11-Day Discover Ireland Small-Group Tour from Dublin
5
11-Day Discover Ireland Small-Group Tour from Dublin
By Vagabond Tours
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Truly a journey of discovery, this eleven day discovery tour is a breath-taking tour of Ireland. We will take you to some of Ireland best known tourist destinations like the Blarney Stone, the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher and because our groups and vehicles are smaller, we will also take you right away from the beaten track and show you our favourite hidden corners of Ireland.
Ages 8-99, max of 4 per group
Duration: 11 days
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- 10 Full Irish breakfasts
- Breakfast
- 11 full days on tour, ten nights accommodation (2 nights B&B, 8 nights Hotel, including one night in a castle)
- All relevant taxes
- Demonstrations of local craftsmen at work
- Journey of discovery in a mini coach tour vehicle.
- Loads of laughs
- Most daily activities including:
- Services of highly trained professional Driftwood tour guide
- Entry/Admission - Giant's Causeway
- Entry/Admission - Derry
- Entry/Admission - Donegal Castle
- Entry/Admission - Killary Harbour
- Entry/Admission - Kylemore Abbey
- Entry/Admission - Aughnanure Castle
- Entry/Admission - Cliffs of Moher
- Entry/Admission - West Kerry Sheep Dog Demonstrations
- Entry/Admission - Blarney Castle & Gardens
- Entry/Admission - Rock of Cashel
What's not included- Black Cab taxi tour of Belfast (Available on request)
- Boat trip to Garinish Island (Available on request)
- Bushmills Whiskey Distillery (Available on request)
- Hot, relaxing sea-weed bath (Available on request)
- Jaunting Car ride in Killarney National park (Available on request)
- Lunches and evening meals (Available on request)
- Some optional entrance fees and additional activity options, for example:
- Entry/Admission - Belfast City Centre
- Entry/Admission - Dingle Bay
- Entry/Admission - Killarney National Park
- Start:
- Grand Canal Hotel, Grand Canal Street Upper, Dublin, D04 X5X7, Ireland
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3128P10- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3128P10
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Itinerary
Overview
Full Map
26 stops
Day 1
Belfast Tour & Castle Stay
Day 2
The Giant's Causeway Coast
Day 3
Derry/Londonderry, Sligo & Donegal
Day 4
Mayo, Connemara & Sheepdog Demo
Day 5
Tour Connemara & Kylemore Abbey
Day 6
Castle Tour & The Burren
Day 7
Sheep Farm Tour
Day 8
Free Time in Dingle
Day 9
Horse-Drawn Carraige Ride
Day 10
Gardens & Island Boat Trip in Cork
Day 11
Blarney Stone & Rock of Cashel
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- lauriemV4870EU0 contributionsVagabond Tours helped create the trip of a lifetime!Vagabond Tours was the most amazing company to work with. Right from my first inquiry email their service was top notch! I can't say enough about the personal touch of the small group tour. Our driver/guide (Jasper) was far more than a driver. He had a wealth of information about the land, culture and history of the country which he delivered in the most entertaining way. He got to know everyone and made accommodations when needed. We were a group of vastly different people but made connections and bonds that were truly unexpected. The places we visited were incredible, the landscape was amazing, the hotels were outstanding...this was a trip of a lifetime!Written 15 October 2024
- Vacation2640220 contributionsGood times in Ireland.The tour guide Paddy was fantastic! His driving was superb and his commentary as we traveled was knowledgeable and amusing! He went above and beyond in organizing a retrieving of items I had left at one of the hotels along the way (Spaniard's Point). When we arrived back into Dublin my missing items were in my hands within an hour!!!Written 14 October 2024
- S7823GLmaureeng0 contributionsThe Ireland dreams are made from.Enjoyed the stops and sleeping quarters. Wish Vagabond could have arranged a night of Irish music for our guests only. The pubs that had music were crowded, too loud, and started to late. Our tour guide was wonderful in terms of knowledge and passion about his homeland. I would recommend this trip for everyone.Written 12 October 2024
- TravBug5790 contributionsWe’d love to come back!We had such a wonderful experience on the 11-day Driftwood tour with our guide, Andrew, and our group of 15 guests. The accommodations were all excellent and the food was delicious. We had never seen so many beautiful shades of green as we drove the Wild Atlantic Way and through Northern Ireland. We loved Andrew’s stories and sense of humor. He kept us on track and expertly navigated the narrow winding roads. We would highly recommend this tour.Written 12 October 2024
- Travel2Explore0 contributionsMagnetic North - Vagabond exceeded our expectations!Our Vagabond Magnetic North tour in September for my 50th birthday celebration was nothing short of amazing! The tour was well organized, the communication was consistent & clear, and the staff was exceptional! The tour was a magical combination of history, adventure, and ecotourism. Groups are small and you never feel like you’re just part of a crowd. With only eleven guests and our driver/guide, we truly got to know our travel mates and truly felt like a small “framily” by the end. Our guide Róisín was delightful - she had a wealth of knowledge, a gift for story telling, mad driving skills, and she genuinely cared about each and every person on the tour. She made my birthday so special - it was so thoughtful and kind of her! The “off the beaten path” adventures were different each and every day - from hiking, to biking, to horseback riding in the ocean, to amazing boat rides along the cliffs. I will say - if you choose a Vagabond tour (as opposed to the Driftwood tours) do some training ahead of time. The climbs are amazing but not for the out of shape. They aren’t kidding when they say be prepared to do 20,000-30,000 steps a day - and those are not flat, easy steps! The hotels are comfortable and the experience varies at each location. Vagabond supports local businesses that provide personal service to all of the guests. And the drives were beautiful as well - they are broken up in such a way that they never felt terribly long. If you’re considering Vagabond to explore Ireland, I’d highly recommend it. We’re already planning our next trip!Written 11 October 2024
- Q3630KOchrisp0 contributionsAn exceptional travel experience is what Vagabond is all about.Having recently retired, my wife and I have begun planning our adventures. Many friends have told us that Ireland is one place we should visit. Having never traveled outside the US, we researched extensively small-group tours and landed on Vagabond and Ireland. We could not have made a better choice, both in a tour group or destination. It was a remarkable blend of daily activity, breathtaking vistas, history, and amazing guides. Danny Dowling and John Quigley were our travel guides. Together they provided our group penultimate service, seamless planning and an 8 hour monologue on everything Irish that was both humorous and educational. Those who choose this tour group, no matter what level of activity or duration of tour, you will not be disappointed. An exceptional travel experience is what Vagabond is all aboutWritten 11 October 2024
- HeatherL2690 contributionsWe beautiful Ireland as an active tourist!Fabulous tour of Ireland for those who love an active holiday, want to see jaw dropping views, listen to the history of Ireland from the locals who have their own history and travel to some of the more remote areas where large tour buses cannot travel.Written 11 October 2024
- johnnief4410 contributionsDriftwood Wild Atlantic Way tour with BrendanBrendan was the best guide we could hope for and was so knowledgeable about Ireland and so much more. The hotels were comfortable and so was the coach. And the food!!!!! I can't say enough! I was nervous about the trip at first because of being in such close proximity with strangers, but our group clicked in a great way and had so much fun! I can't say it was really relaxing because of the many stops, but I learned so much about Ireland, which was the intent behind this tour. Thank you, Brendan, and Driftwood Tours!Written 11 October 2024
- FolkstoneAleHouse0 contributionsOne of the best trips I've ever had the pleasure of taking,From start to finish, our experience with Vagabond was exceptional. Vagabond has two types of tours that they offer. Driftwood tours are more laid back and less strenuous where as the Vagabond tours feature more hiking and outdoor activities. Everyday of our tour with the exception of a day in Dingle, featured a hike or walk of some sort. It was perfect. The small group size let our tour guide Lisa take us to many places that the average tour would not go. Ireland is an absolutely breathtaking country to visit. If you are planning on visiting, do yourself a favor and book one of Vagabond's tours.Written 10 October 2024
- Travel13loom0 contributionsIreland/Northern Ireland Adventure - Good Craic !We took the 12 day Giant Irish Adventure Vagabond Tour with Shane. Our group was amazing which made the trip even more special. Shane was an excellent guide, drove safe and had us all HAPPY. We lucked out on weather, the hikes were amazing, all the sights were fantastic, the small roads this vehicle can negotiate really made the trip extra and above other tour styles. We never felt rushed and came home with a great yearning to come back again one day.Written 10 October 2024
- mikemV2075VM0 contributionsExperience the beauty and culture of Ireland with Vagabond ToursI'd highly recommend Vagabond Tours. We had lots of useful information from the owner--Rob before the trip. He kept us excited with tips and tidbits about Irish culture. Our tour guide, Jasper (and a one day relief guide--Dee) were fabulous. Not only did we experience the sights, we learned about the history and culture along the way. We had several experiences that are known to our guide that we would not have experienced otherwise. Visiting Ireland has been on our bucket list for a long time and we looked into many tours before choosing Vagabond. It was the perfect choice!Written 10 October 2024
- S9737AJjasonl0 contributionsFar exceeded our expectations!We booked the 7 Day Magnetic North Adventure Tour, and this was an all-around fantastic trip! Having previously rented a 4x4, planned an itinerary, and driven around a country, we knew the difficulties, whether it be cultural, language, or just being able to get to certain areas and actually have time to enjoy them. With Vagabond, all that planning, decision-making, and stressing was removed and we just enjoyed ourselves and were able to be present in so many wonderful moments! Our tour guide, Róisin, was exceptionally knowledgeable, witty, and attentive to the entire group’s needs. She kept us occupied during the longer trips we made between stops with her knowledge of local lore and engaging conversation about all-things Ireland. I never really felt like I was in the van for a very long time, and she was an expert at handling that Sprinter, especially with a luggage trailer on the back. We took advantage of all the extra options that were available at each stop, such as horseback riding, surfing (yes, surfing – which was amazing!), whiskey tasting, and any chance to hike or explore the surroundings. We had exceptional weather during our trip and I think about every local we ran into told us as much! The views were spectacular on the Causeway Coast Way and Giant’s Causeway, Slieve League cliffs, as well as on Croagh Patrick! Don’t miss the gardens at Glenveagh Castle! The Black Cab Tour was such an education, especially having tour guides who were there and were able to give a much more personal and first-hand view of how the Troubles really impacted and shaped the area to this day. The Museum of Country Life and the Iron Age trackway at Corlea were amazing, especially to a history nerd. I could go on, but there was no spots that weren’t amazing in their own ways. We also were able to experience some of the night life in the towns, with Westport being the highlight! I would recommend allowing for an extra day before and after the trip to be able to explore a bit of Dublin and its museums and sites. There’s a great hop-on hop-off bus system that will bring you all over the city for next to nothing, and at your own pace! If you’re thinking about a trip to Ireland, especially your first, I think Vagabond is the outfit to go with. We only did the 7 day, but my wife and I would have loved to have spent another week there touring the south of the country.Written 8 October 2024
- TRedhart0 contributionsAmazing Vagabond 12 Day AdventureI'm back now a week after a fabulous Vagabond 12-day tour with Shane K. as our guide. This was my third trip with Vagabond, and I have to say, they did not disappoint. Shane was an incredible guide - funny, knowledgeable, communicative, and caring. There we some hiccups along the way with individuals having health issues, and the quick response and action plans by Shane and Vagabond were truly impressive. I also loved how we could shoot random questions at Shane and he would always find the answers (example being a structure on top of a hill I questioned and he was digging until he found the answer as we were walking a trail). The pride and love for their country displayed by Shane and Vagabond was obvious by their actions and words. We were warmly welcomed at the hotels, and all were charming. The food was wonderful everywhere we stopped, and no one ever walked away hungry! Vagabond really does a great job choosing hotels and restaurants for their clients. "Are ya happy?" Thanks, Shane, for always making sure we were and leaving me with my new catch phrase in life! Truly an amazing experience, and I will travel with them again.Written 7 October 2024
- marydW6183RW0 contributionsMother, Daughter, and Ireland….a lovely trioWe just finished our 7 Day Treasure Island Driftwood Tour with Jasper Hill as our guide. It was amazing! Jasper is a wealth of knowledge, caring, super funny and fun, and flexible. All of our needs were taken care of, and he is wonderful at anticipating what needs we may have! It was a mother and daughter trip and we will remember it forever. We hope to return for the northern journey and we will definitely ask for Jasper!!! Friends from Northern MN and WI, Mary Dahl and AmeryWritten 6 October 2024
- I965GLbarbaraa0 contributionsA Wonderful Experience with Vagabond 7 Day World Tour of Ireland with Hugh!We thoroughly enjoyed our 7 Day World Tour of Ireland with our fabulous guide Hugh Feehan! The tour was well organized from the start, clear instructions, plenty of help sorting things out, (and their Facebook page provided a wealth of info from former travelers). Hugh was delightful and we could tell how much he loves his country by his enthusiastic commentary and educational tidbits as we travelled. We saw so many wonderful sites, some were more off the beaten path, which is what we were looking for when booking a smaller group tour. Our accommodations were topnotch and the breakfasts provided were delicious. Lunches and suppers were either arranged for by Hugh (with reservations made by him) or he pointed out options in the towns we visited. All were wonderful! This was our first time to visit Ireland and Hugh and Vagabond Tours made it so memorable, can't wait to go back! The only bad thing was having to say goodbye to Hugh and the lovely people we met on our tour, many of whom we look forward to staying in touch with.Written 6 October 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
149 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
rahb b.
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
What a memorable tour of Ireland, thanks to Vagabond Tours and our great guide, Paddy! We took the 11-day Driftwood tour that focused on Irish culture & history, castles, gardens and spectacular scenery. The staff at Vagabond were so helpful in preparing us for the trip and the itinerary included well-known sites as well as hidden gems that we would have missed had we traveled on our own. Clearly much thought has been given to planning the tours, down to timely ‘rest’ stops, traditional music as we drove, restaurant recommendations, and shopping tips. The Black Cab tour of Belfast was enlightening and the visit to Bridgette & Seamus's sheep farm where we fed baby sheep and held baby goats was great fun. The accommodations were of good quality and the staff were very welcoming and accommodating. And we were fortunate to have an interesting group of fellow travelers with us. We have done a fair amount of European traveling, planning our own trips. Vagabond has won us over to the small group tour experience and we would highly recommend Vagabond Tours to friends and others. Slainte!
Written 7 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, Wow! What a review. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us.
We’re over the moon to hear that your 11 Day tour exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed your time with Paddy. We’re so glad you enjoyed the Black Cab tour and the visit to Bridgette & Seamus's farm, they are some of our favourite activities to do as they represent the real Ireland! The baby goats are so fun.
It's great to hear that we’ve won you over with the small group tour experience. We’re so grateful for your recommendation and hopefully we'll see you again in the future.
Written 11 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alexandra S
Durham, NC10 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
We loved this tour. We went with 6 family members, 3 friends and were joined by 2 other couples that quickly became friends. Our tour guide, Danny, was absolutely fantastic! He took us to out of the way places and to popular places all the while somehow avoiding the crowds. He was so solicitous of everyone and went out of his way to make sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying the trip. He was helpful, informative, entertaining...I just cant say enough good things about him or the tour. The hotels and restaurants we ate and stayed at were fantastic and the places we visited were perfect
Given the age of our group, we managed to visit almost every bathroom in Ireland.
The only change we would recommend is to offer a tour with the same number of stops but increase the length of the tour by two days so there four two night stays instead of only two.
Given the age of our group, we managed to visit almost every bathroom in Ireland.
The only change we would recommend is to offer a tour with the same number of stops but increase the length of the tour by two days so there four two night stays instead of only two.
Written 17 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen B
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
Just finished the 11-day Driftwood Vagabond tour. What an experience! The scenery was breathtaking, and almost brought me to tears at times. Our Vagaguide, Tadgh, was very intuitive about our group’s interests and needs. His stories and narrations along the way made each area came alive. He was an excellent driver, even along some narrow and winding roads! He made us all feel very comfortable. The itinerary was filled with places both well known, and off the beaten track. The hotels were wonderful—my favorites were Ballygally Castle (first night) and Gougane Barra (last night). The owner of Gougane Barra welcomed our group, and sat down to talk us through the menu, which included freshly caught trout and wildly mushroom soup. The trip was everything I imagined and more!
Written 3 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Maureen, thank you for sharing your experience of the 11-day Driftwood Vagabond tour!
We're thrilled to hear that the breathtaking scenery made such an impact on your time with us, Ireland makes our job very easy. Tadgh will be delighted to know that his stories and narrations enriched your journey and that you felt comfortable with his expert driving skills.
We're glad that you enjoyed the accommodations, a great choice for your favourites.
Thanks again, hopefully we will see you again in the future!
Written 6 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennie S
2 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
We had the most wonderful time on the Vagabond Driftwood 11 day tour of Ireland! We saw far more than we could have ever have seen if we tried to plan this kind of trip ourselves! Our guide, Oisin was the BEST!! He provided facts as we traveled around his beautiful country and delightful Irish music; he was very professional and such a fun tour guide! He is one amazing young man!! We could tell the other Vagabond groups that we crossed paths with felt just as thrilled about their guides as well, but our personal opinion was that Oisin was the BEST! Vagabond has great standards for who they hire (great personalities, fun and professional people!) as tour guides. Since getting back I have told friends that the Vagabond Small Group tour is the WAY TO GO to see Ireland! Oisin gave us an experience that made us fall in love with his country just as much as he loves his country! He pointed out special areas of interest when we entered each town by circling around the town before he dropped us off with great instructions of where the van would be parked. Oisin did a number of extra things to make sure our experience was top notch - he bought a birthday cake for one of the men on the trip and surprised him, he gave us a hot honey drink (his grandma's recipe with ginger and lemon) to kick the cough some of us had, and he made sure the guys who organized their own golf trip got to and from the golf course successfully. We didn't have to navigate directions, research sights of interest (they were on our itinerary and all set for us!); we didn't have to stand in line for tickets to every special stop - each one was ready with immediate access for us - Blarney Castle, Kylemore Castle, Kenmare Bay boat ride, Cliffs of Moher, horse drawn carriage through Killarney National Park, Derry/Londonderry Walking Tour, Bushmills Distillery, the Black Cab Tours in Northern Ireland, Hillsborough Castle, and so much more! The hotel keys were ready and waiting for our group at each stop! Oisin used the 'Whats' app and sent a message each evening to keep us informed of the day's itinerary and 'PhotoCircle' so the group could share all their fabulous photos. What great tools to use! If we had tried to plan a trip to see the country of Ireland on our own, we would NEVER has seen as much as we saw through the Vagabond experience! Our small group and Oisin were so much fun and I will carry the memories of our spectacular trip around Ireland with me forever!
Written 27 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
O9564NSmarkn
Long Beach, CA2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
An absolutely wonderful tour. Our driver/guide Brian had firsthand knowledge of the areas we visited, and his stories were a mix of fact and lore that kept a smile on everyone's face. The smaller 16 person vans allowed us to get into sights and on back roads that the larger coaches cannot navigate. An example of this was our visit to a sheep ranch to see how dogs are used to herd the sheep. The two-night stays in Dingle and Cliften were also a big plus. Our stops at the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abby and the Giants Causeway had amazing views. Our stopovers in Derry and Belfast gave us a look into Irelands recent past and the Troubles. The Black Cab tour of Belfast was very informative. At each stop and town Brian was able to recommend the best places to catch a snack or a sit-down meal. And of course, Pubs with music!! Another plus is that we started our daily journeys at 9am so there was plenty of time to eat the huge Irish breakfasts and prepare for the day trip.
Brian, you Nailed it buddy!!! We highly recommend this tour to any one visiting Ireland.
Brian, you Nailed it buddy!!! We highly recommend this tour to any one visiting Ireland.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A massive thank you for your generous review of your recent tour. We're are thrilled to hear that your journey with your guide Brian was an amazing experience.
Brian's wealth of knowledge and his love for Ireland makes touring with him so special. We are so proud to have him on our team of excellent guides.
It's great to hear you enjoyed the various stops and sites along the way including the including the historic walking tour of Derry and the immersive Black Cab tour in Belfast.
We greatly appreciate your kind recommendation and we hope to see you again soon.
Written 29 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brenda R
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
Upon my return from my Vagabond tour in Ireland, when asked how I liked it, all I can say is that there is absolutely nothing about Ireland and Vagabond that I didn't love!!! What a fantastic experience. Visiting Ireland has been a bucket list item for me for a lifetime and it did not disappoint. Picking a tour company caused some serious angst, but our choice of Vagabond was spot on. VagaGuide Dave provided some serious craic with his storytelling, and all the while making sure everything and everyone on the bus was comfortable and having a great time. I think we had the cleanest bus in Ireland! All of the people in our group were truly lovely; we all got along so well. I would definitely recommend Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland!
Don't wait...
Don't wait...
Written 24 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Brenda, thank you so much for sharing your Ireland experience with us! It warms our hearts to hear that Ireland lived up to your lifelong dreams.
Choosing a tour company can indeed be a daunting task, we're thrilled that you found Vagabond to be the perfect fit for your adventure. Dave is an amazing guide, we're delighted that you enjoyed his storytelling, he has some great ones.
We truly appreciate your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in Ireland in the future!
Written 1 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kathy M
Dalby, Queensland, Australia24 contributions
Jul 2023
It's very hard to put into words how wonderful this tour was, I wish there were more stars to give. From start to finish we were looked after by our guide Andrew who should be commended on his efforts to go above and beyond in every aspect. He was indeed a very happy and experienced guide and spoke so highly of the company he worked for. We could tell that the guides Vagabond have are truly exceptional people and would go out of their way to make sure we had a fantastic experience, no matter what. This was confirmed again when we were in Dingle where another wonderful guide, Dee took us for an afternoon drive around the local area. So congratulations to Vagabond for being incredible and providing us with the best guides. The tour was amazing and we did so many extra things than what was listed in our itinerary. Our group was also so easy to get along with which made us feel like one big happy family, traveling together with Andrew, guiding us all the way. We had so much fun, we saw all the famous sites the big buses go to but we had many more wonderful opportunities to visit other beautiful areas that were off the beaten track. Those hidden gems are often the highlights of a small group tour. So if you are thinking about doing a Vagabond Tour, just book it, you won't regret it. If you are looking for an unique Irish experience and wish to explore this amazing country while having loads of fun, this is for you. We will never forget the people we meet and all the special memories made in Ireland.
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing such an incredible review of your experience on the Vagabond Tour. Reading your comments fills us with immense joy, and we're thrilled to know that your journey with us left such a lasting impression.
It warms our hearts to hear that Andrew, your guide, went above and beyond to ensure your tour was nothing short of exceptional. Our guides are the backbone of our operation, and their passion for sharing the beauty and culture of Ireland truly shines through. We're delighted that Dee was able to provide you with an enriching afternoon in Dingle. Our guides commitment to showcasing the best of Ireland's local areas is truly commendable, and we're proud to have guides who share our values.
Creating a sense of family and camaraderie among our travelers is something we hold dear. We're thrilled that you felt this connection with your fellow travelers. It's these shared moments that often become the heartwarming memories of a lifetime.
Thanks again for the wonderful review and we hope to see you in Ireland again!
Written 16 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Valerie J
Ormond Beach, FL57 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
They’re great “craic”!
I love Ireland and the Irish people and didn’t want to leave! Vagabond does a wonderful job putting these tours together. We loved our tour guide Denise, she was very informative, she knew her history and the folklore, “ya know”. She gave us a rundown every day as to what the itinerary was for the next. She made every day fun and she got us to our next stops just before the crowds! And, what a great driver, some of those roads are so narrow and she knew exactly what to do when we came upon a car coming toward us. “Eeek”
One of the many highlights, was visiting a working Irish sheep farm with charming old-style cottages for a live sheepdog demo and guided farm tour.
We stayed in lovely hotels, B&B style hotels. One of the nicest was Mount Falcon Estate Hotel near Mayo. We had a delicious dinner that evening after cocktails in their outdoor comfortable seating area. And was able to watch a flight demonstration of a Falconer and his Falcon.
I just couldn’t get enough of the awesome Irish countryside, I kept my eyes looking out the window at all times. Such a great itinerary, we experienced so much and had some free time each day to have lunch and do some shopping in the towns we would stop.
The historic walking tour in Derry should be an option, it was an hour and half that we feel we lost, could have missed that all together. However, the next day was Giant’s Causeway, incredible site to see! Did a lot of climbing and walking, it felt great! Anyway, everyone should experience Ireland with the Vagabond 11 Day Driftwood Tour. And ask for Denise to be your guide and driver! Go raibh maith agat Vagabond!
I love Ireland and the Irish people and didn’t want to leave! Vagabond does a wonderful job putting these tours together. We loved our tour guide Denise, she was very informative, she knew her history and the folklore, “ya know”. She gave us a rundown every day as to what the itinerary was for the next. She made every day fun and she got us to our next stops just before the crowds! And, what a great driver, some of those roads are so narrow and she knew exactly what to do when we came upon a car coming toward us. “Eeek”
One of the many highlights, was visiting a working Irish sheep farm with charming old-style cottages for a live sheepdog demo and guided farm tour.
We stayed in lovely hotels, B&B style hotels. One of the nicest was Mount Falcon Estate Hotel near Mayo. We had a delicious dinner that evening after cocktails in their outdoor comfortable seating area. And was able to watch a flight demonstration of a Falconer and his Falcon.
I just couldn’t get enough of the awesome Irish countryside, I kept my eyes looking out the window at all times. Such a great itinerary, we experienced so much and had some free time each day to have lunch and do some shopping in the towns we would stop.
The historic walking tour in Derry should be an option, it was an hour and half that we feel we lost, could have missed that all together. However, the next day was Giant’s Causeway, incredible site to see! Did a lot of climbing and walking, it felt great! Anyway, everyone should experience Ireland with the Vagabond 11 Day Driftwood Tour. And ask for Denise to be your guide and driver! Go raibh maith agat Vagabond!
Written 28 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Freedom32621029457
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Friends
We went on the Vagabond Driftwood 11 day Discover Ireland tour with Sarah as our guide. We began our tour in Dublin and then took a clockwise route around the coast of Ireland arriving back in Dublin. We had done a big bus tour ten years ago and wanted something different both for ourselves and the friends that accompanied us. This trip with Vagabond met all of our needs and desires. Even though our route was similar to ten years ago it was a very different trip being able to travel the back roads and visit places we hadn't been to before. We had a great group of folks along and Sarah was the glue that held us together providing humor, insight, and appropriate Trad Irish Music for each region we visited. She would also venture off-script and visit places that were of interest when we could. Her promotion of the Photocircle app and inclusion of group photos for us to download was great. Participation started out slow but picked up speed as we went along and by the end we had more than 500 photos shared by almost all members of the group. The choices for lodging were amazing and the food at those locations as well. A great trip and great memories. We'd definitely travel with Vagabond again!
Written 17 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Wow! Thank you for taking the time to share your 5 star review.
We are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time on your recent tour. Sarah is just one of our incredible guides and it is great to know that she played a role in making your experience extra special. They are filled with so much knowledge of Ireland and they love being able to share it with our guests.
It's great to know that you loved the accommodations and food too!
Thank you once again for the review and we hope to see you again in the future.
Written 18 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robyn Shinners
2 contributions
Jul 2023
Have just returned from the 11 day Discover Ireland tour with Vagabond/Driftwood Small Group tours - what an amazing experience! Despite the persistent rain that followed us everywhere, we still managed to see a lot of Ireland and appreciate its history and beauty. Our guide/driver, Andrew was professional, knowledgeable, helpful and had a great sense of humour. He was great craic and should be declared a National Treasure! The small group format was perfect for discovering this beautiful country and hitting the highlights and the group we travelled with were easy company. This company goes above and beyond to ensure their guests get the best experience - highly recommended!
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the lovely comments and for the generous 5 stars. We are glad to hear your recent Discover Ireland Tour. Unfortunately the recent weather in Ireland has not been the best but we are so happy that it did not stop your group! Ireland is beautiful in any kind of weather condition.
Andrew is a brilliant character. His sense of humour and knowledge is what heightens the tours experience.
Thank you for your high recommendation and we hope to see you in Ireland again soon!
Written 8 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience