10 Amazing days in Ireland
Ireland | Apr 16 - Apr 25, 2025

Laurie
Laurie W.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 28, 2025

Just got back from 10 amazing days in Ireland! Completely and meticulously planned and executed by Cathy. This is our second trip with KimKim and will do it again. These trips take any worry & stress right out. You are taken care of like on a cruise, with experts and locals providing tours, transportation, and lodging....but not with a huge group of people. We love traveling "independently" with the knowledge that every detail is covered and we have a safety net if something goes sideways. We love the ability to tailor the trip to what WE enjoy, and not just accept what is in an itinerary. Going with KimKim also allows for the ability to pick restaurants (which we did ahead of time with incredible recommendations from Cathy) and go at the pace we like, stopping and enjoying a spot if we love it. Not getting in line to board a bus because we need to "move on."

Some of our favorites of this Ireland trip...

Central and lovely accommodations - each different, each perfect...breakfasts were incredible.

Private tours!!! - Ring of Kerry with Aodan who grew up there, Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands with Phil, Kinsdale, Blarney and Cohb with Derek, Connemara with Patrick? These men know the history, the people, and the places like the back of their hand. I cannot imagine doing these places on our own. We would only see the places not be immersed in them. And driving in Ireland?? If either of us needed to be the driver, we would never have seen anything but the road.

We had two nights in most places, and Cathy figured out how to plan both mornings & afternoons without feeling rushed or crunched, and moving on to the next place with efficiency. Not a moment wasted. Train trips provided views and a little down time. Lovely! Our arranged taxi driver Noel met us at the airport and delivered us at the end. He couldn't have been more delightful and gave us great tips.

Each city was unique and perfect - Galway (Aran Islands), Limerick, Killarney, Cork (Kinsale & Cohb), Dublin - offering us a taste of each area. We loved them all, but enjoyed the everyday feel and peace of Limerick (not touristy), the quiet lifestyle on the Aran Islands, the travel around the Ring of Kerry in Killarney, and the absolute beauty of Cohb, and fun shopping of Kinsale.

The people in Ireland are just as beautiful as their land and sea. We have traveling quite widely and have never been treated with more hospitality and kindness. We won't ever forget this trip. Thank you, Cathy and team!!

Hotel Reviews
The Hyde Hotel
Galway

Centrally located, beautiful restaurant. Our room was a bit dated, but nice and they are renovated all of them. We were there just a little early. Stay there!

Authenticity & Character
Decor is beautiful and unusual. Old place, but being renovated beautifully.
Location
Can walk to everything, but quiet at night!
Staff
Attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
Had to walk through construction zone to our room....but that should be over soon. The construction crew was super friendly.
The Bedford Townhouse
Limerick

Centrally located and quick walk from the train station!

Authenticity & Character
Beautifully designed right in the center of tour.
Location
Walkable!! 3 bridges walk was delightful
Staff
The woman who greeted us was INCREDIBLE! Gave us local info and a map for a walking tour including pubs.
Cleanliness & Comfort
New!! And with a special room in the lower level for chilling out. Like a living room with wine and water. Sweet!
The Ross
killarney

Right in the center of everything!! Our view was of the church and its cemetery. Breakfast was lovely in the lower level - decorated like on a cruise ship. Walked out with baskets of baked goods to choose from...then incredible full breakfasts. Double doors toward downtown kept out the noise of the fun happening....if you didn't want to join in!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Walked in the door and jumped in to grab our luggage...as check in is up a flight and behind the bar area, not easy to see.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The River Lee Hotel
Cork

Central and walkable. We were upgrade to the 5th floor where we had a view of the River Lee and access to extra waters and snacks down the hall. They do turn down service, too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stauntons on the Green
Dublin

Dublin is a busy city and this inn is a little on the edge, away from the people, but not too far. It sits right across from a beautiful park and you can get to everything you want by walking.

Authenticity & Character
So different than our other lodging in Ireland. A small feel inn....walking into a parlor...with a dining room...and rooms tucked in upstairs, main level, and ours in the downstairs garden level - very cozy!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
A Full-Day Tour: Cliffs of Moher Cruise, the Aran Islands, South Connemara and the Burren
A Full-Day Tour: Cliffs of Moher Cruise, the Aran Islands, South Connemara and the Burren
Galway

Phil and Fion were our guides. We had a very small group of 8. We learned much about the land and the people along the way. Loved the time spent on the island. Phil gave us great ideas and choices. Riding on the ferries to see the cliff and just be on the water was spectacular.

Quality of Experience
Beautiful area, good stops
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Good sense of humor, knowledgeable
Transport
Private driver Half day in Connemara
Private driver Half day in Connemara
Galway

Our guide picked us up very early (breakfast wasn't open yet)and drove us through the Connemara countryside on our way to Kylemore Abbey. While rainy, it was very beautiful and he told us about the land and its people. We were scheduled for the Abbey and also a sheepdog demo. When we arrived at the Abbey it wasn't open yet, so he took us to a park to view Diamond Hill. We didn't have enough time to hike or anything. Headed back to the Abbey. Had just enough time to visit the building, not the grounds. Too late for the dog demo. We had to head back right away to make sure we didn't miss the train. Had to skip lunch and grab a snack at the train station. All in all, I would change this. My recommendation - an 8:00 pickup with an advised big breakfast beforehand. Less driving around, go directly to the Abbey for the building and the gardens. Then head to the train station for a snack.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was so polite and shared so much of Connemara. He had water and tissues for us in the back. Sweet man!
Transport
Welcome to Limerick!
Welcome to Limerick!
Limerick

We got here in the late afternoon. They suggested we take the 3 bridges walking tour with map. It was perfect! We loved Limerick. Not as touristy and the pub were filled with locals.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Train was great!
Killarney National Park Jaunt - From Park to Castle
Killarney National Park Jaunt - From Park to Castle
Ireland

It was a nice ride through the park. Our guide was not very talkative. The horse carriage ahead of us was having a much more interesting ride as we could hear their voices and laughter.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our carriage driver rarely spoke.
Transport
Horse and carriage itself were great.
Private Guided Tour of The Ring of Kerry
Private Guided Tour of The Ring of Kerry
Ireland

Aodan was incredible!! Share his personal experiences the whole way around the ring. Saw the 1800s village, had Irish coffee, watched an awesome sheepdog demo, drove by his Granddad's place and heard stories of his life, stopped by Skellig tourist info and watched the movie, had an delicious lunch by the sea, and took in the beauty of the land, waters and waterfall. What a day!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Tour of Blarney Castle, Kinsale and Cobh
Private Tour of Blarney Castle, Kinsale and Cobh
Cork

Derek makes you see, feel, hear, smell and taste these places! Seriously! The ocean, the castle & gardens, the tiny towns, the people, the restaurants. the shopping, the music in his car. What an incredibly delightful day exploring three unique areas in Cork. Can't believe we got all three in one day - but he knows where to go, what to do, and paced things perfectly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cork Tasting Trails
Cork Tasting Trails
Cork

Bob met us at the church and gave us the history of Cork as we made our way to the market. We also stopped at a candy store, where they had been in business as a family for 3 generations. At the market we had a big seafood sampler, huge olive and cheese tray, chocolates and coffee. It was a nice time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Atrium Afternoon Tea
Atrium Afternoon Tea
Dublin

What a lovely last thing to do! Quiet and relaxing off the streets of Dublin, the food was absolutely wonderful and service was top notch. We sat and took in the surroundings, food, and tea while revisiting all the loveliness that had been the last 10 days. Not something I would have thought to request, but delightful!

Quality of Experience
Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour
Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour
Dublin

Such great detail of the history of Dublin! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and honest about the past. He took us all over and handled questions well, too.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Celtic Night Show & Dinner
Celtic Night Show & Dinner
Dublin

Loved the opportunity to see the incredible dancers and hear so much of the fun music. The musicians had all of us singing along, too. Nicely interactive at times. The food was very good - three courses with nice choices. Only thing we didn't like was how rude people were when the show started. Lots of talking and side conversations. I felt badly for the performers. Also, some people get up and leave before it's over.

Quality of Experience
Self-Guided Guinness Storehouse Experience
Self-Guided Guinness Storehouse Experience
Dublin

I have been in breweries and had tours, but Guiness is over the top!! Kind of like Disney World and Willie Wonka rolled into one. Floor after floor you guide yourself through the interactive, all senses experience. It is kinda crazy, but cool! At the top, we had 360 degree (sunny) views of Dublin. Had lunch at their restaurant and it was very good!

Quality of Experience
Tickets for St Patrick Cathedral, Dublin
Tickets for St Patrick Cathedral, Dublin
Dublin

The handheld audio brought this church to life. I'm not much into churches, but this was interesting and well laid out for tourists. Spent about 45 minutes there.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Cathy Geoffroy
Cathy
Cathy Geoffroy
Local specialist in Dordogne | Replied on Apr 28, 2025

Hi Laurie and Jeff,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!

It was truly a pleasure working with you, and I absolutely loved planning your trip and helping you discover the magic of Ireland. 😊

Wishing you all the very best, and I hope our paths cross again for another adventure in the future!

Warm regards,
Cathy