Luxury Ireland Vacations In Style

Is a luxury Ireland vacation right for me if I'm not a hardcore hiker?
Absolutely. Our In Style and In Comfort trips are built for travelers who want to be active in the great outdoors - but at the end of the day would like to enjoy great dinner, a cozy room, and those extra touches that come with exceptional accommodations.

What's included in a Macs Adventure luxury Ireland vacation package?
Every trip includes top notch hotel accommodation, luggage transfers between hotels (so you only carry a daypack), detailed route maps and itinerary in our award winning app withm 24/7 support. Flights and some meals aren't included - so you get to choose your favorites along the way.

When is the best time to visit Ireland for a hiking or biking vacation?
May through September gives you the best mix of long daylight hours and relatively settled weather. June and July are the most popular months. September is a favorite for travelers who prefer quieter trails, golden evening light, and slightly cooler temperatures - ideal for biking or hiking all day.

Are these guided or self-guided luxury Ireland tours?
Our In Style & In Comfort trips are self-guided. You travel independently while we take care of the planning and support. You navigate our curated itineraries with our award-winning app and enjoy hand-picked lodgings.

What tour is closest to Dublin?
The Wicklow Way starts less than an hour from Dublin by car, and 2 of our Dublin & Wicklow Way In Comfort tour actually begins in Dublin. The Wicklow Way winds through the Wicklow Mountains, glens, forests and meadows and is home to Ireland's oldest National Park and National Trail.

In Style - Ireland

In Style trips feature the finest accommodation on the route - including castle hotels and Forbes Five Star properties like Ashford Castle. Fine dining, premium service, and exceptional comfort after every active day. The adventure is every bit as real - the reward at the end is simply on another level.

In Comfort - Ireland

In Comfort trips stay in charming locally-owned hotels and B&Bs personally selected for their warmth, food, and sense of place. A step above standard - without the premium price point of In Style. Great food, great beds, and that feeling of being somewhere genuinely Irish.

With 20+ years of experience and expertly planned self-guided trips, Macs Adventure makes hiking and biking in Ireland feel easy. We arrange handpicked stays, luggage transfers, and route guidance in our app, so you can travel at your own pace with 24/7 support and the freedom to enjoy the journey. Dive into our Complete Ireland Travel Guide to learn why we think an active adventure in Ireland should be on your bucket list!

Irish pubs are famous throughout the world, and most major cities now have an Irish pub/bar. However, an authentic Irish pub is not full of people with green hats with shamrocks dangling from them!

Who goes to the pub: In the late 17th century, the ‘Public House’ was a place for working men to drink. It's now a hub for the local community and everyone, including children are welcome. It’s common for an Irish family to take a baby baptism party for a drink at the pub after church. The Irish love getting together and having a chat over an informal pint.

The ‘Craic’: Pronounced ‘crack’, this very Irish saying translates to ‘What’s been going on with you, tell me a story about your day’. You go to the pub to hear the craic.

Buying rounds: The landlord of the pub is also normally a friend and will know all the locals. You order at the bar, and no tip is expected. If you’re with a group, you’ll take turns in buying drinks for the table. But you can’t leave before it’s your round!

Guinness: A pint of The Black Stuff. It’s unlikely that you’ll find an Irish pub which doesn’t sell Guinness. First brewed in Dublin in 1759 and is now brewed worldwide – however naturally it always tastes better in it’s homeland! 

The music: Small groups of local musicians will often play in the pub. It’s a casual affair with the musicians sitting in the corner drinking pints whilst playing. Impromptu music with a singsong and the tin whistle is less common, but this is the magic of small-town pubs when friends get together.

Food: A few pubs will serve food, but not all. However, you’ll aways be able to get a small pack of salty peanuts and a bag of ‘crisps’…don’t ask for chips as might end up with a portion of fries!

Sláinte: Cheers

Shellfish - Being an island nation, it’s no wonder seafood especially shellfish is popular. Lobster, crab, shrimps and mussels can be found on most menus in the summer, and in September oysters come into season. Food festivals such as the Galway Oyster Festival (September) and the Dublin Bay prawn festival in Howth (May) are a joy for foodie visitors.

Soda Bread - The basic ingredients are always the same, baking soda, buttermilk and flour. However, every Irish family has a different recipe which can include adding seeds, bran or oats and making it sweet with honey or dried fruits. Always eaten sliced with butter.

Stew - A good plate of hearty Irish stew is a one-pot meal with potatoes, onions and traditionally mutton, but usually lamb these days. Carrots are sometimes added, and it’s left to simmer and reduce for a thick delicious warming meal coming in from a rainy day!

Colcannon and Champ - Both these dishes are potato based, and it’s unlikely you’d have both on your plate at the same time. Champ is mashed potato with spring onions, butter and milk. Colcannon is the same but also includes cabbage or kale.

Boxty - Another potato dish, Boxty covers the full range of potato dumplings, potato pancakes and potato bread. Usually, it’s grated potato mixed with mashed potato and then cooked in different ways for the various types. It’s often eaten with eggs and bacon for breakfast or with smoked salmon for lunch.