road trip in ireland itinerary

The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide

Last Updated: February 5, 2024

The ultimate guide to planning an epic Ireland road trip itinerary!

We’ve been lucky enough to explore countless countries, and it’s fair to say that it takes a lot to impress us.

But when we visited the Emerald Isle and explored the country on a two-week Ireland road trip, it honestly took our breath away.

Ireland boasts a rugged coastline, rolling pastures, picturesque lakes, quaint villages and some of the friendliest people we’ve ever met.

It also has more pubs per capita than any country we’ve ever travelled to, and we knew that was going to help cement Ireland in our list of favourite countries ever.

When we found out we were heading to Ireland in October to speak at the TBEX Europe conference we decided to rent a campervan and do an epic road trip around the country.

Ireland had been at the top of Alesha’s list of must-visit destinations since she was a kid, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally explore the European nation.

Having travelled in a campervan around Canada, Australia and Chile we knew that it was definitely the best way to see a country, and with the stories we had heard from travellers about the landscapes in Ireland we were sold on the van life.

After some research we found out the best campervan company in Ireland is Bunk Campers , and we decided to get something a bit more luxurious for our journey.

All the campervans we had owned or rented over the years were just basic vans, with a small bed and tiny kitchens.

This time we rented a fully kitted out campervan, and it was nice to have luxuries like running water, hot showers, a toilet (only number ones!!!) , a heater (so good on those cold mornings) and a dining table to sit at.

Once we picked up our campervan in Dublin we had two weeks for road tripping Ireland the best we could.

Of course two weeks is nowhere near enough time to see everything on a road trip in Ireland, but we were lucky that we had about eight days beforehand as well to see more of Kerry County, Dublin and Ireland’s Ancient East.

What we did see though made us fall in love with Ireland even more, and we’re already making plans on returning in the near future for a longer trip.

Here’s our guide, including tips, highlights and our full Ireland road trip itinerary.

Table of Contents

The Ring of Kerry

Ireland’s ancient east, donegal’s wild atlantic way, loop head peninsula, the giant’s causeway, achill island, the ring of beara, day 1 – dublin to wexford (150km), day 2 – wexford to cork (190km), day 3 – cork to kenmare via the ring of beara (200km), day 4 – kenmare to killarney via the ring of kerry (140km), day 5 – killarney, day 6 – killarney to tralee via dingle (160km), day 7 – tralee to lahinch via loop head (160km), day 8 – lahinch to galway via doolin (100km), day 9 – galway to achill island via kylemore abbey (200km), day 10 – achill island to donegal via ballina (220km), day 11 – donegal to londonderry via slieve league and malin head (250km), day 12 – londonderry to belfast via the giant’s causeway (190km), day 13 – belfast, day 14 – belfast to howth (or dublin) via newgrange (180km), want to save this for later pin it, 8 highlights of our ireland road trip.

Our Ireland road trip was an incredible experience, and we really fell in love with the country after our 2 weeks driving around.

We even took a quick trip into Northern Ireland (which is actually a part of the United Kingdom) , and we’re glad we did, as it added some other great stops into our itinerary.

From the famous Giant’s Causeway to the Kerry Cliffs, exploring the history of Ireland’s Ancient East to walking through the Dark Hedges, these are the highlights of our Ireland Road Trip.

Want to know where to go on a road trip in Ireland? Read on…

Dark Hedges Game Of Thrones Northern Ireland Road Trip Campervan

Arguably the best driving loop in the entire country, the Ring of Kerry starts off near Killarney in the southwest of the country and takes in the beautiful coastal scenery of the Iveragh Peninsula.

If you leave from Killarney the Ring of Kerry is about 214km long, not including all the detours, but every single kilometre of that is an absolute joy.

Check out these epic day tours and activities you can do in Killarney !

Head in a clockwise direction from Killarney, straight to Kenmare and then onwards to Sneem. This is to avoid the tour buses, which are forced to drive in an anti-clockwise direction.

Every time you see a photo opportunity make sure you grab it! The landscape is out of this world, and ranges from sprawling farmland to lush forest, with jagged mountain peaks and a dramatic coastline topping it off.

The highlight is the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee, with towering rocks dropping spectacularly into the sea, and you can even see the famous Skellig Islands in the distance on a clear day.

If you have the time, and the weather is nice, make sure you take a trip to the Skelligs, home to puffins and landscapes that can be seen in the latest Star Wars movie.

The Ring of Kerry roads are extremely narrow, so make sure you drive with care.

While the rest of the country boasts a world class coastline and jaw-dropping landscapes, for those with a love of culture and history then Ireland’s Ancient East is a destination where one day can easily turn into seven.

You can begin your journey in this fascinating area with a night (or more) at Waterford, delving into the Viking history that has been around for over 1000 years. Don’t miss out on the King of the Vikings virtual reality exhibition!

Head to Wexford and take a tour of the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience. This authentic, interactive exhibition of what it was like to travel in an immigrant ship (complete with the actual Dunbrody ship!) back in the 1700s is absolutely remarkable, and while we are usually dubious of recreations, this was world class!

Enniscorthy is a gorgeous heritage village that was also home to centuries of sometimes tragic history.

The castle is well worth visiting, but don’t miss out on the views from Vinegar Hill, which was actually the location of a fierce battle between British and Irish soldiers in 1798.

Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world, and if you’re looking for an iconic photo you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place than here.

By far the best attraction in Ireland’s Ancient East is the Irish National Heritage Park .

This sprawling venue has been built to showcase more than 9000 years of Irish history. Kids and adults alike will be completely entranced by walking around the traditional dwellings that have been recreated on the grounds.

Passionate actors share stories of what it was like to live in the times when humans first settled in the Emerald Isle, and the hardships endured over the years.

To complete the experience don’t miss out on a traditional Viking dinner in the restaurant. Expect ribs cooked underground on coals, hearty soups and fresh bread, all washed down with craft beer!

You’ll be required to dress up in old-fashion clothes as well, but don’t worry about the quality of food – it’s absolutely impeccable, and much healthier and tastier than would have been found back in the day.

The entire west coast of Ireland has become known as the Wild Atlantic Way , and the slick marketing campaign by the tourism board isn’t without just cause – It’s absolutely phenomenal, and should be the main objective of any Ireland road trip.

One of the more incredible, yet often skipped, areas of the country is Donegal County up in the far north of the Republic of Ireland.

The town of Donegal itself is enjoyable, with some great pubs, cafes and restaurants to keep you entertained, but it’s only when you hit the coast that you start to see the county’s true potential.

Slieve League is the main attraction, with its marvellous hiking trails that offer stellar views over the Atlantic Ocean and cliffs that almost rival the ones found in Kerry.

The drive out to Meencarrick is superb, and it is one of the nicest coastal routes in the country. Don’t miss driving out to the headland for some hiking next to the cliffs.

The entire length of ocean roads in Donegal is great, but make a special detour to Malin Head, the northernmost point in the Republic of Ireland (even further north than Northern Ireland).

It will be super windy, but the views are great and the bucolic roads to get there are alone worth the trip.

In the list of big attractions in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are right near the top. These soaring, vertical rock faces tumble into the sea, and stretch for kilometres like an impenetrable barrier against the Atlantic.

They are also supremely crowded with tourists.

Instead head a bit further south to the Loop Head Peninsula, where you can find similar landscapes and scenery with no entrance fee charged, and almost nobody else to get in the way.

You won’t find fences here either. If you want to walk right up to the edge of the cliffs, you can (just be careful).

If you have time, do both. But if you just want to choose one, skip the Cliffs of Moher and instead hit up Loop Head Peninsula.

Although the Giant’s Causeway is actually in Northern Ireland, it is still one of the best places on the Emerald Isle and should not be missed during your road trip itinerary.

Thousands of basalt, hexagonal columns rise out of the sea creating one of the most magnificent geological environments in the United Kingdom.

Legend has it that a giant built the Causeway as a path to connect Ireland with Scotland so he could take part in a fight, and if you use your imagination you can almost picture the columns forming a bridge between the two nations.

Walking around the Giant’s Causeway can easily take a few hours, with plenty of great photo opportunities and even some hiking trails around to occupy your time.

The audio tour that can be purchased from the wonderful visitors centre tells the legend, geology and history of the Giant’s Causeway, and is worth the price.

If you’re trying to keep your costs down though you can actually visit the Giant’s Causeway for free. Park in the closest town and hitch or take a bus to the site, then walk around the visitors centre.

When we were driving around Ireland we met one or two people that had mentioned a place called Achill Island, but it never came up as a ‘must do’ in our conversations.

Still, when we realised it would only be a short detour to check it out, we decided we had nothing to lose by making the visit.

It was one of the best decisions we made.

Achill Island is an absolute delight, and boasts ridiculously beautiful beaches, wonderful headlands, quaint fishing villages and fun adventure activities to enjoy.

After crossing over on the bridge we drove to the end of the road, and couldn’t believe the kind of views that surrounded us.

Sheep wandered on the steep farmland with an impossible ocean vista rolling out in every direction. Hills climbed all around us, offering great hiking for those feeling active.

We ended up watching sunset from a water reservoir that looked out over the whole town of Keel, and finding a place to camp next to an inland lake close by.

With more time you could rent some surfboards or kites and hit the ocean, or head up into the mountains for some trekking.

When we return to Ireland we’ll definitely be giving Achill Island a bigger portion of our schedule.

The Ring of Kerry is the go-to for road trips in Ireland, but the nearby Ring of Beara is just as beautiful, without the people.

Just like its neighbour, the Ring of Beara is a coastal loop that takes in the absolute best vistas of the Beara Peninsula.

You’ll find sheep grazing on pastures that butt up against the ocean. The roads twist and wind like a snake weaving through a field, and requires a lot of concentration to navigate.

Unfortunately the weather was quite bad on the day we did the Ring of Beara, but even then whenever we did get a glimpse of the landscape we were absolutely blown away.

Stonehenge might be the most famous Neolithic site in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but it definitely isn’t the oldest.

Only a few hours north of Dublin is the spectacular Newgrange archaeological site; a huge, circular stone structure that was built over 5200 years ago as a passage tomb and temple.

Approaching Newgrange is not what you would expect. It is surrounded by farmland, and you can see cows and sheep walking around just on the other side of the fence. But the site itself is wonderful.

The main tomb takes up over an acre of land, and stands 15m tall with an 85m diameter. It’s part of a larger complex as well, surrounded by other tombs named Knowth and Dowth.

One of the most remarkable things about Newgrange is that the entrance passage is aligned to let in a beam of light during sunrise during the winter solstice.

Guides can show you this phenomenon at any time of year though using flashlights.

You must head to the Visitors Centre to purchase your tickets first, which is actually a bit far away from the Newgrange site.

They offer free bus transport with your ticket from the Visitors Centre to Newgrange, but we recommend taking your own car to the site.

We didn’t know you could do this and spent almost 2 hours total waiting – not because of crowds, but because that was just the way the bus schedule worked. Save yourself the headache and drive your own car to the site.

Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

We ended up renting our campervan to try and find the best Ireland road trips for two weeks and managed to see a lot of the country.

However it did end up being a bit rushed, and you could easily extend this to a month if you wanted to do all the amazing side trips and hiking excursions around.

This is the exact itinerary that we followed, although where possible we’ve given alternatives that might be worth spending the night in.

Our trip was plagued with storms and a hurricane (yes, a hurricane), so we had to skip a few things.

We don’t mention many places to stay, because most of the time we slept in our campervan, and you can find your own spots along the way, or stay in any one of the dozens of epic B&Bs in the country .

We’ll definitely be adding to our list once we do our next Ireland road trip.

Once you’ve picked up your campervan in Dublin (and of course visited the Guinness Storehouse, which is a must see) head out of the city aiming for the town of Wexford in Ireland’s Ancient East.

The drive itself won’t be overly beautiful, but chances are you’ve picked up the rental in the afternoon and the goal is to just get out of the city.

In Wexford and the surrounding area there are plenty of things to do that could take up a few days of your itinerary. Some of the best things to do around Wexford are:

Visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience in Wexford.
Do the King of the Vikings Experience in Waterford.
Go to Hook Lighthouse.
Spend a few hours at Dunmore Adventure Centre , which has a tonne of activities to enjoy, like kayaking, sailing, climbing, windsurfing, and our absolute favourite, the Wibit Waterpark. Ever seen the show Wipeout? Well Dunmore East has one of these giant inflatable parks set up out in the harbour! One of the funnest things we have ever done.
Hang out at Ireland’s National Heritage Park.
Go cycling along the Waterford Greenway.
Hang out in Enniscorthy and climb Vinegar Hill.

You can take your time driving to Cork and visit some of the great attractions in the area, or just enjoy the beautiful country scenery.

Get out and enjoy the beautiful coastal walks around Ardmore, and have lunch at the phenomenal Cliff House Hotel.

The roads are quite good and Cork itself is a fun city. Plenty of great pubs and restaurants to enjoy, and some great attractions nearby:

Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Also don’t forget to spend some time walking around the stunning grounds.
Eat at Cliff House Hotel…Trust us on this one.
See the colourful houses in Cobh.

Leave early on this day because the plan is to tackle the beautiful Ring of Beara driving loop on the way to Killarney.

From Cork take the backroads to Ballylickey, then head onto the Beara Peninsula. You’ll be thankful you left early because this loop will take you all day with all the photo stops.

Once you finish the loop spend the night in Kenmare, which is a beautiful little village.

Some of the main attractions along the way are:

Drive the spectacular Ring of Beara.
Walking around Kenmare.

After a delicious breakfast in Kenmare head west onto the Ring of Kerry, and make sure those camera batteries are charged!

This loop is the most famous, and arguably the most beautiful, drive in all of Ireland, and if you get a sunny day it might end up being one of the best road trips of your life!

If you’re into hiking, or want to do some of the day excursions around the Ring of Kerry you might need to break up your trip into two or three days.

Visit the Skelligs – Two rocky islands off the coast of Ireland home to an old monastery, puffins, and was used as a film scene in the latest Star Wars movie.
Hike around the Kerry Cliffs.
Hang out at Derrynane Beach.

Be careful of the roads along the Ring of Kerry – they are twisting, narrow and often busy with tour buses!

After a few days of driving you deserve a well-earned rest. Except you’re now in Killarney, and there are so many things to do in Killarney that you could easily fill a week with activities!

We spent 4 days in Killarney before we started our road trip, and loved it so much we came back! You’ll be spoilt for choice here, whether you’re into history, gardens, adventure activities or simply drinking beer.

Rent a bicycle and explore Killarney National Park.
Go on a river cruise .
Visit Ross Castle and the Abbey.
Check out Muckross House and the gardens.
Get into nature at Torc Waterfall.
Head out to the Gap of Dunloe and admire the world-class scenery.
Drink delicious beer at Killarney Brewing Company.
Climb Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain.

If you want to splash out and enjoy a night outside of your campervan, then head to the best luxury hotel in Killarney, Muckross Park Hotel .

Once you’ve managed to pry yourself away from Killarney (it might take a while), you have another epic drive to check out on your Ireland road trip.

Drive out to Dingle, a wonderful town that would make a nice base for a day or two, and move out to the end of the Dingle Peninsula.

This captivating area is home to the Slea Head Drive, another magnificent loop that features rolling hills jutting up against steep ocean cliffs.

As you’re now on the Wild Atlantic Way you can expect to see more than your fair share of coastal scenes, but this one around Slea Head is pretty special.

It’s not just cool scenery – there’s also a bunch of history, with stone beehive huts peppered along the coast and the impeccable Gallarus Oratory adding to the awesomeness of Slea Head Loop.

Spend the night in Tralee after doing some of the best attractions around Dingle:

Head out on the Slea Head Drive.
Visit the Gallarus Oratory, and all the beehive huts along the way.
Drink some Dingle Gin.
Do a boat trip to see Fungie the Dolphin.

Today isn’t a long day driving, and you really have two options on how you want to head to Lahinch – you could take the ferry, creating an excellent short cut, or drive out to the city of Limerick.

We personally decided to skip Limerick, even though we had heard good things, as we much prefer to be in the countryside. Plus there’s a massive highlight to see along the way!

While it’s only a short drive today your timing will be dependent on the ferry schedule that gets you across the small harbour from Tarbert to Killimer. Make sure you get there early in case you have to wait.

Once you get on the other side drive out to Loop Head Peninsula, home to some of the most wonderful cliffs in the entire country, and they’re completely free!

If you have time, or really love cliffs, you could also do the Cliffs of Moher, although these are very touristy. Spend the night in Lahinch, a wonderful beach town with a colourful main street.

Take the ferry from Tarbert to Killimer.
Drive out to Loop Head Peninsula and see the cliffs.
Visit the Cliffs of Moher.
Rent a surfboard and hit the waves in Lahinch.

On this day we unfortunately had to wipe all the attractions from our schedule as a hurricane hit the country, and we ended up bunkering down in the small town of Ennis to wait out the storm.

However if we had our time again, we would drive from Lahinch to Doolin, which is meant to be an amazing little beach village that gets a lot of rave reviews from our friends.

Then keep following the coast, eventually finishing up in Galway.

This stretch also could be turned into a two-day journey, with all the things to do.

Take a boat out to the Aran Islands, a World Heritage Site where the locals speak Irish as well as English and ancient, ruined churches are just waiting to be explored.
Grab a pint in one of Doolin’s colourful pubs.
Follow the sea and enjoy the Wild Atlantic Way views.
Go out to Spanish Point.
Party the night away in Galway.

If you’ve ended up partying a little too hard in Galway you might need to break this journey up into two days, as you’ll be leaving late. But if you’re feeling fresh get a move on early!

The first stop is going to be Kylemore Abbey, a sensational old castle with some of the most beautiful gardens in all of Ireland.

Keep following the road around and make a beeline for Achill Island, where if you’re not careful you may get stuck for a day or two.

Wander around Kylemore Abbey and the gardens.
Reach the end of the road on Achill Island and be blown away with the views.
Take a swim at the beach in Keel.
If you have more time enjoy all the hiking and surfing opportunities around Achill Island.

The beautiful drive takes in the countryside around Ballycroy, which is surprisingly delightful and has lots of great hiking opportunities.

The area around Ballina has some cool, old friaries, and once you get to Sligo you’ll find tonnes of outdoor adventures to enjoy.

If you have time before settling in Donegal do the drive out to Slieve League, otherwise you can do it in the morning.

Finishing up in Donegal hit up one of the excellent restaurants and down it all with a pint of Guinness.

Go for a hike in the Ballycroy National Park.
Visit the 600-year-old friaries near Ballina.
Head up one of the mountains or lakes in Sligo.

It’s another long drive today, which could also be broken up if you had the time, because the Donegal area has a lot of epic scenery and activities to enjoy.

The first thing you should do is enjoy the coastal drive out towards Slieve League, taking the side roads that turn down into the tiny fishing villages along the way.

Slieve League is hugely impressive, and with more time you could do the hike to the cliffs, or if you’re trying to fit it all in a day you can simply drive to the top and check out the views.

Get back in the car and head straight up to Malin Head, the northernmost point in Ireland. Afterwards head back south towards Londonderry.

We personally headed to Quigley’s Point and stayed at the Foyleside Caravan Park as we needed power to charge our laptops, and we enjoyed the spot.

Don’t miss out on Slieve League – epic cliffs and gorgeous ocean views.
The road to Meencarrick has some beautiful, old village and surf beaches to check out.
Fall in love with the scenery around Glenveagh National Park.
Stand at the northernmost point of the Republic of Ireland in Malin Head.

You’ll be spending the next few days in Northern Ireland, which means you’ll get to visit one of the United Kingdom’s most popular tourist attractions, the Giant’s Causeway.

Stick as close to the coast as possible on the drive to the Giant’s Causeway, stopping along the way to take some pictures.

Spend a few hours wandering around the famous basalt hexagonal columns, then get back in the car and make the drive into the countryside.

Swing by The Dark Hedges in Ballymoney – an avenue of enormous, twisting beech trees that is one of the most photographed places in the whole country.

It was already a popular spot, but when the HBO series Game Of Thrones filmed a scene there it was propelled into another level of busyness. Still, it’s worth seeing, even if you don’t know anything about the series.

Afterwards head into Belfast for the night, or pick a caravan park outside of town.

Enjoy the coastal road in Northern Ireland.
Walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge near Ballintoy.
Walk (don’t drive) down the Dark Hedges.
Check out the Giant’s Causeway. Remember you don’t have to pay to enter if you don’t want to visit the information centre or use the carpark.

The Northern Ireland capital is filled with intense history, fascinating murals, a world-class museum and more than its fair share of awesome pubs.

Belfast is a city that oozes with grungy atmosphere, and whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny that it has an overwhelming character that should be experienced.

We were really looking forward to visiting Belfast, and it did not disappoint. To really appreciate the city though you should be willing to embrace the tragedies of the last few decades, and admire how it has bounced back.

Spend a few hours in the marvellous Titanic Belfast, known for being one of the world’s leading tourist attractions. Get your ticket here .
Join a free walking tour of Belfast to learn about the city’s political history.
Check out the Crumlin Road Gaol.

For the last full day jump on the highway and head south of Belfast. You can easily be in Dublin in 2 hours, but it’s worth stopping off at the Neolithic site of Newgrange.

As mentioned above, Newgrange is one of the real highlights of any Ireland road trip, and learning all about the massive passage tomb is splendid, especially when you consider it’s older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids!

If you need to be in Dublin tonight then you can be in the city quite easily, but personally we recommend heading to the fishing village of Howth , only 30 minutes from the city.

Howth is genuinely wonderful, and the perfect place to finish up your Irish road trip. You can park your van by the dock and head out to get fish and chips, or if you want a perfect place to stay head into the only hotel in town (yes, the only hotel in town), King Sitric .

Visit the ancient Neolithic site of Newgrange.
Go for a hike around Howth, or enjoy the best seafood in the country at King Sitric Restaurant.

Sunset Howth Ireland Road Trip Campervan

Tips For a Road Trip of Ireland

Driving a campervan around Ireland is definitely the best way to see the country.

Having your own wheels is one thing, but having your own home is the icing on the cake!

Still there are some things you need to keep in mind before you start this fun adventure. For another good reference, check out this article on renting a motorhome in Europe.

Here are some tips for renting a campervan in Ireland.

Bigger isn’t always better: The roads in Ireland can be notoriously narrow, and having a giant RV isn’t ideal in the Republic of Ireland. We went with the Aero model from Bunk Campers and it was a good balance of size and comfort, without being too big for the roads.
Try to free camp where possible: This is the whole bonus of having a campervan – You get to save on accommodation! In the Republic of Ireland we never had a problem finding a carpark or patch of grass to pull up for the night. We stayed next to a lake in Achill Island, behind a bus station in Ennis, on top of Vinegar Hill and plenty of other spots. It’s not always glamorous, but at least it’s free!
Sometimes you’ll have to stay in a caravan park: In Northern Ireland wild camping is illegal, so you have to stay in a caravan park. They’re not too expensive (sometimes 20 Euros or less), but they come with the added bonus of amenities like laundry, proper bathrooms, electricity hook ups and wifi.
Buy a prepaid SIM card from 3: Having data on the road is important, and we picked up a prepaid SIM from the telephone company 3. For 20 Euro we got unlimited 4G data and unlimited texts and calls for a month. We could also hotspot our laptops off of our phone with it. Get one from any 3 store.
Don’t underestimate driving distances: You might look at one leg and think, “Oh it’s only 150km, we’ll be there in 2 hours,” but that’s not always the case. Road conditions can slow you down, as will the hundreds of photo stops along the way. Don’t be too ambitious when planning your schedule.
Head south and drive clockwise: The weather in Ireland moves from the Atlantic Ocean and moves across the country heading northeast. A tip we got from the manager at Bunk Campers is to head south to Kerry County and drive clockwise. That way if you get nice weather you can basically follow it north.

[box] Our Ireland road trip adventure was made possible thanks to our partnership with Bunk Campers and support from Failte Ireland . All thoughts, opinions and pints of Guinness drunk at Irish pubs are, as always, our own.[/box]

Campervan View Ireland Road Trip Campervan

Alesha and Jarryd

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Perfect 10-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary (Detailed Map+Tips for Planning)

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Ireland is known for its stunning landscapes and rich history, making it a great destination. Here is your go-to resource for planning a 10-day Ireland road trip itinerary ! This itinerary is based on my own experiences and is designed to help you navigate the country’s roads and discover the best of its treasures.

With a detailed map and practical tips, you’ll be well-equipped to explore everything from the iconic Cliffs of Moher to the streets of Dublin. This guide will ensure you make the most of your time in Ireland.

1. Map of 10-Day Ireland Road Trip itinerary
2. DAY 1 - Arrival and Dublin
3. DAY 2 - Dublin
4. DAY 3 - Dublin to Killarney
5. DAY 4 - Killarney National Park and Ring of Kerry
6. DAY 5 - Dingle Peninsula
7. DAY 6 - Tralee to the Cliffs of Moher
8. DAY 7 - Cliffs of Moher
9. DAY 8 - Doolin to Portrush
10. DAY 9 - Northern Ireland
11. DAY 10 - Belfast and Drive Back to Dublin
12. Intrepid Scout's Tips for 10-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

Map of 10-Day Ireland Road Trip itinerary

DAY 1 - Arrival and Dublin

Arrive in Dublin
Trinity College and the Long Room
Ha’penny Bridge
Temple Bar District

Settle Into Your Accommodations in Dublin

GOOD TO KNOW: Day 1 in Dublin will start with your arrival in the vibrant city. Next, you will dive into Dublin’s rich history and culture with a visit to Trinity College and the awe-inspiring Long Room. Next, you will cross the iconic Ha’penny Bridge and immerse yourself in the Temple Bar District, known for its pubs, live music, and street performers. Finally, you will settle into your accommodations in Dublin.

Intrepid’s Tip:

Read: 14 Tips for First Visit to Dublin to Help You Explore Ireland’s Capital

Trinity College and the Long Room

Start your Dublin exploration with a visit to Trinity College . Established in 1592, Trinity College is the country’s oldest university and boasts a rich history.

The Long Room , part of the college’s Old Library, is a majestic hall lined with shelves of ancient manuscripts and rare books. Among these literary gems is the Book of Kells , a 9th-century manuscript renowned for its intricate illumination and religious significance.

Long Room at Trinty College

Ha'penny Bridge

The Ha’penny Bridge , a beloved Dublin landmark, spans the River Liffey and connects the north and south sides of the city.

Officially known as the Liffey Bridge , it earned its nickname from the toll of half a penny that was once charged for crossing. Designed by engineer John Windsor in 1816, the bridge is an elegant cast iron structure with ornate detailing, making it a picturesque symbol of Dublin.

Today, the Ha’penny Bridge is a popular pedestrian thoroughfare , offering stunning views of the river and the city skyline.

Ha’penney Bridge in Dublin

Temple Bar District

The Temple Bar District is a lively neighborhood that is steeped in history. Named after Sir William Temple, it has evolved into a bustling area filled with pubs, restaurants, galleries, and street performers.

In the heart of the Temple Bar District, you’ll find an array of pubs, each offering its unique atmosphere.

Start your pub-hopping adventure at The Temple Bar , an iconic spot known for its lively ambiance, live music sessions, and extensive drink selection. For a cozy retreat, head to The Auld Dubliner . If you’re seeking history along with your pint, visit The Norseman, housed in a building dating back to 1696 or The Brazen Head established in 1198, it claims to be Ireland’s oldest pub.

The Famous Temple Bar in Dublin

The Oldest Brazen Head Pub in Dublin

Read: 14 Delicious Traditional Irish Foods You Must Try During Your Visit to Ireland

Booking accommodations in Dublin at least 3 months in advance is a really good idea. My recommendation is to book your accommodations the minute you know the dates of your travel. Dublin is a busy place and the best accommodations are in high demand, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

If you’re willing to splurge, The Merrion Hotel stands out as my top choice. Its superb location, spotless rooms, and exceptional turn-down service make it an excellent option for a luxurious stay. I always look forward to staying at the Merrion.

Following closely, yet at a much lower price is The Mont . It has a great location that will place you within proximity to the city center while still offering a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Another place that I stayed at is Hyatt Centric The Liberties . It offers modern amenities. The rooms are clean and comfortable.

My recommendation is to check them all out and see what fits your budget. You will be staying in Dublin for 2 nights.

DAY 2 - Dublin

Dublin Castle

Christ Church Cathedral

Kilmainham goal.

Guinness Storehouse

GOOD TO KNOW: On Day 2 you will begin at Dublin Castle, then visit Christ Church Cathedral. Next, you will discover the poignant past of Kilmainham Gaol before ending your day at the iconic Guinness Storehouse.

Begin your second day in Dublin with a tour of Dublin Castle .

Constructed in the 13th century on a former Viking settlement, it served as a military fortress before adapting to various roles, including as a prison, treasury, and court of law.

From 1204 to 1922, it was the seat of English and later British rule in Ireland. In 1922, it was handed over to the Irish government and repurposed as a government complex.

Next, visit Christ Church Cathedral .

Founded in the 11th century, it is one of the city’s oldest buildings . With its impressive Gothic architecture , the cathedral has been a place of worship for over a millennium.

Inside, you can admire its stunning stained glass windows, ancient crypts, and intricate carvings. Make sure to take a 1-hour self-guided tour of the cathedral .

INTREPID’S TIP: Don’t miss the chance to climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the city.

Christ Church Cathedral

Continue your Dublin exploration with a visit to Kilmainham Gaol .

This historic prison, dating back to the 18th century, played a significant role in Ireland’s struggle for independence . It housed many notable political prisoners, and its stark conditions provide a sobering insight into Ireland’s turbulent past.

Make sure to take a guided tour to learn about the prison’s history and the stories of its inmates, including those involved in the Easter Rising of 1916.

Kilmainham Goal

The Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse is the final stop on our itinerary. It is a testament to the rich heritage and brewing tradition of Guinness, Ireland’s most famous beer.

The storehouse spans seven floors and offers tours of Guinness’s history, ingredients, and brewing process.

Additionally, you can enjoy a variety of experiences, including the Guinness Connoisseur Experience , where they can learn about the art of tasting Guinness like a pro, and the Gravity Bar , which offers stunning panoramic views of Dublin while enjoying a complimentary pint of Guinness.

Time to head back to your hotel for the second night in Dublin.

For More Information About Dublin Read: 2 Days in Dublin (15 Top Things You Can’t Miss)

DAY 3 - Dublin to Killarney

Glendalough, rock of cashel, blarney castle, drive to killarney and settle into your accommodations.

GOOD TO KNOW: Day 3 of your itinerary is packed with historical and scenic delights. Begin your day exploring the ancient monastic settlement of Glendalough, followed by a visit to Kilkenny. Continue your journey to the Rock of Cashel and nearby Hore Abbey. Next, make your way to the coastal town of Cobh. Before the day ends, stop at Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and receive the gift of eloquence. Finally, head to Killarney to spend the night.

The first stop on today’s itinerary is Glendalough , located in the Wicklow Mountains .

It is an ancient monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. It’s renowned for its well-preserved ruins, including churches, round towers, and Celtic crosses, which offer insights into Ireland’s early Christian history.

The site is surrounded by scenic glacial lakes, towering cliffs, and dense forests.

You can easily spend a day in Glendalough, however, we have not more than 1-2 hours at this location, so here is a condensed version where you can still experience the essence of Glendalough even with limited time available:

Start by exploring the main highlights of the monastic settlement , including St. Kevin’s Church and the round tower. These central features offer a glimpse into the site’s rich history and architectural significance.

St. Kevin’s Church And the Round Tower in Glendalough

Take a brief stroll to one of the nearby glacial lakes , such as the Upper or Lower Lake for a chance to soak in the natural beauty of the area.
Take a moment to enjoy the stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains from one of the designated viewpoints or walking trails.

Glendalough Upper Lake

The next stop is Kilkenny , a medieval town. Kilkenny is often referred to as the “Marble City”.

GOOD TO KNOW: Kilkenny, Ireland has been known as the Marble City for centuries because of its history of exporting black marble to Britain . The marble, also known as Kilkenny Marble or Kilkenny Black Marble, is a fine-grained, dark-colored carboniferous limestone. The city’s streets are paved with Kilkenny marble flagstones, which are highly polished and glisten when wet.

Here are some key highlights to explore during your visit:

Start your tour with a visit to Kilkenny Castle , a fortress dating back to the 12th century. Explore the castle’s impressive interior, including its grand halls, art galleries, and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Kilkenny Castle

Next, head over to St. Canice’s Cathedral renowned for its medieval architecture and iconic round tower.

Kilkenny St. Canice’s Cathedral

Finally, take a stroll along Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile Trail, which begins at St. Mary’s cruciform church and graveyard , established in the 13th century. Along the way, you will learn about Kilkenny’s history as Ireland’s medieval city.

You might want to check out Kilkenny: Historical Highlights Walking Tour . I thought it was great! It is about 2 hours long and takes you through the medieval streets of Kilkenny.

The next stop is the Rock of Cashel, situated on a limestone hill, it features ancient ruins such as a medieval castle, cathedral, and round tower.

It was originally home to the Eóganachta, Kings of Munster. In 1101, it was donated to the Church by King Muirchertach Ua Briain.

St. Patrick visited in 450, baptizing King Aenghus and establishing Cashel as a bishopric.

The round tower dates back to this time. Cormac’s Chapel , built in the 1100s for King Cormac, still stands. A cathedral, erected later, was destroyed in fires in 1495 and 1647.

Book your tour tickets here .

Aerial View of the Rock of Cashel

Next to the Rock of Cashel stands Hore Abbey , a historic ruin dating back to the early 13th century. Founded by Benedictine monks, it served as a place of worship for centuries .

Despite facing attacks and periods of abandonment, it remains a fascinating site to explore. You can wander among its crumbling walls and striking tower, imagining the monks who once inhabited this spot.

Hore Abbey

Next, you’ll visit Cobh , a coastal town with a strong maritime history. As the last port of call for the RMS Titanic in 1912 , Cobh is home to the Titanic Experience Cobh , located in the original White Star Line ticket office.

The town features colorful streets , historic architecture, and scenic waterfront views. Visitors can explore attractions like St. Colman’s Cathedral

There are plenty of local cafes so make sure to grab some lunch and a coffee before you head out.

St. Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh

Colorful Houses in Cobh

Continuing your journey, you’ll arrive at Blarney Castle , an iconic medieval fortress located near Cork.

Dating back to the 15th century, Blarney Castle is renowned for its legendary Blarney Stone , said to grant the gift of eloquence to those who kiss it.

You can climb to the top of the castle’s battlements to kiss the stone and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Additionally, the castle’s beautiful gardens , including the Poison Garden and Rock Close, offer spots for exploration.

Check out this tour: Easy Access – The Blarney Stone & Castle Gardens Tour . It lets skip the long ticket lines with convenient access tickets to Blarney Castle and Gardens. Afterward, you can take a guided walking tour of the charming Blarney Village.

Blarney Castle

Ahead of you is a drive to Killarney. You will stay in Killarney for 2 nights.

My top choice for a stay in Killarney is undoubtedly The Killarney Park Hotel . Its blend of old-world charm and modern amenities will provide you with an unforgettable experience. I always select a room overlooking the garden and make sure I have at least one meal at their restaurant.

My second choice, Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa , is a perfect retreat in Killarney. You will like its modern feel, spacious rooms, and generously sized bathrooms.

DAY 4 - Killarney National Park and Ring of Kerry

Ross castle, muckross abbey, torc waterfall.

Ladies View

Kenmare Stone Circle

The Kerry Cliffs

Valentia Island

GOOD TO KNOW: Day 4 takes you through Killarney National Park and the Ring of Kerry. You will start at Ross Castle, then visit Muckross Abbey and Torc Waterfall. Next, enjoy the panoramic views at Ladies View before seeing the Kenmare Stone Circle. End your day at the Kerry Cliffs and Valentia Island.

Begin your exploration of Day 4 at Ross Castle , a historic fortress located on the shores of Lough Leane in Killarney National Park .

Built in the 15th century by the O’Donoghue clan, it served as a stronghold during Ireland’s turbulent past.

You can take a guided tour of the castle interior, which features furnished rooms and exhibits detailing its storied past.

Ross Castle in Killarney National Park

Next on your itinerary is Muckross Abbey located within Killarney National Park.

Muckross Abbey, founded in the 15th century, is a medieval ruin with a well-preserved cloister and intricate stonework.

The abbey has served various purposes over the centuries, including as a place of worship, burial site, and refuge.

Muckross Abbey in Killarney National Park

Torc Waterfall is another popular attraction in Killarney National Park. It plunges approximately 20 meters (66 feet) over rocks into a pool below, surrounded by lush greenery.

INTREPID’S TIP: You have two options to reach Torc Waterfall: either hike the Torc Waterfall Loop Trail or park nearby and take a short walk to reach it. There are 2 parking lots. One is located no more than 5 minutes from the waterfall, and the second one is about 25-20 minutes away from the waterfall.

GOOD TO KNOW: Torc Waterfall’s name comes from ‘torc,’ Gaelic for wild boar. Legend says a cursed man, turning into a boar by night, lived in a cliff cavern. Discovered by a farmer, he offered riches to keep quiet but vanished in anger, creating the waterfall as he disappeared into a nearby lake.

Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park

Ladies View

The next stop on the itinerary is Ladies View . It offers panoramic vistas of the landscapes surrounding Killarney National Park.

The name “Ladies View” is said to originate from the admiration of the stunning scenery by Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting during her visit to the area in 1861.

The Kenmare Stone Circle is an ancient archaeological site located near the town of Kenmare. Dating back to the Bronze Age, it is one of the largest stone circles in southwest Ireland.

The circle consists of 15 standing stones, with a diameter of approximately 17 meters (56 feet). Each stone varies in height, with some reaching over 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall.

The purpose of stone circles like this one remains a subject of speculation, but they are often associated with ceremonial or ritualistic practices.

Next on your itinerary are the famous Kerry Cliffs .

These dramatic cliffs soar to heights of over 300 meters (984 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking views of the rocky shoreline below.

The Famous Kerry Cliffs on Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

You can take in the awe-inspiring vistas from designated viewing points along the cliff edge.

The Kerry Cliffs are definitely a must-visit stop on any tour of the Ring of Kerry!

Aerial View of Kerry Cliffs on Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

Valentia Island

Next on the itinerary is Valentia Island , one of my favorite stops on the Ring of Kerry.

Valentia Island is accessible via a bridge from the mainland near Portmagee or by ferry from Cahersiveen.

One of Valentia’s notable landmarks is Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs , offering panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the Skellig Islands.

Valentia is also known for its rich history, including ancient stone forts, monastic sites, and the Valentia Island Tetrapod Trackway, one of the oldest known footprints of a vertebrate animal.

Additionally, the island is home to the Valentia Island Lighthouse , which has guided ships along the Wild Atlantic Way for over 200 years.

For More Information About Killarney and Ring of Kerry Read:

9 Amazing Things to Do in Killarney National Park (Maps+Tips)

22 best stops on the ring of kerry (map+top attractions at each stop), perfect 1-day ring of kerry drive itinerary, day 5 - dingle peninsula, minard castle, beehive huts.

Slea Head Viewpoint
Blasket’s View

Dunquin Pier

Gallarus Oratory

Drive to Tralee and Settle Into Your Accommodations

GOOD TO KNOW: Day 5 of your itinerary takes you on a scenic journey along the Dingle Peninsula. Begin your day with a visit to Minard Castle. Continue to explore with a stop at the Beehive Huts. Pause at Slea Head Viewpoint and Blasket’s View. Make a detour to Dunquin Pier . Finally, traverse the stunning Conor Pass.

The first stop on your Dingle Peninsula adventure is the historic Minard Castle . Perched on a hill overlooking Kilmurry Bay, this ancient fortress, constructed by the Fitzgerald clan, stands as a testament to the region’s rich history.

Although now in ruins, Minard Castle was once a formidable stronghold, boasting four stories with vaulted ceilings on its lower levels. Sadly, the castle met its demise during a siege by Oliver Cromwell’s troops in 1650, leaving no survivors.

Aerial View of Minard Castle on Dingle Peninsula

The next stop on the Dingle Peninsula is beehive huts also known as clocháin. Here you can discover a unique piece of Ireland’s ancient past.

These conical stone structures are crafted using the ancient drystone corbelling method, a technique where rings of stone are meticulously stacked on top of each other, forming a snug, pointed roof.

Dating back over 1,400 years to the Neolithic period, these huts are characteristic of the area’s rich Celtic tradition and are commonly associated with religious sites.

Beehive Huts on the Dingle Peninsula

Best Stops on the Dingle Peninsula Drive

Ceann Sléibhe (Slea Head) Viewpoint

The next stop is Ceann Sléibhe (Slea Head) , a promontory on the Dingle Peninsula.

It is located in the westernmost part of the Dingle Peninsula and connects the rugged landscape to the small villages of Ballyickeen and Coumeenoole.

The viewpoint offers stunning views of ancient forts, beaches, historic churches, and the Blasket Islands.

Ceann Sléibhe is renowned for its role as a filming location in movies such as “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far and Away.” Additionally, it is part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic coastal route spanning the entire west coast of Ireland.

Radharc na mBlascaoidí / Blasket's View

The next stop on the journey is Radharc na mBlascaoidí , also known as Blasket’s View .

This scenic viewpoint offers breathtaking vistas of the Blasket Islands, a group of rugged and uninhabited islands off the coast.

The viewpoint offers a stunning perspective of the island’s dramatic cliffs, rolling hills, and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Blasket’s View is in my opinion a highlight on the drive where you can soak in the natural beauty of this remote and wild coastline.

Blasket’s View on the Dingle Peninsula

The next stop is another highlight of the drive, Dunquin Pier , also known as Dun Chaoin Pier.

Dunquin Pier is a historic landmark situated at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean offering stunning views of the coastline and the nearby Blasket Islands.

Dunquin Pier has served as an important transportation hub for centuries, providing access to the islands and serving as a lifeline for the local community.

Aerial View of the Dunquin Pier

The next highlight on the Dingle Peninsula Drive is Gallarus Oratory . It is one of the finest examples of early Christian architecture in the country.

This ancient stone structure, dating back to the 7th or 8th century , is renowned for its remarkably well-preserved corbelled roof and dry-stone construction. The oratory is shaped like an upturned boat , with a small entrance on its western side.

Gallarus Oratory stands as a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of its builders, who constructed it without the use of mortar.

Head of you is the drive to the town of Dingle and then your journey will continue to the famous Conor Pass .

Conor Pass stands as Ireland’s highest mountain pass, reaching an impressive height of 456 meters above sea level.

The narrow and twisting road spans approximately 12 kilometers between Dingle Town and Kilmore Cross, boasting an average gradient of 5.6% and bridging a vertical ascent of 399 meters.

Drive to Tralee and Settle into Your Accommodations

Head of you is the drive to Tralee.

In Tralee, my two recommended places to stay are:

Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa : This elegant hotel offers luxurious accommodations in a tranquil setting just outside Tralee. With stylish rooms, excellent dining options, and a relaxing spa, Ballygarry House Hotel provides a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication.

The Ashe Hotel : Located in the heart of Tralee, The Ashe Hotel offers modern and stylish rooms, along with top-notch amenities and attentive service.

All Best Stops on Dingle Peninsula: 16 Best Stops on the Dingle Peninsula Drive (map+detailed tips)

DAY 6 - Tralee to the Cliffs of Moher

Adare manor.

GOOD TO KNOW: Today’s trip from Tralee to Doolin includes two standout stops: Adare Manor and Limerick. Admire the stunning architecture of Adare Manor before exploring the cultural heritage of Limerick, home to attractions like King John’s Castle and the Hunt Museum. Then, head to Doolin, settle into your accommodations, and get plenty of rest for the next day’s hike along the Cliffs of Moher.

The first stop on today’s itinerary is Adare Manor , a 19th-century Neo-Gothic manor house that sits on an 840-acre estate in County Limerick.

Adare Manor was built in 1832 and it has some impressive features such as 365 leaded windows, 52 chimneys, and four towers representing days, weeks, seasons, and days of the week.

The Great Hall , designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, is a standout architectural marvel and you should not miss it.

Adare Manor

Adare Manor also houses a Michelin-starred restaurant and the afternoon tea gallery , however, reservations are highly recommended if you are interested.

My recommendation is to check out a self-guided tour of the Manor House and Manor Museum . The tour offers insights into the estate’s architecture and gardens.

The next stop on the journey is Limerick .

The 3 standouts in Limeric for me are King John’s Castle , a 13th-century fortress, the Hunt Museum that houses a diverse collection of artifacts, artworks, and antiquities spanning over 2,000 years of history, and the scenic River Shannon , Ireland’s longest river, that flows through the heart of Limerick. Here are some highlights you should know about each place:

King John’s Castle was built between 1200 and 1210 at the behest of King John of England. The castle’s construction was intended to assert Norman dominance over the Gaelic Chieftains of the West during the first Norman conquest of Ireland.

Interestingly, despite its name, King John never set foot in the castle, having passed away before its completion in 1216. It wasn’t until centuries later that the fortress came to be known as “King John’s Castle”.

The castle itself is a formidable structure, boasting an array of impressive features including a massive gatehouse, battlements, corner towers, curtain walls, and drum towers.

Make sure to take a tour of the castle and ascend the towers for sweeping vistas of the city and river below.

King John’s Castle in Limerick

Next head over to the Hunt Museum . The Hunt Museum is a cultural gem. It houses a diverse collection of artifacts and artworks spanning over 2,000 years of history.

Founded by John and Gertrude Hunt in 1978, the museum is housed within the historic 18th-century Custom House overlooking the River Shannon.

The museum’s collection includes items ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts and medieval religious objects to fine art pieces by renowned artists such as Picasso, Renoir, and Yeats.

One of the museum’s highlights is the collection of medieval and Renaissance objects, including intricately carved ivory pieces and illuminated manuscripts.

The Hunt Museum in Limerick

Finish off your visit to Limerick with a stroll along the River Shanon . There are lots of cafes and restaurants, so make sure to grab something to eat before heading out to Doolin.

Settle Into Your Accommodations in Doolin

After visiting Limerick head over to Doolin and settle into your accommodations. You will stay for 2 nights in Doolin.

My recommendation is to check out West Haven House . It offers very clean and comfortable accommodations with scenic countryside views.

Another option is Hotel Doolin , situated in the heart of the village, which features comfortable modern rooms. Its onsite restaurant serves farm-to-table cuisine.

DAY 7 - Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of moher walking trail.

GOOD TO KNOW: Today, you will embark on a hike along the famous Cliffs of Moher.

The Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail will offer you the opportunity to experience the stunning coastal scenery on foot, with the option to start at either the Doolin trailhead or Hag’s Head.

My recommendation is to begin at Hag’s Head .

Park at the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Center , then take a free shuttle from the Visitor’s Center to the Hag’s Head parking area near the Hag’s Head Viewpoint.

The distance from Hag’s Head. Viewpoint to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre is approximately 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) along the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk.

The trail follows the rugged coastline, providing breathtaking views of the cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean along the way. While the walk can be challenging due to uneven terrain and steep sections, it offers an unforgettable adventure amidst some of Ireland’s most spectacular landscapes.

Aerial View of the Cliffs of Moher

DAY 8 - Doolin to Portrush

Ashford castle.

Slieve League

Settle Into Your Accommodations in Portrush

GOOD TO KNOW: Day 8 starts with exploring the unique landscape of The Burren. Next, you will visit the majestic Ashford Castle. Then, journey to Slieve League, home to some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. Finally, settle into your accommodations in Portrush, a charming seaside town.

The first stop on Day 8 of your journey is the Burren , a unique limestone landscape.

Stretching over 250 square kilometers, the Burren is renowned for its otherworldly terrain, characterized by vast expanses of exposed limestone pavement, rocky outcrops, and karst formations.

Despite its seemingly barren appearance, the Burren is home to many flora and fauna, including rare alpine and Mediterranean plants that thrive in its limestone crevices.

The Burren

One of the things you should not miss is the iconic Poulnabrone Dolmen , an ancient megalithic tomb dating back over 5,000 years.

Iconic Poulnabrone Dolmen

Next is Ashford Castle , turned into a luxurious five-star hotel. Originally built as a medieval castle in the 13th century, Ashford Castle has been transformed into a grand Victorian estate.

The castle grounds are open to the public for walking , with a nominal fee of 5 Euro per person. Upon arrival, request a map from the doorman for a self-guided tour around the estate. You will be able to discover many of the filming locations for the popular TV series “Reign.”

My recommendation is that you pre-book lunch to secure a table and also give you an opportunity for an extra glimpse of the castle’s interior, which is open to patrons only.

Ashford Castle

If you thought that the Cliffs of Moher were spectacular, just wait and see Slieve League !

Slieve League is home to some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe , towering dramatically over the Atlantic Ocean. These majestic cliffs reach heights of over 600 meters (1,968 feet).

GOOD TO KNOW: The most popular viewing point is known as One Man’s Path , a narrow trail that winds its way along the cliff edge, providing exceptional views.

Tonight you will be staying in Portrush.

For a comfortable stay consider the Inn on the Coast in Portrush. It is a retreat after a day of exploring the stunning attractions of the Causeway Coast.

Alternatively, the Portrush Atlantic Hotel is a good option as well. It provides modern accommodations and excellent amenities.

DAY 9 - Northern Ireland

Dunluce castle.

Giants Causeway

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

The Dark Hedges

Drive to Belfast and Settle Into Your Accommodations

GOOD TO KNOW: On day 9, you will say goodbye to the charming Portrush, and embark on a journey through Northern Ireland’s iconic landmarks. You will start with the awe-inspiring Dunluce Castle, perched dramatically on a cliff’s edge. From there, you will venture to the geological wonder of the Giant’s Causeway with hexagonal basalt columns. Next, you will test your nerves at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, suspended over breathtaking coastal views. As the day progresses, you will visit the Dark Hedges, where ancient beech trees form a mystical canopy. Finally, you will arrive in Belfast, where you can unwind and rest.

Dunluce Castle , perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the North Atlantic, is a must-stop on your Ireland road trip.

The castle is accessible by a bridge , which makes a thrilling entrance to its historic grounds.

Aerial view of Dunluce Castle in Ireland

Aerial View of Dunluce Castle / 10-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

Originally built in the 13th century by Richard Óg de Burgh, the 2nd Earl of Ulster. The castle’s present ruins primarily date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, with its history entwined with the McQuillan and MacDonnell clans.

Dunluce Castle gained fame as the seat of House Greyjoy in the hit TV show Game of Thrones. It is a tourist hotspot with many day tours from Belfast and Dublin.

Dunluce Castle

The next destination on your itinerary is the legendary Giant’s Causeway , a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its spectacular natural beauty and geological wonders. Here, you’ll encounter over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, each with a unique hexagonal shape, formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago.

Legendary Giants Causeway

These columns, typically five to seven irregular sides, stand as witnesses to the forces of nature that shaped them over 60 million years ago. From volcanic eruptions to slow cooling and rising sea levels, the Giant’s Causeway is a testament to the incredible power of geological processes .

As you explore, take note of the distinctive “ball and socket” joints , where horizontal fractures create a convex bottom face and a concave upper face.

Giants Causeway

Carrick-a-Rede

Next up is Carrick-a-Rede . It’s famed for its 66-foot chasm crossed by a rope bridge, initially built by salmon fishermen over 350 years ago.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

You should definitly brave the bridge for stunning coastal views and an adrenaline rush.

Once you cross, explore the Carrick-a-Rede Island and soak in the natural beauty.

Next on your itinerary are the Dark Hedges , a mesmerizing avenue of beech trees. Planted in the 18th century, these gnarled trees create a hauntingly beautiful tunnel, making it a must-see stop on your Ireland road trip.

To capture the atmosphere of the Dark Hedges, the best time to visit is during sunset when the golden light filters through the branches. Make sure to use a wide-angle lens to capture the full breadth of the avenue.

Mesmerizing Dark Hedges

Drive to Belfast and Settle Into Your Accomodations

As you wind down your day of exploration, it’s time to drive to Belfast and settle into your accommodations .

For a cozy and hassle-free stay, I highly recommend the Ibis Belfast City Centre . With its clean, modern rooms and a delicious hot and cold breakfast to kickstart your morning, it’s the perfect home base. Plus, its proximity to downtown shopping and lively pubs means you’re never far from the action.

Alternatively, if you’re seeking a touch of luxury and some elegance, look no further than the Europa Hotel . From its prime location to its impeccable service, every detail is crafted to ensure your comfort. Make sure to indulge in a memorable dining experience at the hotel’s restaurant

DAY 10 - Belfast and Drive Back to Dublin

Howth cliff walk.

Flight Back Home

GOOD TO KNOW: On the final day of your Ireland adventure, you’ll kickstart your morning in Belfast with a brief exploration, choosing from options like the Titanic Belfast museum, Crumlin Road Gaol, or a guided political tour. Afterward, venture to Howth for a picturesque cliff walk along the stunning coastline. Then, it’s time to head to Dublin for your flight back home.

Start your day in Belfast with a short exploration before heading to Dublin for your flight home. Here are some options to consider:

Crumlin Road Gaol : Step back in time with a visit to this historic prison, which operated for over 150 years.

Take a guided tour to learn about its fascinating history, including its role during the Troubles, and explore its eerie underground tunnels.

Ulster Museum : Discover Northern Ireland’s rich history and culture at the Ulster Museum.

From ancient artifacts to contemporary art, the museum offers a diverse range of exhibits to explore, including the renowned Irish Game of Thrones tapestry. Free entrance .

Titanic Belfast : Immerse yourself in the story of the Titanic, from its construction in Belfast to its tragic maiden voyage.

Explore interactive exhibits and artifacts in this iconic museum, located on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard. Book your tickets here .

Stunning Titanic Belfast Building

If you prefer a guided experience, consider joining one of these tours:

Belfast: Political Taxi Tour : Hop into a taxi and embark on a guided tour of Belfast’s political murals and peace walls.

Learn about the city’s complex history and the legacy of the Troubles from a knowledgeable local guide. Book tickets here .

Belfast: Political Conflict 3-Hour Walking Tour : Lace up your walking shoes and delve into Belfast’s turbulent past on this informative tour.

Visit key sites associated with the city’s political conflict, including murals, memorials, and peace lines. Book your tickets here .

Whichever option you choose, you’ll have a couple of hours to delve into Belfast’s history and culture before continuing your journey to Dublin.

Next on your itinerary is the Howth Cliff Walk . This picturesque trail offers stunning views of Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea with the iconic Baily Lighthouse standing as a picturesque landmark along the route.

Despite limited time, you can still enjoy a portion of the well-defined trail. The trail is accessible from the Howth DART station

Howth Cliff Walk with Baily Lighthouse in the Distance

Dublin and Flight Back Home

After enjoying the Howth Cliff Walk, it’s time to head back to Dublin and prepare for your flight home.

Reflect on your experiences in Ireland as you return to the city. Grab a meal at a local spot, and maybe pick up some souvenirs. Then, head to the airport, ready to fly home with memories of your trip.

Intrepid Scout's Tips for 10-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

Drive on the left: Always remember to drive on the left side of the road during your Ireland road trip, and be mindful of roundabouts and traffic flow.
Rent a compact car: Irish roads are often narrow and winding, so opt for the smallest car that can comfortably accommodate your travel group and luggage. This will make navigating tight spaces and narrow roads much easier.
Mind pedestrians and cyclists: Pedestrians and cyclists are common along Irish roads, especially in rural areas and scenic routes. Exercise caution and be prepared to yield to them, especially on narrow roads and blind corners.
Check rental requirements: Ensure you meet all rental car requirements, including age restrictions and documentation like an International Driving Permit if necessary. Review your rental contract carefully to avoid any surprises.
Drive cautiously: Speed limits in Ireland may not always reflect safe driving speeds, particularly on smaller roads with limited visibility. Take your time, especially on unfamiliar routes, and be prepared for unexpected hazards.
Self-service gas stations: Gas stations in Ireland typically require payment inside the shop after pumping gas. Familiarize yourself with this process and be prepared to pay before hitting the road.
Delay car rental in Dublin : If you’re starting your trip in Dublin, consider delaying your car rental until you’re ready to leave the city. Parking in Dublin can be expensive and challenging, so save yourself the hassle and expense by renting a car when you’re ready to explore beyond the city limits.
Plan for toll roads: Some highways and bridges in Ireland have tolls, so be prepared to pay with cash or card.

More Information About Ireland:

20 Must-See Sights and Attractions in Ireland (Your Essential Guide to the Emerald Isle)

14 Delicious Traditional Irish Foods You Must Try During Your Visit to Ireland

16 Best Stops on the Dingle Peninsula Drive (map+detailed tips)

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Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park, a must-see during your 10 day Ireland road trip!

The Ultimate 10 Day Ireland Itinerary: Ireland Road Trip Extravaganza

There is nowhere on the planet better for a road trip than Ireland–and this 10 day Ireland itinerary will show you how to pull off the absolute best Ireland road trip!

After more than a month across multiple visits spent exploring Ireland, we’ve fallen completely head-over-heels with the impossibly green landscapes, the jaw-droppingly beautiful cliffs, the quaint farms, the delightful country inns, the colorful small towns, and the quirky cities that the island is known for.

We’ve watched the sunset at the Cliffs of Moher, become obsessed with Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula, explored Dublin, sipped Guinness in countless pubs, fallen in love with colorful villages like Cobh, and sought out lesser-known destinations like the Slieve League Cliffs, Hook Peninsula, and County Mayo.

Colorful pub painted red in Kenmare Ireland

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This 10 day Ireland itinerary is a careful whittling down of our absolute favorite things we’ve found in Ireland–with plenty of choose-your-own-adventure style options thrown in.

We want to make sure that this Ireland road trip itinerary leaves you completely smitten with the country, while also helping you narrow down the overwhelming number of amazing places to see in Ireland (which, let’s be honest–can’t all be covered with only 10 days in Ireland).

Ready to start planning your Ireland road trip? Here’s what we suggest.

Table of Contents

10 Day Ireland Itinerary Map

How we structured this 10 day ireland itinerary, the ultimate 10 day ireland road trip itinerary, important ireland road trip tips, more (or less) than 10 days in ireland, the best time to visit ireland, what to pack for ireland.

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

We structured this 10 days in Ireland itinerary so that you circle around the entire island and avoid doubling back during your trip.

This makes for a fun and, most importantly, flexible Ireland road trip itinerary, so if you have more or less than 10 days in Ireland, you’ll still be able to complete the trip with some adjustments.

It also means that you don’t have to follow our suggested stops to the letter–we’ve made notes on some of the days of this 10 day Ireland itinerary showing where there are a few logical choices to fill your time, so feel free to choose whichever adventure most appeals to you!

Kate Storm standing against a split level fence with Irish countyside in the background--plenty of this to be found on an Ireland road trip!

We’ll cover more alternate ideas and suggestions for your Ireland itinerary if you’re working with more or less than 10 days in Ireland closer to the bottom of this post.

The way this Ireland itinerary is structured does mean that you move most nights, so be prepared for that!

This 10 day Ireland itinerary does also cover destinations in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (which is part of the United Kingdom).

Though the border is open between the two countries, keep this in mind as it will have a small impact on your trip (most noticeably, you’ll need to alert your rental car company of your plans to leave the Republic of Ireland, and you’ll need to change currencies during your trip).

Jeremy feeding lambs along Slea Head Drive Ireland

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin.

Most likely, you’ll land in Dublin exhausted and jetlagged, so plan to take it easy on your first afternoon in the city!

If you land early enough in the day and want to hit some of the best things to do in Dublin , this would be a great opportunity to check out Trinity College and the Long Room, stroll across the Ha’Penny Bridge, duck into some of Dublin’s many gorgeous bookshops, and grab a cozy dinner in a traditional Irish pub.

Cobblestone streets surrounding colorful buildings in Dublin Ireland

Day 2: Explore Dublin.

Dublin is a fun, quirky city, so it’s definitely worth taking one full day to explore it during your 10 days in Ireland!

We recommend covering anything you didn’t get to from the above afternoon arrival suggestions, plus a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and/or Jameson Factory , a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral , and some time spent wandering around the pricey-but-picturesque Temple Bar district.

Want to visit both the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Factory during your 10 days in Ireland? Then this popular tour is for you!

Depending on time, you may also want to check out St. Stephen’s Green, the General Post Office, or Kilmainham Gaol.

You can read our full suggestions for spending a couple of days in Dublin here .

Temple Bar as seen on a summer day, with flowers over the entrance to the bar--an iconic bar, it's worth at least stopping by during a 2 day Dublin itinerary.

Day 3: Kick off your Ireland road trip and visit Kilkenny, Rock of Cashel, and Hore Abbey.

This is the day your Ireland road trip truly begins: pick up your car as early in the morning as possible, and hit the road!

We recommend sleeping wherever you plan to spend day four (we’ll cover our suggestions below), but on your way down south, you have a few stops to make!

This colorful little village is exactly the sort of small Irish town you’ve no doubt been dreaming of seeing during your 10 days in Ireland: full of colorful buildings, pretty, winding streets, and a castle, it’s the perfect first stop on your Irish road trip.

Cathedral in Kilkenny Ireland, an essential stop on your 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary!

The Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel’s history dates back far longer than its current buildings, which are “only” 700-900 years old.

Rumored to be the sight of the King of Munster’s conversion to Christianity in the fifth century, the Rock of Cashel served as the seat of Munster kings long before the Normans arrived in Ireland.

Today, an impressive Celtic art collection is located at the sight, and the views overlooking the nearby countryside are stunning.

Photo of a cow in Ireland with the Rock of Cashel in the background--a fairly typical scene during an Ireland road trip!

Built in the 13th century as a Cistercian Monastery, Hore Abbey practically lies in the shadow of the Rock of Cashel–but unlike the former, it is both free and uncrowded to visit.

We highly recommend a quick stop here–it’s an absolutely beautiful set of ruins, and worth seeing during your 10 days in Ireland.

Kate Storm in the distance walking into Hore Abbey--this dress and tights combo is one of my go-to outfits when packing for Ireland.

Day 4: Check out County Waterford + County Wexford OR visit Cork, Cobh, and Blarney Castle.

Sadly, 10 days in Ireland isn’t enough to cover absolutely everything–so we’ll outline two suggestions for this part of your Ireland road trip: either a visit to County Wexford and County Waterford, or a visit to Cork, Cobh, and Blarney Castle.

Here’s what to expect at either place.

Option 1: County Waterford + County Wexford

If you’re looking for a more offbeat option for this part of your Ireland road trip, head to County Wexford and County Waterford for the day!

The Hook Peninsula, home to the adorable Hook Lighthouse, the fascinating (and haunted) Loftus Hall, the lovely Tintern Abbey, and the John F. Kennedy Arboretum (yep, it’s named for the US president), is an absolutely delightful place to spend a day.

Hook Lighthouse in County Wexford Ireland

We adored our time in this area and highly recommend it.

Glassblower working in the Waterford Crystal Factory--a tour here is definitely worthy of a place on your 10 day Ireland itinerary

Once you finish up around the Hook Peninsula, head to Waterford to tour the Waterford Crystal Factory , which is an incredibly cool (and affordable!) experience that blew both of our expectations out of the water.

Where We Stayed in County Wexford

Inishross House (New Ross) — If I had to sum up Inishross House in a word, it would be hospitable . This is exactly the kind of B&B you come to Ireland for: everything from the colorful breakfast room to the comfortable room to the helpful and attentive couple who ran the B&B was an absolute delight.

The included breakfast was phenomenal and kept us full for most of the day!

We adored this property, and when we return to New Ross in the future, we’ll absolutely try to stay there again.

Check rates & book your stay at Inishross House!

Full Irish breakfast served at Inishross House New Ross--when planning a trip to Ireland, definitely keep in mind which hotels serve delicious breakfasts like this.

Option 2: Cork, Cobh & Blarney Castle

Want to stick to the classics? Beautiful Cork, with its gorgeous English Market and historical center, and famous Blarney Castle, the home of an (apparently) very kissable stone, are popular options for a 10 day Ireland itinerary for a reason!

You definitely won’t be disappointed by these classics–especially if you have your heart set on receiving the “gift of the gab” from the Blarney Stone.

Nearby Cobh is a delightful and colorful port town that packs a huge history–as the last stop for the Titanic before it met its tragic fate and a huge center of Irish emigration, Cobh’s history is impressive, heavy, and well worth learning a bit about during your trip to Ireland.

Kate Storm in Cobh Ireland wearing the red dress recommended on this packing list for Ireland

Where We Stayed Near Cork

Find Us Farmhouse (Macroom) — Located in the countryside and nestled between a few farms, the Find Us Farmhouse is the most peaceful place we stayed in Ireland.

In addition to the comfortable rooms and wonderful hospitality, the breakfast–and the beautiful breakfast room–were enormous highlights.

We loved staring out our bedroom window and watching the cows graze just a few feet from us, and it was definitely an experience worth having at least once on a trip to Ireland!

Check rates & book your stay at Find Us Farmhouse!

Kate Storm and Jeremy Storm sitting at a breakfast table at a bed and breakfast near Cork Ireland.

Day 5: Visit Killarney National Park.

Technically part of the Ring of Kerry, famous Killarney National Park lives up to its reputation. The views are nothing short of magnificent, and the park is an incredibly relaxing and beautiful place to pass a day.

There are endless hikes and highlights that you can find inside Killarney National Park, but here are a few popular sights that are easily accessible and that you should be sure to add to your 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary!

Muckross House

Built in the 19th century, the magnificent Muckross House is glitzy enough that it once played host to Queen Victoria itself.

The family who built the home had to sell it off less than a century after it was built, and that sale created the basis for Killarney National Park.

Muckross House in Killarney National Park, Ireland--well worth seeing during 10 days in Ireland!

Torc Waterfall

Measuring around 20 meters high, Torc Waterfall barrels through thick, green vegetation in Killarney National Park, giving off a beautiful and otherworldly vibe.

It’s also incredibly easy to access–despite looking like it’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s actually only about a 5-minute walk from the road!

Kate Storm in a yellow raincoat standing in front of Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park Ireland

Ladies View

Looking for one of the best views in all of Killarney National Park? If so, be sure not to drive past Ladies View without stopping for a quick peek!

If you’re looking for a great place for a picnic lunch during this part of your Ireland road trip itinerary, you can’t go wrong with bringing a meal here.

Kate Storm in a blue long-sleeved shirt overlooking Killarney Natoinal Park--a must-see spot when planning a trip to Ireland!

Muckross Abbey

This beautiful abbey is located a quiet and lovely walk away from Muckross House, but it feels a world apart: incredibly well-preserved and home to a gorgeous cemetery out front, Muckross Abbey is absolutely worth seeing during your 10 days in Ireland.

Be sure not to miss the gorgeous and gigantic yew tree in the courtyard, nor the chance to head upstairs and admire the area from a different vantage point.

Muckross Abbey in Killarney National Park, as seen during an epic Ireland road trip!

Lakes of Killarney

You really can’t miss the Lakes of Killarney, given that they make up more than a quarter of Killarney National Park–but it’s definitely worth noting that the upper, middle, and lower lakes are all stunning and worth paying attention to during your visit.

If you’re as lucky as we were, perhaps you’ll even stumble across some golden retrievers playing in one!

Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park, Ireland, with a golden retirever playing in the water in the foreground.

Day 6: Tour the Dingle Peninsula OR the Ring of Kerry OR the Beara Peninsula.

Driving out along one of western Ireland’s magnificent peninsulas and admiring the coastal scenery is an absolute must on your Ireland road trip–but while the Ring of Kerry is the most popular ring to drive, you’ll see we have a different opinion on the best option!

We’ve driven all three of these peninsulas personally, and, well–let’s just say we have our favorites.

That being said, any one of these peninsula drives makes for an excellent addition to your 10 day Ireland itinerary, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Colorful street in Dingle Ireland with a bright yellow building. Dingle is the starting point for Slea Head Drive.

Option 1: Slea Head Drive + Dingle Peninsula

Slea Head Drive is home to some of the best scenery in all of Ireland–as is the Dingle Peninsula as a whole.

This drive is easy to make, chock full of interesting sights ranging from archaeological wonders to adorable lambs to beautiful beaches, and is far less crowded than the Ring of Kerry.

In our biased opinion, the Dingle Peninsula is one of the loveliest places in all of Ireland, and since this 10 day Ireland itinerary really only leaves time to drive one of Ireland’s ring roads, we vote that you head right to this one.

We wrote an entire guide to driving Slea Head Drive , so we won’t repeat ourselves too much here–but if you head this way, be sure not to miss Slea Head Beach, Dunquin Pier, or the Sleeping Giant + the Three Sisters!

Plus, of course, there are plenty of things to do in Dingle itself–the colorful little village is quite the delight to explore!

Dunquin Pier on Slea Head Drive, an unmissable place to see on a 10 days in Ireland itinerary. There's a photographer with a tripod and red jacket on the right side of the photo.

Option 2: The Ring of Kerry

I’ll be honest: the Ring of Kerry is iconic, beautiful, and you won’t be disappointed by including it on your 10 day Ireland itinerary… but Slea Head Drive on Dingle Peninsula is better, and unless you have your heart set on the Ring of Kerry, we’d drive that one instead!

However, the Ring of Kerry is absolutely gorgeous, and we don’t want to undersell it–the scenery is stunning, especially at the end of the peninsula near the Skellig Islands.

If you’re lucky enough to experience the Ring of Kerry on a beautiful day, definitely wake up early and plan to make Skellig Michael part of your Ireland itinerary!

It’s worth noting that Killarney National Park is part of the Ring of Kerry, so this Ireland road trip itinerary does cover a portion of the ring regardless of what you choose to do on day six.

Keep in mind that the Ring of Kerry is undoubtedly the most popular of these three peninsula options, and the only one where you’ll have to contend with passing enormous tour buses on relatively tiny roads (though the Ring of Kerry does have the biggest–though I use that term loosely–roads of these Ireland road trip options as well).

Photo of a rowboat in a lake in Killarney National Park Ireland--definitely be prepared for all weather when putting together your Ireland packing list!

Option 3: The Ring of Beara

Are you the type of traveler who likes to stray off the beaten path, who would rather avoid crowds than see the most famous sights, and who is enchanted by the idea of being on a road trip in Ireland where you might even go a few minutes without seeing another car or human being (I’d say living thing, but you know, this is Ireland–there’s always a shep around somewhere)?

If so, the Ring of Beara–the easternmost and least-touristed of these three peninsula road trip options–is an excellent choice for you.

As you drive from Cork through the Caha Pass and then wind your way down the Beara Peninsula, the scenery only grows more and more remote and beautiful.

McCarthy's Bar as seen along the Ring of Beara on an Irish road trip

Small fishing villages dot the peninsula–we loved Castletownbere–and by the time you reach the end of the peninsula, words like “desolate” start coming to mind.

If this sounds like the right peninsula to you, bear in mind that it also has some of the hardest driving of the three options–traffic is thin, yes, but the roads are very small, and you might find yourself having to back up quite a distance to let other vehicles pass more than once!

Irish coastline as seen along the Ring of Beara--the perfect Ireland road trip destination for those looking for something offbeat!

Day 7: Explore Doolin + the Cliffs of Moher.

The colorful village of Doolin is extremely tiny–but it’s adorable, interesting, and also the gateway to the Cliffs of Moher!

How you structure this part of your Ireland itinerary really comes down to exactly how you want to explore the cliffs.

Looking to soak in the iconic views quickly and then explore a bit of the town, or maybe even spend half a day on the island of Inisheer ? Head to the visitor’s center (and try to get there early).

Cliffs of Moher in Ireland with O'Brien's Tower visible on the left and the Stack visible on the right

More of a hiker? The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Route runs 18km from Doolin to Liscannor and can be completed in one day–but even those looking for a shorter hike are in luck. Hiking from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher takes about 2 hours each way, and from the Cliffs of Moher visitor’s center to Hag’s Head takes about one hour each way.

Rather view the cliffs from the sea? A Cliffs of Moher cruise can be a great way to get a unique perspective on the cliffs. This is the cruise that we enjoyed.

Book your Cliffs of Moher cruise today!

Kate Storm and Jeremy Storm standing in front of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland shortly before sunset

Day 8: Head to Northern Ireland (and maybe stop by the Slieve League Cliffs).

For the final part of your 10 day Ireland itinerary, we’ll be leaving the Republic of Ireland behind and heading into Northern Ireland–so don’t forget to swap your Euro for pounds before paying for anything with cash!

On your way to Derry, the easiest stopping point for the evening before kicking off your Northern Ireland explorations, consider a detour to visit the absolutely stunning Slieve League Cliffs: significantly taller and just as beautiful as the Cliffs of Moher, these cliffs are located in Donegal and get just a fraction of the visitors as the Cliffs of Moher.

Other stops to consider along the way between Doolin and Derry are County Mayo (especially Belleek Castle , which we absolutely adored), and Galway.

This part of your Ireland road trip itinerary will include a fair bit of driving–it’s about a 5 hour drive if you go directly from Doolin to Derry–so you won’t want to overstretch yourself, but you definitely have time for at least one detour for some sightseeing!

Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal Ireland, as seen during a fabulous Ireland road trip

Day 9: Drive the Causeway Coastal Route.

The Causeway Coastal Route follows the northern coast of Northern Ireland (say that five times fast!) and is home to some of the most popular tourist sights in the area, including Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, and Dunmore Castle, among others.

Be sure to add the following sights to your Ireland road trip itinerary when you drive the Causeway Coastal Route!

Open road in Northern Ireland with green fields on either side

Before taking off, though, I do want to provide one other alternative idea for this section of your Ireland itinerary: if you’re a big Game of Thrones fan, you may prefer to book a GOT tour rather than doing a self-drive of the Causeway Coastal Route.

This well-reviewed GOT tour covers most of the spots outlined in this Ireland road trip itinerary, while also including stops at plenty of other film locations!

Book your Game of Thrones tour of Northern Ireland today!

Dunluce Castle

Dating to the 13th century and once the seat of Clan McDonnell, Dunluce Castle is best known today for its impressive location on a small island just off the mainland, accessible by bridge.

Giant’s Causeway

The famous coastline of Giant’s Causeway is made up of about 40,000 basalt columns–definitely not an everyday sight!

Like at the Cliffs of Moher, a trip to the visitor’s center (and resulting fee) isn’t required to see the basalt columns, but if you’re not interested in a 2-mile hike, you’ll want to pay to enter the more traditional way.

Grab your tickets to Giant’s Causeway today!

Mussenden Temple

This 18th-century temple-like building was once part of a grand estate.

While it’s lovely up close, if you want to get beautiful views of it perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean during your 10 day Ireland itinerary, head to Downhill Beach.

Downhil Beach with Mussenden Temple in the background, as seen during our most recent Irish road trip!

Carrick-a-Rede

Want to cross a rope bridge suspended 30 meters above cold water and rocky, unforgiving coastline? At Carrick-a-Rede, you can!

The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is delightfully picturesque, and for a fee you can cross it from the mainland to the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede.

Because of the enormous popularity of the bridge, it’s recommended to book tickets in advance , especially if your Ireland road trip falls over the summer.

The Dark Hedges

In the 18th century, an impressive number of beech trees were planted to line the path to a manor. They grew, twisted and beautiful, and eventually gave the road an eerie feel… which is how Game of Thrones came to use them briefly for a film location, causing their 21st-century popularity to skyrocket.

Though the Dark Hedges aren’t technically located on the Causeway Coastal Route, they’re a very easy detour from Giant’s Causeway, and absolutely worth adding to your 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary if you’re a GOT fan!

Kate Storm in a red dress facing away from the camera at the Dark Hedges, one of the most popular locations to see on a Northern Ireland road trip itinerary

Day 10: End your Ireland road trip with a visit to Belfast + a drive back to Dublin.

Depending on what your flight plans look like, the last day of your 10 day Ireland itinerary might include a full day worth of sightseeing, or it may mean a quick hurry back to Dublin.

If you have a full day ahead, we recommend checking out the impressive Titanic Experience in Belfast and also learning about the important history of The Troubles on a walking tour .

Central Belfast is located less than 2 hours by car away from the Dublin airport, so while you do want to be cautious with time, the two cities really aren’t as far apart as it might feel given the highly inefficient way you initially traveled between them on this Ireland road trip!

In the afternoon, as you drive back to Dublin, consider stopping at the Howth Cliff Walk for an easily accessible set of stunning views–a last goodbye to Irish cliffs and delightful seasides, if you will.

Howth Cliff Walk in Ireland, a fun bonus stop for your 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary. Wildflowers are in the foreground and a lighthouse in the background.

Remember: drive on the left during your Ireland road trip!

Sounds obvious, I know, but based on the vast number of reminders in our rental car, on the roads, and at the rental agency, I think it’s safe to say that Ireland sadly suffers a fair bit from right-side-of-the-road drivers such as ourselves giving into muscle memory and driving down the wrong side of the road.

Be extra-careful, and if you’re not used to driving on the left, be sure to chuckle a bit at yourself the 73rd time you walk around to the wrong side of the car to get in!

Leperchaun Crossing sign as seen in Ireland--keep an eye out for quirky details like this during your 10 days in Ireland

Rent the smallest car you possibly can.

If the car can hold your travel group and your (reasonable amount of) luggage, it’s big enough–trust us.

Irish roads can get very, very narrow–like, we’ve had to back up 300 yards to find somewhere to pull over and let someone past narrow–and any kind of large or luxury car will be a liability during your Ireland road trip, not an asset.

Keep an eye out for bikers and pedestrians.

Pedestrians and bikers–even children–are not a remotely uncommon sight along the road when taking an Ireland road trip, so be very careful!

This is especially common along scenic drives like the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula, as well as in villages, but be extra-careful regardless of where you are.

Photo of car parked on the side of the road during an Ireland road trip. Two bikers are visible passing by on the right side of the photo.

You may need an International Driving Permit (and a license of a certain age).

While International Driving Permits aren’t required in Ireland for licenses that are already printed in English, we’ve encountered stricter contracts with more obscure requirements when renting a car in Ireland than just about anywhere else–on our first trip to Ireland, we were actually turned away from several rental agencies, including the one we had a reservation with!

Be sure to check and double-check the requirements for your rental car before taking off for your 10 days in Ireland–you definitely don’t want any unpleasant surprises when you land.

Discover Cars sent our rental contract to us almost immediately after booking on our most recent trip to Ireland, and we were able to review it with plenty of notice.

Speed limits are only loosely correlated with safe driving speeds.

Err on the side of caution, always–especially on small roads where you might not have much advance notice to stop if another car turns around the corner.

A sheep on the road in Ireland--keep an eye out for this on your Ireland road trip!

Gas stations are self-service, and you usually pump, then pay.

In Ireland, don’t expect to pay for gas at the pump: generally speaking, you’ll first pump your gas, and then go into the shop to pay for it.

This is a reversal from what we’re used to in the USA, where you either pay by card at the pump or, if you’re paying by cash, pay and then pump.

Don’t start your car rental until the day you leave Dublin.

You definitely won’t need a rental car in Dublin, and it’ll be a hindrance to have to worry about parking.

Instead of picking up your rental car the moment the plane lands, wait until you’re ready to start your Ireland road trip in earnest to save yourself both money and hassle.

Ready to kick off your Ireland road trip? Book your rental car with Discover Cars now!

Jeremy Storm with a white rental car on the Ring of Beara during an Ireland road trip

Working with a different number of days for your Ireland road trip itinerary than what we’ve outlined here? Here are a few suggestions if you’re trying to put together a trip to Ireland on a different timeline!

With One Week in Ireland

With one week in Ireland, you’ll be best served by cutting your stops dramatically–consider sleeping in exactly 3 places during your week in Ireland: a night in Dublin/the city you fly into when you first arrive, 3 nights on either the Dingle Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry, and 3 nights in/near Doolin to visit the Cliffs of Moher and surrounding area.

You certainly could move faster and see a bit more, but by basing yourself in a few spots and taking day trips, you’ll be able to see a surprisingly large percentage of the most popular things to see in Ireland with limited time.

Interior of McCarthy's Bar in Ireland, with liquor bottles on the back wall

With 2 Weeks in Ireland

With a few extra days tacked onto this 10 day Ireland itinerary, we would recommend adding 1-2 of the optional suggestions we cover during this Ireland road trip itinerary: maybe you drive both the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry, maybe you see both Cobh and County Wexford, maybe you take a Game of Thrones tour in Northern Ireland and drive the Causeway Coast independently.

The options are limitless, but with 2 weeks in Ireland, you definitely have a bit more flexibility!

Afternoon tea in Belleek Castle Ireland shot from above

With 3 Weeks in Ireland

With 3 weeks in Ireland, you truly have the opportunity to dive deep into the country.

While it’s tempting to add in enough cities and towns to cover new places every day, we definitely recommend spending at least some time slowing down and exploring a region that interests you more deeply–perhaps for 4-5 days.

You will be able to add in a lot of extras with a full 3 week Ireland itinerary to work with, though: consider dedicating more time to Derry and/or Belfast, exploring Donogal or County Mayo more thoroughly, spending a night or two on the Aran Islands, or heading down to Kinsale… just to name a few options.

Kate Storm and Jeremy Storm hold tall swords in front of other antique weapons at Belleek Castle in Ireland

If you’re hoping for sunshine and the warmest weather possible, summer–especially late June, July, and August–is absolutely the best time to visit Ireland.

It probably comes as no surprise that Ireland has a rather short summer, but that also means that its peak tourist season can come with lots of crowds.

While we found it fairly easy to avoid the worst of the crowds during our most recent Ireland road trip (we’ve spent time in Ireland in June, July, and August), if you would rather feel like you have the country to yourself, aim for shoulder season.

Cows standing in a green field with the sun setting behind them--plan to see a lot of sights similar to this when taking a trip to Ireland.

Visiting Ireland in the spring or fall naturally means cooler weather, more rain, and even more crowds, but the trade-offs of sharing the roads and villages with fewer tourists can be worth it.

Winter in Ireland is rather mild as far as temperatures go, so if you’re willing to bundle up, you can even have a delightful off-season Ireland road trip.

However, some seasonal businesses like inns, especially in the countryside, do close for the off-season, so be aware that by spending 10 days in Ireland over winter, you might find your plans need to be a bit more flexible.

Kate Storm and Jeremy Storm sitting on a split-level fence in Ireland while on an Ireland road trip

We’ve created a complete, detailed suggested packing list for Ireland here –but in the meantime, here are a few things we absolutely recommend bringing with you as you complete your 10 day Ireland itinerary!

Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and an Ireland road trip (hello, driving on the left) is definitely a time to be better safe than sorry. We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to Ireland.

Travel Adaptors for Ireland — Ireland uses the same plugs that the UK does–and note that these are different from the bulk of mainland Europe. Double-check you add the right ones to your Ireland packing list! We use these and have never had any issues.

Comfortable Day Bag — We currently use Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this 10 day Ireland itinerary, that’s totally understandable. Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized–we used a Northface Jester backpack for years and loved it as well.

Jeremy Storm carrying a pacsafe backpack and wearing a gray jacket, looking out over Conor Pass in Ireland

Waterproof Boots — In my opinion, waterproof boots are an absolute must-have item on your Ireland packing list year-round. They’ll keep your feet warm and dry regardless of the circumstances, they’re comfortable to wear, and they can be fashionable, too!

This is my pair , and I adore them. Even when my jeans got completely drenched (like just-climbed-out-of-a-pool levels of drenched) during a rainstorm in Dingle, they still kept my feet completely dry. Jeremy wore these and loved them.

Kate Storm feeding sheep on Slea Head Drive--definitely stop at at least one farm during your 10 days in Ireland!

Rain Jacket — Having a rain jacket is a huge asset when visiting Ireland, and if you don’t already have one, we absolutely recommend picking one up when planning a trip to Ireland.

This is mine , and I love and recommend it. It folds up incredibly well to fit into your suitcase, it’s comfortable and flattering for photos, and–most importantly–it’s completely effective at keeping you dry.

Jeremy opted not to bring one and definitely had plenty of regrets whenever the rain started pouring! This one is a great choice for men.

Kate Storm in a yellow raincoat on the ferry from Inisheer to Doolin. You can see the Cliffs of Moher far off in the distance.

Binoculars — Coastal regions in Ireland are home to all sorts of delightful creatures, including a wide variety of birds (like puffins!) and beautiful dolphins. Binoculars are an inexpensive & easy-to-pack item for your Ireland packing list, and they’ll greatly enhance your trip to the coast!

Definitely plan ahead and pack these as precautions! I’m always so glad to have it along, including on our recent ferry to Inisheer in Ireland.

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Photo of Dunluce Castle. Black text on a white background reads "The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Guide"

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

24 thoughts on “The Ultimate 10 Day Ireland Itinerary: Ireland Road Trip Extravaganza”

Kate, thank you so much for this detailed review! My daughter and I are planning to visit Ireland next spring for her college graduation gift and I’ve been so overwhelmed. This is exactly what I needed. We’re going to follow most of your itinerary and I’m bookmarking your blog now!

Thank you, Melisssa! I’m so glad you found our itinerary helpful. Hope you and your daughter have an amazing trip to Ireland, and tell her congratulations on her graduation from us!

Love your blog! And this is a perfect itinerary! My mom and I did a similar route 2 years ago – only 7 days but started in Shannon (flights & car rentals are MUCH cheaper than to Dublin) and skipped N. Ireland. All of your suggestions are exactly what I would recommend as well – definitely worth a few days on Ring of Kerry. We wandered off the main hwy a couple times when we saw an interesting road sign and found some hidden gems in cemeteries, abbeys, etc. Driving was definitely an adventure and I feel the speed limits were set as a personal challenge vs a maximum speed – makes for some great videos of the narrow roads vs oncoming traffic.

Thanks so much, Marianne! Those roads sure did make for some great videos. We loved Ireland too–fingers crossed we get to go back before too long!

This is a fount of knowledge I truly needed! Thank you! Do you have an area on your blog that details lodging recommendations at all of the locations? Thank you for letting us all live vicariously through y’all!

Thanks, Onni!

I don’t have any separate posts on where to stay, but we have suggested B&Bs under each location on this itinerary!

Hi Kate, thanks for your review! The pictures are lovely!! Would you share how much would it cost in average for a couple 10 days there? thanks

Hi Constanca! The cost can vary quite dramatically depending on your taste, but your rental car + hotels will generally make up the bulk of the budget.

We break down details of planning an Ireland budget here: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/trip-to-ireland-cost/

My daughter and I plan on going to Ireland June of 2023!! This sounds just what we were looking for. So excited to plan our trip! Thank u so much!!! Kathy

So happy we could help! Ireland is such a wonderful place for a mother/daughter trip!

Kathy, thankyou for a detailed descriptions and beautiful pictures. We are planning to use your itinerary when we go in September for 13 days. We are thinking of doing both the ROK and the Slea head Peninsula. Also spending one day exploring the Killarney park. May be spend a day in London Derry. Do you think this will be too much?

So glad it was helpful!

With 13 days, you’ll probably want to cut a few things from our itinerary to work in Slea Head Drive, Ring of Kerry, and Londonderry, but you can definitley reach all of your most important spots in that timeframe!

Hi! I can’t tell in your 10 day itinerary how many different cities you stayed/slept in and how many nights in each . Do you have this written anywhere ? I may have missed it ! Thanks !

I listed the places we stayed under the day where the sightseeing is closest–so the place we stayed in Dingle is listed that day, etc. We’ve loved everywhere we stayed in Ireland!

How many nights you spend where is a bit flexible in Ireland and the drive times are often pretty short for a road trip. Some people prefer to move almost every night to avoid doubling back on driving, and others would rather drive another couple of hours a day and pack/unpack fewer times.

If you want to complete the itinerary without doubling back, you’ll move every 1-2 nights.

This itinerary is a cut down, optimized version of our roughly one month spend in Ireland over 2 trips, so we spent a bit longer in each place (and visited some places that didn’t make the cut).

Kate: Thanks for this great information. I am planning to go to Ireland for approx. 9 days and wanted to see if I could fit most of these items for my trip to travel most of the island. Is there anything that you would suggest skipping to maximize my time? Please advise. Thanks!

That’s really just down to personal preference–whichever bits and pieces fall in, say, the bottom 10% of what you want to do, I’d trim it–especially if it’s out of the way. Spots like the Slieve League Cliffs and the Hook Peninsula probably aren’t ideal if you’re wanting to condense the route (though both are wonderful, of course).

Hope you have a wonderful time!

I came to find your blog and it’s so interesting ✨ I lived in Ireland back in 2006 for a couple of months, and went back to Dublin for a weekend 8 years ago. I love this country. I’m planning to go on a road trip in May/June with my best friend. I was just wondering, haven’t you been to Connemara or Wicklow Mountains National Park? One question, I’d love to spend a night or two in a cute little cottage somewhere. Any suggestions? 🙂

Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to visit either Connemara or Wicklow yet, but they’re both earmarked for our future trips to Ireland! We hope to visit many, many more times. 🙂

We’ve opted for bed and breakfasts instead of cottages for most of our trips, but we did stay in Danloes Thatched Cottage outside of Kenmare and loved it!

Hello and thank you for the 10 day road trip itinerary suggestions. Would you recommend reversing the route and starting out from Dublin, touring the city for two days then heading to Belfast first? Thank you. Monica

There’s no reason why that can’t work! Just keep in mind that with limited exceptions (like Giant’s Causeway), you’ll mostly spend your trip starting in less-crowded areas and end up in progressively more popular/crowded ones by the end, so be prepared for the shift!

Hi Kate Really appreciated your blog-just the right amount of information-comprehensive without becoming too overwhelming. Thank you! One question: If you had to choose between using Killarney or Dingle as a hub, which would you choose?

Thanks so much, Rob!

Personally, we’d opt for Dingle–the Dingle Peninsula is one of our absolute favorite places in Ireland! You really can’t go wrong, though, both are wonderful in their own way.

I am using all of your advise and will follow a lot of your itinerary. I am having trouble scrolling up and down this blog. Can you please list the towns you stayed over night at and the places you stayed?

For a 10 day trip , how many diff hotels should I be at ?

I am looking to do a 10 day trip but going from Dublin to the Wicklow Mountain Nat Park – do some hikes but then going on your route to the south and then over to the west seeing the Blarney stone the Ring of Kerry and Dingle . But also doing some hike in that national park and up to the Cliffs of Moore. Then would drive back over to Dublin.

I know the places I want to see but am not sure how many hotels/ overnight spots to stay at??

This is a distillation of about a month worth of traveling in Ireland for us, so our exact itinerary was a bit different. For this route, though, I included overnight stops in Dublin (2 nights), the Ancient East (we stayed in New Ross, but anywhere in County Waterford or Wexford works) OR in the Cork/Cobh area (we stayed at the FindUs Farmhouse in Macroom when in that area), Killarney and either the Ring of Kerry, Ring of Beara, or Dingle Peninsula (our personal favorite of the 3), Doolin/the Cliffs of Moher, and the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland with a final stop in Belfast.

Of course, this is just one option of many–part of why this itinerary is one of the longest we’ve published is because there are so many wonderful options within a short drive in Ireland.

Your route sounds extremely doable in 10 days, and I’d spend at least one night in Wicklow, Cobh or Cork, and the Dingle Peninsula. Depending on how fast you want to move, you can make a day of driving from the Cork area to the Ring of Kerry, exploring that drive, and then heading to Dingle to spend the night and start your next day of travel.

Personally we like to spend at least 2 nights in each place in Ireland, which is actually a bit faster than we travel in other places–but it gives you time to appreciate each area (and each B&B’s breakfasts, a big highlight of Ireland road trips for us).

Destination Guides , Itineraries , Road Trips

10 days in ireland: the ultimate ireland road trip itinerary.

There’s something magical about Ireland. With emerald fields dotted with sheep (hence the nickname “The Emerald Isle”), Ireland is a perfect destination any time of the year. And, as a small island nation, it’s especially prime for spending 10 days in Ireland.

Most travelers will spend at least one day in Dublin during an Irish vacation, be it to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or to see the famous sights and historical spots.

More intrepid travelers will want to explore further. There are some amazing scenic drives in Ireland to take: the Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way are chief among them. If you want to explore Ireland in 10 days by car, this is how to do it!

In 2013, three friends and I spent a week in Ireland, drinking all the Guinness and driving around the countryside (not at the same time!). I’ve also been to the country multiple times since and have gone on various road trips around Ireland. Based on these experiences, here’s the perfect guide for planning your own trip to visit Ireland in 10 days with a car.

This post was first written in 2016 and was last updated in February 2023.

Table of Contents

Quick Glance: Your Ireland Itinerary for 10 Days

Here’s the super-quickest, TL;DR version of my suggested 10-day itinerary for an Ireland road trip. Below you’ll find a table that gives the start and end points each day, plus a map that shows you exactly how much of Ireland you’ll see. If you like what you see on this Ireland road trip itinerary for 10 days, you can read the rest of the article for more detail!

Tips for Your Ireland Road Trip for 10 Days

Before we get into the details, here are a few other tips to help you make the most of your Ireland road trip:

Have a packing list. Making sure you have everything you need before you go can help you avoid extra stops on your trip, so you can reference my list of what to pack for Ireland if you need ideas.
Rent a car. While I do have advice on how to drive in Ireland without a car , that doesn’t apply to this post. You will need to be able to drive or have someone in your party get you to all the destinations on this list.
Drive on the left! Due to its British heritage, Ireland observes the British rules of the road, which include driving on the left. You’ll need some time to wrap your head around it, but if I can do it – you can do it!
Go manual to save. As is the case for most rental car situations in Europe, you can save a lot by renting a manual transmission car instead of an automatic one. I ended up as the sole driver for my Irish road trip because I was the only one who knew how to drive a manual transmission.
Rent a small car. While a larger vehicle may be just fine on the freeways, you will not be able to fit in many small-town streets. I’ve been on so many that could barely fit my sedan, much less two cars at the same time, so always go for smaller ones when possible to make your 10 day Ireland itinerary easier.
Distance doesn’t correlate to time. Though some of the distances I mention seem brief for a day, you’ll notice the estimated time might be quite long. Some of these routes include winding two-lane roads and mountain passes. It takes a while to see this much of a country, okay? Settle in for the ride, and remember to bring snacks.
Adjust accordingly. This Ireland 10 day itinerary is flexible. If, for example, you’ve already visited Dublin or have planned out your trip, you could cut those days and turn this into a 7-day Ireland road trip itinerary instead. If you fly into Cork or Shannon airport, you could start from that point on the itinerary and work your way around. I’m not here to tell you exactly how to do this trip – just to provide suggestions and help you have an unforgettable experience.
Understand the rules of the road. You’ll want to research driving tips in Ireland so you will feel more confident before you set off.
Be flexible. I personally think this is the best 10 day Ireland itinerary because I’ve done it myself, but feel free to take out some attractions or even whole days and spend more time in others if you find that you prefer them. This is just a suggestion!

The Ultimate Itinerary for 10 Days in Ireland

Without further ado, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of this Ireland road trip I’m suggesting. You’ll find a day-by-day breakdown below, with suggested start and stop points, plus breaks and scenery/sites to see along the way. While this is for a 10 day trip to Ireland, you can always add or subtract a few days to match how much time you have.

Day 1: Arrive in Ireland

I often see itinerary and road trip posts jump right in and put you on the road from Day 1. I’m a bit more realistic: if you’re flying into Ireland from North America, you’re going to need a day to recover. Unless you’re invincible, you’ll likely have jet lag and need to rest up for a day to be ready to go.

This is that day. Catch up on sleep, get on Irish time, and be ready for adventure for your 10 day Ireland itinerary. I promise you – it’ll be worth it to have one slower day before driving around the country.

If you’re a hotel person, try checking Booking.com to see what hotels fit your budget and style. Here’s a map you can use if you’d prefer to stay based on location during your road trip around Ireland.

I have a whole list of where to stay in Dublin , as well as bed and breakfasts in Dublin , but here are a few hotels I recommend otherwise:

Wren Urban Nest is a modern hotel that’s close to the Temple Bar area and other attractions that are within walking distance. Rates start at $122/night.
The Address Connolly is a treat to stay at, with a sauna, gym, and rooms with power showers. Rates start at $158/night.
Ashling Hotel Dublin is right by the LUAS tram and Heuston Station, making it a breeze to get around. Rates start at $169/night.

If you’d instead go for a more local option, consider a VRBO. Here are a few, right in the heart of the city, that catch my eye:

This penthouse is a rare find in Dublin with a large patio overlooking the city and a kitchen, and it sleeps up to four, from $283/night.
This two-bedroom is another good group option; it says it can fit up to eight people and has two bathrooms, from $176/night.
For a little less – and if you’re not spending much time in the room – this homely apartment fits two comfortably, from $89/night.

Resources for Day 1:

You’ll need to book three nights at your Dublin accommodation. Ensure your Irish travel adapter is on hand to charge your electronics.

If you don’t have as much time, you might prefer a 6 day tour of Ireland instead.

Day 2: Dublin

For the first two days of this Irish road trip, you should spend some time in the Irish capital: Dublin. I’ve already detailed extensively what you should do for three days in Dublin , so here’s a short version of that.

There are loads of attractions in Dublin (consider getting the Dublin Pass to save money), but here are some of my favorites to check out during your 10 days in Ireland:

Jameson Distillery Tour

The Jameson Distillery on Bow St is a must-see during your ten days in Ireland if you’re interested in Irish Whiskey. Consider it part of your cultural education, and book a tour even if you’re not. They have three tour options:

The Jameson Distillery Guided Tour is a 40-minute group tour that includes a drink at JJ’s Bar. Tickets are €20 for Adults and €16 for Students and Seniors. Book here.
The Skip the Line Tour is a 90-minute small-group tour where you learn how the drinks are made from a Jameson Ambassador and get to try the beer and whiskey. €90 per person. Book her e.
The Whiskey Cocktail Making Class is a 60-minute small group where you can make and try three Jameson cocktails. €50 per person. Book here.

Like visiting the Guinness Factory (which I recommend on Day 2, to help balance the impact of a trip to Dublin on your liver), the Jameson Factory is a must-do during your 10 day Ireland road trip!

Ha’penny Bridge

On my trip to Dublin, I stayed in an Airbnb literally right at one end of the Ha’penny Bridge – I could see it out the window from the tiny studio I was sharing with the three classmates traveling with me!

Officially called the Liffey Bridge, this cast-iron span is a pedestrian-only crossing of the River Liffey and connects the Temple Bar and North City.

Here’s another rental apartment right next door to where I stayed if you want another option right near the Ha’penny Bridge.

Oh, and conveniently, it’s a short walk from the Jameson Factory to the Ha’penny Bridge, which you can then cross to visit Temple Bar! It’s touristy but fun to put on your Ireland itinerary for 10 days, and you may learn some fun Ireland facts while there.

Temple Bar is possibly one of the most popular parts of Dublin, especially around St. Patrick’s Day. This neighborhood is the center of all tourist nightlife in the city, and you have your choice from noisy pubs to bass-pumping clubs (perfect for trying traditional drinks in Ireland ).

Since I stayed so close to Temple Bar (like I said, literally across the Ha’penny Bridge!), I had dinner here almost every night and partook of a few pints too! It is very touristy though, so make sure you know what not to do as an Irish tourist first.

Resources for Day 2:

Stay another night in your Dublin accommodations.

Day 3: Dublin

For your second day in Dublin, take in the city’s Greatest Hits: the masterpieces of history, architecture, intellect, and cuisine that make the Irish capital unique. You could see these sights in any order, but I’ve arranged them in an order that makes sense for walking between them. You’ll also learn a ton of fun facts about Dublin while you’re there.

Trinity College

Trinity College is an active academic institution – but it’s also one of the most touristed sites in the city. You can walk freely through the gorgeous green courtyards past the statues of famous Irish citizens. I think this is one of the best winter activities in Dublin , so you can stay warm and dry.

Or, book a tour of the picturesque library with its Long Hall and the exhibit on the Book of Kells , the most famous medieval manuscript in the world. Can you believe students actually go to school here?

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle dates back to the year 1204, which is older than just about anything I’ve ever seen – how about you?! The castle was the seat of British power in Ireland until the civil war in the 1920s; now, it houses government staterooms and two museums.

The building and grounds are generally open to the public, and sometimes public events like concerts are hosted here. Since you’re mainly inside, it’s one of the best things to do in Ireland in December .

You can do a self-guided tour (€7 for adults, €6 for students/seniors, €3 for kids) or book a guided 70-minute tour which includes the State Apartments, the Viking Excavation, and the Chapel Royal (€10 for adults, €8 for students/seniors, €4 for kids) to make the most of your Ireland road trip for 10 days.

Save up to 50% off attractions with the Go City Pass ! It’s a great way to save money if you plan on visiting multiple sights in Dublin.

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral is close to Dublin Castle, just a five-minute walk. The Cathedral is the older of the two medieval cathedrals in Dublin, dating back to 1028. (Seriously, if you’re from the U.S. like me, it’s pretty mind-blowing how old buildings can be – and they’re still preserved and open for tours!)

You can explore the crypt (including seeing the famous mummified cat and rat), walk in the footsteps of pilgrims (this church was once a famous site for Catholic pilgrims), and experience Evensong (typically sung at 5 pm or 6 pm, so this depends on your time of visit).

Religious travel is a common activity, and if you enjoy visiting sacred sites, Christ Church Cathedral is a must. Christmas in Dublin is an especially special time of year to visit.

Guinness Storehouse

While everything else you visit in Dublin for Day 2 is pretty old, the Guinness Storehouse is relatively new: it was only established in 1902. However, it’s likely to be around as long as any of them since Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on the land!

The Guinness Storehouse is part brewery, part museum, and part bar. When you book a tour, you get to see all three. Tickets are €18.50 (adults/students/seniors), and you can pretty much wander through the museum as long as you like. Make sure you end at the Gravity Bar, with its panoramic views of Dublin, where you can enjoy the freshest pint of Guinness in the world. You can also take a private guided tour to skip the line.

Alternatively, you could also take a day trip from Dublin if you want to see the surrounding area but still return to your hotel at the end of the night.

At the end of this day, take an easy night and rest – tomorrow, you hit the road to continue your 10 day driving tour of Ireland!

Resources for Day 3:

Stay a final night in your Dublin accommodations.

Make sure to book your car rental in advance! I love using Discover Cars when I travel.

Day 4: Dublin to Kinsale

Details for Day 4:

Start: Dublin
Stops: Kilcullen, Gowran, Inistioge
End: Kinsale
Distance: 200mi (323km)
Estimated time: 4.5 hours, not including stops

The first thing you’ll need to do this morning is pick up your rental car to start your 10 days in Ireland by car. You can rent a car from the city center or the airport (or read about other ways to get from the Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center until you’re ready to rent a car). Both Sixt and Europcar have rental locations near the city center; Enterprise and Hertz are further out of town.

Setting out from Dublin is an exciting prospect: once you leave the city traffic behind, Ireland’s rolling emerald-green fields appear almost immediately.

Rather than taking the most direct motorway from one town to the next, I recommend smaller highways and roads for your 10-day self-drive in Ireland. Therefore, take the M7 to the M9 and stop for a late breakfast in the town of Kilcullen. I recommend Ann Tearmann for a light breakfast and coffee.

From Kilcullen, continue on the M9 toward Gowran. There, friends and I stopped to explore the ruins surrounding St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, parts of which date back over 2,000 years to Celtic times:

These kinds of diversions are one of the best parts of taking a road trip through Ireland: you can stop and explore at will, on your own schedule. There are numerous famous landmarks in Ireland to enjoy. Please be respectful of ruins and historical sites while exploring!

From Gowran, I recommend you continue to the small town of Inistioge (“In-ish-teeg”) during your road trip around Ireland for 10 days. An Irish friend recommended lunch here, and the diversion from the main route is worth it. Aside from lunch at Circle of Friends Cafe, you can see a beautiful arched bridge across the River Nore:

From Inistioge, make the 2.5-hour drive along the N25 to Kinsale for the evening. While there, spend time admiring the boats as they come into the harbor for the night; their fresh catches will be on the menu at many restaurants around town.

The best is Fishy Fishy , recommended by my Irish friend and verified when friends and I dined there during our 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary. With a full belly of fresh seafood, enjoy a well-earned night of rest after your first day on the road.

Resources for Day 4:

Actons Hotel , the top-rated hotel in Kinsale. Rooms from $152 per night.
Kinsale Hotel & Spa , a beautiful hotel with an indoor swimming pool and spa. Rooms from $153 per night.
Or opt for a VRBO, such as this harbor view apartment (from $191/night) , this charming home (from $102/night) , or this two-bedroom home in the center of Kinsale that has a garden (from $158/night) .

Day 5: Kinsale to Ballinskelligs

Details for Day 5:

Start: Kinsale
Stops: Blarney Castle, Blarney Stone, Drombeg Stone Circle, Schull
End: Ballinskelligs
Distance: 186mi (299km)
Estimated time: 5.5 hours, not including stops

Rise early for an ambitious day of sightseeing and driving. Explore Kinsale a little while making your way to breakfast at the Lemon Leaf Cafe . They claim to offer the best coffee and breakfast in the county, and I agree. You’ll also love the colorful buildings when deciding what to see in Ireland in 10 days.

Cork & Blarney Castle

Backtrack slightly on a 45-minute drive to the city of Cork and Blarney Castle. This must-see sight during your 10 days in Ireland is home to the famous Blarney Stone. If you arrive early enough (or on a rainy day, as I did), you can avoid the crowds that form and explore the castle and grounds at your leisure.

Without crowds, the precariously perched Stone will also be slightly less gross or terrifying.

While you can’t stay at this castle, there are many Ireland castle hotels that you can book a room at, or you can find a place to stay in Cork !

Drombeg Stone Circle & Schull

By mid-morning, head away from Cork toward the town of Schull (“Skull”) to continue your 10 day road trip in Ireland. En route along the N71, stop off to see the Drombeg Stone Circle, a 75-minute drive.

This megalithic site dates back to the Bronze/Iron Ages (as far back as 3200BC) and is one of the most-visited sites of its type. It also looks out across stunning rolling fields dressed up in Irish green. It’s not hard to see why people have settled here for five millennia.

Note: The road to Drombeg Stone Circle is what my past passengers call a “Valerie Road.” It’s narrow, unpaved, and a bit tricky to navigate. However, it’s really cool to see the stone circle, thus proving Valerie Roads are always worth it.

Drive another 45 minutes along the N71 to Schull for lunch. This seaside town is popular with visitors in the summer months due to close ocean access and beautiful countryside. I recommend you enjoy lunch at the Black Sheep Bar; during winter in Ireland , they usually have a fire going where you can warm up.

Ballinskelligs

After a leisurely lunch, you still have roughly three hours of driving on your road trip in Ireland from Schull to Ballinskelligs on N71 and N70. The majority of this drive will be along Ireland’s famous Ring of Kerry, and this renowned route creates a circle on the Kerry Peninsula, which you’ll drive in part from Kenmare to Ballinskelligs.

You should arrive in Ballinskellings with enough daylight to stop at Ballinskelligs Castle and the nearby Abbey and watch the sunset on the Pacific coast.

Once the sun goes down, you’re in for one last treat for the day: Ballinskelligs is part of the Kerry Dark Sky Reserve. This area of Ireland has one of the darkest skies in the country, making it an excellent spot for stargazing. You can check their website to see if any events are happening or just head out of town to a darker spot to look up at the night sky.

Resources for Day 5:

Stay at a cute B&B, The Old School House B&B , for waterfront and mountain views in the Ballinskelligs. From $111 per night.
Skelling Cottages are close to the beach and St. Michael’s Abbey. From $175 per night for six adults.
This family-friendly cottage has room for 10 people with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. From $155 per night.

Day 6: Ballinskelligs to Dingle through Killarney

Details for Day 6:

Start: Ballinskelligs
Stops: Gap of Dunloe, Killarney National Park, Killarney
End: Dingle
Distance: 117mi (187km)
Estimated time: 4.0 hours, not including stops

Hopefully, you didn’t stay up too late stargazing last night! There’s another exciting day of driving ahead. You might wonder: how can only 100 miles take four hours to drive?! Remember what I said about two-lane roads and mountain passes?

This is one of the main days you’ll experience both . You’re also taking a meandering route rather than a direct one to enjoy the sights along the way. The scenery is definitely worth it, though.

Gap of Dunloe

Set out from Ballinskelligs after breakfast (Cafe Cois Trá seems to be the place for a morning bite!) back to N70, then head north. You’ll follow the Ring of Kerry around to N72, then cut south on Gap of Dunloe to… the Gap of Dunloe!

Park. Stop off to stretch your legs and enjoy the view, or take a tiny two-lane road to the Gap of Dunloe and the Wishing Bridge.

This mountain pass is famously beautiful, and as you can tell, it’s for a good reason.

Killarney National Park

Continue south on Gap of Dunloe to Molls Gap, then turn east toward Killarney National Park on N71. You may want to stop at this point (there’s a little roadside shop called Avoca Shop & Café) to grab a bite and snacks if you don’t have any and are feeling peckish. This also gives you the luxury to stop in Killarney National Park and enjoy the scenery during your 10 days in Ireland.

Some of the famous viewpoints along N71 in Killarney National Park include Ladies View , Torc Waterfall , and Muckrock House . As you approach Killarney, you can also drive out on Ross Island to view Innisfallen Abbey on its island in Lough Leane. In short, it’s easy to spend most of the day making your way through the national park!

From Killarney, it’s one more hour north and west to the town of Dingle on the peninsula of the same name. Dingle is yet another seaside fishing town, well known to locals and recommended by my friend. This is your base for the night, and you’ll love exploring all the things to do in Dingle .

Resources for Day 6:

You’re halfway! If you want to splurge, consider Castlewood House , a luxurious manor with reasonable rates. From $114 in the off-season or $176 in the summer months.
Dingle Benners House is a more budget-conscious option. From $96 per night.
Harbour Haven is right on the waterfront, includes street parking, and sleeps up to seven guests. From $233 per night.
You can also look at the six best areas to stay in Dingle for more options.

Day 7: Dingle to Liscannor & the Cliffs of Moher

Details for Day 7:

Start: Dingle
Stops: Conor Pass, Castlegregory, Tarbert
End: Liscannor
Distance: 107mi (172km), including a ferry ride

Castlegregory

Set out after breakfast in Dingle over Conor Pass to the town of Castlegregory. This beautiful drive takes you to an elevation of 1,500 feet above sea level and offers stunning views to both the north and south as you cross the top of the pass.

Though it’s a short drive over the pass to the town (just 30 minutes), stop and wander along the beach for a while. The water isn’t generally warm enough to swim, but the beaches in this area are popular with surfers and scuba during certain months.

Tarbert Ferry

Back in the car, it’s an hour’s drive to the town of Tarbert and a ferry ride that helps cut an hour of driving off the day. The ferry is officially called the “Tarbert-Shannon Ferry,” and cars are €19 for a one-way transfer.

If you choose to skip the ferry, you’ll pass through Limerick and Shannon, both well-known spots to explore (and you’ll love the kid activities in Limerick if with your family). Otherwise, you can continue north another two hours to the town of Liscannor, and this is your base for the night.

Depending on the timing of your arrival and sunset, you have two choices: dinner first or sunset at the Cliffs of Moher first. The drive to the Cliffs from Liscannor is less than 10 minutes. There are plenty of hiking trails you can walk along if the weather is nice, and the views are unforgettable.

If you want a second opinion on what makes the Cliffs of Moher so incredible, this guide to visiting the Cliffs of Moher will help.

When sunset begins, all you have to do is enjoy the show:

For dinner, there’s only one place to go: Vaughan’s Anchor Inn . This award-winning Inn and restaurant had the freshest seafood I’ve ever eaten; it’s well worth indulging in starters and dessert too. You can book a room at the Inn as well or consider the other options below.

If you only have 7 days in Ireland , you may end your trip here and return to Dublin (and maybe check out some Dublin hiking trails while you’re at it). Otherwise, continue on for the rest of your itinerary.

Resources for Day 7:

The Cliffs of Moher Hotel , in the heart of Liscannor. Rooms from $90 per night.
If you’re all in for a vacation rental on this trip, this charming cottage starts from $9 per night and has three bedrooms.

Day 8: The Cliffs of Moher to Bushmills

Details for Day 8:

Start: Liscannor
Stops: The Cliffs of Moher, Sligo, Londonderry
End: Bushmills
Distance: 260mi (417km)
Estimated time: 6.0 hours, not including stops

This, the eighth of 10 days in Ireland, is a long day of driving – the longest by far. It’s an unfortunate reality that, at this point, you’ve got to make some choices about what to see.

You could take these last three days and go to Galway, book yourself a room at a charming Galway bed and breakfast , and check out some pubs in Galway. However, I have an itinerary for you if you only have one day in Galway .

Instead, I recommend making the long haul up to the northern coast for a Northern Ireland road trip . You can spend a few hours in the morning at the Cliffs of Moher (Doolin2Aran Cruises leaves the town of Doolin north of the Cliffs of Moher. Their Cliffs cruise is only one hour and gives you a different perspective on the cliffs), then set out for the long drive north.

As today’s route takes you past most of the remaining parts of the Wild Atlantic Way , you can make stops in Sligo and/or Londonderry for a meal en route to the small town of Bushmills.

Resources for Day 8:

You’ll need to book two nights in Bushmills.
Portcaman House is close to the city center and Giant’s Causeway. From $118 per night.
Carnside Guest House is another great option, with beautiful views and an excellent location. From $153 per night.
Ready for one last VRBO? This three-bedroom cottage is one of the closest places you can stay to Giant’s Causeway and has beautiful views. From $153 per night.
You can also check out beautiful Irish country house hotels for a unique place to stay or the best places to stay in Galway .

Day 9: The Giant’s Causeway & Carrick-a-Rede

After a long day of driving, Day 9 of my suggested Ireland road trip is almost no driving – instead, you’ll be exploring two of the most famous sights in Northern Ireland during your 10 days in Ireland.

Located just outside Bushmills, you can spend a few hours exploring the terrain and admiring the weirdly shaped volcanic rock formations at the Giant’s Causeway. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area is protected and may be closed in certain portions, so respect any signage.

There’s also a stunning visitor center that I highly recommend if you have the time. It teaches you about the formation of the ’causeway’ and the region’s fascinating geology.

Want someone else to take care of the details? Consider booking a tour to the Giant’s Causeway instead.

After the Giant’s Causeway, head east along the coastline to see the ruins of Dunseverick Castle and the Carrick-a-Rede. This famous rope bridge takes you to a small island with limited walking trails. It’s still worth taking the time to check off this activity for your Irish bucket list if you’re in the area.

There are numerous Game of Thrones filming spots in this area, so make sure to check them out to reenact your favorite scene.

Resources for Day 9:

Stay another night in your Bushmills accommodation.

Day 10: Belfast & Dublin

Details for Day 10:

Start: Bushmills
Stops: Belfast
End: Dublin
Distance: 163mi (262km)
Estimated time: 3.0 hours, not including stops

Depending on your departure, your last day of this 10-day Ireland road trip can be as quick or leisurely as you like. If you flew into Dublin, you’ll need to get back there: the best way is by passing through Belfast en route south.

However, if you have time, you might consider making a stop in Belfast, too, as there are plenty of fun things to do in Belfast (including plenty of kid-friendly Belfast activities if you’re with the family).

The Titanic Belfast Museum (£18.50 for adults, £15 for students/seniors, £8 for kids) is the most popular site, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars where you could have lunch on your way back to Dublin.

If you decide to stay in the area, check out my post on where to stay in Belfast .

There can be some traffic from Belfast to Dublin, so I’d allow at least a few hours to get back, time to drop off your rental car, and then a few hours to check in for your flight. You’ll likely be pretty exhausted at this point, so you can cozy up at one of the pubs in the airport for some last-minute Irish food and drink.

If you want to stay in the area longer, there are plenty of day trips from Belfast you can go on.

Resources for Day 10:

None, you’re done! Great work!

Have other questions about your own 10 days in Ireland itinerary? Let me know in the comments.

Marissa became obsessed with Ireland when she first visited in 2015, and has been back numerous times since to explore more of the Emerald Isle. She started this site to help others plan their trip to Ireland based off her experiences.

28 thoughts on “ 10 Days in Ireland: The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary ”

Great choice! Traveling around Ireland by car is awesome. A car is the only way to see all of Italy’s nooks and crannies. Don’t wait until you’re over there to rent a vehicle. It is invariably cheaper to rent a car from home.

Great tip! I highly recommend booking a car hire in advance 🙂

Ireland is on my bucket list but I didn’t know what I wanted to see. How handy is this post?! Pinning!

I’m glad you found it helpful!! Thanks for pinning 🙂

I have to do this!!!!! 😀 I was thinking of either visiting New Zealand, Australia or Ireland next summer! 🙂 This trip looked beautiful!

I’ve never been to NZ or Aus, but I can vouch that Ireland is awesome 😉

I’ve always, always wanted to do an Ireland road trip. I have family history there and my mom did one when she was about my age, and I think it’d be so cool to follow in her footsteps! Bookmarking

Thanks so much for bookmarking – I hope this comes in handy when you finally start planning your trip. Let me know if you have any other questions when the time comes!

Ireland is by far my favorite country in the world! You captured it beautifully. I haven’t been to Kinsale yet, so I’ll have to check it out next time I’m there.

That’s a great compliment, thanks! You should definitely visit Kinsale – it’s the one place I most want to go back and visit again at length.

Ireland is still on my list of places to go and a road trip would be awesome! This trip sounds like a lot of fun.

Thanks so much! I hope you can make it soon.

I want to visit Ireland so much! This looks gorgeous!

Make it happen! It really is this beautiful – if not more so!

Ireland is on my list of places I want to visit. It looks so nice there.

It’s lovely there! I hope you can make it soon 🙂

These photos are incredible! I have always wanted to go to Ireland SO badly and this post made it even worse! haha. Loved reading this!

Thanks so much! I hope you can make it soon 😀

views are really incredible! I love mountains so much

Ireland *is* pretty freakin’ beautiful! Thanks for your comment!

Absolutely perfect timing! I will be following this itinerary in Jan 2020. It hits all of the POI I was looking at but several I hadn’t discovered. Will add a visit to my family’s place of origin outside of Limerick. Great, informative article. Thank you!

Glad to help, Matthew! Have an amazing trip!!

Wonderful tips, thanks so much! We can’t wait for our trip this summer 🙂

Glad to help! Have an amazing trip, Monika!!

Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.

It’s a beautiful country and I hope you get the chance to explore it!

Which castle would be a good alternative to Blarney castle? I’ve heard it’s very crowded there and touristy.

There are quite a bit to choose from luckily – what area are you looking at?

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Ultimate 10 Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary (You Should Steal)

Girl appreciating views of the North Atlantic from the Dingle Peninsula during an Ireland road trip

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .

Have you been dreaming of a bucket list journey around Ireland that also includes Northern Ireland’s captivating landscapes? Maybe you’d like to witness the rugged beauty of the Cliffs of Moher before heading north to visit the Giant’s Causeway? If all this is true, below I’m sharing my own 10 day road trip itinerary around Ireland that covers all these experiences and more.

Adding Northern Ireland did make this itinerary a bit faster-paced than what I normally prefer. However, we weren’t shorted on any of the Emerald Isle’s cultural richness, with each day revealing a new colorful seaside village or charming road through the sheep-covered countryside. I still reminisce about staying in super cozy cottages, holding baby lambs, and admiring dramatic coastal cliffs.

Are you ready to embark on your own unforgettable 10-day Ireland road trip? Let’s get into it!

Perfect 10 Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

Table of contents.

Essential Things to Know
Arrival in Dublin + Kilkenny

Day 1: Jerpoint Abbey, Rock of Cashel, Cobh

Day 2: kinsale, killarney national park, kenmare, day 3: ring of kerry, day 4: dingle peninsula, day 5: cliffs of moher and galway.

Day 6: Donelgal & Portrush

Day 7: Portrush

Day 8: trim & dublin, day 9: dublin, day 10: dublin, depart from dublin, have only 7 days for your ireland road trip, do you have 2 weeks for a road trip around ireland.

Green grassy hillside along the Ring of Kerry - 10 Day Ireland Road Trip itinerary

Before we jump into the itinerary, here are a few Ireland basics to know before you travel.

Things to Know Before Your Ireland Road Trip

Currency: While Ireland uses the euro, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and uses the pound.
Driving: The Irish drive on the left side of the road. Additionally, drivers in the Emerald Isle sit on the right side of the car.
Daylight: Daylight hours during your trip can lengthen or shorten your sightseeing. During our March visit, we had 12-13 hours of daylight every day. In December, this would look more like 7-8 hours, while in July it would be around 16-17 hours.
Mobile Phones: Make sure your phone works in Ireland by setting up an international plan with your phone company or purchasing a sim card.
Electrical Converters: Ireland operates on a 230V supply voltage with a three-pronged plug. It’s the exact same in Northern Ireland. You will need to pack an adaptor if you’re coming from outside of Ireland or the United Kingdom.

Related: What Does a Trip to Ireland Cost? A Full Rundown

Kick-Off Your Ireland Road Trip in Dublin

Upon landing in Ireland, do the following:

Retrieve any checked luggage
Withdraw euros from an ATM (we typically withdraw around €200)
Pick up your rental car. Rent the smallest vehicle possible for maneuvering the narrow, sometimes one-lane roads you’ll encounter in Ireland.

Drive South Through the Wicklow Mountains

The charming medieval village of Kilkenny is a pleasant overnight stop before kicking off your 10 day Ireland road trip. It technically only takes about 1.5 hours to reach from Dublin via the highway, but wouldn’t the scenic route be more fun ( mapped here )?

If you’re game, I recommend a detour through Wicklow Mountains National Park to immerse yourself into Ireland’s gorgeous scenery immediately. As energy allows, consider stopping in Glendalough about an hour and twenty minutes into your journey. This is where you can visit ruins of the Monastic City , which was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century.

Desolate road through the Wicklow Mountains during an Ireland road trip

Afterwards, the Hollywood Cafe in the tiny town of Hollywood is a cute place to grab a quick lunch and coffee before the final hour and twenty minutes of your drive. Yes, this route added an extra hour of travel, but we would never have seen sights like a heard of cows ambling across a bridge overhead had we taken the highway.

Overnight in Kilkenny

street view of medieval Kilkenny during an Ireland road trip

Upon arrival in Kilkenny, check into your hotel and then hit the town to stroll past the colorful storefronts of the Medieval Mile.

I’ll admit, we had an early dinner at 5:30pm because we were exhausted from our long journey. We ducked into the Cat and The Fiddle, a gastropub near our hotel, for a delicious burger, Thai green curry, and our first Guinness of the trip. Side note: Guinness actually does taste better in Ireland!

Afterwards, we had our typical first night ritual of a jet lag-interrupted sleep.

Travel Savvy Tip

We have found that ordering a medium burger (slightly pink in the middle) is not as common in Ireland as it is in the US. Unless you specify how you want it cooked, chances are your burger will come out well-done.

Suggested Stay: We stayed at the Kilmore Guest House in Kilkenny, which was inexpensive and conveniently located right around the corner from the Medieval Mile on High Street.

Couple sitting on bench admiring the colorful Deck of Cards houses with cathedral towering in the background

It’s time for the first big sightseeing day of your 10-day Ireland road trip extravaganza. You’ll just spend a short morning in Kilkenny because some seriously iconic stops are coming up on today’s itinerary! This includes a 12th century abbey, the Rock of Cashel, and the last port of call of the Titanic.

Morning in Kilkenny

Street view of Kilkenny Castle - 10 Day Ireland road trip itinerary

Begin your day with a stroll over to Kilkenny Castle to view the exterior and tour the inside if you have time (I recommend seeing as many Irish castles as possible!). Purchase tickets online in advance for the 9am timeslot and allow one hour for your visit.

Now it’s time to retrieve your bags and prepare to hit the road. Before leaving Kilkenny, make one last stop at La Rivista for a cappuccino and croissant served with butter and jam.

Jerpoint Abbey

Just a twenty-minute drive south of Kilkenny is your first stop of the day: Jerpoint Abbey. Our experience at this former 12th century monastery was quiet and pleasant, with only a couple of other tourists around us.

Aaron and I took a short stroll around the property, looking for evidence of the structure’s early Romanesque architecture before the eventual transition to tall gothic arches. There are also various stone sculptures on tombs and other memorials to admire that date back to the medieval period .

Rock of Cashel

Next, it’s time to drive just over an hour into County Tipperary to see one of the most visited sites in Ireland: the Rock of Cashel ($8 for adults). This impressive collection of medieval stone buildings perched strikingly on top of a hill was once the seat of the kings of Munster from the 4th or 5th century. According to legend, in the year 432 AD St. Patrick himself converted King Aenghus to Christianity at this site.

Today, you can several surviving buildings, including a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of Vicars Choral, and a fifteenth-century Tower House. Additionally, it’s well worth a wander into Cormac’s Chapel to see the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland (this is a separate ticket purchased upon arrival) .

The hilltop might be a bit windy, so you may want to bring a light sweatshirt or jacket. Otherwise, don’t forget to enjoy the views over the town of Cashel and rolling acres of farm land all around.

If you a craving an additional adventure, take a downhill stroll into the fields west of the Rock of Cashel to see the lesser-visited Hore Abbey ruins (free). Although these ruins have not been well kept, they are what is left of the last medieval Cistercian monastery in Ireland.

Cheerful Cobh

Girl standing at bottom of the hill of the Deck of Cards in Cobh Ireland

Get back on the road for one last stop in County Cork: the quaint, hilly seaside town of Cobh (pronounced like cove ). Cobh has the world’s second-largest natural harbor and cheerful streets with colorful homes that lead down to the water. This town makes a great lunch stop and is worth a look around if you have a couple hours to spare.

Learn about the travelers who embarked from this port en route to Ellis Island and other immigration hubs at the Cobh Heritage Center . Cobh was also the last port of call for the Titanic before its fateful voyage, which you can explore at the Titanic Experience .

Of course, this hilly town is perfectly pleasant for simply wandering along the picturesque harbor. Another popular photo spot requires fighting gravity up a steep hill lined with the cutest colorful stretch of homes, known as the “deck of cards”.

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Is kissing the Blarney Stone on your bucket list? I’m not gonna lie – although I haven’t done it myself, this activity is viewed by many to be a tourist trap.

That said, plenty of people come to Ireland with this famous kissing ritual high up on their bucket list. After all, legend has it that those who do will receive “the gift of gab”.

If this is you, then you should definitely leave Cobh early (or maybe skip it all together) to hit up the Blarney Castle. It’s a 40-minute drive west from Cobh, but make sure to arrive to the castle at least an hour before closing (check hours here) .

The drawbacks? You might have to wait in line, and the way visitors are shuffled through quickly may take away from the overall experience. This is also a pricey activity at €20, with an additional €2 charge for parking.

Stay in County Cork

Afterwards, continue onto your lodging somewhere in County Cork, whether that’s in Cobh, Kinsale, or a rural Airbnb. Aaron and I opted for the last one in the town of Kilbrittain (I’ve listed it as a recommendation below). We ate a wonderful dinner at Monk’s Lane in the nearby town of Timoleauge, which was happily off the main tourist path.

Suggested Stay: Sleep at this super cozy cottage so that you can easily tour the nearby historic seaside town of Kinsale the next day.

Cozy white stone cottage right off a country lane near Kinsale, Ireland

Welcome to the Wild Atlantic Way. You are in for some astounding scenery, in case you weren’t already impressed by what you have seen so far.

Having awoken to a sunny March day in the mid-50’s (F), we fueled up for another harborside adventure with fresh brown bread, butter, and jam provided by our Airbnb host.

Colorful street in the Irish seaside town of Kilkenny

We headed to the town of Kinsale for an 11:15am tour with Don and Barry’s Historic Strolls (€8). Starting at the Tourist Information Center, Barry led us and other guests through Kinsale’s history over 1.5 hours.

We dove into how British control impacted the port from the early 1600’s, the impact of the Lusitania’s nearby sinking on WWI, and the town’s transformation from a walled city to a colorful haven that I found reminiscent (in a way) of Charleston, South Carolina .

Post tour, keep the sea vibes going with a lunch at Fishy Fishy that includes crispy fish and chips and seafood soup. Then its time to start your 1.5 hour drive towards Kenmare, detouring to Killarney National Park along the way.

Not quite ready to leave these cozy harbor towns? I don’t blame you. If you are unable to add an extra day to your Ireland road trip itinerary, consider making a swap on one of your remaining days.

For example, I have included two iconic peninsular drives in this 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary (they really are fantastic). Simple choose between either the green, fairy tale Ring of Kerry or the culturally rich Dingle Peninsula. Then you’ll be able to spend one extra day soaking in the sea breezes and learning maritime history in Cobh and Kinsale.

Killarney National Park

Tree with spiraling bark within the grounds of Muckross Abby - Ireland road trip itinerary

You’ll technically be visiting your first stop on the Ring of Kerry today, so you will not have to retrace this path tomorrow. Killarney National Park is full of hiking trails, but one of the most popular stops is Muckross House , a 19th century Victorian mansion.

Since we accidentally chose the wrong parking lot, we visited 15th century Muckross Abbey instead of walking 1.5 miles to the house. This was a happy accident, as we loved having the run of the place to wander up every narrow spiral staircase and pop into hidden rooms.

If you have time and energy, stop off for a ten minute hike to Torc Waterfall before continuing on to Kenmare. We made it to this sleepy town around 5:30pm, where two hours of daylight was just the right amount of time to explore.

Colorful store front of Crowley's Bar in Kenmare - Ireland road trip itinerary

Kenmare is the ideal place to overnight in preparation for completing the Ring of Kerry the next morning. First, we checked out a small local stone circle, where we were all alone with the rocks and fairy trees. There was just a small “honor” money box that charged a small fee at the entrance.

Next, we holed up in Crowley’s , a small pub filled with welcoming locals and seating near a toasty fireplace. This is also the place where I discovered I liked draft Murphy’s better than Guinness, though it can be harder to find this one on draft.

We finished off the evening by dining at The Horseshoe , filling up on delectable sea scallops over deceitfully good cauliflower purée and a full rack of BBQ ribs.

When ordering either Murphy’s or Guinness, do not and I repeat, DO NOT, grab your beer and start drinking it if the bartender sets your glass near you on the bar, but not in front of you. They are letting the foam settle before continuing with your proper pour.

I must have eagerly grabbed my glass prematurely three times before I finally absorbed the repeated scolding from both my husband and the bartender.

Suggested Stay: Rockcrest House in Kenmare is a husband-and-wife-run bed and breakfast that gives romantic panoramic views over Kenmare. It’s just five minutes from the town center. We paid in cash for our room at checkout.

Three sheep in a group near a wire fence along a gravel road along the Ring of Kerry

Today, you will be doing the first of two peninsular driving routes: the stunningly beautiful Ring of Kerry. Hit the road by 8 or 9am to maximize daylight and beat the crowds and large bus tours.

The route I have mapped takes about 4 hours and fifteen minutes (without stops) and is 211 miles long, ending the day with a drive to Dingle.

Here are the top sites going clockwise around the Ring of Kerry from Rockcrest House in Kenmare:

Glacier Lake (18.1 km) : Serene blue lake formed by a glacier 10,000 years ago.
Sneem (26.5 km) : Town where you can grab a coffee or snack before continuing.
Staigue Ring Fort (45.4 km) : Large, wonderfully preserved ring fort, possibly dating back to the Celtic period . Observe the 10 flights of stairs in an X shape leading to the ramparts and the tightly interlocked stones, demonstrating expert craftsmanship.

Exterior and front lawn of the Derrynane House

Derrynane House (58.1 km) : For €5, tour the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, a national hero who championed equal rights for Irish Catholics during the 19th century. Also check out stunning Derrynane Beach.
Waterville (70.4 km): Chill beach town with a Charlie Chaplin statue (he vacationed here with his family).
Skellig Ring Loop (87.8 km) : Bonus loop off the Ring of Kerry that boasts the breathtaking Kerry Cliffs (€5). Afterwards, stop at the Fisherman’s Bar in Portmagee for lunch.
Cahersiveen (112 km) : Another bonus loop, where you can see two more majestic ring forts: Cahergal and Leacanabuaile. Chances are you’ll encounter some sheep too.

Leacanabuaile Ring Fort on the Cahersiveen Peninsula - Ireland Road Trip

End the day in Dingle, a lively port town about two hours away, to be well-situated to navigate the Dingle Peninsula the next day.

Suggested Stay: Sleep at this cottage in Dingle, which is equipped with a fireplace and is a short walk from the town center.

Cap off one more day of peninsula circling with the Irish heritage-packed Dingle Peninsula. Don’t worry – this one is shorter than the Ring of Kerry, being 30 miles long. That said, you’ll still fill a day seeing the cluster of sights along this route.

Here are the must-see’s along the Dingle Peninsula (along with a map) :

Sheep grazing on a hillside leading to the ocean on the Dingle Peninsula - Ireland road trip itinerary

Dunbeg Fort (13.3 km) : Iron age promontory fort with gorgeous sea views.
Beehive Huts (14.2 km) : 1,000 year old medieval houses made of stone from the ancient method of drystone corbelling .
Hold a baby lamb (15.7 km) : Means exactly what it says!

Bright blue and turquoise water meeting low cliffs along the Dingle Peninsula

Cross at Slea Head (16.9 km) : From here there are pretty views out to the Blasket Islands.
Great Blasket Island and Dunmore Head viewing point : Roadside stop for pretty views. Option to do a 1.6-mile hike on Dunmore Head .
The Blasket Centre (23 km) : Exhibits tell the story of the unique community that inhabited the Blasket islands through 1953. Open March through November.
Clogher Head pullout (25.2 km): Scenic viewpoint. I recommend doing the 1-mile hike on Clogher Head for gorgeous sea views.
Town of Ballyferriter (30.9 km) : The largest village west of Dingle town. If you stop into a pub, you’ll likely hear Irish being spoken.

Riasc Monastery ruins (32.8 km) : A medieval monastic site with a 6th century cross-inscribed stone pillar in its original position.
Gallarus Oratory (36.3 km) : Must-see 1,000-year-old structure that is the best preserved ancient church in Ireland.
St. Brandon’s Oratory (39.8 km) : Predates Gallarus, but is not as perfectly preserved.
The ruined church of Kilmalkedar (40.1 km): Site of an early monastery along the significant Cosán na Naomh pilgrimage route. See the hilltop ruins of a 12th-century Norman Church, a mix of medieval and more recent graves, a 5th-or-6th-century swearing stone , and an early medieval sundial.

Evening in Dingle

Street view of colorful Dingle storefronts

After returning back to Dingle, we were craving some coffee. We found a cute little stand along the harbor and got cappuccinos to sip by the sea.

We decided to treat ourselves to a classy seafood dinner at Out of the Blue in downtown Dingle (closed during winter) . Afterwards, we grabbed one of the last chairs in The Dingle Pub to sip a pint while trad music filled our ears.

Suggested Stay: Sleep in Dingle for a second night.

Street view of Quay Street on a quiet March day in Galway

While your Ireland sightseeing has come in a lot of quick bursts so far, now it’s time to settle in for two consecutive days with a bit more driving. Unfortunately, a couple days like this are necessary when combining both Ireland and Northern Ireland into a 10 day road trip. Wear comfy clothes and pick a good playlist since you’ll be in the car for a while.

Lunch & Car Ferry

Soon, we we’re passing through a number of small colorful villages, stopping in Listowel at an adorable cafe called Lynch’s Bakery & Coffee Shop . This was the perfect cozy place to warm up before heading back out for more driving through the chilly March drizzle.

That’s before we encountered another delay: I hadn’t noticed that the shortest mileage route from Dingle to the Cliffs of Moher included a 20-minute car ferry crossing (€23). We arrived to the dock just as one was leaving, meaning we had to wait for an hour to catch the next one.

Cliffs of Moher

Things picked up once Aaron and I arrived at the incomparable Cliffs of Moher , which are every bit as vast and breathtaking as we’d pictured. We strolled about 700 feet above the North Atlantic thundering below, while the diffused evening light softened the rocky cliff faces stretching for five miles into the misty horizon.

We paused to take in the view and capture some photos before getting back on the road.

Warm bowl of soup on a wooden table in a cozy restaurant in Galway, Ireland

We ended the evening in Galway – an energetic college town with trendy eateries and fun nightlife. Since Aaron and I were delayed in our travels, we weren’t able to explore Galway as much as we’d hoped. However, we were able to grab some dinner at The Quay Street Kitchen , which had a lively atmosphere.

If you do have some extra time in Galway, do the following as your schedule allows:

Explore Galway Cathedral
Stroll past the colorful waterfront homes of the Long Walk
Observe the Spanish Arch, which dates back to the 1500’s
Check out the Galway City Museum
Go to Tigh Neachtain’s or The Crane Bar to hear trad music

Suggested Stay: We stayed within walking distance of top Galway sights at a bed and breakfast called Sli Na Mara .

Day 6: Portrush

View of the black basalt columns on the Giant's Causeway

Today you’ll have to make one more five hour journey to reach Portrush in Northern Ireland. You won’t run into any border between these two counties where you’d need to show your passport or anything. The road just continues on as normal.

Wooden ceiling been and large stone fireplace of Donegal Castle's interior

Break up the drive with a lunch stop in the medieval town of Donegal and with a visit to Donegal Castle . Originally built in the 15th century, major improvements were made to this castle after 1616 when it came into the hands of Sir Basil Brooke. You can see some of his proudest additions today, including the giant fireplace with an intricate carved-wood mantlepiece.

Note: Unfortunately, from November 2023 Donegal castle is closed for works until further notice.

Girl in black jacket walking past the twisted trees in the dark hedges - Ireland Road Trip

Once you’ve ended another long day of driving upon arrival in Portrush, you should still have time to visit some striking outdoor sights. While I’ll provide a general idea of how to spend your time in Portrush in this post, I recommend referring to my more in-depth 36 hours on the Antrim Coast itinerary here .

On your first afternoon/evening, make the following stops:

The Dark Hedges
The Giant’s Causeway: Take the blue trail down to the basalt columns on the water

Afterwards, check into your next stay and grab dinner in downtown Portrush.

Suggested Stay: We rented this cozy cabin in Portrush .

Girl standing before the organ along the Giant's Causeway - Ireland road trip itinerary

Time to wake up and hit the ground running for your one full day exploring Portrush. If it’s sunny, lucky you! Otherwise, be sure to bring an umbrella and soldier on (a waterproof jacket helps).

Today, you will do the following:

Cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge . There is also a short scenic hike along the coast to enjoy before reaching the bridge.
Tour the Old Bushmills Distillery , which has been making Irish whiskey for 400 years.
Visit a cafe for a snack and warm drinks in the town of Bushmills.
Do the red trail along the Giants Causeway to explore the coast and see “the organ”.
Visit the cliffside Dunluce Castle ruins

Eat dinner in Portrush again.

View of the Boyne Valley from Trim Castle

Today, it’s time to navigate to the last stop of your Ireland road trip: Dublin.

Break up the three hour highway drive with a stop in Trim, a pretty medieval town situated 45 minutes northwest of Dublin in the ancient Boyne Valley. This lush region, where rivers rush past rolling vibrant greenery, contains 5,000 years of Ireland’s history. The likes of pagans, Irish high kings, monks, Vikings, and Normans have all left their mark here.

Visit Trim Castle

Green grass and a river surrounding the stone tower of Trim Castle - Ireland Road Trip itinerary

Towering above Trim is 12th-century Trim Castle (€5, €1 for parking), which was once featured as a set in the movie Braveheart. This tall stone structure, rising vertically above the River Boyne down below, must have been a looming presence during the era of Norman. A tour allows you to take in panoramic views from the roof of what is the largest Norman-Anglo castle still standing.

Before departing Trim, grab a deli sandwich from the Harvest Home Bakery & Cafe before continuing on to Dublin.

Settle into Dublin

Vintage 1920's style bedroom at Hotel in Dublin with velvet red headboard and purple duvet cover

Depending on when you arrive into Dublin, a lot of popular sights, like Dublin Castle, might already be closed. However, if you’re intent on squeezing out every available ounce of sightseeing time, it’s still possible to do an evening pub crawl or food tour.

Here are three great evening tours of Dublin:

Dark Dublin Guided Walking Tour
Traditional Irish Night Show
The Whiskey Trail Dublin Tasting Tour

Aaron and I opted simply for dinner and drinks, wandering into a recommended pub called Doheny & Nesbitt , only to find crowds and a closed kitchen. Therefore, we got a table at Foley’s Bar instead, a music venue and gastropub with a tasty food menu. While eating nachos, a Cajun chicken burger, and a seafood pot pie, we listened to a DJ play 80’s and 90’s hits.

Note: Upon arrival in Dublin, you will no longer need your rental car. Consider dropping it off and then Ubering back to the hotel on your first night.

Suggested Stay: Unpack for the last time during your Ireland road trip in a vintage glamour-themed room at Number 31 . This quiet hotel is walkable to St. Stephens Green, Trinity College, the National Archeology Museum, the National Gallery, and the lively Temple Bar area.

It’s time to close out your Ireland road trip with a couple days exploring Dublin. Begin your first day with breakfast at your hotel before hitting the pavement for a busy day exploring some of Ireland’s hardest hitting sights.

Old Library & Book of Kells at Trinity College

Buildings around a central common at Trinity College in Dublin

Dive right into the literary side of Dublin by viewing one of the oldest books in the world: the Book of Kells , which is on display at Trinity College’s Old Library. Written around the year 800 by Scottish monks taking refuge in the Irish town of Kells, this book contains the four gospels in Latin. However, it is most notable for the ornate, pigmented illustrations for decor and depicting biblical scenes.

This was definitely the most crowded sight we visited in Dublin, even with having reserved an essential timed entry ticket . It was also among the most expensive, at €19 per adult. However, you’ll get to see this treasure opened up to one of its most impressive pages, and marvel at the centuries of people who’ve also come into contact with this book.

An audio tour comes with your ticket on the Visit Trinity app . It’s a good idea to download the app ahead of time (my husband couldn’t download it with the museum’s poor internet connection).

Rows of two story wooden bookcases at the Old Library at Trinity College - Ireland road trip

After viewing the Book of Kells, continue onto the Long Room at the Old Library, which dates back to the 18th century. This two-story space holds 200,000 of the library’s oldest books and the stuff of dreams for book lovers everywhere. You will also see marble busts of great thinkers and writers of the western world at the end of each bookcase, along with other artifacts, including a medieval harp.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum

Plain stone whitewashed interior of the Kilmainham Gaol former prison in Dublin

Next, continue onto the Kilmainham Gaol Museum, where you will once again need to buy a timed-entry ticket in advance for a guided tour. This jail was built in 1796 to house common criminals. Although this jail had a goal of reform, it would in reality become overcrowded with abysmal living conditions.

Many political prisoners would be held here as well. This includes 14 leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising until they were executed by firing squad on the property.

You will need to cross town from Trinity to reach Kilmainham Gaol, so either take the 60 or 13 bus (bring cash) or grab an Uber or taxi. I was able to quicky and easily find all necessary bus routes and times simply using Google Maps .

It’s been a busy morning, so take a quick lunch stop before some distillery fun. We grabbed some sandwiches from KC Peaches , which is a local chain.

Taste Irish Whiskey

Dublin whiskey tribute mural inside the Teeling Distillery

When in Ireland, it is essential to taste some Irish whiskey and there are several places where you can do so:

Jameson Distillery Dublin: The site where John Jameson first opened his Bow Street Distillery in 1780. Although Jameson whiskey production moved to Midleton, County Cork in 1975, today a visitor center remains at the old Bow Street location, offering tastes and tours.
Teeling Distillery : This establishment became the first new distillery to enter the Dublin Irish whiskey scene in 125 years when it opened its doors in 2012. Making whiskey is in the Teeling brothers’ blood, as their ancestor Walter Teeling ran a small craft distillery in Dublin back in 1782. Tasting and tour fees here are a tad lower than those of Jameson’s.
Irish Whiskey Museum: Where you can learn the unbiased general history of whiskey production in Ireland. You’ll taste a variety of styles and distillation methods from different Irish brands.

Aaron and I visited Teeling and stayed afterwards for a few more smooth samples of whiskey with a couple we met during the tour. We ended up bringing home two bottles of whiskey.

Shiny silver pots of bread, white rice, and sauce at an Indian restaurant in Dublin

We dined at Pickle North Indian Cuisine , which sits right on the edge of Dublin’s hip Portobello neighborhood. Our delightful courses included duck two ways, limbu jhinga (a prawn curry), and dessert that was reminiscent of beignets soaked in a sweet syrup.

For those looking for nightlife afterwards, there were plenty of pubs in the vicinity, some of which had lines down the sidewalk.

Red exterior of the iconic temple bar pub in Dublin - Ireland road trip itinerary

Today you’ll be exploring even more beloved sights around Dublin on this very walkable itinerary. Be sure to eat a filling breakfast because you’ll be having a late lunch.

St. Stephen’s Green

On your way to your first stop of the day, the National Museum of Ireland – Archeology, take a walk through St. Stephen’s Green. Just a three a three minute walk from the museum, this park was originally established in 1663 when a designated green space was set aside for public use, while surrounding lots were put up for rent.

By the 19th century the park had fallen into disrepair and was no longer open to the public. However, Sir Arthur Guinness, descendent of the original Guinness brewery founder, purchased the land and made it once again accessible to all. The park would be a part of history once again in 1916 when it was occupied by rebel forces during the Easter Rising.

National Museum of Ireland – Archeology

The National Museum of Ireland – Archeology is one of the top rated museums in Ireland for good reason. First off, the museum is open every day (except Christmas, St. Stephen’s Day, and Good Friday) and admission is completely free .

Second, the museum’s rich collection of artifacts allows you to delve into the origins of Ireland’s history and heritage. Learn about the 9th century Vikings who inhabited Dublin, view gold jewelry dating back to the Bronze age in Ireland, and see the Faddan More Psalter (a medieval book of psalms).

O’Connell Street & Temple Bar

Next it’s time to see O’Connell Street, a busy thoroughfare in Dublin that houses a string of statues that honor Irish national heroes. Cross the O’Connell Bridge, known for being wider than it is long, over the River Liffey to begin this stroll.

The first statue you’ll encounter is of Daniel O’Connell (remember Derrynane House on the Ring of Kerry?). Continue a little further down O’Connell Street to see additional tributes, eventually reaching The Spire, which sits 120 meters tall and gives a nod to Ireland’s past and future.

Other than these landmarks, this street is busy and lined with American fast food chains, so head back over the River Liffey via the Ha’penny Bridge to find more charm. First, make a quick photo stop at the iconic red Temple Bar Pub on the corner of Essex Street and Temple Lane. Stop in for a drink or a bite if it’s not too busy; otherwise, let’s keep moving.

Dublin Castle

I know you’ve already seen a lot of castles, but a stop at Dublin Castle is absolutely essential during a visit to the city. I mean, can you ever really see too many castles?

Originally a medieval fortress built during the 13th century, Dublin castle served as the seat of English (followed by British) rule in Ireland. In April 1684, a fire damaged much of the building, and from here it was rebuilt as a Georgian palace. That said, visitors can still see some portions of the original structure that survived the blaze.

On January 16, 1922, the palace was handed over the the newly formed Republic of Ireland, which had just become independent from the United Kingdom. Presidential inaugurations and many other ceremonial state events continue to be held at Dublin Castle to this day.

Tonight you’ll be joining a pub crawl, which falls right in the middle of traditional dinner time. Therefore, it’s best to eat a late lunch so you aren’t starving while sipping Irish whiskey.

I recommend popping into The Hairy Lemon , which is a ten-minute walk from Dublin Castle and will bring you back within 400m of St. Stephen’s Green. With a menu full of delicious pub food and Irish whiskey, this establishment has a friendly dive bar feel.

Literary Pub Tour

Literature and trad music are both Irish traditions to be found in Dublin, which you can be exposed to via a number of tour options.

If you’d like to see why Dublin was selected as the fourth UNESCO City of Literature in 2010, opt for this literary pub tour . Far from being dry, you’ll essentially be doing a pub crawl while a licensed guide brings to life the works of writers like James Joyce and William Butler Yeats.

However, if you haven’t got your fill of trad tunes yet, then try this musical pub crawl instead .

View over rolling green fields and farmland in Ireland from a plane

All the many legs of this bucket list Ireland road trip are now complete and it’s time to begin your journey back home (or onward). If your travels are done, grab a taxi or Uber back to Dublin Airport .

If you are like me and want to maximize your time abroad, consider taking a budget flight on Dublin-based Ryanair to another European city. In just two hours, I was able to reach Copenhagen and be immersed in an entirely different culture.

Sheep resting on rolling green hills off the Ring of Kerry in Ireland

If you’d like to shorten this 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary to just 7 days, do the following:

Cut out the Northern Ireland portion of the trip to revisit during future travels
Spend just one exhilaratingly hectic day seeing all that you can in Dublin

Girl standing on flattened section of basalt rock columns along the Giant's Causeway - 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary

Extend this 10 day Ireland road trip itinerary with any of the below:

Add a day trip to the Aran Islands from Galway
Spend an extra day in the Cobh/Kinsale area
Explore more sights around Dublin, including day trips like Wicklow Mountains National Park and the Boyne Valley
Add an extra day near the Cliffs of Moher for hiking and listening to Trad music in Doolin
Visit Belfast in Northern Ireland, which is where the Titanic was built

Whew! That was one intense sightseeing extravaganza around the Emerald Isle! However, if you want to get a taste of all that Ireland and Northern Ireland have to offer in just 10 days, then this road trip itinerary is exactly what you need. Prepare to be awed by the rich history, dramatic coastal cliffs, and vibrant green hills that are even more impressive in person!

Embark on the ultimate 10-day Ireland road trip adventure, weaving through iconic landscapes and cultural gems! Explore the enchanting Cliffs of Moher, wander the vibrant streets of Dublin, experience the scenic wonders of the Ring of Kerry, and even explore Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway. This comprehensive Ireland itinerary and travel guide guarantees an unforgettable vacation to the Emerald Isle, complete with charming encounters with baby lambs along the way. Start planning your dream Irish getaway now!

Covered bridge in Woodstock VT during 7 day New England road trip itinerary

7 Day Ireland Itinerary – Ultimate Road Trip Guide For The South

Last Updated June 26, 2024 William Tang

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This 7-day Ireland itinerary guide is broken into three main parts – trip planning decision points, the comprehensive breakdown of each day, and my personal planning tips. This is meant to be super comprehensive and is everything I would have wanted to know when I planned this South Ireland road trip, along with what to see in 7 days.

Ireland is a place where legends, epics, and science fiction become reality. Ireland is a breathtaking ancient landscape, rolling green hills and craggy sharp rock. Ireland is céad míle fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes).

In This Article

Highlights of a 7 Day Ireland Road Trip

Recommended travel time, areas to focus, best time to go, packing essentials, where to stay, flying into ireland, interactive map, itinerary day 1 – a peek inside the ancient east, itinerary day 2 – from castles to a ring called kerry, itinerary day 3 – magic on skellig michael, itinerary day 4 – a day in killarney, itinerary day 5 – coastal adventures on dingle peninsula, itinerary day 6 – mighty cliffs and the burren, itinerary day 7 – clash of gaelic sport and dublin delight, itinerary flexibility and changes, frequently asked questions, travel resources for your next trip, ireland road trip planning.

downtown dingle streets in 7 day southern ireland itinerary road trip

Learn what is essential kit for your road trip car and what we always carry with us while on the road.
Discover when is the best time to take your road trip and how long to factor in the extra bits.
Plan the perfect route in Ireland and find out why this is one of our favorite places to take a road trip.
If you have dreamed about driving around Ireland but have no idea where to start, this post will give you all you need!

TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELING IRELAND

Our favorite spot – You’ll discover this as you go through the itinerary but if I had to pick, I’d say it was our day at Skellig Michael , not only as a Star Wars nerd, but our timing in being able to see the puffins in droves. Truly a special day.
Where to stay – We used Booking.com for all of our stays and is great for finding those charming B&Bs. Alternatively, you can always see if hotel corporate codes might work for you.
Renting a car – An important part to a road trip is obviously a car. Save the most money through car rental coupon codes and always start your search with Discover Cars and RentalCars so you know what the best deals are.
Flights – International flights are never cheap, but with the Skyscanner “Everywhere” feature you can find the best deals. Check how much it would be for you to get to Ireland!
Insurance – This is a must for a road trip! Check out the best travel insurance .
Hottest deals – Bookmark our frequently updated travel deals page .

Planning a South Ireland road trip isn’t hard. There’s a few things to consider as you put everything together before you start planning.

For more details make sure to read everything you need to know when you plan a trip to Ireland .

There’s three scenarios here: 1) You have limited vacation days, 2) you found a flight deal with specific dates, or 3) there’s flexibility.

If it’s #1 or #2, you already know your answer but if it’s #3, things become intriguing. It’s in part dictated by your decision on how much you’d like to see and the pace at which you travel.

Our week in Ireland wasn’t enough to see everything we wanted in the south but was the perfect amount to see the highlights. I’d say Ireland in 7 days is a bare minimum and your itinerary will be decently packed. Any less, you’ll have to focus on less regions or drive aggressively which isn’t recommended.

Two weeks is the perfect amount whether you decide to deep dive in a specific area or see the whole island. For the sake of keeping this guide focused, let’s say you only have 7 days to work with.

A week in the Emerald Isle is certainly not enough but if you’ve got limited time like we did, you’ll have to make a pretty critical decision. Do you focus on the North, South, or the whole island? Do you want to take it slow or hit up as much as you can?

The island of Ireland is divided into two parts. The majority of the land is covered by the Republic of Ireland (officially named Ireland) and the other sixth is Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom to the northeast.

One of the most recognizable places of Ireland is Giant’s Causeway and it’s the reason you’ll want to come to this part of the island. The unusual basalt pillars are incredibly unique and will boggle your mind. In the north, it’s cities like Belfast and Derry which present the most compelling and fascinating political history if you’re interested in learning about that and the complicated past around Ireland’s independence. There is plenty to see here and it’s just as beautiful as the southern part of the island.

Other highlights include:

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Dark Hedges
Donegal – There’s a reason why this region was picked as ‘Coolest Place on the Planet for 2017’ by National Geographic Traveler

7 day ireland itinerary focused on the southern parts and what to see

There is no official “southern Ireland” borderline but we’re labeling that as everywhere below the line connecting Galway to Dublin.

Southern Ireland is dramatically different in terrain and sights than the north. The south is where you’ll find a majority of the larger cities of Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Galway city, and Limerick.

Our main reason for doing a South Ireland road trip is to experience the Ring of Kerry, Skellig Michael, Dingle, Connemara National Park and explore castles and ancient ruins.

The full loop

The island itself isn’t that large (area wise, it is in fact smaller than Iceland) and doing a loop is certainly possible in 7 days. It’s an ambitious schedule but definitely possible.

Ultimately we chose to do the south because we had done Northern Ireland on a separate short stopover trip and wanted to see a different side to Ireland.

The summer months are short and in the winter most things in the country are shut down. As a result, it kind of makes it simple in terms of when to plan your trip.

July and August are the peak of high season; school is out and you contend with the large hoards of tourists, both domestic and international. On average these months have a high of 20C.

Spring and fall are going to be a bit temperamental but, if you’re okay with rain, you’ll find awesome flight deals and cheaper hotels. Expect the temperatures to be colder though with highs of 15C.

temperature chart for ireland throughout the year for when is the best time to go

The sweet spot, however, has to be June . It’s during the summer solstice with the longest days of the year and it’s the start of high season. You get the best of amazing weather and smaller crowd sizes. It was incredible that there was enough light to sightsee until 10PM.

Packing for a South Ireland road trip shouldn’t be too hard as you’ll be staying at B&B’s and hotels all the way through.

Since you’ll have access to a car you don’t have to pack ultra-light. You will want to rent the smallest car possible though, which means minimal trunk space.

Waterproof – You’re not going to skip every spot you have on your itinerary because of rain. This means that you’ll have to brave the elements. Have rain gear with you in case you need it.

GPS – If you have a data plan, using your smartphone for GPS will be your first choice so you can leverage any traffic information to take the most optimal route. If not, a stand-alone unit will work just as well. Don’t assume your car will have GPS built in. Before your trip, make sure you save areas offline on Google Maps and Save/Star all your destinations. Google Maps will work offline (minus traffic adjustments).

Money – Ireland is part of the EU and as such, Euro is the currency. Cash or credit is widely accepted. If you’re from Canada, make sure you have the right credit card to either minimize on foreign exchange fees or maximize points.

Always cool – In the summer, it tops out in the low 20Cs. Evenings drop down to the 10Cs or lower so pack accordingly. I had a light Quiksilver hoodie always ready to go in the car in case things got chilly.

You can find other gear that I recommend for a trip to visit Ireland below.

Columbia Women’s Outdry Ex ECO Tech Jacket – Whether it’s this or another waterproof jacket, the key is to have a light and durable outer layer that will at least keep your upper body dry.
Helly Hansen rain pants – We were lucky enough to never needs these on our trip but have learned from Iceland, it is always good to have pants that you can slip on.
Columbia Conspiracy Titanium OutDry Trail Running Shoe – To round out the waterproofing gear, having good shoes that perform well during hikes, walks, and rain is so important. We love these shoes because they’re breathable, low profile which is good for summer, and very comfortable.
Travel towel – B&B’s are great at providing amenities like towels, but the one instance for us where we needed this was at Galway Glamping . Whether you need it or not, these are super compact and can be useful in other scenarios like if you get wet from the rain, decide to go to the beach, or do surfing lessons.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube Set – These are awesome for any travel you do. We’ve been using this set for awhile to keep our shirts organized, underwear together, and all our random loose cables and chargers in one spot.
Victorinox Travel Organizer – Ireland was so safe that we didn’t feel the need to travel with a money belt so organizers like this were perfect to keep my passport and travel papers nice and tidy.
Toiletry kit – The hanging toiletry organizer is a must for any traveler. We’re a big fan because the hook allows you to hang this off of a vanity mirror or towel rack in a hotel/hostel and gives you counter space. Kits like this are small but surprisingly allow you to pack a ton of things inside.
Travel power bar – Surge protectors such as this that take 1 outlet into 3 is helpful especially if you have to charge a bunch of things at night. You never know how many outlets your B&B or hotel is going to have so this is super handy.
Cigarette USB adapter – USB plugs in cars are notorious for being slow charging. Get one of these chargers for the cigarette adapter to allow two USB devices to be charged at the same time and at a faster rate. The one we used was unfortunately a slow speed one.
Power bank – If you have more devices you want to charge on the go and you’ve run out of ports/adapters in the car, it’ll be smart to have a basic power bank as your back up. This Xiaomi one has a ton of capacity (10,000 mAH) and is super light.
Car phone holder – If you’re going to be using your phone as your GPS, don’t forget to bring a holder. Our favorite are these magnetic ones which clip to an air vent. The unfortunate thing for us was that we didn’t account for our rental car to not have a regular air vent which made it near impossible to mount. We eventually found a way but it was at a weird angle and the phone would periodically fall off. The kind of things you don’t really think about when you’re packing right?

Slieve Elva B&B Bedroom in 7 day ireland itinerary road trip

After deciding the focus area of your trip and having a rough idea of the spots you want to see, the next step is figuring out where to stay.

The best part about Ireland is the hospitality and it’s a big reason we had such a great time. The scenery blew our minds, but those conversations with the owners of the B&Bs and hotel staff made for a lasting impression.

B&B’s: You’ll only find hotels in the big cities. In the country-side you’re going to rely on family owned B&B accommodations. Each one is unique and the best part is the delicious breakfast included.

Hotels: In the bigger cities you’ll have the option to stay at a hotel. We quite enjoyed our big rooms, luxurious beds, and room cleaning when we had the opportunity. Not to say we didn’t have that at the B&Bs, but it was nice to go into a hotel knowing the level of service and quality that you’d expect.

Glamping: When I found out about Galway Glamping with Mongolian yurts, I knew we had to try it. You get an experience that gets you into the charming countryside setting while not sacrificing the comforts of a hot shower, kitchen, and lounge rooms. Similar to B&Bs, the hosts are just as accommodating, friendly, and helpful.

Places we stayed across Ireland in 7 days:

Kilkenny – Newlands Lodge
Portmagee – Skellig View White Room Airbnb
Killarney – The Lake Hotel
Dingle – An Portán
Lisdoonvarna (near Doolin) – Slieve Elva B&B
Galway – Galway Glamping
Dublin – The Croke Park Hotel

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Tips and Advice:

Be careful about check-in times. Typically there are very specific time slots where they expect you to come in. If you aren’t able to, make sure you reach out to them beforehand, give the owners an estimate of when you’ll arrive, and get approval.
When glamping, make sure to ask what facilities are available so you come prepared. In Galway Glamping’s case, they did not provide towels so we had to bring our own travel towel .

The main international airport is Dublin (DUB) but there are also airports in Shannon (SNN), Belfast (BFS), Cork (ORK), and Knock in West Ireland (NOC).

Coming from Canada, Dublin airport will be your primary access point into Ireland. Our choice of airline is Air Transat . We flew economy and were greeted with great leg room, a solid entertainment system, excellent service and amazing food.

If you’re coming from another part of Europe, you have even more airports open to you.

Kerry Airport : Served by flights from Dublin, Manchester, London-Luton, London-Stansted and Frankfurt.
Waterford Airport: Served by flights from London-Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bordeaux, Lorient.
Galway Airport: Served by flights from Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradfort, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton.
Donegal Airport
Sligo Airport
George Best Belfast City Airport
City of Derry Airport

These options allow you to get creative with your itinerary. For instance, instead of doing a round trip journey in and out of Dublin, you could start in Dublin on the East side of the island to Shannon on the West.

Table of Contents

The 7 Day Ireland Itinerary

With the basics covered, the next step is to plan your day by day Ireland itinerary.

This high level outline shows everything we did across the 7 day road trip including sights, restaurants we tried, where we stayed, and invaluable insight we learned through adventure and misadventure.

This is meant to be a guideline because everyone’s situation will be different. That said, if you’re looking for a baseline to start from, this guide is probably the best out there. Sign up to become an insider and get access to the downloadable spreadsheet .

If you’re coming from North America, you’ll most likely be taking a red-eye flight, flying out in the evening and arriving the next morning. This means you may be too tired to hit the ground running. For us, we tried to sleep through the flight so that we’d have enough energy to last the first day.

Upon landing in Dublin and out of the airport by 1PM, we made an explicit decision to hit the road right away. There’s more details in the driving section of our road trip guide but since I knew driving in Dublin was going to be a headache, it seemed more logical to finish there, return the car in the city and then rely on local transportation.

After picking up our rental car from Europcar we found our way to Glendalough in the gorgeous Wicklow Mountains region. Glendalough Monastic City ruins were very impressive and almost fairytale-like with the Round Tower, Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, the high crosses in the graveyard, and the priest’s house. Make sure not to miss the walk up to the Upper Lake which has a postcard worthy view. It’s roughly a 30 minute walk each way.

We then drove to the city of Kilkenny, our final destination of the day. We arrived too late to do the Kilkenny Castle tour but there was plenty to see walking around the grounds, including the massive green park on one side and the rose garden on the other.

After dinner, we treated ourselves to Murphy’s Ice Cream. Our favorite flavor has to be their Dingle Sea Salt, try it!

If we had more time:

Smithwick’s Experience – Smithwick’s ended up being our beloved beer for the trip and would have loved to have done this tour. They also had an evening experience that sounded fun.

what to see in ireland in 7 days - itinerary road trip map day 1

PETRONELLA RESTAURANT & CAFE

Quaint restaurant down a small alleyway in Kilkenny that serves excellent European dishes that span Irish to Italian. Ordered the Baked Goatsbridge trout and Pappardelle pasta and both were very good. Loved the decor here as well. Best part was when the manager, Frank, came out to greet all the customers to see how everything was.

TripAdvisor

NEWLANDS LODGE

Just outside of Kilkenny, this B&B is a lovely property that will exceed all expectations whether it comes to the spacious rooms that are impeccably clean, friendly service from owners Mairead and Jimmy, and delicious all-inclusive breakfast.

Booking.com

Tips and Tricks:

Car rental and driving tips – See everything you need to know to plan a trip to Ireland . We found our car rental via Discover Cars .
Parking at Glendalough – We parked at the first parking lot we saw which turned out to be the Glendalough Hotel. The parking was “free” and we weren’t ticketed although I’d say in high season it may not be as easy as it was for us.
Glendalough Monastic City – No admission required.
Relieve and hydrate – The walk to the Upper Lake is long and there isn’t much cover at the main site so either use the visitor center or Glendalough Hotel for the bathroom facilities.
Kells Priory – This is an off-the-beaten-path spot that would be worth considering in your itinerary. Read more about it here .

will kissing the blarney stone in ireland itinerary

With a full stomach from our Irish breakfast, we hopped into our car and made our way to the Rock of Cashel .

On a green hill with banded limestone, ancient fortifications create a ring around the Gothic cathedral, round tower, and chapel. We were able to walk through the open, yet remarkably intact, ruins while also enjoying the rolling countryside of Tipperary.

Next stop was the famed Blarney Castle just outside of Cork. The grounds of Blarney Castle and Gardens are huge and require a half day to fully explore everything. We walked straight to the castle tower to line up to kiss a stone famed for giving the gift of eloquence.

Wrapping up at Blarney Castle, we rushed through Killarney and connected to the Ring of Kerry to start our counter-clockwise rotation.

The scenery at this point dramatically changed from tree lined country roads to coastal cliffs and crashing waves. This is where you’ll appreciate having your own car .

After a few impromptu stops along the way, we made our final stop of the night at Kells Bay House & Gardens . Here, we had a lovely and surprisingly authentic Thai meal at their in-house Sala Thai Restaurant.

We had the Summer Solstice on our side and there was still a ton of light out after dinner. This made navigating the road to Portmagee and over to our Airbnb much easier. Sadly, we had to skip pretty much everything along the way along this part of the Ring of Kerry except a quick stop at a gas station to pick up breakfast and snack items for the next day.

Cork – It would’ve been nice to explore Cork and their English Market and visit the Cobh Heritage Centre.
Blarney Gardens – I would have loved to have spent more time doing the various walks around the Poison Garden, Fern Garden, Arboretum, and the endless other garden walks that explore the mystical and magical landscapes.
Killorglin – This is the first town we passed by along the Ring of Kerry. We zipped right through but I would have loved to have stopped here even for a few minutes to get a feel for a small town like this one.
Cahirciveen – This is home to the Ballycarbery Castle and the Old Barracks which is built in the Schloss style. Legend says they mixed up plans for this and a building designed for somewhere in Punjab, India.

southern ireland itinerary road trip map day 2 - what to see in ireland in 7 days

SALA THAI RESTAURANT

This is the in-house restaurant as part of the Kells Bay House property. As someone that’s had a lot of Thai food, I have to say that the curries, noodles, and skewers we had were all very good and very authentic. The only knock I’d have on this place is the service. Our order took way too long to get to the table and only after following up did they realize that they missed our order completely and had to make it from scratch at that point.

SKELLIG VIEW WHITE ROOM AIRBNB

A no frills kind of Airbnb that I booked pretty early on because I was worried that the town of Portmagee would sell out. Our host, Marie, was very accommodating of our late check-in request and I appreciated the free passes to Kerry Cliffs. The room was just the right size and in relatively clean condition. Wifi included as well.

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Tips and Tricks :

Rock of Cashel – Parking is right up the narrow road right at the base of the hill. It’s an automated parking system where you pay the machine when you’re leaving. This parking costs 4.50 EUR. To save money you could park in town and walk up. Entrance is 8 EUR per person.
Blarney Castle – Be ready for lines to kiss the Blarney Stone. If you’re not in a rush, I recommend doing the other parts of the garden, waiting for the line to subside and then doing the castle itself.
Blarney Gardens – Entrance is 14 EUR per person booked online.

Will wielding a Sith lightsaber at Skellig Michael

Thinking about what to see in Ireland in 7 days, this is my #1 must-do. The entire pilgrimage experience of zipping across the North Atlantic to discover that the white tipped Little Skellig was in fact covered by white gannets and adorable puffins that made Skellig Michael their home. Then following in the ancient footsteps of Luke Skywalker and Rey up to the monastery itself was pure magic.

The 2.5 hours we had on the island seemed like a lot initially but once we started climbing the steps and exploring the beehive huts of the monastery, time passed quickly.

Back on the mainland and after lunch, we explored the lesser-known Valentia Island. We wouldn’t have known about this part of the Ring of Kerry if it wasn’t for incredible photos I had seen from this area. With the higher vantage points of Geokaun Mountain (5 EUR per car) and the slate quarry behind Valentia Lighthouse (5 EUR per person), the scenery was as close to postcard perfect as it gets.

We then continued along our ring road journey by joining up with the Skellig Ring where we stopped by Kerry Cliffs (4 EUR per person) which is an impressive view of the jagged edged rocky coast. It’s at the edge of the peninsula where the land rises and then sharply drops into the ocean.

The driving adventure continued along until rejoining the main Ring of Kerry. Due to time, we couldn’t stop in the towns along the way. From Waterville and onwards, it was straight driving. Since we weren’t close to the coast there wasn’t much to stop and see.

At Molls Gap , we took a quick break before descending into Killarney National Park with sunlight starting to wane. We were able to make quick stops at Ladies View where you can see where the glaciers carved through the valley before the opening into Killarney itself.

It was late by the time we checked into The Lake Hotel so no restaurants were open. We hopped downstairs to the Devil’s Punchbowl Bar , grabbed a pint, and ordered a sandwich.

Waterville, Sneem, Caherdaniel, and Kenmare – It would’ve been nice to take our time through these idyllic coastal towns but I feel the trade off of spending more time on Valentia Island and the Skellig Ring was worth it.

southern ireland itinerary road trip map day 3

THE BRIDGE BAR

With barely any time to snack on Skellig Michael, we were famished by the time we arrived back in Portmagee. Right along the main street is this nice little local restaurant which gets all the Skellig tourists. Their fish and chips definitely hit the spot.

THE LAKE HOTEL

A historic hotel that is full of character but doesn’t show its age. The rooms here are incredibly spacious and comfortable. Breakfast as part of the B&B package was of the highest quality and the perfect charge-up for the day. Location wise, it can’t be beat either being practically on Killarney National Park Grounds with that amazing view of the old castle ruins at the footsteps of Lough Leane.

Booking: You must book at least 4-5 months in advance in order to guarantee a spot for a specific date. If you haven’t, don’t fret because cancellations happen all the time.
Casey’s Tours to Skellig Island
Skellig Michael Cruises
The Skelligs – Force Awakens Boat Trip – Leaves from Ballinskelligs which is a totally different pier from Portmagee
Skellig Boat
Skellig Walker Cruises
Skellig Michael Voyage
The Skelligs Tour – Departs from Caherdaniel
Skellig Experience Visitor Centre also has a page for boat tours here .
Weather: If the weather is poor for the boats, they’ll cancel the trip. That’s why Skelligs Rocks ensured we called the morning of to confirm whether the trip would be a go or not. There’s not much you can do here other than perhaps planning 2 days in the Ring of Kerry area so that if one day doesn’t work, you can reorganize things so you can have a second day to attempt a trip out.
Boat ride: With the speed of the boat, you’re not going to get that rocky, nausea inducing feeling that folks sensitive to being on the water get. That being said, the water does get choppy especially on the way out which is why you have to wear the waterproof gear provided by the boat. For those that get sea sick easily, they do offer medicine on board prior to leaving the pier if you need it but nobody on our boat ride had issues. Make sure you tuck your camera away once the boat is out in open water because you will get very wet especially if you sit near the back. The captain was also nice enough to provide big zip-loc bags in case.
Difficulty: There are two main sets of steps to the Monastery but I would say it’s relatively easy. The first set slowly winds up with some natural spots for breaks. The steps are wide enough to allow people to pass. The second set of steps are more steep but if you take your time, you’ll make it up with no issues. Compared to the Inca Trail where altitude was in effect , this felt very easy since it only required short spurts of energy.
Tour: Make sure you stick around for the educational talk given by one of the rangers when you get to the Monastery. I don’t think there’s a fixed schedule but I could be wrong. It felt like it was every hour.
Valentia Lighthouse – Admission to here was 5 EUR per person but didn’t think it was worth it. The lighthouse and the small museum weren’t too interesting and the views weren’t anything special. What was a nice view was in fact from the slate quarry which is visible when you look back inland from the lighthouse. From here you get sweeping views of the lighthouse and the sprawling peninsula fingers that meet here.
Skellig Ring – The Skelligs are in view for most of the drive around here and was honestly more of a joy to drive through compared to the Ring of Kerry because the large coaches don’t come here. There weren’t designated stops per say but it was a joy to find pullovers to see the villages below.
Ring of Kerry – I would recommend driving counter-clockwise which is the official designated route for all the coach buses. I’d much rather be stuck behind one and feel comfortable that opposing traffic will have to yield and when the opportunity arises to pass. The driving section will cover this in more detail but I’ll say two things. 1) The speed limit is way too high so don’t feel pressured to drive that fast and 2) As scary as everyone made driving the ring sound, it wasn’t that bad because you’re never at a cliff’s edge and there are usually tiny pull offs for oncoming cars.

The view into Killarney National Park from Ladies View

After a hearty breakfast at The Lake Hotel , we ventured about the hotel grounds. The hotel backs right into the largest lake of the national park and as part of that, there’s also the ruins of The McCarthy Mór Castle.

You’ll need a full day exploring Killarney National Park because it’s huge. For us, we wanted to hit up the main sights. We were able to see Muckross Abbey, Muckross House, Torc Waterfall, and Ross Castle. I was probably most impressed with the Abbey and its courtyard that must’ve inspired Tolkien.

Wanting to spend time in the town of Dingle, we hit the road right after we finished at the castle. The drive through the southern coast of the peninsula was amazing with views of the water as you winded through. The Ring of Kerry side was always visible across the water and we made quite a few stops along the way.

We quite enjoyed our time in Dingle as we were able to take a relaxing stroll along the main streets of town, popping into the small shops that were painted in a variety of colors. After dinner, we also made sure we tried a few more flavors at Murphy’s Ice Cream.

Killarney National Park – I would’ve loved to have done a few hikes in the park. I was also sad that we weren’t able to take the boat across from Ross Castle to the Meeting of the Waters and Old Weird Bridge.
Gap of Dunloe – This was part of the plans but had to be cut. There’s an awesome hike there that takes around 2 hours with breathtaking views of the lake, a heritage cottage, and the surrounding mountains.
Killarney City – If there’s one city we completely skipped because of time, it was Killarney. It’s supposed to be a charming city with great food options like Quinlan’s Seafood Bar and Lane Cafe Bar.

southern ireland itinerary road trip map day 4

OUT OF THE BLUE

If you love seafood, this is your spot. The seafood chowder is out of this world. The fish is all locally caught and fresh and it comes through in the two dishes we had – sea bass and pollock were probably the best of the entire trip.

An Portán B&B in Dunquin, Dingle, Ireland

This is one of the few B&Bs located on the western part of Dingle Peninsula which is the perfect spot to launch into the main sights along Slea Head Drive and the ferry out to the Blasket Islands. The owners, Rónán and Geraldine are warm and friendly hosts that also serve up delicious breakfast. The rooms are spacious, clean, and even come furnished with a rocking chair.

Will In Front of Wild Atlantic Way Sign in Dingle

Starting in Dunquin, which is where our B&B was located, was a bit of a blessing and a curse because it allowed us to jump right into Dunquin Harbour and The Blasket Centre but since driving counter to traffic is highly inadvisable as we were told, we had to cut across the mountain in order to drive on Slea Head Drive in the clockwise direction.

When it comes to Slea Head Drive , there really wasn’t a specific sight that you’re looking for. It’s very much a look out into the ocean as you’re driving around.

We were told that the Famine Cottages are a tourist trap so we skipped that. There are also beehive huts along the way but because as we had done Skellig Michael, we passed as well. Cross at Slea Head is a good spot for a quick stop where you’ll see great views of the Blasket Islands. From there, you can see Coumeenoole Beach . The beach is a good spot for a picnic and there’s a nice hike to the peninsula’s edge.

We continued around the peninsula with stops at Clogher Head, which is more or less another beach, and the Louis Mulcahy Pottery studio (good for a bathroom break and quick peek).

We drove back into town for another quick stop before detouring north to cross Conor Pass. At the peak, there’s a carpark where we stopped briefly to check out the magnificent sights here. You can see the coast in the distance, farms at the valley floor, along with lakes and cliffs.

This is when the heavy driving started as we had to wind up Northeast towards Limerick before turning Northwest. Along the way, we stopped in the city of Ennis where it started pouring but we ducked into Cruises Pub for dinner.

Gallarus Oratory – This was on our itinerary for the drive around Dingle but because we didn’t have enough time, I quickly flew the drone and continued along our way.
Quaint small towns of Dingle – Our B&B hosts recommended that we stop by Ballydavid but short on time, we had to skip them.
Blasket Islands – This is a full day kind of event but if you had a couple of days in the area, we recommend getting a ferry over to the Great Blasket Island to create your own eco adventure.

southern ireland itinerary road trip map day 5

CRUISES PUB

This spot was a bit of a happy accident for us. Originally we wanted to eat at The Cloister Restaurant & Bar but they weren’t taken anyone without reservations. This pub was full of energy when we stepped in with a Gaelic football match televised with live Irish music. There was a good selection of local beer here on top of comfort Irish bar food. The Guinness meat pie and bangers and mash were perfect.

SLIEVE ELVA B&B

Just outside the town of Lisdoonvarna is this amazing B&B which features cosy guest rooms which are both spacious, clean, and modernly renovated. What makes any stay special is the hospitality of the owners Kris and Ireen who will go out way to make you feel at home. Their breakfast is marvelous and you will love their personal touch of home made bread and jams. On top of that, each room gets Ireen’s homemade biscuits. This would be my B&B of choice for anyone want to visit Cliffs of Moher or The Burren in County Clare.

7 day ireland itinerary dingle driving direction suggestion

Driving in Dingle – Having done the drive myself, I can confidently say that you do not want to drive counter-clockwise. Slea Head Drive is designated as a two way road but some parts along the coast are only wide enough for one car.
Tarbert to Killimer Ferry – Instead of driving through Limerick as we ended up doing, there’s an alternative route that involves a ferry from Tarbert and goes across to Killimer. We were originally going to do this but it didn’t save us any time so we just kept on driving. However, if you plan it well or just have a more flexible schedule, check the schedule beforehand and this’ll be a great way to cut down driving time. It costs 19 EUR per car or 17.10 if you book online .

We started off by crossing through the countryside before dropping to the coast. Where there were rolling valleys before, large forested areas popped up and the ground burst with streams of sharp jagged limestone.

The Cliffs of Moher were staggeringly impressive with its continuous sheer drop of 214 meters that winds out as far as the eye can see. Where the vistas truly opened up was beyond the fences of the maintained park. There, I only dared to walk to the death-defying edges a few times before following the ridge line down to the most northern point. We ended up spending quite a bit of time here.

Our next stop was Burren Smokehouse . What we learned was that the Smokehouse itself is just a store and next to it on the same street is the Storehouse. We grabbed a sample platter to eat one of our few lunches on the trip. It was so good that after lunch we picked up a few for home. The tricky part was figuring out how to keep it refrigerated the remainder of the trip.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in Burren National Park , followed by a quick walk around the portal tomb, Poulnabrone . The Burren region is out of this world. Even though we didn’t get to do a full hike in this geopark, it shows the power of glaciers that carved through and left behind limestone pavement with fissures created by rainwater dissolution. The end result is something that is so dramatically different from anywhere else in Ireland.

We closed out the day in Galway , my favorite city in Ireland. We didn’t get to stay there long but it was somewhere that was full of energy with all the street performers. Pedestrian streets ruled the downtown core, making it easy to walk and so approachable with its many shops and restaurants.

At the end of the night, we drove outside of the city to get to Galway Glamping where we had a chance to meet the owners and get a full tour of the grounds. This night was hands down the most memorable of stays with an eclectic assembly of furniture in the Mongolian yurt which was surprisingly very cozy and warm thanks to the electrical heater.

We closed out the day in Galway which has got to be my favorite city in Ireland. It’s not like we even got to stay there that long but it was somewhere that was full of energy with all the street performers. Pedestrian streets ruled the downtown core which made it easy to walk and so approachable with its many shops and restaurants.

At the end of the night, we drove outside of the city to get to Galway Glamping where we had a chance to meet the owners where they gave us the full tour of the grounds. This night was hands down the most memorable of stays with eclectic assembly of furniture in the Mongolian yurt which was surprisingly very cosy and warm thanks to the electrical heater.

I put together an article about top things to do in Galway . Head over there for more ideas.
Ballyvaughan Fairy Fort – A hidden spot in The Burren, this ring fort is said to be on the road up to Poulnabrone, just opposite the left hand turn into the Ailwee Caves. Access is restricted but it’s supposedly easy to walk in.
Ballyvaughan – Pretty thatched cottages, nice crafts shops, and restaurants.
Aran Islands – The easiest way to get there is by catching a ferry from Doolin. I’d recommend staying overnight at a minimum. There are 3 islands in the chain but the most interesting is Inis Mór which features the cliff tops prehistoric ring forts. A ton to see and explore here.
Burren National Park – I’m still a bit disappointed in the hike we attempted here. With a little better planning, I would’ve picked a better marked hike.
Aillwee Cave/Pollnagollum – Pollnagollum is a secret spot but if you know where to look, you can find the cave that inspired Lord of the Rings’ character, Gollum. Entrance to the longest cave in Ireland, the more accessible way is through Aillwee Cave which is open to the public. The best way to see it is to join up with a local caving tour ( Back West Adventures ).

southern ireland itinerary road trip map day 6

THE BURREN STOREHOUSE

Everyone raved about The Burren Smokehouse and their restaurant (Storehouse next door) and it sure didn’t disappoint. After our morning at the Cliffs of Moher, we made our way over here for a quick bite. While they have a ton of other great menu items such as their pizza, what we really wanted to try was a sampling of their smoked fish. Luckily they have the Smokehouse Platter which has 6 of their products. Two of us shared one plate and it was just right for a half lunch. There’s often live music playing here as well.

GALWAY GLAMPING

The most unique accommodations of our Ireland itinerary. Who would’ve thought we’d be able to stay in a Mongolian yurt in the middle of the Irish countryside. What used to be an estate in ruins, the grounds have now been converted to this eclectic mix of yurts, axe-throwing, group games, party rooms, and other funky rooms. What makes it glamping is that all rooms are furnished and powered while also including super clean bathroom, kitchen, and lounging facilities next door.

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What the entry ticket is actually for – The entry ticket is only to get into the mass lot across the street. Once you’re parked, all you do is cross the street and that’s it. This kind of makes sense because there’s no way to police the cliffs to the north and the south. Anyone can walk in. They just bank on everyone driving. You do have to get in the same line as everyone regardless if you purchase your ticket online ahead of time.
How to get in for free – There’s a farmer that has land right next to the most northerly edge of the cliffs who is apparently super cool with people parking along the road as long as his car can still drive through. The photo below is the spot that you should be looking for. If you’re coming from the north, you’ll see this before the mass parking lot. You can use either side as you can see.
Best time to go – If I were to do it again, I’d definitely plan to go after 4PM. During the middle of the day, there are way too many tourist buses and the sun is right above you which creates incredibly harsh shadows. I’ve seen the photos and sunsets are epic here.
Best spots for photos – To get that postcard perfect shot, you need to leave the official bounds of the tourist site (there are signs that let you know). We couldn’t do both ends but chose to hike to the northern edge which gives a full view of the pinnacle and a long depth of cliffs front to back.

Directions to get free parking at Cliffs of Moher

Burren National Park – This park is unique because there aren’t any specific boundaries and isn’t run like a national park that we’re used to. That’s why the visitor center is in the nearby town of Corofin. We didn’t go there and just plotted a route to the park via Google Maps. In retrospect it wasn’t a good idea because I had no clue where the hike trails were. At the Gortlecka Crossroads, we saw a bunch of cars parked here so we did as well. Thing is, there’s only one board here that indicated there was a trail here. We tried to follow it but eventually got side tracked by a gate opening that we thought was the right way. Long story short, we gave up and turned back. Either we are terrible at hiking or the trails are just poorly marked. Lesson learned: Get a trail map from the visitor center first.
Tunnel toll – When driving up to Galway, we hit an unexpected toll since there’s a tunnel you have to go through. This is an unattended machine so you have to make sure you have enough coins for this. The toll is 1.90 EUR.
Galway parking – You’re probably not going to find free parking here. We circled around for a bit to see if we could get free parking to no avail. In the end, we found a paid lot.

rainy evening in front of temple bar in dublin ireland with umbrella

On our last full day in Ireland we started early. We had an exciting morning planned with Clash Gaelic Games and we needed to travel East to get there. While that sounds daunting, it was mostly on the motorway (highway) and took about 2 hours.

One thing you need to understand about Ireland is that while European football is popular, it pales in comparison to the Gaelic sports. Gaelic Football and Hurley are the top two sports in the country and what better way to end off the trip than to get to learn how to play these two sports. I had found out about Clash Gaelic Games through my research and I thought it was such a fun way to learn about culture while burning a few calories and making a fool of ourselves.

After our mini workout, we had to get into the city, check into our hotel, cab over to Kilmainham Gaol prison, then make it late to Trinity College’s Old Library to see the Book of Kells . We were able to stroll the streets and get some retail therapy at the hyper cheap Penny’s following.

With one night to make it count, we had dinner at L. Mulligan Grocer and spent the rest of the night drinking Guinness and listening to live Irish music at The Temple Bar .

Dublin – I would have liked to have seen St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Stephen’s Green, done more shopping, tried more restaurants, and drank a little harder.
Pubs – The Temple Bar is the most popular one in the city but there are so many other good ones including The Dame Tavern and The Brazen Head.
Guinness – While we weren’t big fans at the beginning, this famous stout grew on us throughout the trip. The Guinness Storehouse is in Dublin and would be a fun place to visit for any lover of this beer. You can get advance tickets here .
Newgrange – While technically not in Dublin, north of the city is a large and ancient burial site built of stone and architectured to only let light into the ritual chamber at sunrise on Winter Solstice.
Howth – This is a village north of Dublin and near Portmarnock. Located on a bulbous peninsula and featuring sweeping coastal views, it includes a superb food and crafts market. It’s a place that gives you a flavor of everything we saw on the west coast without driving too far from Dublin.
Malahide Castle & Gardens – While I’m sure this would’ve been impressive, we couldn’t fit this in with how long Clash went. I wasn’t too sad in this case though since we had seen Blarney Castle & Gardens and I imagine it would be somewhat similar.

southern ireland itinerary road trip map day 7

L. MULLIGAN GROCER

It’s a peculiar name for sure and it’s a bit far from the city centre but well worth it for the wide range of craft beers on tap and menu items. We tried a most interesting watermelon wheat beer which tasted like…you guessed it…watermelon! Our Moules Frites and Free Range Chicken Kiev were most excellent.

THE CROKE PARK HOTEL

This Doyle Collection hotel is located right next door to the famed Croke Park stadium where all the biggest Gaelic sport matches are held. This signature hotel in the Dublin is a contemporary hotel that is big on comforts. Their mattresses are heavenly with velvety duvets, there’s good table space to work, comfy furniture to relax, and the marbled bathrooms. If you get the packing that includes breakfast, you’ll be treated to a wide buffet selection including honey straight from the honeycomb and my favourite, the croissants, which were delightful. The staff was incredibly friendly and lastly, parking is included for free. It’s the perfect hotel to launch your Dublin adventures from.

Clash Gaelic Games – While it was a bit of a specialized session with just the two of us, if you’re traveling with a big group of friends or if you’re a family, this is a great way to stay active and honestly try something you’d never be able to do anywhere else.
Driving in Dublin – Everyone said “don’t do it” and they were right. The core is a mess especially with the construction going on. You do not want to drive in the city. Taking a cab or local transit is the way to go so make sure you either return the car rental, wait to rent the car later, or your hotel has free parking.
Uber – I experienced the most peculiar thing with Uber in Dublin. There were numerous times when I’d order a cab and while it was on its way, they could cancel the ride. I couldn’t understand why this kept happening until I realized that all the Uber drivers were regular cabbies essentially. Every cab had Uber and another local app running on their phones and so they had to allegiance to any one of them and if they found a more convenient ride along the way, they’d take it. On top of that, Uber also doesn’t display prices because it’s all standard meters. At the end of the day, just understand that hailing a cab or ordering an Uber is no different. In Dublin, I’d say hailing is just easier if you’re in a busy area because you won’t get canceled on.
Kilmainham Goal is 8 EUR per person (plus booking fees online) and Book of Kells is 10 to 13 EUR depending on peak or off-peak hours per person.

Trips never go as planned. This one was no different. For the most part though, nothing dramatically changed where we had to restructure things around. This trip was one where I simply packed too much in and had to make the call to fast forward if time was running low.

sunset in kilkenny ireland with street and castle in background

Here’s a little insight into why I feel that our plans deviated to help in your own planning:

Not starting the day early enough – We could’ve fit more in if we hit the road after breakfast by 8AM instead of 9 or 10AM on most days.
Taking too long in each spot – Between photos, videos, drone, and eyes, we spent more time than we had planned for.
Driving time according to GPS is inaccurate – If you drove by Ireland’s ridiculously high speed limit and didn’t stop, sure, but the reality is that you’ll be making stops to take photos of the views and you’ll be slowing down around all corners and when there’s opposing traffic.
Skipping meals – This is more of what happened as a result of a packed schedule. Since we always had breakfast included by our B&Bs or hotels, lunch was the first thing to go out the window.
Unexpected stops – You can’t plan for these but we stopped along the Ring of Kerry to help a couple with their flat tire which put us behind. Alternatively, I didn’t have much planned for Dingle but we got a long list of suggestions from the B&B, so we ended up spending more time there before driving out of the peninsula.
Losing track of time – As much as it was a massive advantage to have incredibly long days (usable light up until 10PM), it was also easy to just keep going. As a result, there were a few times where we got to our dinner spot too late and had to make alternate plans.

So there you have it, the itinerary guide for a south Ireland road trip. It was an ambitious trip for sure, but we only covered a small portion of everything Ireland has to offer.

Hopefully you’ll be able to use this as a starting point for your trip planning and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

Make Trip Planning To Ireland A Breeze Make sure to read this companion travel guide to planning the best road trip in Ireland.

No, as long as you have a valid driver’s license you do not need an international one. A valid driver’s license allows you to rent a car as well. Note that there are different age requirements in Ireland when it comes to renting a car, be sure to look into that if concerned.

The amount of days really depends on what parts of Ireland you’d like to see and if you’d like to take your time seeing them all or not. You’ll need to decide if you want to do the north part, the south or the full loop. In our case, 7 days was barely enough to tour southern Ireland, but to do the full loop we would recommend more.

The best month to travel Ireland is June. There’s not as much rainfall during this month and the days are longer due to summer solstice, therefore you get more time to do and see more.

About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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These 10 road trips will bring you into the heart of Ireland

Mar 9, 2024 • 7 min read

On Ireland’s winding country roads, expect to take it slow © Jade Prevost Manuel / Shutterstock

People often think that given Ireland ’s small size, they can see everything in a matter of days. We can confirm that this is simply impossible.

Here’s a typical story: a visitor makes a stop in a quaint village to sit down for a quick coffee. All of a sudden, they’re being whisked off to the local watering hole with Tom “from down the road” who wants to introduce you to the locals and share enthralling (and extended) tales of Irish history.

Such social connections are the soul of Ireland – and that’s on top of the island’s staggering raw beauty. What’s the best way to get the best of both? Hit the (rural) road – and plan to take it slow.

Our list of the best 10 road trips in Ireland should help inspire you.

Tourist bus traveling on a mountain road, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

1. The Wild Atlantic Way

Best road trip for the ultimate Irish experience Inishowen Peninsula – Kinsale ; 2600km (1600 miles), 2 weeks

This is the pinnacle of Irish road trips. The Wild Atlantic Way will show adventurers both the natural beauty and the pure craic that Ireland has to offer . This route will have you weaving your way around mountains, boglands and rugged karst landscapes as you experience the Emerald Isle at its most dramatic.

You’ll spot Wild Atlantic Way markers at every point of interest along the way to enhance your trip; follow the symbols attached to almost every road sign along the route to make sure you don’t get lost.

Planning tip: We recommend taking at least two weeks to savor every moment of this epic journey.

An empty road with foggy mountains in the distance, Mayo, Ireland

2. The Mayo Coast

Best less-traveled road trip Ballina–Killary; 543km (337.5 miles), 1 week

Many visitors to Ireland miss out on Mayo , which has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. It’s home to the highest mountain in Connacht, secret swimming spots and dramatic cliff walks.

Plan for numerous stops as you make your way down the coast. Plenty of free activities, hostels and campsites make it possible to tackle this trip on a budget.

Planning tip: If you time your road trip to reach the sacred mountain Croagh Patrick on the last Sunday of July, you can join the annual pilgrimage known as Reek Sunday. Some people even attempt this hike barefoot as part of their spiritual journey.

Hikers along a trail in Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains, Ireland

3. The Old Military Road

Best road trip for mountain landscapes Rathfarnham–Aughavannagh; 60km (37 miles), minimum 1 day

As you travel along the spine of the Wicklow Mountains, you’ll follow a winding road shrouded in a dark history. The route was constructed between August 1800 and October 1809 to allow the British Army access to the mountains following the 1798 rebellion in Ireland.

Today, the road is home to some of Ireland’s most challenging and beautiful trails . If hiking isn’t your thing, an abundance of excellent restaurants, lodges and activity centers lie along the route. The true beauty of this trip? You can take as long as you like to complete it. There are so many things to see and do packed into such a small distance that you’ll never be bored.

Planning tip: If you’re taking a few days to complete this trip, be sure to pack for all weather. The Wicklow Mountains are notorious for suddenly changing conditions.

4. The Copper Coast

Best road trip in the east Tramore–Dungarvan; 40km (25 miles), 1 day

With the Copper Coast’s countless opportunities for walks and dips in the cold sea, you'll never be stuck for something to do on this short but action-packed route. And amateur geologists will love that part of the Copper Coast is UNESCO Global Geopark , thanks to its unique combination of environments packed into such a small area.

Detour: Take a trip to the nearby Comeragh Mountains and tackle one of Ireland’s most rewarding hikes, the Coumshingaun Loop.

E-Type Jaguar driving on country road between Kenmare and Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland

5. The Ring of Kerry

Best road trip to experience old Ireland Starts and ends in Killarney (travel clockwise); 179km (111 miles), 2–3 days

Towering mountains, glistening lakes and enchanting forests: the Ring of Kerry is one of those unforgettable road trips that stuns from start to finish. There are so many landmarks to see along this route, it can be hard to fit it all into one trip. Yet the beauty of this drive is that even if you rarely leave the car, you’ll still experience some of Ireland’s most beautiful spots.

Detour: This route takes you not far from Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil . It’s worth taking a day to attempt the hike via the Devil’s Ladder.

Tourists between the coloured houses of the Doolin village

6. The Burren Loop

Best road trip for beautiful barren landscapes Starts and ends in Ballyvaughan; 150km (93 miles), 1–2 days

This is the only figure-eight route on this list, a configuration that allows you to stay in the same accommodation if you want to complete the route over two days. The Burren itself has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique karst landscape, which covers approximately 250 sq km (96.5 sq miles). The drive will take you down narrow roads that cut through the barren landscape to sheer cliffside views.

Planning tip: Leave time to incorporate some, if not all, of the Cliffs of Moher cliff walk. If time allows, consider hopping on a boat from Doolin to see them from the sea as well.

A narrow road along the scenic coast of Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland

7. Slea Head Drive

Best road trip for experiencing true “Irishness” Starts and ends in Dingle Town (travel clockwise); 46km (28.5 miles), 1–2 days

Pubs doubling as hardware stores. White sandy beaches. Lambs you can hold. What more could you ask for from a 46km (28.5-mile) road trip?

The Slea Head Drive is located on Dingle , one of Ireland’s most fabulous peninsulas, which has everything from coastal hikes to island escapes and some of the best nightlife in the country. All of this is plastered against a picturesque backdrop of green hills, sandy beaches and the wild Atlantic Ocean.

Detour: Since you’ll already be on the road, you should add the Conor Pass, one of Ireland’s highest, to your list. Located just outside of Dingle Town , it’s a great add-on to this itinerary.

An aerial view of the winding Sky Road, County Galway, Ireland

8. Sky Road Loop

Best short road trip Starts and ends in Clifden; 16km (10 miles), 1 day

This road trip is short, and it doesn’t disappoint, offering some of the best, most sweeping views of the Connemara coastline. You can also look forward to encountering castles, quaint villages with delicious food and views of rugged mountains in the distance – a full taste of Ireland in just one day.

Detour: Pack your camera (and your swimming gear) to visit the shore along the Sky Road. With crystal-clear waters and beautiful golden sand, Eyrephort Beach is the perfect place to take a break.

View of Allihies, a village on the Beara Peninsula, County Cork, Ireland

9. The Ring of Beara

Best road trip for unspoiled scenery Starts and ends in Glengarriff (travel clockwise); 148km (92 miles), 2–3 days

Another looped road trip in the south of Ireland makes another worthy addition to our list, just a stone’s throw (or rocky peninsula) away from the Ring of Kerry. With multiple mountain passes, delightful villages filled with local foods to try and many hikes and walks along the way, you’re bound to find something that’s perfect for you.

Detour: At the tip of the Ring of Beara , make a stop to take the cable car to Dursey Island, a neat way to cross the choppy waters below.

10. The “Four Peaks” Challenge road trip

The best challenge of a road road trip Carrauntoohil–Mweelrea–Slieve Donard–Lugnaquilla; 865km (540 miles), 1 day to 1 week

Road trips are usually all about the journey. This one is a little bit different. The Four Peaks Challenge involves tackling the highest mountains in each of Ireland’s four historic provinces by hike. Most take on the challenge at a leisurely pace – but some (very ambitious) people strive to complete it in 24 hours.

You will be treated to some of the most epic views of Ireland from each of these peaks – though the adventure is definitely not for the faint-hearted. We recommend planning for one hike per day, which will let you take in the beautiful Irish countryside while putting your body to the test.

Planning tip: If you can, get someone to do the driving for you. Your legs will be worn out enough without the 12 hours of driving in between peaks.

This article was first published Apr 1, 2021 and updated Mar 9, 2024.

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10 Day Ireland Itinerary: The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Guide

Are you planning an Ireland road trip itinerary?

Well, you’re in for a treat because Ireland is a great place to see and experience. From colorful small towns, ancient sites, beautiful beaches, spectacular natural beauty, and the friendliest people you’ll ever want to meet, your road trip around Ireland will likely become one of your most favorite trips!

To make this easy, I”ve put together an ultimate 10-day itinerary in Ireland. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your Ireland trip.

A complete day-by-day plan for mapping out your Irish road trip,
Tips for driving in Ireland,
Where to stay in Ireland during your road trip, and
How to extend or shorten your time in Ireland if you need to tweak this itinerary.

Ready to explore Ireland’s history, culture, and many of its most beautiful places? Let’s go!

Ireland Road Trip Map

The map below shows my road trip of Ireland.

I drove this route from the end of March into the first week of April. It was a 10-day Ireland road trip itinerary which also included time in Dublin.

Driving in Ireland

It’s easier than you might imagine to road trip in Ireland. Yes, you will be driving on the left side of the road while sitting on the right side of the car. Yes, the narrow roads can be quite narrow. But, after just a short while, it doesn’t feel so strange anymore and that’s coming from a solo traveler who did all the driving!

I use Kayak to search for rental cars whenever I travel because I can compare prices with a range of different companies.

As I planned a route in Ireland and prepared to drive through the Irish countryside, here’s what I kept in mind.

Driving Distance/Time

Since it was only me driving, I paid particular attention to how much distance I would need to cover, as well as how much time it would take to get from my last stop to the hotel for the night if I was switching to a new hotel.

I wanted to have enough time to explore and to avoid driving in the dark as much as possible. luckily the sun was setting around 8 p.m. when I visited so this really wasn’t an issue. I also had a cut-off time in mind if I was checking into a new hotel. I knew when I needed to leave from where I was to comfortably make that drive.

Although I knew some of the driving would be on major highways, the majority of my self-drive tour of Ireland would involve small country roads. For this reason, as well as because driving on the left is not what I am used to, I made sure my rental car was small.

In fact, even if my husband or someone else had joined me for this trip, I still would have wanted a compact car. I recommend you rent the smallest car possible depending on the number of people you’re traveling with.

Rental Car Insurance

If you’re like me and rely on the primary CDW coverage benefit of a premium travel rewards credit card , you’ll want to take note. The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred don’t have country limitations.

However, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card restricts its primary CDW coverage within Ireland and Northern Ireland. If this is the card you usually use to access this coverage, you’ll need to use a different card or opt for coverage from the rental car company.

If you don’t have a credit card with primary CDW coverage, always make sure to take the rental car agency’s protection. Accidents happen but they don’t need to ruin your trip with the unexpected costs that come if your car is damaged or stolen.

Be sure you have access to your choice of navigation tools. Country roads are windy and although they are typically marked with helpful signage, it’s easy to veer the wrong way.

Use an app like Google Maps for navigation. You can download maps through the app before your trip so they are available to use offline or when you don’t have a cell signal.

Choose a rental car option that includes GPS. You might want to consider getting a paper map in the event your cell phone dies or technology fails in some other way.

ProTip: My rental car in Ireland did not have a USB port to keep my cell phone charged. Luckily, I had my portable battery pack to keep my cell phone charged. However, had I known (every rental car I’ve had in recent memory has had a USB port), I would have packed a cell phone charger that plugged into the car’s lighter, like this one .

10 Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

There are many different Ireland road trips you can put together. The following Ireland itinerary is the exact one I used for my own travels. I debated over beginning my trip in Dublin or heading into the Irish countryside first. I decided renting a car and heading out of Dublin to start the trip made a lot of sense.

First, it’s easy to rent a car from the airport. There are no transfer logistics to work out. Simply, pick up the car and start your road trip.

Next, aside from the first few miles out of the airport, highway driving gives you a great way to get used to driving on the left. Also, small country roads are certainly windy but their narrowness means you’re not really driving on the left or right but most of the road. (Unless someone is driving in the opposite direction, then, of course, move as left as you can.)

I also liked the idea of heading towards the mountains and the outdoors. It does wonders for jetlag!

And finally, I would need to return to Dublin for my return flight, anyways. And, upon checking, there were a couple of attractions in Dublin, like Kilmainham Gaol, that had better availability towards the end of my trip. Not wanting to miss out on these places, I headed to the countryside first.

Day 1: Glendalough & the Wicklow Mountains

Fly into Dublin International Airport. Flights arriving from the U.S. will mostly arrive in the morning, which means you can make the most of this first day.

With your rental car, you’ll begin your Ireland road trip itinerary by heading onto the M50, the main highway that circles Dublin, before heading south on Old Military Road (R115) towards the Wicklow Mountains and into Ireland’s Ancient East. The absolute can’t miss, besides the mountains themselves is the ancient monastic site of Glendalough.

If you were to head straight to Glendalough from Dublin Airport without making any other stops, the drive would take between 60-75 minutes. However, there’s plenty to see and so many great things to do in Wicklow , depending on your interests.

Drive the Sally Gap: This is one of the most scenic drives through the Wicklow Mountains and Wicklow National Park. Follow R759 towards Lough Tay when it meets R115, Old Military Road. The narrow, winding road is more than 1,600 feet above sea level and has spectacular mountain and lake views.
Enjoy the Views of the Loughs: The word lough is the Irish form of “loch” or lake. Along the way on R115, you’ll pass Lough Bray (Upper and Lower). On R759, you’ll have gorgeous views over Lough Tay (a.k.a. Guinness Lake). As you drive, there are pull-offs and small parking areas so you can get out, stretch your legs, take photos, and even sit for a while for an impromptu picnic.

Go Back in Time at Glendalough: This beautiful valley with 2 lakes is home to an ancient monastic site that dates back to Ireland’s Middle Ages. There are ancient stone buildings, the remains of a church, a round tower, and a cemetery. The area also includes several walking trails where you can circle the lakes and explore the valley. If you navigate to the Glendalough Visitor Center, you’ll find parking, bathrooms, and an information center before seeing the ruins and setting off on a trail.
Wicklow Mountains Viewing Platform: From Glendalough, use R756 to reach the viewing platform over the Wicklow Gap and Wicklow Mountains National Park for panoramic mountain views.

From Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains Viewing Platform area, you’ll need about 60-75 minutes to drive to your hotel in Kilkenny. Even with a meandering pace, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the day and comfortably get to your hotel.

If you arrive in Kilkenny and want to do a bit of exploring, consider joining an evening historical walking tour to make the most of your time before having dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.

Where to Stay:

Tonight, plan to stay in Kilkenny or the immediate Kilkenny area. It’s just 80 minutes from the Glendalough Visitor Center.

Mount Juliet Estate, Autograph Collection

This estate is situated about 15 minutes outside of Kilkenny’s downtown and features 2 Marriott properties, the gorgeous Manor House and Hunter’s Yard. While the grounds offer golf, walking trails, restaurants, equestrian activities, and more. It’s a one-of-a-kind place to stay that immerses you in the beauty and historic charm of the Irish countryside.

I stayed in the Manor House and would have gladly based myself here for more nights had I planned to spend more time exploring Ireland’s Ancient East. Check Current Rates

Pembroke Hotel

This hotel is located in the center of Kilkenny, just near Kilkenny Castle. It’s even possible to book castle-view rooms. Rooms are spacious and air-conditioned and the hotel offers free parking, which is a must if you plan to stay in the Kilkenny city center.

All of Kilkenny’s attractions and numerous restaurants are within walking distance. Check Current Rates

Day 2: Kilkenny, Rock of Cashel & Hore Abbey

Today, your Ireland itinerary will begin in Kilkenny. If your hotel is in the city center and your car is parked, leave it be. Kilkenny can be explored on foot. Otherwise, there’s affordable public parking available, which makes more sense than time-restricted street parking.

Start your day with a visit to Kilkenny Castle when it opens in the morning. Afterward, spend the rest of the morning exploring Kilkenny’s medieval past.

Kilkenny Castle: This impressive castle in the heart of the city dates back to the 13th century and has played a role in 800+ years of Kilkenny’s history. It’s also one of Ireland’s best castles. The open rooms have been restored to reflect an opulent 13th-century style. You can do a self-guided tour or join a guided tour to learn more about the castle’s history.
St. Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower: This beautiful cathedral was built in the 1200s, while records show the Celtic Christian round tower dates back to the 9th century. It’s one of the only round towers in Ireland that can be climbed via a series of steps/ladders. The reward is sweeping views over the city and Irish countryside.
Medieval Mile Museum: This museum is located in the 13th century former St. Mary’s church & graveyard and is where Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile begins. You can choose to tour the museum with an audio guide or if you time it right, a guided tour. Either way, the museum’s artifacts will bring Kilkenny’s medieval history to life.

After a short lunch or scones to-go for a late breakfast, drive to the Rock of Cashel. The drive from Kilkenny takes about 50 minutes.

Rock of Cashel: This National Monument is one of the most visited historic places in Ireland. Set atop a rocky plateau are the remains of a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, a round tower, and several other historically and religiously significant buildings that go back as far as the early 1100s. I highly recommend seeing Cormac Chapel, available for entry only with a special ticket, to see the only Romanesque frescoes inside.
Hore Abbey: From the Rock of Cashel, you’ll notice another historic site just down the hill. This is Hore Abbey and it shouldn’t be missed. This abandoned 13th-century monastery is all that remains of what the Benedictines and Cistercians left behind. The ruins are beautifully eerie and from this vantage point, you can also look back on the Rock of Cashel. There is no parking, except for 1 small space on the road in front. Otherwise, walk from the Rock of Cashel or find the closest public parking lot and walk from there.

After an afternoon of historic ruins, make the 2-hour drive to Killarney. I arrived at my hotel in Killarney in time to make the short stroll to the city center and enjoy a relaxing dinner.

Tonight, you’ll check in to your hotel in Killarney. Plan to base yourself here for 2 nights.

Dromhall Hotel

This 4-star hotel offers spacious, modern rooms in a fantastic location. I had a great 2-night stay here. It offers Ireland road trippers, in particular, the perfect combination of free parking, a fuel service station with a convenience store across the street, access to the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park within 5 minutes of the hotel, and a few minutes walking to the Killarney city center.

The adjoining bar and restaurant also make it convenient to have dinner and a pint after a day of driving. Check Current Rates

Killarney Park

Located in the heart of Killarney, this 5-star hotel has luxurious rooms and suites (some with fireplaces), a spa, a pool, a restaurant, and the Garden Bar. Guests receive free parking and excellent hospitality from a dedicated staff. It’s also part of the Leading Hotels of the World program. Check Current Rates

International Hotel Killarney

Another popular choice in Killarney, the International Hotel is also located in the heart of the city. The rooms are sophisticated and modern and come in 3 tiers, Classic, Superior, and Executive. The hotel is also connected to Hannigan’s fantastic Bar and Restaurant. I had a great dinner here on my last night in Killarney.

As with other hotels in the city center, this hotel doesn’t have free parking on-site. There’s a reasonable, paid public lot just a short walk from the hotel. Check Current Rates

Day 3: Ring of Kerry & Skelling Ring

Today, you’ll drive the famous Ring of Kerry. There’s a lot to say about this popular drive on Ireland’s west coast. First, let’s cover a few basics.

The Ring of Kerry is 111 miles, part of the Wild Atlantic Way, and takes 3-31/2 hours to drive without stops. The Skelling Ring is an extension of the Ring of Kerry at the peninsula’s western end. This short drive is 20 miles long and is arguably even more scenic than the main loop.

There are Ring of Kerry day trips from Killarney if you’d like a break from the driving today. Keep in mind, though, that buses can’t drive the Skelling Ring because the roads are too narrow.

Generally speaking, the Ring of Kerry is a popular part of an Ireland road trip itinerary because it’s a microcosm of Ireland’s many charms, quaint, colorful villages, sweeping landscapes, and historic sights.

So if you keep this in mind as you plan, the Ring of Kerry becomes less of a circular loop to race through, checking off sites as you go, but instead becomes a place where you can pick and choose the spots that are the most interesting to you.

Regardless of which stops you choose to make, you’ll want to start your day early. There’s a lot to see and do, plus during peak times this road can get busy.

Also, be sure to fill up your car’s fuel tank before leaving Killarney. The Ring of Kerry has service stations but it’s one less thing to worry about, especially when you’re in more remote areas.

I drove in a clockwise direction to avoid being stuck behind buses and was glad I did after seeing others desperately attempting to pass them.

And although I did bring a few snacks with me that I picked up in Killarney and grabbed a few small to-go bites in towns along the way, I never stopped for a proper sit-down lunch.

What stops should you make along the Ring of Kerry and Skelling Ring? It all depends on your interests and travel style. But here are a few popular spots to consider.

Killarney National Park: In just 5 minutes by car from Killarney’s city center, the national park awaits. Ross Castle is a gorgeous first stop, especially when the morning light reflects on the calm Lough Leane. Muckross House & Gardens is a 19th-century estate preserved with artifacts of the time. Muckross Abbey is a 15th-century abbey, its ruins in beautiful decay.
Ladies View: This panoramic viewpoint is only a 15-minute drive from Muckross House. The pull-off from the road gives you a fantastic vantage point over the national park’s landscape.
Moll’s Gap: This is another viewpoint where you can appreciate the national park’s mountains. It’s even better if one of the local sheep photobombs your shot.
Staigue Stone Fort: This Iron Age(!) fort dates to around 300-400 A.D. It’s one of a couple of stone forts along the Ring of Kerry. However, this was my favorite, also because the small country road leading to it is particularly scenic.

Derrynane Beach: This is a pretty spot if the weather is right and you’d like to stick your toes in the sand.
Kerry Cliffs: If I had to choose just 1 stop to make along this drive, the Kerry Cliffs would be the hands-down winner. The dramatic cliffs and the chop of the Atlantic Ocean collide for gorgeous natural beauty. (Note: The Kerry Cliffs are off the Skelling Ring, a drive that shouldn’t be missed.)
Skelling Michael: The island of Skelling Michael rose to popularity after being used as a Star Wars shooting location. However, this remote island is also a UNESCO Heritage Site with a monastery dating back to at least the 6th century that can be explored. Boat trips depart in good weather from Portmagee from mid-May to October. If you want to make this journey, you’ll need to book months in advance and cut back on other Ring of Kerry stops, as this excursion will take half the day. The Kerry Cliffs are nearby so they can still easily be visited afterward.

Also, as you drive the Ring of Kerry and the Skelling Ring, you’ll pass through several small towns and villages and it’s impossible to stop at all of them.

However, Kenmare and Portmagee are pretty places to stroll and grab a bite to eat. Waterville’s waterfront walkway is a good spot to stretch your legs along the ocean.

Be mindful of your time and pace as you drive today. Of all the days of this Ireland road trip itinerary, this was the one that required the fullest day. Prioritize what you want to see and do and then sprinkle in additional stops along the way as you’d like.

After a day of exploring the Ring of Kerry and Skelling Ring, return to your hotel in Killarney for another night. If you didn’t last night, head to the Killarney city center for dinner and be sure to taste one of Killarney’s famous ales.

Day 4: Dingle Peninsula

Countryside Views Dingle Peninsula Ireland

Today is likely to be one of the best days of your 10 day road trip itinerary in Ireland because the Dingle Peninsula is spectacular! It’s an absolute can’t miss.

In particular, the Slea Head Drive Loop (R559) at the peninsula’s far western end steals the show. If you’re short on time, focus your energy on this gorgeous 30-mile loop.

Set off in the morning from Killarney and make your first stop at Inch Beach along the peninsula’s southern coast. Perhaps not properly named but this pretty, wide stretch of beach gives you a first glimpse of the coastline views to come.

From there, head to the cute and colorful seaside town of Dingle . It’s also the spot where the Slea Head Drive Loop starts and ends.

If you’ve made an early start from Killarney, you’ll likely arrive in Dingle on the early side as well. If so, I recommend driving the Slea Head Drive Loop first and enjoying Dingle later.

Plan to drive the loop in a clockwise direction . You’re driving on the left. The stunning views are on the left, along with many of the pull-offs, so it’s a win-win. Allot at least 3-4 hours to make stops along this route and explore, and even more, if you want to do a longer hike or enjoy some beach time.

These Dingle Peninsula stops are musts as you make the drive.

Ancient Stone Structures: The Dingle Peninsula has several places where you can see the ancient beehive huts that were built of stones more than 1,000 years ago. These remarkable structures use no mortar, are watertight, and often align perfectly with the sun to maximize the light inside. The Fahan Beehive Huts, Cashel Murphy, and the Gallarus Oratory are all interesting stops along the Dingle Peninsula’s Slea Head Drive.
Cross at Slea Head: This far western point along the loop drive is recognizable by the big white cross on the right side of the road. There is a pull-off on the left side where you can take in the ocean views and see the Blasket Islands off of the Irish coast.

Coumeenoole Beach: This spectacular spot is a can’t miss! The beach is tucked into a small cove and on a clear day, the waters are as turquoise as the water you’d expect to see in some tropical locale. Park in the lot and take the walk down to the sand.
Dunmore Head: From the same parking area above Coumeenoole Beach, there’s a small trailhead marker on the right side (if your back is to the road). This takes you on a 15-20 minute walk up into the green hills and down to a rocky outcropping with stunning ocean views. Star Wars fans might recognize this as a shooting location. If you’re lucky, the resident sheep will be in the hills as you walk and take photos.
Dunquin Pier: Just past Dunmore Head, you get more sweeping ocean views. You can walk (NOT DRIVE) down the windy road towards the pier and the water, as well as feast on the views from above. A Blasket Island ferry connection is also at Dunquin Pier should you want to take a detour to the now uninhabited Great Blasket Island.

After making your way back to the town of Dingle, park in the public lot by the marina and stroll through the town. There are plenty of places to have lunch and small shops to browse.

As you move on from the Dingle Peninsula, the most direct route will put you on N86 before pointing you further north. However, you could also drive the winding and scenic Conor Pass from Dingle before connecting with the main roads again to head north.

Where to Stay

Today is a bit of a transition day from the southwestern portion of Ireland heading north towards tomorrow’s attraction, the Cliffs of Moher. Many people choose to stay in and around Doolin so they are just a 10-minute drive to the Cliffs but I deemed this to be too long of a drive while I was planning my Ireland road trip itinerary.

You absolutely don’t want to rush the Dingle Peninsula and, in hindsight, I made the right choice to position myself for the next day without committing to too long of a drive at the end of the day. And, I had plenty of time to enjoy the Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher the next day without any stress.

I chose to stay 1 night at a hotel in Limerick but I also looked at a hotel in nearby Adare. From the town of Dingle, it was just about a 2-hour drive to Limerick. It would be slightly less time to Adare. Staying in Limerick will leave you just an hour from the Cliffs of Moher.

No. 1 Pery Square Hotel, Restaurant, & Spa (Limerick)

This hotel is in a restored Georgian townhouse in Limerick’s historic Georgian Quarter, just a few minutes on foot to the city center and main attractions like King John’s Castle.

My room was a peaceful oasis (classical music playing as I entered my room) with a fabulously restored bathroom. This is THE place to stay in Limerick whether you’re passing through or hoping to see the city and splurge on a spa treatment. The fantastic full breakfast was included with the room rate and, although the hotel doesn’t have parking, I easily found free street parking just across the street.

If you stay, walk just 2 blocks to South’s Pub for dinner. It was one of the best meals I had in all of Ireland and the Guinness was excellent! Check Current Rates

Dunraven Arms Hotel (Adare)

Adare is a Heritage Village just south of Limerick. The Dunraven Arms is a family-run hotel along Adare’s Main Street, steps away from several of the village’s restaurants and the historic thatched roof houses that make Adare so charming.

Rooms are large and comfortable, some with 4-poster beds. There are sitting rooms around the hotel, many with fireplaces which make the perfect places to relax after the day. Free parking and breakfast are included with your room rate. Check Current Rates

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & The Burren

What road trip in Ireland would be complete without a stop at the Cliffs of Moher?!? They are one of the most visited places in Ireland with on average 1.5 million visitors each year. And with good reason, the Cliffs represent natural beauty at its finest.

Today’s main highlights include spending a few hours at the Cliffs of Moher in the early part of the day and exploration of the Burren for the rest of the day. This will also casually move you towards your hotel in Galway or the surrounding area.

Depending on how long you spend at the Cliffs and what you’d like to see and do in the Burren, there are a couple of other things to consider.

First, as you leave the Limerick area, you have King John’s Castle in the city and the nearby Bunratty Castle . Both castles play up their medieval history but if I had to choose 1 for a quick morning visit, I’d choose Bunratty Castle. It’s also very family-friendly if you’re traveling with kids and want to start the day with something entertaining.

Just keep in mind, that a longer castle visit may mean less time in the Burren later.

You could also head straight to the Cliffs of Moher for a morning visit and have lunch there or in nearby Doolin, with its enviable location along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Also, after your Cliffs of Moher visit, make a stop to see Doonagore Castle just 3 miles from the Cliffs visitor center. It’s not open to the public but the 16th-century tower sits oceanfront and is a perfect castle photo-op.

I spent a casual morning at the Cliffs of Moher walking the cliffside path and even stopping to sit and enjoy a scone picnic with a cliffside view.

Then, passing Doonagore Castle, I made my way into the Burren, which comes from Gaelic meaning place of stone.

The Burren is an otherworldly limestone landscape unlike anywhere you’ve likely seen or visited. The closest reminder for me was road tripping in Iceland. And as with most areas in Ireland, you can easily spend a few days here exploring. But even with half a day, you can pick a few spots to discover the region’s unusual landscape and ancient history.

Burren National Park: Part of the UNESCO Heritage area comprising the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, the national park has 7 walking trails designed to take you into the moon-like landscape to experience the geology, as well as see the plants and animals that survive here.
Caherconnell Stone Fort: This prehistoric site dates back thousands of years. The stone fort and the surrounding archeological ruins are well-maintained to take you on a journey back to the past. This is a family-run site and if you time it right, you also could catch a sheepdog demonstration.
Poulnabrone Dolmen: This Neolithic (stone age) portal tomb is one of the best intact tombs of its kind anywhere in the world. It was used as a collective burial site and the remains (both human and artifact) found inside are from around 3500 B.C.
Corcomroe Abbey: This abandoned 13th-century abbey sits at the end of a quiet country road with Romanesque carvings of stone. Like Hore Abbey, there’s eerie, yet serene, quiet to this hidden gem in the Burren. It’s free to visit and you’ll likely have the place all to yourself.

As you make your way into County Galway, Dunguaire Castle is along the way. Unfortunately, it closes at 5 p.m. and I missed it by about half an hour. However, I stopped to take some photos and admire the castle’s exterior along the banks of Galway Bay before heading to my hotel.

For your reference, if Corcomroe Abbey is your last stop in the Burren, it’s a short drive of just 45 minutes from there to the city of Galway.

Tonight, drive to your hotel in Galway or the immediate surroundings. Plan to stay 2 nights in this hotel. Galway is less than an hour’s drive from The Burren area so this allows you a lot of time to spend a full day exploring.

Since the next day’s activities aren’t in Galway, it’s not necessary to stay in the city center. A centrally located hotel in the city allows you to walk to nearby restaurants in Galway. But, you could also drive into the city center and park in a public lot if you wanted to go out to dinner in Galway.

Yet, given the number of day trips from Galway that you can plan, the city and its immediate surroundings are a helpful place to stay.

Park House Hotel

Located in Galway’s city center, a stay here affords you the opportunity to walk to Eyre Square (a.k.a John F. Kennedy Memorial Park) and the city’s restaurants and nightlife. The hotel’s rooms and suites are classic in style and the perfect respite to relax after a day of sightseeing.

There’s parking available in a city parking lot 2-minutes from the hotel. When you check out, the hotel will validate your parking ticket. Check Current Rates

Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate

This 5-star property is situated just a few minutes by car outside of Galway. It’s a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, which makes it part of the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As such, this Category 6 hotel can be booked with Hyatt points (or Chase Ultimate Rewards points transferred to Hyatt).

To be clear, this hotel is an absolute splurge with nightly room rates (sometimes) double and triple the amount of the other hotels listed in this itinerary of Ireland. However, if booked with Hyatt points, this property could be a fantastic value redemption at a truly stunning hotel.

Aside from the elegant rooms, the estate sits on 138 acres and offers golf, fishing, archery, and a spa on the grounds. The Pullman restaurant is situated on-site, as well, in 2 former Orient Express train cars for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Check Current Rates

Day 6: Kylemore Abbey & the Connemara

On day 6 of this 10 day itinerary in Ireland, you’ll explore the wild beauty of the Connemara only an hour or so northwest of Galway. The region is home to the famous Kylemore Abbey, one of the most popular attractions to visit in all of Ireland, and the spectacular Connemara National Park.

There are also several scenic drive loops that will take you through the vast landscape to castles, seaside towns, and sweeping views. You won’t be able to drive all of these loops completely but you can cover good chunks of them.

Just watch for sheep as you drive! They’re clearly in charge in this part of Ireland.

Soon after leaving Galway for your day’s adventure, you’ll see signs for Aughnanure Castle . I recommend stopping and if you’re lucky, one of the passionate guides will have the time to bring the castle’s history to life.

From here, I recommend driving toward the town of Recess, and then on to Kylemore Abbey . While you’re not stopping in Recess, it’ll ensure you drive along the western side of the Connemara Loop and through the Inagh Valley.

Kylemore Abbey and Estate was built in 1868 as a private residence, however, today is an operating Benedictine Abbey. In addition to its interesting past, the majestic estate includes a Neo-Gothic cathedral and Victorian Gardens. It’s one of Ireland’s most visited places and is a can’t miss on a road trip into Ireland’s Connemara.

From here, it depends on whether you plan to do a longer hike in Connemara National Park . If you want to hike the Upper Diamond Trail, plan on 2.5-3 hours to complete this hike. Go straight to the national park entrance along N59 in Letterfrack.

However, it’s possible to also combine a shorter hike and more of the Connemara Loop. From Kylemore Abbey, you could continue on toward Renvyle and then loop around to Killary Harbour (next to Killary Adventure Company on Google Maps) to see the scenic Killary Fjord, before cutting back down N59 to Letterfrack and the national park. (You will pass Kylemore Abbey once more.)

Connemara National Park: Depending on the weather, take a walk in the national park for beautiful views over the Connemara. There are color-coded trails, with the yellow and blue trails taking 40 minutes and 1 hour, respectively.

After this, continue on towards Clifden . It’s your starting and ending point for the 10-mile Sky Loop . You’ll want about 45 minutes to drive this ocean-view loop.

Drive this route clockwise, setting your first stop for Clifden Castle . After, follow the signs for Upper Sky Road (not Lower) for the best views. Be sure to stop at the Sky Road Drive Viewpoint , one of the viewpoints along the Wild Atlantic Way.

You’ll finish back in Clifden where you can stop for a snack before returning to Galway. By following N59 back to Galway, you’ll have completed the Inagh Valley Loop.

If you’ve still got the itch to explore and daylight hours, consider a more leisurely drive back to Galway closer to the coast, stopping at Dog’s Bay , before heading for the city. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a sun-filled sky as it begins to sink on this western side of the Emerald Isle for a gorgeous conclusion to a day of Ireland road-tripping.

Stay the night again in Galway (or the surrounding area) and enjoy a well-deserved dinner in the city or in a restaurant at or near your hotel.

ProTip: If you’re dining out in Galway city, consider making reservations, especially on weekend nights. The city is quite popular with visitors and locals. Dinner tables fill up quickly.

Day 7: Newgrange & Dublin

This morning, your Ireland road trip itinerary will continue from Galway to Dublin which takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes using the major highways between the 2 cities. However, you might consider making 1 stop before reaching the city and if you do what I did, return your rental car.

Newgrange is a stone-age tomb and UNESCO World Heritage Site about 30 minutes north of Dublin Airport. It’s more than 5,000 years old and archaeologists mark it as older than places like Stonehenge or some of the Egyptian pyramids.

The massive tomb can be toured with a guide only so it’s best to book your tickets well in advance of your Ireland trip. Given its location outside the city center, it’s easier to visit while you still have your rental car.

Whatever you decide, I recommend returning your rental car as soon as you get to the Dublin area. I dropped my car off at the airport and took a taxi to my hotel in the city center. A car isn’t needed in Dublin so why pay for the extra days plus the fees to park it in the city.

Use the remaining time this afternoon to orient yourself in Dublin. If you’ve visited London before, it might seem similar at first. But as you get to know Dublin, you’ll see it has a character all its own.

Depending on your timing, you might enjoy a stroll through the Temple Bar area, a visit to Christ Church Cathedral , a tasting at the Irish Whiskey Museum , or go for a spooky ghost walking tour around Dublin.

You might also find it helpful to orient yourself on a Dublin walking tour.

You’ll spend the last 3 nights in Dublin. If you’ve decided to keep your rental car, be sure to choose a hotel that offers parking, even if there’s a fee to do so.

Hyatt Centric The Liberties, Dublin

This Hyatt hotel is in a prime location, just a block from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. All of the city’s sights are accessible. Places like Temple Bar, the River Liffey, the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and St. Stephen’s Green are within a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel.

My room was clean, bright, and spacious, with super cozy bedding. Because of my Hyatt status, I received a complimentary full breakfast each morning. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar on site. The hotel staff was friendly and helped with any request I had.

If I were to return to Dublin, I wouldn’t hesitate. I would rebook this hotel in a heartbeat. And as a category 3 hotel, it’s an absolute steal. Check Current Rates

The Morrison, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

I did also consider this centrally located Hilton Hotel. The hotel is along the River Liffey just steps from the Temple Bar neighborhood and within walking distance (7-10 minutes) to many of Dublin’s top sights.

The rooms have a modern design, some with a river view. The hotel serves a full breakfast and validates parking at a nearby public lot to reduce the cost of parking. If you have Hilton Honors points to redeem or just want a great hotel in the heart of the city, this just might be the Dublin hotel for you. Check Current Rates

Day 8: Northern Ireland Day Trip

Today, take this day trip to Northern Ireland . You’ll make stops along the way at Dunluce Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, and the city of Belfast.

Day trips depart Dublin before 7 a.m. and return around 6:30-7:00 p.m. so a full day commitment is required. But with that amount of time, I hiked at the Giant’s Causeway and learned a lot about the turbulent history of Northern Ireland in Belfast.

You might be wondering why I chose this Northern Ireland day trip instead of including the drive to Northern Ireland while I had the car so here was my rationale.

The most logical time to drive to Northern Ireland would have been after visiting the Cliffs of Moher. But the drive from there to Belfast is a minimum of 5 hours, more to the Giants Causeway.

I didn’t want to lose (at least) half a day driving myself that far north. I knew I could use that time to visit Kylemore Abbey and explore the Connemara. I also felt that 2 days in Dublin would be the right amount of time for what I wanted to do.

Lastly, doing the day trip from Dublin allowed me the luxury of staying at my hotel in Dublin for 3 nights, which was a really relaxing way to wrap up my Ireland Itinerary.

ProTip: If you don’t want to do a day trip to Northern Ireland, I would use the extra day and add to your time in the countryside. Two days in Dublin will give you a good amount of time to explore the city. As for a few ideas…You could spend another day in Ireland’s Ancient East and southern Ireland exploring places like Kinsale, Cobh, and Spike Island. You could also spend another day in the Galway area to visit the Aran Islands. If you’re visiting in Summer, take a beach day on the Dingle Peninsula while savoring the spectacular coastline.

Stay the 2nd night at your hotel of choice in Dublin.

After a day spent enjoying the Giant’s Causeway and Northern Ireland, go for dinner in Dublin. The city’s food scene is exploding because of an infusion of creative and eclectic chefs.

If the day spent on the coast has you craving seafood, The Seafood Cafe in the Temple Bar neighborhood is a great dinner choice.

Spitalfields in The Liberties neighborhood is perfect if you want comfort food at one of the city’s favorite gastropubs. (If you’re staying at the Hyatt Centric, Spitalfields is just a 2-minute walk from the hotel.)

Days 9-10: Dublin & Fly Home

For the time remaining in your Ireland 10 day itinerary, explore Dublin’s top sights. Keep in mind that Dublin Airport is only about 10 miles from the city center. If your flight is later on day 10, you can easily use some morning time in Dublin like I did.

I highly recommend making Kilmainham Gaol your first stop in Dublin. Tickets sell out and must be booked before your trip to Ireland because the site can only be toured with a guide.

Afterward, the Guinness Storehouse Experience is nearby.

ProTip: If you’re looking for a place to have a late breakfast (Is it ever a bad time for a scone?) or early lunch before downing a Guinness, Mannings Bakery & Cafe is near the Guinness Storehouse and walkable from Kilmainham Gaol.

The Book of Kells is another must-see in Dublin. It’s considered one of the most precious objects in the world and is on display at Trinity College. You must buy a ticket from their website before arriving or you’ll need to use the wifi at the attraction to book your ticket which as you can imagine is not secure or speedy.

You can also combine 2 popular sights and get fast-track entry to the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle to dive deeper into the with a local guide.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral dates back to the 1190s and is the National Cathedral of Ireland.

If you have Irish ancestry, the EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum tells the story of the Irish who have emigrated all over the world. You can also do some ancestry sleuthing while you’re there!

Enjoy your last night in Dublin at your hotel. If you’re looking for one last indulgence of fish and chips and of course a pint of Guinness, head to The Hairy Lemon in the vicinity of Temple Bar.

When is the Best Time to Go to Ireland?

The best times to visit Ireland are in Spring and Fall. In particular, March, April, May, September, October, and early November offer the best combination of moderate temperatures, reasonably long days, and fewer people. It’s perfect for any type of Ireland road trip itinerary.

In June, July, and August, the weather will be its warmest and the days longer. However, this is also peak season so expect more people visiting and more tour buses heading to popular places like the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry.

I did this itinerary right at the end of March and into the first week of April. I may have had some luck smiling upon me, however, I had bright blue skies on most days with temperatures in the high 50s to high 60s on most days.

What Should I Pack for a Road Trip in Ireland?

If there ever was a place to advocate for packing layers, it would be Ireland. Days may start on the cool side but can quickly warm up, especially when the sun is shining. On days like this, you’ll be grateful to shed a layer whether you’re sightseeing in Dublin or enjoying the views on the Dingle Peninsula.

Ireland does get its fair share of rain, as well. (That’s why everything is so green!) It’s wise to pack a rain jacket and waterproof shoes . If you use a backpack to carry your things, consider at least a water-resistant backpack .

No matter what the weather brings, expect to see people out enjoying the beautiful Irish countryside. Being prepared with the right gear will ensure you’re comfortable and dry. You wouldn’t want wet feet or hair to dampen your overall experience!

What If I Have Just 5 or 7 Days in Ireland?

Stagione Stone Fort Ring of Kerry Ireland

If you’re unable to get away for 10 days and instead are putting together a 7-day Ireland itinerary, focus your time in the Irish countryside on 1-2 areas and then save 2 days to explore Dublin.

For example, you could go straight to Kilkenny, then the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey, before moving on towards the Cliffs of Moher and possibly even a day in the Connemara.

You could also focus on Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains, Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashel, and other places of interest in Ireland’s Ancient East like Newgrange in the north or Spike Island to the south.

Another possibility is to make the drive from Dublin Airport to Killarney to enjoy the city and the surrounding area including Killarney National, the Ring of Kerry, the Kerry Cliffs, Skelling Michael, and the Dingle Peninsula.

If you’re hoping for an Ireland itinerary in 5 days, I recommend not renting a car and using 2 of the days to explore Dublin and the other days to take day trips from Dublin to places like the Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough & the Wicklow Mountains, and Northern Ireland.

This will be the best way to maximize your time and see as much as possible without worrying about the logistics of traveling around Ireland.

What Should I Do on a 2 Week Ireland Itinerary?

Sky Loop Scenic Viewpoint Connemara Ireland

If you have more than 10 days in Ireland on your itinerary, you have no shortage of things to see or do.

First, you could easily spend additional days in any of the areas visited as part of this self-drive tour of Ireland. Whether you want to hike in Killarney National Park, visit the Aran or Blasket Islands, or dive deeper into Ireland’s Ancient East or The Burren, there are more places to explore and experiences to have.

This Ireland road trip itinerary doesn’t go further north in Ireland than the Connemara. You could continue on up into the northwestern slice of Ireland stopping at places like the Slieve League Cliffs and the spectacular Malin Head, while driving the Inishowen Peninsula. This would also complete the drive along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

Another idea would be to put together a 1-2 day Northern Ireland road trip itinerary. This would give you plenty of time to visit the Giant’s Causeway, as well as visit places like the Titanic Museum in Belfast and learn about the country’s political strife in a famous Black Cab Tour.

Bottom Line: Plan a Road Trip to Ireland!

Ireland is a beautiful country with a fascinating history, incredible natural landscapes, the nicest people you’ll ever want to meet, of course, the most delicious Guinness!

And a road trip around Ireland is the best way to see and experience all the best things the country has to offer. The only thing that remains is to start planning! 🙂

So, what are your questions about planning an Ireland road trip itinerary?

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The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

May 8, 2024 // by Follow Me Away // 98 Comments

Planning the perfect Ireland road trip itinerary does not have to be stressful or overwhelming.

No matter where you choose to visit in Ireland, you are in for a real treat! There are so many amazing things to do in Ireland ! I love Ireland so much and keep coming back for more!

Planning your trip to Ireland last minute?

Make sure to book your hotels and tours in Ireland in advance to ensure availability! Here are our top picks for your trip!

Top experiences and tours in Ireland:

Cliffs Of Moher + Galway From Dublin (Top pick!)
Guinness Storehouse Ticket (Often sells out)
Northern Ireland tour from Dublin (Highly recommend NI!)
Wicklow Mountains tour from Dublin (Multiple stops!)

Top Hotels In Ireland:

The Dean Cork (Modern with indoor pool)
Jurys Inn Dublin Parnell Street (Over 11,000 reviews + epic location)
The Lodge At Ashford Castle (Pretty and historical)
Slieve Donard (Luxury castle hotel in Northern Ireland!)

I have explored Ireland from top to bottom and have yet to be disappointed by a single place!

Ireland is a diverse country that offers something for everyone and this ultimate Ireland itinerary hits it all.

My Ireland road trip itinerary is written in a clockwise manner around the island, but feel free to modify it or go counter-clockwise if you want!

For this Irish road trip itinerary, I am not specifying an amount of time so that you can make the drive as time allows for your schedule.

If you are planning a trip to Ireland , I am here to help with tips and full itineraries!

Cute, watercolor map of Ireland and Northern Ireland with top attractions and towns labeled.

If you have two weeks, consider spending a few days in each location to take in the gorgeous beaches and beautiful waterfalls in Ireland !

Now, let’s dive into one of the best Ireland driving routes!

Aerial view of a winding coastal, Ireland road with the blue ocean on one side and green fields on the other side.

Begin Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Into Dublin

The Dublin Airport is a major international airport and flights into Ireland are often relatively affordable.

In fact, the reason I went to Ireland on my first trip was because it was so cheap to fly into! I had no clue how amazing the country was and am very glad I went on a whim!

Since you will be renting a car in Ireland , picking up your rental from the Dublin airport is a great and affordable way to go about securing your vehicle.

If you are doing the itinerary counter-clockwise, you will fly into Belfast Airport in Northern Ireland.

Make sure to check out my tips on driving in Ireland .

Early morning at the brick and red-painted Temple Bar in Dublin on an Ireland road trip,

Stop 1: Explore Dublin To Begin Your Ireland Road Trip

Dublin is the largest city in the Republic of Ireland and has so much to do. I recommend a quick stop in Dublin and then getting out to visit the rest of what Ireland has to offer.

No Ireland itinerary would be complete without a stop in Dublin, but the rest of Ireland is much less expensive and way cooler in my opinion!

Spend as long as you like in Dublin but I recommend 1 to 2 nights.

Best Things To Do In Dublin:

Have a Guinness in the Temple Bar area. Temple Bar is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Dublin. It is lively and the perfect place to experience your first Irish pub!

The Temple Bar itself is a great place for dinner and a pint. Even though it is touristy it is still a cool thing to add to your itinerary for Dublin.

Book Here: Dublin: Generation Pub Crawl

Walk through St. Stephens Green. I love nature and St. Stephen’s Green is like the Central Park for Dublin! It is so relaxing and pretty with lots of flowers and walking paths.

Visit Dublin Castle. There is a real castle located in the heart of Dublin! It is the perfect introduction to castles in Ireland!

Visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells. You must pay Trinity College and the famous library a visit when you are in Dublin! It is stunning and unlike anywhere else in the world!

Book Here: Dublin: Fast-Track Book of Kells Ticket & Dublin Castle Tour

Experience the Guinness Storehouse. If you love beer, visiting the Guinness Storehouse is the best possible way to start your Ireland itinerary. You get beer included and will learn about the history!

Book Here: Dublin: Guinness Storehouse Entry Ticket

Where To Stay In Dublin

Dublin has a shortage of hotel rooms and as a result, they can be expensive! I recommend spending a shorter amount of time in Dublin to save money.

I have an entire post detailing where to stay in Dublin if you want more information.

Best Hotels in Dublin:

Mid-Range: Academy Plaza Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com
Luxury: The Westbury Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

View down the Long Hall in Trinity College in Dublin with a high, curved ceiling and two stories of bookshelves and busts of people.

Stop 2: Enjoy Rock of Cashel And Hore Abbey

I did the Rock of Cashel as a day stop on my way from Dublin to Cork, but you can spend the night in the area if you want more time to explore. Rock of Cashel is very popular for a good reason!

It is an epic ruin set on the top of a hill surrounded by sheep. Does it get any more Irish than that? This is a fun place to stop when driving through Ireland!

Overcast day over the stone Rock of Cashel with gravestones.

There is an entrance fee to visit the Rock of Cashel. However, the outside is the best part and a dream for photographers!

If you are looking to get off the beaten path, visit the nearby Hore Abbey instead. You can see Hore Abbey from the Rock of Cashel but significantly fewer people visit there.

Hore is Gaelic for grey, which is the color the nuns wore back in the day. The abbey ruins are magnificent!

The view of the Rock Of Cashel from Hore Abbey and the field beside it is worth making this a stop on your road trip of Ireland itinerary.

Best Hotels Near Rock of Cashe l:

Affordable: Cashel Town BnB . Check Rates: Booking.com
Mid-Range: Baileys Hotel Cashel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Overcast day at the stone ruins of Hore Abbey during an Ireland road trip.

Stop 3: Visit Ireland’s Ancient East

Cork is just a few hours away from Dublin and is worth a stop on your Ireland road trip itinerary. It is close to many of the top stops in Ireland’s Ancient East. You will not be disappointed!

See Cobh During Your Ireland Road Trip

When visiting Cork, you must make the 30-minute drive to the colorful town of Cobh! It is one of the prettiest towns in Ireland and a must-see during your trip!

Cobh was the last stop the Titanic made before crossing the Atlantic. If you’re interested in the history of this doomed ship, check out the amazing Titanic Museum.

While in Cobh, visit the church high on the hill and explore the colorful local neighborhoods. While the town is small, there are quite a lot of things to do in Cobh for a fun day trip!

Best Hotels in Cobh:

Mid-Range: Commodore Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com
Mid-Range: WatersEdge Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Woman in a dress in front of the colorful card houses and the cathedral in Cobh, Ireland.

Kiss The Blarney Stone

Kissing the iconic Blarney Stone is one of the most popular and unique things to do in Ireland. The stone is found in Blarney Castle on the sprawling Blarney Estate right outside of Cork.

The estate is massive and you could spend an entire day there. I recommend budgeting at least 3 hours to kiss the Blarney Stone, explore the Blarney Manor where the family lived, and explore the landscaped grounds.

You must stop here when driving around Ireland!

Book Here: Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour from Dublin

Best Hotels Near Blarney Castle:

Mid-Range: Blarney Castle Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com
Mid-Range: Maranatha Country House . Check Rates: Booking.com

Woman in a dress in front of the stone Blarney Castle House on a sunny day.

Stop 4: Drive The Ring Of Kerry

No road trip around Ireland is complete without a drive on the famed Ring of Kerry!

Please note that the Ring of Kerry is quite a harrowing drive with extremely narrow roads. There are also large tour buses that go by quickly so you must be very careful.

If you see a car coming down the road, it is best to pull over and wait for it to pass before proceeding. This is one of my top tips for road trips in Ireland.

Visit Kerry Cliffs

The Kerry Cliffs are like a miniature version of the Cliffs of Moher. They are located in the middle of the Ring of Kerry along the Skellig Ring.

The Skellig Ring is a short circle drive at the end of the Ring of Kerry. It is easy to spot with many signs. You can even see the Skellig Islands, where Star Wars was filmed, from the Kerry Cliffs!

The Kerry Cliffs are home to many seabirds and make for a wonderful walk to explore the cliffs during your Ireland itinerary.

Book Here: From Killarney: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Tour

Rugged Kerry Cliffs with bright blue water below and green fields at the top.

Ride The Car Ferry To Valentia Island

Valentia Island is located near the Kerry Cliffs and is a must-see on a Ring of Kerry road trip. If you drive the Skellig Ring, Valentia Island is less than 2 km away!

The island is home to a stunning lighthouse and quaint seaside towns. Valentia Island can be accessed near Kerry Cliffs by a bridge or by a ferry on the other end of the island.

I recommend arriving on the island by the bridge and exciting by the car ferry which has a small fee. It is a fun and unique thing to do on an Ireland road trip!

Aerial image of a white lighthouse on a rugged rock outcropping on Valentia Island.

Where To Stay On The Ring of Kerry

There are a ton of fantastic places to stay along the Ring of Kerry for all budgets. No matter where you stay, you will be close to nature. This makes getting around Ireland by car so easy.

Mid-Range: Valhalla BnB . Check Rates: Booking.com
Luxury: Parknasilla Resort & Spa . Check Rates: Booking.com

Sunset aerial photo of the Parknasilla Resort & Spa on the water with green trees all around.

Stop 5: Explore Killarney

Killarney is one of my absolute favorite places to visit in Ireland ! The city is vibrant and welcoming with breathtaking scenery.

Killarney is a wonderful place to stop on your Ireland road trip because the area is so diverse and truly has so much to offer!

Best Things To Do In Killarney:

Muckross House and Killarney House . These beautiful, historic homes are located in the Killarney area and are both fascinating places to visit.

Muckross House is located a bit out of the city and can be quite busy. The grounds are stunning!

Killarney House is located in the heart of Downtown Killarney. You are free to walk in and out of the grounds as you please!

Torc Waterfall. This pretty waterfall is a unique stop on your road trip in Ireland!

It is located right off the main road and is an easy walk to visit. It is a must-see because of how unique it is! Torc Waterfall tops my list of the best hikes in Ireland !

Ross Castle. This castle is beautiful and easy to get to. It is located in the heart of Killarney on a lake.

It is completely free to visit the castle and view it from the outside. There is a fee if you want to go inside, but I think the best views are from the outside near the lake!

Killarney National Park. The town of Killarney is located right on Killarney National Park and there is so much to see and do.

I recommend driving through the Gap of Dunloe and seeing Ladies View during your Ireland road trip.

Book Here: Killarney: Killarney National Park Private Tour

Young woman standing next to a river and the stone Ross Castle on a cloudy day.

Where To Stay In Killarney

Killarney has plenty of lodging options! It is quite a popular town and for good reason! Here are some of my recommendations for where to stay in Killarney during your Ireland road trip.

Best Hotels in Killarney:

Mid-Range: The Brehon & Spa . Check Prices: Booking.com
Luxury: Aghadoe Heights . Check Prices: Booking.com

Aerial view of an orange sunset over the quaint town of Killarney with a church on an Ireland road trip.

Stop 5: Visit the Dingle Peninsula

I have done multiple Ireland road trips around the entire country and the Dingle Peninsula is one of the most spectacular places! It will beat all of your prior expectations and the views go for miles!

This is one area where you will want time to enjoy everything so think about extending your Ireland road trip for longer in Dingle!

Must-See Stops On The Dingle Peninsula:

Slea Head Drive . This is one of the most epic things to do on your Ireland road trip. This loop drive starts and ends in the town of Dingle.

It offers stunning cliffs, Star Wars movie locations, mountains, quaint towns, and breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. You will love discovering the best stops on Slea Head Drive !

Dunquin Pier. This is an iconic postcard destination on the Dingle Peninsula. It is located in the town of Dunquin on the Slea Head Drive loop and is a ferry pier.

It is quite a good photo location for catching the sunset. You will have lots of fun walking down to the water.

Connor’s Pass . This is the highest pass in Ireland and a wonderful addition to your itinerary. Be prepared for slow driving and very narrow roads.

Conner’s Pass is beautiful but the roads are quite thin so be sure to pull over well in advance for any oncoming traffic.

Dingle Town. The town of Dingle is a must-see on your Ireland road trip because it is so cute and centrally located. There is so much to see and do!

Walk around the shops and grab an ice cream while you enjoy the waterfront.

Book Here: Ireland: Dingle Peninsula Day Tour

Woman walking the stone path at Dunquin Pier. with rugged rocks in the ocean.

Where To Stay In Dingle

Dingle is a wonderful and quaint place to stay in Ireland. There are a bunch of nice hotels and cute bed and breakfasts.

Best Hotels in Dingle:

Mid-Range: The Lighthouse . Check Rates: Booking.com
Luxury: Dingle Benners Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Colorful, wooden boats docked in the Dingle harbor.

Stop 6: Check The Cliffs of Moher Off Your Bucket List

Is there anything more iconically Irish than the Cliffs of Moher? Even if you don’t generally like to do “touristy” things, the Cliffs of Moher are a must on the best Ireland vacation itinerary!

I recommend budgeting at least 2 hours to see the Cliffs of Moher. Seeing these gorgeous cliffs in person will blow your mind and exceed your expectations!

You can also stop by the Visitor Center for some education and also grab a bite to eat before heading out to the views!

This is one of the more dangerous things you will do on your Ireland road trip, so make sure that you practice extreme caution!

Book Here: Galway: Gaze Across the Stunning Cliffs of Moher and Burren

There are a lot of fabulous Irish Castle Hotels near the Cliffs of Moher if you are looking for a unique place to stay!

Stormy sunset over the ocean and the Cliffs of Moher.

Stop 7: Drop By Doolin For Irish Charm

Doolin is an adorable town just 10 minutes north of the Cliffs of Moher. If you are already visiting the cliffs on your Ireland road trip, I recommend a quick stop in Doolin too.

Doolin is a cute little town with iconic pink houses, an adorable downtown, a castle turret, and a lovely harbor.

While in Doolin, take a day trip to the nearby Aran Islands. You can catch an affordable ferry from Doolin, and it is a short boat ride to the islands!

These islands are a unique and beautiful place to see when you travel Ireland by car!

Best Hotels in Doolin:

Affordable: Mountain Aven Guest House . Check Rates: Booking.com
Luxury: Doolin Village Lodges . Check Rates: Booking.com

Woman in a flowing floral dress walking down the street in Doolin next to colorful buildings.

Stop 8: Experience Westport And Achill Island

I love getting off the beaten path and there is no better place to do that than Westport and the nearby Achill Island. Westport is an adorable town in Co. Mayo with so much to offer.

Visit Westport House and see their falcon demonstration or take a bike ride through neighboring towns. Westport House is where famed pirate Grace O’Malley lived and you can go into a real dungeon too!

I highly recommend a day trip to the nearby Achill Island or even staying a night here. Achill Island is pristine Irish beauty at its best with white sand beaches, mountain lakes, and cute towns.

You can even go surfing, paddle boarding, or snorkeling on Achill Island if you want more adventure!

Make sure to check out the other great things to do in Co. Mayo !

Best Hotels In Westport:

Affordable: Plougastel House B&B . Check Rates: Booking.com
Mid-Range: The Wyatt Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hotels on Achill Island:

Affordable: Murrayville B&B . Check Rates: Booking.com
Affordable: Hy Breasal B&B . Check Rates: Booking.com

Young woman sitting on a stone fence next to a pond overlooking the Westport House on a fall overcast day.

Stop 9: Explore The Slieve League Cliffs And Bad Eddie’s Boat In Co. Donegal

Co. Donegal, Ireland’s northernmost county, is known as its most “wild.” This isn’t a place most people visit on their Ireland road trip, but I have gone and highly recommend it.

You will love exploring the best things to do in Donegal !

This is real and unspoiled Ireland, far away from tourists. This is where you will find sheep wandering in the road with no fences to keep them in.

Best Things To Do In Co. Donegal

Slieve League Cliffs . This is a must for your Ireland road trip itinerary because they are one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe (second only to the cliffs on Achill Island).

The cliffs are located in the southern end of Donegal. You can drive to them and walk the rest of the way.

The views are incredible and you will hardly see another tourist in sight. After the busy Cliffs of Moher, this is a more relaxed portion of your Ireland itinerary.

Bad Eddie’s Shipwreck. Once you leave Slieve League, make your way up to Bunbeg, where you will find a shipwreck on the beach. This is an old wooden shipwreck located on a beach you can drive on!

It is so cool to get up close and personal with an actual shipwreck on a beach!

Glenveagh National Park. This park is the epitome of wild Irish landscapes. If you love mountains, this is the place for you!

Make sure to leave time to drive through the national park or walk up one of the mountains! This is another one of the lesser-known things to do on your Ireland itinerary that you will love!

Malin Head. Malin Head is the northernmost point of Ireland. It offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean with many sea cliffs and beaches to explore.

Malin Head is also a Star Wars filming location so if you love the movies, this will be a must-see stop on your Ireland road trip!

View looking down at the Slieve League Cliffs with blue water and rugged cliffs on a partly cloudy day.

Stop 10: Finish Your Ireland Road Trip By Exploring Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is much less visited than the Republic of Ireland but the country is so beautiful you must take time to visit here. There are amazing things to do in Northern Ireland !

Belfast is located less than 2 hours from Dublin, so if you are flying out of Dublin after your Ireland road trip, you can spend a night or two in Belfast or Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast.

Explore The Causeway Coast

The Causeway Coast is a stunning coastal drive that offers everything from pristine white sand beaches to castles perched high on the edge of cliffs!

The stops listed below are all close to one another so you can easily see them in one day. There is so much to do on a Northern Ireland road trip, but here are a few top Causeway Coast attractions.

Dunluce Castle. This age-old castle ruin is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Could it get any more stunning than that? The castle is steeped in history and bloodshed. It makes for fantastic photos!

Giant’s Causeway. This is a spectacular ode to nature with hexagonal, basalt rocks pushing up from the ocean. Make sure to go early in the morning to beat the tour buses.

Dark Hedges. This hedgerow leads to an old manor house and became popular after being featured in Game Of Thrones . Like Giant’s Causeway, make sure to go early or late to beat the tourists.

Mussenden Temple. This temple is perched on a cliff in Northern Ireland overlooking a perfect stretch of white sand beach. It is a fantastic place to catch the sunset.

Game Of Thrones Doors. If you are into Game Of Thrones , you’ll want to search out some of the Game Of Thrones Doors ! There are many located along the Causeway Coast in bars and hotels.

Book Here: From Belfast: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour

Book Here: Dublin: Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce & Belfast Tour

Figure in a yellow raincoat standing on a grass hill overlooking the stone ruins of the Dunluce Castle on the coast during an Ireland road trip.

Best Things to Do in Belfast

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is located under 2 hours from all the best nature Northern Ireland has to offer.

If you add Belfast to your driving itinerary for Ireland, check out the Titanic Museum Experience and walk around the Titanic Quarter. Interestingly, Belfast is where the Titanic was built and originally set sail.

Belfast is also home to the buzzing Cathedral Quarter. This is the perfect place for a bite to eat or a drink at one of the many pubs. If you have time, take a pub tour or walking tour around Belfast.

Book Here: Belfast: The Titanic Experience with SS Nomadic Visit

Best Hotels in Belfast:

Mid-Range: Ramada by Wyndham Belfast . Check Rates: Booking.com
Mid-Range: Bullitt Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com
Luxury: The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast . Check Rates: Booking.com

Beautiful Belfast City Hall with towers and a dome.

End Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Out Of Dublin Or Belfast

Eventually, your car trip in Ireland must come to an end. Either fly out of Dublin or Belfast.

If you fly out of Dublin, I highly recommend staying outside of the city and then driving in on the day of your flight. This will save you from going back to Dublin and will save you money on a hotel as well.

Ireland Road Trip Map

If you want to see what it all looks like on paper, here is your Ireland road trip map!

Unfortunately, Google Maps only lets us put 10 destinations, so we weren’t able to capture all the small stops like Cobh or Slieve League Cliffs.

This is the general idea of where the route will take you when you visit Ireland by car.

Google Maps image of the Ireland road trip starting in Dublin and ending in Belfast.

This Ireland road trip itinerary showcases the best attractions in the country. You will see popular things as well as hidden gems in Ireland ! There is something for everyone!

I hope you have learned how to plan a trip to Ireland.

If this is your first time in Ireland, read up on the best time to visit Ireland next.

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Reader Interactions

June 14, 2018 at 7:11 pm

I’ve followed you away for several years now and I think this is the best one yet. Be safe while traveling.

June 18, 2018 at 3:06 pm

Thank you so much! This means so much to us!

February 15, 2019 at 5:41 pm

What timeframe was this completed in, My wife and I are coming to Ireland for 10 days.

February 15, 2019 at 8:12 pm

You can do it in 10 days if you spend one day in each. I would recommend skipping Ring Of Kerry and Donegal if you want this itinerary in a more relaxed time frame!

February 15, 2019 at 8:18 pm

We will be there for 10 days and will need to return to Dublin

Any specific landmark/ site that are a “must” is appreciated.

Also want to see a few of the Great Lighthouses

August 5, 2019 at 5:07 am

Please add Inishowen Peninsula (Malin Head) to your map then take the Greencastle ferry to the causeway coast. We are always forgotten by the tourist and is winning the loto but forgot to claim the prize.

April 14, 2019 at 7:04 am

Nice itinerary, and the watercolour is beautiful but there are so many inaccuracies and spelling errors

April 14, 2019 at 1:38 pm

Hello! What was inaccurate? We would love to correct it! Thanks!

June 3, 2019 at 10:02 pm

We have 6-7 days what do you recommend.

June 19, 2018 at 11:04 pm

Victoria, this is the most comprehensive list I’ve ever seen. Will refer to it if I ever have the opportunity to travel to Ireland. Thank you for this.

June 21, 2018 at 1:45 am

Great trip , but you should visit Bunratty Castle for a medieval banquet and folk park a great nights entertainment

June 21, 2018 at 5:07 am

Have always wanted to tour Ireland. Your list is great, I know it will come in handy once i get the chance to visit. Amazing photos too.

June 22, 2018 at 9:29 pm

Awesome! I wish I knew more about Ireland to know for sure where to go, but I thought this definitely helped for my future road trip! ?

May 15, 2019 at 11:34 pm

I am landing in Dublin on 26 Dec and leaving on 11jan. My gf wants to stay in a city until 1jan so I was wondering if the itinerary can be completed in 10 days? Especially with daylight hours being so short. And is it advisable to stay in Dublin for 5 days? Thank you!

June 23, 2018 at 2:45 am

Your photos are incredible! I’ve only been to Dublin but this has me itching to go back! Great post!

June 23, 2018 at 2:53 am

Great blog. We loved Kerry and Dingle although didn’t know about Cobh. A definite visit next time. Thanks for sharing your itinerary.

June 23, 2018 at 12:06 pm

I did an Ireland road trip in 2003 with my mom and have been wanting to return ever since! Dingle was my favorite!

June 23, 2018 at 4:49 pm

This is a great itinerary! And very similar to the road trip I just did in Ireland last week with my mom and sister! Our favorites were the Rock of Cashel and Cobh, I think, along with having tea at Ashford Castle!

June 25, 2018 at 12:56 pm

We LOVED Cobh and Rock Of Cashel too! And Dingle! We really wanted to do Ashford Castle but didn’t get around to it!

June 23, 2018 at 10:55 pm

What a brilliant resource! I can’t believe I’ve still never been to Ireland, but I’d love to do a road trip like this!

Thank you so much! Ireland is an amazing place to road trip!

July 15, 2018 at 12:07 pm

I’ve always wanted to do a trip to Ireland. I will surely have this one on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your itinerary! Definitely one to steal 🙂

July 16, 2018 at 1:23 pm

Thank you!! Have fun in Ireland when you go!

August 4, 2018 at 11:14 pm

Fabulous itinerary!!! This is pretty much what we will follow for our second trip to Ireland. Two things you could include that are not to be missed: Kylemore Abbey which is just stunning and staying at Ballynahinch Castle which was also incredible and surprisingly inexpensive. Thank you for all of the tips!

November 24, 2018 at 1:30 pm

Hi! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post about your trip. I will be traveling to Ireland this summer. I was wondering, is it necessary to rent a car to do a trip like this? I’ve heard mixed reviews about car rentals in Ireland and am unsure what to do! There will be 4 of us going. Any advice is appreciated 🙂

November 24, 2018 at 3:12 pm

Hello! Thank you! Sadly yes, to do this trip you must rent a car. That being said, there are some day tours from Dublin that go to many of the areas in this list except Donegal. They are pretty affordable and we recommend some here: https://www.followmeaway.com/day-tours-from-dublin/ Renting a car allows freedom BUT if you do we recommend taking pictures and a walk around video when you get the car so you aren’t taken advantage of by the rental companies. The driving on the “wrong” side of the road really isn’t that difficult and you will get the hang with slow and cautious driving!

January 1, 2019 at 6:12 pm

Hi! This trip looks amazing,do you have a link you re able to provide to the google maps screen shot you posted? My family and I are looking to do an 8 day road trip in August.

January 12, 2019 at 12:25 pm

My friends and I will be visiting Ireland in March and would like to do a road trip. Can you provide me with a link to the google maps screen shot you posted? If not, maybe a list of places you stopped?

January 12, 2019 at 10:24 pm

Hello! Yes I have to recreate a better one! Can you email me [email protected]

January 23, 2019 at 2:32 pm

I sent you my email, but have not received the link to the google maps screen shot you posted.

February 7, 2019 at 11:22 am

This was super interesting and informative- thank you! My partner and I are considering this trip in the Springtime, does anyone have insight as to what we can expect budget-wise?

March 8, 2019 at 3:41 pm

I’ve been trying to plan a trip of a lifetime my husband & I will be taking in October…right after he retires on the 1st. We have purchased our plane tickets & plan to stay for 3 weeks. How do we plan reservations for lodging, without staying at 21 places & keeping a strict schedule? Is there a way we can plan to do it in segments, staying in one place & making day trips for several days & then moving on to the next section of the trip? Is there someone you can recommend that could help us do This? I don’t want to blow this special trip because of poor planning…I want no regrets! Your blog is the most concise & so enjoyable-any help would be so appreciated!

July 17, 2019 at 4:39 pm

I can help you out.

I ran into your comment here and think your post is so nice and am really happy your going to spend some time in Ireland. Its really beautiful here. I am a Canadian living in Belfast currently and have been doing a lot of research on travel around Ireland and have covered most of the island already. I can make you an itinerary tailored to things you might like no problem let me know.

Maybe leave your email here that way i can get in touch with you if you would like the help.

Best, Hannah

October 27, 2019 at 9:33 pm

I could really use some help! Me, my 2 sons and one of their girlfriends will be visiting my daughter in Ireland in a couple weeks? I have never done this and am trying to read blogs like this and create an itinerary. If you have any advice on maps to download or rental car advice I would so appreciate it! I am confusing myself on how many nights to stay at one place!! We have 7nights. Flying in and out of Dublin. My daughter is studying abroad in Gallway. She plans to meet us in Dublin and we will road trip to Gallway for the week. I appreciate any help! Thank you! Maureen

October 27, 2019 at 11:04 pm

I would recommend Dublin, Galway, and one other place such as Dingle/Killarney!!! Car rental you can get something affordable just make sure to take photos of the car to ensure you aren’t being scammed!!

March 9, 2019 at 7:06 am

Hi, Super post. We are planning a trip this June and would highly appreciate the link to the Google maps itinerary. Many thanks.

March 17, 2019 at 12:06 am

We are planning to spend about 3 weeks (August 20-September 6) and this itinerary is incredibly helpful. Thanks so much! My husband’s great-great grandfather is from Newry, County Down in Northern Ireland, so we will add that to the trip, and maybe find more information…Americans hunting for their Irish roots.

March 18, 2019 at 2:55 pm

Have so much fun!!

April 7, 2019 at 1:22 am

thanks for the wonderful information and it will be most helpful in September when I travel with my Mom for a 2 week Ireand/Scotland trip. I am starting to get excited now. flights are booked and have booked a B & B for our first couple of nights in Dublin,

Your map and itinerary is so spot on and has helped immensely with my plans for Ireland. I will most definatley be visiting Norther Ireland after reading your information.

Do you have any suggetions for a similar trip to Scotland? 5-6 days?

April 8, 2019 at 3:09 pm

Lori… just saw your post… my husband and 2 adult daughters are looking to travel to Scotland/Ireland in September… are you traveling to Scotland first? I’m just in the beginning stages of planning our trip… wondered what you have found? Places to stay?

May 14, 2019 at 11:33 pm

Shelly. I am sorry it took so long to reply! We are traveling to Ireland first. Round trip to Dublin was cheaper from Canada. We will take a quick cheap flight to Edinburgh for the remainder of the trip.

I have been booking B&B through Booking.com and finding an average of $120 Canadian per stay. What have you planned so far for Scotland?

April 16, 2019 at 7:47 pm

Could you post a map or directions leaving Dublin working up to Derry and back down to Dublin? I have enjoyed your blog and will be reading for new helpful hints. Thanks for sharing.

April 18, 2019 at 4:41 pm

Hello Donna!

We have never been to Derry in Ireland just yet so we can’t share a post featuring that location. Hopefully we will visit soon!

April 21, 2019 at 10:32 am

Hi this itinerary is wonderful and very detailed. My husband and I are traveling to Dublin in late November for 7 days. I read that during winter a lot of attractions are closed. Any recommendations for us of places not to missed and how can we do a shorter itinerary since be have to flight back home from Dublin.

April 29, 2019 at 9:35 pm

Hello!! Sounds like an amazing trip! I would recommend doing a loop of the southern Irish coast and western. So essentially when you get to the “cliffs of moher’ section of this itinerary that is when you are done and you head back to Dublin. So for 7 days in winter we recommend to stop on this itinerary at Cliffs Of Moher. That should be plenty to see and do and still have things that are open!

April 30, 2019 at 8:09 am

What a great itinerary! Our family is having a debate about our December Christmas holiday and it’s between Ireland (my choice) and Estonia (my husband’s). Armed with this wonderful road trip, I have a much better idea of where to go, stay and what sights to see. I even have to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to win the debate, so this helps me soooo much! We have two teenage daughters so we will be looking for family type accommodation. Any recommendations on what type of vehicle to hire that will be suitable for 4 people, luggage and the roads in Ireland?

April 30, 2019 at 1:14 pm

We recommend renting a hybrid SUV. Just toggle that “on” when searching for a car. Tell your girls this is an EPIC place to visit, especially for teens! The sights are totally amazing and you guys should 100% go to Ireland! There is something for everyone

May 3, 2019 at 11:59 pm

Hey! I am hoping to visit Ireland next year. I will have graduated from college but will only be 18. I understand that I can’t rent a car until I’m older. Are there any bus lines I can take? Hoping to spend 2 weeks there.

May 4, 2019 at 12:37 pm

Sometimes you are able to rent a car under 25 and just pay a higher fee than anyone else. Have you checked into that option? There are a variety of tours and also trains that go around Ireland! So you do have options. It isn’t the most public transport friendly place in the world but there are options

May 8, 2019 at 1:13 pm

Hello there,

thoroughly enjoyed reading your itinerary. Can you please let us know which all cities/places you have opted to stay in the nights and what was the duration of each stays? if you can provide some tip on recommended hotels that would be great.

we are having a trip coming up in next 10 days, with two toddlers

your help is really appreciated.

May 13, 2019 at 6:33 pm

Hey ! enticing write up 🙂 I just booked a 5 day trip for July. Wonder if you could help with a crash course here to plan my route. We will self drive, and I have Belfast on my mind followed by the expansive ocean drives. So mostly chasing vistas and landscapes (don’t mind the occasional historic sites en route) Many thanks in advance.

May 14, 2019 at 10:18 pm

This looks amazing. Unfortunately, we arrive in Dublin on Monday and fly home via Dublin the following Tuesday early morning. Would you recommend an abbreviated itinerary? My husband was thinking we should spend Monday night and Tuesday night in Dublin, heading out for our drive early Wednesday morning, returning to Dublin on Monday night (late is ok).

May 14, 2019 at 11:04 pm

Hello!! YES! A good shorter itinerary is to simply cut off at the Cliffs Of Moher! so do the entire itinerary from the beginning and after COM you just return back to Dublin. So you leave Dublin, head down to Cork and Cobh, then over to Killarney, then Dingle, then Cliffs Of Moher. If you have to shorten this even more I recommend leaving off Killarney and heading straight to Dingle. It is TRUE Ireland and you will love it!

May 20, 2019 at 1:27 pm

Hello, thank you for this itinerary. I am thinking of a surprise trip for my husband to Ireland. Question – when is the best time to plan a road trip like this for weather and can this be done in two weeks and not feel too rushed . plan is for year 2020. Thank you again for posting this

May 20, 2019 at 2:50 pm

We personally LOVED fall in Ireland! September and October were wonderful. Spring is also a great time, Late March and April. We recommend avoiding the end of May and early June as there are multiple bank holidays in Ireland and the UK and it makes things crazy busy! Just look up the bank holiday schedule for 2020 and avoid that time. Ireland is amazing all year!

May 23, 2019 at 8:04 am

Hi. Your itinerary is a great help. We are traveling in July and are flying into Dublin and driving straight to Kilkenny..1 night, Blarney..1 night, Killarney..2 nights, Galway..3 nights and back to Dublin..3 nights. Are those good places to stay for the nights?

May 28, 2019 at 5:40 am

Ireland is on top of my bucket list. Even though I couldn’t make it yet, I’m pretty sure to visit it in the nearest future. Looks stunning in pictures, so I can only imagine how much more beautiful it is in reality. Thank you for sharing your amazing experience. I’ve just lived through your travels.

June 9, 2019 at 6:43 am

Thank you SO MUCH for this itinerary! My traveling partner and I were spending hours searching for things to see as we began mapping out a plan when I decided to Google “Ireland mapped trip”. What a find! By the way, do you know you have two Stop 5s?

June 9, 2019 at 2:48 pm

UGH!!! no i didn’t know that! I will go fix straight away! And this is amazing to hear I’m glad we can help! We totally LOVE Ireland so much!

June 9, 2019 at 10:38 pm

Was parking an issue anywhere or was it easy to find places to park?

June 9, 2019 at 11:19 pm

It was very easy to find pretty much everywhere! It is wonderful!

June 22, 2019 at 8:14 am

I’m an American driver. How difficult is it to acclimate to driving this suggested itinerary ?

June 22, 2019 at 12:36 pm

It isn’t too difficult at all! You begin on the interstate which is actually easier than on the 2 lane roads so you can get a gist of it. JUST GO SLOWWWWW. If you are traveling with someone else task them to remind you when it comes to turning and such. Otherwise just be careful and think. You just have to get back in the mindset of when you were learning to drive. You had to think about each step. That is how it is here for a day or two! But it is easy you got this!

June 27, 2019 at 10:53 am

Hi – This itinerary is really helpful, appreciate your efforts. I plan to visit Ireland this August. My cousin lives in Cork and we plan to stay there towards the end of our trip.Do you see any issues taking the reverse route…Dublin, Belfast, Cork back to Dublin. Please let me know. Thank you.

June 27, 2019 at 10:07 pm

Nope!! Belfast is real close to Dublin so its only around 1.5 hour drive!! Really nice!

July 3, 2019 at 2:00 pm

Thank you, One more query – if I have 3 nights to cover from Dublin to Dingle via Belfast/cliffs of Moher etc, which are the best places/towns to stay to be able to cover the best along this route ? Please suggest, thank you again.

July 3, 2019 at 5:15 pm

If you have three nights we recommend possibly skipping Belfast and going straight to Cliffs Of Moher and staying nearby Cliffs of Moher then possibly staying in Limerick which is a really cute area!!

July 2, 2019 at 7:09 am

This looks amazing we are crossing by ferry from Liverpool on 10th of July and returning 23rd July 2019. Looking forward to doing most of these places.

July 13, 2019 at 8:02 am

It will be our very first trip to Ireland. I checked out quite a few ideas for Ireland but yours was the best I have come across. But we have only 8 days from Dublin to Dublin. I am a bit confused as to what we should drop and what is a must do. I do want to visit Doolin, Dingle and even Westport but how do i plan it. Can you suggest some tweaks. I am really looking forward to a great time.

July 13, 2019 at 2:45 pm

That is a great itinerary! I would recommend going:

Dublin> Cork

Cork>Dingle

Dingle> cliffs of moher and doolin

Cliffs of Moher to Westport

Westport back to Dublin

That is how I would space it out and you will see A LOT! So on the way down SKIP ring of Kerry and Killarney!

July 17, 2019 at 10:43 pm

My husband and I will be going to Ireland in August and have given ourselves 3 weeks approximately. Staying in Meath for 4 days for a christening. Twhile there were going to visit Donegal area etc. we have booked Kilkenny for a couple of nights before heading off, where would you suggest next? We leave the 13th Aug so I need to book ASAP

July 20, 2019 at 2:45 pm

Very interesting subject and posts. I am going next week, for 4 days only, and it will only be the Republic of Ireland. Would you mind to to help me with a route for 4 days?

Much appreciated,

July 20, 2019 at 3:38 pm

Would highly recommend Dublin, Cork/Cobh, and Cliffs of Moher. It will be a lot of driving! Alternatively you can do Dublin with day trips to Howth and Bray and perhaps a tour to Cliffs Of Moher!

July 23, 2019 at 2:26 pm

Thank you for this itinerary. We’re traveling next year and I’m putting together a 14 day trip. I believe you have chosen well and I’m going to use this for a model. Love your beautiful photos too.

July 23, 2019 at 2:38 pm

Thank you so much!!! Have so much fun in Ireland!

April 9, 2022 at 11:52 am

just curious … how much you are estimating for the trip… money wise>>>>

August 10, 2019 at 8:44 pm

You forgot Dingle. Amazing people and awesome nightlife of traditional music. Go to Dick Mack’s, it’s across the street from the church.❤️

August 12, 2019 at 7:16 am

Dingle is totally included on this itinerary!!!! Thanks!

September 18, 2019 at 4:09 pm

Beautiful pictures. Thank you for a great plan! We have 9 days before a cruise so have to get to Southampton at the end of the road trip. Flying into London and can take a flight to Ireland. Where would you suggest starting? On our cruise we have one day in Dublin and one day in Belfast….surely not enough so want to see more of the country. Have you bookmarked for ideas!

September 19, 2019 at 11:48 am

Thank you!!! So you will be there for 9 days? You can easily do Killarney, Dingle and Cliffs Of Moher with TONS of time to spare!

September 24, 2019 at 2:24 pm

Great information! We are planning an Ireland trip in 2021 We are thinking of around 14 days Flying into and out of Dublin. Thinking about spending more time in each city but after Westport driving back to Dublin and skipping the northern part of your itinerary.Your thoughts? Also we plan on using your suggested hotels What time of year is best? Least rain Thank you

September 25, 2019 at 8:55 am

Yep!!!! 10000% think that is a GREAT itinerary and will give you great time to enjoy each area. Don’t miss Westport area as it is a lesser known part of the country so you will get the best of both worlds! We REALLY enjoyed being there in late april/early May as well as the fall in October/September. Avoid summer as all of the UK is on bank holiday and then Ireland has bank holiday and it is a crazy mess!!

September 25, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Hello. I just returned from Ireland yesterday after a 5-day trip. I used Victoria and Terrence’s post to plan my itinerary. This was an awesome road trip. We went to most places recommended by you + more! In our 5-day trip, we drove 1400 kilometers (870 miles!). It was great! Thank you for the post (and for recommending the ice cream).

September 29, 2019 at 1:26 pm

Thanks Rhonda! We are SO GLAD you had an amazing time! The ice cream in Ireland is just so good right?!

November 18, 2019 at 7:29 am

I was so inspired by your Blog, that I booked tickets for my husband and I to visit Ireland in the Spring. I wanted to ask if you could provide a link to the google maps screenshot? Also, I know you mentioned that you did not want to give specific days/times to spend for each stop and leave it to our discretion, but I would love to get your opinion on where we should stop and stay overnight versus where to just pit stop on the road trip. Any feedback would be appreciated, I’m currently in the process of looking up places to stay.

November 19, 2019 at 9:03 pm

Hey!!!! YES I can but I couldn’t put all the stops sadly so it would be better to do it yourself! As far as spending the night I recommend Dublin, Cork/Blarney/Cobh area [all within 30-ish min so anywhere there can be fine!] then you can do Dingle AND Killarney or just one. If you can just do one I recommend Dingle. Then stay near Cliffs Of Moher. Then stay near Westport or Achill Island. Then stay somewhere in Donegal. Then stay near the Antrim Coast or in Belfast for day trips! I hope this helps! This is if you want to do the FULL itinerary!

November 19, 2019 at 10:20 pm

I would loveee to do it all! Do you think it is doable in 7 days?

November 20, 2019 at 2:43 pm

I think it is doable but I don’t think you would enjoy yourself! I would choose either the top half of the bottom half. Meaning you either END with Cliffs of Moher [Dingle, Cobh, Cork etc] or your start where this itinerary starts with cliffs of moher and do Westpoert/Donegal/Northern Ireland. Just take half the itinerary for 7 days if you don’t want to rush about!

December 5, 2019 at 1:54 pm

Hi, many thanks for publishing your fabulous trip. Four of us are arriving in Belfast, staying 2 nights and then hiring a car to tour the west coast and over to Dublin. We will have 7 days before returning to Belfast for one night and then flying home. We will take in your recommendations for places of interest, the only thing I have not yet been able to establish is whether crossing the border is allowed by the car hire company, any ideas? Thanks

December 7, 2019 at 7:52 pm

Yep!!! It is usually always allowed with no issues!! If you are very worried, simply email or call to be sure for peace of mind! But never had any issues! Have fun!

January 5, 2020 at 11:38 pm

Omg this was so helpful! Now I’m thinking of changing the itinerary we had planned for 7 nights in June. We have hotels booked for : 1. Dublin 2. Cork 3. Killarney 4. Galway 5. Bunratty Castle for my 2 year olds birthday + an Irish night 6. Kilkea Castle for a wedding 7. Dublin Galway wasn’t even on your list! Maybe Dingle instead?? So hard to choose!

February 21, 2020 at 12:12 am

Hi… we will be in Ireland for 5 days in late Aug… we’re renting a car and starting in Dublin. I know we can’t do it all, but what route would you suggest? Thanks. David

December 9, 2020 at 1:05 pm

Amazing pics and list! Do you recommend booking all lodging beforehand or could we just do it as we travel around? Was just thinking that would give us freedom to stay where and when we wanted rather than sticking to a hard schedule.

December 9, 2020 at 2:04 pm

You can do it as you travel around and that is what we have done MANY times! Just book 2-3 days in advance you don’t have to do the whole thing! Enjoy!

October 18, 2021 at 8:49 pm

This post is AMAZING!!! We are planning a 7 day trip April 2023! Did you rent your vehicle directly from the rental car agency at Dublin airport?

October 18, 2021 at 11:32 pm

Yes we did! You have to take a shuttle to the rental car center but yes it is on the airport!! Super easy! Enjoy!

10-Day Ireland Itinerary: 3 Road Trip Routes

Last Updated on February 13, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

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Though it’s a small country, planning out the perfect 10-day Ireland itinerary can be quite overwhelming when you consider just how much there is to see and do in the Emerald Isle. And while you certainly can’t see everything if you’re only spending 10 days in Ireland, you have a lot of options available to you.

Whether you’re looking to explore historic cities, see some iconic natural sites or get away from it all in the wilds of the country, the routes outlined below are sure to help you map out the perfect Ireland road trip and plan a trip you won’t soon forget.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Ireland?

Many potential visitors wonder how many days to spend in Ireland in order to see a lot and do the country justice. Many look at the size of the country and think that they won’t need a lot of time to see the majority of the sites, cities and towns, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you want to cover a lot of ground, spend some time in the cities along with taking the beautiful natural areas and not feel overwhelmed or rushed, then plan to spend 10 days exploring Ireland.

While you’re certainly not going to be able to see all of Ireland in 10 days, it is a good jumping-off point and you will be able to spend a lot of time exploring particular regions and really getting to know the country.

For those who have a bit more time, spending 2 weeks in Ireland is never a bad idea. With 2 weeks, you can build upon some of the routes listed below and cover a lot more ground. However, you’re still not going to be able to have enough time to take in everything that the country has to offer.

Getting To & Around Ireland

Ireland is well-connected to mainland Europe and many other countries around the world and it’s easy to arrive in the country. The highest-traffic international airport is in Dublin and that is where the majority of flights will arrive into. There are also international airports in Belfast in Northern Ireland and in Shannon in the west of Ireland but these tend to have fewer flight options.

You can also get to Ireland via ferry from various destinations in England , Scotland , Wales and the Isle of Man as well as some destinations in France and Spain.

Aside from getting around cities like Dublin or Belfast , the best way to get around Ireland itself is generally to rent a car. Yes, you have to get used to some narrow roads and, depending on where you’re coming from, driving on the left, however, it’s very much worth it and will enrich your time in Ireland exponentially.

Planning a road trip in Ireland will allow you the ultimate flexibility and will give you the opportunity to visit places a bit more far-flung, see the beautiful coast of Ireland and not have to be beholden to bus and train routes or the whims of a tour company.

You can travel by bus and train to get to and from major cities and destinations (you can view bus schedules here ), but it isn’t going to allow you the same kind of flexibility and you won’t be able to see as much in the same amount of time.

Keep in mind that if you want to visit some areas in the Northwest of Ireland (particularly in County Donegal) bus connections can be few and far between and trains are virtually nonexistent, so a car is really necessary for those who want to explore this area.

If you want to hire a car for your Irish adventure, you can browse options here to compare prices across several different companies.

Classic 10-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

This route begins in Dublin and covers all of the highlights of a classic route in the Republic of Ireland. This one includes time in the capital city of Dublin along some incredible destinations in the south of the country before terminating in the city of Galway on the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 1 – Dublin

Begin this Ireland route in Dublin , the capital city of the Republic of Ireland. Dublin has a rich history and it’s a great city to explore either independently or with a guided walking tour.

Start your day in Dublin exploring the Castle and its gardens before heading over to the historic Trinity College. Here you can tour the grounds of the university and also visit the Book of Kells and the Long Room. You can pre-book tickets here.

After that, take a stroll along Grafton Street and pop into some of the many shops available. Then, relax in the tranquil St Stephen’s Green before grabbing a pint of Guinness in the Temple Bar district.

Where to Stay in Dublin

Kilronan House – This cosy B&B in Dublin’s Georgian quarter is an excellent place to stay in the city. They have a number of highly-rated rooms available, a hearty breakfast included in the room rate, and are located within walking distance of all of the city’s top attractions.

Hotel 7 – This 4-star hotel is an excellent base in the Irish capital and is conveniently located in the centre of Dublin. They have a myriad of clean and comfortable rooms on offer, a friendly staff, and breakfast available each morning.

Jacob’s Inn – This hostel is a great option for budget and solo travellers. Extremely centrally located near all of the top attractions in the city, it is also one of the best-rated hostels in Dublin. They have numerous dorms and private rooms on offer and they also organise social events.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Dublin hotels!

Day 2 – Dublin

On day 2 in Dublin, pick up where you left off yesterday and take some time to explore more of the city and dig a little bit deeper. Visit the Kilmainham Gaol (make sure to book your entry tickets well in advance!), head to the Guinness Storehouse to see how this legendary stout is made and take in a few more sites of the city.

Your second day in Dublin should be filled with really getting to know the city on a deeper level. You will have the time to explore some cool little areas and take in some sites that you wouldn’t necessarily have time for if you were only spending one day.

Day 3 – Cork

On day 3, it’s time to leave Dublin and head south toward Ireland’s second-largest city of Cork . Plan to pick up your rental car today, rather than when you first arrive. You won’t need to drive in Dublin and you will just have to deal with parking and paying extra for a car you’re not using.

The drive from Dublin to Cork is about 3 hours and there are a few good places to stop off at along the way, so it’s advisable to get an early start.

One of the top places to visit en route would be the Blarney Castle where you can kiss the famous Blarney Stone. You also could opt to visit the ever-popular Rock of Cashel which is also conveniently located on the way.

Once in Cork, you’ll find it a compact city that’s easy to explore within the confines of one day.

Start off at the English Market and consider joining a food tour before wandering down Shandon Mile and taking in some of Cork’s top historic sites. Pay a visit to the Cork City Gaol and make sure to end your day in a pub with a pint of Murphys – which is Cork’s stout of choice!

Where to Stay in Cork

Shandon Bells Guest House – If you’re after a lovely guesthouse while staying in Cork, then this is an excellent option for you. They have a few cosy and comfortable rooms available and a delicious, hearty Irish breakfast available every morning.

The River Lee Hotel – If you have a bit of a higher budget to play with on your Ireland road trip, then this luxury hotel in Cork is a great option for you. Centrally located within easy walking distance of all cork has to offer, they have a range of plush rooms available and fantastic amenities.

Bru Bar & Hostel – This hostel is the perfect choice for those travelling solo or on a budget. They have a number of both dorm and private rooms available and a bar on site that makes it a great place to meet other travellers.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Cork hotels!

Day 4 – Cobh, Kinsale or Midleton

On day 4, you have the opportunity to explore some areas a bit outside of Cork but still with very easy reach of the city itself.

One of the most popular options is the nearby city of Cobh (pronounced Cove ) which is famed for its deck-of-cards houses and for being the last port of call of the Titanic before it made its fated journey across the Atlantic.

The town of Kinsale is another super popular day trip option. This colourful coastal town is known to be the starting (or ending, depending on the direction!) point of the Wild Atlantic Way and it’s very much worth exploring.

Whiskey lovers will want to head to the town of Midleton, which is home to the Jameson Distillery. You can tour the distillery, learn about Irish whiskey and leave with plenty of happy memories. Plan to spend the night in Cork before we move on to our next destination.

Day 5 – Killarney

A little more than an hour’s drive northwest of Cork will find you in the charming town of Killarney in County Kerry.

Killarney makes for an excellent base for exploring all of the highlights of County Kerry, including the national park, the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula so plan to base yourself here for the next few nights.

Use this day to explore some of the highlights of Killarney National Park including Muckross House, Ross Castle and the Torc Waterfall. This is a beautiful area to explore and it’s worth getting here as early as possible.

End your day simply by enjoying the vibes of the village of Killarney itself and exploring its colourful and vibrant streets.

Where to Stay in Killarney

Old Weir Lodge – This guesthouse is perfect for mid-range visitors in Killarney. Offering a number of wonderful rooms, it also has a great location for exploring both the surrounding area and the town itself. There is also a hearty breakfast available daily.

The Killarney Park – Located in the centre of Killarney, this is a great choice for those after a luxury option in this Irish town. Offering a range of opulent rooms to choose from, there are also plenty of grand amenities for guests to enjoy.

The Black Sheep Hostel – This hostel is an excellent choice for those looking for a budget option while in Killarney. They have both private rooms and dorms available along with clean facilities, good common areas and a good atmosphere.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Killarney hotels!

Day 6 – Ring of Kerry

The sixth day sees you driving one of the most popular and iconic circular routes in the country and something essential when you explore Ireland – the Ring of Kerry . Because this is such a popular route, it’s best to get as early a start as possible to avoid crowds and tour buses on the small, winding roads.

You can skip the first stops in Killarney National Park as we stopped by them yesterday and head out toward the Ladies View. It’s highly recommended that you tap on the extra Skellig Loop drive onto your Ring of Kerry route in order to get the best experience possible.

The great thing about this drive is that it easily begins and ends in Killarney so you can take your time at each stop without having to worry about a long drive back to your accommodation.

Ladies View on the Ring of Kerry, Ireland

Day 7 – Dingle Peninsula

If you didn’t get enough incredible scenery and beautiful vistas while driving the Ring of Kerry then you’re in luck, day 7 includes another beautiful scenic loop – the Slea Head drive .

Comprising the Dingle Peninsula located to the north of the Ring of Kerry, the Slea Head drive is a popular route, though it can be a bit quieter than the Ring of Kerry. However, it’s still a good idea to get an early start here.

On this drive, you’ll be treated to gorgeous scenery, dramatic cliffs, beautiful ocean views and charming little towns. Plan to take your time driving so you can really enjoy all of the stops at your leisure.

It takes about an hour to get from Killarney to the town of Dingle so make sure to keep this in mind when you’re planning. You could opt to stay the night in Dingle, however, this isn’t entirely necessary.

Day 8 – Cliffs of Moher & The Burren

After exploring the highlights of County Kerry, it’s time to head north toward Galway City – your final destination for the evening. But on the way, make a pit stop at one of Ireland’s most famous attractions – the mighty Cliffs of Moher.

Located in County Clare just south of the city of Galway, the Cliffs of Moher are not actually Ireland’s highest sea cliffs (you’ll have to head to the Croaghaun Cliffs on Achill Island or the Slieve League Cliffs in County Donegal for that), but they are certainly the most popular and are incredibly striking.

You can spend a few hours exploring the Cliffs of Moher and hiking around and getting some spectacular views. Make sure to also visit the nearby village of Doolin – a perfect place to stop for lunch (and maybe even a pint) before continuing on and exploring the Burren National Park.

End your day in Galway City, where you’ll be based for the remainder of your trip.

Where to Stay in Galway

The Stop B&B – A hip B&B located about a 10-minute walk from the centre of Galway in the historic Claddagh neighbourhood, they have several bright and modern rooms on offer and an excellent breakfast on offer each morning.

Park House Hotel – Located on Eyre Square in the centre of Galway, this hotel is perfect for those looking for a luxury stay in the city. Offering a range of plush rooms, there are also a myriad of other wonderful amenities available.

Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel – Located conveniently near Galway’s Eyre Square, this highly-rated hostel is an excellent option for budget and solo travellers alike. They have both dorms and private rooms to choose from along with breakfast available for guests daily.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Galway hotels!

Day 9 – Galway

The penultimate day of this Ireland itinerary is dedicated to exploring the lively and charming city of Galway . This city is very compact and you can easily tackle all of the top sites within the confines of a day.

Take the time to wander around the colourful Latin Quarter and take in the sites on lively Quay Street and Kirwan’s Lane.

You can also see the Spanish Arch, stroll along the harbour, visit the Galway Cathedral and even learn a bit about the city’s history at the Galway City Museum (which is free to enter!). You can book a guided walking tour or join a food tour if you want to explore with a guide.

Galway is also a great place to find a cosy pub for the evening and take in some trad music. However, there are also a lot of great restaurants to enjoy, as well.

Day 10 – Connemara or Galway to Dublin

If you have 10 full days to spend in Ireland and don’t need to catch a flight on your final day (or early the next morning), then use your final day to take a day trip to Connemara . Located in County Galway just north of Galway City, this gorgeous peninsula has a lot to offer visitors.

On a day trip, you can go for a short hike in Connemara National Park, visit the beautiful Kylemore Abbey, explore lively Clifden and even take in one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches at Dog’s Bay. Connemara is a truly special place to visit if you have the time.

You also could head to Ashford Castle which is located just over the border in County Mayo and is about a 40-minute drive from Galway City.

Alternatively, if you need to head back to Dublin, then it’s about 2.5-3 hours along the main motorway. However, if you have the time, there are a number of interesting stops along the way that you could take advantage of if you’re up for a detour.

Irish Nature Lover’s Road Trip

If it’s not a first-time trip to Ireland or you’re simply keen to get a bit off the typical tourist trail, head away from the big cities and really enjoy all of the incredible natural scenery that the Emerald Isle has to offer, then this is the itinerary for you!

Day 1 – Dublin to Connemara

This itinerary doesn’t include any time in the capital city of Dublin so if that’s where you’re flying into, then pick up your hire car from the airport and hit the road and immediately head west toward the Connemara region of County Galway.

Alternatively, you could opt to arrive into the Shannon airport, which is about a 2-hour drive from Connemara rather than 3.5 hours from Dublin.

If you are driving from Dublin, you could opt to visit several stops along the way to Connemara should you wish, or simply stay on the motorway for as long as you can before you reach this wild and scenic area of Western Ireland.

Where to Stay in Connemara

Errisbeg B&B – This cosy bed and breakfast is situated on a lovely estate in the village of Rounstone. They have a number of great rooms to choose from, a hearty breakfast available and friendly owners to make your stay a great one.

Sharamore House B&B – Located in Clifden – the capital of Connemara – this bed and breakfast is a great option. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms to choose from along with a fantastic breakfast to enjoy in the mornings.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Connemara hotels!

Day 2 – Connemara

Now that you’ve arrived in Connemara, it’s time to explore this incredible region. There is so much to see in Connemara that you could spend a number of days here and still not take it all in. However, one full day is enough to see and do a lot of the top things in this region.

Begin your day at Connemara National Park – it’s recommended to get here early as it can get quite crowded and popular. There are a number of hiking routes in the park that are great for an array of fitness levels, so be sure to pick one that suits you.

You can also opt to visit nearby Kylemore Abbey before heading to lively Clifden, the most populous town in the region. Also, make sure not to skip Omey Island – a tidal island that is only accessible at low tide.

Round out your day at the beautiful Dog’s Bay beach located just outside the village of Roundstone. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland and you would be forgiven for thinking you’ve arrived in the tropics.

Day 3 – Connemara to Achill Island

After a day exploring Connemara, it’s time to head north from County Galway to County Mayo. The final destination for today is the lovely Achill Island , however, there are countless places to stop off at along the way to make your drive interesting and to take in as much of the west coast as possible.

Start your day by driving along the beautiful Killary Fjord at the northern end of Connemara before reaching Aasleagh Falls. This isn’t the most spectacular waterfall in Ireland, but it is still very beautiful and stopping off at.

Continue on to visit Silver Strand Beach, Carrowmore Beach and Murrisk Abbey before driving across the bridge to Achill Island. You can also take some time to take in a few of the sites on the island so you have more time to dedicate to more places on the following day.

End your day at a cosy pub on the island – Lynott’s is the smallest pub on the island and, if you want somewhere with a little bit more space, then head to Ted’s Bar.

Where to Stay on Achill Island

Teach Cruachan Bed and Breakfast – Located in Keel village, this is a lovely bed and breakfast option for mid-range visitors to Achill. Offering a number of cos rooms, they also have a fantastic breakfast available each morning.

Ferndale Luxury Boutique Bed & Breakfast – Those after something a little bit more upmarket will love this chic boutique B&B. Located in a prime location for exploring Achill, they have a number of lovely rooms and a great breakfast in the morning.

Cosy Keel Cottage – This cottage is a great choice for those who’d like their own self-catering accommodation on Achill. Located in the village of Keel, it comes fully equipped with all you may need during your stay on the island.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Achill Island hotels!

Day 4 – Achill Island

Day four sees you spending your entire day exploring the highlights of Achill Island. Start your day on the lovely Valley Loop Walk which is an easy hike along the bucolic coast starting and ending at Golden Strand Beach.

Also, take the time to take in Dugort Beach, Slievemore Abandoned Village and, of course, the beautiful Keem Bay. Watch the surfers and grab a bite to eat in the village of Keel.

And if you’re interested in learning a bit about Irish Whiskey, then consider heading to the Achill Island Distillery, which claims to be the westernmost distillery in Ireland.

Day 5 – County Sligo & Southwest Donegal

Day five is another driving day with the final destination being the southwest of County Donegal. However, there is a lot to see along the way here so make sure to get an early start in order to take everything in!

Your first stop should be at the beautiful Glencar Waterfall. From there, it’s not far until you’re at the base of iconic Benbulben in County Sligo. If you’re up for a bit of a hike, then the Benbulben Forest Walk is an excellent idea – it’s an easy trail and will only take about an hour.

Next, take in the scenic Gleniff Horseshoe Drive before moving onto County Donegal . Here, you can visit the incredible Tullan Strand and the beautiful Fairy Bridges. Make your way to Donegal Town (a great place to base yourself in this area) and enjoy the sites that this lively little town has to offer.

Where to Stay in Co. Donegal

Ros Dún House – Situaed in Donegal Town, this bed and breakfast makes for the perfect base when exploring this gorgeous corner of Ireland. Offering a number of cosy rooms, they also have an excellent breakfast available in the mornings.

Bayview Country House B&B – This bed and breakfast in the town of Ardara is perfect for those looking for a bucolic escape in one of the area’s most charming towns. They have some lovely rooms to choose from along with a hearty breakfast available in the mornings.

Mill Park Hotel – This is a great hotel located in the centre of Donegal Town. Offering a range of different rooms to choose from, there is also an on-site fitness centre and swimming pool along with a cafe/bar for guests to enjoy.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Donegal hotels!

Day 6 – Southwest Donegal

Day 6 of this 10-day Ireland itinerary sees you exploring some of the absolute highlights the lovely County Donegal has to offer. Start at the Slieve League Cliffs, which are some of the highest sea cliffs in Ireland (higher than the Cliffs of Moher) and, as such, some of the highest in Europe.

After taking in this beautiful place, head over to the gorgeous Malin Beg Beach, take in some history at the Glencolmcille Folk Village and visit the sea caves at Maghera Beach (these are only accessible at low tide).

Head to the village of Ardara (this is another great base in this area of Donegal!) before embarking on the incredibly scenic Glengesh Drive.

Day 7 – Northeast Donegal

On day 7 of this itinerary, we’re heading to the northern part of County Donegal and exploring some of the most beautiful natural areas this region of Ireland has to offer.

Start your day in the beautiful Glenveagh National Park where you can enjoy views of Lough Veagh and Glenveagh Castle.

After this, take in the views from Horn Head, head to Doe Castle (which is a lovely little castle that you can tour for free!) and then head over to the iconic Fanad Head Lighthouse. Round out your day by viewing the incredible stretch of sand that is Ballymastocker Beach.

Day 8 – Inishowen 100

Day 8 sees you spending the majority of your day driving around County Donegal’s Inishowen Peninsula and ending your day on the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland.

Note that there is no hard border between the Republic and Northern Ireland, however, speed limits are listed in miles per hour in Northern Ireland rather than in kilometres per hour like in the Republic. This is something to be aware of when you leave County Donegal.

The Inishowen 100 drive circles the Inishowen Peninsula and will take you to the most northerly point on the island of Ireland – Malin Head. There are also plenty of other incredible sites to see along the way including gorgeous beaches like Kinnagoe Bay and Five Finger Strand and the Glenevin Waterfall.

To get to Northern Ireland, you can either take the car ferry across Lough Foyle from the town of Greencastle (this is the quickest) or add about 30 minutes to an hour more to your drive by going via Derry and forgoing the ferry. Spend your night on the Causeway Coast – the town of Portrush makes a great base.

Where to Stay on the Causeway Coast

Anvershiel House – This bed and breakfast in the town of Portrush is perfect for those looking for a mid-range choice on the Causeway Coast. Located within easy walking distance of the town centre and a few minutes from the Giant’s Causeway, they have a range of rooms and a great hot breakfast included.

Elephant Rock Hotel – Also located in Portrush, this hotel is great for luxury visitors looking for a more upmarket choice. They have a number of great rooms on offer along with a perfect location for both exploring the town and for seeing all of the highlights of the area.

Causeway Hotel – Situated right at the Giant’s Causeway visitor’s centre, this hotel is perfect for getting an early start to this incredible natural site. Not only are there a number of great rooms to choose from, but entry into the visitor’s centre is also included in the nightly rate.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Causeway Coast hotels!

Day 9 – Causeway Coast

Day 9 is dedicated to seeing all of the natural highlights that Northern Ireland has to offer. Most famous for the Giant’s Causeway , the entire north coast of Northern Ireland has so much incredible natural scenery that it’s so worth taking the time to explore this area.

Begin your day at the Giant’s Causeway – get here early to beat the crowds and know that you don’t need to pay to enter, only to park at and visit the visitor’s centre. If you’re up for a great, easy hike then park your car at the Salmon Rock Beach car park (free!) before walking about 30 minutes to reach the Causeway.

After visiting this incredible natural site, head to Dunluce Castle and some of the other highlights of the Causeway Coast. You can even opt to visit the Dark Hedges, made famous for being a filming location for HBO’s Game of Thrones .

Day 10 – Causeway Coast to Dublin

On your final day, take your time winding your way back from the Causeway Coast en route to Dublin. There are a number of interesting places to stop off at along the way.

Whether you want to take in some natural sites you didn’t make it to yesterday or are keen for a whistlestop tour of Belfast before making it to Dublin, the world is your oyster.

All in without stopping, the drive from the town of Portrush to Dublin will take about 3 hours, so keep this in mind if you’re trying to catch a flight!

Irish Cities Road Trip

This 10-day Ireland itinerary is ideal for those who would rather spend the majority of their time in the cities with only a little bit of nature thrown in. While this route is certainly easiest if you have a car, this is the best route to embark upon if you’re not keen to drive while visiting Ireland.

Begin this itinerary in the capital city of Dublin and plan to be here for the first three nights of your trip. Follow the guide for what to do on your first day in Dublin with what is outlined in the “Classic Ireland Road Trip” above.

Spend day two picking up where you left off on day one in Dublin. There are lots of things that the Irish capital has to offer so planning to spend 2 full days exploring all that this dynamic and diverse city has available is ideal.

Day 3 – Wicklow

On day 3, take your time to go off on a day trip from Dublin to visit the nearby Wicklow Mountains National Park and some of the charming small towns surrounding the area.

This is a beautiful natural area to visit with so much to see and do. Known as the Garden of Ireland, this is one of the greenest places to visit in the country and really will give you the context as to why we call it the Emerald Isle.

Day 4 – Dublin to Galway

On day four, it’s time to head out of Dublin and make your way west. Take the day to really take advantage of all of the great stops and places to visit between Dublin and Galway.

Sure, you could stick to the motorway and make it to this western Irish city in a few hours, but you can see a lot of the country if you make some detours and take your time while on your way. Spend the next four nights in Galway City.

Day 5 – Galway

Day five of this route is dedicated to spending time in the city of Galway itself. This compact city is easy to navigate and you can certainly see the highlights within the confines of one day. Follow the suggestions outlined in the “Classic Ireland Road Trip” above for more information.

Day 6 – Cliffs of Moher

One of the most popular day trips from Galway and also one of the most popular sites to visit in all of Ireland are the iconic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.

Located just south of Galway City, it’s easy to visit these cliffs as a day trip but do make sure to get an early start in order to beat the crowds. If you’re not driving, this full-day tour or this full-day tour are options for a guided tour.

Day 7 – Connemara or Aran Islands

Time for another great day trip from Galway, you can opt to either head north to explore the beautiful Connemara region or hop on a ferry to visit the Aran Islands.

Both offer incredible scenery and a bucolic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and can also give you an insight into some village life in Ireland.

From the town of Rossaveel just west of Galway City, you can get a ferry to the island of Inishmore in about 40 minutes. This is the largest of the Aran Islands and it’s absolutely delightful to explore.

Day 8 – Belfast

From Galway, it’s time to head north and visit the capital of Northern Ireland – vibrant and gritty Belfast . The drive from Galway to Belfast can take about 3 hours and 45 minutes so it’s best to hit the road early to make sure you can get the most out of the city.

When in Belfast, make sure to take a black cab tour in order to learn more about this historically divided city and to give a bit more context on the Troubles.

And for a different side of history, also make sure to head to the Titanic Belfast Museum to learn more about the fated journey of this ocean liner – which was constructed in the Northern Irish capital.

Where to Stay in Belfast

The Warren Belfast – Thos looking for luxury will love this plush hotel in the Queen’s Quarter. Located within easy reach of all Belfast has to offer, they have a number of rooms to choose form, plenty of amenities and breakfast available, as well.

Vagabonds – This highly-rated hostel is perfect for those travelling solo or looking for a budget option in the centre of Belfast. They offer both private rooms and dorm beds along with clean facilities and good common areas.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Belfast hotels!

Day 9 – Giant’s Causeway

On day 9, you could opt to spend another day exploring Belfast or, if you’d like more beautiful natural scenery, then consider taking a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway and some of the sites on the Causeway Coast.

It’s only a little bit more than an hour from Belfast to the Causeway so it’s easy to get here early before all of the crowds descend on this beautiful place.

Day 10 – Belfast to Dublin

And on your final day, take your time making your way back down to Dublin from Belfast. There are a lot of wonderful stops along the way that can extend the otherwise rather boring 2-hour drive along the motorway.

En route, make stops at the Ards Penisula, gorgeous and historic castles, the Boyne Valley and Newgrange and Malahide. The Dublin to Belfast drive has a lot to offer and it’s a great way to round out the perfect Irish road trip itinerary.

Planning the perfect Ireland road trip can seem a bit overwhelming on the face of it when you think about just how much this incredible country has to offer. However, with proper planning and prioritisation, you’re sure to be mapping out the trip of your dreams in no time.

Are you planning to visit Ireland? Have any questions about these itineraries? Let us know in the comments!

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Maggie, I left you a detailed itinerary, asking for your input. I also thinking we have wishful thinking we can accomplish our itinerary 🤪. I look forward to your input. Also, why is it most Ireland itineraries I have found go south. Why is that? Howdy from Texas

Hi Cynthia! I received your email and have replied to it. The south is simply the most popular area that many international tourists go in Ireland. However, visiting the west and north of the country is also very much worth it – we’ve particularly enjoyed our time in Counties Mayo and Donegal, for instance.

Maggie, you are a god send! My wife and I have never been to Ireland and we will be there for 8 days and 7 nights. We need to be in Dublin the last 4 nights because of an event we are attending. If we landed in Dublin at noon and rented a car and drove to straight to Cork (1 night), and drove to Killarney (1 night) and drove to Galway (2 nights) (stopping at the Cliffs of Moher) on the way and then trained or drove our rental back to Dublin. Is this ludicrous? Also, would you HIGHLY recommend cutting Dublin down by one day and adding a day to the above itinerary? and if so, where would you add the day? Or how would you better use the time? Greeting from San Francisco 🙂

Hi Jim, I don’t think that’s ludicrous at all – it will be a bit rushed but you will still be able to see quite a lot 🙂

This appears to be a very informing web site. I will find a lot of good information here for sure. It defiantly will take some time to plan this trip, however there are great tips here that will assist in making our decisions. Thank you for all this information.

Happy you’ve found this helpful and hope you’re able to plan a great trip!

Thanks for this thorough guide! We’re planning to have one week road trip in Ireland again so this is handy.

Glad you found the article useful and hope you have an amazing trip!

10 day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary: Suggested Route & Stops

There is no better way to experience Ireland than on a road trip! Exploring the Emerald Isle by road allows you to go at your own pace, admire the serenity of the countryside and the beauty of its coast, dive into the history and tales of castles, kings and warriors, and indulge in hearty Irish cuisine with its traditional touches and contemporary twists.

*This post may contain affiliate links, as a result, we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) on any bookings/purchases you make through the links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our full disclosure

Whether you are a nature lover, a history buff, or a Game of Thrones fan, there is plenty to do and see in Ireland for every type of traveler!

Before we jump into our recommended Ireland road trip itinerary, it’s worth noting that the island of Ireland consists of 2 separate countries, Northern Ireland – part of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland – an independent country formed in 1922 following the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

For the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on exploring both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, suggesting plenty of stops in both regions along the way. Regardless of how much time you plan to spend in Ireland, we highly recommend that you make time to visit both parts of the island to compare and contrast and see the best this region has to offer.

Traveling Soon? Here is a list of our favourite travel providers and accessories to help get you ready for your upcoming trip! Book Your Accommodation HERE Search for Great Tours HERE Get a Car Rental HERE Buy Travel Insurance HERE See our Favourite Camera Bag HERE Grab a Reusable Water Bottle HERE or a Filtration Straw HERE Order an eSim HERE

This 10-day Ireland road trip itinerary will take you around some of the most stunning parts of both countries!

Is Ireland Good for a Road Trip?

The short answer is yes! Thanks to its well-maintained roads and many attractions dotted around the region, Ireland is one of the best destinations for a road trip itinerary. Plus, the island’s compact size (486 km long and 275 km wide) and the close proximity between many destinations and scenic areas allow you to see several places in one day. It’s the perfect recipe for a great road trip!

How Many Days is Enough for Ireland?

While it’s possible to experience highlights of Ireland in a week or even a few days, we definitely recommend staying for at least 10-14 days.

You’ll need at least 7-10 days to cover the main highlights and attractions like Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and the Giant’s Causeway .

If you want to dive deeper, explore lesser-known regions, spend time hiking outdoors, or get on the water in areas such as Connemara National Park, the Aran Islands, or the Dingle Peninsula, we recommend that you extend your trip to 2-3 weeks to give you time to go beyond the major sights and attractions.

Tips for Driving in Ireland

Our itinerary: 2 weeks in ireland.

We spent 2 weeks in Ireland on our first visit to the region. This allowed us to follow the 10-day Ireland road trip itinerary that we share below with all the detours and extra time in the cities of Dublin and Belfast.

But this was by no means enough to see all of Ireland. So we decided to focus our trip on the Northern part of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and leave the southern part of the Republic for another visit. Starting in Dublin, our road trip sent us West to County Clare and then north, along the Wild Atlantic Way and through County Galway, County Mayo and onto Northern Ireland.

Those interested in extending their trip to add a few destinations in the Southern part of the region to their itinerary will find some suggestions at the end of this article.

Now let’s jump into our recommended 10-day Ireland road trip itinerary!

10-Day Ireland Itinerary

Day 1-2: dublin.

Dublin is the perfect place to begin your Irish road trip. It’s full of historic architecture, beautiful green spaces in the city, and iconic attractions like the Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse, and Irish Whiskey Museum.

If you only have a few days to spend in Dublin, base yourself in the heart of the city to soak up Dublin’s lively atmosphere. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, the Temple Bar neighbourhood is full of pubs, restaurants, eclectic shops, and art galleries. This is where you’ll find plenty of traditional music and traditional food. Just note that Temple Bar does get rowdy at night, especially during weekends and peak tourist seasons.

Quays Irish Restaurant specializes in traditional Irish dishes like Irish Stew, Cottage Pie, and Dublin Coddle. O’Sheas Restaurant is another good option. Alternatively, check out Gallaghers Boxty House – a restaurant that specializes in serving traditional Irish “boxty,” a potato pancake made from grated potatoes, flour, and buttermilk or milk. You’ll find a variety of boxty dishes on the menu, including both traditional and contemporary interpretations of this classic dish.

Where to Stay in Dublin

Staycity aparthotels .

During our time in Dublin, we based ourselves at the Staycity Aparthotels City Quay , a great affordable and centrally located hotel with a variety of room options, including studios and apartments. Our studio apartment had a comfortable bed, an en suite bathroom, free and fast Wi-Fi, and a fully equipped kitchenette.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Temple Bar area, has a 24-hour reception, and allows for early check-in – which was fantastic given our early arrival time. There is a fitness center on-site, and their buffet breakfast was great value for the price.

Day 3: County Clare

Drive time from Dublin: 3 hrs

Known for cliffs towering over the Atlantic, dramatic limestone landscapes, and historic sites, County Clare is one of the most scenic destinations on the west coast of Ireland.

There are a few big attractions on this section of your Ireland road trip, including the famous Cliffs of Moher, a stretch of towering cliffs along the Atlantic coast, and the Burren , a unique and fascinating karst landscape, as well as the charming town of Doolin. So it’s worth spending at least 2 days to explore the area.

Visit the Cliffs of Moher

The spectacular Cliffs of Moher stretch for over 8 kilometres and tower some 214 metres above the ocean, offering magnificent views of the west coast of Ireland. A designated UNESCO Global Geopark, the Cliffs attract millions of visitors each year and are known as one of the top attractions in all of Ireland.

The scenery alone is breathtaking, and the landscape is home to some amazing wildlife. You can spot puffins, razorbills, and with a bit of luck, maybe even a peregrine falcon.

The Cliffs can get very busy throughout the day, so we recommend planning a visit at sunset when the crowds subside and you can enjoy the cliffs in their best light. During our Ireland road trip, we checked into our hotel (recommendation below), had an early dinner, and headed to the Cliffs for a sunset visit. It was a perfectly planned evening – the sunset was beautiful and we had the place all to ourselves!

Stay at the Armada Hotel

The Armada Hotel is the perfect spot to stay in County Clare. It’s a charming seaside hotel in Spanish Point with beautiful ocean views, spacious rooms with comfortable beds, and a great on-site restaurant, Aileen’s, where we had one of the best meals in Ireland, a taste of contemporary Irish Cuisine.

The hotel is located just 30 mins from Cliffs of Moher, so you can easily check-in and enjoy a beautiful meal at Aileen’s Restaurant before heading out for sunset at Cliffs of Moher.

After visiting the Cliffs, spend the night here and hit the road early the following day to take in some of the other attractions in County Clare en route to your next destination – Galway.

The Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, County Clare

Things to do en route to Galway

Visit the burren smokehouse & burren brewery.

The Burren Smokehouse and the nearby Burren Brewery and Roadside Tavern are sister businesses focused on preserving the traditions of Ireland’s culinary heritage. The smokehouse offers guided tours that provide a fascinating insight into the art of smoking fish, showcasing the meticulous preparation and aging techniques that result in their exceptional flavors.

While the brewery showcases the step-by-step process of craft beer production with varieties ranging from ale to stouts, both their delicious smoked salmon and on-site brewed beer are available to sample at the Roadside Tavern – a great stop for lunch along the way.

Flaggy Shore Oysters Experience

A stop at the Flaggy Shore Oysters is another opportunity for a great food and wine experience along the Wild Atlantic Way. The 90-minute experience is as educational as it is delicious, offering a fun and interactive way to learn about the area’s rich history of oyster bays, the fascinating life cycle of oysters, and the diverse sea creatures and seaweeds that grace the Flaggy Shore.

Led by knowledgeable guides, the experience culminates in a hands-on oyster shucking lesson , followed by a lovely sampling of their renowned local oysters paired with a glass of carefully selected organic wine.

Visit the Burren

The dramatic rocky landscape of the Burren is another must-see in County Clare. The Burren National Park has marked trails that lead to vantage points of the sea and varied landscapes. If you plan to explore the Burren, be sure to check out the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating back 5,000 years. This megalith monument is one of the most photographed of its kind in Ireland.

Detour: Take a Day Trip to the Aran Islands

If you have an extra day to spare, take a day trip to one of the Aran Islands, Inishmore (Árainn), Inishmaan (Inis Meáin), and Inisheer (Inis Oírr). The islands are known for their rugged beauty, rich Gaelic heritage, and unique charm and the islands’ wild beauty has inspired writers, artists, and poets for centuries.

Day 4: Galway

Drive time from County Clare: 1.5 hrs

Galway is the third-largest city in Ireland, famous for its rich cultural heritage, lively atmosphere, and beautiful natural surroundings.

Often referred to as the “Cultural Heart of Ireland”, the city has a thriving culinary scene, with lively pubs serving traditional Irish dishes, culinary walking tours, innovative contemporary restaurants, and Michelin-starred chefs.

Dine at Kai Restaurant

We had an amazing meal at Kai Restaurant during our time in Galway. This culinary gem is situated in the West End neighbourhood and is known for its innovative and seasonally inspired cuisine, as well as its commitment to using locally sourced, organic ingredients.

Kai’s menu changes daily to reflect the availability of fresh ingredients and the chef’s creativity. The focus is on showcasing the best of Irish produce with thoughtfully crafted dishes, combining traditional flavours with modern techniques.

We loved the rustic, cozy atmosphere with wooden furnishings and dimly lit dining room – it was a perfect spot to cocoon and enjoy a great meal on a rainy evening in Galway.

Other Things to Do in Galway

Visit Eyre Square. Dating back to medieval times, this square has been a popular gathering spot for visitors and locals, especially in the summer. Located right in the centre of Galway, Eyre Square is surrounded by shops, pubs, and restaurants. It’s a great palace to take in the pace of the city.

Just a 10-minute walk from Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral is another spot worth visiting in the city. It’s one of the largest buildings in the city and the last church in Ireland to be made from stone. Completed in 1965, it does feel quite modern, but the art, stained glass, and rose windows are still intricate and interesting.

Stretching between the Spanish Arch and St. Nicholas’ Church, the colourful Latin Quarter is home to Galway’s most popular and eclectic shops, pubs, and historic buildings. You can easily spend an afternoon strolling along the cobblestone streets, shopping at the family-run shops selling local crafts, antique jewelry, and handmade souvenirs.

The city is full of galleries, theatre companies, and cinemas showing independent films. While the arts scene is spread all over the city, you can’t go wrong by sticking to the Latin Quarter. There are theatres and galleries within walking distance, and you can enjoy some live Irish music at one of the many pubs in the Latin Quarter.

Galway Cathedral, 10 day Ireland road trip

Where to Stay in Galway

We stayed at a very average hotel while in Galway, which we do not want to recommend to others. Here is a great option that we wish we had booked instead.

Hyde Hotel is a stylish and sustainable boutique hotel in the heart of Galway. With 69 bright and colourful guest rooms, the hotel offers a mix of comfort and luxury with an uncluttered design and modern amenities. The hotel has a 24/7 front desk and a restaurant and bar on site.

Day 5: Killary Fjord

Drive time from Galway: 1.5 hrs

Ireland’s only true fjord , Killary Fjord, forms a stunningly beautiful border between counties Galway and Mayo. The fjord extends 16 km from the Atlantic coast to its head at Aasleagh Falls and features some of the most dramatic vistas in the western part of Ireland.

Killary and the surrounding mountains offer much in the way of outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, and boating. If you’re short on time, the best way to take in this amazing landscape is with a boat tour.

En route: Lunch at Misunderstood Heron

Make sure you stop for lunch at the Misunderstood Heron, a unique food truck set up along the Wild Atlantic Way overlooking the Killary Fjord. The menu changes to reflect seasonality as the team pickles, ferments, forages and puts a lot of care into the food they serve. Enjoy a simple, delicious lunch with a view of Connemara’s mountains and sea vistas.

Detour: Day Trip to Inisbofin

If you have an extra day, consider taking a day trip to Bofin Island or Inisbofin . You can reach the island by ferry from Cleggan Village.

There is not a lot to do on Inisbofin, aside from admiring its beautiful cliffs and beaches, but the main attraction here is the ability to escape the mainland and immerse yourself in the tranquil traditional Irish lifestyle. The island is popular for biking, hiking, fishing, and kayaking, but we spent our day strolling around the island’s quaint streets, immersed in tales of life on the island from our local guide, Tommy.

Day 6: Lough Erne

Drive time from Killary Fjord: 3 hrs

Today, you’ll travel further North, crossing the border into Northern Ireland. Spend a day at the charming Lough Erne, a jewel of the Fermanagh Lakelands.

The lake offers water activities, trails that lead to vantage points over breathtaking scenery, and ancient sites for history buffs to explore. The connecting lakes that form Lough Erne have a large presence in Irish mythology and folklore, and it’s said that warrior queens, high kings, and giants visited the area.

Beautiful Lough Erne, 10 day Ireland road trip

Explore the Landmarks around the Lake

There are also a number of unique landmarks worth visiting around the lake, like Cliffs of Magho Viewing Point , which offer spectacular views over Counties Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal, Tully Castle , or Enniskillen Castle , which dates back to the 15th century. The latter served as a guard to one of the few passes into Ulster and houses the Fermanagh County Museum and Inniskillings Museum with exhibits on the area’s ancient history.

Take a Boat Tour to Devenish Island

During our visit, we joined Barry from Erne Water Taxi for a few hours on the lake aboard their new all-electric passenger boat Island Discovery. Our destination was the Devenish Island, home to the ruins of a monastic settlement that dates back to the 6th century, as well as a well-preserved round tower, an abbey, and several ornate high crosses.

Northern Ireland Lough Erne Devenish Island Oksana 01569

Detour: Visit the Marble Arch Caves

If time permits, drive about 20 mins south of Enniskillen to visit the Marble Arch Caves. The caves and the surrounding landscape are part of the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. Guided tours through the caves give insight into the fascinating underground landscape of cave formations, chambers, and subterranean rivers. During the months of June and July, there are even yoga classes offered in the Marble Arch Caves.

Stay at Finn Lough Forest Hideaway

The highlight of the visit to Lough Erne was our stay at Finn Lough Forest Hideaway, set on the shores of the lake surrounded by lush woodlands and rolling hills.

The luxury getaway resort offers a variety of accommodation options ranging from bubble domes to lakeside cottages and offers a range of activities for guests to enjoy, such as paddleboarding, kayaking, cycling, and nature walks.

This is the perfect place to linger for an extra day, as the resort has great wellness facilities on site, including their morning yoga sessions, the Awen Shore private soak tub on the water’s edge, and the Elements Trail, a private 2-hour experience, through a series of hot and cold therapy treatments nestled in the forest.

The on-site Barn Restaurant deserves its own shout-out. The beautiful restaurant offers a seasonal tapas menu with locally sourced, seasonal produce with a modern twist on traditional Irish fare.

Day 7-8: Northern Ireland: Causeway Coastal Route

Total driving distance from Londonderry to Belfast : 3-4 hours

The next few days will undoubtedly be a highlight of your Ireland road trip itinerary. We recommend following the Causeway Coastal Route, to explore Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline along a 300-kilometre drive between Derry-Londonderry and Belfast. This drive features plenty of natural beauty, historic sites, and quaint seaside towns that North Ireland is famous for.

You can easily spend two weeks touring the sites along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, but if you only have a few days, visit the following.

Visit Dunluce and Dunseverick Castles

Don’t miss the picturesque and historically fascinating Dunluce Castle and Dunseverick Castle .

Dunluce Castle is one of the most picturesque castles in Northern Ireland, set against the dramatic basalt landscape of the country’s coastline. The castle ruins are open to the public and offer panoramic views of the coastline below. Castle grounds are open from 9:30am – 5pm daily, and tickets are £6.

Perched on a basalt cliff over the Atlantic Ocean, Dunseverick Castle is a 5th-century fort and ancient royal site. The ruins aren’t as well preserved as those of Dunluce Castle, but its historical significance is unique, as it is said that Saint Patrick visited the castle to baptize a local man named Olcán, who went on to become a Bishop of Ireland. The fort also served as a point of defence during Viking invasions of the 9th and 10th centuries.

See Sunset at Giant’s Causeway

The iconic Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the dramatic landscape of basalt columns that have inspired legends and folklore for generations. The causeway and its main attractions, the Amphitheatre and the Organ Pipes can be visited any time of the day, but we recommend saving the trip for sunset to enjoy the beauty of this area at the best light.

Snap a Moody Photo at the Dark Hedges

The picturesque site, known as Dark Hedges, is a renowned tourist hot spot not far from Giant’s Causeway, made famous as the filming location for the Game of Thrones series.

Aside from being a Game of Thrones filming location, the Dark Hedges is a very scenic location with beautiful rows of beech trees dating back to the 18th century. The visually dramatic trees line the sides of Bregagh Road, which was built as an entrance to Gracehill House, a Georgian Mansion once home to the Stuart family.

Bregagh Road is now primarily pedestrian, with only an occasional vehicle passing by this road at night. The road is one of the most photographed sites in Northern Ireland and is well worth a stop for any aspiring photographer or Game of Thrones fan.

To avoid the crowds (tour buses come to this site in great numbers from Belfast), head to the Dark Hedges early in the morning, before 9 am or late at night.

Visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a unique scenic stop to include on your tour of the northern coast. This famous rope bridge was erected by salmon fishermen over two centuries ago, and offers breathtaking views of Rathlin Island, the Scottish Islands, and the surrounding coastal landscape. The rope bridge is only open from 9am-5pm, so be sure to plan accordingly.

At the Carrick-a-Rede walkway, 10 day Ireland road trip

Follow the Antrim Coast Road

The Antrim Coast Road is a part of the Causeway Coastal Route and a natural continuation of your Ireland road trip itinerary. Passing along the nine Glens of Antrim, this stretch of road offers unparalleled views of the natural beauty of the Antrim Coast. Take your time and use the many viewpoints to take some amazing photos of the vertical cliffs, glacial valleys, and ancient cultural sites along the Antrim Coast Road. Don’t miss a stop at Torr Head , Cushendun Caves , and Glenarm Castle.

Along the Torr Head road, 10 day Ireland road trip

Do the Gobbins Cliff Walk

One of the most incredible ways to experience the Causeway Coast is by doing the Gobbins Cliff Walk. This unique coastal path, designed by a 19th-century engineer, offers a thrilling and immersive adventure along the rugged Antrim coastline. Spanning 5 km, the trail winds its way along the cliffside, featuring suspension bridges, caves, staircases, and tunnels.

Despite the chilly weather, the walk exceeded our expectations, showcasing the power of crashing waves and the sights and sounds of nesting seabirds.

Gobbins Cliff Walk, Coastal Causeway Route

Stay at Salthouse Hotel

During our Ireland road trip, we stayed at the Salthouse Hotel , a stunning eco-friendly property near Ballycastle. It’s perfectly located about halfway along the Coastal Causeway Route and offers a blend of seaside charm and modern comforts. The rooms are spacious, bright and comfortable, and the on-site restaurant offers a sophisticated yet relaxed ambience, serving a great menu showcasing locally sourced dishes, including freshly caught seafood.

The Salthouse Hotel, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland

READ NEXT: Northern Ireland’s Coastal Causeway Route Ful Itinerary & Stops

Day 9-10: Belfast

There is no better place to finish your Ireland road trip than in Belfast. While we enjoyed our time in Dublin, we found Belfast to be a much more vibrant and happening destination with lots more to see and do.

Full of history dating back millennia, the Northern Irish capital of Belfast is a cultural hub known for its art, maritime history, and culinary scene. Plenty of interesting architecture tells the story of Belfast and attractions that are unique to the city.

Visit the Titanic Exhibit

Known as the birthplace of the Titanic, Belfast is now home to a world-class exhibit honouring the famous ship, its builders, and its passengers. Titanic Belfast is an immersive, state-of-the-art attraction that brings the ship’s story to life, and a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

Titanic Experience, 10 day Ireland road trip

Explore the Queen’s Quarter

To see some stunning architecture and the famous Botanic Gardens , head to the cultural district of Queen’s Quarter for a scenic stroll. Right next to the Botanic Gardens is Queen’s University, the oldest university in Northern Ireland and a wonderful example of the city’s world-famous architecture. Belfast Castle represents the Scottish Baronial Style of Architecture and offers views of Belfast Lough.

Dine at A Peculiar Tea

Make sure to experience Belfast’s renowned culinary scene while you’re in town. Our favourite dining experience was at A Peculiar Tea , a Willy Wonka-themed restaurant in the heart of Queen’s Quarter. Their splurge-worthy 7-course dinner tasting menu was a whimsical culinary adventure full of vibrant colours and unique ingredient combinations.

From goat cheese to monkfish, Jerusalem artichoke to duck, each course was a masterpiece of presentation and flavour complexity – we were absolutely in awe!

Northern Ireland Belfast Peculiar Tea restaurant 09784

Stay at the Harrison Chambers of Distinction

This swanky boutique hotel was a highlight of our stay in Belfast. The hotel offers a luxurious and stylish experience with 16 uniquely themed rooms , each with its own personality and story. The rooms offer plenty of comforts, including four-poster beds, sitting areas, and ensuite bathrooms, while the suites feature Victorian-style bathtubs.

The hotel takes care of the essentials with fast Wi-Fi and includes breakfast, even offering the luxury of breakfast in bed. The lively downstairs bar is the perfect place to mingle with other guests and enjoy evening drinks, adding to the cool and vibrant vibe of this hidden gem in Belfast’s Queen’s Quarter.

Ireland Road Trip: What You’ll Miss

We had an amazing time on our Ireland road trip, but given that we chose to focus on the northern part of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, we of course, missed a number of great destinations in the South and a few great stops along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The truth is, 10 days is not enough to see the entire country!

We did not include many destinations in our Ireland road trip itinerary, but you can easily customize your own to suit your taste and road trip pace. From ancient ruins for castle enthusiasts to parks full of natural beauty, there is much to add to your Irish adventure.

Castles

Blarney Castle is a popular destination in southern Ireland, known for the famous Blarney Stone. The romantic ruins are set in the Cork countryside and have been drawing visitors for over 200 years.

Kilkenny Castle, located in Ireland’s Ancient East, is another attraction to add to your Ireland road trip itinerary. The beautifully restored castle dates to the 13th century and is open to visitors year-round.

National Parks

If time permits, there are also several national parks that you can add to your Ireland road trip itinerary.

Killarney National Park is the first national park established in Ireland and the most visited National Park in the country. The park is home to McGillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland, Muckross House, Ross Castle, and has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Wicklow Mountains National Park stretches 23,000 hectares south of Dublin, is Ireland’s largest national park and is home to St. Kevin’s monastic settlement at Glendalough.

Connemara National Park is located in County Galway and covers 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, and heaths. The mixed terrain is best for experienced hikers, and there are paths of varying difficulty.

Glenveagh National Park is in the heart of County Donegal, with trails to a Victorian castle with remarkable gardens.

Additional/Alternative Routes

This 10-day Ireland tour follows a section of the Wild Atlantic Way , another popular Ireland road trip. This alternative route hugs the Atlantic Coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal south to Kinsale in Cork and offers 2,500km of stunning scenery and great food and wine experiences.

The Ring of Kerry is another popular Ireland road trip. It’s a 179km circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwestern Ireland. This route is ideal for travellers who prefer to go off the beaten track and leads to attractions like a 6th-century monastery, ancient stone forts, and picturesque fishing villages among the Kerry cliffs.

And finally, there is Slea Head Drive a scenic coastal route along the Dingle Peninsula in southwest Ireland. The circular route is 47km long, beginning and ending in the town of Dingle.

Along the Coastal Causeway Route in Northern Ireland, 10 day Ireland road trip

We hope you enjoyed this summary of our Ireland road trip itinerary, a great route that, in our opinion, highlights the best of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, offering great food and wine experiences, scenic drives, stunning landscapes and unique cultural and historical sights.

Have any questions about our Ireland road trip itinerary? Leave a comment below, and we’ll be happy to offer our insights to help you plan a great road trip of your own!

Disclaimer: We visited Ireland as guests of Tourism Ireland , but, as always, all opinions expressed in this article are our own.

About The Author

Oksana & Max St John

Planning a Road Trip Through Ireland

Planning a week-long road trip through Ireland for my mom and I took a lot of research, but not nearly as much time as expected. It needed to be within our budget, include all the major sights and be just one week long.

Step 1: Rent a Car

When I initially started searching for an affordable car rental, I was finding manual transmission vehicles in my price range and automatics for double the price! I almost considered just renting the manual and forcing myself to learn before the trip—thank God I didn’t do that. I ended up finding a cheap car rental with Europcar through DiscoverCars.com . We got an even better deal as we didn’t go with the car insurance provided by Europcar, but the insurance included on my Chase Sapphire Credit Card .

Related Post: 7 Things to Know Before Getting a Rental Car in Dublin, Ireland

Driving on the Left Side of the Road in Ireland

If you weren’t aware, they drive on the left side of the road in Ireland. On top of that, the roads are extremely narrow—narrow enough to make your mom shout “Jesus Lord” regularly and stomp her foot in the floor. You’ll be fine driving on the left side of the road in Ireland if you remember to:

start mentally preparing for driving on the left side weeks in advance
constantly tell yourself “I’m driving on the left side of the road” as your driving
keep your left side mirror in unless you want to lose it
literally pull over inches from the fairy-tale stone walls lining every street when a semi-truck barrels down a lane too small for a Smart Car and is over the white line

Paying Tolls on an Ireland Road Trip

If you’ve ever rented a car in Europe , you’ve probably encountered an inconvenient tolling system. In Ireland, all the major roads have toll booths you’ll path through except one, M50. When you’re driving along M50 (and you will be at the start and end of your road trip) you have to actually pay attention to the signs that say “Pay Your Toll”. Ignoring the tolls adds up really quick and the last thing you want is a $500 bill of racked up toll fees to come in the mail months after your trip (this happened to us after a family trip through Italy).

Fortunately, paying the M50 toll is easy. All you do is go to eFlow.ie , submit your license plate number and pay the fee—just make sure to do it before 8 pm the day after you drive on M50 to avoid additional fees.

Step 2: Accommodations

Overall, our Airbnb and hotel experiences in Ireland were amazing. Each place we booked had its own personal flair and stayed within our budget. I’ll link to the places we stayed in each town should you want to book the same ones, as well as a hostel option for those of you traveling solo or on a more creative budget.

Dublin: Rose Cottage B&B is was less than 15 minutes from the airport and is just a five-minute drive from the main town of Swords where you’ll find plenty of pubs and restaurants—my mom and I loved the Old School House . Hostel-wise, I’d stay at Jacobs Inn in Dublin , just know you’ll have to find parking in a nearby garage.

Kilkenny: The accommodations above The Pumphouse in Kilkenny are so charming. This building must be hundreds of years old—the roof and floor are completely slanted. The marshmallow-like bedding and live music right downstairs are just the beginning of the charm here.

Cork: The Metropole Hotel in Cork is stunning hotel with real character and excellent service. Plus it’s walking distance to the best shopping in Cork and the Opera House! For a hostel, I’d stay at Shelias Cork Hostel because it’s walking distance to the best of Cork, including the English Market!

Dingle: When you arrive in Dingle, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven. Old Irish Farmhouse will give you an authentic Irish experience on a working farm overlooking the ocean! Not only is it walking distance from Slea Head and less than two miles from Coumeenoole Beach, you also may get to hold baby lambs or goats. Dingle is heaven on Earth—you heard it here first! For a more affordable option, I recommend the Grapevine Hostel right in the heart of Dingle town.

Lahinch: Wow, Lahinch. We arrived here right at sunset and watched some of the surfers catch the last waves of the day. Crag Shore B&B is so cozy and the owner Maura is just the sweetest! Our room had a TV, very comfortable beds and plenty of space. We enjoyed the continental breakfast in the morning as well.

Galway: The Eyre Square Townhouse in Galway puts you walking distance to everything but on a quiet street (Galway gets rowdy!). I recommend staying at Woodquay Hostel Galway City because it’s clean, in a great location and has really welcoming staff.

Dublin: Parkway Guesthouse puts you right in the heart of Dublin and just a 15 minute walk from Temple Bar for a much better rate than comparable hotels. For a hostel, Jacobs Inn is in a great location and is sure to be a blast with a bar and amazing walking tour of Dublin.

Related Post : Wanderlust Without Worry: Safe Countries for Solo Female Travel

Step 3: Budget for Food, Drink & Attractions

Basically you need money for food, beer, gas and whichever attractions you plan on visiting. Unless you can narrow down to a T exactly where you’ll eat and how many pints you’ll drink, it’s going to be tough to narrow down your budget.

How I would do it is work out what you can afford per day (after you accommodations and flights) and then try to plan what you can afford to do. My mom and I aimed for about $80 per day per person. Gas wasn’t insane in the little rental car so I don’t think we spent more than $200 on gas for the whole trip.

Ireland Road Trip Day 1: Arrive in Dublin

If you’re like me, driving with your parents can be pretty stressful. I planned to do all the driving on the trip and started mentally preparing for the left side of the road weeks in advance.

Pick up your rental car and head to your accommodations. This is your time to recoup from the flight and prepare for tomorrow—your first day on the open road. If you stay in Rose Cottage B&B in Swords, you’ll be there in 15 minutes and can put your stuff down and head to the Old School House for an amazing atmosphere and delicious food.

Related Post : 7 Best Places for Solo Female Travel (That Are Totally Unexpected)

Ireland Road Trip Day 2: Cashel & Kilkenny

Dublin>Kilkenny ~1 hour 20 minutes

Stop for some breakfast and plug “Rock of Cashel” into your MAPS.ME app and be on your way!

Rock of Cashel

You’re going to be totally blown away when you arrive in Cashel and see the Rock of Cashel on top of the hill! It’s Lord of the Rings, it’s Game of Thrones, it’s so freaking medieval looking! The Rock of Cashel has quite the history and mythology surrounding it. Before it was a national monument, this 12th-century structure was the seat of the Kings of Munster and a chapel.

Rather than paying €6 per person to get in, spend €15 in one of the surrounding Chamber of Commerce Shops and you get a two tickets included. These shops are practically at the Rock of Cashel so it’s not out of the way or anything. Plan to spend two to four hours here. It’s easy to get swept up in the free historic tours and wander across the dreamy green field down the way to the ruins of St. Dominic’s Abbey.

View from Rock of Cashel

Like everywhere in Ireland, make sure you take a few moments to really take in the scenery, history and overall atmosphere. There’s a beautiful view of rolling green hills filled with cows from the side of the hill and amazing photo ops.

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My mom and I at Kilkenny Castle

Drive an hour and you’ll arrive in Kilkenny, where you’d be a fool to stay anywhere other than the authentic Irish pub, The Pumphouse!

You’ll be hungry by the time you arrive, so plan to explore the Kilkenny Castle and get lunch or dinner, depending on the time of day. Kilkenny Castle gives you all the “medieval castle feels” just from the outside. My mom and I opted to just explore the outside and enjoy the huge green field adjacent—it’s so beautiful and welcoming you’ll want to lay down in the grass (my mom wouldn’t let me).

Kilkenny is an entirely walkable, charming town. It was really fun to explore and take pictures of all the beautiful doors and flower pots. Enjoy your evening exploring and grab a pint over live music at The Pumphouse. Or, check out the Hole in the Wall pub or The Left Bank Bar.

Ireland Road Trip Day 3: Cork

Kilkenny>Cork ~1 hour 40 minutes

Wake up in Kilkenny, have a delicious breakfast at some adorable little eatery and visit St Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower (that you can still climb), before driving to Cork.

Driving to Cork takes just under two hours, and once you’re in the city, you may hit traffic. It will probably be close to sunset by the time you arrive, so plan on heading to your accommodations and getting dinner.

I don’t know if it was just the area my mom and I were in or what, but we could not find any decent food on an entire street that our Airbnb host said was “where it’s at”. Head to Oliver Plunkett Street for food or chance your luck anywhere and let me know how you fare in the comments. 😉

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Gate in Blarney Castle

Ireland Road Trip Day 4: Blarney Castle & Kinsale

Cork>Kinsale ~30 minutes

This day was probably my favorite of the whole road trip. It was my mom’s birthday and we stopped at the English Market in Cork for breakfast before heading to Blarney Castle.

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Magical Blarney House

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle itself is cool, but the grounds that it’s on are absolutely breathtaking, heaven-like even. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time for exploring the grounds after touring the castle and kissing the Blarney Stone. The Poison Garden is SO interesting. It’s like straight out of Van Helsing or something, but the main attraction is the walk through the garden to the Blarney House. It’s the most impressive garden my mom and I had ever seen—huge Chinese Maples and all kinds of exotic trees. Once you arrive at the house, there’s an immaculate multi-colored rose garden.

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Dinner at Fishy Fishy

Fishy Fishy in Kinsale

Drive to the charming little coastal town of Kinsale for dinner at Fishy Fishy—a delicious restaurant that’s extremely popular with both locals and tourists. After dinner, walk around until you find a pub playing trad music and grab a beer while you enjoy the tunes before heading back to Cork for the night. (You could stay in Kinsale this night of the itinerary.)

Torc Waterfall, Killarney, Ireland

Ireland Road Trip Day 5: Killarney & Dingle

Cork>Killarney ~1 hour 10 minutes

Killarney has a beautiful national park with Lord-of-the-Ringsesque scenes everywhere you look. The most popular attractions tend to be Ross Castle, Muckross House & Gardens and Torc Waterfall. My mom and I only spent about 30 minutes at Ross Castle and skipped Muckross, but Torc Waterfall was awesome. The walk there was easy enough and you’re surrounded by verdant green forest—it’s totally magical.

If you’re feeling adventurous, book a horseback ride through Killarney National Park . I did this with my husband on a separate trip and it was a really fun experience that took us through the most stunning scenery.

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View from Torc Waterfall Hike

We drove around exploring for an hour or so before setting out for Dingle (we were lost) and came across one of the most incredible landscapes I’ve ever seen. I’m not positive where it was but it was like a 30-minute drive from Torc Waterfall and I think it’s part of the Ring of Kerry. Naturally, we stopped and took yoga pictures.

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A photo doesn’t do it justice but this is THE view

One thing we didn’t do in Killarney is stop by the Franciscan Well where they brew their own beer, so you may want to check it out.

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View from our Airbnb on the Dingle Peninsula

Killarney>Dingle ~1 hour

I don’t think there is such a thing as a bad view in Dingle. From the moment you get to the coast and begin driving along the winding cliffs to Dingle, you’ll be in complete awe. Plan on stopping for photos like a million times. We stayed in a adorable yellow house Airbnb on a hill overlooking Dingle with horses on the property (unfortunately it’s no longer available).

Once you get settled in to your accommodations at Old Irish Farmhouse or elsewhere, head down to the town of Dingle for a dinner of delicious seafood and wine at The Boatyard Restaurant .

Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Dingle County Kerry, Ireland

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View from Beehive Huts on Slea Head Drive

Ireland Road Trip Day 6: Slea Head Drive & Lahinch

Exploring Slea Head Drive ~3.5 hours

Pack up your things and check out. Have a route for Slea Head Drive prepared because you can easily spend all day on it if you’re not careful and hop off at a certain point. You should be able to find a tourist map in most shops or where you are staying and it will have a clear route for Slea Head Drive. Hop onto Slea Head Drive just past the Dingle marina and prepare to be amazed!

Stop along Slea Head Drive

Slea Head Drive Stops

There are seriously so many worthy stops along Slea Head Drive, from historic sites to local shops selling everything you can imagine. The main stops for us were the Lios, the ancient Fahan Beehive Huts, a ceramics shop (where I bought the most beautiful dish!) and numerous stops along the road just to take in the views.

Star Wars fanatics, rejoice! We passed Ceann Sibéal not long before we hopped off Slea Head to cut back through town for Lahinch. It’s where the ending scene of Star Wars: The Last Jedi was filmed, known as Ahch-To in the books.

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Sheep at the Lios on Slea Head Drive

The Lios & Farm Animals

The first stop we made was at the Lios or Fairy Fort. There are sheep and goats you can pet and an ancient fairy ring to walk around and marvel at. I felt like I was in the movie Brave. Please don’t miss this stop.

Fahan Beehive Hut

Fahan Beehive Huts

These handmade huts are insane. You could stare at them for hours just marveling at how humans possibly made this work. While historians are not entirely sure how old they are, it’s believed they date back to the 12th century.

Scenic Route From Dingle to Lahinch

Dingle>Lahinch ~3-3.5 hours

Getting to Lahinch from Dingle was trickier than we initially thought, but it turned out better than our planned route. For some reason I planned on driving past Limerick to get to Lahinch. Fortunately, our host gave us better directions—more scenic too. She instructed us to drive to Tarbert-Kilimer Ferry, stopping at Conor Pass on the way (an incredibly breathtaking stop). Once we caught the ferry, we finished the drive to Lahinch, arriving just in time to see the surfers catch their last few waves.

Check-In & Dinner at Tasty Station

Once you arrive in Lahinch, check in to Crag Shore B&B and walk (if it’s not too cold!) or drive over to Tasty Station Restaurant for to-die-for food and wine. I got the curry of the day and mother got the Chili and Ginger Prawns— magnifique! After dinner I recommend grabbing a beer at a bar then stocking up on water and snacks so you can set out for the cliffs right after your continental breakfast the next day.

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Perfect view of the Cliffs of Moher from Guerin’s Path

Ireland Road Trip Day 7: Cliffs of Moher & Galway

Lahinch>Cliffs of Moher ~15 minutes

We are SO lucky our Airbnb host helped us saved money and avoid the tourist hoards at the Cliffs of Moher. She recommended we go to Guerin’s Path instead of the usual spot tourists go to park their cars. It’s privately-owned land with horses, cows and a path along the cliffs with plenty of room to roam. Looking over to the other side of the cliffs, I could tell it was WAY more crowded than where we were. You’ll pay €5 per person.

I really hope you have as clear a day as we did! Most of the time when I see other photos of the Cliffs of Moher they are really foggy and hard to see. We had the luck of the Irish with the weather. 😉

use DiscoverCars.com to book your rental car in Ireland

Drive Through the Burren

Cliffs of Moher>Galway ~2.5 hours

Drive through the Burren on your way to Galway. Ask all you want what the Burren is but you won’t really understand until you see it. The whole drive my mom and I were like “Wait, that’s it! Pull Over!” and it wouldn’t be it, but then when we saw it we were like, “Ohhhhh, THAT’S the Burren.”

Burren comes from the Irish word ‘bhoireann’ meaning a stony or rocky place. English parlimentarian, Edmund Ludlow, described the Burren as, “It is a country where there is not enough water to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, nor earth enough to bury him.” Now you totally understand what I mean.

Galway Relaxing & Dinner on Quay Street

Once you arrive in Galway, check in to your accommodations and get in a nap or some relaxation.

Plan to get dinner and go out on bustling Quay Street. Quay Street has live music, street performers, bars, restaurants and fantastic people watching. You’ll most likely be on a wait at any restaurant so settle in and grab a drink before dinner.

Quay Street is the spot for wild barhopping and live music. While I was on this trip, I really was not in the mood to go out at night. I had been traveling for three weeks and after driving all day, all I wanted to do was sleep or watch Fauda after dinner. Please don’t be like me when you are in Ireland! I seriously regret not going out and having a blast with my mom.

My mom and I outside a bar in Dublin

Ireland Road Trip Day 8: Dublin

Galway>Dublin ~2.5 hours

Wake up early enough that you have time to enjoy breakfast and walk around Galway before heading to Dublin. The architecture is really unique and it’s just a cool city overall.

Trinity College Library

Book of Kells at Trinity College

There are millions of things to do in Dublin, so do your research and choose carefully if you only have a little time. I honestly didn’t do much research for Dublin, I had just heard the Book of Kells was a “must-see”, so we planned to do that and walk around exploring for dinner and drinks.

Trinity College is more than a century old and totally beautiful, but for me, the Book of Kells was pretty underwhelming. When I told my mom that’s what I planned for us, she thought it sounded dumb, but I convinced her it was a “must-see” (who told me that???). We waited in line, paid and once we got to the part of the exhibit with the Book of Kells, I was ready to leave. I mean, I know it was written in 800 AD and it’s totally beautiful and mind blowing, but it was just an “Okay I saw it, let’s go” attraction for me. So you decide for yourself. Either way, Trinity College and the Trinity College Library are totally worth seeing.

Guinness Storehouse Tour

The Guinness Storehouse on the other hand, blew me away. My mom and I didn’t get to do this on this trip because she doesn’t love beer and I figured it was just a tourist trap, but I went to the Storehouse on a different trip to Ireland with my husband and man was I impressed! It’s considered the #1 tourist attraction in Dublin for a reason.

The storehouse experience is a self-guided tour through many floors that covers 250+ years of Guinness history. My favorite part was the floor dedicated to the history of Guinness advertising—the copywriter in me was stoked! The experience is SO well done and your ticket includes a Guinness at the Gravity Bar at the end. The Gravity Bar is so much fun because it has a 360° view of Dublin and you get to just hangout and talk all about the amazing history of Guinness! Plus, multiple people didn’t want their Guinness so they gave us their vouchers!

Get your ticket to the Guinness Storehouse here so you don’t have to wait in line.

Dinner & Bars on Temple Bar Street

There are so many great streets for dining and drinking in Dublin, but we parked in a garage near Temple Bar Street, so that’s where we went. You can basically just wander into any pub and have the best time of your life…so do that. It’s your last night in Ireland. GO ALL OUT!

You’ll certainly need food at some point and there are hundreds of worthy restaurants. We chose Elephant & Castle and while I can’t remember what we ordered, I know it’s famous for wings.

Get Home, Rest & Pack

Make sure you have a designated driver if you are not staying within walking distance. You don’t want to miss your flight or get a DUI.

We stayed outside the city but very close to the airport. However, what you could do is stay somewhere in Dublin that has parking and proximity to nightlife. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to freshen up, pack and drop off your rental car before your flight.

Ireland Road Trip Day 9: Fly Home

Wake up, grab breakfast and once you’re through security at the airport, have a few cocktails and get ready to catch some Zzzzz.

Do you have any Ireland travel tips? Want help planning your trip? Let me know in the comment section below!

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34 fun & unique mother-son dance wedding songs, saint augustine: best hotels & top things to do on a weekend getaway, 13 comments.

THANK YOU! I just checked my credit card that I booked my rental car on and it does provide rental insurance!!! You’re the best.

Wooh! Glad to hear it. So many people don’t know about all the benefits some credit cards provide…I’m still learning new ones!

Beautiful trip and report! I am planning a trip to ireland for the first week of Sept. Your trip will be inspiring. It seems that most of the links to AirBNB in the article are not accessible. Do you mind sending the names of the places? many thanks!

Hi there, how exciting! So sorry about the inconvenience, I just checked all the Airbnb links and they all work! Maybe try logging in to Airbnb? Most of them are homes or private, not hotels so I don’t think a name will work. But for Kilkenny the accommodations are above Pumphouse Pub and in Lahinche I believe the place is called Crag Shore.

HOw far in ad should i Book my ACCOMMODATIONS? Thanks!

Great post! I am having the same issue with the links to the air bnb… I’d love the names as well 🙂 thanks!

Hi Yu, my apologies. It appears many of these airbnbs are closed (the links work for me because I have them “saved” in my profile but they aren’t accepting new bookings). The only one associated with a restaurant are the accommodations above the Pumphouse Pub in Kilkenny. I’d look that one up and for the others just try to find some with good reviews.

Hi there, where did you stay in dublin as the link is not working. thank you!

Ah sorry about that! Unfortunately that Airbnb isn’t available anymore. It was in the neighborhood/area of Swords by the Old School House Restaurant. If you want to be in that area and very close to the airport, I’d look up Old School House on a map and try to find an airbnb by it. Hope this helps 🙂

I love your itinerary.. Ive booked airpare 8 days 7 nights end sept 2024 .I need help deciding what towns to stay along the way so i can book air b&Bs.

There are so many beautiful and quaint towns to see in Ireland but if I had to pick the MUSTs for your length trip, I’d stay in: Kilkenny, Killarney, Dingle, Lahinch, Galway and Dublin on the way back to the airport. Hope this helps!

Hi! great information/blog. I appreciate you doing this. do you think this is a good trip with enough time at each place or should i cut it down?

day 1- Arrive in dublin and stay the night Day 2-Kilkenny day 3- kilkenny day 4- kilgoren (right outside the dingle peninsula so we can go to dingle and killarney) day 5-Kilgoren day 6- Galway day 7-Galway day 8- drive back to dublin for flight

appreciate your input!

I’m glad it was helpful!

Actually I think that’s a great itinerary! I’d just keep in mind you’ll be on the move a lot and every day will likely be busy so as long as you’re good with not really “relaxing” a lot then I think it will be fine. Plus, you’re staying in each place for 2 nights so that helps a lot with feeling “settled” in each spot.

If you had to cut down anywhere, based on my experience I’d recommend Kilkenny. Depending on how many interests you have there, I think one full day could be enough. Have an amazing trip!

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My Ideal Ireland Itinerary 7 Days Road Trip (+ Map)

A re you itching to visit the Emerald Isle but only have a week to explore? It’s a relatively small country, so it’s doable. This Ireland itinerary for 7 days will show you how to enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside and lively Irish culture in a one-week Ireland road trip.

For most travelers, starting and ending your Irish road trip at Dublin Airport makes logical (and financial) sense. But for those who can start their trip in Dublin and end it at Shannon Airport, there are other destinations in this beautiful country you can squeeze into your 7-day Ireland itinerary.

My detailed guide below suggests two different routes for both options. Either way, you’ll have an epic and memorable time in Ireland! It’s one of my favorite countries! Keep in mind, this itinerary does not take into account travel time, most flights from the US will depart in the evening and arrive the next morning.

Ireland Itinerary 7 Days: Option 1 (Dublin to Dublin)

This 7-day Ireland itinerary is based on my actual road trip around Ireland and Northern Ireland with my teen daughter. We had a wonderful time, so I’m sharing many of our lessons and stops to help you make the most of your visit.

Day 1: Dublin to Belfast

Day 2: Belfast to Derry

Day 3: Derry to Westport (or Galway)

Day 4: Westport to Galway

Day 5: Galway to Dublin

Day 6: Dublin

Day 7: Leave Dublin

Alternative Route Thoughts:

If you’re willing to drive and tour at a faster pace, you could try to combine parts of the Northern Ireland itinerary in order to allow you to visit the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula in the southwest of Ireland if you’re set on flying in and out of Dublin.

The Dingle Peninsula Slea Head Drive is considered one of the highlights of the area and the star of the Wild Atlantic Way region. But it is on the opposite end of the island from Northern Ireland, so with only 7 days, adjustments are needed. My route includes some of the Wild Atlantic Way between Westport and Galway, and is more accessible. However, some feel strongly about visiting the Dingle Peninsula.

Look at my list of things to do and see and decide which are your priorities if the Dingle Peninsula (pretty drive that will take about 3 hours) is a priority, AND you have to fly in and out of Dublin. If you want to prioritize Northern Ireland and the southwest area of Republic of Ireland, you might look at a route like this: Dublin – Derry – Galway – Dingle/Killarney (2 nights) – Dublin (2 nights)

I wouldn’t choose this fast pace, but it is an option if you’re trying to make the most of a limited week. The better option in my opinion would be to try to add on a day or two. Ideally, you’d plan a 10 day Ireland itinerary if you want to see most of the highlights. Or just plan to come back again!

My recommendation if you only have 7 days and want to see most of the popular regions is to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon Airport, which I list that alternate itinerary farther down in my post.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin Airport and Explore Belfast

Waste no time at Dublin Airport by renting a car and driving north to Northern Ireland. Many flights from North America are red eye so you can start your 7 day Ireland itinerary in the morning. Don’t worry, you’ll end your trip in Dublin.

Renting a Car in Ireland

Take note that, unless you specify, your rental car will have a manual transmission. Request an automatic if you don’t want to tackle switching gears and driving on the left side of the road! Trust me, this isn’t the time to learn to drive standard or to try and remember that time in your childhood when you borrowed your buddy’s stick shift car.

You will need to have full coverage auto insurance for accidents or damage. Many times I rely on my credit card for car rental insurance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve both have primary rental car coverage. But, confirm that Ireland and Northern Ireland aren’t excluded from your coverage.

Also, be prepared to show proof of the coverage at the rental counter. This can typically be printed from your benefits page but consider calling or chatting with customer care to ask for written proof of rental coverage. Otherwise, you’ll need to add collision coverage to your rental.

You can use Google Maps to navigate Ireland’s narrow roads, but it will often take you the fastest way which isn’t always the best way for tourists. We had a GPS device added to our rental and found it would sometimes route us differently than Google Maps.

Most of the time Google Maps was great but twice we should have listened to the GPS, one of which was driving back to Dublin from Cliffs of Moher when Google Maps took us back roads that were very tight and slow going and the GPS would have gotten us onto a highway much faster.

On your first day, head to Northern Ireland. The total drive time from Dublin to Belfast is just under two hours covering 162 km/100 miles, so you should have plenty of time to explore Killeavy before traveling to Belfast and staying there one night.

Note: The Republic of Ireland measures speed in kilometers/hr while Northern Ireland measures in miles/hr. Money is also different as Northern Ireland uses the British Pound Sterling (￡) and Ireland uses the Euro (€).

Malahide or Killeavy

You’ll hop in your car and start heading to Northern Ireland but I recommend at least one stop along the way to help get outdoors and help your body adjust to the time change. There are two stops I’d recommend as you make your way to Belfast, either Malahide or Killeavy. Both will help you get outdoors and have a castle.

Malahide is what I’d consider a Dublin suburb. It’s home to the popular Malahide Castle and Gardens, which is a more touristy operated castle with decor and extensive gardens. Malahide is also on the coast and there is a popular 4 km Malahide to Portmarnock Coastal Walk to get an outdoor fix on your first day. The town itself has a large number of cute restaurants and shops for a great afternoon break on your first day.

If you’re looking to get out of the city on your first day, plan for a stop in Killeavy instead. Located just over the Northern Irish border, Killeavy is a small town and a great place to stop for a break in an official area of natural beauty.

Check out Killeavy Castle Estate (there’s a hotel there now but you can still check out the castle grounds) or the Slieve Gullion Forest Park. This area of woodland has links to Celtic mythology! If you’re in Killeavy around lunchtime, stop at Johnny Murphy’s Bar and Restaurant for a bite to eat.

And if you’re not in a rush and have an extra night beyond this 7-day itinerary, consider booking a stay at the Killeavy Castle Estate. It’s absolutely beautiful and a great way to unwind after a busy travel day. We overnighted in Killeavy and even visited their spa to help us relax after traveling. The extra day helps you relax and start to acclimate to the time change.

If you’re not staying overnight in Killeavy and following my 7 day itinerary, hop back in your car and head to Belfast next.

Political Mural Black Cab Tour

When you arrive in Belfast, park your rental car and let a tour guide drive you around for a change! From the 1970s to the 1990s, Belfast was at the center of a pivotal moment in Irish history called ‘the Troubles’.

A great way to learn more about it is to book a Black Cab Tour around all the neighborhoods and dozens of political murals that document the era. Driving is much faster than a walking tour which is ideal because there are lots of things to do in Belfast!

Shopping in Belfast

Need souvenirs or just have lots of room in your suitcase to fill? St. George’s Market is a 19th-century covered weekend market selling everything from street food to antiques. Born in Belfast is a great place to shop for local, artisanal gifts. Note that it’s only open on the weekend.

Note: Ireland’s currency is the Euro but Northern Ireland uses Great British Pounds. Bring a good travel credit card with no foreign exchange fees so you can pay in both currencies with no problems. We didn’t need cash at all during our trip as everywhere we visited accepted credit cards.

Ride Hydrobikes on the River Lagan

Dublin has the River Liffey, but Belfast has the River Lagan. Take a fun, self-guided tour down this river on hydro bikes and see landmarks like the Prince Albert Clock, the yellow Harland & Wolf cranes, and the Big Fish. Check out Lagan Adventures to learn more about booking this fun water activity!

This is a fun activity that is unique, but can be skipped if you’re running low on time or would rather have more time at the Titanic museum.

Titanic Belfast Experience

While riding the hydro bikes you’ll sail past the Titanic Quarter, home of Belfast’s docks and where the infamous ship was built in the early 1910s. Titanic Belfast is a state-of-the-art experience that opened in 2012, the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Titanic on its first voyage.

You can learn more about the ship’s design, the people who built it, and everything else there is to know about the Titanic. You can even find violins and deckchairs found on the Titanic’s wreckage among the exhibits. It can be an emotional experience for some, but is a must-do for anyone who is fascinated by the Titanic story.

Evening in Belfast

Belfast has tons of fantastic restaurants in its Cathedral Quarter. Check out The Dirty Onion and Yardbird for a more relaxed meal or The Muddlers Club for fine dining. Don’t forget to check out the cool neon signs down Commercial Court which look best on a dark, rainy evening.

Overnight in Belfast

You’ll spend your first night in Belfast and I have two great hotel recommendations for you. Ten Square Hotel was where I stayed most recently and is in a central location with a view of the beautiful City Hall building.

And the Maldron Hotel Belfast City is also centrally located, upscale, and has amazing reviews. I also love that both these hotels have restaurants in case you’re too tired to go out after arriving and just want to grab dinner, or breakfast, at your hotel.

Day 2: Drive the Scenic Causeway Coast

On the first full day of your Ireland itinerary for 7 days, you could drive straight to Derry from Belfast along the motorway (the name for highways in Ireland). But then you’d miss the scenic drive along the Causeway Coast. This drive was possibly our favorite part of the entire trip!

This coastline stretches across the top of Northern Ireland and features otherworldly landforms, medieval castles, rope bridges, and more. You can even see out to Scotland on this scenic route (on a clear day).

Driving from Belfast to Derry via the coast is approximately 114 miles in distance and will take three hours without stops. Set off early so you have as much time to make stops as possible, trust me, the views are amazing and you’ll want plenty of time to enjoy the trip.

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

With a history dating back 250 years, fishermen used to cross this rope bridge (an older version of the one installed in 2008!) to catch salmon on a small island. Carrick-A-Rede is a 66 ft-long rope bridge suspended 100 ft above the Antrim coast and offers an exciting experience as well as incredible sea and coastal views. The water around the coast here is so blue, you’ll think you’re in the Caribbean.

The hike is about 1.8 miles and will take you about an hour to an hour and a half to explore. I would consider it a simple walk for people used to physical activity, but does require effort and stamina. I highly recommend pre-booking your visit as they do limit access and you don’t want to show up and have access sold out for that time frame.

If you’re craving a snack or drink, stop by Carrick-A-Rede Bar & Restaurant before or after your bridge walk. It’s located past the rope bridge if you’re driving from Belfast, so works well as a stop after your walk on your way to the next stop, Giant’s Causeway.

Giant’s Causeway

Your next stop is one of the best things to do on the entire island of Ireland, hands down. The Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a four-mile-long stretch of coastline comprising thousands of basalt columns that interlock in an otherworldly form.

You can walk over these columns as much as you want for as long as you want, it’s completely free to visit! You just need to pay for the parking lot and visitor center.

I’ve walked town below on the rocks on a trip and most recently we did the cliff hike above the coastline and it offers a completely different view of the landscape. A great activity for active visitors, although there is a shuttle you can pay for to help drive you from the visitors center down to the main rock formations if you have mobility issues.

Afterwards, head into the nearby town of Bushmills for lunch where you can eat at Lorna’s Kitchen or Flash in the Pan fish and chip shop.

Dunluce Castle

Just a few minutes along the coast from the Giant’s Causeway is a beautiful ruined castle overlooking the coastline, Dunluce Castle. This 16th-century castle was once the main stronghold of Clan MacDonnell. Of all the castles to visit in Northern Ireland, this one is convenient and offers some amazing coastal lookout views!

Overnight in Derry

Derry (aka Londonderry) is Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, so you’ll have no trouble finding places to eat for dinner or things to do. If you arrive in Derry early, make sure you see the Peace Bridge over the River Foyle, Free Derry Corner, and The Derry Walls. These are 17th-century defensive walls that circle the city and offer the best views.

One of my daughter’s absolute favorite stops on our trip was our overnight in Derry. While many itineraries will have you skip this city so that you can immediately get to the west coast of Ireland, I’m chiming in to say it’s worth stopping here.

We arrived in Derry in the evening and walked the entire circle of the walls. The walls encircle the central part of the city and it’s about a mile walk. There are multiple access points on and off the walls, so it’s a convenient and fun way to get around the city.

For dinner, Castle Street Social is a cool, laidback bistro and The Bentley Bar is better for live Irish music and grills. We loved our upscale pub dinner at the Wig Champagne Bar in Bishops Gate Hotel . I’ve stayed at this hotel twice and have loved it every time. It is a luxury property, but the price is not as crazy as you might expect.

Day 3: Explore Derry and Drive to Westport (or Galway)

Derry is Northern Ireland’s second city, so spend enough time visiting the main sites. But don’t linger too long, because on the third day of your Ireland itinerary for 7 days, you’ll be driving back into the Republic of Ireland and along the west coast.

Driving from Derry to Westport in County Mayo will take approximately three hours to cover 149 miles/240 km. It will take a little longer to make a stop well worth visiting en route ! Spend one night in Westport or the surrounding area. If you don’t spend too long in Derry, you could overnight in Galway instead of Westport.

If you like visiting eclectic museums, you’ll spoiled for choice in Derry. Museum of Free Derry covers the region’s local civil rights history, The Siege Museum specifically covers a specific historical moment in 1689, and the Foyle Valley Railway Museum with lots of old-timey trains.

If you haven’t already, watch the hilarious Netflix sitcom Derry Girls which is set in this city. There’s a mural of the main characters on Orchard Street, as well as lots of other murals you’ll see as you walk around.

Make the first stop on this part of your road trip to the city of Sligo, a place known for its literary heritage (W.B. Yeats was born here). Make a stop for lunch at the traditional Walker 1781 pub which serves a mix of light, European fare.

Ashford Castle

Continue driving towards Westport but make a slight detour south to Ashford Castle. This 13th-century estate is now a hotel, but you’re free to wander its lavish interiors and well-manicured gardens.

If you have the bank balance, you could always stay overnight here instead of Westport. Keep in mind that this five-star hotel could set you back around $1,000 a night!

Overnight in Westport (or Galway)

Since Westport is a large town on Ireland’s west coast, you have plenty of dinner options. Cobbler’s Bar & Courtyard is a relaxed grill or check out Friends Bistro which is a good all-rounder for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For overnighting, consider staying at The Wyatt Hotel in the heart of town or the Westport Coast Hotel on the water.

If you have time, take a stroll along the Carrowbeg River. There are lots of cute medieval bridges like the Doris Brothers Bridge.

Alternative option: if you’re willing to leave Derry early and drive farther, you can try to combine parts of days 3 and 4 and overnight in Galway. This will allow you to use day 5 to drive the Dingle Peninsula and possibly see Cork on your way back to Dublin.

This will not be a relaxed road trip and will require early starts, but it will give you the chance to see one of the other most popular tourist regions of Ireland during your 7 days. If you choose to overnight in Galway, consider staying in the main central city area at the well-rated Park House Hotel or The Huntsman Inn .

We stayed at the g Hotel and Spa and found the location out of the way and not ideal for strolling the streets of Galway. But the property does have nice rooms and restaurants, plus a spa. It reminded me of a US casino hotel experience.

Day 4: Explore Connemara National Park and Galway

Ireland has six national parks, and you’ll be able to visit at least one by following this Ireland itinerary for 7 days. Visiting during the summer months is a great time to visit Ireland as you can take advantage of the long days and good weather (well, better weather) for outdoor activities.

Westport is only 78.5 km/49 miles north of Galway City (which will take just over one hour to drive without stopping) but there are some great things to do on your journey along the west coast.

Ireland’s entire stretch of coast along the Atlantic Ocean is called the Wild Atlantic Way. It stretches 2,600 km/1600 miles from Malin Head in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. You won’t have time to drive the entire scenic route during your week in Ireland, but you will see some of it on Days 4 and 5. Stay in overnight in Galway.

Kylemore Abbey & Gardens

While there are tons of beautiful stately homes across the country, none are as special as Kylemore Abbey. This 19th-century mansion has been occupied by Benedictine nuns since the 1920s and they’re still there today. You can tour the house and walk around the gardens as well as visit the nearby Kylemore Church.

One of the best things about this abbey is its stunning location. It’s surrounded by woodland and sits on the banks of the Pollacapall Lough on the edge of Connemara National Park.

Connemara National Park

Speaking of the national park, it’s also worth a stop on your drive. Poke your head into the Visitor Center and if you have the time, tackle the nearby Lower Diamond Hill Trail. It’s only a 1.8-mile loop walk and you can continue onto the Upper Diamond Hill Trail if that trail is too easy.

Just a stone’s throw further than Connemara National Park is Clifden, a cute, small town on the coast. Off The Square Restaurant is the perfect stone-walled café to stop for lunch, and there are some interesting memorials dotted around the hills outside the town.

Walk along the coast to the John D’Arcy Monument, dedicated to the founder of Clifden, or drive to the Alcock and Brown Memorial. These British pilots completed the first nonstop transatlantic flight in 1919 which landed right outside of Clifden.

As the home of traditional Irish music and other Celtic legends, Galway is an essential stop on any Ireland itinerary for 7 days. Head to the colorful Latin Quarter where there are dozens of colorful pubs. Many licensed pubs allow accompanied children to enter until 9 pm, so check for notices around the door before entering.

Galway’s main street, Quay Street, stretches through the Latin Quarter and this is where you can find stores selling the famous Claddaugh jewelry. These Celtic pieces have a unique symbol with two hands to represent friendship, a heart to represent love and a crown for loyalty. They are the perfect souvenir!

Head under the Spanish Arch to the harbor and check out the Galway City Museum if you want to learn more about the city’s local and maritime history. Check out the Róisín Dubh for the best live music performances in the city.

For dinner, The Dough Bros is budget and kid-friendly. Tigh Neachtain Pub & Restaurant has the best of both local Irish cuisine and traditional folk performances.

Day 5: Witness the Cliffs of Moher and Drive to Dublin

It’s time to get back to Dublin so you can explore Ireland’s capital city before hopping on your flight back home. Not before swinging by one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, of course.

Driving from Galway to Dublin via the famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare and Limerick will take approximately five hours as you’ll need to cover 356 km/226 miles. Stay overnight in Dublin for the last two nights of your 7-day itinerary in Ireland.

Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk and Visitor Center

Drive from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center and learn more about the formation of these incredible sea cliffs. They climb 702 feet tall at their highest point and stretch 14km/nine miles along the coast.

Then, walk out to the coastal path and explore different vantage points. On a clear day, you should be able to see out to the Aran Islands. Many companies run day tours to the Aran Islands from Galway, but you might not have time on your 7-day Ireland itinerary.

Lunch in Limerick

Stop for lunch in Limerick, the fourth-largest city on the island. You have lots of options but Story Café is perfect if you want to eat something light while The Locke Bar Gastro Pub is perfect for a filling sit-down meal.

Hang around before continuing to Dublin as there are lots of things to do in Limerick. Visit the 19th-century Milk Market where you can pick up souvenirs or snacks for your ride. King John’s Castle is an imposing medieval fortress that sits right on the River Shannon that you can visit too.

Evening in Dublin

Since you have a pretty long drive, you probably won’t reach Dublin until the evening. Walk to the historic Temple Bar neighborhood for dinner. It’s named after an actual 19th-century, bright red pub in the area that you can’t miss.

If you’re traveling with kids and you’ve struggled to find pubs that will admit those under 18 (the drinking age in Ireland) then head to Temple Bar before 9 pm to listen to music. If you’re not visiting with kids, walk a few minutes west along the River Liffey to Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest pub.

Old Storehouse Bar or Cobblestone Pub are perfect places to enjoy dinner in Temple Bar. They both boast life music too.

Overnight in Dublin

You’ll have plenty of places to choose from if you want to stay in Dublin. My experiences have been with The Davenport and Trinity City Hotel , both are gorgeous upscale properties in convenient locations to walk to many of the popular sights. If you don’t want to deal with city driving and parking and can stay a bit outside of the city center; I’ve stayed at Clontarf Castle , which is a unique property and near a bus route with easy access into Dublin.

Day 6: Explore Dublin

Dublin is the perfect place to spend the last day of your trip. If it’s your first time in Ireland, you can’t miss it! But it’s a big city and there are many options for spending your final full day. Book two nights’ accommodation in the city.

One great option is to find a parking lot for your rental car and check out the top tourist attractions in Dublin’s city center. Or, if you’re not keen on visiting a city or checking out day tours, you can drive out to County Dublin’s picturesque coastal towns like Skerries, Malahide, and Howe.

If you want to stay in the capital, this itinerary will show you the best way to enjoy the city. I have a two day Dublin itinerary that might be useful, but find some of the highlights below.

Trinity College Library & Book of Kells

Start in the southeast part of the city at Trinity College Dublin. This is the most prestigious university in Ireland, and where you’ll find Trinity College Library. It’s famous for its 16th-century Long Room which features two stories of stacked bookshelves (it looks like something out of Harry Potter !).

It’s also famous for the Book of Kells . This is one of the oldest books in the world which was handpainted in the 9th century. They just launched a brand new experience that has made seeing the book a little more exciting than the previous old plaque style exhibit.

Something important to note is that almost all of the books have been removed from the Long Room as part of a redevelopment project. However, the new tour experience uses projections to help you still appreciate the history of the space.

St. Stephen’s Green

Dublin has lots of adorable parks so you have to see at least one during your trip. Merrion Square is a great choice, but St. Stephen’s Green is more central. It’s small but has a small pond, statues dedicated to some of Ireland’s literary greats, and is surrounded by rows of Georgian townhouses with colored doors.

Grafton Street

Walk underneath the Fusiliers’ Arch in the northwest corner of St. Stephen’s Green and you’ll be standing at the top of Grafton Street. This is a pedestrianized shopping street that is always lined with musicians playing for money (aka buskers). If you’re not a fan of pubs then this is the best spot to listen to local music.

Grafton Street also has a number of great shops for souvenir shopping. A couple of my favorites are the Aran Sweater Market for authentic wool sweaters and clothing, Claddagh Jewellers for Irish jewelry, and Seasons of Ireland for cheesy tourist gifts.

Dublin Castle

Continue walking west to Dublin Castle. This is a well-preserved castle dating back to the 13th century with museums, libraries, and state apartments. There’s also a small garden that you can explore and an onsite café which is perfect for lunch.

Christ Church Cathedral

Just across the road from Dublin Castle is Christ Church Cathedral. St. Patrick’s Cathedral (named after the country’s famous patron saint) is arguably a more important building as it’s Ireland’s national cathedral, but it’s a little further away.

Christ Church Cathedral started as a Viking church almost 1,000 years ago although the current building dates back to the 13th century. Inside, you’ll find a mummified rat and cat (they both got stuck in the organ) and a ‘homeless Jesus’ statue on the bench outside.

Guinness Storehouse

One of the most popular attractions in Ireland, you have to check out the Guinness Storehouse during your first visit. In 1749, Arthur Guinness signed a legendary 9,000-year lease on a disused brewery at St. James’s Gate. Today, the famous dark ale is brewed elsewhere but the original location is now a visitor center.

The Guinness Storehouse covers the brewing process, the history of the company, and fun advertising displays. It’s surprisingly family-friendly and everyone either gets a pint of Guinness or a soft drink in the Gravity Bar at the end of the tour. It offers 360-degree views across the whole city of Dublin!

You can make reservations for one of the restaurants at Guinness Storehouse, or head back towards your hotel and check out the Temple Bar area for food and drinks.

Temple Bar Neighborhood

Return to Temple Bar for your last night in Ireland. There are lots of restaurants serving a range of cuisines if you’ve had more than enough savory pies, potatoes, and root vegetables during your seven-day trip!

Day 7: Depart from Dublin Airport

It’s time to head back to Dublin Airport and finish up your seven days in Ireland. Depending on the time of your flight back, you may have a little time to see parts of Dublin you missed the day before.

Leave plenty of time to travel to Dublin Airport as you will have to return your rental car too.

Ireland Itinerary 7 Days: Option 2 (Dublin to Shannon)

Day 1: arrive in dublin and explore.

The first day of this alternative 7-day Ireland itinerary starts in Dublin. Instead of traveling to Northern Ireland immediately, explore Ireland’s capital city first. You’ll spend one night in Dublin. This part is almost identical to Day 6 of the first itinerary.

You can either travel into Dublin by bus or taxi and pick up a rental car in the city center the next day, or pick up a car at the airport and find a parking lot near your hotel. You won’t need a car to get around Dublin! It’s super walkable and traffic is a nightmare.

Note: It may be more expensive to pick up a rental car at Dublin Airport and drop it off at Shannon Airport. Since traveling around Ireland using public transport is difficult to impossible, factor this extra cost into your budget.

Day 2: Travel from Dublin to Belfast

The next stop on this alternative Ireland itinerary for 7 days is Belfast. It’s similar to day 1 of the first itinerary, except you might not have time to stop in Malahide or Killeavy. You may also have to visit a Dublin attraction or two in the morning before you set off, like Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral.

Spend a couple of hours in Dublin wrapping up the top attractions before driving north and exploring the Northern Irish capital. Driving this 105-mile/166 km journey will take around one hour and 45 minutes. Spend one night in Belfast.

Day 3: Drive the Scenic Causeway Coast

This day of this alternate itinerary is pretty much exactly the same as Day 2 on the first itinerary. Drive from Belfast to Derry via the coast which is approximately 114 miles in distance and will take three hours without stops.

But you will absolutely want to stop as many times as possible on this stunning scenic drive! Check out all the best places to stop under Day 2 before staying overnight in Derry.

Day 4: Explore Derry and Drive to Galway

In this itinerary, you’re essentially combining Days 3 and 4 of the first itinerary and driving from Derry to Galway, returning to the Republic of Ireland. This will be your longest driving day at over three and a half hours, covering 172 miles/277 km.

You will most likely have to compromise on road trip stops. This will probably include skipping Westport and Clifden.

If you want to see Connemara National Park, you’ll have to head in a different direction to Ashford Castle. And if you want to see more of Galway, spend less time in Derry.

Day 5: View the Cliffs of Moher and Drive to Killarney

The biggest change from the first itinerary to this one is that you get to visit Killarney National Park and the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. Many people who visit Ireland say that County Kerry is one of the best places in the country, so it’s well worth visiting!

Driving south from Galway to Killarney takes around two and a half hours, but you will want to extend that drive for another 90 minutes to make a special road trip stop. Follow the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway so you can check out the Cliffs of Moher. This will make your whole drive take around four hours, covering 263 km/163 miles.

If you have any time left at the end of the day, take that time to explore Killarney National Park. Spend the next two nights in Killarney, using it as your home base.

Killarney National Park

Although Connemara National Park is beautiful, everyone who visits Ireland gushes about Killarney. It boasts such natural diversity including huge lakes, rolling green hills, waterfalls, and historic sites.

If you have time, hire a kayak or canoe and sail on Lough Leane. You can visit the ruined structures of Ross Castle and Innisfallen Abbey.

Head to Muckross House, a 19th-century mansion in the park where Queen Victoria once stayed. Torc Waterfall is nearby which is an impressive site only a short walk into the woods from the parking lot.

Evening in Killarney

Killarney has lots of pub restaurants serving traditional Irish food and some even have live music playing every night. Murphys Bar & Restaurant and John M. Reidy are both great options.

Day 6: Drive the Scenic Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula

The Ring of Kerry is a 179 km/111-mile coastal loop drive around the Iveragh Peninsula. If you were to drive without stopping, it would take around three and a half hours. Along with the Dingle Peninsula drive, they are two of the most beautiful coastal drives in the country.

Unfortunately, you won’t have time to drive around both routes. But no matter which one you pick, you’re guaranteed to have the best time exploring the Kerry countryside and you can head back to Killarney for dinner.

Option 1: Ring of Kerry

Due to the narrow roads, drive in a counter-clockwise direction so you can lessen the chance of having to reverse for local traffic.

Some of the highlights of the Ring of Kerry drive are Rossbeigh Beach and Kells for views across the sea to the Dingle Peninsula. Cahergal Stone Fort in Cahersiveen dates back to the 7th century and there are lots of other cool ruined castles and forts in the area.

Stop in Portmagee for a fish and chips lunch from Fisherman’s Bar. It’s a cute little colorful port town with ferries to the Skellig Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off the Kerry coast.

Kenmare is another essential stop on the Ring of Kerry Route. You can check out Kenmare Stone Circle (over 4,000 years old!) and Ladies View at the end of Killarney National Park. It’s one of the best vantage points in the park.

Option 2: Dingle Peninsula

If you choose to drive around the Dingle Peninsula instead, drive clockwise to follow the most popular direction of traffic. Head first to Inch Beach, a 5 km-long sandy beach that juts out into the sea and is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Ireland.

Continue along the coast to Dingle Town, the start and finish of the 30-mile-long scenic Slea Head Drive around the tip of the peninsula. You can stop for lunch before or after completing this part of the drive where you can have your pick of fish and chip shops like The Fish Box.

After Dingle, stop by the Beehive Huts which are the well-preserved former homes of early Christian monks. They’re over 1,400 years old! Stop at Dunmore Head for the best views of the Blasket Islands before continuing to the unique Dunquin Pier.

Back at Dingle, take the N86/N70 road back to Killarney which is much wider and more pleasant to drive on.

Day 7: Depart from Shannon Airport

On the last day of your Ireland itinerary for 7 days, drive back up north from Killarney to Shannon Airport. This will take just under two hours covering a distance of around 175 km/84 miles.

If you have a late flight, you can check out parts of the Ring of Kerry or Killarney National Park that you might have missed over the previous two days. Leave in plenty of time in case you have any unforeseen delays! You’ll need to return your rental car as well as go through security.

Use This Ireland Itinerary for 7 Days as Your Guide

No matter your flight plans, you can use one of my Ireland itinerary for 7 days to navigate your entire trip! Both include all the major cities like Dublin and Belfast and beautiful scenery like the Giant’s Causeway and Cliffs of Moher. You can’t go wrong!

Are you itching to visit the Emerald Isle but only have a week to explore? It’s a relatively small country, so it’s doable. This Ireland itinerary for 7 days will show you how to enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside and lively Irish culture in a one-week Ireland road trip. For most travelers, starting …

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way ranks among top European road trips

A new study has revealed this popular route has 1.8 million hashtags on instagram..

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way , considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, has been named one for the top road trips in Europe in a new study.

Filled with iconic cities, beautiful scenery and opportunities to explore, Europe is the perfect destination for excited travelers looking for a quick getaway. With a total of 71.4 million #roadtrip posts on social media, Carlease.co.uk wanted to reveal the most popular road trip routes to take this summer to help inspire those summer getaways.

Utilizing the TomTom Route Planner, predetermined road trips were analyzed for the study. To determine which routes were most popular, researchers analyzed the number of instagram posts with related hashtags and each road trip was ranked by this popularity ranking.

The Wild Atlantic Way route placed ninth on the list, after receiving 1.8 million hashtags on Instagram. This Irish road trip is the only route from Ireland in the top 10.

The perfect tourism trail on the west coast skirting rocky headlands and cliffs, this route passes through nine counties and three provinces reaching a total of 151 km.

The top three spots on the list all went to Italy, with Sicily ranking first, with a grand total of 17.8 million posts on Instagram.

Filled with ancient cities and beautiful vineyards, taking this 315 km road trip will allow travelers to experience the rich culture across numerous cities such as Palermo, Zingaro and more.

With its traditional white villages and calm coastlines, Puglia ranks second, with a total of 15.1 million Instagram posts. At 180km, this scenic trip takes you to the best spots of the easternmost province, including the famous Caves of Castellana.

The third most popular road trip is Tuscany, with 11.7 million posts online. Filled with picturesque villages, mountains and hills, this 310 km route offers the best Tuscan experience among the most magical regions of Italy.

In fourth place is Galicia, in the northwest corner of Spain. This 724 km route is the longest on the list and has received a total of 7.8 million hashtags on Instagram.

In fifth place with 5.7 million posts, the French Riviera is perfect for an iconic and scenic trip across Europe. This trip is the definition of luxury as you travel through some of the poshest towns, cities and regions across a total of 291 km.

Check out the complete top 10 list below.

Top 10 Popular Road Trips in Europe:

Sicily, Italy
Puglia, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Galicia, Spain
French Riviera, France
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Black Forest, Germany
Lake Como, Italy
Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Lake Garda, Italy

Are you planning a vacation in Ireland? Looking for advice or want to share some great memories? Join our Irish travel Facebook group.

Related: Ring of Kerry , Wild Atlantic Way , County Galway Travel

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Taylor Swift’s Irish links: Five times the singer popped up in odd places in Ireland

Taylor Swift brings her Eras Tour to Ireland this weekend. Picture: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

We all know that Taylor Swift is in Dublin this weekend with her Eras Tour , but the singer-songwriter has popped up in different places throughout the country over the years.

It’s not uncommon for stars and A-list celebrities to frequent the Emerald Isle and some have even made it their second home, such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Daniel Day-Lewis, to name but a few.

Swift’s last time on tour saw her perform at Croke Park in 2018. However, the 33-year-old has spent some time here in the past, particularly with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

Christmas in Co Limerick

In 2018, Taylor Swift spent Christmas at Glin Castle in Co Limerick — though it took a while for the special visit to be confirmed.

Owned by Catherine FitzGerald and her husband actor Dominic West, the castle has been home to the FitzGerald family for 800 years and is located outside the village of Glin along the Shannon River.

During Swift’s stay, then-boyfriend actor Joe Alwyn had posted a picture of him along Knight’s Walk in Glin and Irish fans were quick to recognise the surroundings.

According to the Limerick Leader , the pair reportedly headed along to a nearby pub.

The local GAA club also confirmed the visit by sharing a picture of a lotto ticket purchased by the Anti-Hero singer. The ticket had Swift’s signature and she also provided her address: “USA”.

"Down deep inside your pocket, we almost forgot it, does it ever miss Wicklow sometimes?"

The song was co-written by William Bowery, which is Alwyn’s pseudonym so it seems it was a special one for them both.

Here's hoping Swift pops up in some other locations during her gigs at the Aviva...

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5 Days In Ireland: A Logical Itinerary You’ll Love

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: April 26, 2024

5 Days In Ireland: A Logical Itinerary You’ll Love

My Irish Road Trip Library has 56 different itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland (you can pick start points, transport type, etc.).

However , out of all of my 5 day road trips, the 1 below is hands-down the most popular!

This is a logical itinerary for those looking to explore a realistic amount of Ireland in 5 days.

You’ll need a car, you won’t have to change hotel every night and you’ll see some of Ireland’s most famous attractions.

A quick overview:

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin (night 1 in Dublin)
Day 2: Day trip to Wicklow or Meath (night 2 in Dublin)
Day 3 : Killarney via Cashel (night 3 in Killarney)
Day 4: The Ring of Kerry (night 4 in Killarney)

Day 5: Depends (either back to the airport or Dingle)

A tried-and-tested itinerary for 5 days in ireland.

Click to enlarge map

Right – take a few seconds to look at the map above, first, as it’ll give you a good lay-of-the-land!

Then take 30 seconds to scan the points below – they explain the key elements of this 5 day Irish road trip.

1. Where it starts

This is a 5 day Ireland road trip from Dublin. If you’re not starting in the capital, I have 5 day trips beginning in Belfast , Shannon , Wexford , Cork , Mayo and Donegal !

2. How you’ll get around

You’ll need your own mode of transport (see my guide to renting a car in Ireland ).

If you are using trains and buses, I have 5 day public transport road trips starting in Dublin , Shannon , Belfast , Cork , Wexford , Mayo and Donegal .

3. Why this itinerary is so popular

The itinerary below has been used thousands of times and it is, hands-down, the one I get the most positive feedback on. The reason for this is that it is:

Realistic : Avoids excessive driving common in many 5 day Ireland road trips
Logical : Follows a tried-and-tested route that ensures you use your time efficiently

Day 1: Dublin

Welcome to Ireland’s capital! Now, the first of your 5 days in Ireland will be completely dependant on what time you land.

I’m going to follow a 1 day Dublin itinerary that assumes you’re landing early.

If you’re not, just adjust it as needed! Here are some need-to-knows:

Get your rental at the airport

So, although you won’t need a car for the first day, it’s easier to get it from Dublin Airport when you arrive, rather than having to collect it on the morning of day 2.

See my guide to renting a car in Ireland if this is your first time, as it can be a tedious task.

Night 1 and 2 accommodation

You’ll spend the first 2 nights of your 5 day Irish road trip in Dublin. Here are the places that I recommend over and over:

Budget : The Generator (in Smithfield – 25-minute walk from centre) and Abigail’s (hostel in Temple Bar)
Mid-range : The Harding Hotel (very central – right next to Christ Church Cathedral) and The Skylon (15-minute bus ride from the city)
Luxury : The Merrion (extremely central, just off St. Stephen’s Green) and The Westin (very central, just off Grafton Street)

Stop 1: The Long Room at Trinity

Photos via Shutterstock

The 1st stop on your 5 day trip to Ireland is the city’s Trinity College , which was incorporated in 1592, making it the oldest university in Ireland.

Now, you don’t have to be a student to enjoy Trinity – you can stroll inside its grounds and admire its Neoclassical and modern architecture.

The main landmark here is the bell tower (pictured above) which was finished in 1853.

The big attraction of Trinity, however, is the tour that takes you to the Book of Kells and the incredible Long Room Library .

The Book of Kells is an ancient manuscript that dates to around 800 AD!

After seeing the book, you’ll continue through to the breath-taking Long Room which houses 200,000+ of Trinity’s oldest books!

There can be large queues: To avoid ’em, book a fast-track ticket for the tour that also includes Dublin Castle

Stop 2: The shortcut through Temple Bar

The next stop, the Ha’penny Bridge, can be reached via a little detour through Temple Bar (it’s an 8-minute walk).

Arguably one of the most famous attractions in Dublin , Temple Bar is a ‘cultural quarter’ that gets far too much hype from visiting ‘travel bloggers’, in my opinion.

You’ll pay a ridiculous premium in many of the pubs in Temple Bar but the trade-off is live music throughout the day and a party-vibe… if that’s what you’re into!

My 2 cents: Walk right on through Temple Bar. I’ll give you some recommendations for historical city pubs in a moment!

Stop 3: The Ha’penny Bridge

Arguably one of the most famous landmarks in Ireland , the Ha’penny Bridge is Dublin’s original toll booth!

It has spanned the Liffey River for over 200 years and, once-upon-a-time, you had to pay a Ha’penny to cross it.

You won’t spend a huge amount of time here, but it’s a great little pit-stop en route to stop 4 of this 5 day Ireland itinerary.

Safety warning: You can get some dodgy characters hanging around on the boardwalk on the opposite side!

Stop 4: The GPO

Leave the bridge and take the 5-minute walk along historic O’Connell Street .

Although the street is now home to gaudy shops and fast-food outlets, it’s steeped in history.

Keep an eye out for the different monuments that pay homage to key figures from the Easter Rising and the 1913 Dublin lock-out.

Aim for the GPO (you can’t miss it).

It’s here you’ll find one of the most overlooked museums in Dublin and it tells the story of the 1916 Easter Rising brilliantly.

Stop 5: Lunch at the oldest pub in Dublin

Right – it’s time for a feed and, if you fancy, a pint!

Take the 20-minute walk from the GPO to the Brazen Head – the 1st of many pubs I’ll take you to on this 5 day Ireland itinerary!

This is the oldest of the many old pubs in Dublin , and it dates back to 1198.

The exterior is like something you’d seen in Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series and the interior is like a living-museum.

You’ll get a hearty feed here, a decent pint of Guinness and a very memorable setting that’ll make it hard to leave!

Planning a 5 day Ireland road trip? My guides to deciding the best time to visit Ireland and planning a trip to Ireland will come in handy!

Stop 6: Christ Church, Dublin Castle or St. Patrick’s Cathedral

One of the problems with a short, 5 day trip to Ireland is that you often have to decided between one-place-or-another.

In this instance, you have 3 options:

Christ Church Cathedral (8-min walk): Dates to 1030 and was established under the reign of Norse King Sigtrygg Silkbeard
St. Patrick’s Cathedral (13-min walk): Dates to the 12th century and it is Ireland’s largest cathedral
Dublin Castle (12-min walk): Dates to the 13th century and served as the English headquarters in Dublin for over 7 centuries

My 2 cents: Each of the above attractions are excellent. If I had to choose, I would visit Christ Church!

Stop 7: The Guinness Storehouse

The last stop on day 1 of this 5 day Ireland itinerary takes you to the Guinness Storehouse (20-min walk from Christ Church).

The home of the most famous of the many Irish beers , the Storehouse can be found at St. James’s Gate.

It was here that Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease for the site in 1759!

Grab a ticket in advance (1 million+ people visit each year…) and take the self-guided tour of the interactive museum.

When you’re ready, continue up to the Gravity Bar where you’ll be treated to a freshly-poured-pint along with a view out over the city!

Stop 8: An evening in Dublin

Click to enlarge

Head back to your accommodation (see my guide on where to stay in Dublin if you haven’t decided) and chill for a bit.

Here are a handful of places to eat and pubs that I recommend to everyone spending 5 days in Dublin:

Restaurants : 3 of my favourite restaurants in Dublin are SOLE, Gallaghers Boxty House and FX Buckley
Pubs with music : Darkey Kellys, the Old Storehouse and the Celt are 3 of the best live music pubs in Dublin
Historic pubs : From our guide to the best bars in Dublin – Kehoe’s and Neary’s are firm favourites

Day 2 option A: Wicklow

As I mentioned earlier, I’m going to give you 2 different options for the 2nd of your 5 days in Ireland.

‘Option A’ is Wicklow – AKA ‘The Garden County’ while ‘Option B’ is the Boyne Valley (Meath and Louth).

In my experience, ‘Option B’ is best suited to those that either 1, have a keen interest in history and/or 2, want to avoid long ish walks.

Stop 1: The Sally Gap Drive (multiple stops)

Out of the many day trips from Dublin, the 26km/16 mile Sally Gap Drive is the one I’ve done this most.

This is a hugely rewarding scenic drive that starts from just outside of Roundwood Village, around a 1-hour drive from Dublin.

Here’s an overview of the stops along the route:

Lough Tay : Also known as Guinness Lake, Lough Tay can be viewed from above from many vantage points
Ballinastoe Woods : A now-famous woodland that can be easily accessed from along the road
The ‘P.S. I Love You Bridge’: Made famous from the movie, it’s a an old-world-style-bridge
Glenmacnass Waterfall : Park in the car park on the right and carefully walk along the road to the viewing area

Stop 2: Glendalough

Park up at the Glendalough Visitor Centre (€4) and plan to spend between one and 30 – 45 minutes exploring the centre and the ‘Monastic City’.

The visitor centre is right next to the Monastic City , one of the most important monastic sites in the country.

The city was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and went on to become one of Europe’s most famous religious sites!

At the centre, there’s a wonderful exhibition on the history of Glendalough and St. Kevin.

At the Monastic City, you’ll see the Glendalough Round Tower , one of the area’s most well-known landmarks. It stands 33 metres high and dates back almost 1000 years!

Does this itinerary not suit? Remember, we have 56 different itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland here !

Stop 3: Choose a walk

So, there are many walks in Glendalough , and they vary greatly in terms of length and difficulty.

I’ve done the different trails here many times over the years and the 2 I keep going back to are:

The Lake Walk : A 2-hour/4.1km linear trail with very little incline
The Spinc Walk : A 3.5 hour/9.5km looped hike that’s graded as strenuous (pictured above)

Stop 4: The Wicklow Heather for lunch

Photo left: The Irish Road Trip. Others: Via Wicklow Heather

The most visually impressive restaurant you’ll visit during your 5 day trip to Ireland is the Wicklow Heather – a 6-minute spin from Glendalough.

I’d say I’ve eaten here 20 times over the years and, while the food is great, it’s the interior that keeps me coming back.

This is what I imagine an old Irish inn would have looked like back in the day – beautiful wooden panelling, beamed ceilings and thousands of photos and artefacts covering its walls.

Get in, rest your legs, make your belly happy and enjoy your very unique surroundings!

Stop 5: Powerscourt Waterfall

The last stop before your journey back to Dublin for the night is Powerscourt Waterfall – a 25-minute drive away.

The waterfall here, which stands at around 121 metres, is the highest waterfall in Ireland.

It’s easily accessible, too! Park up and take the 30-minute walk that takes you right up to the base of the falls.

It’s particularly impressive after heavy rainfall!

Beware of the flies: If you visit during the summer months, this whole area is swarmed with them!

Stop 7: Back to Dublin

It’ll take you around 1-hour to get back to Dublin.

I’m going to give you some different food and pub recommendations for this evening:

Restaurants : Try Bunsen for brilliant burgers, The Ivy for a fancy feed or Featherblade for a great-value steak
Great Guinness : You’ll find some of the best Guinness in Dublin in Bowes and Mulligans of Poolbeg St.

Day 2 option B: The Boyne Valley

‘Option 2’ for the 2nd day of your 5 days in Ireland is the ancient Boyne Valley , which is home to counties Meath and Louth.

This day will suit those of you with an interest in Ireland’s past, as it takes in Newgrange and one of the best castles in Ireland .

Although you’ll see a lot if you follow this option for day 2 of your 5 day Ireland road trip, you won’t have to drive too much, as the attractions are all relatively close together.

Stop 1: Newgrange

Take the 45-minute drive from Dublin City to the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site.

It’s here that you’ll find Newgrange – a neolithic passage tomb that dates to 3200 BC.

One of Ireland’s most famous historical sites, it attracts the attention of the world on December 21st.

The world watches on as the winter solstice sunrise illuminates the inner chamber, a phenomenon believed to be linked to ancient rituals.

The tour here is 1-hour long and it’s likely to be one of the most memorable stops on your 5 day Ireland road trip!

Book in advance: Pre-booking is essential if you want to visit Newgrange – you won’t get tickets at the door!

Stop 2: St Peter’s Church

Take the 15-minute spin from Brú na Bóinne to the town of Drogheda (you’ll find parking here ).

Take the 5-minute walk around to the impressive St. Peter’s Church and admire the French-Gothic architecture from the outside, first.

The church dates to 1884 and, inside, you’ll find an… interesting feature – the head of St. Oliver Plunkett.

Yes, his head . Plunkett was a Catholic archbishop who met his end after being done for ‘promoting the Roman Faith’ in England.

Does this 5 day Ireland itinerary not suit? Don’t worry – I have 56 different itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland here !

Stop 3: Monasterboice

Next up is the Christian settletment of Monasterboice , a 12-minute drive away.

Now, you don’t tend to see this in many 5 day Ireland road trips, but it’s a historically significant site that most will enjoy.

The ruins at Monasterboice date back to the late 5th century when it formed an important centre of religion.

It thrived up until 1142 when nearby Mellifont Abbey was founded.

You’ll likely only spend 30 minutes here, but the 28-metre-high round tower, the ruins and the outstanding Celtic crosses (1 of which is Ireland’s tallest) make it a memorable stop.

Stop 4: Lunch and the Kells Round Tower and High Crosses

Take the 35-minute drive to the town of Kells, next and let’s grab a bit of lunch.

Now, I’m going to give you a slightly odd recommendation – head for the ParkRi service station .

Yes, a service station… The best one you’ll every visit! You’ll find a heap of top-quality food options here.

When you’re ready, head over to see Kells Round Tower and High Cross .

You’ll see the 26-metre-high round tower as you approach along with the crosses, some-of-which date to the 9th century, nearby.

Stop 5: Trim Castle

Trim Castle (25-minute drive) will likely be another of the highlights from this 5 day Ireland itinerary.

This is the largest Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland and it’s incredibly impressive when viewing from afar.

It dates to the 12th century and it took over 30 years to finish. Although now in ruin, it’s still relatively well-preserved given its age!

Made famous thanks to its ‘Braveheart’ connection, it’s free to visit but you can also pay for a guided tour.

Go-for-guided! I’ve done the guided and the self-guided tour here and the guided wins hands-down!

Stop 6: Bective Abbey

The next stop, Bective Abbey , is a handy 8-minute spin from Trim!

Although the ruins here date to the 13th and 15th centuries, there has been an abbey at this site since 1147.

It was founded for the Cistercian Order and the chapter house, church, and cloister are all still visible!

Although free-to-visit, Bective tends to be fairly quiet throughout the year. Allow 20-30 minutes here.

Stop 7: The Hill of Tara

The final stop on day 2 of your 5 days in Ireland is a 10-minute drive away.

The famous Hill of Tara has been in use since the late Stone Age and it is a sacred site in Irish Mythology as it was the seat of Ireland’s High Kings!

Now, many that just head for a ramble around Tara leave underwhelmed (it’s not very visually impressive).

If you can please watch the free audio visual show at the visitor centre (inside the church) or take one of the guided tours.

Either of the above will help you understand and appreciate the significance of this ancient site.

Stop 8: Back to Dublin

It’ll take you around 40-minutes to get back to Dublin.

If you fancy a feed, see my guide to Dublin’s finest restaurants .

If you fancy rounding of the 2nd night of your 5 day Ireland road trip with a drink, see my Dublin pubs guide .

Day 3: Killarney via Cashel

The 3rd of your 5 days in Ireland will see you leave Dublin and head to the buzzy town of Killarney in Kerry.

You’ll stop at the ancient Rock of Dunamase, first, and then the outstanding Rock of Cashel, to break up the journey.

Where to stay in Killarney on night 3, 4 and potentially 5

Budget : New Street Lodge (beside the park) and Castle Lodge (cosy B&B outside the centre)
Mid-range : Killaran House (exceptional and very central) and Killarney Avenue (next to the park)
Luxury : Muckross Park (5-star hotel outside of the town) and The Killarney Park (old-worlde hotel by the train station)

Stop 1: The Rock of Dunamase

The Rock of Dunamase in County Laois is around a 1-hour drive from Dublin.

You’ll see it from afar as it sits in an elevated position at 46 metres/151 feet.

There have been numerous fortifications on this site over the years, as was revealed by excavations that took place in the 1990s.

There was a hill fort during the 9th century and then, around 845, Dublin’s Vikings sieged the site.

The current castle, which was built during the 12 century, is now in ruin, but you can park here and then take a short but steep ish walk up to it for a look around.

Stop 2: Rock of Dunamase to Cashel

The Rock of Cashel will be the highlight for many that follow this 5 days in Ireland itinerary.

It’s a 55-minute drive from Dunamase and, although it’ll break up your trip to Killarney, it’s a hugely rewarding stop.

The Rock of Cashel looms over the busy town of Cashel in Tipperary from its position on top of a limestone outcrop.

It was originally the seat of the Kings of Munster, but in 1101, it was given to the church. It quickly became one of Ireland’s most important ecclesiastical centres.

The Rock of Cashel tour: The 1-hour guided tour is extremely popular so make sure to book tickets in advance

Stop 3: Cashel to Killarney

You’re a 2-hour drive from Killarney when you finish up at Cashel.

When you arrive, check-in to your accommodation (see my guide on where to stay in Killarney if you’re undecided) and then grab some lunch.

If you’re after something tasty and casual, J.M. Reidy’s rarely disappoints.

Day 3 of this 5 day Ireland road trip isn’t over – you’re going to explore a bit of Killarney, next!

Stop 4: Ross Castle

Photos by The Irish Road Trip

Ross Castle is located inside Killarney National Park and, depending on where you had lunch, it should be walkable.

However, I’m going to recommend you drive as you’ll need the car for the next two stops!

Ross Castle, which dates to the 15th century, was built at the edge of Lough Leane by the O’Donoghue Mór clan.

Now, you can take a tour of the castle but, personally, I’ve always found it better to admire from the outside if I’m pressed for time.

It’s location right by the lake, surrounded by mountains and woodland, makes it an impressive sight to behold.

Does this itinerary not tick all of your boxes? Don’t worry – we have 56 different itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland here !

Stop 5: Muckross Abbey

Muckross Abbey is a 20-minute drive from the castle and it’ll take you roughly 20 minutes to walk to it and the same back.

A visit here is one of the more popular things to do in Killarney for good reason!

Although now in ruin, you can explore the 2 floors of the abbey and admire the many surviving architectural marvels, like the 3 mullioned window.

The abbey is a Franciscan friary and it dates to 1448. It’s most impressive feature is the giant yew tree that grows at its centre.

Stop 6: Torc Waterfall

The last stop on day 3 of this 5 day Ireland itinerary is Torc Waterfall , an 8-minute drive from Muckross.

Now, I left this last for a reason – Torc tends to be mobbed with people during the day and it’s near impossible to get parking.

Visiting later in the evening gives you a better chance at 1, being able to park next to it and 2, enjoying it when it’s a little quieter.

Torc is 66 ft high and 360 ft long and it’s a handy 5-minute walk from the car park, so it’s very accessible!

Stop 7: Killarney for the night

Photos via Jimmy Brien’s on FB

And that is day 3 of your 5 days in Ireland finished.

Killarney Town is a tourist-hot-spot and it’s pubs and restaurants tend to be buzzing throughout the year.

Here are the restaurants and pubs I go back to over-and-over again.

Restaurants in Killarney : Cronins, Porterhouse and the Mad Monk never disappoint
Pubs in Killarney : O’Connors and Jimmy Brien’s are two great spots for a pint

Day 4: The Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry Drive will be the highlight for many that follow this 5 days in Ireland itinerary.

I have a tried-and-tested (I’ve done it 14 times…) 1-day Ring of Kerry itinerary that takes in the best of the Iveragh Peninsula.

Get a decent breakfast in Killarney and then hit the road no later than 09:00 – you’ve a busy day ahead!

An overview of the route

So, you’ve already visited the first 3 stops from the map above, so you’re going to start from Ladies View, around a 20-minute drive from the town.

I won’t go through all of the stops in detail, as I do that here , but I’ll give you an overview.

Stop 1: Ladies View : The most impressive viewpoint on this 5-day Ireland itinerary
Stop 2: Moll’s Gap : A winding pass with breathtaking vistas of the Macgillycuddy’s
Stop 3: Kenmare : A charming town that’s notably quieter than Killarney
Stop 4: Staigue Stone Fort: An ancient fort built between 300 and 400 AD
Stop 5: Caherdaniel for lunch: Fuel up at the Blind Piper
Stop 6: Derrynane Beach : One of the Wild Atlantic Way’s finest
Stop 7: Coomakista viewpoint: A famous viewpoint
Stop 8: Coomanaspig: One of Ireland’s highest accessible points by car
Stop 9: Kerry Cliffs : Jaw-dropping cliffs towering 1,000 feet high
Stop 10: Valentia Island : Drive to Geokaun viewpoint for breath-taking views
Stop 11: Dinner in Portmagee: Grab a bite in the Moorings
Stop 12: Return to Killarney: It’s a 1-hour and 20-minute drive

The 5th day on this 5 day Ireland itinerary will be completely dependant on your plans.

If you’re flying home/getting the ferry home/or heading back to where you live in Ireland, you’ll need day 5 to travel.

If you have the full day 5 to explore, then it’s time for a day trip to the the Dingle Peninsula !

Stop 1: Inch Beach

Stop 1 on day 5 of this 5 day Ireland road trip is a 40-minute spin from Killarney.

Although Inch Beach is on the Dingle Peninsula it is, as you can see from the aerial photo above, like a peninsula in itself!

It stretched for an impressive 5.5km and is one of the best beaches in Ireland for surfing.

Grab a coffee from Sammy’s (you can’t miss it!) and then head for a saunter while admiring the mountains and watching the surfers tackle the waves.

Stop 2: Conor Pass

Our next stop is a 30-minute drive away – Conor Pass .

It stands at 410m above sea level and it’s one of the island’s highest mountain passes.

Please take note of the following:

If you’re driving in Ireland for the first time : Approach from the Dingle Town side. You can pull in and admire the view without having to drive it
If you want to drive it: Stick ‘Conor Pass’ into Google Maps and take the shorter route to the pass. You’ll drive it both ways

Stop 3: Dingle Town

Your next stop is the very lively Dingle Town , a 10-minute drive from Conor Pass.

Park at the harbour ( here’s the car park ) and then head-off around the town on foot.

You’ll see the status of Dingle’s famous dolphin, Fungie, along with the town’s colourful streets.

If you fancy some a great coffee and a pastry, head to Bean in Dingle . For breakfast, My Boy Blue is hard to bate.

If you’re in need to a hearty lunch, one of the best restaurants in Dingle is the Fish Box!

Stop 4: The Slea Head Drive

As was the case with the Ring of Kerry, the Slea Head Drive is likely to be a highlight for many who follow this 5 day itinerary for Ireland.

It follows and loop and takes in many of the best things to do in Dingle over the course of a 38km/24 miles.

I go into the drive in detail in this guide , but I’ll give you an overview of each stop:

Ventry Beach : Beautiful 4.5km beach that’s perfect for a ramble
Ceann Sleibhe and the White Cross: 2 famous viewpoints
Radharc na mBlascaoidí viewpoint: A great viewpoint to soak up Dunmore Head
Coumeenoole Beach : Stunning, no-swim beach
Dun Chaoin Pier : The departure point for the Blasket Island Ferry
Ceann Sraithe: A Star Wars filming location with views of the 3 sisters
Clogher Strand: One of Kerry’s best beaches

Wrapping up my 5 day Ireland itinerary

You’ll hopefully have a better sense of what to see in Ireland in 5 days after reading the guide above.

Remember, I have 56 different 5 days in Ireland itineraries in my Road Trip Library that let you select:

Your starting point
Your mode of transport
Your fitness level
How fast you like to travel

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Julee Torrance

Monday 6th of September 2021

Keith We are planning a trip to Ireland next September. We will arrive Sept. 24 and have 5 to 7 days to see what we can. There is a group of 6 of us; four late 60's/early 70's and two in their late forties so strenuous hikes are out for most but we are all still active. We are planning on flying into Cork and ending in Dublin but are flexible on this. The group would like to see cliffs and amazing scenery while also getting some history (a castle?) and local flavor of pubs. We are thinking this: 2 days in Cork (following your itinerary suggestions); day threetravel through Kerry to Pormagee on day three seeing sites along the way; stay overnight in Pormagee and boat out to the Skellig of Michael on day four and begin to head back towards Dublin (where we will do some limited exploring) but not sure by what route. We had thought about trying to work Dingle in too but now we are leaning toward the Beara Peninsula while in Cork. Any advice is greatly appreciated. This is our first visit to Ireland and although we know we won't get to see much we want it to be a slow enough viewing that we enjoy our time. Thanks! Julee

Friday 28th of February 2020

We will be traveling into and out of Dublin at the end of April. I was looking at your Route 5: Cork and Kerry itinerary. We were thinking... Day 1-3: Driving to Kindle and doing the routes first 3 days, ending in Kenmare. Day 4: Driving to Kerry Airport to Dublin Day 4-6: Dublin OR Ring of Kerry Loop and Dingle Loop Day 1-3, and Dublin 4-6. Is this doable or do you have other suggestions. Both your day 1-3 and Ring of kerry/dingle look beautiful. We have seen others say Dingle is a must and is superior to the other peninsulas but researching google maps and seeing the pictures leaves us questioning that. Any help would be appreciated.

Wednesday 4th of March 2020

The Dingle Peninsula is incredible. However, there are a number of other magnificent peninsulas in the area (the Beara Peninsula in Cork is out of this world).

The Ring of Kerry and Dingle route is an old reliable. I don't know anyone that's done it for the first time and that hasn't loved it. There's an endless clatter of natural beauty and plenty of adventure opportunities.

The first route you listed above sounds spot on to me. Is it your first time exploring this corner of Ireland?

Monday 13th of January 2020

Hi Keith! I will be traveling to Ireland the end of May with my boyfriend and 2 other couples. We all fly into Dublin and have about 4.5 full days to travel around, and want to fit in as much as possible. I've been once before but its everyone else's first time. I think we like route 5 the best. We plan on renting a car; everyone else would like to all be in the same car (so a minivan to fit 6) but I remember how narrow the roads can be and would rather have 2 smaller cars. Any advice? Are the roads through route 5 pretty driveable or would you recommend renting smaller? Thanks!

Sayar Karmakar

Saturday 11th of January 2020

Dear Keith, I wanted to personally thank you for this amazing trip guidance. I wanted to tell you how I used this guide to make ONE 5 day trip around the entire island! Daylight was short and we had to skip lunch and do it with dry foods during the day to at least see a few highlights every day.

Starting from Ireland on mid day we started with Dublin castle, Beer factory, stopped at Belfast city center, Belfast castle and then finished Day 0 near Dark hedges.

Next morning started with Dark hedges, Carrick-a-rede, Ballintoy harbour, Giant causeway, Dunluce castle, Mossaden temple and rested for day 1 night just inside the ireland border.

Next day was the hardest in terms of driving. Started by going up to Malins head, visited Glenvagah national park, stopped by Mount erigal, wanted to go to slieves head but decided against and chose Downpatrick's head instead. And then a brutal drive for 3.5 hours in dark to finally finish in Liscannor and rest for the night.

Next day started with the great great Cliffs of Moher. While trying to find a cheaper parking got a chance to take a look at Doolin cliffs as well! Then headed towards Nun's beach in ballybunion and then finally sunset at Dunquin harbour and Dunmore head (star wars fame). Rested in a great hilly house near Waterville!

Next day started with Kerry cliffs, then onto gap of Dunloe, Ross castle, Torc waterfall, Queen's point ( a bit disapoointing tbh) and then off to Old head of Kinsale.. Wanted to go to Blarney castle on my way to Dungarvan castle but my family was against it as they were already a bit bored. We stayed right opposite Dungarvan castle.

Then on the fifth and final half day started super early to go to Ballydwoane cove and beach, Huntington castle, then the final stop at lough tay and then finally dropped the car off at Dublin airport! Me and my brother have clicked 3000 pictures on this nothing but insane trip, and currently busy editing and spamming our insta feed.

Thank you so much for this guide. This trip wouldnt be possible without you kindly sharing it here.Can't wait to go back again during the summer and see how it feels with almost double the time with light.

Cheers, Sayar

Sunday 12th of January 2020

Hi Sayar - thanks for getting in touch and for the kind words!

That's a pretty packed itinerary - the above, for the most part, should be fine once you're not bothered by all of the driving and you just want to squeeze in as much as possible.

If you can, I'd definitely recommend trying to slow it down a bit. My only worry with an itinerary like this is that you're constantly flying about the place and that you don't leave yourself with a huge amount of time to explore around you (obviously if that's how you like to travel then that's perfect!).

I think your first day (exploring Dublin from mid-day and then heading up to Belfast and then onto the Dark Hedges) could be a little too much. Especially when you want to start Day 2 with doing the Causeway Coastal Route.

If you play around with some of your stops on day 2 a little, you'll spend less time driving and you'll line yourself up a little better route wise, here's a suggestion:

Day 1: Do Dublin Castle and the Guinness Storehouse as you mentioned above. When you finish up, head for Belfast and make that your base for the first night. Day 2: The Causeway Coastal Route: If you start this from Belfast, you'll end up at the Dark Hedges at the end (here's a full guide to driving the causeway coastal route ). Spend the night in Portrush.

If there's anything I can help with let me know!

Cheers - Keith

Julee Craypo

Tuesday 26th of November 2019

Ireland is on the top of my bucket list and my husband and I are pulling the plug and coming for our ten year anniversary. We get in April 14th and flying to Edinburgh Scotland on the 20th. I dream of coastlines, cliffs and plenty of local Irish music to fill my cup, my husband want to see Star Wars filming locations haha! What would you suggest since we’re starting in Dublin and ending in Dublin?

Wednesday 27th of November 2019

Congrats in advance! OK - this was actually much trickier than I thought. The main filming locations are in Cork, Kerry and Donegal. Realistically, with the time you have, you need to pick either the Cork and Kerry locations or the ones at Malin Head in Donegal.

Personally, I think you'll get more bang for your buck in Cork and Kerry, as there are more filming locations to see.

Here's what I'd do:

// April 14th //

- Arrive in Dublin and ramble around the city for the day - If you're looking to stay somewhere fancy, try the

// April 15th //

- Spend day exploring Wicklow (stay near the Wicklow Heather - it doesn't get much cosier than this place - Google to see what I mean) - Lynham's Hotel is a solid option for the night (central and the reviews are excellent)

// April 16th //

- A big day of driving: Get up early this morning and drive to Cobh. This is your first stop off (3 hour and 10 minute drive from Wicklow) - Visit Kinsale next and then head along the coast to Brow Head (filming location) and visit Mizen Head after - Spend the night in Bantry ( the Maratime is central, nicely priced, and has great reviews)

// April 17th //

- Limit the driving on this day. Make Killarney your base (there are loads of things to do in Killarney and closeby) - The Killarney Plaza hotel is central and has great reviews. It's a little pricer at around €130 per night, but the reviews are top-notch

// April 18th //

- Drive to Portmagee. The Skellig Michael boat tours start in April but you'll need to book in advance (note that weather conditions can result in sailings being cancelled) - Skellig Michael is arguably the most iconic of Ireland's Star Wars filming locations - Spend the night in the Moorings in Portmagee

// April 19th //

- Drive to Dingle. There's loads to see around here - Ceann Sibéal was another prominent filming location that you can visit while you're here - Spend the night in either the Dingle Skellig or the Dingle Garden Townhouse

I hope this is of some help.

Have a read of our guide to visiting Ireland in April - it's packed with info on weather, things to do, what to pack and all of that craic.

Taylor Swift in Dublin LIVE: Superstar takes to the stage for first night of Eras Tour

Follow live updates, pictures and videos as Taylor Swift kicks off the Ireland leg of the Eras Tour at the Aviva Stadium on Friday evening

Updated 22:38, 28 JUN 2024

Taylor Swift finally kicks off the Ireland leg of her Eras Tour on Friday.

The American superstar is playing three nights at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, kicking off tonight. She will then play on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30. You can read our ultimate guide here.

Around 200,000 fans are expected to see Taylor in action, with many disappointed they couldn't get tickets. Excitement is already building across the capital, with fans queuing to get their hands on merchandise at the 3Arena.

Taylor last played in Ireland in 2018, when she played two nights at Croke Park as part of her Reputation world tour. She jetted into Ireland on Friday ahead of the first of three shows - see the setlist and timings here.

Follow below for live updates, pictures and essential information as we build up to what promises to be a special weekend. For full coverage of the Eras Tour, click here.

Taylor Swift's dancer Kam shouts 'póg mo thóin' to crowd 20:11
Ryan Tubridy spotted enjoying himself at Taylor Swift 19:07
Setlist and timings including what time Aviva Stadium concert will end 09:47
Everything you need to know about the Eras Tour in Dublin 17:02

Fans without tickets still having time time of their lives

Fans without tickets enjoy the show from outside the Aviva Stadium, Dublin! #DublinTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/cd4B2jWXrj — The Eras Tour UK & Ireland (@TheErasTourUK) June 28, 2024

Day, week, month and year made for one lucky fan

Taylor makes the night of one lucky fan by giving her the 22 hat during the song of the same name and giving her a big hug for good measure.

Taylor has been pretty swift with her costume changes over the night

| REPUTATION BODYSUIT FOR DUBLIN NIGHT 1 #DublinIrelandTSTheErasTour #erastourtaylorswift #erastour #erastouroutfits #erastourmovie #taylorswift #taylornation #ts #swiftie #swifties #fyp #foryoupage #fypage #taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/K39UV1cKqA — Olive (@scrinkies) June 28, 2024

Taylor Swift's dancer Kam shouts 'póg mo thóin' to crowd

Taylor Swift's dancer Kameron N. Saunders shouted 'póg mo thóin' to roars of applause from the crowd at Taylor Swift as the artist performed We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

KAM SAID PÓG MO THÓIN #DublinTSTheErasTour @tswifterastour pic.twitter.com/Hwbd5Ua9l4 — tara (@ricrussell363) June 28, 2024

Slay, Queen!

Taylor in top form at the Aviva Stadium and looking like she's enjoying every minute.

Any hungry Swities with a certain name can get a free Supermac's post-show

Supermac's have given into the Taylor Swift fever and are offering fans a delicious promotion for after the show if they get hungry, and their name is either Taylor or Swift!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Supermac's (@supermacsofficial)

Taylor Swift is on the stage kicking off her Eras Tour

Taylor Swift has taken to the stage at the Aviva Stadium ready for sold-out shows across three nights. a lot of Swifties have waited a long time for this moment!

Oh hi!! Who had it?? pic.twitter.com/edvPTazYX9 — Swift Alert (@swiftalert_13) June 28, 2024

Ryan Tubridy spotted enjoying himself at Taylor Swift

Taylor thanks the 'classiest and coolest' U2 for thoughtful pre-gig gift

This weekend was never going to pass without U2 being involved in some way and Taylor has thanked them on her Instagram for a lovely and thoughtful gift ahead of the big gig.

Paramore blow fans away at Aviva as support for Taylor Swift

Paramore wowed fans across the Aviva Stadium on Friday night!

Paramore JÁ está fazendo o primeiro show de abertura da The Eras Tour em Dublin, Irlanda! #DublinTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/jCUeMQe93F — Site Taylor Swift Brasil (@sitetayswiftbr) June 28, 2024

More fan photos as crowds build in lead-up to the main event

The clock is ticking towards the arrival on stage and crowds are building nicely at the Aviva Stadium for the gig of this and many a year!

Police-escorted convoy, suspected to be carrying Taylor Swift, seen arriving at Dublin's Aviva Stadium

A police-escorted convoy, suspected to be carrying Taylor Swift, was seen arriving at Dublin's Aviva Stadium for the Eras Tour.

Spectacular outfits on show!

Fans heading to the Aviva Stadium went all out to look the part for the big gig, including a family of mega-fans from South Africa, whose 41-hour journey you can read about in more detail here !

Turnstiles have opened up for Swifties!

Turnstiles have opened up for most Swifties headed to the first of the superstar's three Irish shows, with the exception of a limited number of early-entry VIP ticket holders, who were let in shortly before general doors.

All three Irish concerts will kick off at exactly 6pm. Paramore are the support act for the Dublin shows, so the band are expected to be on stage at that time.

Fans begin to gather right in front of the Aviva Stadium stage

Taylor isn't expected on stage for another three hours or so, but these fans made sure they're going to get the best view.

I can't believe it's really real? someone pinch me #DublinTSTheErasTour #TaylorSwiftErasTourDublin #TaylorSwiftDublin @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/UHC6eLECAm — Andrey Martins (@Sunflower_vl_6) June 28, 2024

Life literally can’t get better than this #TaylorSwiftErasTourDublin pic.twitter.com/2d2nC6yvww — Cloda (Taylor’s Version) (@swiftie1801) June 28, 2024

Events for Dublin Swifties this weekend

If you're not lucky enough to be heading along to the Aviva this weekend, or even if you are and you just can't enough of all things Taylor, Dublin City Council will be hosting events on the north and south side of the city on Saturday and Sunday from 12-6pm.

The events will include the activities below and will take place outside the Ilac Centre on Henry St and on South King St.

• Friendship bracelet making

• Body Art lucky numbers

• Concert sign making

• A free selfie machine

• Chalking lyrics on the street

• A chance to get a photo beside ‘Swifts Row’ street signs

Pictures of Taylor's flight landing in Dublin

At approximately 11.50am, Taylor landed in a Falcon 7x aircraft at Dublin Airport.

Taylor has landed!

She's here folks! Aviation expert Shaun Dunne from Dublin, better known as Shaun's Aviation on X, documented Taylor's arrival at Dublin Airport a little earlier this afternoon, even claiming to have spotted 'Taylor' in Terminal 2!

More details here .

In pictures: Fans take over Dublin

It's certainly livening up out there. Photographers have been snapping fans queuing for merchandise ahead of the opening show.

Taoiseach Simon Harris explains why he has a 'bone to pick' with Taylor Swift

Mr Harris, who was in Brussels for a European Council meeting on Friday, told the Irish Mirror that while he is not going to any of the gigs this weekend, he would relish an opportunity to meet Ms Swift to sort out an issue he has with her.

Full story here .

Taylor Swift arrival

Aviation expert @Shauns_Aviation has dropped a bit of a hint regarding the potential arrival time of a certain someone this morning. Expect the big name to land in Ireland at around 11.45am this morning.

You can track reg no. N621MM here

Road closures and essential travel info

If you're out and about in Dublin today - or heading to the Aviva Stadium - make sure you plan your journey in advance. We've rounded up the road closures and essential transport information right here for you.

Setlist and timings including what time Aviva Stadium concert will end

Lasting almost three-and-a-half hours, the show covers all styles of music from her 11 studio albums - ranging from country and pop to folk and alternative rock.

It has been receiving rave reviews from both critics and fans and will finally make its way to Ireland this weekend. Ahead of the concerts, organisers have been issuing key information to fans - including the all-important timings.

Full details here

People have travelled from as far as the US

Swifties from the USA also travelled to Dublin, some of whom said they had already seen an Eras Tour performance.

Erin Delgehausen from Arizona said she became a huge fan after seeing the opening Eras night in Phoenix.

She said: “It was a transformational experience. Everyone makes fun of me and teases me about it, but I went in and came out a different person. So I’ve listened to nothing but her music non-stop since that night.”

Some who had missed out on tickets for the shows in the UK – for scheduled shows in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff and London – said they had managed to nab some for the Irish leg.

Leo Varadkar expected to be among famous faces at Taylor Swift in Dublin as searches for tickets skyrocket

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina are expected to be amongst the hundreds of thousands of fans at Taylor Swift this weekend.

The American superstar finally touches down in Ireland this week with her Eras Tour and will play three sold out nights at the Aviva Stadium on June 28, 29 and 30.

Taylor-mania grips Dublin

Businesses surrounding the stadium have embraced the Taylor-mania, with The Bridge Pub – self-dubbed ‘the home of rugby’ – announcing a list of album-themed cocktails to mark the blockbuster shows.

Elsewhere in Dublin, businesses have gotten into the spirit with Taylor Swift-themed brunches, bracelet-making classes, quizzes, and spin classes featuring her music.

On Thursday, Irish Swifties queued up to buy jumpers, hoodies and t-shirts at the 3Arena stadium. You can check out the price list here.

Health experts issue important warning ahead of Taylor Swift's Dublin concerts

Health experts have issued an urgent warning for fans attending Taylor Swift’s concerts in Dublin this weekend.

The singer is set to perform for close to three and a half hours each night at the Aviva Stadium on the latest stop on her Eras Tour.

Fans have waited a while

The last time Taylor Swift performed in Ireland was at Croke Park in June 2018, as part of the Reputation tour. But don't worry, the wait is almost over...

Everything you need to know about the Eras Tour in Dublin

The wait is almost over as Taylor Swift's eagerly anticipated Eras Tour finally arrives in Ireland.

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the Aviva Stadium in Dublin across three nights - June 28, 29 and 30.

The Grammy-award-winning singer is in town following her mammoth tour, which was most recently at Wembley in London. The 152-date tour has become the most lucrative set of concerts in history.

Read our ultimate guide here.

Taylor Swift
Aviva Stadium
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Election latest: Farage on defensive after supporters caught on camera making racist, murderous and homophobic remarks

Rishi Sunak has spoken out after a Reform UK supporter was filmed making racist comments about him - with party leader Nigel Farage forced on to the defensive. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has distanced himself from a Labour colleague's previous criticism of Donald Trump.

Friday 28 June 2024 22:00, UK

General Election 2024

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Sunak: Farage supporter using racial slur 'makes me angry'
Farage on defensive after supporters filmed making racist, murderous and homophobic comments
Police 'urgently assessing' comments to see if 'criminal offences' committed
Reform UK racism and homophobia scandal: What do we know?
Analysis : Sunak's tetchiness over betting scandal speaks volumes
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Politics at Jack and Sam's : The last weekend
Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Election essentials

Manifesto pledges: Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid | Reform | SNP
Trackers: Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
Read more: Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo
How to watch election on Sky News

We've got six days to go until the election - and today has been slightly quieter than some of the other days on the campaign trail.

Here's everything you need to know this evening:

Rishi Sunak has said the reported use of the slur "P***" by a Reform UK campaigner to describe him "hurts" and makes him "angry";
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the comments as "racist" - but did not apply that label to Nigel Farage ;
Although the Reform UK leader described the comments as "very prejudiced, very wrong", he claimed that the undercover reporting by Channel 4 was a "stitch up" - something the broadcaster completely rejects;
The campaigner who made the comment, Andrew Parker, called himself a "total fool" and said he has learned his lesson;
However, Essex Police said they are "urgently assessing" whether any offences were committed by Mr Parker and another canvasser who made homophobic comments.
A new MRP poll predicted the Tories will crash to just 85 seats - with Labour winning a whopping 470 seats and becoming the largest party in Scotland for the first time in over a decade;
Data from the Electoral Commission showed that the unions finally opened their chequebooks to Labour, giving nearly £2m in week three of the campaign (£3.3m in total) - while the Tories raised just £275,000;
Junior doctors in Wales have accepted a pay offer from the Welsh administration there;
Rylan Clark revealed the changes he would make to the political system;
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan admitted no poll was showing a good outcome for the Conservatives;
And Conservative candidate and former defence secretary Sir Liam Fox refused to rule out putting himself forward as caretaker Tory leader after the election if the Tories lose and Rishi Sunak resigns.

Follow along for the very latest from the campaign trail with less than a week until polling day.

Parliament "always has the opportunity" to re-examine the rules on betting for politicians, Rishi Sunak has said, following calls for a ban similar to that for footballers.

The prime minister said gambling on elections was "not something I would do" as he argued the immediate priority was to establish any wrongdoing.

He also repeated his threat to "boot" people out of the Conservative Party found to have broken the rules.

Mr Sunak made his comments in response to the ongoing gambling scandal that has engulfed the Tory campaign and added to his election woes.

Five Conservatives have so far been caught up in the inquiry by the Gambling Commission, although reports suggest the figure could be 15 parliamentary candidates and officials, although the watchdog has not confirmed the numbers involved.

At least seven Metropolitan Police officers are also being investigated.

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Local & State

Celebrate Juneteenth at these Maine events

The holiday is Wednesday, but events start this weekend and run through the end of the month.

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Westbrook Middle School students Bella Zollarcoffer, Priscila Nzolameso and Sarikong Oak held tables educating and informing the community on Black hair history at Westbrook’s Juneteenth celebration last year. Cullen McIntyre/Staff Photographer

Juneteenth, which became both a federal and state holiday in 2021 , celebrates the anniversary of federal troops’ arrival in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to ensure all enslaved people had been freed. This year, the holiday falls on Wednesday, but celebrations are happening over the next two weeks.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Indigo Arts Alliance presents The Welcome Table, an intergenerational symposium celebrating global cultural and culinary histories. Activities include art, movement and meditation workshops led by activists and cultural workers. 60 Cove St., Portland. indigoartsalliance.me

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Victoria Mansion is hosting a community day with free admission and a recitation of the Emancipation Proclamation by local actors. 109 Danforth St. Portland. victoriamansion.org

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Space and the Tate House Museum are putting on a Juneteenth community day with free admission and tours of Ashley Page’s “Imagining Freedom” exhibit at the museum. The historical art piece puts viewers into the shoes of an enslaved woman named Bet. 1267 Westbrook St., Portland. space538.org Advertisement

1-6:30 p.m. – The first event of “The City that Carries Us: Pain, Streets, and Heartbeats” will take place at the Public Theatre in Lewiston. The celebration will have a parade and a block party with performances, as well as scheduled activities and rituals throughout the day. It is hosted by the organization Maine Inside Out. 31 Maple St., Lewiston, maineinsideout.org

2-3 p.m. – Through “Poems of Reckoning and Resilience,” the Portland Museum of Art and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance seek to honor the legacy of Black Americans. Featured poet Nathan McClain will join local poets in the Great Hall at the museum to celebrate Black liberation and creativity. The museum is also offering free admission Saturday through Monday, in celebration of both Juneteenth and Pride Month. 7 Congress Square, Portland. mainewriters.org

11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. – The fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration on House Island in Casco Bay will focus on Black joy, as well as nature, health and economic opportunity. Guests can stay for one or two days, and partake in activities like camping, hiking, yoga and games, all led by BIPOC leaders. Fortland, House Island, Portland. eventbrite.com

4:30-7 p.m. – The Community Organizing Alliance is putting on an event with speakers, live performances, poetry readings, a voter registration drive and catering by Bab’s Table. There will also be opportunities to get involved in the racial justice movement. The Atrium at Bates Mill, 36 Chestnut St., Lewiston. eventbrite.com

1-3 p.m. – Riverbank Park in Westbrook will host a community event with art, poetry, music and guest speakers. There will also be a barbecue picnic, a student fashion show, hair braiding, pick-up soccer and more activities sponsored by the city. 667 Main St., Westbrook. On Facebook.

7-8 p.m. – The Portland Yoga Project is putting on a class called “Liberated Breath: A Juneteenth Yoga Experience” that seeks to reflect on the holiday through yoga. The class is free for BIPOC community members and is sponsored by the Portland Public Library. 7 Bedford St., Portland, allevents.in

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1-6:30 p.m. - The first event of "The City that Carries Us: Pain, Streets, and Heartbeats" will take place at the Public Theatre in Lewiston.The celebration will have a parade and a block ...

The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide

The Ring of Kerry

Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

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Alesha and Jarryd

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Perfect 10-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary (Detailed Map+Tips for Planning)

Map of 10-Day Ireland Road Trip itinerary

DAY 1 - Arrival and Dublin

Settle Into Your Accommodations in Dublin

Trinity College and the Long Room

Ha'penny Bridge

Temple Bar District

DAY 2 - Dublin

Christ Church Cathedral

The Guinness Storehouse

DAY 3 - Dublin to Killarney

DAY 4 - Killarney National Park and Ring of Kerry

The Kerry Cliffs

Ladies View

Valentia Island

9 Amazing Things to Do in Killarney National Park (Maps+Tips)

Dunquin Pier

Radharc na mBlascaoidí / Blasket's View

Drive to Tralee and Settle into Your Accommodations

DAY 6 - Tralee to the Cliffs of Moher

Settle Into Your Accommodations in Doolin

DAY 7 - Cliffs of Moher

DAY 8 - Doolin to Portrush

Settle Into Your Accommodations in Portrush

DAY 9 - Northern Ireland

The Dark Hedges

Carrick-a-Rede

Drive to Belfast and Settle Into Your Accomodations

DAY 10 - Belfast and Drive Back to Dublin

Dublin and Flight Back Home

Intrepid Scout's Tips for 10-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

More Information About Ireland:

16 Best Stops on the Dingle Peninsula Drive (map+detailed tips)

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2 Days in Dublin (15 Top Things You Can't Miss)

14 Tips for First Visit to Dublin to Help You Explore Ireland's Capital

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The Ultimate 10 Day Ireland Itinerary: Ireland Road Trip Extravaganza

10 Day Ireland Itinerary Map

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin.

Day 2: Explore Dublin.

Day 3: Kick off your Ireland road trip and visit Kilkenny, Rock of Cashel, and Hore Abbey.

The Rock of Cashel

Day 4: Check out County Waterford + County Wexford OR visit Cork, Cobh, and Blarney Castle.

Option 1: County Waterford + County Wexford

Where We Stayed in County Wexford

Check rates & book your stay at Inishross House!

Option 2: Cork, Cobh & Blarney Castle

Where We Stayed Near Cork

Check rates & book your stay at Find Us Farmhouse!

Day 5: Visit Killarney National Park.

Muckross House

Torc Waterfall

Ladies View

Muckross Abbey

Lakes of Killarney

Day 6: Tour the Dingle Peninsula OR the Ring of Kerry OR the Beara Peninsula.

Option 1: Slea Head Drive + Dingle Peninsula

Option 2: The Ring of Kerry

Option 3: The Ring of Beara

Day 7: Explore Doolin + the Cliffs of Moher.

Day 8: Head to Northern Ireland (and maybe stop by the Slieve League Cliffs).

Day 9: Drive the Causeway Coastal Route.

Dunluce Castle

Giant’s Causeway

Mussenden Temple

Carrick-a-Rede

The Dark Hedges

Day 10: End your Ireland road trip with a visit to Belfast + a drive back to Dublin.

Remember: drive on the left during your Ireland road trip!

Rent the smallest car you possibly can.