Flexible Ireland Shore Excursion from Dublin

This full day, 8.5-hour tour from Dublin has no fixed itinerary. After meeting your guide at the pier, you talk through what interests you most, in the city, in the countryside, or a mix of both, and build the day together from there.

This works well whether you are visiting Dublin for the first time and want a local guide's judgment on how to spend a full day, or you have been here before and want to reach places you missed, whether that is a countryside estate, a coastal village, or a corner of the city you did not get to last time.

Your driver guide provides commentary throughout the day and gives you recommendations on the most interesting things to see, then remains with the vehicle while you have free time to explore each stop on your own. Because the itinerary is open, we cannot guarantee you will see everything you have in mind within the day; your guide will help you prioritize based on drive times and your interests. If you choose to go inside any sites, admission fees are paid locally and are not included in the tour price.

A full day gives you enough time to combine city and countryside. A few examples: a morning at Trinity College and St. Patrick's Cathedral followed by an afternoon at Powerscourt Estate and Gardens in County Wicklow, about 15 miles (24km) south of the city; a full day north of Dublin taking in the National Botanic Gardens, Malahide Castle, and free time in the seaside town of Howth; a stop at the Guinness Storehouse in the morning followed by an afternoon touring Malahide Castle; or a full day at Powerscourt Estate with time built in for the gardens, the craft shop, and a relaxed return through Dublin. As with any flexible itinerary, these are starting points, and your guide will help you combine or adjust them to fit your interests and the day's traffic.

In the city, the most requested stops mirror those on our half day flexible tour: Trinity College, chartered in 1592 and home to the Book of Kells; St. Patrick's Cathedral, under construction from 1191; Dublin Castle, built in 1204 on the site of a Viking settlement; and the Guinness Storehouse, on the site of Arthur Guinness's 1759 brewery.

In the countryside, Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, about 15 miles (24km) south of Dublin, offers Italianate gardens laid out by Daniel Robertson with a backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain. North of the city, Malahide Castle, about 9 miles (14km) from Dublin, was home to the Talbot family for nearly 800 years, and the National Botanic Gardens, founded in 1795, hold glasshouses designed by Richard Turner. The seaside town of Howth offers coastal walks, a working harbor, and free time for lunch.

This tour is yours to design, in the city, in the countryside, or both. The only real limit is geography: your guide can take you anywhere within Dublin and the surrounding area covered by our tours, roughly as far as Powerscourt Estate to the south or Malahide and Howth to the north.

At the end of the tour you are brought back to the pier.

Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)

What's Included

Included

• Pick up from Port or Hotel in Dublin
• Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
• Private Vehicle with Driver-Guide for 2-6 people
• Private Vehicle w/ Driver & a Licensed English Speaking Guide for 7 or more people

Not Included

• Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
• Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
• Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

• 1
  Varies based on your interest and traffic conditions.

Resources

Dublin Port. Official port site with terminal locations and cruise berth information. Official Website

Visit Dublin. Official Dublin tourism site for general trip planning. Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine city and countryside sites on this tour?

Yes. With 8.5 hours you can split the day between Dublin city and the surrounding countryside, or spend the whole day in one area.

Is this tour good for a repeat visitor to Dublin?

Yes. Many repeat guests use this format to reach places they missed before, whether in the city or the countryside around it.

How far can we travel from Dublin on this tour?

Your guide can take you anywhere within the general touring area covered by our Dublin tours, roughly as far as Powerscourt Estate to the south or Malahide and Howth to the north.

Are entrance fees included?

No. If you choose to go inside a site, admission is paid locally at your own cost.

Also Available:

›Highlights of Dublin - Worth considering from this port — Dublin shore excursion from Dublin cruise port - private guided visit to the famous Doors of Dublin, the River Liffey, the Customs House, O'Connell Street, the GPO (General Post office), the Four Courts with a licensed English-speaking guide.

›Best of Dublin - Worth considering from this port — Dublin shore excursion from Dublin cruise port - private guided visit to the famous Doors of Dublin, the River Liffey, the Customs House, O'Connell with a licensed English-speaking guide.

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›

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Travel Tips for our Clients

Green hills and shamrocks, good luck or leprechauns, what comes to your mind when you picture the Emerald Isle? The River Liffey runs through Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. The weather can be sunny, rainy, breezy or all of the above, maybe even simultaneously The beauty of the land and the history of the buildings are still eclipsed by the friendly nature of the Irish people.

Top Sights in Dublin

Dublin Castle- The Vikings had selected the original site for this structure while “visiting” in the 13th Century. Throughout the years it has functioned in roles as varied as a military fortress and a court of law, a prison and a treasury. Currently, its capacity has been for state receptions and Presidential inaugurations.

The City Gaol- Guided tours are given through this large unoccupied jail. Its long history (1795 –1924) has seen the leaders of several of Ireland’s rebellions imprisoned here. Fourteen members of the Easter Rising of 1916 were executed here. A detailed audio-visual presentation provides insight into one of the darker facets of Irish history.

National Museum at Kildare Street- Originally opened in 1890, the collections contained within these walls include examples of Celtic and Medieval artifacts such as the Tara Brooch and the Ardagh Chalice. Other displays showcase prehistoric Ireland, the Invasions of the Vikings, and the Road to Independence, among others.

Guinness Storehouse- In 1759 Arthur Guinness opened a brewery on a street known as St. James’ Gate, just a few minutes from Dublin’s City Center. Today, the most popular tourist attraction in Ireland encourages visitors to explore a process of brewing and marketing one of the most recognizable symbols and exports of the Emerald Isle. Small bubbles slowly sinking into a pint of black stout is the reward that awaits all those who choose to partake at the end of the tour.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral- A wooden church was first built on this site in the fifth century. The cathedral was built in 1213 and is named after the patron saint of Ireland. A well on the grounds is reported to be where he baptized his first converts to Christianity. The Choir School was founded in 1432 and students sing accompaniment for most daily services. Of a curious note, a door is displayed with a large, jagged hole hacked into it. It was through this hole that two Norman Earls shook hands to settle a quarrel, thus inspiring the saying, “…to chance your arm…”

Christchurch Cathedral- The principal cathedral for the Protestant faith in Ireland is located just a few hundred yards from St. Patrick’s. Founded in 1038, and renovated several times since, some of the walls date back to the 12th Century. Just beside the Cathedral is the multimedia presentation celebrating Dublin’s medieval heritage: Dublinia. Complete with a reconstructed archaeological dig and interactive displays, this provides visitors with some of the challenges facing the inhabitants of Dublin from that era.

Trinity College- The oldest university in Ireland, has been educating students and enthralling visitors since 1592. One of the biggest draws, for the tourists, is the Book of Kells. This manuscript contains a Latin text of the four gospels and was beautifully decorated by Irish monks in the year 800 A.D.

General Post Office- Built in 1815 this stalwart building was the site of much bloodshed in the 1916 Easter Rising. Bullet marks can still be seen in the front pillars. Several of the leaders of that revolt were executed in Kilmainham Gaol. Reopened in 1929, the General Post Office once again offers a wide range of services, bullets not typically among them.

O’Connell Street / Phoenix Park- These pedestrian-friendly expanses, allow for numerous opportunities to observe the wildlife. As the widest street on the island, pedestrians and shoppers alike will wander the center median of O’Connell Street. The 17th Century Ashton Castle is the visitor center for Phoenix Park. This three-mile length of forested hills and outdoor space has been the location of the Dublin Zoo since 1830. With numerous monuments and memorials, bikers and picnickers might also spot one of the members of the herd of deer, which also inhabit this park.