Hidden Heartlands

THIS JOURNEY IS DIFFERENT

Experience the real Ireland —
without the stress of driving or packing every day.

Discover Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and the Western Counties on a relaxed 6-day small-group journey through the west.
Stay five nights in one welcoming hotel in the County of Roscommon, while exploring the surrounding counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, and Roscommon with your expert Irish driver-guide.

No driving. No complicated planning. No packing and unpacking each morning. Just authentic Ireland and grounded travel.

View across Killary Fjord with green hill in foreground and hills in the background

This journey is different…

Each day, you’ll explore a different part of Ireland’s beautiful west, returning each evening to Roscommon where local pubs, music, and friendly conversation await. By the end of the week, you won’t feel like a tourist — you’ll feel like a guest.

Contact me to hear more about this tour. I look forward to speaking with you!

ENQUIRE NOW

Tour Overview

Accommodation, breakfast each day, entry fees and all transport included.

  • Discover Ireland’s past at the Corlea Trackway, the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, and the wonders of Rathcroghan, ancient capital of Connacht
  • Experience breathtaking scenery from Ben Bulben and the Sligo coastline to Connemara, Galway and Murrisk
  • Enjoy traditional music on three evenings, plus surprise magical musical moments when you least expect them
  • Visit the oldest pub in the world
  • Cruise the River Shannon and visit the 6th-century monastic site of Clonmacnoise, with its incredible ancient high crosses — Ireland’s unique contribution to world sculpture.


 Only €1,659 per person sharing.

  • Close-up of goats being fed with bottles
  • A traditional session in Matt Molloy's (of The Chieftains fame) pub in Westport
  • Boat on the river Shannon
  • Sean's Bar, the oldest pub in the world!
  • The Pirate Queen - sculpture of woman in a viking boat with drawn sword

day by day

Itinerary

View from the river of Carrick-on-Shannon
Day 1

Dublin to Roscommon via Athlone & Clonmacnoise

Leave Dublin and head west to Athlone for a cruise on the River Shannon, culminating in a visit to the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise. On your return to Athlone, visit Sean’s Bar — the oldest pub in the world. Enjoy lunch in Athlone before travelling on to the market town of Roscommon for an early check-in. Drop your bags, browse around town, then return to your accommodation to relax.   This will be your base for the remainder of the week.

Day 1

Mayo & Westport

Visit the Museum of Country Life at Turlough Park in County Mayo, then the beautiful town of Westport (home of Matt Molloy of The Chieftains). Browse the town and enjoy a delightful lunch. Afterwards, visit Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s pilgrimage mountain at Murrisk, before returning to Roscommon.

Kylemore Abbey from across the lake
Day 1

Cong, Kylemore Abbey & Galway

Start in the beautiful village of Cong, home to the 12th-century Augustinian Abbey (admire the carved windows in the cloisters), Ashford Castle, and filming location for The Quiet Man. Continue to Kylemore Abbey to enjoy the beauty and remoteness of Connemara and a delightful lunch. Then on to the medieval city of Galway.

Day 1

Arigna, Leitrim Hill Creamery & Carrick-on-Shannon

Venture deep into the earth at the Arigna Mining Experience, where tour guides are former miners with amazing stories. Pop up the road to savour sweet and savoury delights at Leitrim Hill Creamery. Continue to Carrick-on-Shannon for a relaxed browse and a scrumptious lunch before wetting your whistle at Lough Ree Distillery.

Dramatic shot of a sunlit valley at Gleniffe
Day 1

County Sligo & Gleniff Horseshoe

Spend the day in beautiful County Sligo, starting with Drumcliffe, the resting place of W.B. Yeats, between Ben Bulben and the Atlantic. Next, enjoy the skill and agility of Border Collies and their handlers at Atlantic Sheepdogs. Enjoy a gorgeous lunch and get your cameras ready for some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery. Visit Gleniff Horseshoe and Gleancar Waterfall, and maybe even stretch your legs on the beach, before returning to Roscommon.

Front of Strokestown Park House
Day 1

Rathcroghan, Strokestown Park & Corlea Trackway to Dublin

Pack your bags for the return to Dublin, but not before visiting Rathcroghan, ancient seat of the Kings of Connacht. Travel to Strokestown Park & Gardens for a guided tour of the Palladian mansion or the National Famine Museum. Alternatively, enjoy the Victorian Walled Garden, which has one of Ireland’s longest herbaceous borders. After lunch, visit the Corlea Trackway, an ancient Iron Age oak road built across the bog. Then travel back to Dublin where our tour ends and we say farewell to our new travel companions.

Drone shot of Roscommon at sunrise - view down the river

Included in this trip

  • Accommodation for 5 nights in the lively market town of Roscommon
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Comprehensive tour planning
  • Qualified and experienced guide
  • Private driver
  • Mercedes vehicle
  • Entry fees to all attractions listed
  • Parking, tolls, and fuel
  • Not included
  • Other activities not listed here
  • Lunch and dinner

Not included

  • Other activities not listed here
  • Lunch and dinner