Magical, mystical, welcoming Ireland is bigger than you think – some 32,000 square miles, in fact – so it makes sense to talk to someone who really knows the country.
As seasoned travellers in-and residents of-Ireland, McKinlay Kidd is perfectly positioned to provide all the information and confidence you need, as we point you towards special places to see, stay and visit, whether you’re travelling in luxury with a private, local chauffeur-guide, on a self-guided, tailor-made basis, or on one of our escorted small-group rail holidays.
Ireland Rail Holidays and Train Tours
With every detail taken care of before you travel, our train holidays are award-winning for a reason.
What better way to experience the ever-changing vistas of Ireland than from the serenity of a comfortable train carriage? Leave the car at home and allow the train to carry you across the island, from the great capital city of Dublin to the transformed cities of Belfast and Derry in the north; spear west to Sligo, hometown of WB Yeats; colourful Westport; and Galway, Europe’s westernmost city; and loop from Irish traditional music mecca Ennis in Co Clare to Killarney and Cork City.
Should your specially selected accommodation require a transfer to get you there, we have that covered, and we provide unforgettable moments with local guides and experiences along the way.
We are happy to tailor a trip to suit your specific wishes, but why not take inspiration from one or two of our existing itineraries? on . With private guided tours in Kinsale, Killarney and on the mystical Burren in Co Clare complementing some of our favourite hotels, this is a luxurious and most relaxing way to get to know the south and west.
Self-drive Road Trips
Perhaps our favourite way to explore Ireland: taking your time, moving at your own pace and detouring as much as you wish, there’s something so satisfying about indulging in the freedom of the road. Discover Ireland’s acclaimed Wild Atlantic Way, the world’s longest coastal touring route, along which every facet of Irish life unfolds, and where each twist in the road opens up views of beautiful, deserted beaches, craggy, jutting cliff-faces and delightful towns and villages. Experience the full 1,500 mile long route or perhaps shorten the journey to focus on a smaller section, such as Connemara to Donegal or Cork to Connemara.
The Wild Atlantic Way, Connemara to Donegal includes stays in Clifden, Co Galway; Westport, Co Mayo; Sligo; and Donegal; or Wild Atlantic Way, Cork to Connemara takes in the classic fishing village of Kinsale, Co Cork; vibrant Kenmare, Co Kerry; across the mighty Shannon to Spanish Point in Co Clare; and finally to Clifden in Connemara. Again, we can tailor-make the trip in any way you wish.
All of our road trips are available on a self-drive basis (you bring your own car) or fly-drive from most UK airports, including a range of car-rental options. We can even provide electric car rental for our Wild Atlantic Way EV Road Trip, specially created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this fabulous route.
Small Group Escorted Rail Tours
Meet new, likeminded people and travel with an experienced local tour leader throughout on one of our Ireland escorted rail tours. Painstakingly curated, with the same attention to quality and detail as our tailor-made holidays, you’ll enjoy superb accommodation, endless craic and a range of authentic experiences. With every facet arranged in advance, this could be the most trouble-free way to see the very best of Ireland.
Where can you go in Ireland?
– Wild Atlantic Way and the West Coast
Since its creation in 2014, much acclaim has been heaped upon the Wild Atlantic Way, the world’s longest coastal touring route. And once you experience the tumbling coastal vistas, colourful harbour towns and traditional music and culture alive all the way along its 2500km length, you’ll be compelled to agree.
– Northern Ireland and the Causeway Coast
Home to some of the island of Ireland’s most captivating locations, Northern Ireland often feels like an undiscovered gem; one you’ll be talking about long after your visit. Rivalling any road trip, the drive from revitalised Belfast along the Causeway Coast of Co Antrim delivers a staggering tapestry of landscapes. Discover eerie Dunluce Castle, test your nerve on Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and step back in time on the Giants Causeway.
– Ireland’s Cities and Cultural Hubs
While the island of Ireland conjures images of vivid green and varied coastline, don’t forget the country is home to vibrant towns and vivacious cities. One of Europe’s great capitals, Dublin is a wonderful city in which to start or finish any trip to Ireland. Tune in to the unique accent and disarming humour of the ‘Rebel City’ of Cork, whose 18th-century English Market is a magnet for food-lovers and where the locals are only too ready to declare their home ‘the real capital’ of Ireland. More than just Europe’s westernmost city, and gateway to the alluring Aran Islands, Galway packs a colourful punch in its compact footprint. Two of our favourite cities on the island of Ireland may be its most surprising – Belfast and Derry/ Londonderry. The pitch-black humour of the locals blends with their infectious pride in the transformation each has enjoyed over the past 30 years.
– Irish Islands
Each home to its own culture, dialect and history, the islands off the coast of Ireland captivate and enthral every bit as much as mainland locations.
When’s the best time to visit Ireland?
Ireland is beautiful year-round, but the best time to visit depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for – each season brings it’s own charm.
– Spring (March – May):
The beginning of spring is a time for new beginnings on the island of Ireland. Wildflowers bloom, lambs dot the fields, and the countryside turns into a vivid shade of green. Days become longer and lighter and the weather can vary, from bright sunshine to mild showers. Average daytime temperatures are from 9-11°C (48–52°F).
– Summer (June – August):
Summer offers the warmest weather and up to 20 hours of daylight in June. There’s an all-round lively vibe across Ireland, the seasonal calendar is packed with festivals, fairs and events, which can add a whole new dimension to your trip. Daytime temperatures range from around 16-18°C (60-65°F), the perfect weather for exploring outdoors or experiencing coastal landscapes at their most enchanting on a road trip.
– Autumn (September – October):
Many locals favour autumn as an ideal time to explore, taking advantage of the mild weather, amber and landscapes and the quietness after the summer rush. The weather varies from wet windy days to mild days with bursts of sun. Daytime temperatures range from 15-17°C (59-63°F) in September and drop to around 10-14°C (50-57°F) in October.
– Winter (November – February):
Cool crisp air, stunning sunrises and cosy pubs with roaring fires, winter will always be one of our favourite seasons to travel in Ireland. Daytime temperatures vary from 4-7°C (39-45°F) across the whole country.
What’s the best way to travel to Ireland?
We can help with booking or recommending inbound travel routes from the UK.
– Major Irish airports:
- Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Ireland West (Knock).
– Main Ferry routes:
- England: Holyhead to Dublin & Liverpool to Dublin
- Scotland: Cairnryan to Belfast
- Wales: Fishguard (Pembrokeshire) to Rosslare
