Ireland: The Emerald Isle

That marvellous, iridescent shade of green.

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Fifteen days from Dublin to the Atlantic west, at a pace that leaves room to stop. One of the most in-demand trips in our travel community, and it isn't hard to see why: the humour and charm of the Irish people, the subconscious pull of heritage for those of us with Irish descendants, and hills dotted with sheep in a green you have to see to believe.

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Watch first

The Journey

Fifteen minutes of Ireland as our members find it: the cities, the coast road, and the long green quiet in between. Worth watching before you pick your dates.

Ireland: The Emerald Isle, a Wheel & Anchor journey.

From the founder

Why we love Ireland

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Gordon

Ireland has been one of the most in-demand programs in our travel community. So what is it about Ireland that captivates the imagination of so many of us?

The humour and charm of the Irish people is certainly part of it, as well as the subconscious pull of heritage for those of us with Irish descendants. And of course there are the landscapes, and that marvellous, iridescent shade of green that covers the hills dotted with sheep.

It's that green that stands out most to me. There is something about the aliveness in those shades that speaks to the mysterious allure of Ireland, where the stories of the fae and other elemental energies have seeped into the landscapes and communities across the island. To hear it from the Irish, they are not just stories; they are often presented more as memories.

Perhaps Ireland is one of those places where you can reawaken that child-like sense of wonderment that, just maybe, there really is magic out there in the world. After all, this is why we travel, is it not?

Upcoming departures

Ireland: The Emerald Isle

Dates Price from: Status View Details

January 1–19, 2027

CAD $10,890

Go

The route

Where the journey takes you

Route map of The Emerald Isle — Open the map full size (opens in a new tab)

The moments

Six moments to look forward to

The Cliffs of Moher

Rugged sea-cliffs where the Atlantic has been doing the shaping for a very long time.
The Ring of Kerry

A 180-kilometre loop out of Killarney, on the shores of Lough Leane. The road returns to where it started, so there's no need to know where you're going.
Connemara

Grassy plains turning to bog and forest, then rising into some of the country's most rugged mountains. The part of Ireland the Irish holiday in.
Galway

A city of endless festivals on the western coast, "Barcelona with more rain."
The Dingle Peninsula

Where the land narrows, the road runs out, and the street signs stop being in English.
Dublin

Where the trip begins, before the country opens out to the west.

Photographs

Memories from past trips

In their words

What past travellers said

This is our 3rd W&A trip, I continue to brag about the quality of the entire trip. Our friends who came with us also enjoyed their trip and thanked me for suggesting your company. My hat is off to Gordon and the entire W&A team.

Ed

Helen & Bill, Ottawa

The pace was the gift. We saw everything we hoped to and never felt marched.

Joanne, Vancouver

Practicalities

Things you'll want to know

What's the weather really like?

Changeable, in every season, and rarely extreme. Summer sits around 15–20°C, early autumn a little cooler. Rain is possible on any day of the year, usually passing rather than persistent. Layers and a genuinely waterproof jacket matter more than a heavy coat.

When is the best time to go?

May to September gives you the longest days and the mildest weather. Late spring and early autumn are quieter at the well-known sites, which is often the better trade.

Ready to look at timing?

Check out the dates for this trip