The wind on the Causeway Coast does not negotiate. It comes off the North Atlantic with weight behind it, lifts the spray off the rocks at Ballintoy Harbour, and goes about its business of reminding everyone who walks the path above that they are guests here. Six women, recently, stood with their backs to that wind, the map of the harbour behind them, and grinned anyway. The photograph turned out beautifully. The trip, you can tell, did too.
They are travellers with Kindred Women Travelers — a small-group company built for women who want to explore the world together, slowly, and with a conscience. We came across them recently and wanted to introduce them to you, because if you have ever thought about doing Ireland in a small group of like-minded women, this is the kind of outfit worth knowing about.
Who they are
Kindred Women Travelers is run by Maryann O’Connor, based in Plainville, Massachusetts. The trips are small by design — a maximum of five to seven women — the kind of group where everyone learns each other’s names on the first night and is sending postcards a year later. The values are stated up front: sustainability and respect for the places they visit. The pitch is straightforward: arrive as strangers, leave as friends.
In practice, that means itineraries that lean into off-the-beaten-path experiences rather than tour-bus checkpoints. Shared accommodations rather than impersonal hotels. Cooking classes, cultural immersion, the kind of pace that lets you actually meet a place. If you have travelled solo in Ireland and loved it but want a different shape of trip — one with company, one where someone else has done the hard logistical thinking — this is the model.
Why a small group works in Ireland
Ireland rewards travellers who slow down. The road from Belfast to Donegal is not a sprint. The pubs in Dingle are not a one-night stand. The standing stones at Carrowmore deserve more than ten minutes between coach-stops. A group of six or eight women, moving deliberately, with a planner who has done the homework, will see more of the real island than a coachload doing six counties in a day.
The Causeway Coast in the photograph above is a case in point. Most visitors fly to Belfast, race up to the Giant’s Causeway, pose for ten minutes, race back. The women in that picture stopped at Ballintoy. They will have watched the fishing boats come in. They will have eaten in a harbour-side café where the owner remembered their order on the second morning. That is what a properly run small-group trip can give you in Ireland that almost no other format can.
What’s next on their calendar
Coming up on their calendar: an Ireland trip, September 5–15, 2026, and a Scotland trip also planned for later in 2026 — two destinations that travel beautifully together. Their 2026 calendar also includes a parallel Northern Italy departure (Lake Como to Tuscany), running the same September dates as the Ireland trip. If Ireland is what you are dreaming about, we would suggest following their site and getting on Maryann’s radar — she is the person who plans these trips, and from what we have read of her process, she does it the way we would want it done: slowly, thoroughly, and with the people in mind first.
Get in touch with Kindred Women Travelers
Website: kindredwomentravelers.com
Email: Maryann@KindredWomenTravelers.com
Phone: 617-462-7508
Based in: Plainville, Massachusetts, USA
This is not a sponsored piece. We came across Kindred Women Travelers, liked what we saw, and wanted you to know about them. If you book a trip with Maryann, tell her Love Ireland sent you.
Thinking about it for retirement?
If you’ve started thinking seriously about retiring there, our complete our full Retire in Ireland guide covers the visa, healthcare, cost-of-living, and the regions worth shortlisting.
Tours & experiences you might love
Powered by Viator. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Secure Your Dream Irish Experience Before It’s Gone!
Planning a trip to Ireland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions spoil your journey. Iconic experiences like visiting the Cliffs of Moher, exploring the Rock of Cashel, or enjoying a guided walk through Ireland’s ancient past often sell out quickly—especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Ireland’s hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.
Make the most of your journey—start planning today and secure those must-do experiences before they’re gone!