Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour

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

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

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

Joe Darcy was a great tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry"

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

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

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

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falcon school "

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

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

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

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

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

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

Accommodations, meals, bus and guides commentary all excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Irish musicians and dancers."

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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 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 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 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 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

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

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 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

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 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

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

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 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

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 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"views from Dingle peninsula"

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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 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 5 of 5

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

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

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

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry at Ashford Castle. "

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 4 of 5

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 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 5 of 5

Exceptional tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Antrim Coast"

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 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

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, 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

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

Beautiful country! Very friendly people, exciting and meaningful history, tour guide. Paschal, was outstanding. Tour was very well done and... as always... the fellow travelers were interesting and greet to travel with. Would love to return!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many of them! If I have to pick it would be the Giants Causeway! Unique, beautiful, untouched."

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. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved traveling around the entire country which is beautiful and the people are wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"there were too many to mention! SO much of the country is beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Always fun to see new places and meet new people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giants cause way was spectacular and the hike around it was enjoyable. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Ireland was amazing. We got to see several different locations and I cannot imagine having a better guide than Pascal. He kept us on track and always prepared us for the next stop. He was a great storyteller and shared a lot of his own personal experiences with the location. The longer bus rides were a mix of history, storytelling and music from or about the area that we were in. Overall, a great experience. A great mix of culture, tourism and Irish history!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a hard one as there were so many. As an avid hiker, I loved the hiking and the area around Dingle. Hiking up to the Eask Tower and the views from that location were amazing. I also loved the way that the farmland was divided into sections using the rock walls. It made for some great pics. I also have to mention the sheep dog demonstration. I loved hearing the history and legends of each area was very interesting. I loved the views from the mountain lakes and how calming that felt."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Organized, well managed and fun

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep farm "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was magnificent until day 11 when I tested positive for Covid and had to leave the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ashford School of Falconry was just unreal! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed the tour, especially the landscape, excellent tour guides, and Irish history discussions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the forested Connemara countryside on the western side of the island compared to the grasslands of the eastern side."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much about the history of Ireland, it was fantastic. Our guide told traditional stories, sang songs, played recorded music; it was a rich experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"At Trinity College the old library and the Book of Kells. A second wonder was the World Heritage site the Giant's Causeway."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first Rick Steves tour, and it was a thoroughly amazing experience. The length of 14 days provided a great opportunity to "circle" Ireland, our tour guide (Declan) was superb, our fellow travelers were an experienced and friendly group, and the overall itinerary plus extra events made this a trip I'll remember as a peak experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very challenging to thin out so many great moments. The "falconry" experience was something I never imagined I would do. In a different fashion, what we saw and heard over the duration of the tour connected a lot of dots in better understanding Ireland's history and how that brought them to today. The majestic scenery is imprinted into my memory, as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No specific moment but a series of incredible moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and one my husband and I had been waiting for to celebrate our retirement. From the first night to the last our tour guide made memorable experiences a daily expectation!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many but it might be the falconry experience in Ireland! This was a once in a lifetime experience. But the next one was being in Dingle, Ireland at Heaton’s Bed and Breakfast. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

During our thoroughly enjoyable experience, Joe Darcy, our tour leader, expertly guided us on an immersive journey into Irish history and culture. Comfortably traveling through the beautiful countryside to iconic as well as off the beaten path locations where Joe and local subject experts explained the what and why of yesterday’s and today’s Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about the layered history of the land and finally understanding today’s political landscape. Learning about and actually “flying” a hawk at a falconry school. Meeting Irish musicians and performers and experiencing immersive evenings arranged for our group. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Ireland, and the tour exceeded our already high expectations. Our guide Joe was very personable and informative and was always ready to make suggestions on entertainment and dining options. The local guides did an excellent job of explaining different portions of Irish history that lead to the past difficulties, and it was good to get multiple perspectives. The scenery was magnificent and the schedules activities gave us a great taste of Irish culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many spectacular natural sights, but our favorite was the Giant's Causeway. We have never seen such unique geology and we enjoyed being able to walk on the basalt pillars. The trails that ran up the surrounding cliffs gave excellent overviews of the Causeway and the surrounding coastline. The walk along the top of the cliffs the topper to our morning at the Causeway."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Joe was a fantastic guide, arguably the best guide I have ever had. The tour was amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The falconry experience was unexpected and wonderful. Northern Ireland was new to me and although I preferred our time in the Republic of Ireland, I really learned a lot having the north and Belfast on the trip."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thought the tour was well thought out and organized for busy days. I felt for the amount of ground we covered we did get a reasonable amount of free time. I appreciated the emphasis on Ireland's history and culture which provided deeper understanding of our experiences. I was dismayed that Covid was a factor on this tour. People did not mask on the bus and meals continued to be offered en masse.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the absolutely stunning Dingle peninsula on a sunny morning while traveling Slea Head drive. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and it not only met but exceeded our expectations. The tour was well organized. Our accommodations were very comfortable and functional. Our tour guide Joe was exceptional and so was our bus driver Mark.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We really enjoyed Kinsale, Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula and the Aran Islands. We greatly enjoyed the beautiful countryside, the coast and local music."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

5days into tour I had covid. Your company needs to help those of us who need to return home. No help was given, bus left, we were on our own!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kilmainham prison"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent tour guide(s), excellent bus driver! We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with the exception of our stay at Port Rush, (Atlantic Hotel) in Ireland! Our guide even suggested that Ballycastle as a better place to stay.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the sites we visited were great! Especially the school of falconry, scenic drives, sheep farm, and the Giants Causeway."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was all I had hoped it would be. From delicious food to incredible sights it fulfilled the vision I'd had in my head for over 4 years. Our guide Joe was great. He imparted his knowledge in such a way that as our tour progressed we gained an awareness with each new location of how this island came to be the place it is today.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment actually came on the first day of our tour in Dublin. We were at Trinity College and had just left the Book of Kells exhibit. Transitioning into an area that appeared to be under going some restoration. I looked to my left and saw this incredible spiral staircase in an alcove with book lined shelves. Looking forward, the Long Room. Goosebumps rose. I'm an avid reader and believe in the power of books. Seeing this place where their importance is being preserved was visceral."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Booking with Rick Steves for a peak season (and first time) visit to Ireland removed the majority of logistic and busy work of "travelling" and allowed me to focus on "experiencing" Irish culture, history, food and beauty of Ireland and its welcoming people. Our lead tour guide Brian, assistant guide Etalka, and driver Allan were top notch. I especially enjoyed the Rick Steves model of paying upfront and no extra tipping fees or reliance of sales of merchandise.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't really pick a favourite. But I have to say that the "local guides" were a collective "wow" for me. The guides on our tour of Ireland were outstanding. Passionate and informative."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The itinerary was excellent. I thought we saw most of the highlights of Ireland. I also appreciated learning about Ireland's history, ancient as well as modern. So rich. This particular tour seemed to be lacking in logistical precision.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No one "wow" moment. Viewing the amazing coastal scenery was a cumulative "wow"."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We were very pleased with our visit to Ireland. As usual the Rick Steves tour provides lots of information, education and entertainment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had several “wow” moments, very difficult to highlight just one, I would suggest our private “River Dance” show was the highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was above our expectations, and they were high. Lolly as our tour guide made everything magical. We never knew what surprises Lolly had next. She made the history of each place come alive with her stories, music from the area while on the bus and special treats. The private music she arranged was wonderful. There wasn't a bad moment on the tour. We had such a wonderful time we just signed up for a new tour in 2024. Lolly has set the bar high for the next guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't just one. My husband liked the Trinity Library, Aran Islands and the "Troubles" section of Belfast (especially with the background provided by Lolly). I was in awe of Giant's Causeway and its beauty. Crazy as this is I loved jumping on the peat bog. I felt like a kid again. Lolly made every stop a wow for us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lolly, our guide, was outstanding, and made the experience educational and enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ring of Kerry"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much about Ireland - its history, its culture, its people, and its politics - and I had experiences that were off the beaten tourist track thanks to both the itinerary and the excellent Rick Steves Ireland guidebook that helped me make the most of my free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! The Jeanie Johnston famine ship and the Epic museum were incredible learning experiences that were simultaneously heart-wrenching and uplifting, and the Kilmainham Gaol tour was a step back into critical moments in history that felt very real. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide was so knowledgeable and gifted in storytelling. Bus driver was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Occurred over and over. History rich and resilience and struggle of people I never understood. The sheer breathtaking beauty of cliffs and coats and burren and museums Book of Kells to Titanic. Can’t say enough. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guides throughout tour. Great accommodations. Perfect blend of structured tour days and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Ireland landscape and historic sites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much! It was so organized and efficient! Our tour guide Lynn Corden was terrific - warm, savvy, smart, experienced, and being from Belfast gave me perspective I hadn't known.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The concert on on first evening in Dingle at Millhouse, with the lady singer from Kerry and the man. (I bought two of her Cs, but I have since lent them to someone.) I also loved the Irish dancers in Belfast."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized with a great balance of organized activities versus free time. Fantastic accomodations and food was outstanding. Friendly group of people to tour and get to know over the two weeks. You could tell, Lynn, our tour guide knew her stuff. Dennis the driver was also cool.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All was fantastic; however, the Hawk flying and Irish coffee making lesson stood out. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour with a great group of people and a super guide. I learned a lot about the history and was amazed by the scenery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick one, but the falconry demonstration really stands out."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned much history and current events through out guide, Lynn, while we were on the coach. This is a wise use of our time together. Additionally, frequent reminders about room keys and personal belongings is important. Daily passing around the coach and posting the schedule with verbal reminders of activities is important. Repetition is valuable. I suggest a get to know you at the orientation meeting. Couples went off together and would I would have liked to have join them, but felt uneasy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheep dog demonstration was fabulous, and conversation with the trainer comfortable and easy. The raptor experience was also exciting. I felt on a high the entire tour, aware that each day would be filled with new wow-like experiences."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Hotels, local tour guides and our full time bus tour guide and tour sightseeing selections were all excellent. Each hotel or small B&B we stayed in had firm quality beds and bedding. The bathrooms all had great showers. It is good to know you will have a comfortable room throughout the trip. The locations were great giving easy access to lovely towns to stroll through with nice shopping and restaurants. Our bus guide was great giving us suggestions of the popular places to go to or eat at

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the countryside was beautiful. I didn't know what I was expecting on this Ireland tour but somehow I knew a Rick Steves tour would bring me to all the places that exemplify Ireland. He did not disappoint. I guess the wow would be the Wild Atlantic Way, the Aaran Islands, The Giant Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher. Everywhere we went was beautiful. I finish a Rick Steves Tour with a better understanding of the world around me. A more fine tuned perspective of how other people live."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Ireland tour was well planned from beginning to end. Our guide, Lynn Corken, was informative, organized, and made the trip carefree holiday for my husband and me. The local guides enhanced the Ireland experience with their wealth of knowledge about the history and tour of sites within each particular city/town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to identify a favorite moment as there were so many. I enjoyed visiting the sheep farm to see the dogs in action and watch the sheep being shorn. The dinner and music at Milltown in Dingle was a relaxing highlight to an adventurous day. The Cliffs of Moher, Celtic Fortress Dun Aengus, Ashford Castle, Giant's Causeway, and Dunluce Castle were amongst my favorite scenic sites. Yet, the experience of watching a falcon soar, land, & eat from a glove at the Falconry School was grand "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overview of the entire island by walking tour guides and others stories of the past and present.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say Belfast altho there were several others. I was 30 years old during “Bloody Sunday” and still remember the many news stories of that era, but to be on the actual streets to hear about it was surreal."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and bus driver, all accommodations were excellent (didn't like the g hotel). Castlewood was fantastic Our guide Anne, arranged fun entertainment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant's Causeway view was spectacular, as was the cliffs of Mohr and castles."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed the time I spent with the tour group. Unfortunately, I tested positive for Covid on day 7 of 14, and had to leave the group. This led me to feeling a bit abandoned in Dingle, a fairly remote town with limited local resources. Luckily, my symptoms were mild, like a cold, so I was able to manage getting back to Dublin on my own. I hesitate to think what would have happened had I been more ill.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My tour included Dublin, Kinsale, Dingle, and points in-between. I was very impressed with the knowledge and desire to educate exhibited by all the local guides, to include the guides at the government-run locations, like the jail in Dublin, the rock of Cashel, etc. Just excellent!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, great food and entertainment

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed an interesting, educational and fun tour of some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. Despite the rain, everyday was one to remember. Ireland’s history is also part of our story, having ancestors that were affected by the famine and ended up in Portland, Oregon. The suffering and sacrifices of previous generations is even better appreciated now. The Irish people were so friendly and hospitable. We loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many ! One of our favorites was our time in Dingle and attending a traditional folk concert of musicians from the Blasket Islands at St. James church. We had visited the Blasket Centre that day! Since the pubs are so crowded and start their music too late for us, it was nice to have this opportunity and also the musicians who came to do a private performance for our group at our hotel. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved the people and the tour leader who we traveled with around Ireland. We knew in advance taking on the entire island in twelve days would be a lot. Spending one night in two or three different hotels at the end, made the end of the trip a blur.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sitting in a pub in Kinsale, eating good food and listening to good music"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Rick Steves tour of Ireland was outstanding! Out guide was incredible, the hotels and meals were great, and the many sights in Ireland were both beautiful and memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Kinsale was my favorite. It was quaint and beautiful, especially since it was on the water. It would be a great place to live!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized, wonderful guide, great food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can’t name just one: Cilffs of Moher, falcon experience, sheep herding/shearing, Dunluce castle, giants causeway "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Like all my other RS tours, excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Book of Kells, Giant's Causeway, Titanic Museum.."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Provided good culture background for Ireland. Included all of the best sites (that I'm aware of at least). Nice people and food options were solid. Hotels were in good locations, easy access to restaurants and bars.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Giant's Causeway. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw nearly every place I wanted to see in Ireland! Great guide and beautiful country!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had many! The Giant's Causeway, participating in the Falconry, learning about The troubles, our time in Dingle, our time in Kinsale, Discovering Belfast, the Titanic exhibit, hanging out in Dublin"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Saw many good sites and had many good experiences. Perhaps could have had slower tempo. 4 or 5 stops instead of 8.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant Causeway. Breathtaking"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Susie, was excellent. Friendly, personable, knowledgeable. Her informational narratives brought to life the places we visited. The nearly 1,000 miles of travel in 14 days was enjoyable thanks to stops for meals or short pull-offs for breaks, quick lunch or to catch a scenic view. It was nice to have the day or half-day to ourselves in several locations. Nice to stay in many hotels for two nights. Susie was great at setting a good pace for our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say. Loved our stop in Kinsale and tour with Barry. Really liked Dingle Peninsula. Ferry ride to Aran Islands was a day well-spent. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wonderful! Loved the history that was shared by the guides, built upon each other and did not overlap.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle, the B&B and breakfast, the area and free time to play golf."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful trip. the tour was outstanding

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the cliffs of more and the falconary school"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour participants were a warm, engaging bunch. We got acquainted, did things together, helped one another. Sights in Ireland were varied; Irish people shared humor and music. Most of the local guides helped me understand that area.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Irish music!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was amazing. I would only suggest 2 nights in Dingle and 3 in Galway.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Derry. My absolute favorite part of the tour. Derry Girls certainly helped feed my enjoyment of the city but Derry is amazing on its own."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great experience start to finish. Great guide. Even the bus driver was interesting. Great group of people. A really Indepth exploration of IRELAND. History, culture and food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to the School of Falconry at Ashford Castle. I have had a lot of travel experiences, but this was a really unique thing to do. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour guide, Joe, really made the entire experience wonderful from beginning to end. The others on the tour also made the overall experience memorable, not only our fellow tourists but even Allen our excellent bus driver!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the love between a blind man with a guide dog and his seeing wife. It was like watching a beautiful orchestra as he would graciously let her enjoy what she was seeing and experiencing, and then she would tell him all about it in terms he related to from when he could see. He played the mandolin during an Irish concert right along with the performers who encouraged him. No dry eyes that night, and plenty of joy to go around. What a memory to treasure!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our 2nd "Best of" tour, and I really believe it offers the best value. Looking back at what we saw and learned, it was quite amazing. The trip was well organized, but what really made the difference was our tour guide, Joe. His depth and breadth of knowledge was terrific. But better yet, pointing out places from his childhood, or the ferry co-owned by his cousin, or the pier where his 80-year old grandfather still swims from every morning. Nice touch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My main "wow" moment was when I realized, through all the different stories and historical points of interest, how the Irish persevered over centuries to win their independence. They never gave up. And that the Irish language is still taught in school, never to be lost. As far as activities, it's really hard to say, so many different experiences. I loved walking on our own along the Dingle coast, the Giant's Causeway, the sheep herding demo, watching Sean Daly cut crystal, and the falconry"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was extremely satisfied with all aspects of the trip. The planning and execution were flawless, everything was well thought out and delivered as promised.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the countryside and friendliness of the Irish people."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My husband and I appreciated the breadth and depth of our two-week tour of Ireland. Of note, the ability to travel with Joe as our group guide was such a great value, as were our well-informed and often enthusiastic local guides. We covered so much ground and learned so very much with so many fine people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The moment we stopped in Mullaghmore...spectacular views, and Joe had us share a toast that will forever cement the moment in my memory."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first trip to Ireland was wonderful & exciting. The main tour guide and his companion, as well as, our driver were a pleasure all throughout the trip. We were also lucky to have a wonder congenial group of fellow travelers. Most of the Hotel were great also. Would definitely return to Ireland 😁

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two in particular - the stay at Dingle and the Giant Causeway, both were spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour in Ireland was excellent. It was our first Steves tour and it was more than we expected. From our tour guide, to the accommodations, to the activities, we loved it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walking tour of Dublin, led by a history grad of Trinity College was the best thing for me. All the Irish history of which I was unaware. It came alive for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is the 2nd time we’ve taken this RSE Ireland tour! We did it 6 years ago as our very first RSE experience. I can say we were just as impressed with the RSE overall experience as we were the first time around

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every stop had a “wow” moment, so it’s too difficult to pin just one! The weather was clearer this time around for the Cliffs of Moher for us, and it was indeed impressive."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour far exceeded my expectations. Fourteen days jam packed full of history, background, and beautiful scenery, with delicious food and great entertainment from the local places we travelled.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The private concert we had from two amazing local artists at the bed and breakfast was an unexpected treat. Very intimate setting in Dingle, but such a moving experience. So grateful this was included in our tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good tour. Hotel breakfasts were better than the group dinners.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Musicians that came to our hotel in Dingle."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent, except for the weather!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coastal views of western Ireland!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thorough overview of the entire country

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The breathtaking views from the high cliffs "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really good - not quite as amazing as the Scotland tour we finished just before starting the Ireland tour. Our tour guides (and all of our guides were amazing). Fellow travelers mostly good - group did not gel as quickly as Scotland tour group. I think this was partly because early in the tour there were fewer "community meals" and / or many tables were set up for 2 instead of 4 -6.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kinsale Irish Music in Pub and Dingle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour greatly exceeded our expectations. The hotels were very good; any problems we had were quickly solved, I really liked that we spent much of our times in small towns like Dingle and Kenmare; that and the local guides really added to the vacation. Our bus driver, Paul, was excellent and our tour guide Suzanne was beyond wonderful. Both deserve large raises.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Book of Kells, Trinity Library and the walking tour of Dublin. The fabulous meals at Castlewood House."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another well planned and executed tour by the Rick Steves group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher and the Dingle Peninsula. The food was well thought out as I am A gluten free guy. They handled that challenge without a flaw. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Dara, people of Ireland and Ireland history was amazing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were too many but Dingle stood out"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Guide Dara was very good. Dingle Benners hotel toilet so low flow hardly flushed. Wished we had gone from Leenaum to Westport the short way instead of long route. More time in Westport & less time on bus. Loved Irish dance/singing on last night arranged by Dara. Need a safety orientation at first meeting about walking on uneven roads & esp slippery bathroom floors. 2 of the ladies fell. One on bath floor & was really bruised. Bath tubs are super high. Overall very good tour. Again Dara was great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant’s Causeway & Cliffs of Moher & Titanic Museum. Dara arranged for an Irish Dance/ singing show on last night. Really liked that. Hotels were great except the VERY high bath tubs are very intimidating. Our bus driver Steven was great"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nice having everything arranged for me! Very informative and great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting a new lifelong friend."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle provided 3 "wows" - hiking among the 40 shades of green, listening to great music while rubbing elbows with the locals on a pub crawl, and eating Murphy's ice cream"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide and bus driver were great. Enjoyed all interactions with other travelers in the group. Thought the itinerary was very good; we had enough time to get to know the cities and towns and still see most of the island.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved walking along the stream to the grounds of Ashford Castle. But my favorite moment was watching a Gaelic football tournament game with locals in a super crowded pub. The Irish love their Gaelic sports and teams. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Without the knowledge of Paul it would have been just another bus ride. I like how we had group walks with local guides that added that extra layer of experience and knowledge. The food was good and the service was great. I realize that some of the hotels the windows don't open all the way for safety and security but 2 ", makes for a restless night. I'm not the only one who talked about this. Your guidebook is fantastic, we always arrive early and stay later gives us way to cover the spots mised

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle, Belfast, Stockport. Learning how to make Irish coffee. And how there's a pub near every church. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Unfortunately I got Covid and had to exit the tour several days early, but I enjoyed the first part a lot. Our tour guide, Paul, was very knowledgeable and amusing, and all of the local tour guides were great as well. I can see why many people keep coming back to Rick Steves' tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm not sure there was just one. I loved seeing the Rock of Cashel, the Blasket Island Center, and the Slea Head Loop Drive; loved the sheepdog/sheep demonstration and shearing; and loved the personal concert in Dingle, as well as the session at Dalton's pub in Kinsale. I know that I missed a lot because I did not get to continue on to Northern Ireland. Unfortunately our timing at the Cliffs of Moher was off, as it was very foggy and rainy, but that would have been great in better weather."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our (my husband and I) very first group tour of any kind, and we really didn’t know how we would feel traveling with others. I came away with a very positive experience. I loved being able to cover all the coast of Ireland and see and experience so much without the two of us having to drive all that distance. We got to relax on the bus while our amazing driver, Alan, drove us to where we needed to be next. Our tour guide, Paul, was fabulous. He made the trip fun and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Slea Head drive in Dingle had my favorite views of the trip! I’m a beach girl and Coumeenoole Beach was gorgeous! That turquoise water was beautiful! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was Paul. He was very personable and did a great job of telling us about the places we visited and various Irish cultural traditions. He was also very good at encouraging tour members to get to know one another so we could better bond as a group. We fell in love with Ireland and plan on going back to see more!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to choose one "wow" moment but I loved the rugged beauty of Dingle Peninsula and am very intrigued by the people who lived on the Blasket Islands. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first Rick Steves tour and it exceeded expectations. The schedule was very well thought out to balance scheduled time and free time. Our tour guide was exceptional. He managed to sense the groups needs for talking, stories, music and quiet while on the bus. The tour guides used in the various stops were passionate about their sites which has inspired me to read more about the things we saw and the people that lived there. I came away excited to explore more areas of Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to pin down just one. I think the beauty of Ireland overall. Pictures don’t do it justice. Also how welcoming the Irish people are. They were helpful and kind and always ready to tell a story."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Appreciated the overall quality, thoughtfulness and logistical planning that went into this tour. I appreciated how the history and culture, music was woven in throughout the tour and how it was built upon over the course of the tour. The efficient and very effective team building activities quickly established camaraderie across the group which really enhanced the experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Belfast dinner was excellent food and entertainment!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my seventh tour with RS Europe. We return because of the overall excellence of the program and this tour was no exception.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One day in Dingle my husband and I went for a walk to the lighthouse. We found a very nice spot to sit and just take in the beautiful scenery all by ourselves. Perfect weather at that moment made it great. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour gave us a comprehensive understanding of the depths of Irish history and culture and how it shapes Ireland today, both North and south. Our guide from northern Ireland did a great job helping us understand the complexity and humor of the Irish people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sharing Baileys together in the beautiful valley where the victims of the Hunger March were memorialized. Also catching a ride with a retired priest to a hiking path on our free day in Dingle. We struck up a conversation with him at the cemetery for the hunger victims in Dingle which he was instrumental in restoring. My husband and I squeezed into his tiny red car along with his weed eater for a personal tour of town and a lift. Meeting other great travelers!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful trip through Ireland. It provided experiences that I would have never been able to do traveling without Rick Steves' group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cliffs of Moher. Majestic views 300 feet above the Atlantic."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour allowed me to immerse myself in Irish culture, history, lifestyle while exploring various parts of the island.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moments were the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway! Both of them took my breath away! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lynn was an amazing tour guide and made every second of the entire tour enjoyable and informative. The tour itself was characterized with a mix of historical sites, points of local interest, and cultural experiences. Overall, this tour was a joy to be involved in every day for two weeks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment would be our tour of Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. This site served to set the stage for the oftentimes complicated political history of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Without this introduction, I believe it would be hard to contextualize and comprehend the history of the two countries. Additionally, the provided guide for the tour was very knowledgable and personable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it. We saw and did so much. Great group of tour members

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Falconry at Ashford Castle "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a marvelous time. The mix of city and seaside was just right. The tour guide was excellent. I got along with all of the other 25 guests. Each stop of the tour was both fun and informative. I enjoyed the Trinity Library, Slea Head Drive, Cliffs of Moher, and Giants Causeway most of all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cliffs of Moher and the Giants Causeway were my favorite moments."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Amazing trip, wonderful itinerary

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I was extremely impressed by the logistics and organization of the tour as well as the level of effort and approachability of the tour guide. Overall excellent historical presentations: I now "understand" Ireland. I felt the tour presented a far more genuine picture of Ireland than might have been presented. Shopping opportunities were available, but I did not feel I was being led to "fleecing stations" I expected far more free time at more convenient hours than what I actually experienced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite meal of the entire tour was sitting in a little cafe on the Aran Islands before we walked to Dun Angus fort. Between the fantastic taste of the simple meal (including some "real" coffee), the "very Irish" staff, and the simple beauty of the little building, it was a definite "life-moment"."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my second RS Ireland tour. It was so special and fun that a second time around was needed! Our guide, Joe Burke....he was amazing with his intelligence, his humor and love of the country and its history! The local guides were informative, and humorous. What can be said about the Irish people? Fun, thoughtful and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Still and always a "wow" and favorite was Dingle. Castlewood House, their breakfast options and helpfulness in getting reservations for dinners and also tours...Dingle Gin...and the Distillery tour was a highlight!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceptional guide, wonderful travel companions. The itinerary was well-paced, although I could have stayed longer everywhere we went—so much more to see and do! Appreciated the small detours we made to soak up even more of Ireland’s beauty and history. Joe especially made the trip memorable and fun—he also went out of his way to assist me with a medical issue. Thank you Joe! It was great to see Ireland prospering without losing her unique charm and character. Unforgettable trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved driving along Slea Head (well, Paul was actually doing the driving). Exceptional views. So evocative. Felt like being on the edge of the world. The Blasket Island museum was wonderful—the setting, the architecture, the exhibits. Really captured the spirit of the place. I found myself almost transported to another place and time. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful overview of Ireland -- land, people, and history past and present. Our tour leader was extremely knowledgeable and our coach driver was fantastic. Our tour group "gelled" from the start and time on the bus became part of the fun, although the best part of the trip was being out and about visiting the sights and experiencing the climate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle peninsula, first on the coach tour of the Slea Head Drive, and then on the optional Sea Safari boat the following day to get a closer look at the Blasket Islands (highly recommended!)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour, very well managed by our leader Joe, who’s an expert in Ireland, visiting & staying at many uniquely lovely sites and cities, accompanied by a very nice group of fellow travelers. Ireland has spectacular places to visit, is filled with rich traditions and the Irish are friendly and cool. Thanks to this tour, I enjoyed this all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, But I knew that I was in a very special place when we visited the peak of the Inishmore hill and it’s breathtaking views at Aran Island. To name a couple more, the Cliffs of Moher, the city of Dingle & the centuries old pubs along the way were all unforgettable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was an exciting introduction to Ireland -- its sites and its history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stunning beauty of the country and its tremendous struggle to throw off the yoke of oppression."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My second RS Ireland tour. Outstanding guide with Joe Burke. He made it easy to go with the flow and always be curious and flexible. Tour group smaller (due to cancellations) and therefore interacting with other tour members easier. Due to pandemic influences, there was an air of caution in the group which everyone embraced and accepted. Fun group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"An extra night in Galway afforded time to explore the vibrant city. The first tour (2016) we stayed on the outskirts of the city and never experienced the town core."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide in Lolly and excellent bus driver Steven. Nice hotels, some very lovely and food was almost always delicious. Loved the elevators. Local guides were almost always spot on for local history and current events. People were so kind and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is Ireland so there is more than one WOW. Loved the walking tour of Dublin. Rock of Cashell was beautiful and our guide made the centuries of history fly by. The stained glass window in the B[asket Visitor Center was breathtaking, and the hall with stories and pictures of inhabitants was poignant. The otherworldly Burren. Falcon School at Ashford Castle was a lifetime dream. Wish I'd had more time with the Hawk. Day on Inismore with donkeys, horses, and white sand beaches. WOW"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow…it was our tour guide Lolly! The love and pride she has for her homeland was clear. Lolly’s knowledge of the thousands of years of history of the whole island and every place we visited was amazing. She taught us how to make a proper Irish coffee, some new words (craic, snargle, dog’s dinner) and told the best Paddy and Mick jokes. She introduced us to beautiful Irish music, and oatmeal with whiskey. Bus driver Steven was equally amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too numerous, but here’s a short list…the concert in Dingle, the dancers and musicians in Belfast, the delish food, the Giant’s Causeway, the falconry, the 40 shades of green, all of our tour guides in the different cities, the Limerick contest and Irish coffee making, and the warm and delightful people of Ireland. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the perfect tour of Ireland - I enjoyed every moment ! Our guide Lolly and Driver Stephen were the best - we had such a wonderful time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire country is beautiful - we did get to drive the coast of Northern Ireland thru the Glens - that was extra special. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We would do this tour again in a skinny minute! I loved the culture, the history, and the beautiful language of the people. I’d been to Ireland with another tour company before and learned/saw so much more of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Giant’s Causeway gave me many wow moments! I’m so glad I hiked the entire trail and was able to see the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland at the same time. The rock formations also gave me wow moments. Kinsale was a wow town for me. I could absolutely live there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lolly was phenomenal! She always went the extra mile to make our tour memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Giant’s Causeway! Incredible!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have loved all our Rick Steves tours, and Ireland was no exception. Great guide, loads of history and cultural information, good mix of structured and free time, and agreeable traveling companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite day was the trip to Inishmore. The weather was fabulous, the scenery spectacular. But I especially enjoyed the feeling that I was in an ancient, "thin" place - far from our messy and noisy 21st century world. It was similar to my visit to Iona in Scotland."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The itinerary is thoughtfully designed to capture Ireland’s natural beauty and rich history. Declan and the local guides were fantastic at explaining and connecting the historical significance of the places we visited. Unfortunately, the accommodations were a real low for us. Comparing to a budget-oriented tour as a baseline (acceptable “average” rooms that don’t enhance or detract from the experience), our accommodations ranged from average to terrible (Clew Bay Hotel was an exception).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Biking on Inishmore and traditional music at St. James' Church"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

There were a lot of firsts on this tour. First solo trip, First group-bus tour, First Rick Steves tour. I had a good tour, felt I was given much more history, geography, geology, music than I expected. I felt like I was given a great Ireland experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The breakfasts at the Heaton's Guesthouse in Dingle"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour guide Declan was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giant Causeway"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Pace was good. Learned a little too much about Michael Collins and the 1922 revolt. All the other history and geology was the perfect amount.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"#1Falcons! #2 Irish coffee, and #3 sheep hearding "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is a great tour. Very comprehensive and fun without being overwhelming.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cliffs of Moher uphill walk"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fabulous tour! I can't imagine doing it without Declan. He taught us so much, and entertained us as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Giant's Causeway. I'm so glad that we were the first ones there that morning. It wouldn't have been nearly as good if it were crowded."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

While the weather was unexpectedly warm, the overall experience was fantastic. Excellent itinerary and Pascal is the best guide we have had among our 6 Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the traditional Irish music in the many pubs (Dingle, in particular stands out). The quality of the musicianship (amateurs, I assume) is astounding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the tour very much, from the variety of towns and cities visited, to the spectacular scenery in between, to our informative and entertaining guide, to our skilled bus driver, the fine hotels and wonderful food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery and its ever-changing landscape, and the famed shades of green. We especially liked exploring the Giant’s Causeway area."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great people, exceptional local guides, extraordinary tour guide- Pascal Fitzpatrick

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments- both scenery (harris hawk at Ashford Castle and Giants Causeway), weather (sunny, rain-free two weeks) and learning (Irish perspective on 1840's famine and NI Troubles- very different then I learned growing up. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour was extremely well planned and very active. Everyone I interacted with was kind and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was simply how beautiful the country was and the friendliness of the Irish people. Each location had it's individual charm.. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

You guys have it dialed in. We saw a lot every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Irish dancing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pascal was great! The weather was great! We only a few quick showers which was not what I expected in Ireland. The tour gave you a complete understand of Ireland and Northern Ireland - past, present and future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Titanic Museum was amazing. So was the Trinity Library and Book of Kells. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Most of the tour was absolutely charming and a joy to experience. All our guides were full of information and historical perspective, not to mention funny and witty.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A tie between the cliffs of Moher and giants causeway."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We truly enjoyed our tour. Our guide, Pascal, was knowledgeable, engaging and funny. His stories were a high point of the trip. The local guides were also great. My brain was full at the end of each day with the history of each town. The logistics were well organized, so we never had to worry about them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I am a bird lover, so the chance to fly a hawk at the Irish School of Falconry was a 12 out of 10."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Going into the tour I really expected it to be just OK since I really did not think it could compare to out Italy tour. I was wrong. This was more about the people and past events that shaped the country. Each city we visited was unique in it own charming way. Pascal did a great job of presenting both side of tale while imparting wonderful bits of information about each part of country we visited. He is a very good (Best in World) story teller.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving the Wild Atlantic Way seeing the foxglove, fuchsia and rhododendron blooming madly every where I looked. Then looking up and still being able to see the old forgotten potato fields on the sides of the hills. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Paul was a great guide. Excellent travel companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle Loop"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Paul Corken was extremely knowledgeable, kind and accommodating. He had an uncanny ability to interject humor when our brains were overloaded with all the info we were taking in. It was like giving us a resting space.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved having two musicians playing Irish music in house at the Candlewood Bed and Breakfast in Dingel. Also Paul made us a video which included highlights of the tour. The Irish music he chose was very lovely. He was very inclusive with respect to the photos he used."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Blessed by great weather. Thoughtful tour guide. Well thought out itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the spectacular views along the coast."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The weather, the other guests, the driver & the tour guide were all fabulous. Just a fantastic group overall. Destinations, hotels, tours & free time was perfect!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Giant Causeway. Unbelievable weather, great views & a fun hike!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was able to see almost all of the sights in Ireland that I wanted to see, and took a day tour before the Rick Steves tour began for the one main place that was not on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many so this is really hard, but I'll choose one - at the Falconry School at Ashford Castle when we had the opportunity to have a Harris Hawk land on our padded arm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We did so many things!! Wonderful exposure to Irish history and culture

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guide was hilarious and informative, he kept us all on track. I enjoyed the town of cong and the hawk experience"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The hotels were “fancier” than I expected. We had a good mix of activities and free time. I am 75 and in good health, but I sure needed my walking stick. Love the smaller size of the group- and they were all very friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Handling the Harris hawk. I also love the castle ruins."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned and interesting sights, good use of time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The music we heard in the pubs"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a full 2 weeks with varying activities and experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kinsale was a wow town and falconry the wow experience"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful site visits and perfectly planned execution by our guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stay in Kinsale"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Superb experience thanks to excellent guide and bus driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My son Tommy getting to dance in an Irish pub."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great Itinerary especially including Northern Ireland, Susie was a wonderful leader - so able to keep our interest as she guided us across Ireland, and the local guides were also great...so informed and prepared...and the scheduling was wonderful...at the Devil's causeway, Titanic, Prison in Dublin....we could go on

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We finally comprehend the Troubles and the famine and the influences that have shaped Ireland and the Irish"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time, made new friends, learned a lot of history, laughed, and enjoyed the trip immensely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the shopping, the glass making, the food and amazing service."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fantastic. We saw so much of this beautiful country & loved every minute of it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! Maybe Inishmore Island...so unique!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved Ireland! Loved our tour guide! Susie was extremely fun and knowledgeable, especially regarding the Titanic and her connection to it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The gorgeous countryside! The Giants Causeway was almost unbelievable! Titanic Belfast was amazing! How do you choose one thing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt like we saw the best highlights of Ireland. Our tour guide, Susie was top notch. Stephen, our bus driver was also exceptional. We had a great group of people and we had the bonus luck of no rain the entire time. A+ all around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dingle Slea Head drive. Absolutely stunning."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I took this trip to see the outdoor scenery of Ireland and it exceeded my expectations. The people on the tour were very nice and the tour guide Susie very knowledgeable of the country as a whole. Most of the hotels were good and comfortable and the bus driver was great. My husband and I would have never been able to drive in Ireland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula outdoor scenery were amazing. This area was probably my favorite part of the tour. We hiked up to the East Tower and met several sheep along the way. It was nice to spend 3 days in one place to get laundry done and explore. I also learned a lot about the Irish history and the Rick Steve's Guide book was a great reference for history, restaurants, etc... "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our group was blessed by no rain but plenty of sunny and warm weather. Our guide Susie was helpful and enthusiastic, and this grew as we were nearing her home town of Belfast. Good variety of menu items for dinner, but a bit light on lunch. Good choice of hotels except the Portrush Atlantic, which should be rated 1/2 star. City guides were generally excellent, one was too academic and another had her lines too well memorized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Republic of Ireland: 14 Henrietta Street (on own), music concert at St. James Church in Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher and the sheep dog herding farm. Northern Ireland: Titanic Museum, Irish musicians and dancers at the Europa hotel and the ability to write on the Peace Wall in Belfast. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was AMAZING! We had Susie as our guide. She is such a pleasurable person and so full of information about Ireland. Our driver was Stephen, who is the ultimate professional on how he maneuvered the bus on the small country roads and in the cities. We felt very safe on the entire tour. Between Susie and Stephen, we were in good hands. The scenery was unbelievable and the guides in the towns were very informative with a wee bit of humor thrown in. I would highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kinsale and Dingle were favorites. The Titanic Museum in Belfast was a must see."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great, comprehensive tour. A good sampling of various locations around Ireland. Nothing that I can think of that I would have liked to see that wasn't on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not so many "wow" moments, but sights such as Slea Head Drive, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Giant's Causeway were impressive."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Comfortable, informative, surprising, and inspiring would be words to describe my days. I liked the mixing of experiences we were given. We walked, rode, heard stories, were given the challenge of writing, and a pace that every two hours brought a new site or a happy half hour. There was a good spirit of cooperation in the group and we had chances over meals to have conversation. Joe, our guide took care of so many details and was tuned in. with us the whole time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a hard question for me. The Irish people and the arranged local guides made a connection with the places we visited. I loved the many vistas from high places revealing cliffs and green hills. In contrast, the Giant's Causeway, and the Burren revealed rock formations I had never seen before. The animals were a wow for me: holding the Harrison Hawk, watching the sheep dog herd the sheep, and the owl spread its wings. The stone fences, and the houses and Dingle Light House stick in my mind."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Aside for arriving late due to British Airways/Heathrow problems, we quickly caught up and enjoyed the tour. We had to improvise and catch trains and a ferry to Dublin. Our guide was excellent, as were all the local guides. Good lodging facilities and meals provided were excellent. Good transportation and driver. Good group that coalesced quickly. Plenty of time to relax on bus when lots of walking involved. Nice to have a full day off in Dingle. Excellent tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but for me it was Belfast, Kinsale,and DIngle. I was able to trace some family roots with the help of local guides. West coast of Ireland is breathtaking, good walking and sightseeing. Falconry exhibit was superlative with each tour participant having a chance to interact with the birds."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ireland was a wonderful country to visit. The people and the vistas were outstanding. The itinerary was very good and took us to some awesome natural environment sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For Leon it was a hike to the medieval stone tower in Dingle. For Karen it was Giants Causeway. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Vey knowledgeable guide, beautiful hotels and locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I liked the hotel in Dingle best and when we were entertained by the Irish musicians."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall a very good travel experience to Ireland. Hotels, meals, and transportation were well chosen, the local guides were excellent, and the included attractions provided a good balance of activities during the two weeks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The three days spent on the Dingle Peninsula was the highlight of the trip for me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was well planned and executed. I liked the focus on local history, archeology and culture (arts/music/food). There was a good balance between local tours and "free time" to do my own exploring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If I can only chose one, it would be seeing and walking along the Cliffs of Moher. The natural beauty was incredible. If I could chose two, I would include exploring the Dingle peninsula for 3 days. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, first rate. Lynn is just outstanding! Professional and kind. Excellent lecturer. It was as thorough a tour of Ireland as anyone could give in a two week time frame. Pamela was a superb driver. I felt we learned the geography, culture, and history of Ireland amazingly well. The plan to circle the whole country was well thought out and impeccably planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many of them. But if I had to pick one, it would be the church in Derry where John Newton became a Christian, leading to his writing of the hymn “Amazing Grace.” So serendipity and unexpected! But, of course, the natural scenes of the Cliffs of Mohir and the Giants Causeway are right up there, plus everything else."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good overall experience. Enjoyed the trip very much. Saw a variety of sites and had unique experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So much beautiful scenery. Ashford Castle was wow! Loved the falconry experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was terrific. Lynn is a terrific guide. Very knowledgeable and passionate about Ireland. I enjoyed her stories and insights on the country. In particular, learning about the history of Northern Ireland and her personal experiences during the troubles were so eye opening. The local guides were exceptional. The tour had the right amount of tour time and free time. I liked the location of our hotels - especially in Dublin where we were close enough to the action without the noise.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about Northern Ireland and spending time in Belfast. Wish we had more time in Belfast. I never really knew the backstory of The Troubles and getting to learn about the history was incredible. Having Lynn as our Belfast guide also made it a much more engaging experience. "