Vacation. Holiday. Tour. Trip. Adventure. So many words that all mean different things to people. But just what is a vacation anyway? Of course there are different types of vacations, from complete relaxation (from sun + pool/sea to strenuous physical pursuits climbing mountains, kayaking white water, cycling hundreds of miles, etc.). You get the point. What Real Irish Travel provides is a combination of cultural and historical overview of Ireland, combined with relaxation in the sense that you can relax with less stress because you're not responsible for itinerary planning, driving, securing hotel reservations, and finding good restaurants. You are free to enjoy the activities, with the understanding and trust that the details have been taken care of.
We have recently completed our 2026 trip, the North by Northwest tour, and folks on the tour have been letting me know their experiences. So I'll let the people who were on this trip do most of the talking.
But first, the structure of the tour. This past May, our small group, our driver Ken, and me — spent 12 days meandering our way across the top half of the island: starting in Dublin, then to the Northern Ireland cities of Belfast and Derry, then continuing on through Donegal, Westport, and Galway. I love this route because it showcases the vibrancy of Irish cities with the remote and rugged countryside; it pairs the famous 'must-see' stops people expect, with the more wild corners of the northwest that most visitors to Ireland never see because it's a little bit out of the way. It's not called 'the forgotten county' without reason. It's geographically similar to the way Alaska is to the US.
"A trip to Ireland with Real Irish and Stuart Marley is magical. It's everything you would hope a good vacation to be. Beautiful accommodation, excellent food and awesome side trips. Our small group of people, plus Ken our driver extraordinaire, and our skipper Stuart made this trip an unforgettable adventure." — Cindy T.
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Twelve days across the top of Ireland
I am a meticulous planner so we never spend more than an hour or so riding in the coach at a time, and the coach itself is spacious with plenty of elbow room — no one is jammed in, everyone gets a window seat, and those big elevated windows truly give you the best views in the country, right over the hedgerows. When we stop for the night, it's at unique five-star or four-star hotels chosen for prime location, comfort, and hospitality. We don't rough it. Hospitality is what Irish people are known for. Just think of an Irish pub, there's always great hospitality there, though it's not just in the pubs, it's the cafe's, the restaurants, it's the people on the street you talk to. It's like they are all working for the Irish Tourist Board.
This route rewards every mile with surprises and interesting attractions. For example, we explored the interlocking basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway on the Antrim coast, which formed as a result of a volcanic eruption some 60 million years ago, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Days later we stood high up on Sliabh Liag (Slieve League), where the cliffs rise almost 2,000 feet out of the wild Atlantic — among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and to my mind the very spirit of Donegal: rugged and stunningly gorgeous.
Lorraine set the scene better than I could (and no, I didn't write this one myself. They are all from our customers):
"From the moment we arrived, the experience was nothing short of outstanding. … We had a seamless and enjoyable time exploring Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Donegal, Westport, and Galway." — Lorraine Y.
The moments that stuck
What surprises me every year are which moments and experiences people carry home with them. It's rarely only just the famous sights. Of course nobody forgets their amazement at the Giant's Causeway, but our guests kept mentioning the similar shared memories: a night spent in a castle hotel, learning to play the bodhrán (the Irish frame drum), and watching one very talented sheepdog do his work. The sheep herding demonstration gets people every time — there's something almost magical about watching a farmer and his dog work a field of sheep together that no video can prepare you for.
"One of the highlights of our trip was staying in a charming castle. We also had the opportunity to learn how to play a frame drum, which was a fun and unique experience. We dined at amazing restaurants, savoring delicious local cuisine. And let's not forget the sheep herding demonstration we witnessed with a farmer and his well-trained sheep dog." — Lorraine Y.
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The small-group difference
I've planned and written about these tours for many years, so you might know the part I care most about. It is the whole idea, going back to our very first trip in October 2016, to keep the traveling group small. They didn't want to be on a large group tour where they're herded on and off a massive bus, just to cram as much sight-seeing into the day as possible. They wanted a real mix: the major attractions, yes, but also the special, deeply local places most tourists never find on their own.
Keeping the group small is what makes that possible. A smaller group can slip down narrow streets, linger when something interesting is happening, and adjust the plan when the weather — or the craic — demands it. (Craic is Irish for witty/fun, clever conversation, and our local guides in Belfast, Derry, and Galway supply craic in generous quantities.) But I'd rather you hear what that actually feels like from a guest:
"We didn't have to worry about anything, Stuart took care of reservations, luggage transport, flights and a couple of beautifully well timed surprises. One of the attractive features was the small size of our tour group. It enabled us to investigate some of the narrow Irish streets and gave us a lot of travel flexibility. Importantly, we made friends." — Kerri M.
That last line — "Importantly, we made friends" — is my favorite thing people say about the tours. It happens every time. Prior to departure we meet virtually to introduce ourselves, ask and answer questions, and generally break the ice. Group dinners, time on the coach, and hanging out in the hotels are all opportunities to mingle and chat. By the end of 12 days, folks who boarded the coach as strangers are swapping addresses and making plans to stay in touch. It's not unusual for someone to come back on a future tour with a friend they made on a previous one.
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Ireland, embedded in every day
There's one more thing that makes these tours 'ours'. Real Irish has relationships developed over 25 years sourcing our products directly from Irish makers, and on every tour we visit a vendor or crafter or two, so guests can meet the makers themselves. This last time we visited the Hanna Hats workshop in Donegal, who make the same caps and hats we sell back home, as well as a traditional tweed hand-weaving demonstration, and plenty of live Irish music along the way. A lot of what our makers produce is only available at that one location, so guests have the opportunity to take home a physical memory of the trip. The skill, the heritage, and the authenticity of the people and the products: that's what makes these Irish products special.
Trudy described the rhythm of it all better than I could:
"There is Irish culture and history embedded in each day. We visited castles, churches, cemeteries, gardens in bloom, museums, and tours with local guides. We had demonstrations of Irish weaving, hat making, sheep dogs and Irish music. We enjoyed the beautiful Irish countryside with grazing sheep and stunning coastlines." — Trudy E.
Trudy and her husband have now traveled with us twice — South by Southwest in 2024, and North by Northwest this year. Repeat travelers are the best compliment a small tour company can get, and we're lucky to have many; some guests have joined us for as many as four tours. I have even had people come back on a tour they have previously done because they've enjoyed it so much. When someone chooses to spend another precious vacation with the same small travel company from Michigan, that tells me more than any star rating ever could. But you should still read the many stellar reviews past travelers have written about their experience with Real Irish Travel.
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Come with us!
I love Ireland, its history, culture, and its people. It is an honor and a pleasure to share that love with other curious travelers. When I hear our guests talk about a place we've visited together, and then I read Lorraine calling the trip "an authentic & memorable Irish adventure", then I am satisfied that I've done my part.
And every seat on our tours is filled the same way: someone reads a story like this one, or talks to a friend who has been on a tour, and then wonders if Ireland is really like that? They decide to find out for themselves. (It is.) And so can you!
Our next tour, South by Southwest Ireland Tour, runs April 29 - May 12, 2027, and spots are limited to keep the group small. You can find the full itinerary, hotels, and pricing here.
If you have questions, or you'd like to hear more about what the trip is like day to day, email info@realirish.com — I answer every email myself.
— Stuart Marley
