Ireland Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Traditional Irish Culture from Cork to Killarney
On two wheels and on foot in Ireland, experience remote misty mountains and villages whose names reflect their charm. Gaze at the clouds. Listen to birdsong. Enjoy an unforgettable family vacation colored by the Emerald Isle’s forty shades of green.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $5,599 - $5,799/person
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Bike, hike and paddle through a quintessential Irish landscape of hills, farmland, cottages and sheep
- Adults enjoy a private whiskey tasting with a local expert while kids test their mettle playing Gaelic sports
- Listen to memorable stories from a well-known Irish shanachie (storyteller)
- Watch a Kerry dance and revel with the whole family in fascinating history and lively village culture
- Experience Relais & Chateaux hospitality and relax at a hotel with views of Kenmare Bay and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Cork Airport & Travel Details
- Begin your adventure with a ride along the iconic Ring of Kerry
- Pedal into the Roughty River Valley and to the outdoor-loving town of Kenmare
- The pristine Beara Peninsula—one of Ireland’s warmest areas—likely looks today like it did to the ancient Celts
- Soak up stunning views of the Glen Inchiquin Valley’s glacier-carved mountains and sparkling lakes on a hike over Mount Knockagarrane
- Behold a 4,000-year-old Druid stone circle, one of County Kerry’s most impressive
- Kids try their hand at playing Gaelic football and hurling
- Join a private whiskey tasting with an expert while youngsters indulge in fish-and-chips
- Hike the Kerry Way, with majestic views of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks
- Hop in a sea kayak to glide through the protected waterways of Kenmare Bay, enjoying the spectacular landscape and chatty seabirds
- A festive Irish dance demonstration gets feet stomping!
Nights 1-3
Luxury Hotel
Set on a sprawling waterfront estate, this luxurious inn offers stunning views of Kenmare Bay, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Sheen Falls. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- A gorgeous cycling route winds through Moll’s Gap
- Views of wild Killarney National Park serve as the backdrop to lunch
- Families bike through the Blackwater Valley en route to the Gap of Dunloe
- This narrow pass cuts through the highest peaks in Ireland
- Hike through Killarney National Park with vistas of serene lakes, rushing waterfalls and dense forests
- In Killarney, rows of houses sport cheerfully painted façades and ornate plasterwork
- Settle in for an evening of classic storytelling with a well-known Irish shanachie
- Make your way to 15th-century Ross Castle for a tour of this old tower house.
Nights 4-5
Luxury Hotel
A handsome family-owned hotel, promising and delivering “warmth beyond the smile,” in the heart of Killarney. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Killarney Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 1-3
Ireland’s landscape features constant rises and valleys, and the continuously rolling terrain—along with conditions like rain—can make routes feel more challenging than the mileage suggests. Many roads are chip seal with soft shoulders, and some sections are rough.
Kid-friendly routes are shorter and hilly in places, and alternate kids’ activities are available on days with longer rides. Some sections are on roads with traffic (riding is on the left side) and little shoulder, so kids should be comfortable riding with cars on the opposite side of the road and controlling speed on downhills.
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Kids' bikes, trailer bikes, carriers and kid-sized helmets
Bike fitting and equipment support throughout your trip
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads cycling jersey, t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
