Tailor-made Holiday · Ireland
Luxury Ancestry Tour of Ireland
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
This exclusive journey through Ireland is designed for travellers looking to discover their Irish heritage whilst exploring Ireland's most iconic sites, including Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry.
Beginning in Dublin, the journey opens with a deep dive into Ireland’s cultural and literary soul. From Trinity College to the cobbled lanes of Temple Bar, the capital reveals itself through Georgian architecture and medieval history.
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A visit to EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, and a guided tour of the Docklands bring Ireland’s global story, as well as your own ancestry, into focus. Each moment is enriched by expert guidance and a genuine sense of welcome.
As you move through Kilkenny, Cork, and the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s captivating landscapes unfold before you. Castles rise from riversides, stone circles mark ancient rituals, and sweeping mountain passes lead to dramatic sea cliffs.
Alongside this, charming towns like Kinsale and Cobh share stories of resilience, migration, and identity.
Trace your family's origins and experience the finest accommodation, experiences and landscapes that this LGBTQ+-welcoming country has to offer with this unique tour.
Day by day
This is a sample plan, not a fixed departure. Days can be added, removed or reordered, and almost every client changes something. Prices are an entry-level guide; your quote will be exact.
Day 1: The Adventure Begins
Arrive in Dublin where a private assistant welcomes you and escorts you to your accommodation. Settle into your luxurious city base and receive a curated welcome pack to guide your journey. With a private driver at your disposal, enjoy the freedom to explore Ireland beyond the guidebooks. Your driver will share their insider recommendations offering flexibility and insight throughout your stay.
Day 2: Discover Dublin with an Expert
Delve into Dublin’s layered history with a private guide, beginning among the Georgian streets and continuing past medieval attractions like Dublin Castle and St Patrick’s Cathedral. See the Book of Kells at Trinity College and walk through the lively cultural quarter of Temple Bar. Trace your roots at the National Library or explore Dublin’s maritime legacy in the Docklands.
At EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, uncover some moving stories of identity and migration. Today’s journey is a thoughtful mix of culture and heritage, revealing the Irish spirit through stories, architecture, and personal insight. Return to your central accommodation this evening.
Day 3: Ireland's Ancient History
Step into prehistory with a private visit to Newgrange, an extraordinary Neolithic passage tomb older than the pyramids. Explore this ancient site, aligned perfectly with the winter solstice, alongside the nearby tombs of Knowth and Dowth. Your driver-guide brings these sacred places to life, offering insight into Ireland’s deep-rooted spiritual past.
Continue through the Boyne Valley, where quiet riverbanks and medieval ruins form a landscape rich with legend. Return to your luxurious Dublin base with a newfound connection to Ireland’s ancient and fascinating soul.
Day 4: Through Castles and Cathedrals
Travel from Dublin to Cork with your private driver, exploring medieval towns and stately castles along the way. Stroll Kilkenny’s charming lanes and visit the iconic Kilkenny Castle before continuing to the tranquil town of Cahir which plays home to one of Ireland’s largest fortresses.
In nearby Cashel, admire the striking Rock of Cashel, a 13th-century religious complex set dramatically on a limestone outcrop. Each stop is steeped in story and beauty, offering a window into Ireland’s noble past. Arrive in Cork in the evening and unwind in your elegant hotel, surrounded by heritage and the lush Irish countryside.
Day 5: Tracing the Tides of Time
Discover your Irish ancestry with a personalised session alongside a dedicated genealogist. Then, explore the charming town of Kinsale with your private driver, where history and storytelling come alive on a guided walking tour. After time to dine and explore independently, continue to Cobh – once known as Queenstown – famous as the Titanic’s final port of call. Walk the poignant Titanic Trail and visit the Titanic Experience, following the real-life journey of one passenger. Return to your stylish Cork base filled with insight on this fateful historical event.
Day 6: Westward into Wonder
Journey west to Killarney via Ireland’s most scenic byways. Begin with the ancient Drombeg Stone Circle, a mysterious remnant of ritual and belief. Pause in fishing villages like Glandore and Union Hall before continuing to Baltimore, where coastal views stretch to Sherkin Island.
In Glengarriff, encounter subtropical landscapes nestled at the base of the Caha Mountains. Make a romantic stop at Gougane Barra, a serene lakeside chapel beloved for its beauty. Arrive in Killarney this evening, and settle into your luxurious stay amid tranquil natural surroundings.
Day 7: Nurtured by Nature
Explore the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland’s most enchanting scenic routes. Your journey winds past windswept coastlines, glacial valleys and postcard-perfect villages like Sneem and Waterville. Stop at ancient ring forts, explore Killorglin, and visit stone-carved relics older than recorded history. At Molls Gap and Ladies View, panoramic outlooks reveal the wild beauty of Killarney National Park.
This day has been designed for you to lose track of time – pausing for photos, short walks or quiet contemplation. Your expert guide brings each viewpoint to life, blending storytelling with local charm. Return to your accommodation with memories of Ireland’s natural poetry etched in your mind.
Day 8: Across the Dingle Peninsula
Set out for Newmarket-on-Fergus, journeying through the dramatically beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Begin at Inch Beach, a vast sweep of sand framed by mountains. In Dingle, join Slea Head Drive for extraordinary Atlantic views. Pause at the 6th-century Reasc Monastery and gaze across to the rugged Blasket Islands. Navigate Conor Pass, Ireland’s highest mountain road, lined by waterfalls and glacial lakes.
Your route today is wildly scenic, with optional stops to uncover ancient beehive huts or take a ferry ride (payable locally). By evening, arrive at your castle retreat, surrounded by woodlands, legends and authentic Irish hospitality.
Day 9: The Cliffs of Moher
Explore the rugged drama of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher, a region defined by elemental beauty. Travel through charming coastal villages like Kinvarra and Ballyvaughan, where stone cottages and traditional pubs dot the landscape. Visit Poulnabrone Dolmen, a 5,000-year-old portal tomb standing proud in the rocky Burren terrain.
At the Cliffs of Moher, follow walking paths that lead to sweeping viewpoints above the crashing Atlantic. These natural wonders are incredible to experience in person and make for a spectacular finale to your Irish ancestry journey. Return to your peaceful countryside accommodation for a final evening of comfort and reflection.
Day 10: Departure
Your final morning begins with a private transfer to Shannon Airport. This short journey brings your Irish adventure full circle, offering a quiet moment to reflect on the days gone by. You will leave having experienced the very best of Ireland and with a deep understanding of your own personal Irish heritage.
Our Experts
I love Ireland. It's one of the most magical destinations in the world, and you can sense the layers of mysticism and heritage.
Dublin is such a blast and home to Ireland's best gay scene. The pubs and clubs here are a cut above the rest and always promise a good night.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalised experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveller, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalised service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ holidays?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalised itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travellers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of travelling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first enquiry to homecoming. No call centre, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.