Luxury self-drive specialist launches new Heritage Ireland tour and refreshes four existing itineraries in its biggest ever investment in Ireland programme.
Yorkshire, UK. January 29th 2026 – Celtic Routes, the UK’s leading luxury Land Rover self-drive tour operator, has announced a significant expansion of its Ireland offering with the launch of a brand new Heritage Ireland itinerary and comprehensive updates to four existing tours for the 2026 season.
The new eight-day Heritage Ireland tour represents a departure from the operator’s established Wild Atlantic Way routes, instead guiding travellers through the lesser-visited south and east of the country on what the company describes as a “deep dive drive from the dawn of time to 19th century emigration.”
Starting and finishing in Dublin, the culturally rich itinerary takes in Neolithic tombs, medieval castles, the geologically unique Copper Coast, and poignant emigration sites, including Cobh, the Titanic’s last port of call, and the Dunbrody Famine Ship in Wexford. Highlights include the 6th-century monastic settlement at Glendalough, the medieval mile of Kilkenny, Cork’s celebrated 400-year-old English Market, and the gourmet harbour town of Kinsale.
James Markwell, Head of Marketing at Celtic Routes, said: “Ireland has always been one of our most popular destinations, and this refresh represents our biggest investment in the programme to date. Heritage Ireland fills a gap we’ve identified for travellers who want to understand what makes the country tick rather than simply admire its coastline. The itinerary explores Ireland’s lesser-known corners while telling the story of a nation shaped by religion, invasion and famine.”
The 2026 collection also features enhanced versions of four established itineraries. A Taste of the Wild Atlantic Way offers a six-day introduction to one of the world’s great coastal drives, while the nine-day Classic Wild Atlantic Way provides a more comprehensive exploration from Connemara to the Beara Peninsula. The 13-day Two Irelands combines the Republic with Northern Ireland, and The Best of the Causeway Coast delivers a concentrated four-day experience of Northern Ireland’s dramatic coastal scenery.
All tours include premium vehicle hire from Celtic Routes’ fleet of Land Rover Defenders, Discoverys, Range Rover Evoques and Minis, handpicked high quality accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, a personalised mobile app with day-by-day navigation and recommendations, and 24/7 support throughout the trip. Tours operate from March to October 2026.
ENDS