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need advice on Ireland day tour operator: Railtours vs Shamrocker

Posted by (Austin, TX) on

I am planning a trip with my husband to Ireland in late April and have gleaned so much helpful information already from reading the forums! We are planning a multi-day trip from Dublin to the southwest coast and can't decide which tour operator to go with. I've read several good reviews on Railtours and just a few about Shamrocker. Trying to decide between Shamrocker's 3 day Southern Rocker tour's itinerary:

Day 1 - Dublin to Rock of Cashel to Blarney Castle to Killarney

Day 2 - Killarney to Dingle Peninsula to Cliffs of Moher to Doolin

Day 3 - Doolin to the Burren to Clonmacnoise to Dublin

and Railtours' 3 day tour: Cork, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher OR 4 day tour: Cork, Kerry, Dingle, and Cliffs of Moher.

Since I haven't read as many reviews of Shamrockers I'm a little hesitant even though their itinerary looks better to me (on paper at least). Also since they tend to stay at hostels (but have the option of choosing a B&B if you give them advance notice). We're in our early 30's but don't necessarily want to be partying during the tour. :)

Has anyone taken either of the Railtours' 3 or 4 day tours? Any advice? If possible I'd like the tour to include Dingle and Cliffs of Moher. Driving isn't an option for us as we don't want to rent a car.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Posted by
5 posts

Michael,

Thanks for your response. Your feedback on the itineraries is really helpful in making our decision.

My husband really doesn't want to drive b/c he's nervous about driving on the left side of the road and he doesn't want to be so stressed about driving that he misses the scenery along the way. Plus we gone on several other tours in other countries and always enjoy the additional knowledge and insider info that guides seem to have.

Posted by
319 posts

Debbie,

Is there a reason you don't want to rent a car? My wife and I are also in our early 30's and we spent two weeks last May driving around the southwest. It's the best way to see the country and you can go at your own pace.

But as you say that's not an option, here are my thoughts about the tour options.

If you can afford it, I'd take the four day tour. The Day 2 itinerary of the Shamrocker's tour is insane. You'll have to blow through Dingle in a couple of hours in order to reach the Cliffs before dark. You definitely want to spend at least one night in Dingle so you can soak it all in. I would hope that the four day would include a night in Dingle.

You could also try to get to Dingle on your own for a couple of days either before or after your tour. It would take some planning without a car, but it is doable. Buses go to Dingle and you don't need a car once you're there.

Best of luck.

Posted by
8700 posts

I agree with Michael. If you're going to take a tour, make it the four-day one. I see from the Railtours' site that you will be in Killarney for three nights and will not stay overnight in Dingle. That's too bad since the Dingle Peninsula deserves all the time you can give it. But, as Michael says, day 2 on the Shamrocker tour is truly insane.

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