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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Cuisine & Culture: Dublin, Killarney & Galway

Ten-day independent Irish rail loop through Dublin, Galway, Cork, Killarney

Illustration of Cuisine & Culture: Dublin, Killarney & Galway

Vacations By Rail's ten-day independent rail vacation takes you through four Irish cities and surrounding coastal and mountain scenery. The journey starts in Dublin with a private airport transfer and a visit to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, then moves by train to Galway, Cork, and Killarney, with coach day trips to natural landmarks and historic sites. You stay three nights in Dublin and two nights each in Galway, Cork, and Killarney at three-star hotels, with nine nights' accommodation and ten meals included (eight breakfasts and two dinners). Days mix guided experiences such as a Dublin walking tour, Galway food tour visiting bakeries and markets, Blarney Castle, and the Ring of Kerry motorcoach route with unguided time to explore at your own pace. On Day 5 you tour the Guinness Storehouse; on Day 9 you visit Pearse Lyons Distillery for a whiskey tasting and three-course meal with traditional Irish music. This trip suits first-time rail travellers, food enthusiasts, history seekers, and those wanting independence within a structured itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package includes only eight breakfasts and two dinners across ten days; most other meals are at your own expense.
  • Hotels are listed as examples with alternatives noted ('or similar'); your final accommodation depends on availability and tier chosen.
  • Rail travel is included, but international flights to and from Dublin are not.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Dublin

    Arrive in Dublin

    Private driver transfer from the airport to a downtown Dublin hotel. Afternoon visit to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Galway

    Dublin Sightseeing/Train to Galway

    Three-hour walking tour of Dublin (Dublin Castle, Trinity College), then train to Galway (under 3 hours) through Ireland's interior. Explore Eyre Square and the Latin Quarter at your own pace.

  3. Day 3overnight: Galway

    Cliffs of Moher

    Coach excursion to the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher (a UNESCO Global Geopark) along the County Clare coastline, plus a visit to Burren National Park.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Dublin

    Galway Food Tour/Travel to Dublin

    Guided Galway Food Tour visiting bakeries, restaurants, cafés and markets (oysters, seafood, artisan bread and cheese), then return to Dublin by train.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Cork

    Guinness Storehouse Tour/Travel to Cork

    Self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse's seven stories with a complimentary pint at the Gravity Bar, then a three-hour rail journey to Cork past the Wicklow Mountains foothills. Free time to explore Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral and the old City Gaol.

  6. Day 6overnight: Cork

    Blarney Castle

    Full-day guided tour to Blarney Castle (kiss the Blarney Stone, explore the dungeon and battlements), continuing to Kinsale (the gourmet capital of Ireland) and Cobh (the Titanic Experience museum).

  7. Day 7railovernight: Killarney

    Travel to Killarney by Rail

    Scenic train journey from Cork to Killarney past lakes, mountains and heathered meadows, arriving at Lough Leane. Free time to explore Killarney or Killarney National Park (Ross Castle, Muckross House, Muckross Abbey).

  8. Day 8overnight: Killarney

    Ring of Kerry

    Full-day motorcoach tour of the 112-mile Ring of Kerry route around the Iveragh Peninsula, with stops to admire windswept mountains, cliffs and coastal villages.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Dublin

    Travel to Dublin/Irish Whiskey Distillery

    Three-hour train journey from Killarney to Dublin, followed by a Signature Tour & Tasting Experience at Pearse Lyons Distillery (housed in a restored 900-year-old church), including a tasting of four whiskeys. Evening three-course meal with traditional Irish music at the Merry Ploughboy Pub.

  10. Day 10

    Tour Conclusion

    Journey concludes upon checkout; private transfer to Dublin Airport. Option to extend with a post-trip extension to Belfast.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Train journey from Dublin to Galway under three hours, passing through Ireland's interior to reach the west coast.
  • Day 3Coach excursion to the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO Global Geopark on the County Clare coastline, and Burren National Park.
  • Day 5Three-hour rail journey from Dublin to Cork, passing the Wicklow Mountains foothills, with a self-guided Guinness Storehouse tour and complimentary pint at the Gravity Bar beforehand.
  • Day 7Scenic train from Cork to Killarney past lakes, mountains, and heathered meadows, arriving at Lough Leane.
  • Day 9Three-hour train from Killarney to Dublin, followed by a tour and tasting of four whiskeys at Pearse Lyons Distillery in a restored 900-year-old church, and a three-course dinner with traditional Irish music.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 9 nights
  • 10 meals including 8 breakfasts and 2 dinners

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes rail journeys on Irish Railways between Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Killarney. Coach transport is also provided for full-day excursions to the Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Blarney Castle.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Independent. Vacations By Rail provides a well-planned itinerary and books hotels, trains, and organized tours, but you travel on your own. Some days include guided tours (Dublin walking tour, Galway food tour, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry) and other days are unguided.
What is included in the price?
Nine nights' hotel accommodation, eight breakfasts, two dinners, and organized coach excursions and museum visits (Guinness Storehouse, Pearse Lyons Distillery). Flights, most meals, and travel insurance are not included but can be arranged.
How much walking is involved?
A three-hour guided walking tour of Dublin covers Castle, Trinity College and the city streets. Other days combine coach travel with free time to explore at your own pace, such as Killarney National Park and Cork's cathedral and former jail.
When does this tour run?
Vacations By Rail publishes no departure dates in their materials. Contact the operator directly to confirm availability.
What cities are included?
Dublin (3 nights), Galway (2 nights), Cork (2 nights), and Killarney (2 nights). Side excursions include the Cliffs of Moher, Burren National Park, Blarney, Kinsale, Cobh, and the Ring of Kerry.

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