Historical Tours & Trips in Ireland
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10 best Historical Ireland tour packages
Compiled by

SteffIreland travel expert at TourRadar
- Irish Highlights (Winter)
- Land of Saints & Scholars (Hotel) - 7 days
- Great Atlantic Ireland Explorer - 7 days
- Best of Ireland (10 Days)
- Land of Saints & Scholars - 7 days
- 3-Day Blarney Castle, Kilkenny & Irish Whiskey Small-Group Tour from Dublin
- Taste of Ireland (Tour A) - 7 Days/6 Nights (12 destinations)
- Taste of Ireland (Tour B) - 6 Days/5 Nights (10 destinations)
- Castles and Manors
- Irish Elegance - Premium (Small Group)
Irish Highlights (Winter)
80 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Super fun & organised. Fi always so helpful with anything...”
sabando, traveled in January
Centuries-old castles and monuments tell Ireland's story. King John's Castle in Limerick, historic Bunratty Castle, and Blarney Castle's famous stone stand proud. The Dunbrody Famine Ship and JFK memorial in New Ross come alive with expert guides.
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Galway, Bunratty, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Blarney, Youghal, Waterford, New RossSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From $3,250
15% Off- NZ$2,763You save $488
Land of Saints & Scholars (Hotel) - 7 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Interesting tour all round.”
Winifred, traveled in May
Ancient crosses at Clonmacnoise Abbey, Waterford's Viking Triangle, and Glendalough's 6th-century monastery paint Ireland's past. Daniel O'Connell's Derrynane House and prehistoric dwellings at Slea Head feature expert interpretation.
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Galway, Burren, Kilfenora, Cliffs of Moher, Shannon, Killarney, Dingle, Blarney, KinsaleSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $6,565
15% Off- NZ$5,580You save $985
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Cashel, Cork, Blarney, Kinsale, Killarney National Park, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, GalwaySee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator On The Go Tours From $5,755
15% Off- NZ$4,892You save $863
Uncover Ireland's heritage at EPIC Museum Dublin, 18th-century Westport House, and medieval Bunratty Castle. Visit the 13th-century King John's Castle in Limerick and ancient Blarney Castle. Experience historic accommodations at Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge while exploring Ireland's rich past.
Duration 10 days Destinations Dublin, Wicklow, Waterford, New Ross, Kilkenny, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cahersiveen, WatervilleSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Brendan Vacations From $5,174
10% Off- NZ$4,656You save $517
The ancient ruins of Clonmacnoise Abbey and Waterford's Viking Triangle tell Ireland's story. Roam historic Derrynane House, walk through 6th-century Glendalough monastery, and hear about Titanic's connection to Cobh while staying in traditional Irish B&Bs.
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Galway, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Shannon, Killarney, Dingle, Blarney, Kinsale, CobhSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $5,785
15% Off- NZ$4,917You save $868
3-Day Blarney Castle, Kilkenny & Irish Whiskey Small-Group Tour from Dublin
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Loved the pace and all the places we stopped. Only suggestion would be to have cup holders on the tour vehicle.”
Theresa, traveled in June
Rich history spans from Viking-era Waterford to 6th-century Glendalough monastery. Medieval Kilkenny's castle, 15th-century Blarney Stone, and ancient ruins along UNESCO's Copper Coast feature expert historical commentary.
Duration 3 days Destinations Dublin, Blarney, Midleton, Cork, Kinsale, Cobh, Waterford, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Glendalough Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Rabbie’s Small Group Tours From
15% Off- NZ$1,369
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Blarney, Killarney, Cashel, Ring of Kerry, Valentia Island, Skellig Michael, Sneem, Cliffs of Moher, ShannonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operator CIE Tours From
15% Off- NZ$3,593
Duration 6 days Destinations Dublin, Blarney, Killarney, Cashel, Ring of Kerry, Valentia Island, Skellig Michael, Sneem, Cliffs of Moher, Shannon Age Range Ages 8+ Operator CIE Tours From
15% Off- NZ$3,258
Castles and Manors
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodations were beautiful and very welcoming. Our experience was fantastic and would recommend.”
Tiffany, traveled in April
Medieval heritage shines at Rock of Cashel, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and historic castles. Local specialists bring 18th-century Westport House to life and guide tours through ancient ruins. Perfect for history enthusiasts aged 40+.
Duration 8 days Destinations Dublin, Galway, Cong, Westport, Clifden, Connemara National Park, Kinvarra, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Ring of KerrySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From $6,425
15% Off- NZ$5,461You save $964
What people love about Historical Tours in Ireland
- Great Tour of Ireland
Diego was a really great tour guide! Very knowledgeable about Ireland and tried to make sure everyone had a great time. The only thing I didn't expect was a bilingual tour because when I booked it, it said english speaking. But Diego was very good about translating in both languages. I would use tourradar again.
- Irish Highlights (Winter)
Fantastic! Highly recommend to anyone!
- Ireland in Low Season
Luke Watson is the best tour guide I have ever had. His knowledge and history of the places was incredible and he had so many stories to share. He went out of his way to answer our questions and is a very friendly, helpful and fun guy.
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in Ireland
What are the must-see historical sites on an Ireland Historical tour?
The essential stops on Ireland's historical circuit range from medieval strongholds to ancient religious sites. Kilkenny Castle stands as a testament to Norman influence since 1195. The 15th-century Blarney Castle remains a popular stop where visitors can test their luck at the Blarney Stone. At Clonmacnoise founded in 545 AD Celtic crosses dot the landscape alongside distinctive round towers. The House of Waterford Crystal continues centuries of craftmanship while Dublin Castle anchors over 800 years of Irish heritage. A TourRadar traveler noted "The historical sites were incredible - our guide brought each castle and monastery to life with fascinating stories about Ireland's past."
When is the best time to take a Historical tour in Ireland?
The prime window for exploring Ireland's historical treasures falls between April and September. Summer months of June and July provide up to 18 hours of daylight ideal for examining architectural details at sites like Dublin Castle. September brings temperatures around 60°F (16°C) along with smaller crowds at major sites including Blarney Castle. The historic Ashling Hotel in Dublin serves as a comfortable base for city exploration. According to one TourRadar traveler: "Visiting in September was perfect - we had clear skies for photography at the castles and comfortable temperatures for walking through historic towns."
Which historical accommodations can I expect on an Ireland Historical tour?
Accommodations on historical tours blend period charm with modern comfort. The 4-star Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin lets guests sleep within medieval walls while enjoying contemporary amenities. Westport's Knockranny House Hotel maintains its Victorian grandeur. The Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny provides easy access to the city's Medieval Mile. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Staying at Clontarf Castle was a highlight - sleeping in a real Irish castle while learning about its 800-year history made the experience unforgettable."
Which regions of Ireland offer the best Historical experiences?
Historical sites span the breadth of Ireland's landscape. Dublin's historic quarter showcases Georgian architecture and the 800-year-old Dublin Castle. The Ancient East contains medieval Kilkenny and Viking-established Waterford. Western Ireland holds prehistoric treasures like Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands dating to 1100 BC. Along the Wild Atlantic Way Kylemore Abbey and ancient monasteries tell their tales. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Each region had its own historical character - from Dublin's colonial heritage to the ancient stone forts of the west coast."
What historical periods do Ireland Historical tours typically cover?
Tours traverse through time from ancient Celtic settlements to 19th-century famine history. Stops include Viking-influenced Waterford Ireland's oldest city Norman-built King John's Castle in Limerick and the Waterford Crystal factory. Many tours include nights at historic properties such as the 1783-built Faithlegg House Hotel. One TourRadar traveler reported: "From ancient stone circles to Georgian Dublin the tour gave us an incredible overview of Ireland's rich history spanning thousands of years."
What historical aspects of Irish culture are covered?
Tours delve into the cultural fabric of Ireland examining Celtic traditions early Christian heritage medieval clan systems and the Great Famine's impact. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin and traditional Kerry farms provide windows into social history. Historic properties like Cahernane House Hotel offer authentic Irish hospitality experiences. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The blend of ancient sites folk traditions and living history made Ireland's past come alive."