Explore Ireland’s Wild West Coast

At a Glance

Western Coast of Ireland, Europe
May 24 - May 31, 2025
7 Nights
Level: 3
We rate all trips on a 1 to 5 scale. A designation of 1 would be trips with the least amount of activity, such as our beach trips, where it's up to you if you'd like to be active. Our adventure trips (such as the Inca trail hike) are a 5. Most of our trips are rated 3, for people who don't mind a fair bit of walking.
11-15 Travelers

Starting At

$4,699

Deposit: $500

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Trip Description

About This Trip

Imagine yourself hiking the Cliffs of Moher, wandering through wildflower fields, sipping a whiskey at a charming pub, exploring villages lined with thatched cottages, and meeting interesting local women, including a writer, artist and pub owner. It’s all part of NextTribe’s insider look at the delightful Western coast of Ireland, along the Wild Atlantic Way. Led by our founder Jeannie Ralston, this trip will have you seeing the highlights, getting off the beaten path – and bonding with new friends.

Interested? Watch our information session here. 

 

5 Reasons We Love This Trip

  1. Soaking in unforgettable views of the Cliffs of Moher and other rugged coastline vistas
  2. Going back in time on a stroll through one of the Aran Islands, where the film The Banshees of Inisherin was filmed.
  3. Learning about whiskey from a notable female pub owner and expert
  4. Discovering Adare Village, Kenmare and other towns noted for thatched roof cottages and exuberantly colored old buildings
  5. Listening to that delightful Irish accent all around you!

About Your Guide: Jeannie Ralston

Jeannie Ralston is the co-founder and CEO of NextTribe, which provides community and travel for women over 45. NextTribe takes small groups of women who are dedicated to “Aging Boldly” on trips all over the world—from Peru and Paris to  Santa Fe and Scotland.

Before starting NextTribe, Ralston was a journalist (published in National Geographic, Life, The New York Times) and an award-winning travel writer. Her years growing lavender in rural Texas was the subject of her memoir, The Unlikely Lavender Queen, published by Broadway Books; her e-book, The Mother of All Field Trips, was about the three years she and her husband homeschooled and traveled with their sons.

She is based in Asheville, NC.

Photos

Map

Sample Itinerary

SATURDAY, May 24th

Welcome! We’ll meet in Dublin at lunchtime. Private transfer to the Wild Atlantic Way for a twilight hike at Cliffs of Moher. Immerse yourself in their magic by hiking along the cliffside path with emerald fields stretching out on one side and cobalt-blue waters dancing below on the other.

SUNDAY, May 25th

In County Clare, you’ll take a 15-minute ferry ride to the island of Inis Oirr, one of the Aran Islands (the setting of the recent film, The Banshees of Inisherin. Here you'll have a chance to experience Ireland as it lives in myth. You'll see a landscape criss crossed by stacked rock walls, that delineate fields of the deepest green; ruins of castles and churches on hillsides; horse-drawn carriages trotting along the narrow roadways. Rent a bike or a carriage, or stroll at your own pace. Afterwards, head into the quaint village of Ballyvaughan, and meet a local whiskey expert in her pub with Ireland’s biggest whiskey collection – sláinte (cheers in Irish)!

MONDAY, May 26th

Explore the west coast gem of Galway, a bohemian city renowned for its arts, crafts, friendly residents, and lively pub culture. We’ll visit a local artist at her studio and learn about how she unleashes her creativity. Join us for an enriching experience that promises to ignite your imagination and leave you with cherished memories of Galway's brilliance.

TUESDAY, May 27th

Next stop: Adare Village, County Limerick, for a leisurely riverside walk through what is known as one of Ireland’s prettiest towns, with stone churches and thatched cottages. Excellent shopping as well! Share a coffee or cocktail with your tripmates.

WEDNESDAY, May 28th

Today, we explore the remote Beara Peninsula in County Kerry, known for its wild landscapes and sea vistas. Here, we will meet a noted local writer who will share the history, folklore, and unique culture of this area, rich in Irish mythology, as we hike. After lunch, you'll have the option of embarking on a thrilling journey with Ireland's only cable car to Dursey Island, where you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged Beara Peninsula.

THURSDAY, MAY 29th

As we prepare to bid farewell to our adventure and new friends, celebrate with a quintessential Irish experience at a charming 200-year-old traditional cottage and enjoy a traditional Irish craft demonstration. Savor dinner with your fellow NextTribe members!

FRIDAY, May 30, 2025

Transfer to Dublin via Kilkenny. Kilkenny is a charming medieval city, renowned for its well-preserved castle, narrow cobblestone streets, and vibrant arts scene. It offers a unique blend of historic architecture, lively pubs, and rich cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination. This afternoon bid farewell to your guide as you check into your Dublin accommodation to rest before your journey home.

SATURDAY, May 31, 2025

Make your way to Dublin airport for flights home or other destinations. Slán leat!

Logistics

Fly into DUB and out of DUB, and make your way to a predetermined meeting place in the center of Dublin.The best way to do so is via taxi, Uber or Shuttle.

Before the trip, we will be gathering for a Zoom meet and greet and you will also get a schedule of everyone's flight, so you can see if there will be someone on your flight you can share a taxi with from the airport.

Our hotel info is:
Falls Hotel in Clare, Ireland
T: +353 (065) 70701004
Check In: May 24, 2025
Check Out: May 27, 2025

Brook Lane Hotel in Kenmare Ireland
+353 (0)64 6642077
Check In: May 27, 2025
Check Out: May 30, 2025

For reference, on July 26, the hottest day of the year, temperatures in Cork typically range from 55°F to 66°F, while on February 18, the coldest day of the year, they range from 39°F to 48°F.

Bring about $500 USD or equivalent in Euros, more if you're a shopper.

No special vaccines necessary.

Please check to make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the trip.

Electrical outlets are two-pronged Europeans plugged

Internet is provided free at the hotel.

We will ask everyone going on the trip to download What's App, so that we can use it for communication before and during our trip. Please familiarize yourself with What's App.

If you have questions, please direct them to Marcy Mitchell, our travel manager, at travel@NextTribe.com.

What's Included

  • Ground Transportation for all activities

  • 6 Dinners

  • 6 Lunches

  • 7 Breakfasts

  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary.

What's Not Included

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol (unless specifically mentioned in itinerary activity or purchased as an add-on)
  • Airfare

Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids and hotel staff, travel insurance, round trip airfare, passport and visa fees, personal items such as phone calls, laundry, baggage fees and items not expressly listed as included.

Additional Add-Ons

Hotels

The Falls Hotel and Spa

Ennistymon, Co. Clare, Ireland
Brook Lane hotel

Brook Lane Hotel

Brook Lane Hotel, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

The Alex Hotel

Dublin

Our travelers love us (yay!)

Colleen M., California

What I love about the NextTribe trips is that there is so much camaraderie of other women that are like you, and then the fabulous things that the organizers puts together to give you that viewpoint, it’s awesome.

Courtney M., Texas

What I love about NextTribe trips is that you get the experience from an insider’s perspective—someone that has ties to the community and focused on building relationships from the start. I’ve been on a trip with another women’s travel group that dropped a guide in, not personally knowing anything about the locale, traditions, or culture. She was there to make sure you showed up on time, got on the bus, etc. With NextTribe, you feel like you’re having a personalized experience with your best girlfriends.

Donna B., Washington

I didn't know anyone going on the trip but that didn't stop me from signing up. I have learned that some of my life's greatest adventures have come from taking a risk and jumping in feet first. So glad I did with NextTribe! I may not have known anybody at the start, but now I feel like I know everybody.

Connie B., Pennsylvania

I love to meet and interact with strong, mature women from across the country as we learn together.

Leslie M., Georgia

I always come by myself on NextTribe trips because I like to meet super fun and interesting women. We're always doing fun and interesting things in great cities that you couldn't do on your own because you wouldn't know the people or places or the insiders.

Teresa S., Kentucky

NextTribe fills the need I have to travel with older interesting women who are curious about the world and want to share the journey.

We write articles about all our trips. Read about these special experiences.

Let’s Do This!

Starting From

$4,699

Did you know we have easy payment plans for our trips, interest free? Think of this as a layaway plan to feed your soul.

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What to Expect Traveling with NextTribe

You’ll be embraced by a tribe of travelers, starting with smart, fun women who lead our trips. We even have a code of community for both travelers and guides.

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Terms & Conditions

Here’s the boring stuff we encourage you to read so there are no surprises.

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Travel Insurance – Do You Need it?

Short answer: Yes! We strongly suggest you buy trip insurance to protect your investment in the trip.

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Frequently asked questions

What’s different about your trips?

We curate trips specifically for curious, engaged women over 45. You’re pretty well assured that your fellow travelers will be a lot like you–since you’ve all responded to the idea of “aging boldly.”. That means built-in compatibility in your small group, including the woman who is leading the adventure.. In addition to specializing in group travel for people who don’t normally like group travel, we also pride ourselves on creating experiences that allow you to interact with local women or get deeper into the culture than you would if you planned the trip yourself.

Where do you go?

We have a wide range of weekend jaunts here in the U.S. for those who want a quick getaway. We also love taking women to Mexico, where founder Jeannie Ralston used to live. We’re always talking about pushing boundaries, and we’re doing that in the geographic sense too. For those with more time, we offer trips all over Europe, to India, Vietnam, Peru (for a hike on the inca Trail to Machu Picchu). Soon, our travelers will be getting passport stamps in even more countries on six continents. Be saving those frequent flier miles!

What do you mean by transformational travel?

NextTribe is affiliated with the Transformational Travel Council, an international group of travel professionals dedicated to making the world a better place, one trip and one traveler at a time. We recognize that travelers, especially post-pandemic, are looking for more than just a date and a destination. They can shop for that anywhere online. Our community honors the intention behind a traveler’s investment in a trip. Our travelers want to have fun (we do too!) and to travel with a sense of purpose and belonging. That’s why we go to great lengths to provide ways for women to self-select by reading the articles in our magazine and the content of our website. If you like what you see, you’re likely to be a NextTribe traveler, and we look forward to seeing you on a trip soon!

What if I travel solo?

If you really prefer to book your travel yourself and go it alone, we applaud you. That’s brave and bold and we would never try to talk you out of it. But our trips are designed so that even a woman who’s used to traveling alone, or someone shy about meeting new people, will feel comfortable in our group. Our trip leaders are there to “read the room” and make sure everyone feels included and respected.

What if I don’t like group travel?

We don’t either! Not the way most groups do it. If you feel like doing what the group is doing, great! Join us for dinner or just some of the activities. All the benefits of solo travel and the comfort of being with a group. Our groups are small (normally around 12 to 14 women) and in most situations, you are free to opt out of an activity. We figure you’re grown-ass women who know what’s best for you.

What’s the price range of your trips?

We are committed to providing what we call “affordable-luxury” travel. Don’t expect
the Four Seasons, but who wants to stay in a gilded bubble anyhow? We always look for good value and offer wonderful hotels and memorable experiences that won’t break the bank and will get you closer to how locals live. Our prices depend on the length of the
trip and the destination. We offer domestic trips for under $2,000 for a shared room, which we encourage. If you don’t have a roommate we will match you with someone. Sometimes this has resulted in lasting friendships with new travel buddies., Some of
our longer trips–two weeks in India or Vietnam, for example–will cost between
$4,800 and $6,000.

What’s included in the price?

Our trips cover most everything you’ll need to dive into a destination. Hotels and most meals, plus special experiences such as hands-on classes and sessions with local artists, writers or entrepreneurs are almost always included, but each trip is different so please be sure to read The Experience and the itinerary. We occasionally have an add-on for an extra price, but those are clearly designated. What’s not covered as a rule are airfare, alcohol and tips.

Do you have payment plans?

We sure do. It’s easy to pay for our trips by setting up automatic credit card charges at regular intervals, interest free. Think of it as the layaway plan to feed your soul.

How do I get trip discounts?

Our NextTribe members get a discount on every trip. Plus, members are the first to hear about new trips and receive upgrades on rooms if they’re available. Check out our three different membership levels here.

What’s the average age of women on the trips?

We welcome all women over 45, but most of our travelers are in the 50 to 65 age range. More important than age is the spirit of the traveler–her curiosity about the world, and her eagerness to embrace new opportunities. We’ve found women of any age with those qualities fit in well with our groups.

What’s the activity level of the trips?

Most of our trips are geared for active travelers who like to walk–a rating of 3 on our 1-5 rating scale. Here are some examples of how we rate. A designation of 1 would be our beach trips, where it’s up to you if you’d like to stroll down the beach, or play in the waves or walk around the small town. Trips where we have dedicated transportation for much of the time (such as India) are a 2; Paris is a 3 because we believe the best way to appreciate a city is to view it on foot. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a 4, because you’ll be walking up some hills (at 6,000 feet altitude) and occasionally on cobblestone sidewalks. Our Inca trail trip is a 5, as are our more adventurous outdoor trips.

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