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Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday

Grand Tour of Ireland

15-day independent rail loop through Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Illustration of Grand Tour of Ireland

Tailor Made Rail's Grand Tour of Ireland is a 15-day independent rail and ferry holiday that begins and ends at your UK home station. You travel via Fishguard and Rosslare to seven destinations across Ireland: Wexford, Dublin, Dingle, Cork, Galway, and Belfast, with a return ferry from Dublin to Holyhead. The itinerary blends rail and coach connections, including a scenic train journey from Wexford along the Irish coastline to Dublin, a regional service south toward Cork via Mallow, and multiple crossings through the central rail network. Two included day tours break up independent time: a ferry trip from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands, and a small-group road excursion from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway and its rope bridge. Multi-night stays in each city (from two to three nights) allow unhurried exploration. This tour suits independent rail travellers and couples who want to navigate Ireland's towns and countryside at their own pace while relying on pre-booked accommodation and standard class rail tickets, with the security of guided excursions on two key days.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', so the final accommodation in each city may differ from the named property.
  • The itinerary includes a coach connection from Dingle to Tralee (Day 3) and from Tralee back to Dingle (Day 5), and a road-based excursion on Day 11; this is not a rail-only journey despite the emphasis on trains.
  • Rail pricing is based on standard class and 'best available fares'; supplements may apply during peak periods or with short notice.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Wexford

    Your local station to Wexford

    Train to Swansea, then to Fishguard for a Stena Line ferry across the Irish Sea to Rosslare, then on to Wexford.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Dublin

    Wexford to Dublin

    Morning in Wexford, then a lunchtime train along the scenic coastline (via Greystones) up to Dublin for a short overnight stop.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Dingle

    Dublin to Dingle

    A late morning train south towards Cork, changing at Mallow onto a regional service to Tralee, then a bus connection to Dingle for a 2-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Dingle

    Dingle

    A full day in Dingle, gateway to the Dingle peninsula, in a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) region, with sandy beaches and traditional live music in the evening.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Cork

    Dingle to Cork

    A final morning in Dingle, then a bus back to Tralee and an evening train to Cork, arriving at Kent station for a 2-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Cork

    Cork

    Explore Cork at leisure, or visit nearby Blarney Castle and the port-town of Cobh, from where the Titanic departed in 1912.

  7. Day 7overnight: Galway

    Cork to Galway

    A criss-cross route through the west of Ireland, changing in Limerick, arriving in Galway in time for dinner, for a 2-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Galway

    Galway & the Cliffs of Moher

    An included ferry excursion taking in the majestic Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Belfast

    Galway to Belfast

    A morning train to Dublin, changing station from Heuston to Connolly via the LUAS tramway, then a train north to Belfast Lanyon Place for a 3-night stay.

  10. Day 10overnight: Belfast

    Belfast & the Giant's Causeway

    Free time in Belfast, including museums and Titanic Belfast.

  11. Day 11overnight: Belfast

    Belfast & the Giant's Causeway

    An included small-group tour by road to the Giant's Causeway on Antrim's north coast, with a crossing of the rope bridge.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Dublin

    Dublin

    Travel south into the Republic, arriving into Dublin Connolly for a 3-night stay, with a free day of rail travel included to anywhere in the Irish Republic.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Dublin

    Dublin

    Free day of included rail travel to a destination of choice (e.g. Wicklow, Kilkenny or Limerick), or explore Dublin itself.

  14. Day 14overnight: Dublin

    Dublin

    Further time to explore Dublin.

  15. Day 15rail

    Dublin to your local station

    The Ulysses ferry crossing to Holyhead in North Wales, then a train along the North Wales coastline via Chester and Crewe to London Euston or your local station.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Train along the scenic Irish coastline from Wexford to Dublin via Greystones.
  • Day 4Full day in Dingle, a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) region on the Dingle peninsula with sandy beaches and traditional live music.
  • Day 8Included ferry excursion from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands.
  • Day 11Included small-group tour by road from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway on Antrim's north coast with a crossing of the rope bridge.
  • Day 12Free day of included rail travel anywhere in the Irish Republic from Dublin (options include Wicklow, Kilkenny, or Limerick).

Included

  • Standard class rail travel including seat reservations where required
  • Ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare and Dublin to Holyhead and connecting UK rail from your home station
  • 14 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Tour from Galway
  • Giant's Causeway Tour from Belfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. Standard class rail travel with seat reservations, UK connecting rail from your home station, and ferries to and from Ireland are all included. Day 12 includes a free day of rail travel anywhere in the Irish Republic.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is independent. You travel between cities on your own schedule with pre-arranged tickets and hotels. Two day tours are included (Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands from Galway; Giant's Causeway from Belfast), but most days are free to explore at your own pace.
Which trains and ferry operators are used?
Irish Rail operates trains within Ireland (standard class). Stena Line operates the ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare on Day 1. The Ulysses ferry runs from Dublin to Holyhead on Day 15. UK trains connect from your local station to Fishguard and from Holyhead onward.
What hotels are included, and how many nights are in each city?
Wexford (1 night), Dublin (1 night first visit, 3 nights second visit), Dingle (2 nights), Cork (2 nights), Galway (2 nights), and Belfast (3 nights). Hotels include breakfast. Specific properties are listed as 'or similar'.
What is not included?
Meals other than breakfast, travel insurance, and any sightseeing or attractions beyond the two included day tours (Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, and Giant's Causeway). Single supplements apply for sole occupancy.
When does this tour run?
Tailor Made Rail does not publish a departure calendar in the available information. Contact the operator directly to confirm available dates.

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