sheep herding demonstration and the private Irish music and dance performance were all standouts in a trip filled with wonderful surprises."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip to Ireland and I could not have had a better experience. My guide, Cathy, sparked my interest in learning more about the history of Ireland. My immersion in Irish culture, history, and music was very enlightening and fulfilling.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moment was my first visit to a pub where traditional live music was being performed and my conversations with locals. I am impressed with the open friendliness of the people I met."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 6th RS tour and as always our expectations were exceeded. What made this tour stand out was our tour guide, Cathie. She brought together the history, culture and especially the music to help us better experience the spirit of Ireland and the sights we were visiting. The tour is a good mix of city and small towns and the bus rides were broken up with so many interesting and some unexpected activities. As always, lots of free time to pursue our own interests.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick a favorite but standing with all our new friends at the famine memorial and drinking a toast to those who died in the famine and then jumping on the peat and feeling the earth vibrate. Watching the sheepdog herding also tops the list. Such small things but they created great memories"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our leader Cathie Ryan is a delightful person and a fabulous guide. Loved her music, history and folklore talks and the music she introduced us to.really wish all guides would follow her lead and do more tour dinners at the start and on long travel days. Brilliant idea. Our driver Mark was excellent. Cathie handled kindly and carefully having a few tour members who got Covid. Probably the best tour we have taken

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments. The music shop in Dingle with Irish music, dancing, poetry recitation was like being in a very talented friend’s house. Feeling the bog vibrate. The falconry school at Ashford castle. The Irish people and their warmth and humor in spite of the times of suffering. The beautiful scenery. I came home hungry to learn more about all things Ireland. We also had a terrific group of people traveling with us—curious, interested, thoughtful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was outstanding throughout. Although my wife and I are no strangers to international travel, we had not previously done a fully organized tour -- the closest having been the My Way Alpine Europe in 2018 which we loved. The Ireland tour surpassed expectations on every front. From the outset I felt immersed in Irish culture and beauty. The food, music, and hospitality were exceptional, as was the comradery of our group under the leadership of our caring guide, Cathie, and driver Mark.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow! It's very difficult to say because for me "wows" were an at least daily event. So I am tempted to give the whole tour one big WOW! For shear visual natural beauty, though, my pick would be the views of and from the Cliffs of Moher."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour was truly amazing! The tour did a wonderful job of weaving together the history, natural beauty, culture, music and storytelling that make Irish the Irish people so resilient and charming. I feel in love with Ireland and the Irish people. I can't wait to return!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One favorite WOW moment on our tour occurred when our group was gathered around the mantle of our B&B in Dingle. We listened to the beautiful music of two talented Irish musicians in a small and intimate setting. Another WOW moment was hearing our tour guide sing an Irish song in a small ancient stone church. The beautiful scenery and many shades of blue and green was full of WOW moments! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an incredible experience from start to finish. Our spectacular guide, Cathie, and bus driver, Mark, worked so well together. The scenery, the history woven into all our daily experiences, the varied activities, and the music.... oh, the music! Cathie's connections to the Irish music world definitely enhanced our exposure to and understanding of this integral part of Irish culture. Scheduling our group dinners first days of the tour and on long travel days was a super plan.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was blown away when Cathie first sang for us - the Irish National Anthem at Kilmainham Gaol. The daily playlists she put together for us made the bus drives go more quickly. The music, music, music."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I would have to say that this was one of the best travel experiences I have had. Our tour guide Cathie was well versed in the history, culture, folklore, and music of Ireland and wove it all together seamlessly from start to finish. Along with all of the included tours there was also lots of free time to explore on your own at some stops and hike along the coast, have a conversation with the locals at a pub, or explore the town further on your own, all of which added to the magic of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If I have to pick one "wow" moment I would say it was crossing the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and seeing the gorgeous views of the blue-green water and the scenery on the small island. It was spectacular. Cathie's beautiful singing along the way, the friendliness of the Irish people, the toast at the famine memorial, and even a string quartet candlelight Coldplay tribute concert in a church dating to the 1200's which we stumbled upon on our free day in Galway. It was all amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed our 14-day RS tour of Ireland. A full and varied Itinerary around the island- all executed in a well-planned & well-paced manner. Our tour guide Cathie was terrific, drawing us in to all the culture & history at each step along the way. Really enjoyed all the group dinners, the easy camaraderie of our tour mates, the super-smooth bus driving by Mark, and each of the local tour guides. We learned & loved so much about Ireland. (and plan to use RS tours for future travel!)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cathie's beautiful singing of Irish ballads (at the Gaol, at the Gallarus Oratory, on the bus). The spectacular Irish coastline sights. The private concert at our B&B in Dingle. The private music/dance show on our final evening together. The Book of Kells in Dublin. The Titanic Experience in Belfast."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing tour guide in Cathy. Not only was she informative she was also enter and concerned about all of us. The food, transportation and hotels were well planned. Our entertainment was taken care of for us and we had free time to do unscheduled things that we chose to do.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s really hard to pinpoint just one thing. So much scenery, food and entertainment was always enough for us to have a “wow” moment"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was - thought provoking, fun, educational, eye-opening, required modest physicality, inspiring, an investment that will generate countless personal dividends.....

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing inside the stone building -"Gallarus Oratory" circa 724 AD (Dingle Peninsula) listening to a beautiful voice singing an Irish melody...and thinking how extremely lucky I was to be in that spot - it was an unanticipated experience that mentally linked in my mind the spirit of humanity over a continuum of 1,300 years. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was awesome overall.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was one big wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Saw and learned a lot about ireland

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Burren"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour experience was fantastic. We knew we would like Ireland but were not prepared to LOVE it as much as we did. The culture, history, beauty, people, MUSIC, all blended together to create a perfect trip. Add to that our amazing guide Cathie. She was warm, compassionate, organized, and knew everything about Ireland. Her own amazing singing plus her connection to the music world of Ireland made this trip unique and unforgettable. Our tour group was terrific, compatible and fun!.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to identify one wow moment. I think the overall blend of culture (including music) and beauty made most days full of "wow" moments. But if I had to choose, it would be exploring the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge both on the Antrim Coast. Although I didn't walk the bridge, the beauty and "feel" of these areas were worthy of many wows. Additionally, in Dingle, Cathie arranged a private concert for us with two wonderful local musicians - a very special WOW! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour afforded us a great understanding of the history, culture, and people of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The scenery was spectacular. The food was good. Like previous tours, getting to know fellow travelers was also a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant's Causeway, Garrick a Reed, and Belfast - the history."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great experience touring around Ireland. The scenery was gorgeous, the culture was fun, and we experienced many memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was at the Giants Causeway"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 14 day tour of Ireland was wonderful! Our tour guide, Robert, was excellent. One could sense his pride for his country. We enjoyed the Irish music and visiting the famous pubs. Our group was so much fun and easy to get to know. The tour was a good balance of history, scenery, nature and outdoor exploration. Lastly, I can't enough about the expertise of the local guides. The best tour guides I have had in my other tours of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "Wow" moments: My top three: Giants Causeway-walking the pathways and able to see the beautiful views of the ocean and cliffs Visiting the School of Falconry at Ashford Castle-holding the falcon, learning about the birds living at the sanctuary/school and walking through the lovely grounds. The Titanic Belfast visitor experience-4 levels of information including a ride, multi-media presentations"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed our guide, driver and group of fellow travelers. Hotels were very nice, lots of great tours and meals were very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was great with most terrific people and beautiful scenery. Great hotels and great eating vetted by RS's tours. We were impressed

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the suspension bridge at Carrick a Rede"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We met old friends & terrific new ones on this tour. Glad we went to Northern Ireland as well as the Republic. Lodging was very good. Our guide Robert was new but energetic and upbeat, and assistant Julie was terrific. We lucked out with good weather 90% of the time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Slea Head tour"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great overview of the island, with many highlights. The guide(s), Robert & Julia, and driver, Stephen, were helpful and friendly, and the fellow travelers were phenomenal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't really pick a favorite; many fine moments - all with my fine wife, going on 49 years by my side. Actually, I suppose it was getting to know the fellow travelers."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized. We visited the most important locations to gain a thorough understanding of the history of Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle was amazing - the people, music, Guinness, Dingle gin, and green landscapes provided the best of Ireland all in one place. Aran Islands we’re a close second to experiencing an authentic Ireland."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

For a comprehensive journey around the perimeter of the entire island of Ireland, this is the tour to select! A great combination of urban areas and small towns, scenic coastal and rugged regions, and a large variety of experiences to enjoy, from history to music to hiking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. The trek and the view were breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The comprehensive tour was replete with great guides, tour leader and driver, splendid Irish music, complete history of the Irish people, incredible vistas, welcoming hotels,B & Bs, food and drink and new buddies, in the Rick Steves experience! The many sights in Tidy Towns with their multi-colored buildings, unique architecture and even thatched roofs will be among the Best of Rick Steves and was our 7th tour. Turkey, Sicily and Andalucia and Portugal add to Ireland to wonderful memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There ate SOOO many: the shepherd visit with the border collies and the great story telling he and his son presented, the jail in Dublin that began our tutorial on uprisings, invasions, up to current affairs in Belfast, the architectural museum with the bog survivors and the outstanding Irish music, dancing and beers and ciders and Irish breakfast choices. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of the best trips we’ve taken!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Thought the Giants Causeway and the Titantic Museum were both fabulous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was impressed with our Guide Pascal and our driver. Some of the roads we were on seemed impassable, but he made it happen without a scratch. This was especially impressive in Belfast where cars were illegally parked.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every city seemed to have a "Wow", but I'd have to say Ashford Castle Falconry in Cong where we got to experience a private hawk walk and incredible an opportunity to fly a Harris hawk in in the magnificent woods before swooping down to land on your gloved fist was an original experience. We also loved the sheep farm and dogs. Two experiences we would have never found on our own!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoy traveling with RS tours as they attract like-minded bright, travel happy participants. We seldom have had any issues with travelers and the groups have been cohesive and fun. I enjoy history and culture which RS trips zero in on. I came away with a good understanding of the history of Ireland and its peoples. This is most valuable to me. I especially enjoyed the great variety of experiences I had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bucolic unspoiled countryside and coastline and warmth of its peoples."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed the tour. Covered much territory in just two weeks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The rugged coast of Ireland. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As our first Rick Steves tour, it was very enjoyable. We were filled with lots of information and history. It was very busy. Perhaps too busy. By the time we returned to the hotel in the afternoons the free time in the evenings were used most, just to rest for the next day. Pascal and Paul were great and very personable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't know about "wow" but Matt Malloys Pub, because he showed up and played. Also I really enjoyed the Titanic Centre. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thanks to Pascal and Paul (Rock Stars}, it was the best tour I've ever taken!! With the help of Pascal and Susie I was able to find my great aunt and uncle's gravesite in Belfast. Pascal's personal stories added greatly to experience. The tour It was a great way to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! Pascal and Paul made this an incredible trip and I can not thank them enough for the experience and education on all things Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments with just the beautiful scenery alone, but I would have to say Susie taking us on the walking tour in Belfast, and sharing the story of her great grandfather on the Titanic and the 2 pennies was the "wow" moment for me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed this tour! Our guide was so great - he created a special feeling in the group - with his slant towards literature , poetry, music, and bountiful history. - with amusing stories and humorous observations. His narration as we drove through gorgeous green farmland and dramatic coastal scenery. And with his charming Irish accent. The towns we stayed in were very interesting - the food ranged from good to amazing at times. The landscape was lovely, even on cooler maybe rainy days

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many great moments. One “wow” time was when we visited the School of Falconry at Ashford Castle and each of us were given the chance to wear the falconry leather gloves and experience the hawk landing on our arm, eating some food and flying from our arm back into the forest. The falconry guide was brilliant , the setting beautiful , the experience magical."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw so much. Ireland is so beautiful and so are the Irish people. The hotels were all comfortable, and I really enjoyed the group meals. Our guide, Joe, was a wealth of information; not just facts, but also his personal insights. That really contributed to understanding what we were seeing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That's a hard one. I really enjoyed the time in Dingle, especially the Dingle Sea Safari. The Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge were spectacular. And the hawk walk at Ashford Castle a very memorable experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What an amazing adventure. The local tour guides were knowledgeable and engaging. From the cities to the countryside, we thoroughly enjoyed Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How do you pick just one? We loved the Falconry experience at Ashford Castle. We also had tremendous fun listening to music at the local pubs and striking up conversation with the locals. What beautiful and friendly people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 14 day tour of Ireland was outstanding! I learned so much about the history, struggle for independence, and the culture. Our tour guide, Joe de Burca provided valuable in depth insight throughout the journey. The accommodations were very comfortable and the food throughout the country was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s so hard to pick just one! The falconry experience at Ashford Castle was unexpectedly fantastic. We opted to do a sea Safari’ in Dingle and that too was thrilling. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

DeClan was a great guide and learning the history of Ireland was fascinating. On top of that traveling around Ireland and seeing the landscape, historic sites and cities was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to say I rarely have a WOW moment as there are so many moments of WOW on any Rick Steves' tours. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide, great communal meals, superb accommodations, and wonderful pacing, between high activity and personal time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Antrim Coast's wild beauty and the Dingle Penninsula's Slea Head Loop."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed every aspect of this trip and feel that I have truly experienced the culture, history, and landforms that make Ireland a special place. The itinerary was well planned and paced, our lodgings were good to excellent, the food delicious and plentiful. Declan our guide was passionate about sharing his love of Ireland with us and his infusion of music and stories built an understanding of all we experienced. Mark, our driver, was always friendly and calm. The local guides were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Numerous WOW moments! Hiking to all the breathtaking cliffs, walking the grounds of Ashford Castle and doing the hawk walk, visiting the ancient castles and churches, enjoying music together in the evening are unforgettable experiences. Lots of sunny clear days made all this even better! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide with Paul and Bus driver Stephen. Very good variety of activities to create a good picture from the past to the future in Ireland. There was time to explore on your own and I think that is important. meeting new people on the tour was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery was outstanding and really enjoyed the sheep dog demonstration and Hawk Walk but the music and dance was the highlight for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my wife and my first “organized” tour. We were hesitant to have our time scripted by someone else. We couldn’t have been more pleased with our time in Ireland. The small group size, our fabulous tour lead, Paul, and our courteous and competent bus driver Steven, all contributed to a first class experience. We will definitely consider Rick Steve’s tours for future European vacations. The focus on encouraging tour members to bond made for a fun tour we will remember fondly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole tour was filled with “wow” moments. The Sleigh Head Drive was spectacular. Dun Aenguss and the falcons at Ashford Castle were amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour guide and bus driver. He did a video of special moments of the tour, it was great. This was my 9th tour with Rick Steves. Have been to Ireland 5 times prior but my first organized tour and it was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dun Aenguss (Aran Island) and the dinner with the musicians and Irish dancing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is 5th RS Tour and like the others it was excellent. Paul was a great guide. The itinerary was fun, educational and we really felt we got to know a lot about Ireland and it's people and culture. Overall, a great 2 weeks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry at Ashford was amazing and fun. Also, the trip to Dun Aengus on the Aran Island. Tour of Belfast and history lesson "the troubles.""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, good organization and communication, nice hotels, good locations, good group meals, perfect weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle and Kinsale and Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was wonderful!

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the first tour of any kind for me. I liked having destinations well thought out. Having a tour guide that can give you history of the area you're traveling through, but not make it a "history" lesson was nice. I enjoyed the diverseness of activities, the free time to explore or shop or even just to rest. The other people on the tour were friendly and easy to talk to. Having extra tour guides versed in the different areas we visited was a bonus I think. I enjoyed the whole experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't have a specific "wow" moment, more like several moments. The Cliffs of Moher, Dun Aengus fortress on Inishmore and the Titanic Belfast visitor center stand out. I also really enjoyed watching the sheep dogs work. Visiting the School of Falconry and getting to handle a falcon was really awesome. I liked being on the bus and just watching the countryside roll by, giving me a good sense of what Ireland looks like."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, hotels, food, tours, experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour had a variety of experiences. It was well paced. There was not a single day that we did not thoroughly enjoy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count…the sheer beauty of Ireland, the music, the dancing, the people, the history…the falconry experience of having a beautiful bird of prey land on our glove…"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of the best I've taken with RS this was a tie with Best of Spain - great group, interesting guide, superb choices of sites to visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Titanic Experience and the Belfast Ulster Scots center with the Lambeg Drum - super introduction from guide"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great itinerary. Learned a lot about Ireland, and its history and people. Saw most of the major sites and the beautiful landscape.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many that it's hard to choose just one. Our day on the Aran Island of Inishmore was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time! Kathie, the singing tour guide, was fantastic! Paul, our driver, also did a great job. The towns, and hotels, with one one exception, were all enjoyable places to stay.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the trip to Inishmore. We were lucky to have great weather for the day."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A very pleasant journey through a very pretty country with a complicated history. Our tour director (Cathie) was tremendous. Almost always upbeat and very informative, her knowledge (and singing) contributed a lot to the overall experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Don't know that I had one. Lots of spectacular scenery, the coast around Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant's Causeway were all spectacular. Belfast was interesting and I wish we had scheduled our trip to spend an extra day there. I'm a political junky so I would have liked to know more about the history of the "troubles" even including an explanation of using a euphemism like "the troubles" to cover up an ongoing Civil War. "

The weather was great and so was the tour. Our guide Cathie was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was no one "wow" Moment. There were many."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Cathie is a great guide. Her singing was worth the price of the tour. Her help in retrieving iPads left in hotels was especially appreciated, as was her flexibility when adjusting tour itinerary with adverse weather conditions. Group cohesion was enhanced by her esprit de corps.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The dinner at Coco's in Belfast was fabulous: lamb, pear salad, cheeses, desserts and generous pours of wine. But the warmth of the Irish people is what lingers as an unforgettable impression."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour provided so much delight - the gorgeous scenery, the fascinating and complicated history, the knowledgeable local guides, the great music, and a top-notch tour director. Absolutely a wonderful two weeks!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! It's hard to choose. The falconry experience was a high point. Having our director sing to us in Gaelic on the coach, in Dublin, in a 1200-year-old oratory was unexpected and magical. Watching sheep dogs at work, both at the designated tour site and later, just on a hillside were moments to remember. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded all expectations! Our tour guide, Cathy, was amazing and made the tour magical with her knowledge of Ireland, cheerful personality, organizational skills and serenading us with her beautiful voice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many memorable moments, but learning about the "Great Hunger" will be etched in my mind forever."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved the balance of history, culture and scenery. I appreciated the focus on putting these three ingredients into an overall context of the Irish experience--a very dark history balanced with the resilience and perseverence of the Irish people. The music and poetry were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant's Causeway and the Antrim Coast"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guide singing traditional Irish music on the bus!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour guide ,Lynn and Conor, apprentice gave me a wealth of information about the Irish history and heritage. They answered my questions with a good handle on their heritage They enjoyed talking to us. Lynn and Conor kept us all on point with our touring. Lynn and Conor treated me with respect and kindness. This was my first tour and Lynn and Conor was a large part of that. They both made learning so interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" I enjoyed the Ireland School of Falconry in Cong on the grounds at Ashford Castle."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had great weather and a wonderful guide. We enjoyed all of our accommodations and the food was very good too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Aran Islands and the visit to Dun Aengus. It was beautiful and equal to or better than the Cliffs of Moher. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour from start to finish. Would not change a thing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was so many it would be hard to choose. The Titanic exbit in Belfast was outstanding. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hawk Walk"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RSE tour and we were very pleased. Our guides (Lynn and apprentice Conor) were very knowledgeable, friendly, accessible, and kept the group engaged. We learned a great deal from them about Irish history and culture. Lynn was a big hit with her treats on the bus. She kept us on target with her "time expectations" and buddy check system. My wife and I were pleased with the selection of every hotel. The local guides were quite engaging and knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one, but the Cliffs of Moher, Castle Dun Aengus on Inishmore, and the sights along the Atrim coast would be at the top. Another impressive memory would be when we accidently bumped into our local Kinsale guide Barry about two hours after he had finished his guided tour with our group and then proceeded to spend time with just my wife and I showing us more of the town. It was at if we had been friends for years!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No one "wow". But I was not expecting All the Spectacular Coastline sights "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guides - Lynn and Conor - were fantastic. Knowledgeable and helpful; fun and interesting. This was our first RSE tour. We really enjoyed having someone handle the logistics. But Eric wasn't always eager to follow the schedule. Maybe a little too active. But he knew that going in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lisa: the visit to the falconry Eric: the seaside stops, particularly the ancient fort: Dun Aengus (sp)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great! I saw so much and learned so much. Great local guides and an exceptional main tour guide who took good care of each of us. There was just the right amount of free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was too many "wow" moments to pick just one. I loved the Red Trail at the Giant Causeway with its great ocean views, seeing the Titanic museum, and understanding better all the conflicts Ireland has gone through."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lolly went above and beyond in sharing Ireland and Northern Ireland with us. Extremely knowledgeable and passionate with her information. And Mark our driver made it a perfect team.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giants causeway and rope bridge was an outstanding day!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour. Lolly was the best tour guide ever. She prepared a photo of our group after our first night dinner and attached their names to their faces. it was so much easier for me to learn everyone’s name. So i was able to talk to everyone more without being self conscious. Lolly gave us more information than I could remember. it was all good stuff that i can look back in whatsapp that Lolly created for our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giants causeway was a favorite spot. Cliffs of Moher was second, and the rope bridge Carrick-a-rede was the natural wonder. the wall in belfast was emotionally draining. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Scenery, history, culture were all lifted up by our guide and her associates. We felt very enriched by the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kilmainham Gaol and the story of Plunkett and Gifford and the events of 1916 "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first organized tour ever. We were very pleased with the fact that there was a small group (28), which was one of the reasons we chose RS. Lolly (Guide) and Mark ( Driver) were at the top of their game, very professional, knowledgeable, friendly and also casual. Both were really interactive with the group and made everyone feel welcome. Loved Lollys history lesson throughout. She's very passionate about her country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Had a few: Cliffs of Mother, Ashbury Castle and Falconry School, Giants Causeway, Rock of Cashel (love the old architecture throughout the country)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour experience was everything I'd hoped for and many delightful unexpected treats!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh gosh, just one? Maybe the Titanic Exhibition. The Giant's Causeway... the Rock of Cashel... finding out what Guiness is SUPPOSED to taste like... the crystal-cutting in Dingle... Inismore...the quaint and comfy hotels and yummy meals... "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Lolly, was excellent. Very informative with a lot of energy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle and the coast line north. Very beautiful. Hawk walk at Ashford Castle, Aran Islands tour, tour of the prison in Dublin..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Ireland Tour was simply outstanding. The entire tour gave me a smile on my face and wondering what we see around the next turn every single day. Beautiful country sides, ocean views, castles, so much to see. Our tour guide, Lolly, was outstanding with her knowledge and history of all of Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is so hard to pick only one wow moment, there were so many. The Book of Kells exhibition, Cliffs of Moher, and the visit to the school of Falconry at Ashford Castle were fantastic wow moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and learning experience on Irish history. Wonderfull natural sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Holding a baby lamb and boating to the Assan Islands"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were very lucky to have a great guide with Lolly, a great bus driver with Mark and a really nice group of people. We lucked out with the weather too. Lolly was able to take 28 people and entertain us all. Lolly mentioned that we had several "firsts" and all of them were well worth it. The one Belfast Tour was a little long but it could also be that it was the end of the tour and our attention span may not have been as good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many...the suspension bridge was something we never thought we would be able to complete and both my husband and I did it. The views are breath taking. We enjoyed the Titanic Museum also."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, tour guide (Lolly Spence) and bus driver Mark were excellent!c

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher, Aren Island, Sheep Farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Pascal, was amazing. He made the history of Ireland come alive with poignant stories of the settlement of the island and Ireland’s struggle for freedom from England combined with stories of the peoples’ struggle to live in a harsh landscape all colored by optimism for the future of Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the landmarks of human history and the physical beauty of Ireland were all "wow" moments but I will remember most fondly the evenings we spent in local pubs in small town with local musicians playing and singing folk tunes. I still occasionally hum The Black Velvet Band. Pascal’s story of looking for “craic” in Edmonds still makes me laugh."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Rick Steves Best of Ireland tour was absolutely amazing! Pascal, our guide, Steve, our bus driver, and all the guides in each city were fabulous, funny, and so knowledgeable. I loved learning so much about the history of Ireland, seeing and experiencing the incredible scenery, and listening to the amazing Celtic music across the country. I also really enjoyed getting to go to Northern Island and learning about the history and culture there. The whole experience was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moments were all the Celtic music we got to hear, in pubs and the concerts that Pascal arranged for our tour group. It was outstanding, whether they were groups who played frequently with each other, or ones that happened organically with musicians showing up and just playing together. Of course, there were many "wow" moments, including the scenery like the Cliffs of Moher and the Giants Causeway, all the beautiful churches and stained glass, and the camaraderie of our group."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I leaned so much about the history of Ireland. Our tour guide and bus driver were outstandingI

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the cliffs and ocean. I loved all the green where ever it was!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the tour! It met all my expectations. The bus driver and tour guide set a fun tone for the trip, which was contagious with all the participants. The amount of free afternoons off were just perfect. I wouldn't have wanted more or less free time than was planned. The amount of walking was a bit challenging, but I was happy for the exercise and kept up with the group. I was pleased with all of the hotels and the restaurants and food. The sighting stops were all very interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding tour and guide. Pascal was tremendous and extremely knowledgeable about the towns, history and places to visit during our tour. The man deserves a raise in pay for this one. He earned it. He was always available to help with any issue. Advise for folks touring Ireland: do not come with "water resistant" jackets. Get Water proof. There is a huge difference and those who did got soaked. Just sayin.Its also a little breezy there. lol.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Its hard to pick just one. That said, the Cliffs of Moher were very impressive as was the town of Dingle. For me the most fun was the ferry ride out to the Aran Islands as there was a small amount of rocking and rolling involved. People who get seasick may want to take medication. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned a lot about the history of Ireland, which was very interesting and loved getting immersed into the culture. We were overwhelmed by how friendly and welcoming everyone we encountered were. Fantastic people!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dun Aengus on the Aron Islands-spectacular view, even better than the Clffs of Mowr."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my 10th RS tour and it was my favorite. Pascal was a phenomanal guide and the Ireland tour had a combo of history, nature and culture that was awesome. I learned a lot and had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose - there were so many. Visiting Giant's Causeway early in the morning before the hoards of tourists was my "wow" moment. We got to explore the beautiful and rugged coast when it was relatively deserted and we could truly appreciate its beauty."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour. We had a really good group ( which helps) that bonded quickly and got on well. The guide and driver were wonderful. Full of knowledge and eager to make our trip special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a tough one. It was all so special. Aran Islands ( once we got off a very rough ferry ride) and the walk up to the ruins was special. The view beyond description."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

14-day Ireland tour was a fun-filled, fact-filled, culture-filled trip. We wouldn't visit Ireland any other way. We visited iconic places, some of which are difficult to get to but the tour took care of that. And the commentary by our guide, Pascal, was wonderful. We laughed, we cried. It was the best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Portrush and the Giant's Causeway (very difficult to choose!)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves' tour, and we were beyond impressed. Pascal was a fantastic guide, host, organizer, and above all storyteller!! Every day, he had history or stories, or personal stories to share about Ireland, its history, both good and bad. He made outstanding suggestions for food, where to hear live music, arranged for dinners and lunches and maintained a warm, and charming demeanor. Ask him about the Horsebox! Driver Steve was also outstanding and fun to spend time with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! Learning about Ireland's rich history, the wonderful Pub Music all over the country, the great food!! The Falconry class, making Irish Coffee, the organized concerts just for us, and the personal tours throughout the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was wonderful!! In my opinion it was due to our amazing guide Pascal and our driver Stephen. Pascal was so knowledgeable of Ireland's history and has a gift for telling it to us!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant's Causeyway was my WOW moment! Such an amazing place."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Guide was outstanding, weather was only down fall which isn’t controllable by guide or tour company

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tying the Bool of Kells to the island of Iona from our Scotland tour last year."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Pascal and Stephen were excellent ! I loved all the history and legends we were told. The hotels we stayed in were superb! All the meals were 5 star as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite sites were the Cliffs of Moho, Christ’s Church and the beautiful grounds of Ashford Castle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Ireland trip was our third Rick Steve'' tour and it did not disappoint!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several, but I thought the museums in Ireland were really impressive. Most were very interactive, modern and creative. Also, the natural features throughout the country are pretty amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Truly enjoyed everything about the trip! Our guide, Pascal was outstanding...very knowledgeable and entertaining. Our group was wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Patrick's Cashel...felt very spiritual. And, Dingle...loved our accommodations and the sweet little town. Actually, I loved every place we visited!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Pascal, made this trip outstanding. I left Ireland not only appreciating its beauty but its history. In addition, our driver, Steven made me feel safe as we navigated some narrow roads.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything was a wow moment from the beautiful country side to the heart wrenching stories of the potato famine and the Troubles. On a personal note, my hike up to the light house in Dingle was a wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enriching and educational experience! I deeply appreciated the layered history and natural beauty of the country. Especially enjoyed the our travels on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pastoral countryside dotted with sheep and rock walls. Enjoyed visit to sheep farm and holding a spring lamb! 🐑 Priceless! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wonderful tour. We went all over Ireland and it was beautiful. Sometimes, I wish we could have stayed longer in one place and skipped some other places.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Breathtaking beauty of the countryside. On rare occasions when the sun was out, the intense blue of the sea and sky and the green of the land."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was amazed with all the history of Ireland and how the guides brought it to life. The people of Ireland were so friendly, kind and helpful! Ireland countryside was beautiful! My overall tour experience was very positive. I would do it again and recommend it to others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment would be the Aran Island trip and walking the grounds of Dun Aengus. It was fascinating watching the sheep dogs in action on the sheep farm. A thrill for me to have a falcon land on my arm!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A powerful historical and cultural experience. Provided a strong sense of the geography and topography of Ireland. Many opportunities to be active outdoors. Traveling in a "shoulder" season meant few crowds and easy access to historical sites, museums and restaurants. And, less desirable weather. Our guide grew up in Ireland. He generously shared a deep knowledge of the history, literature, music, and food. It felt like he was hosting each of us like he would personal friends or family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kilmainham Gaol. Powerful lesson in Irish Republican history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Joe de Burca, was excellent. He was personable and knowledgeable. His activity and food recommendations were spot on. I appreciated Paul's smooth driving. The local guides were good, especially in Dublin and Kinsale. Some tours were modified due to the bad weather. The Irish locals were very pleasant and friendly, I was able to connect with many of them. The food was good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I read a lot of history before the tour. Joe and the local guides were able to bring it to life."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very informative & lots of fun active days

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry- having the opportunity to have a hawk land on my hand"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The guide was friendly, learned and very helpful. I got sick and he arranged medical care and was concerned.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Totally enjoyed it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hawk on the tree swooping down and coming in for a smooth landing on a traveller's arm. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is the first tour I have ever taken...it was great, exhausting, fun! Husband and I arrived two days early in Dublin, which gave us extra time to explore and rest. Meeting the group, and guide, on Sunday evening made me a bit nervous but everyone was so nice and all were excited to be together. The structure was good, but adaptable and seemed to work for most. The local guides were well versed and open to questions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I will say that the Giant's Causeway was my favorite wow from the tour. But I do have to mention the Burren--I loved it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful time. Joe D’Arcy was a great guide: well organized, knowledgeable, a wonderful sense of Irish humor, concerned for the welfare of his guests.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While at Innishmore, we climbed the steep trail up to Dun Aengus. When we reached the top and walked toward the edge of the cliff, the mighty, brooding plane and cliffs appeared suddenly and dramatically below. It took my breath away."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing time with a great group of NOW friends from all over the US and Canada. Our guide Joe Darcy was the BEST and George our driver was so much fun and an absoloute genius behind the wheel!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many to name but some of the top moments are Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causeway, the Irish Music Night with the O'Sea family, the limericks on the bus and Joe's singing and George's one liners. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As with all Rick Steves tours, the guides truly made the tour. The quality of lodging, meals, activities, and experiences is top notch. I trust the tour to give me the full experience of the country and culture, and LOVE not having to plan, organize, or drive. That is truly vacation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The other travellers were a great group and all the guides grest

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Harris hawk experience with the wonderful knowledgeable guide. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and good group of travelers. Appreciated the excellent organization. Loved just about everything! Love the beauty of Ireland and the ability to watch and appreciate as we were driven on bus

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Overcoming my fear of allowing a hawk to land on my forearm ! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had the time of our life. The smaller group made all the difference in the world. Not having to drive, buy tickets, and plan every move was nirvana. This was the first time we took a two week vacation. No time was wasted.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Inishmore and climbing to the top. The feeling of getting to the top and taking in the breathtaking view will be remembered for the rest of my life. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt every day was filled with amazing scenery and experiences. The timing of every day's events was spot on. Joe, our guide, was upbeat, friendly, and sincerely attentive. The concept of the "Happy Half Hour" pub stops is great! The quality of the dinners seemed a notch higher than previous 6 RS tours. The city guides were quite good. I suggest the Dingle guide put the viewing of famous stained glass in the cathedral earlier in the tour - we missed out as it was closed when we arrived.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are many "wow" moments. The falconry experience at Ashford Castle is unforgettable. I am biased because I am a "bird person". The staff member was very knowledgeable and a joy to listen to - loved it. The day on Inishmoor was special too - the hike to the fort and van tour was unique. The intimate evening of Irish music and dancing with the O'Shea father and sons was unforgettable!!! The Blasket Island experience was very interesting-I would return there. Cliffs of Mohar...awesome! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the beginning to the end, our experience in Ireland was wonderful. Our guide, Joe was phenomenal and made our trip and experience that we will never forget. Our driver, Stephen did an excellent job of navigating us all over the country. We enjoyed all of the establishments that we stayed in and all of the activities that we did either alone or as a group were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I’m not sure that I could choose one “wow” moment as there were so many things that we did or saw that were amazing. The little towns were by far my favorite and certainly enjoyed the charm and friendliness of everyone we encountered. The sheep herding stop was definitely a highlight along with the Cliffs of Moher were certainly at the top of my list. Dingle was my favorite stop/town and could see myself going back there sometime. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falcon school "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Joe, was great. He led us through Ireland's wonderful sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was the beautiful scenery throughout the country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ireland lives up to the hype: 40 shades of green, friendly Irish pubs, music, dancing, traditional Irish food, the Cliffs of Moher, the barren island of Inishmore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many. One was when I found my surname and the Gaelic version on an interactive display at the Cliffs of Moher. For the first time I had solid evidence of my Irish roots. Number two may have been the Cliffs of Moher. Number three the Island of Inishmore. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent in every way. The itinerary was perfect and Joe was an exceptional tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Kilmainham Gaol."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count. Maybe walking with our straining umbrellas in Storm Babet to dinner at the Actons Hotel in Kinsale, arriving soaking wet. It was so ridiculous and fun ultimately. Our group just kept on keeping on! I am not one of those people who engage in best, favorite or first type questions. I find amazing everywhere every day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Without a doubt, this is the best vacation I have ever had! It was so much more than I could have even imagined!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gosh, it's hard to narrow it down to one moment so I'll give you my top 3: I would say the Kissana Sheep Herder demonstration, the Ireland School of Falconry and Dingle!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

More than I expected. Transportation, lodging, meals, planned sites, tour host, bus driver, and guides could not have been more enjoyable. The weather did not disappoint either (rain, rain, rain) but we were told to expect this and we managed quite well. Everyone should take this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved all the beauty and sites of the island. The greenness and history. Loved the castle ruins and stained glass windows in all the cathedrals. No particular “wow” moment. Loved it all."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Joe Darcy was a great tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous tour guide, dawling Joe Burke. Lots of little diversions highlighting all the historical, geographical, and ecological effects that have shaped this country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gaining an understanding of the history and challenges that shaped the country and its people. The Cliffs of Moher, Slea Head Drive, Dingle Peninsula, and the Burren were all spectacular sights...so much so that you almost became immune to the beauty of the landscapes, but the resilience, warmth and friendliness of the people, who have faced so many challenges were more inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful- the country is beautiful, the people we met were friendly and Joe, our tour director was outstanding; Paul, our driver was great! The hotels were comfortable and very well situated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being on top of the cliffs after a rigorous hike and looking out into the Atlantic Ocean. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great and memorable experience because of a very knowledgeable Tour Director, Joe, and very likable tour members. Our Tour Director gave us a lot of Historical, Cultural facts about Ireland. During our walks Joe surprised us by giving the names of plants, trees, flowers that we saw along the way. The sights, sea shore, the castle, the architectures of the places we visited were just astonishing and truly memorable. It was an impressive tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is tough to have a favorite wow moment because overall it was a great and memorable experience; the natural wonders of Ireland’s, the cliffs, view of the Atlantic Ocean, Castles, farms, the Architecture, and gastronomic experiences. Plus, new found friends😊"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Educational, entertaining and I gained weight. Love Joe and Paul!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t give you one because there was daily WOW moments. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best ever

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wows kept coming. I guess the most I was impressed with was the American-Irish connections everywhere we went and the friendliness of the Irish people. Being American with Irish ancestry, I learned so much and finally what it meant to be “Scots Irish”. The whole tour had wonderful and delightful details evey day. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour offered a fascinating crash course in Irish history, politics, religion, architecture, poetry, song and culture. Since I neglected to do any "summer reading" before the tour, I've already purchased two books to delve further into issues that I didn't realize I knew so little about before this tour. The hotels were all fine. Belfast's Europa Hotel was a perfect end point with the bus stations right next door, sparing us long walks in the teeming rain the morning of departure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher- a gorgeous walk and breathtaking scenery. Strong Second: When a local made a song request for "grace" at a bar in Kinsale and after he exuberantly joined in singing it, I realized it was a song about Grace Gifford, who we had just learned about on our tour of Kilmainham Gaol. Third: the landscape of western Ireland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve’s tour. I’ve traveled using Rick’s book for years and watched his travel programs, so figured I’d be happy.Actually being on one of his tours was amazing! There is no way, on our own that my husband and I would have seen all the sights we did or learn all the history of an area that we did. The personal stories shared by the guides, the daily diversions from the schedule, made every day an unforgettable adventure. We can’t wait to plan another trip with Rick Steve’s.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The landscapes of Ireland constantly took my breath away. The comradaree that developed among the group of total strangers was a surprise. On our group was passing into Northern Ireland, our trip guide, Joe, had our driver divert to a beautiful spot where we all disembarked to toast a goodbye and thank you to a most beautiful country and experience. Of course it was rainy but the weather just fit the occasion and how we all felt in leaving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Accommodations, meals, bus and guides commentary all excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Irish musicians and dancers."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A thorough introduction to Ireland, from the wonderful cities of Dingle, Kinsale and Dublin, to the beautiful rugged coastlines, to the haunting hunger trail. Our guide Joe was incredibly knowledgeable, informative and fun. The hotels were lovely and most of the meals were very good (the only exception was our first hotel dinner at the Europa in Belfast where the food was not good for the 6 vegetarians).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t narrow it down to one: the Dingle peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher, the drive through the valleys north of Galway, the Troubles history in Derry and Belfast, the titanic museum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ireland lived up to its reputation as the Emerald Isle. Such glorious, untamed beauty everywhere outside the metropolitan areas, it was a feast for the eyes and soul.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to fly a hawk during a visit to the falconry school located on the stunning grounds of Ashford Castle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall all experience was great. Guides were excellent. This was my 4th RS tour, and met my expectations of previous tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many great experiences. The trip to the Aran Islands and hiking up to Dun Aengus- the views were amazing. Learning about and seeing the Peace Wall in Belfast- I was surprised to learn that the wall is still opened and closed daily, even with the Good Friday agreement so many years ago. If was wonderful to see what a vibrant city Belfast is. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good experience, a lot of to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Falconry site was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour, excellent tour leader (Kelli), wonderful tour participants, made new friends, first RS tour I have ever taken myself, but will take them again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The music in the Irish pubs. Especially a pub in Dublin where we met and talked to the musicians. And the Guinness was tremendous. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ireland was beautiful and the people were so friendly. Our guide Kelli was fantastic - knowledgeable, personable and interesting. Our bus driver Pamela was not only a good driver but was a great source of information about culture and life in Ireland. We had a good group and everything was handled like clockwork.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So, so many. But the landscapes of Ireland are incredible. Anytime we were outside was fantastic. I never knew there were so many colors of green in nature. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the best tour I've ever been on. Our primary guide, Declan and his mentee, Connor were fantastic, knowledgeable, and very fun. A well-laid out, very detailed, and fun itinerary, with excellent accommodations and delicious food. We covered a LOT of territory. There were many places I would have liked to stay longer. There is so much history and so much to learn. But that's how this type of tour is...as a famous comedian once said, "always leave 'em wanting more!" I want more!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were in Dingle and Declan arranged to have two musicians (guitarist and fiddle player) play our own private Irish music gig. That was great fun. But even better was when our guide Connor joined them and played for a long, merry time. Of course, LOVED visiting so many places e.g., being led on a tour of Kinsale with Barry, another fabulous Rick Steves tour guide. There were so many awesome experiences, it's very difficult pick just one. Cliffs of Moher was outstanding! Too many to note"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Comprehensive tour of Ireland with excellent guides and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Surprise musical event when we were in Dingle. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I feel like I should get college credit for what I learned about Irish history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingel Penninsula experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Seeing Ireland--past, present, and future--through the eyes of Declan taught me more than a semster in college.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The National Famine Memorial in Murrisk."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Declan was a superb guide. I learned so much about Ireland’s history! The country is absolutely gorgeous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I liked my tour companions and our lead guide was excellent. The local guides he found were very informative and were a pleasure. I learned a lot about Ireland and feel a better world citizen for it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No single moment stands out. The entire tour was a "Wow"."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guides Declan and Conacore were fabulous! Sharing their love for their country and its torrid, rich history. Ireland is a beautiful country, I see why other peoples wanted to take it over and I now understand why the Irish people wanted/needed to leave their country. this was my wow.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the Irish history! Kilmainham Gaol, Book of Kales, Kissane sheep herding, the Coffin ship sculpture, the music sessions, Inishmore."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We learned a ton. Declan Field was an outstanding guide. He added many experiences and knowledge about everything in Ireland. Good selection of sights to see. Hotels great. I highly recommend it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband loved the falconry. Being a good Swede, I really enjoyed the Natl Archaeological Museum exhibit on the Viking village uncovered. P;us learning about the Vikings founding Dublin and their impact on Ireland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour route was a great mix of city and country. The accommodations were beautiful, comfortable and the staff was helpful and friendly. Motor coach and driver, Alan, was excellent and Declan is a fantastic guide, along with the apprentice guide, Conor. The additional guides were also amazing. as We liked the balance of time with the group and on our own

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments it’s difficult to choose. The beauty of Ireland, the history, music, the friendly people. Especially enjoyed Kinsale and Barry, Dingle (and the musical performances arranged for us), Inis Mor & Dun Aengus, Falcon experience in Cong."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first international travel and my first Rick Steves tour. All of the hotels were great, with a good breakfast at all of them. Our tour guide Bryan was a dream! Our bus driver Paul was ever the professional but also a great driver and very accommodating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dublin was wonderful and so full of history. I could go back and spend a week there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experience. The hotels were great, loved the coach driver and all of the tour guides. Food choices were good, and the Irish specialties outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to the falconry, was a once in a lifetime moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful country, wonderful people, horrible history of persecution.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were very pleased with our tour experience even though we had to leave the tour five days in due to COVID. We totally understand why we had to leave early, and thank our tour guide for helping arrange to get us back to Dublin so quickly for a flight home. Also, we were surprised and pleased that Rick Steve's Tours refunded a good portion of our tour cost back so quickly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I though the meals, accommodations and local tour guides where amazing."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

There were some lively parts to this tour, as well as the usual long hours of driving, interrupted by sometimes very minor sights. The highlights were high and the lowlights equally low!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about the Blasket Islands and people at the beautiful interpretive center was a great experience for me. The Dingle Peninsula was a highlight for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour exceeded my expectations and I felt that we became well acquainted with Ireland thanks to thoughtful tour planning and the quality of our RS guide. I have worked in the travel industry myself and think Pascal did an outstanding job. Teamed with the expert driving of Dennis, we enjoyed seeing the beautiful countryside as well as some sites which were "off the beaten track". Local guides were excellent overall and went out of their way to provide us with a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery was breathtaking and I especially enjoyed the views along the Slea Head Drive. I also loved the charm of Inis Mor and the visit to Dun Aengus. As an added bonus, the ferry boat ride was a blast! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well managed

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much about Ireland- the culture, the people, history, the struggles & the fun. Fantastic trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the day at Giant's Causeway and the exhilarating walk up Angel's staircase. Every day was a wonderful new adventure. I would not leave any day out!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fantastic. A great mix of history, culture, and beauty.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to come up with a specific wow moment, as the whole experience was one big wow, but something I experienced that I didn't expect was the warmth, friendliness and pride of the Irish people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve's Tour and I was very happy with it. More on the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery.all over Ireland."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

My wife and I have been on 10+ RX tours. This one was "OK," but it seemed to lack the "wow moments" that most of the others offered. Ireland seemed rather plane, compared to Scotland, Spain, Turkey, and so forth. The Guide, accommodations, local guides -- all were very good. I hate to say it, but Ireland seemed "dull."

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The seaside cliffs were spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In my opinion, this is the best tour format for someone like me (a senior solo traveler). Someone very knowledgeable plans everything and takes care of all the details so I can simply enjoy myself. There is enough flexibility built in to allow for my own special interests. But the key things to see and places to go are pretty much covered by the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the School of Falconry at Ashford Castle. I enjoyed the beautiful grounds and seeing the incredible castle. The guide at the castle was both knowledgeable and entertaining. He guided us through the experience and showed us how to signal the hawk to land on our gloved hand. That moment is one I will never forget!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and we were very happy with the experience. The people we met at the hotels, restaurants, planned city tours and more were all welcoming. It seemed that the Rick Steves name was well-respected. The bus driver, Dennis, was professional and skilled. I have been the tour coordinator with Cascade Youth Symphony for their past 6 tours, and we have had coaches and drivers similar to this Ireland tour. Dennis ranks as among the best. Pascal was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Castlewood House in Dingle. The breakfasts and accommodations were wonderful. Pascal arranged for Naimh/fiddle and Gerry/guitar to provide a private music session for us at Castlewood. I will remember the Dingle experiences for a long time. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was well organized, informative and the hotels were great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pretty hard to pick just one, but I’d say the Dingle peninsula was gorgeous. We hit it on a beautiful, sunny day and the wave washing up on the beaches was so beautiful. In a more general way, I’d say just driving through Ireland! I loved that we went on very few highways and instead meandered through the green, green countryside. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Annie was the very best guide. She was fun friendly well organized and informative. it is an impressive task to run a 14 day tour without a glitch. She pulled it off and we had a wonderful time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the hawk"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great group of people on the tour and our guide Anne and driver Pamela were Outstanding. We've been on one other tour before through England and Scotland and the tour is great for seeing all the sights with ease and getting the history - the only downside would be that it goes so fast. We know that's the price you pay to see so much of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We enjoyed watching the border collie's herding the sheep, and loved how green and neat and tidy all the towns were."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We saw an amazing amount of the country in a short time. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and had a great sense of humor. I appreciated not having to drive and just being able to enjoy the sights, but the down-side was being on a strict schedule and not being to spend additional time where I probably would have if on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Listening to music while having a few beers in the Tap House."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My husband and I are both 60 years old, recently retired, and have never been on a guided tour before. We loved getting on the bus each morning feeling relaxed, not having to worry about where we were going or how to get there. The other people on the tour were great, very down-to-earth and eager to learn new things. All of the tour guides were great, and we loved Ireland. The only down side is that we gave up some of our freedom and would have liked staying places longer than we were allowed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Giant's Causeway in the rain. We walked down the long trail first with views of Giant's Causeway, and then climbed around on the rocks around the Causeway. It was beautiful. We had all the appropriate rain gear, and the rain created a great atmosphere for exploring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ann was awesome. We were lucky to have a great group of people who participated in nearly all activities, even Ann’s poetry event!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giants Causeway in the rain!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

good people, great scenery, excellent senior guide, highly qualified local guides, good food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"cliffs of moher"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was most enjoyable to witness my ancestrial heritage plus enjoy the culture, scenery, history, foods, drinks all with a new set of friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was touring the Dingle Pennisula specifically Slea Head drive with teh stone-edged fields, rolling contrysides and Blasken Islands"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

No worries for everything was planned to perfection.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant’s Causeway was absolutely gorgeous. All sites and along the coastline were spectacular. Couldn’t have asked for a better trip for our family. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very Good, Knowledgeable guide and well organized. Everything was as good or better than expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We enjoyed the village of Cong and the surrounding area."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely more than expected. Declan made our trip an experience of a lifetime . Accommodations were wonderful and comfortable. Each day was an exciting new fun time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick just one. It was obvious that much thought was given to the choices of places to see. Emotionally just reliving the experiences of the Irish peoples journey and the Titantic stories will never be forgotten"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Throughout the tour, our guides shared Irish history, music, personal stories, details on Irish "troubles" and geologic information. All of this combined to give us a much deeper understanding of this beautiful island and her vibrant people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One night in Dingle our tour leader surprised the group by bringing 2 local musicians to play for us in the living room lobby of the B&B. It was magical! I imagine that this is how my Irish great grandparents' families gathered and shared music & stories years ago."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour surpassed any expectations that I had! Everyday was different in regards to experiences. There is no way we would have discovered some of these things alone. I also loved that we had plenty of free time to do as we liked.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the power of the mighty Atlantic Ocean while on the Dingle peninsula. Amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Lolly, is an enthusiastic expert on Ireland. She gave us history, current events, folklore, family stories and great jokes. Our hotels ranged from great to adequate. Group meals were tasty menus of Irish fare. We enjoyed all the planned itinerary, even the more painful historical sites. We learned so much about Ireland, past and present. Lolly and the really good local guides made it all come to life for us, even though we have no Irish ancestors. We highly recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's almost impossible to decide because nearly every day showed us something new. We enjoyed the day trip to Inishmore, meeting a resident, and hearing his stories of life there. The Cliffs of Moher, and the Giant's Causeway were amazing too."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the beauty of the places we visited and the history. Lolly was amazing. She cared about our group and made the most of the experience. Her sense of humor was great. I loved having the local guides in addition to her as it added so much local color. Several members of our group got COVID but efforts were made to keep all safe and healthy. The coach was clean and Steven, the driver was great. It was fun and informative. I am looking for another tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the Giants Causeway because of its' beauty and challenging walk. There were so many times to look out and appreciate the scenery."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great group tour experience. Tour guide, Lolly was truly amazing. We learned so much about Ireland and it’s history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the town of Kinsale and its charm. Also, the Giant’s Causway was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"views from Dingle peninsula"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 14 day Ireland trip was amazing and so beautiful! Great food, hotels and people were top notch! The wild Atlantic Way was a bonus I wasn’t even thinking about. I’m not sure I could only have one favorite of the whole journey, Dingle definitely makes the top 5, what a charming community and the people are so friendly. We sat outside and ate lunch with some local people who made us feel welcome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Torc Waterfall and people surfing. Being from the Midwest we don’t have any of those things close to us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour! beautiful scenery, outstanding cultural experiences, lots of history, congenial travel companions, and all the logistics taken care of.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many - having a hawk land on my arm, watching border collies herd sheep, seeing how crystal is cut, hiking to the hill fort in the Aren Islands, Barry's tour of Kinsale, attending a trad music concert in St. James' church..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experience of the tour was amazing, stunning, fantastic; from the comfortable, clean couch, wonderful places to stay, fantastic guides, tasty food, jaw dropping landscapes, The people, The history all the best!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite "wow" moment I have a few, the sheep herding, the falcon, the museums, and Rick's surprises during our trip! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My very first group tour experience and it could not have been better! From our fabulous guide Susie to our wonderful driver Pamela to the sites and sounds it was better than my expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't have just one! It was so incredible to be in the land of my ancestors."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Terrific tour! Well-paced. Interesting sights throughout. Much history. Local guides a font of knowledge and good humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose only one.Nominations? The drive through the Connemara region was surreal. Barry’s tour of Kinsale. The Blasket Center (pride of Gaelic language). Titanic Experience (the extraordinary effort in building the ship). The coast and the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway…."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ireland was magnificent and our tour hit all the highlights. We wished it was even longer…we’ll have to go back.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had several…Inishmore’s harsh beauty, the Titanic museum, the EPIC center, being firmly bumped from behind by a ghost(?) at George’s Fort when no one was near me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great …a fun group of people ! Excellent Guide …Susie …she was personable , friendly and professional …really informative . Pam was our driver ..Amazing !!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many great moments ..from start to finish ..Trinity College and seeing The Book of Kells, The Cliffs of Moher …wow ! The Titanic Museum in Belfast . and so much more "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Inishmore To Inishmore island we went Time at ruins and graveyards we spent The ferry ride was rough I had had enough As over the barf bag I bent Johnny Johnny he brings in the sheep With his dog whom he guides with each peep On his whistle so small it’s hardly at all Til each ewe is secure in the keep ……………. Jonathan Jonathan shears like a pro Each lady wants him for her beau It’s a shame they all say He’s been taken away By a lass who has him in tow

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Susie Thirteen days have flown quickly past With a riveting lady who hails from Belfast Past Kinsale and Dingle she has traipsed us about Around Innish Mor and Galway we’ve found something else out Of a stone oratory and Viking cities and many a mystery She has interconnected Irish history The Spanish the French, and English of course Each trotted out in her fluid discourse Pam drove us round the island from Dublin to Belfast And now we’re at the end of our journey at last. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Third tour so I knew what to expect. The tour met my expectations. Except I wanted to do the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Poulnabrone Dolmen in the Burren. Joe explained that the rope bridge doesn't allow motor coaches anymore. Anyway a bit frustrated knowing what is covered in advance and what is not. Pretty minor compared to the overall experience however.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it was on our free day when my wife and I were bicycling down country lanes and then walking up through sheep fields to the lovely views at EaskTower. And talking to the farmer who owns the land about his struggles with sheep farming."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd RS Tour, and it fulfilled all our expectations. Again, we enjoyed the guide's incredible knowledge about his country, the local guides were very interesting, the variety of activities on the itinerary were enjoyable and a great group of tour mates made this another amazing travel experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking along the Cliffs of Moher and the hike through the Giant's Causeway were spectacular, as well as both Dun Aengus and Dun Luce remains. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very educational. Pace good. Sufficient free time. Guides outstanding. Loved the history and natural beauty. Our travelers jelled extremely well, and I'm thinking that Rick Steves attracts a positive type of traveler.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WOW moment was the walking tour of Derry that was not on the schedule, but Joe took us there during some free time. It should be added to the trip. The murals showing the troubles were haunting and learning about the civil war and the uneasy peace was stunning for us. Not a happy Wow moment but a significant one. BTW, a guide told us how much people there appreciated the personal efforts of Bill and Hillary Clinton to bring peace. We don't hear that in the US."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was well written so we knew exactly what to expect and enhanced our experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Thanks to books suggested by Rick Steves, reading “20 Years A Growing” made the Great Blasket Center and the Slay Head Drive incredibly special. My husband’s wow moment was The Giant’s Causeway. Actually, everyday was a WOW moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour guides made our trip very interesting and our fellow travelers were fun to be with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about the religious divide between the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland that still exists today "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Ireland tour was great! Our guide Pascal was just the perfect combination of professional, helpful and funny. I have to also say the combination of people on the tour was perfect. On this tour ( I have taken others) we sat and visited with everyone. Everyone was great. The island of Ireland is just what I always thought it would be, beautiful, green, historic and friendly!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Without a doubt stopping at the Falconery was my favorite! What a great experience!!! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We got a good overview of Ireland and the weather was outstanding. Our guide, Pascal, was very informative and had a great base of knowledge in all aspects of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guide, Pascal, arranged for a group of musicians and Irish dancers to perform at our hotel in Belfast. It was a wonderful experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second RS tour. As with the first, the best part of the tour was the primary guide, Pascal. On the bus, he delivered a seamless blend of Irish history, humorous anecdotes (cultural and personal), Irish music, and helpful restaurant and site-seeing advice. He always prepared us well for whatever the next tour event was. Since the music was a big draw for me, his personal connections with Irish musicians really made the tour special. Hotels and restaurants were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visually, the drive along the tip of the Dingle peninsula, climbing Dun Aengus on Inishmore and the Antrim coast were the most spectacular. The Cliffs of Moher, of course, also, but there was such a mob of people,it detracted from the wonder. The Slea Head Raod on Dingle made me feel like we’d found the Ireland I had heard about. The two most satisfying moments were the walking tour by Barry in Kinsale and our first dinner in Dingle with two young musicians Pascal had engaged to play for us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour, guide, and itinerary. Balance of activities, bus time and group time was great. We learned much about the history of Ireland, enjoyed great food and local music.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking the giants causeway was spectacular. Fish and chips were a wow as well and never got old."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the best one yet.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty and the people (locals, tour guides, staff, and our group/Pascal) "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pascal was a wonderful guide. He added so much to the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry at Ashford Castle. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The movement on the tour was brisk, it was expected. One day to adjust (actually two, we came a day earlier (good suggestion), third day in rhythm. If we do another, we'll come earlier again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of little wows = a big WOW! making the Irish coffee, having a group toast on the cliffs of Moher, School of Falconry at Ashford Castle, bus leaving on time for the day, titanic museum (well done!), informative and funny guides (all of them, especially Declan), excellent accommodations, filling breakfasts and dinners and feeling SAFE throughout the tour (including Belfast). "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved getting to know so much of Ireland, the people, the cities and small towns, the history, culture and the arts. The trip exceeded our expectations! Declan Field, our guide, enriched the trip with Irish song, history and folk tales. Every day was a new adventure and learning experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s difficult to choose one, but a definite highlight was a trad music concert in a small church in Dingle. The music lively music filled the church. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I highly recommend this tour. Our tour guide, Declan, was outstanding! He possesses a rare talent of making history, culture and folklore come alive using stories, songs and different voices. I learned a lot and had fun at the same time. The local guides were good, too. And, our bus driver, Paul, received applause numerous times for his skill in navigating a large bus down extremely narrow streets.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A magical evening concert of traditional Irish folk music held in a 13th century church. Such talented musicians!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Interesting history and places to see. Good music too. I never knew all the history of the struggles of the Irish people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was extremely interesting and historically informative, with great guides at many fascinating stops. The tour group was congenial, and our tour guide excellent. The accommodation and food were all above expectations, and there were plenty of opportunities to do our own exploring. To cap it off, the weather was far better than expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There really wasn't a "wow" moment, but the visit to the Kilmainham jail as very moving and left us with deep impressions of the tragic history of the birth of the Republic of Ireland."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall tour experience was amazing. Our guide, Declan, was outstanding. I enjoyed learning about the culture and history of Ireland (while walking and on the bus) and hearing his entertaining stories. The Rick Steve guides in the various cities were also terrific. The tour was well organized, the accommodations were comfortable (especially Heaton’s in Dingle!), and the shared meals were all delicious. The free time allowed was just enough, as well. A fantastic experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There is not one favorite “wow” moment, but many! Loved the sheep farm and falconry experiences, the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant’s Causeway, the breakfasts and private concert at Heaton’s in Dingle (and the concert at the church there). The Dingle Peninsula was probably my favorite area—so beautiful! Enjoyed the ferry ride and Inishmore. The Dublin and Kinsale walking tours were excellent. Enjoyed the Derry and Belfast tours, as well. Titanic museum was interesting. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded my expectations! It starts with the guide, and Lynn was outstanding! She was extremely knowledgeable, with great stories and personal anecdotes! She was kind, funny, professional, so helpful and compassionate too! The breadth of the tour was outstanding too, from the geography we covered, to the historical, the political, the small villages to the big cities, and the majestic awe inspiring scenery in between. I cannot say enough about how wonderful that tour was!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One is very personal and the other is a totally foreign experience. Personally my solo walk to the lighthouse in Dingle where I sat for 35 minutes without seeing another person and absorbed the awesome beauty of the coastline, the ocean, the mist. Unforgettable. But in Belfast, the oxymoron of the Peace Wall was disturbing, sad and also unforgettable. In both instances, I was grateful. Grateful for the opportunity and grateful I don't live behind walls and gates."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well planned. Our guide Lynn Corden was very organized and knowledgeable. The people I met on the tour were interesting and fun to be with. There was time at every stop for some free time. The dinners and entertainment were outstanding! Our bus driver, Steven, was a fantastic driver and a great addition to our tour!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring Northern Ireland with a guide that grew up there. I learned so much about the Troubles & WWII in that area. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lolly, our guide, is absolutely first class and did an amazing job. We had great fellow travelers, making each day one to look forward to. All the towns and areas we visited were so beautiful and the Irish people so gracious and kind.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A collective wow moment for me was spending a week recovering from Covid in the wonderful little town of Westport, County Mayo, after leaving the tour with four days remaining. We fell into the gentle Irish way of life easily!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour in all respects. Lolly has set a bar for tour guides for us that I don't think will be met by our future guides, she is outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This will be an odd one, but when we walked though the gate onto the grounds of St. Multose Church in Kinsale it was like walking back in time hundreds of years. The wall around the Church obscures the view of the Church and graves, and once inside it obscures the view of the modern world. For me it was a sight and sensation I will always remember. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lolly made this tour what was to be expected and more. She was extremely knowledgeable and full of awesome surprises. And Pamela made us fear nothing with her amazing driving skills. I thoroughly enjoyed every stop and every accommodation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Giants Causeway "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I would rate the tour outstanding due to our amazing guide, Lolly, (as well as the other guides) plus the outstanding itinerary, but we had to leave the tour early due to Covid. Therefore, I deducted a point since it was very disappointing to leave early.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We saw so many wonderful sights that it's hard to single one out. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceptional tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Antrim Coast"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour and we were able to see an excellent sample of Ireland. Our guide, Lolly, was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our first night in Belfast included a special "surprise": The Belfast Story" cultural show at our hotel. This included tradiational music, Irish Dancing and a narrated summary history of Belfast. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour far exceeded my expectations. The quality of the guides, the lodgings, and the itinerary were outstanding for the price. I felt as if we really saw and learned as much as is possible in a 2 week period.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many wow moments, but I remember walking along Slea head and seeing the beautiful vista with Blasket islands on the horizon, coming out onto the cliffs of Moher, the spectacular views from Eask tower, and having a hawk on my arm. Also, I witnessed a gorgeous sunrise with Scotland in the distance from Portrush. Our Amazing guide, and incredibly good weather made it all unforgettable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

well paced, saw lots of sites and guides all very good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"sheep dog herding"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I LOVED my experience with this tour. It was sooooo good that i kept asking those who've done other tours if all Rick Steve tours were like this. The people on the tour were exceptional and Pascal, our guide, was beyond exceptional. After having been in lockdown in what feels like years, this was a fantastic way to get back out there, visiting places, making new friends and traveling. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone. I can't wait to go back to Ireland!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views, scenery, locals and friends i made on the tour - as well as our guide...just about everything was a wow! BUT, if i had to pick one thing i would say Pascal, our guide was phenomenal. I loved his stories, in particular when he cracked himself up before he could finish them on the tour. He had the bus laughing just WAITING for his story even before it began. "