cork ireland road trip

Welcome to County Cork

Located in Munster and occupying a big aul chunk of the southwest of Ireland, Cork boasts a glorious mix of breath-taking scenery, postcard-perfect villages and endless things to do. Discover the best of it below.

Things to do

Towns + villages

Walks + beaches

Hotels + glamping

The best things to do in Cork

There’s endless things to do in Cork … and we mean endless . From walks and quirky tours to mighty mountains, whale watching and more, you’ve plenty to keep you occupied.

44 Of The Best Things To Do In Cork In 2024

A Guide To The Magical Gougane Barra

Fastnet Lighthouse: The Story Behind ‘Ireland’s Teardrop’

The Incredible Ring Of Beara Drive (With Google Map)

Blarney Castle: The Stone + The VERY Unusual Features

Why Glengarriff Nature Reserve Is Well Worth Exploring

A Guide To Whale + Dolphin Watching In West Cork

Our 4-Day West Cork Road Trip Guide (Full Itinerary)

Spike Island: The Tour, History + Creepy Tales

Healy Pass: One Of The Most Unique Roads In Ireland

Mizen Head: A Guide To Ireland’s Most Southwesterly Point

Charles Fort: Views, History And A Fine Cup A Tae

Towns and villages in Cork

You’ll stumble upon countless postcard-perfect villages and towns in Cork as you explore the county. Here’s some of our favourites.

Glengarriff

Beara Peninsula

Rosscarbery

Walks and beaches in Cork

Cork is arguably best explored on foot. For leisurely strolls, many of the beaches in Cork are a fine place for a ramble. For a more strenuous hike, there’s plenty of tough walks in Cork . Here’s some suggestions for you.

19 Walks In Cork Ye’ll Love In 2024

Why The Lough Hyne Hike Is Worth A Bash

13 Of The Finest Beaches In Cork

9 Glorious Beaches In West Cork

Barleycove Beach

Warren Beach

Inchydoney Beach

Garretstown Beach

A Guide To The Breezy Old Head of Kinsale Walk

What To Expect On The Ballycotton Cliff Walk

Why The Scilly Walk In Kinsale Is Worth A Bash This Weekend

A Guide To The Brilliant Baltimore Beacon Walk

Glorious islands in Cork

Cork’s many islands are arguably some of the county’s most under-explored areas by visiting tourists. However, those that stray a little off-the-beaten-path will be rewarded with a very unique experience.

Whiddy Island

Bere Island

Garnish Island

Sherkin Island

Dursey Island

Spike Island

There are few corners of Ireland that can go toe-to-toe with the beauty of West Cork. Loved by locals and tourists alike, it’s home to stunning beaches, mighty walks and endless scenery.

31 Of The Best Things To Do In West Cork In 2024

9 Glorious Beaches In West Cork To Saunter Along

9 Of The Most Beautiful Hotels In West Cork

A Guide To The Beara Peninsula (With Map)

9 Worthwhile Things To Do In Bantry In West Cork

11 Of The Best Things To Do In Clonakilty

A Guide To Whale Watching In Cork (When + Where)

East Cork is regularly overlooked by those exploring the county, despite the fact that it’s home to countless adventure opportunities. Here’s a few suggestions for you.

14 Of The Best Things To Do In East Cork

10 Worthwhile Things To Do In Cobh This Weekend

11 Things To Do In Midleton (Distilleries, Lighthouses + More)

11 Of The Best Things To Do In Youghal

A Guide To The Ballycotton Cliff Walk

Welcome To The Titanic Experience

A Guide To Fota Wildlife Park In Cork

Visiting The Midleton Distillery In Cork

The buzzy city of Cork is packed with historical sites, lively pubs, excellent restaurants and plenty to see and do regardless of the time of day. Here’s some guides to get you started.

23 Of The Best Things To Do In Cork City

11 Of The Best Beaches Near Cork City

13 Mighty Traditional / Old School Pubs In Cork City

9 Top Spots For A Tasty Breakfast In Cork City

10 Hotels In Cork City At The Heart Of The Action

17 Restaurants In Cork City For A Tasty Feed Tonight

A Guide To The Brilliant Cork City Gaol Tour

A Guide to Visiting Blackrock Castle Observatory

Our Favourite Spots For Food In The English Market

The Best Brunch Cork Has To Offer In 2024

A Guide To Visiting Elizabeth Fort In Cork

A Guide To Visiting St Fin Barre’s Cathedral

So, it’s rare that we’d give a town it’s own section, but we get more emails and comments asking about Kinsale than anywhere else in Cork, so here we are…

A Guide To The Village Of Kinsale (A Kinsale 101)

19 Worthwhile Things to do in Kinsale

Best Restaurants In Kinsale For A Tasty Feed Tonight

11 Of The Best Beaches Near Kinsale

11 Hotels In Kinsale That Have Racked Up Rave Reviews

12 Kinsale Pubs Perfect For Post-Adventure Pints

A Guide To The Scilly Walk In Kinsale (Views For Days)

11 Unique Airbnbs In Kinsale That Are Out Of This World

Places to stay in Cork

There’s some great places to stay in Cork, regardless of whether you’re after glamping, camping or 5-star stays. Here’s some guides to help you on your way.

15 Of The Best Hotels In Cork In 2024

9 Hotels In West Cork Near Endless Things To Do

Camping In Cork: 12 Scenic Spots To Pitch A Tent

7 Gorgeous Hotels In Cobh For A Weekend By The Water

9 Cosy Hotels In Clonakilty To Explore From

Great Hotels In Rosscarbery For A West Cork Holiday

7 Gorgeous Hotels In Glengarriff Worth A Look

6 B&Bs And Hotels In Bantry With Rave Reviews

- Wild Atlantic Way Special von Irland Highlights -

Wild Atlantic Way

Welcome to the wild atlantic way.

The Wild Atlantic Way, 1600 miles (2600 km) in length, is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. It winds its way all along the Irish west coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north down to the picturesque town of Kinsale, County Cork, in the south.

Discover the Wild Atlantic Way

Go for the road trip of your life and discover the Wild Atlantic Way

Wild Atlantic Way Route

 The route which is over 1600 miles long is divided into 14 stages for easier orientation

Wild Atlantic Way Sights

Discover must-see attractions, famous landmarks and hidden gems of the Wild Atlantic Way

Wild Atlantic Way Map

With our interactive Wild Atlantic Way map, all the must-see attractions are just one click away.

The Wild Atlantic Way route from start to finish unfolds the wonders of nature, the power of the ocean and its imprint on the west coast of Ireland, and the stunning countryside in all its diversity. Enchanting villages are nestled along the coast as well as ancient monuments – their origins having long sunk into the mists of oblivion dot the landscape. Behind every bend on this magical coastal road a new delight awaits.

The wild Atlantic with its unrestrained and untameable tides and storms has continuously been moulding the west coast of Ireland. With a constant meeting of water and land, a deeply indented and wild terrain has emerged with towering cliffs, spellbinding bays and beaches, mystical islands, always changing and never reaching the end. In the isolation or perhaps expressed in a different way living near and with the Atlantic at your doorstep has ensured that old traditions and the Irish language have been preserved. A trip along the Wild Atlantic Way is also an encounter with the past.

Must-see sights of the Wild Atlantic Way

Need inspiration? Explore some of the must-see highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way:

Slieve League

Cliffs of Moher

Baltimore Beacon

Your Wild Atlantic Way Travel Guide

Everything you need to know to plan your Wild Atlantic Way road trip:

• B&Bs and Hotels in Ireland

The best B&Bs and hotels in Ireland – use our search to find perfect accommodations for your trip to Ireland.

• B&Bs and Hotels
• Wild Atlantic Way Tours

Discover self driving and guided multi-day tours and round trips along the Wild Atlantic Way.

• Tour Packages
• Holiday Homes

Discover self-catering holiday homes and holiday apartments for an memorable holiday in an Irish cottage.

• Car Rental in Ireland

Find the best rental car deals from leading car hire companies in Ireland with our car rental search.

• Car Rentals
• Ferry to Ireland

Our ferry search engine finds the cheapest ferry crossings to Ireland and compares all relevant shipping companies.

• Flights to Ireland

Find the best flights to Ireland with our flight search widget, which includes all the major airlines.

Wild Atlantic Way Travel Blog

Browse the latest articles from our Wild Atlantic Way travel blog:

Discovery Points of the Wild Atlantic Way

Along the Wild Atlantic Way there are numerous Discovery Points, which are pointed out by signs with the WAW logo.

Stages of the Wild Atlantic Way

Discover the 14 stages of the Wild Atlantic Way. You can take the whole trip in one journey or explore the stages one by one.

Navigating on the Wild Atlantic Way

You don’t necessarily need a map to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, since there are more than enough road signs to help you to keep on track.

How to see the best of Ireland's West Cork coast on a four-day road trip

Oct 28, 2019 • 6 min read

Plenty of stunning rest stops await on a road trip along Ireland's West Cork Coast @ Joe Davis / Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet writer Joe Davis has visited West Cork in Ireland at least once a year since he was born, and he has compiled the ultimate road trip itinerary to help you sample the best of West Cork in just four days.

I didn’t get to drive this route myself until I was 21, but over the last eight years I’ve made up for it, tracing almost all of the 1000km of craggy coastline County Cork has to offer. I’ll let you in on a secret: follow the coast and you can’t really go wrong.

I usually fly into Cork Airport and hire a car, which is essential as there’s little to no public transport in rural Ireland. Most places featured on this itinerary are on or near the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route which at 2500km is, impressively, the longest uninterrupted coastal route in the world. If you’re short for time, don’t let that put you off; instead, consider skipping a peninsula or two. If you have more time I’d recommend following the route northwards towards Donegal.

One of the best things about driving in rural Ireland is that you rarely have to worry about parking. The majority of towns allow free street parking in the centre, so you can pull up, hop out and explore with minimal fuss.  

Day 1: Cork City to Clonakilty

Driving time: 60 mins

Arrive in  Cork City  and, in the evening, head straight out to a traditional Irish music session at authentic Sin É . On my most recent visit, I was pleasantly surprised to see a surge in independent businesses since I was last here around five years ago, such as popular coffee shop Cork Coffee Roasters and craft beer stop  Franciscan Well Brewery .

Due to the airport’s proximity to the city, Cork is an easy starting point but, if you’re short for time, skip it. Where this road trip excels is with its rural landscapes, coastline and towns. Just a short drive away there’s so much more to see, so hit the country roads.

Award-winning Clonakilty is Irish charm at its best. Sitting somewhere between run-down rustic and the cusp of cool, the welcoming high street is often adorned with bunting and hanging baskets. Try to time your stay in Clonakilty over a weekend or a Monday for the best chance of catching a traditional music session. 

De Barra's Folk Club is a must-visit music destination. Squeeze past the queue at the bar and make your way to the back, where it opens out into an indoor greenhouse with a stage. A mass of music memorabilia covering the walls includes the faces of Bowie and Dylan, who’ve played here in the past. Attend the Monday night ‘trad session’ and you’ll see why it’s my favourite night; the event has been running for 30 years and is led by a bearded local with a dog on his lap. Get there early to grab a seat. 

I always make time for the short drive out to Inchydoney Beach , which passes vast tidal flats that are home to a multitude of seabirds. The seemingly endless beach spans either side of a small peninsula when the tide is out. For panoramic views I drive to Dunmore House Hotel , which overlooks the waves.

Stay: Macliam Lodge Guesthouse Don’t miss: Inchydoney Beach Eat: Seafood at An Súgán

Day 2: Clonakilty to Bantry

Driving time: 90 mins

From Clonakilty, drive west on the N71 towards Warren Strand. It’s worth stopping here for the short cliff walk – if you're lucky you might spot a puffin or even a breaching whale.  

Next lies atmospheric Drombeg Stone Circle , hidden in a sunken field. Minutes away is the picturesque village of Glandore which overlooks a spectacular inlet dotted with yachts zig-zagging around fluorescent buoys. I try to get an outside table at Hayes Bar or The Glandore Inn (the only two choices) and always order the open salmon sandwich. The salmon is caught fresh from Union Hall, the next village along.

The next stop is Lough Hyne , a rare inland saltwater lake and an oasis for marine life. 

Make sure you don't miss the turning – it's signposted but sharp. I come here to swim; if I’m feeling brave I jump straight in and the cold soon passes. I warm up with a 2km hike with aerial views of the lake.

If you have time, make a detour to the small fishing village of Baltimore . There’s nowhere better to sit with a Guinness and watch the boats go by. From here you can get a boat out to one of the surrounding islands or head out on a whale watching tour.

Next, follow the coastal route to Bantry. I love Bantry for its quaint pubs and restaurants that serve fresh seafood and it’s the perfect base for exploring the surrounding peninsulas. Ma Murphy’s is a strange hybrid between an old grocery store and a pub with a huge garden, and The Fish Kitchen serves a warming seafood chowder, perfect on a drizzly day.

Bantry is where the Sheep’s Head Peninsula begins. I’ve driven it in an afternoon and, if visibility is good, The Tin Pub in Ahakista and Finn Mac Cool's Seat are totally worth the detour for unbeatable views.

Stay: A local B&B or hotel Don’t miss: Lough Hyne Eat: Union Hall salmon in Glandore

Day 3: Bantry to Allihies

Glengarriff sits just along the water from Bantry. This drive passes seaweedy inlets and, as on the entirety of this route, you can pull over wherever you like to admire the unspoilt views. Due to the Gulf Stream, Glengariff has its own microclimate; you’ll notice the flora here is dense and tropical. The real highlight is the woodland walk and swimming around the Blue Pool. It’s up there in my list of favourite places in the world to swim, it’s surprisingly warm in summer and the surrounding mountains make the perfect backdrop. Don’t miss the short boat ride over to Garnish Island for seal spotting and spectacular gardens that wouldn’t look out of place in Italy.

Glengarriff is the ideal point to start the Beara Peninsula drive . Overshadowed by its well-trodden neighbour, The Ring of Kerry , it’s shorter and equally scenic, with dramatic cliffs and beaches you wouldn’t believe were in Ireland. I like to stop in the small fishing town of Castletownbere  before continuing to Ireland's only cable car at Dursey Island . I recently discovered a tiny hidden beach here called White Strand, with vistas rivalling the Mediterranean. Nearby, Ballydonegan Beach is perfect for summer swimming and walking distance from Allihies , which has a handful of guesthouses and colourful O’Neill’s pub with weekly traditional music sessions.

Stay: Beachview Bed and Breakfast, Allihies Don’t miss: Dzogchen Beara Meditation Retreat Centre for unique views Eat: The Fish Kitchen , Bantry

Day 4: Allihies to Cork City

Driving time: 3 hours

Your sat-nav will direct you back the way you came towards Cork but ignore it and continue around the peninsula, passing through rainbow-coloured Ardgroom and Eyeries and briefly hopping across the border to County Kerry, where hairpin bends hug the coastline. At the village of Lauragh, follow the signs for The Healy Pass and trundle along this extraordinarily peaceful mountain route, accompanied only by flocks of sheep.

Gougane Barra Forest Park is my final suggested stop. It’s not the most direct route to get here but the detour pays off if you like sweeping mountains and waterfalls. The tiny St Finbarr's Oratory sits out on the choppy lake, dwarfed by its dramatic surroundings. Park up for free and walk down past the barriers to an array of signposted hikes – a tranquil end to a whirlwind road trip.

Don’t miss: The Healy Pass Eat: Homemade soup and soda bread at Cronin’s Cafe

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3 day County Cork Itinerary to inspire your next trip

Considering it is the largest and southernmost county in Ireland, Cork is a must visit. Made up of mountain ranges, cosmopolitan cities, and rugged coastlines, there are so many amazing sights in County Cork with something for everyone. We visited as part of a road trip across the country and loved it from the moment we started exploring. And so we have come up with a 3 day Cork itinerary to help you plan your own trip. 

3 day County Cork itinerary – getting around

The easiest way to get around Ireland is to drive. You are best off hiring a car because you can plan your own itinerary and stop off along the way. We recommend hiring a car through Europcar . You can checkout their website for their range of discounts. Most people when planning their County Cork Road trip will probably start in Dublin and then drive South. 

County Cork Road trip – Day by Day

Our suggested County Cork Road trip is to travel from Dublin and then drive towards County Cork.

Day 1 Dublin to Blarney Castle. Drive to Cork City for the evening.

Day 2  Explore Cork City

Day 3 Explore Bantry 

Sights in County Cork

Blarney castle.

One of the top sights in County Cork has to be Blarney Castle . This is of course home to the famous Blarney Stone. One kiss of the stone and it is proclaimed that you will have the gift of the gab. The only problem is kissing the stone isn’t that easy. If you want the gift of the gab then believe me you are going to have to work for it.

For starters you have to make your way to the top of Blarney Castle via a narrow and winding staircase. Once you reach the top you wait in line with the other eager tourists. When it is your turn you lay on your back and reach out to kiss the stone, which I should add is suspended over a severe drop.  One guy holds you whilst the other takes your picture. I chickened out, but Dave managed to do it. And believe me he has not shut up about it since.

Whilst you are at the top don’t forget to take in the views. It is also worth noting the castle is located on some really beautiful land. The gardens are immense and it is a great place to explore.

Cork City is actually Ireland’s second largest city. It is vibrant and cosmopolitan, with so much to see and do. Ask the locals and they will tell you that this is Ireland’s unofficial capital. Located on the River Lee the city centre is bustling. There are some amazing bars and some very colourful street art.

One of the highlights in Cork was visiting the English Market, where you can feast on some locally produced foods. Here you can find anything from artisan cheese to fresh meats and seafood. There are also some quaint places to sit town for a spot of tea and some cake.

Another highlight if you are looking for an aerial view of the city is St Anne’s Church. You can clamber up the steps for a 360 degree view of the city. Although it probably isn’t great if you are claustrophobic. At one point as you make your way up you have to negotiate your way around the enormous church bell. You are given noise cancelling headphones which is a good thing because at one point I was under the bell as it started to ring.

Speaking of bells on the first floor you can actually have a go at ringing the bells. I really don’t know how the locals put up with it. There is a book and it will tell you which rope to pull to hit a certain note. You can then play your favourite songs. I don’t think anyone nearby appreciated my truly shocking rendition of Waltzing Matilda.

Bantry is a picturesque and colourful seaside town that is definitely worth a visit. It is a small town but it is worth walking down some of the narrow back streets to get a feel for the place. It is also a really good place to sit down with some freshly cooked fish and chips and breathe in that sea air.

Just don’t hold your fish up in the air with one hand whilst trying to take an Instagram shot with the other. You will end up with a flock of seagulls attacking you and a lot of seagull poo in your hair. Oh and one really annoyed boyfriend who had to come rescue you as well as his lunch.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links will be no extra cost to you but we will receive a small commission for any products purchased.  We only recommend products that we would actually buy ourselves. We hope you will find some value in these links. 

Wild Atlantic Way

Ring of Kerry

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8 day road trip of Ireland

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Wanderlust and Life is a blog for those that love to travel.

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The ultimate road trip along Ireland's west coast: a three day itinerary

Thanks to the Wild Atlantic Way, more travellers than ever are discovering the jewels of the west coast of Ireland by car. Take a long weekend to tour this spectacular coastline, stopping at everything from geological marvels to decadent spas and experience the very best of Irish heritage and hospitality.

DAY 1 – CORK TO KERRY

Start your tour of Ireland by flying into Cork and making the short 25-minute drive to the town of Kinsale , the very beginning (or end) of the Wild Atlantic Way. Ireland's first long-distance driving route is renowned for its rugged coastal beauty, and you could spend weeks exploring each craggy inlet and winding country lane. This small town, which Condé Nast Traveller previously named one of Ireland's most beautiful , is overflowing with character. With houses painted in bright sherbets, ultramarine and chalky pink, it's reminiscent of the colourful Venetian island of Burano.

Spend a day wandering through the pretty boutiques and watching yachts from the harbour, or embrace one of Ireland's oldest traditions – the ancient art of distilling. Visit the Kinsale Mead Co for a modern take on the honey-based drink, or drive around 40 minutes outside the town to the Clonakilty Distillery . Founded in 2016 by the Scully family, who have farmed the land for nine generations, the distillery immerses travellers in Cork's illustrious whiskey heritage through tours and tastings of their award-winning collection. It's not just whiskey, either: they also produce vodka, gin and sloe gin with local hedgerow fruit. Pick up a bottle of your favourite and return to Kinsale for supper – the town has been hailed as one of the best dining spots in the whole of Ireland.

Unsurprisingly, given its coastal location, Kinsale is renowned for its seafood. Head to Fishy Fishy for an extensive menu of fresh oysters, local lobster and the creamiest fish pie you'll ever taste, or reserve a table at Bastion to experience Michelin-worthy dishes. The restaurant earned its first star in 2020 and has been delighting diners ever since with a tasting menu that shines a spotlight on Ireland's incredible seasonal produce.

After you've paid your compliments to the chef, it's time to head to your lodgings for the night. An hour and 45 minutes through the charming Irish countryside will bring you to Kenmare on the Kerry coastline, where you have the choice of two indulgent places to stay. On one side of the bay, you'll find Sheen Falls Lodge , a grand five-star escape set in 300 acres of jaw-dropping scenery. Opt for one of their decadent suites, or cosy up in a traditional thatched cottage on the grounds. On the opposite side of the water is the spectacular Park Hotel Kenmare , which dates back to 1897. It’s an idyllic spot for sipping Champagne in front of a roaring log fire or to gaze at the water as the sun sets out to sea.

DAY 2 - KERRY TO LIMERICK

No matter which Kenmare hotel you've chosen, you're sure to wake up bright and well-rested for your second day of exploring the west coast. Ireland is rightly celebrated for its stunning scenery, and just an hour’s drive will transport you to a world of dramatic peaks, lakes and dense woods of oak and yew. Killarney National Park is home to McGillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland, and a chain of three lakes. Spend the morning hiking or walking, keeping an eye out for native red deer as you go, or take to the lakes for a kayaking adventure.

In the afternoon, soak up the park's heritage at Muckross House . The 19th-century mansion is surrounded by manicured grounds and inspirational gardens; visitors can enjoy freshly made soups, scones and sandwiches in the Garden Restaurant conservatory.

Half an hour further north is a different kind of retreat. Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa , on the edge of the national park with impressive views over Lough Leane, is one of Ireland's premier spa resorts and the perfect place to unwind. The spa draws inspiration from the Irish landscape in both its slate interiors and its treatments, which use exclusive VOYA Organics products, made of seaweed harvested from Ireland’s pristine ocean waters. From facials to massages to intense relaxation sessions in the thermal suites, you'll leave rejuvenated and ready to continue your journey to your final destination of the day.

Adare Manor in Limerick is astonishing – its splendid architecture and grounds coupled with sublime hospitality have led to this glamorous locale being named best resort in the world in Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2022. Suites are elegance personified, activities such as falconry, archery and horse riding can be enjoyed, and in Michelin-starred restaurant The Oak Room, Ireland's bounty of seasonal food is celebrated amid glowing candlelight. .

DAY 3 - LIMERICK TO GALWAY

On your final day exploring the west coast of Ireland, you'll be immersed in incredible scenery from Limerick to Galway, travelling through Clare and along the coastline.

The Burren is one of the world's most striking geological sights; a rugged landscape of buckling limestone that’s almost lunar-like in its harshness. Driving through the rocky terrain is awe-inspiring. Despite its remoteness, there's still plenty going on here – you'll even find the Wild Honey Inn, a pub with rooms and a Michelin star, in the centre of the national park.

Afterwards, head west towards the coast and another one of Ireland's most famed sites. Together with the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher have been recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, with their steep drop and breathtaking walks drawing almost a million visitors each year. The landscape is scattered with sea caves and sea stacks rising from the waves, and it's a prime spot for bird watching – keep an eye out for razorbills and even Atlantic puffins on the more secluded areas of the cliffs. Those with particularly keen eyesight might catch glimpses of dolphins, minke whales and basking sharks.

Travelling up towards Galway, you can make a mini detour to take in the neolithic burial ground of Poulnabrone Dolmen, the 330-million-year-old warrens of Aillwee Cave, or the ruins of 16th-century tower house Dunguaire Castle .

In Galway, more high-end dining awaits. Visit Aniar , where dishes draw heavily from the west coast and surrounding areas of Galway. Here, dishes such as kelp and sea radishes, lamb and artichoke and beef with arrowgrass have earned it a Michelin star. Or try bohemian Kai , an eclectic spot with a focus on sustainability – produce is local and organic, menus are short and seasonal, and its dedication to zero waste and recycling mean that it's been honoured with a Bib Gourmand as well as a Michelin Green Star.

Finish your journey with a final hour-long drive to Ashford Castle . On the very northernmost tip of Lough Carrib, a stay in this remarkable 800-year-old building will make any traveller feel like royalty. With sumptuous suites and dreamy estate gardens to explore, it's the perfect place to end your tour of the west coast.

Find out more here  

A Road Trip Along Ireland’s Southern Coast: Things To Do In County Cork & Waterford

A meandering, unhurried road trip along Ireland’s southern coast is full of sweeping ocean views, rugged cliffs, emerald fields dotted with little sheep, and dozens of tiny colorful villages.

It’s a wonderful addition to any Ireland itinerary, so I wanted to share with you all of the tips from this part of my Ireland travels, and specifically things to do in County Cork and County Waterford.

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This post is quite in-depth, a combination of travel guide and photo essay.  I’ve got ideas of possible things to do, where to eat, etc., but a lot of the things on this itinerary are less true “things to do” than they are just ideas for where to stop.  You can pick the spots that sound most appealing depending on the time you have.

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Where to stay along Ireland’s southern coast

I started my Ireland southern coast roadtrip in Adrigole, on the Beara Peninsula (at the charming Irish hipster-y Mossie’s B&B ), and that was a great jumping off point for my trip.  As such, early in the day I skipped through towns that would make great bases, such as Rosscarbery ,  Baltimore ,  Skibbereen ,  Kinsale , and  Cobh .

If you’re going as far as Ardmore, I HIGHLY recommend the amazing  Cliff House Hotel  (It’s definitely a splurge, but completely worth it, here’s my detailed  review ).  I also strongly considered Coolcormack Stud B&B   in nearby Dungarvan.

Right near Galley Head I also stayed at  Seafield Farmhouse , which was charming and beautiful but the breakfast wasn’t much (maybe caught on a bad day).

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Driving in Ireland 

First off, I have a super detailed post on renting a car and driving in Ireland that I recommend reading.  Driving in Ireland can seem intimidating if you’re not used to driving on the left, or you aren’t familiar with driving more rural roads, but it REALLY is the way to see this country.  I personally love it.

While part of this itinerary is on decent smaller highways, there are a number of narrow, curvy, and not-well-marked roads.  Take your time, stay in your lane, and when in doubt, yield…it’s completely normal to pull over to let a car pass, or if you’re not sure that you and an oncoming car (or bus) will both fit!

One thing to be aware of is that it’s easy to get deceived by the seemingly-short distances on the map.  Don’t rely on Google Maps for time estimates.  You definitely need to assume any leg of your journey will take longer …not to mention you’ll want to get out and take photos.

For renting a car, I always search in a few different places and compare both the prices and specific offerings/benefits.  My go-to’s are DiscoverCars ,  RentalCars.com , and  AutoEurope  as well.

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Road trip stops along Ireland’s south coast

For this trip, we’re focusing specifically on the western half of the southern coast, and things to do in County Cork and County Waterford.  The direction you drive this route doesn’t matter…the views are great either way.

I was coming from the north end of the western coast, so I did the Aran Islands, then Dingle, then the Beara Peninsula.  And for this leg, I started in Adrigole and made my way down and across.

With a short time, I decided to skip the deep southwestern corner since I’d already explored it a bit on a previous trip (and it was pretty out of my way).  But here are some great recommendations for it, if you’ve got the time.

• Mizen Head – Supposed to be stunning, but can also be a bit crowded
• Three Castle Head – Reviews are pretty amazing, though quite a bit of variance on how long people say it takes (this is a hike), a good option for avoiding the crowds of Mizen Head
• Barleycove Beach – A pretty, wide beach popular for swimming, paddling, its tidal stream, and more
• Sheeps Head Peninsula – I had explored this wild bit of the country on a previous trip, and found it thoroughly charming and not at all crowded!  You can read more about it here .
• Crookhaven – O’ Sullivan’s Bar in the little village of Crookhaven is supposed to be great, overlooking the harbor with gorgeous views
• Schull – Supposed to be cute
• If you’re looking for good coffee or breakfast, two places recommended by my B&B host were Kinda Cafe in Bantry and Buds Restaurant in Ballydehob

Other Ireland adventures to plan your trip! 

The Perfect 7-Day Ireland Roadtrip Itinerary:  Hidden Gems

Tips For Renting A Car & Driving In Ireland

The Medieval Charms of Kilkenny

Driving Ireland’s Beara Peninsula

Exploring Ireland’s Breathtaking Dingle Peninsula   (&  10+ Hidden Gems )

Duchess For A Day: A Luxury Stay At Dromoland Castle (Co. Clare)

What to Expect at the Cliffs of Moher (& Where To Go Instead)

What to Do With 2 Days in Dublin (+ Touring Guinness and Jameson )

What to Do in Ireland’s Boyne Valley Region & Slane Village

Clonmacnoise Monastery, Ireland: A Road Trip Must-See

24 Hours On Inis Mor, In Ireland’s Aran Islands

Okay moving on…given that I had gotten a later start than planned, I made my first stop in Skibbereen.  It’s an adorable little town (you’ll notice a theme of that as we go through) that is big enough to have shops and restaurants, but small enough to feel quaint—definitely worth a walk around!

After finding street parking, my first stop was O’Neill Coffee .  It’s a really cute PROPER coffee shop (like, with really good coffee, which is less common in Ireland).  I got a delicious scone and a cortado.

On my way back to the car, I stopped in at West Cork Crafts , which has beautiful local items…I couldn’t resist picking up a few as souvenirs.

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Just outside of Skibbereen is a spot that isn’t super well-marked, but is worth a few minutes of your time.  Abbeytrowsry Cemetery (also called Abbeystrewry Graveyard) is one of the most significant and sobering memorials of the Famine in Ireland.

This is where the infamous “pits” or mass graves are, where somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 Famine victims were buried in a seven-year timespan.  You can learn a bit more about the memorial and what it commemorates here , if you’re interested.

I had trouble figuring out where to park, so if you’re coming FROM Skibbereen, turn right *just* before the cemetery, then drive up the little narrow road a bit and you can park there.

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And then I ended up back in Skibbereen because I had trouble finding a spot that was open for lunch on a Monday (in early May toward the end of COVID).  Annie Mays B&B was really cute and had good service and pretty good food.

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If you’re looking at a map, you’ll notice that Baltimore is a bit out of the way.  So I was tempted to skip it and keep on truckin’, but it was such a pretty day that I decided to go see if the Baltimore Beacon was worth the fuss.

I took a quick drive through the town, but didn’t have time to stop and walk around.  It’s a really charming village, with Victorian cottages, a busy shorefront, cute pubs, and a 13th-century castle (Dún na Séad).  It’s also a good spot to take a whale-watching tour.

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There’s a small parking lot, but I can definitely see how it would get really busy during peak season.  If there’s no parking available there, you may need to park in town and walk, which takes about 20 minutes.

I took a very short but steep climb up some rocks, but if you don’t want to do that you can start the trail a bit further back and take a gentler route up to the point on the cliffs.

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Even without the beacon, the scenery here is stunning.  I love the craggy cliffs and azure blue water…heck, even the COWS look scenic.

And then there’s the famous white-painted stone “beacon” itself—100% worth a visit on a pretty day.  You’ll have uninterrupted views of Cork’s amazing coastline and the crystal clear waters below.

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After making my way back up from Baltimore to the main road I’d been on, next up was Glandore (known in Irish as Cuan Daire meaning “harbour of gold”).  I didn’t have time to stop (and didn’t see a ton open at the time), but it’s a very pretty village with an adorable harbor and beach area.

There are also two Norman castles in the vicinity, and a pleasant walking route to the megalithic Drombeg Stone Circle nearby (next up on the list!).

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Drombeg Stone Circle

Back up near Skibbereen, the Drombeg Stone Circle (or standing stones) deserves a spot on your itinerary—it’s cool, quick and easy to see, and free.  What more could you ask??

Also known as the Druid’s Altar, this is one of the iconic attractions in Cork, and probably the most famous of the prehistoric stone circles in Ireland.  Believed to be erected about 3,000 years ago, the circle is very well-preserved.

My one big tip is that the lighting when I visited mid-afternoon was not great (for photography), I think it would photograph better before lunchtime.  You can access the circle down a quiet narrow lane.  There’s a small car park for visitors (but large vehicles, trucks, buses, etc. cannot access).

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Rosscarbery

I bumped along on the road a bit past the stone circle, and made a quick swing through Rosscarbery.  It’s definitely a bigger town, with a cute downtown area.

I didn’t have as much luck finding a place for a snack and coffee (what I was looking for mid-afternoon), but you can reference this post on restaurants in Rosscarbery .

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Owenahincha Beach

One thing that really stood out to me was how the south coast seems much more gentle than the wild western coast, with more harbors and bays, and less-violent crashing waves.

Instead, you get these nice wide sandy beaches like Owenahincha Beach , which are great for families.  (Though don’t underestimate the power of the waves and tide, and always ask the lifeguards if it’s safe to swim)

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Clonakilty is a larger village that is SUPER cute and worth taking some time to explore.  Beyond your expected brightly-colored buildings and pretty shops, it’s got a local craft distillery and a pretty good local food scene.

In fact, if you’re staying a bit longer (it’s a good town for basing yourself) you could look into a foodie walking tour that blends local history with sampling local artisan markets, ice cream, cheese, and chocolate shops.

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I stopped a cute spot called Gearoidin’s for a takeout slice of Bakewell-themed cake, and popped in at a cute wine shop/bar called Ari’s .  There are lots of little boutiques as well.

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One of the joys of just meandering along the south coast is just stopping whenever the whim strikes.  And that’s exactly what I did when I saw the bright copper stills of Clonakilty Distillery.  The distillery makes whiskey, gin, and vodka, and is relatively new to the area (but Clonakilty has a long brewing and distilling history).

I managed to catch a tour just after they had left, and we first watched a really well-done video (that sent me on a wild hare to Galley Head, where the barley is grown).  Then we went through the distilling process, learning about the grains, how the stills work, and more.

I took the whiskey tour, but they offer gin and vodka tours as well.  They also have “gin school” occasionally, where you can distill it and infuse your own botanicals—very bummed to miss that!

The tour ends with a tasting, with two different whiskies to taste (I also convinced them to let me try the gin too).  I went home with a bottle of gin and a bottle of their sloe gin…who can resist?!

Read more about my viist to the distillery (& beautiful, wild Galley Head!)

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At that point I didn’t have any concrete plans before heading to my B&B for the night, and the beautiful video had inspired me.  So I decided to take a drive out and see Galley Head for myself (where the family who owns Clonakilty grows the barley).

It’s got lush green grass and wildflowers, with crashing waves pounding against rocky cliffs.  There’s a lighthouse out on the furthest point, but it was hard to get a good angle for photographing it.  You can even rent the lighthouse keeper’s house , which sounds super cool.

I didn’t stay long…it would be beautiful at sunset but there was a fog rolling in off the ocean late afternoon, so I decided to head on toward my B&B.  But I was so glad I popped over here to explore, and this is exactly the type of impromptu road trip stop you should find!

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My B&B out in Kilbrittain

As I was researching where to stay along the south coast, I was really looking for traditional B&Bs.  But where I was going to end up at the end of this day put me a bit more remote.  I booked at Seafield Farmhouse B&B , which has beautiful views and great walking opportunities.

Eileen and here husband were very welcoming and the room was very roomy and comfortable.  They made a couple great dinner recommendations (I took them up on one, more on that in a sec) and I enjoyed walking along the coast in the morning before breakfast.

The only thing that was weird was that she didn’t make any scones or baked goods in the morning for breakfast, and was out of like…everything (including tomatoes and honey).  It was odd, not sure if maybe I caught her having just been out of town or something, because the reviews of breakfast had been great, but it was the one negative in the experience.

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The two great dinner places that were recommended nearby were Hurley’s Bar (more like traditional pub food) and The Wild , both in Ballinspittle (a 10-15 minute drive).

I decided to try out The Wild, and was SO glad I did.  It is a quirky and pretty, with a really interesting menu that is very different from what you typically see in a tiny Irish village.

I got the prosecco poached pear, Cashel blue cheese, and walnut salad—that blue cheese was amazing!   For dinner I got the crispy chili beef, which was really good (though a bit salty for me).  And their sticky toffee pudding was delicious, more like how I made it and the best I had on this trip.

I was quite tired at that point, but had wanted to listen to some live music.  So while I didn’t end up going, they had recommended Kitty O Sé’s in Kinsale, which has live music every night.

This area around Kilbrittain is really lovely, and quite off-the-beaten-path, even by the standards of this less touristy area.  But if you have a bit of extra time, I suggest exploring here a bit, just driving around and stopping to enjoy the views or walk a bit!

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So onto day 2 of my itinerary along Ireland’s southern coast…

After leaving my B&B, my first stop of the day was in Kinsale , which is incredibly adorable—in fact it’s known as the “prettiest town in Ireland”.  The town is nestled at the mouth of the River Bradon, and is known for its narrow cobbled lanes, glossy and dazzling colored shops, great seafood, craft stores, and is a great spot to listen to trad (traditional) music.

Kinsale is the southern trailhead for the Wild Atlantic Way would be a wonderful base on the south coast for exploring the area, with plenty of accommodations, restaurants, and shops.

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Kinsale isn’t just charming, but has some cool history as well. On one side of the river you’ll find the 17th century remains of James Fort , with the even older Charles Fort sitting on the opposite side (of the two, the latter looks cooler).

You can see (but not visit) a lighthouse from the 1600s out on the Old Head of Kinsale, and check out Desmond Castle (a customs house from the 1500s that’s now a wine museum…reviews seem to indicate you should look at it, but not worth actually visiting).

And it was from here that Alexander Selkirk (inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe) set sail in 1703 on his misadventures.

I was there early/mid-morning and so a lot wasn’t open yet.  But I stopped in at a cute spot called Lemon Leaf Cafe for coffee and a scone.  It would be a great breakfast or lunch spot as well.  Janey Mac’s is supposed to have great scones as well.

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I had planned to stop in Cork for a snack and some exploration, but traffic was MAD and I couldn’t find parking, and just gave up since I was on a tight timeframe.

It is a really lovely small city that’s a good alternative to Dublin or Galway if you’re strapped for time on your itinerary and can’t get to either of those.  I’d just plan on a half-day minimum, to make the most of getting parked, walking around, etc.

It’s got a great music scene, robust and varied food options, and some cool cathedrals (including one where you can ring the bells).  Two recommendations I’d had for Cork City were Coffee Pod (supposed to have great scones) and Fitzpatrick’s Shop in Glounthaune village.  You should also check out The English Market , one of the best covered markets in the UK and Ireland (“a food lover’s paradise”).

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The last stop on my south coast roadtrip was a very special one for me…as I continued on east into County Waterford, the area was more bucolic, with pastures and farmland, gentle hills, and even some enchanted forest-like vibes.  But this was the only day of my whole trip where it was gray and rainy.

So I missed a glorious entrance to the tiny village of Ardmore.  Nestled into the coast, this village boasts some of the area’s most important religious history along with its gorgeous coastal views.  On top of that, the main reason it was on my radar was because it was the setting for one of Nora Roberts’ most iconic O.G. series ( The Gallaghers of Ardmore trilogy ), which I loved as a teenager.

Along with the general ocean views, the Ardmore cliff walk is (in my opinion) one of the best and most accessible in the region, and long, wide Ardmore Beach draws tons of locals and visitors during the summer.  Make sure to have a meal or two at  Whitehorses as well, it was delicious!

Here’s a much deeper post on what to do in Ardmore here!

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And that aforementioned cliff walk is one of the biggest reasons to visit Ardmore!  It’s studded with ancient Declan-based spots (that religious history I talke about above), but I was here for the sweeping views and crashing waves.

When I first got to Ardmore, a giant rain front was just sitting on top of Ireland…but it was my only day in the village and I couldn’t bear to not do the cliff walk, so I did it in the rain.  And the second I finished the loop and got down to the beach…it was like a switch flipped, and suddenly there was blue skies and sunshine!

Soooo I did the loop again.  It was a 25,000+ step day.  But totally worth it, as you can see by these pics!

Read this detailed post on the cliff walk route!

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And if you’re in this area and are willing to splurge, you absolutely HAVE to stay at Ardmore’s Cliff House Hotel .  The hotel sits atop the coastal cliffs surrounding Ardmore village, with incredible views of the ocean.

Instead of the very traditional architecture and décor you’d expect, the hotel instead has a very modern aesthetic blended with cozy traditional comfort.  My room had a staircase (!) and a beautiful shiny purple mosaic tile floor, with great balcony views.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

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I was out of time on my Irish roadtrip at this point and had to fly back home, but there are several other spots just past Ardmore that you should explore if you can.

• Cappoquin – A bit out of the way but looks really cool and maybe worth it (Mount Melleray Abbey in particular).  Make sure to stop in Barron’s Bakery (famous for more than 130 years).
• Drive the Copper Coast – This doesn’t get the hype of the Wild Atlantic Way, but is supposed to be absolutely stunning.  The drive winds through a European geopark, and provides endless seascapes, rugged cliffs, lovely coves and beaches, and several cute villages.  This article has details on the route.
• They also have some highly-recommended pubs (like Anchor Bar and the Moorings and Nagle’s), and I strongly considered staying at nearby  Coolcormack Stud B&B , which had amazing reviews.
• Lismore  – West of Waterford, this town dating back to 636 AD sits at the foot of the scenic Knockmealdown Mountains.  Check out Lismore Castle , the “Vee” road, the Waterford Greenway, and Lady Louisa’s Walk.

From here, you can continue along the southern coast, or head up toward Kilkenny (which is AWESOME), or up toward Dublin .  This was the end of my trip so I drove the couple hours up to Shannon to fly out.

Other epic regional roadtrips you’ll love:

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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.

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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!

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).

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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).

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.

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!

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).

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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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…

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.

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]

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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How would you cut this down to just 10 days, Dublin to Dublin? Which stops are musts and which ones could we skip?

Loved reading this post! Really appreciate how comprehensive this all is. helps a lot as we try to figure out a two week itinerary for us taking a car over from France on the ferry!

Best Itinerary and photos.. Thanks for sharing the content.

This itinerary sounds great. It would be helpful to have a map. We are hoping to book vrbo’s along the way. We will rent a car and drive the coastline. Would love any tips.

Hello, I know you shouldn’t drink and drive anywhere but I rather ask the question and be safe. It seems that it would be difficult not to have a beer or two at a pub while in Ireland, so… what is the law regarding alcohol level allowed while driving? also… is there any law against having a bottle of wine or any other spirit in the motorhome to enjoy while parked?

Hi Marcelo, you definitely should not drink drive anywhere as you are putting yourself and other people in danger. You could harm yourself or others. Or worst, you could even kill someone or yourself. Definitely no go in any country.

As for the alcohol limit and the alcohol in the motorhome, we are not too sure. Sorry

Kylemore Abbey is not actually a castle. It is a monastery built on the grounds of the Castle. There are nuns who live there now and it also has a beautiful walled garden.

I am Irish and while you did see a lot on your trip, there is a lot more for you to discover when you next arrive here.

I would love a map of your route! I would also love to know where you parked each night. Did you stay at campsites or just parked in random spots. Thanks

Hi did you have a map. so I can download..it looks amazing.. we are going in April for 2 weeks .just me the wife and ted the dog ..happy holidays steve

Hi Steve, we had downloaded maps.me and the areas we need offline. You can pick up a sim card with data for cheap and we used this. There is great apps to help you plan your trip in Ireland also.

Hi Ashley, we had downloaded maps.me and the areas we need offline. You can pick up a sim card with data for cheap and we used this. We used Safe Nights Ireland to find cheap camping spots and there are many websites on the internet recommending free spots. All the best. Happy planning

Wow, Amazing pictures and fantastic guidelines. Thanks for the share!

Thank you so much. 🙂

Just reading your blog on the ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast with our camper van down below. So thanks for sharing your route with us. We are travelling around the world for a year and have 2 weeks in Ireland on our itinerary.

It would be great if you could also add a screen shot of a google map with your route. That would be helpful for readers to get a picture of your route.

Thanks for the pics and tips.

Hi Carolyn, what a trip. Sounds like you are going to have a great time. We followed the island anti – clockwise but you can definitely make up your route as everyone want to see something different. All the names above are in google and easy to find. There is also an app called Wild Atlantic Way. This is great to route out a road trip also. Have a great

Hola me gusto mucho la ruta en autocaravana por Irlanda, queremos ir en Agosto pero solo tenemos dos semanas incluyendo dia de llegada y salida desde Estados Unidos. Somos 6 y no quisieramos dormir todos los dias en el autocaravana. Cree usted que podamos ir rentando hoteles en el recorrido los dias que nesecitemos o seria complicado ya que es temporada alta?

” Hello, I really liked the motorhome route through Ireland, we want to go in August but we only have two weeks including day of arrival and departure from the United States. We are 6 and we would not like to sleep every day in the motorhome. Do you think we can rent hotels on the tour on the days we need or it would be complicated since it is high season?” comment above

Thank you for your message Yannet. I just translated it above as it may help others too. What a great trip you have planned. In the quieter towns you can easily book a hotel. But in the bigger cities such as Belfast, Killarney, Dublin, Dingle and other popular tourist places you may struggle. Definitely book ahead as your party is large and you know all 6 of you will have accommodation. There are great websites for freedom camping or low cost camping. Have a wonderful trip

Amazing trip – you’ve inspired us to do a week travelling in a campervan with our family in July, but yes only a week. We have family in Dingle to look up so will definitely be heading south and going clockwise. It looks cheaper to hire a campervan from London area (where we live) and ferry over instead of hiring in Ireland. Bit nervous to wild camp but hopefully it will workout! Would we need to pre book any campsites?

Hi Katherine, that is amazing. What a trip it is going to be. Dingle and the surrounding area is stunning. When you rent the camper from London make sure insurance covers you to go over to Ireland and Northern Ireland (if you are planning on going up there also). Personally with one week I would stick to the south and do a loop. There are some stunning drives down there. With wild camping in Ireland, it is illegal but tolerated. Just obey the leave no trace policy (even toilet paper). There is a a website called Safe Nights Ireland where you can park in peoples properties for a small fee if that feels better for you. If you are in a city and need to find a campground check out Camping Ireland website. Here is a great article below about camping in Ireland. If you do plan to stay in a campground definitely pre book as July may be busy. Have a great family trip and take lots of photos. 🙂

https://www.bunkcampers.com/en/holiday-advice/camping-guide/wild-camping/

Ireland road trip is very attractive to enjoy with awesome memories.

It definitely is. It is a stunning country. 🙂

We will be cruising with stops in Belfast, Dublin and Cork…Any suggestions of where to start a road trip as I don’t think we will need to go back to these places.

Hi Christine, Starting in Dublin and do a little loop of the south heading back past Dublin and then a loop in the north. When you do rent, make sure you can take the rental car/camper into Northern Ireland. Sometimes there are issues. Hope I answered your question. Let me know if I didn’t. Have a great trip.

Awesome recall of your trip! I am heading there next week and getting a campervan as well. Considering I have never traveled this way, reading stories like yours makes me even more excited!

So awesome. You will have a blast. We love Ireland. It was a lot of fun with the campervan. Have a great time and watch those tight Irish roads. It can get a little crazy sometimes.

This sounds amazing! I’m planning a trip (in July) to Ireland- but will only have 4 days 🙁 eek. Going to be a challenge to decide on which places to visit! (will most likely hire a car though to get around)

Hi Mel, so awesome you are heading to Ireland. Your trip is short but doesn’t mean you can’t see some awesome places. There is a lot to do and see. There are tour companies that will do trips up or down to place. Just be prepared for full on days with incredible views. If you don’t want it to be so hectic there is a lot to do around Dublin. Have an amazing trip and you can head back there in the future. 🙂

Your photos are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing! I love traveling by campervan, so it’s great to know that is an option in Ireland.

Thanks so much Veronica. Ireland is a perfect place to campervan.

Stunning photographs! I love this post and so much detail. I am from the UK and still haven’t made it over to Ireland! Hopefully in the near future though! Thanks for sharing and the huge inspiration!

Thank you so much Mike. Ireland is amazing. Such a beautiful country. You will be amazed. Hope you get there soon. Happy travels.

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10-Day Ireland Itinerary: 3 Road Trip Routes

Last Updated on February 13, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

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.

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!

Related Posts:

The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Day Donegal Road Trip Itinerary

The Perfect 1, 2, or 3 Days in Belfast Itinerary

8 Best Stops On A Dublin To Galway Drive

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!

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The Ultimate One Week Road Trip Itinerary for Ireland

T he island of Ireland is split into two with the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Even with Brexit there is no passport control or immigration when traveling between the two regions of the island.

In this 7 or 8 days itinerary we drove a total of 1,100 miles (1,800km) and gas cost a total of 160 euros. With only one week in Ireland it is impossible to see everything, but gives you enough time to see the main attractions and highlights across the island. Several of the days were more driving focused than others to squeeze all of Ireland in one week.

While it took us 8 days in Ireland to drive around the island and enjoy the entire itinerary below it is possible to do it as a 7 day itinerary to Ireland, you just have to wake up and get ready first thing each morning, as there is no time to sleep in.

Renting a car in Dublin

How much does it cost to rent a car in ireland, do i need extra car insurance in ireland, what type of car should i rent in ireland, day 1: streets of dublin, day 2: cobh – cork – killarney, day 3: killarney – the dingle peninsula – limerick, day 4: limerick & cliffs of moher – galway, day 5: erris head – downpatrick head – sligo, day 6: castle classiebawn – sliabh liag – glenveagh castle, day 7: northern ireland: dunluce castle, giant’s causeway & belfast, day 8: last day dublin.

Before renting a car in Ireland it is important to know that in Ireland and Northern Ireland you drive on the left side of the road. Our rental car even had a reminder sticker right above the windshield, but it was not our first time driving on the left, so we had no issues. It does take an extra second to remember especially when making turns and driving on an empty road.

We recommend renting a car only for your time outside of Dublin, as within Dublin parking is limited and expensive. Honestly walking between attractions is often quicker. Overnight parking costs upwards of 15 euro near the city center and that is with a discounted rate through the hotel. It is simply not worth the hassle of having a rental car in Dublin, only rent it for when you are leaving the city.

Because we spent the first two nights in Dublin we rented a car from Europcar picking up and dropping off at the Dublin City Centre, Spencer Dock location.

Rental cars in Ireland are relatively cheap compared to other countries that we have rented cars. For a 6 day rental it cost about 180 euro for a Hybrid Toyota Corolla. Had we opted for a smaller vehicle it would have only cost 100 for the 6 day car rental.

The one note of caution for renting a car in Ireland is the required special insurance coverage information to use our credit card rental car insurance that specifically states there is coverage in the Republic of Ireland. It is a simple phone call to the credit card but you might need to explain specifically what you need to the customer support as it goes beyond the normal coverage documentation.

To drive to Northern Ireland is well there is an additional 30 euro fee as it is part of the United Kingdom, with no real explication for the fee other than the rental company would like more money. We only added the Northern Ireland fee in the middle of our road trip via because we did know if the weather would be good enough to warrant the additional driving.

Additional car insurance is required in Ireland and is expensive. We read that If booking through a third party online, the additional insurance they offer is not actually accepted in Ireland and you will need to get insurance coverage directly with the rental car company, which can cost 20-30 euros per day.

Even with full CDW coverage through our credit card we were required to put a 5,000 euro hold on the card in case of any damage. Make sure you have enough credit available on your credit card for the duration of the car rental until the hold is released after retiring the car.

There are several questions to think about when renting a car in Ireland. The first is what size car should you need to rent in Ireland. With narrow roads, tight historic city centers, and limited parking spots, it is best to opt for the smallest car that your group comfortably fits in.

With three people, one checked bag and two carry on bags we chose a Toyota Corolla and the trunk was absolutely full. If you are traveling with two people and less luggage an even smaller car, like the Volkswagen Polo is enough.

7 or 8 Day (one week) road trip itinerary to Ireland and Northern Ireland

Since we have two full days in Dublin split between the start and end of our Ireland road trip, our first day in Dublin was spent mostly strolling along the streets of Dublin along the River Liffey. After dropping our luggage of at our hotel we began exploring Dublin on foot.

We started out walking through the relaxing Saint Stephen’s green park to enjoy some of the bright orange and yellow autumn foliage that was at its peak during our visit. There is also a small memorial in the park dedicated to the peaceful defenders of human rights around the world which is interesting to experience and read.

Heading towards the center of town we passed The Umbrellas Dublin which are colorful umbrellas hanging across the road, effectively in an ally between a few bars and casinos. While it does make for a cute photo spot, it is not really worth visiting if you have to go too far out of the way.

We then made our way to the campus of Ireland’s oldest university, Trinity College Dublin . While it is probably most famous for the Trinity College Library and see the Book of Kells, we opted to just walk through the grounds as it was several hours before the next available tour.

After that we walked into the Temple Bar neighborhood which is probably most famous for The Temple Bar Pub . We had stop inside to experience the bustling atmosphere, live Irish music, and of course get our first, and maybe most expensive, pint of Guinness in Ireland.

Tired from our overnight flight to Ireland we wandered back to our hotel trying to pass through as many beautiful and peaceful neighborhood streets as we could. We stayed at the historic Harcourt Hotel , which is situated an approximately 20 minute walk south of most of the top attractions in Dublin. We read complaints online of the adjacent nightclub being loud, but staying in the middle of the week we encountered no issues ourselves.

Waking up early in the morning I picked up our rental car from the Europcar Dublin City Centre, Spencer Dock location as soon as it opened at 7:30AM to get as much out our day as possible.

After packing up our luggage we began the 4 hour, 170 mile (270km) drive to Cobh . Traffic was relatively light during this drive, but being the first day driving in a new country, the drive did take a little longer as I was getting a feel for the flow of traffic.

Arriving in Cobh, we parked along Spy Hill road for the iconic view of the colorful “Deck of Cards” Houses with St. Colman’s Cathedral in the background. From this viewpoint it is mostly holding your camera above a stone wall to get a beautiful photograph. We then walked around the block to the small West View Park where you can get a similar view, but we do recommend both viewpoints as the park is at the same level as the Deck of Cards houses, so you can’t see the full cathedral.

We then made our way over to St. Colman’s Cathedral where we took a look inside this iconic church and enjoyed panoramic views across downtown Cobh and the entire port. On our way out of Cobh we drove down the main street and stopped for a few minutes to explore some shops before driving on to Cork.

On the way to Cork we stopped at the Blackrock Castle Observatory , which was unfortunately closed when we visited, but it still makes for a beautiful photo, from the edge of the parking lot and right along the water.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Downtown Cork on foot walking along Paul St, Drawbridge St, and along both sides of the River Lee on Merchant’s Quay and St Patrick’s Quay. We stopped for an early dinner at Gallagher’s Cork on MacCurtain Street where you will find a wide range of restaurant options.

Since it was already dark by this point and we still have much of Ireland to explore, we continued driving the 90 minutes west to Killarney, where we checked into The Heights Hotel Killarney to get some rest after a long day of driving.

We started off with an early morning hike in Killarney National Park to the Torc Waterfall . It is only a 200 meter walk along a paved path to the waterfall which makes it perfect for every type of visitor. There are additional walking paths through the wooded areas and along Muckross Lake, but did not look as interesting to us.

We made a quick stop at the Ross Castle to enjoy the grounds of this 15th-century. The interior is closed during the winter, when we visited, so could only enjoy the amazing exterior of the Ross Castle.

We then drove 40 miles (60km) out along the scenic Dingle Peninsula stopping at several viewpoints with breathtaking views of the water and Inch Beach. We stopped in the city of Dingle to walk through the colorful fishing village. Make sure to stop by the famous Murphy’s Ice Cream shop and try our favorite homemade ice cream flavor, Dingle Sea Salt flavor.

Making our way out to the end of the peninsula our next stop was Coumeenoole Beach , with its pristine golden sand surrounded by jagged cliffs. It makes for beautiful photos from every angle. Just be careful if you walk around on the beach as it is narrow and relatively flat, which means the turbulent waves can come in quickly, trapping you out there.

From here you can also hike up to Dunmore Head , which is described as the most westerly point In Europe, nearest point to the Blasket Islands. It is also now famously known for being featured in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Based on our limited time and reviews from other visitors, Dunmore Head should be visited if you have the time, but is only really worth it if you are a big Star Wars fan, as there are more beautiful spots to focus on in the region.

Our last stop on Dingle is the iconic Dunquin Pier with its two picturesque pyramid shaped rocks jutting out of the water right beyond the pier. While our favorite photos were actually from atop the cliffs, it is definitely worth walking down to the pier, which serves as which serves as the departure point for the Blasket Island ferry during the summer season.

We then had a 3 hour drive back into the mainland of Ireland, heading north to Limerick. We made a last minute decision to drive the same road out of the Dingle Peninsula to avoid driving through the mountainous Conor Pass to the other side of the peninsula, as we could see heavy rain storms forming.

Checking into the luxurious George Hotel Limerick City , we called it a night as it continued to rain all evening.

We spent the morning walking through Downtown Limerick, primarily walking along the calm River Shannon. The two main highlights you must visit in Limerick are King John’s Castle and Saint Mary’s Cathedral . We spent most of our time just strolling down the streets enjoying our only relaxed morning during the whole Ireland road trip itinerary.

A two hour drive northwest of Limerick is one of Ireland’s most famous attractions, the Cliffs of Moher . When you arrive make sure to head to the main car park on the opposite side of the road from the cliffs. Entrance tickets are €12 per adult, paid for when you park. From there make your way across the street and walk your way up to the top of the cliffs on the right hand side. After enjoying the panoramic views from this angle walk back down, sticking to the cliff edge to the southern end to get multiple perspectives of this breathtaking scenery.

Since the entrance tickets is technically for the parking, you can park a bit south of the Cliffs of Moher Experience at the Cliffs of Moher Liscannor Walk parking lot near Hag’s Head for only €5. The walking path along the cliffs connects between the two, and is open for anyone to walk through. However, this does make you walk a 7km more round trip along the cliffs as the best views are from the northern side.

After 3 hours exploring the Cliffs of Moher, we drove to the nearby village of Doolin which is home to the now Instagram famous pink cottage. Inside is a sweater shop with a great range of high quality merino wool products at the lowest prices we saw around Ireland.

With some new merino wool items in hand, it was a 90 minute drive north to Downtown Galway . After checking in to the chic Western Hotel in Galway we spent the evening walking around Galway and into many of the cute shops lining the streets.

We started in Eyre Square where the Christmas Markets were in full swing by mid-November. We walked down the pedestrian roads through the heart of the Latin Quarter . The route is relatively straight but the road changes names four times during the 10 minute walk from William St, Shop St, High St, to Quay St.

The next morning started off with a 3 hour drive north to County Mayo until we reached Erris Head Loop Walk . It is a 5km walking loop that starts off walking through sheep pasture and then takes you along the rugged west Irish coastline. The route passes near the small ragged Llandavuck Island, which is the perfect place for a photoshoot.

We encountered many wet and muddy patches along the route, so highly recommend wearing waterproof boots. It is also important to remember that the trail starts off cutting through private pasture, respect the owners land and sheep. The walk took us 2 hours in total including stopping for photos.

Back at the car we drove an hour east to Downpatrick Head where you can see the picturesque Dún Briste Sea Stack . We recommend visiting close to sunset as the golden hour glow is out of this world. Standing on the top of the cliffs can be windy, so a jacket is a must. There are no fences, but don’t go too close to the edge, as you cannot see the erosion happening under your feet.

Unsure of how far we would be able to drive at the end of the day, we made a last minute reservation at Castle Dargan Hotel in Sligo, which was still an hour and a half drive from Downpatrick Head. This luxury hotel is nestled on 170 acres estate in a modern renovation of a 18th century Castle. Honestly we wish we had heard about this hotel in advance so we could spend more time at this luxurious countryside oasis.

Remember, with only 8 days in Ireland driving between destinations in the evening can be a good way to maximize the time. Just be careful as roadways in some areas of Ireland are narrow and winding with limited visibility if it starts raining.

Day six is a driving heavy day with over 6 hours in total driving time throughout the day, as we had to make it halfway across Northern Ireland, to make sure we had enough time to see the top attractions in Northern Ireland in just one day.

A one hour drive north of Siglo is the fairytale looking Castle Classiebawn. Although you can’t visit the castle, we stopped at the Castle Classiebawn Viewpoint located across the cliffs, where it is safe to pull off and snap some photos. If you have a telephoto lens or zoom on your phone, now is the time to bring it out.

We then continued driving 2 hours north along the rugged coastline to Sliabh Liag , the second highest sea cliffs in Ireland and some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Parking costs €5 for 2hrs and you can drive all the way to the main viewpoint during the off season. Otherwise you have to pay for the shuttle or walk several kilometers.

The cliffs are significantly higher than the Cliffs of Moher, but each offer its own set of beauty. From the viewpoint parking lot at Sliabh Liag are some of the best views. While you can hike up well into the mountains from here, we recommend only about 20-30 minutes uphill to get a nice range of angles to enjoy the view.

After about an hour at Sliabh Liag we continued driving east for two hours until we reached Glenveagh Castle , a late-19th century castle built along the idyllic Lough Beagh, now within the Glenveagh National Park. From the Visitor Center you can take a shuttle bus to the castle for €3 round trip per adult. We arrived just in time for the last shuttle heading out.

Arriving to the castle with only about 20 minutes we quickly paid the €7 entrance fee per person to start our self guided tour. Since the staff had to wait for the last shuttle as well, they let us stay and take our time walking through the castle as they were closing up. We spent about 45 minutes in total walking through the castle, but could have easily spent twice the time if we had it. Just as we finished up the last return shuttle was arriving and it was back to the car to keep driving.

We drove for another 2 hours east in the dark, entering into Northern Ireland until we reached our hotel for the night, ibis Coleraine Riverside . The hotel was comfortable, but only recommended for a short stay as it was showing signs of its age.

Now entering into Northern Ireland from Ireland means we had entered the United Kingdom and while there is no border or passport control, it does mean prices are in British Pounds, not Euros like Ireland uses.

Just a 20 minute drive north of Coleraine is Magheracross View Point with panoramic views of the Causeway Coast’s stunning landscape. If you walk back along the road a little bit you can see Elephant Rock which looks like an elephant jutting out of the cliffs and into the water.

Right next door is the medieval Dunluce Castle which now sits in partial ruin. Tickets are £6 per adult. Walking through this romantic Irish Castle offered many unique photoshoot spots both of the castle itself and the surrounding cliffs. Try to arrive early as when tour buses start to arrive, the complex quickly fills with people.

Then it was on to the most popular attraction in Northern Ireland and one of the most iconic spots in the entire island, Giant’s Causeway , just a 20 minute drive further east. The unique landscape of Giant’s Causeway consists of tens of thousands basalt columns in hexagonal shapes, as tall as 40ft.

Using the main parking lot at the visitor center requires purchasing the visitor center experience in advance, which is not required to visit the Giant’s Causeway. This experience costs £15.50 per adult and includes closer parking, a guided tour, and access to the exhibits.

Otherwise add the Causeway Coast Way Car Park to your GPS at 60 Causeway Road where it costs £10 to park. It is just an extra 5 minute walk to the start of the Giant’s Causeway trail. From here it is 1km walk, about 20 minutes down a paved road to the Giant’s Causeway. There is an option of a shuttle bus which costs £1 per person each direction.

The main spots to visit are the Grand Causeway , Wishing Chair , and Giant’s Boot . There is also a small rock mound that juts out into the water as the most instagrammable spot, just be polite with your time as everyone wants to get a photo here. There are plenty of other spots if you just want to sit and enjoy the view.

You can walk around on the basalt columns, but be careful as they can be slippery, especially when wet or near the water. There are also staff there for your safety so please respect them if they ever make any requests.

We then continued on to Downtown Belfast which is a two hour drive from Giant’s Causeway, making it the perfect day trip from Belfast if you are staying there. We just spent an hour walking around the streets of Belfast, making sure to visit the beautiful Belfast City Hall and many of the surrounding buildings with its impressive facades. After exploring for a bit it was a two hour drive back south from Belfast to Dublin.

Arriving back to Dublin in the early evening we wanted to experience a bit Irish culture and music before the end of our road trip. We attended the Celtic Nights Dinner & Show , which included a three-course meal off a set menu, for €49 per adult. It was a good way to squeeze the experience traditional Irish dance, Irish music, and Irish food into one evening, but felt like we could have experienced a better version of each one outside of this tourist attraction.

For our last night in Dublin we decided to stay on the other side of the historic center at Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, City Centre located a few blocks north of the River Liffey. Since we arrived to late in the evening to return the car, we had to park it at a garage several blocks from the hotel, at a discounted rate.

For our last day in Ireland we still had to check off some of the best attractions in Dublin off our list. But first, I dropped of the rental car back at the Europcar Dublin City Centre, Spencer Dock location. Two important notes about this rental location are that there is no after hours drop off offered, and they have limited weekend hours, only opening Saturday from 8 AM–1 PM and Sunday 10 AM–1 PM.

We started off at the Dublin Castle , which from 1204 until 1922 it served as the seat of British rule in Ireland. Since Ireland’s independence it has still been used for state ceremonies, with Ireland’s presidents inaugurated in St Patrick’s Hall. Our favorite rooms in the castle are The throne room, The Battleaxe Staircase, the State Drawing Room, The Chapel Royal, and of course St. Patrick’s Hall. Self guided tickets are €8 per adult.

Our next stop is the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral , Ireland’s largest Cathedral dating back over 800 years. This massive ornate church is well worth the visit and €10 entrance fee per adult.

Dublin once had a vibrant distilling industry district called the Golden Triangle, with business declining dramatically in the early 20th century. Teeling Whiskey Distillery was the first new distillery in Dublin for over 125 years, with an old family distilling knowledge dating back to 1782. Here you can take a guided tasting tour, learning the history, distilling process, and of course how to taste whiskey starting at €20 per person. You can also upgrade your experience with additional small batch and single malt tastings.

No visit to Dublin or Ireland in general would be complete without the Guinness Storehouse Experience . With tickets starting from €20 per adult, experience the multi-story self guided tour to learn about the brewing process and history of Guinness, entry to Guinness Tasting Rooms, ending at the crowded Gravity Bar overlooking Dublin, with an included pint of Guinness.

In my personal opinion, as someone who has been on brewery tours before and has brewed my own beer, most of the experience was built around an amusement park vibe. It is definitely something worth doing once, but will probably not be going back when I am in Ireland again.

That brings us to the end of the ultimate one week road trip itinerary to Ireland, while we stayed one more night in Dublin and left first thing the next morning, you can also get a flight out the same afternoon or evening.

With just 8 days in Ireland it is impossible to see all the attractions, but we were able to visit many of the top things to do in Ireland. We look forward to visiting again soon to visit some more out of the way natural landscapes, and of course taste some more Guinness.

If you have any suggestions of things to do in Ireland or your favorite hidden gems that are missing from this road trip itinerary, please let us know in the comments below so we can check them out ourselves on our next visit to Ireland.

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13 amazing ireland road trips you’ll love.

Ireland is a country that holds great appeal for travelers from abroad, due to its immense natural beauty and captivating history. With castles and views for days, Ireland remains at the top of many travel bucket lists. You won’t be disappointed by the vast number of things to do in this country.

It’s also great news for travelers that it’s so easy to get around in Ireland. You can easily rent a car and drive around the whole island, from Northern Ireland all the way down to Cork, with very little traffic and open roads (that are sometimes quite narrow and twisty, but we won’t focus on that!)

» Let us help you plan your Ireland vacation with The Perfect 7-Day Ireland Itinerary.

In this post, you will find 13 of the best Ireland road trips. These routes cover nearly the entire country and can be done independently or strung together to make one giant road trip that will ensure you see the whole of Ireland. While you are traveling, watch out for these traditional Irish foods and try a few.

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

Table of Contents

How to Get Around in Ireland

There are two great ways you can get around on these road trips. You can rent a car and stay at hotels or Airbnbs along the way. Or you can rent a camper van and have a self-contained place to stay. Both have their pros and cons.

Renting a camper van is a unique and awesome way to experience the country, but it can also cost more than a hotel and you’ll need to be prepared to cook your own food and find a shower and facilities, when needed. Also keep in mind that many of the roads are quite narrow.

» Check out these 9 Fairy Tale Castles to Stay at in Ireland.

Popular Road Trip Routes in Ireland

The wild atlantic way.

Number of days: 10-14 days Start point: Kinsale End point: Inishowen Distance: 2,500 km (1,550 miles) Driving time: 6 hours

The Wild Atlantic Way is one of the most famous and most epic road trips in all of Ireland. Starting in the colorful town of Kinsale in County Cork and ending in the equally charming town of Inishowen in Donegal, the Wild Atlantic Way is a road trip that takes you through Ireland’s spectacular west coast.

It stretches 2,500 km in length which makes it the longest defined coastal route in the world.

You can visit the Wild Atlantic Way in around 10 days at a quicker pace, but if you want to really enjoy it and take advantage of all of the route, then 2 weeks is a better time period. The amazing thing about this drive is the epic views on every turn.

From dramatic cliffs, typical Irish green rolling fields, epic mountains and endless charming Irish towns, the Wild Atlantic Way road trip truly offers everything you want.

There are so many amazing places to stop and see along the way, but a few highlights would include, the Cliffs of Moher , the Ring of Kerry & the town of Killarney , the Dingle Peninsula , Mizen Head which is Ireland’s most South Westerly Point, and Achill Island among many other amazing sights!

There are lots of great places to stay in Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way, but on this road trip, it’s definitely worth renting a campervan and wild camping at some amazing places in Ireland. Wake up to stunning beach sunrises, epic cliff views, charming lakes and other unique wild camping spots in Ireland!

The Burren Loop

Number of days: 2-3 days Start point: Kilfenora End point: Kilfenora Distance: 90km (55 miles) Driving time: 1 hours 45 minutes

The Burren Loop is a very scenic drive through County Clare in Western Ireland. This figure-8 looped drive stretches over 150 kilometers. The Burren means “a rocky place” and the landscape of prehistoric grey limestone is very dramatic. 

The western side of the loop takes you along some spectacular stretches of coastline, while the other takes you through Burren National Park to the east. The route we’ve given above simplifies the drive into one loop of 90km that touches on the main highlights and will take at least one full day (two is preferable).

As this is a loop route, you can start or finish wherever you like. However, we recommend starting and finishing in Kilfenora . This quaint village is home to The Burren Centre , with information about the local area. There’s an interesting exhibition, as well as a café, large shop and restrooms.

Despite its small size, Kilfenora boasts a former cathedral, with some ornate medieval crosses. Vaughan’s Pub is a good place to go for a pub lunch. There are many scenic photo stops along the way, such as the Cliffs of Moher. The town of Doolin is the next picturesque spot near the coast, with brightly colored cottages and pubs playing traditional Irish folk music.

Continue heading north along the coast to Black Head , which has magnificent views of Galway Bay. Carry on to the traditional fishing village of Ballyvaughan, where you can stay the night at Drumcreehy Country House .

Next you’ll head into Carran, a small village in the Burren uplands, from where you can spend some time hiking and enjoying the Burren National Park .

Ring of Kerry

Number of days: 2 days Start point: Killarney End point: Killarney Distance: 200km (124 miles) Driving time: 3 hours 45 minutes

The Ring of Kerry is one of the most iconic road trips in Ireland. This 200km looped drive passes the beautiful sights of the Iveragh Peninsula in Co. Kerry and is packed with stunning scenery and incredible coastline. The Skellig Islands are one of the most famous sights on the Ring of Kerry.

The Skelligs, a group of rocky islands that jut out of the Atlantic just off the coast of Co. Kerry, are best known for their appearance in scenes in the most recent Star War movies. The Skellig Islands are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some of the most popular sights on the drive include Rossbeigh Strand , the Gap of Dunloe , Valentia Island and the vast Killarney National Park which is home to the incredible Ladies View scenic viewpoint. The best place to stay is the charming town of Killarney where most parts of the ring can be reached in under an hour.

In Killarney, we recommend staying at The Lake Hotel for its peaceful setting. It is recommended to drive the loop anticlockwise starting in Killarney as the views are even more spectacular in this direction. Killarney is also a great base to explore the nearby Dingle peninsula with its iconic  Dunquin Pier .

While the Ring of Kerry loop can be driven in a single day, visitors would ideally allow 3-4 nights to truly everything the area has to offer and not rush the trip.

Ring of Beara

Number of days: 2 Start point: Kenmare End point: Kenmare Distance: 198 km (123 miles) Driving time: 3 hours

The Ring of Beara, which highlights the best of the Beara Peninsula, is often overlooked in favor of the Ring of Kerry or Slea Head Drive, which means it is a great Irish road trip to go on if you want to avoid the crowds.

You can complete the 123-mile drive in one day and spend a few additional days in the area, or you can drive it slower, go on some hikes, and stay overnight at a few stops along the way. Either way, set aside 3-4 days for your trip to see the best sites.

Start and end your trip in the charming town of Kenmare . This town is the only stop that’s on both the Ring of Beara and the Ring of Kerry, so it’s a natural place to stay if you want to complete both drives during your time in Ireland.

Spend at least a full day exploring what there is to do in Kenmare , including seeing the seals in the bay. On the ring itself, you’ll find charming villages, parks for hiking, gardens to enjoy, and beaches perfect for picnicking.

Some popular stops along the loop include Gleninchaquin Park , where there are walking trails to explore. Past that, there are two beautiful lakes with great views: Glanmore Lake and Barley Lake . Hungry Hill is perfect for more strenuous hikes to the summit, where there’s a lovely view.

At Adrigole Harbor , you’ll find Orthons island, a mussel farm, and plenty of wildlife, such as the seal colony on the North end of the harbor. In Kenmare, stay at either Brook Lane Hotel or Sheen Falls Lodge for affordable luxury with amazing views and peaceful surroundings.

Ireland’s Ancient East

Number of days: 4 Start point: Dublin End point: Cork Distance: 392 km (243 miles) Driving time: 5 hours, 30 minutes

Ireland’s Ancient East was created to embrace and share highlights and destinations of interest on the eastern side of Ireland. These areas have an incredible array of things to see and do, plus local produce, meats, cheeses, and spirits that they are overjoyed to share with visitors.

As your road trip takes you away from Dublin, you’ll travel into County Kildare, which is home to the 640-acre Donadea National Forest. Kildare also has a large outlet shopping center, Kildare Village , that shoppers definitely shouldn’t miss. You can’t find a more dramatic and wonderful place to stay in Kildare than the Killashee Hotel , set amidst the beautiful countryside.

From here you can take a side trip over to Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. You’ll want to visit the  Monastic Site as well as  to the Upper and Lower Lakes. There are plenty of walks and trails in the area to keep you busy, including The Wicklow Way .

Kilkenny is a large medieval city, but still feel like a charming hometown. We suggest spending 2 days in Kilkenny, as there are a lot of great things to do. You’ll want to explore the town center, see the ancient architecture, and experience Kilkenny’s vibrant culinary scene.

The medieval mile is a discovery trail of Kilkenny’s history, from Kilkenny Castle to St. Canice’s Cathedral. A great way to see many of the sights in Kilkenny is with a Medieval Mile Pass . Located right in the center of the city, just a block from the castle, the 4-star Pembroke Hotel has everything you need for a short break in Kilkenny.

Next, head toward the medieval and Celtic ruins of the Rock of Cashel . The 12-century Cahir Castle can be found here.

Finally, end up in Cork , Ireland’s second largest city. Just outside of Cork is the popular Blarney Castle , where tourists come from all over to kiss the Blarney Stone, which is a slab of limestone set into the castle battlement. It’s said if you kiss the stone, you’ll be bestowed with the gift of gab. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

Hidden Heartlands Road Trip

Number of days: 2 days Start point: Athlone End point: Tullamore Distance: 103km (64 miles) Driving time: 1 hours 40 minutes

The midlands in Ireland are a true hidden gem and are often overlooked as a superb holiday destination. With great outdoor amenities and charming towns, it is easy to fall for the beauty of this area known as Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

One of the shorter road trips in the region explores Athlone and Offaly and captures the essence of the area in two days. This compact road trip (ca. 100 km in total) allows you to spend more time sightseeing and less time traveling between destinations.

The road trip starts in Athlone town with a tour of the 13th century Athlone Castle . This can be followed by a trip to the nearby Luan Gallery, where both Irish and international artists display their works in the tastefully designed building overlooking the River Shannon.

A visit to St. Paul’s Church to see the Harry Clarke stained glass windows should definitely be included in the itinerary. From there, head to Garrycastle on the outskirts of Athlone for a cycle along the Old Rail Trail. For a short interlude, stop by the Dún Na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park .

Travel back to Athlone for a tour of the Dead Centre Brewing and perhaps sample some of their famous pizza.

The second day starts an Birr Castle , less than an hour away from Athlone. Here you can explore the castle, the science centre and the expansive gardens, as well as the impressive telescope dating from the 1840s. Lough Boora Discovery Park is next on the road trip destination list.

This restored peatland functions as an eco-tourism site with lots of recreational activities for all ages, including a sculpture park and a fairy trail. Tullamore is the last stop, where you can stroll around the city and enjoy dinner next to the canal.

Leaving From Dublin

Dublin to county tipperary (castle tour of southern ireland).

Number of days: 3 days Start point: Dublin End point: Cashel Distance: 563km (350 miles) Driving time: 8 hours

One of the best road trips to take in Ireland is one in which you do a castle tour of the southern half of the country. Starting from Dublin, you will head to your base of County Tipperary to spend three days visiting some of the best castles in Ireland. We recommend staying in or near the town of Cashel.

On your first day, drive 1 hour south to visit the iconic Blarney Castle, for two reasons. Firstly, no visit there would be complete without kissing the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the gift of the gab.

Afterwards, explore the beautiful gardens before driving 1 hour to visit Lismore Castle and Gardens. Although the castle is not open to the public as it is still occupied by the family, the gardens are beautiful and must be explored.

For your second day, head west towards County Clare and Limerick. One hour west of Cashel lies Bunratty Castleand Folk Park in County Clare. This medieval castle is stunning and the grounds hold a Folk Park in which visitors can step back in time to experience 19th century life in an Irish village.

Afterwards, a drive of just 15 minutes will bring you to Limerick City where you can visit another medieval castle, that of St John’s . And if you are visiting in summer, Adare Castle is located just 20 minutes from Limerick.

Spend your third day visiting the Rock of Cashel in the town itself. This historical abbey was once the seat of the Kings of Munster and is a hugely popular Irish tourist attraction.

From Cashel, head 20 minutes south to Cahir where you can visit both Cahir Castle and the nearby Swiss Cottage , a 19 th  century ornamental cottage. This will complete your castle tour of Southern Ireland.

Dublin to Dingle

Number of days: 2 Start point: Dublin End point: Dingle Distance: 418km (260 miles) Driving time: 6 hours

A road trip from Dublin to Dingle provides numerous options for exploration from start to finish. Dublin has plenty to see and do in its own right before heading off on the road like visiting the Dublin Castle, Trinity College, Temple Bar, Kilmainham Gaol, and the many other attractions.

After enjoying a few days in Dublin, head to Kilkenny which will take 1.5 to 2 hours driving. Kilkenny is a small town with a rich history and if perfect for a two-night stay at a bed and breakfast like the Pinecrest BnB. You can get to know the town on foot, visiting the Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral and climbing the round tower.

In the evening, enjoy a meal at Kyter’s Inn, a lively pub that has been around since 1324. After leaving Kilkenny you will continue your drive to Dingle, but how long you take to get there is up to you. After 45 minutes of driving, you will make it to the Rock of Cashel . The ruins of a church on a hill were originally constructed in 1127.

Don’t miss Hore Abbey across the street, before heading on to Killarney where you can visit the Killarney National Park to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Located in the park is the Muckross House Gardens , a lakeside home with lavish gardens and the Muckross Abbey. Your final stop is Dingle.

Make sure you enjoy some ice cream at Murphy’s, take advantage of the plethora of fresh seafood options, and in the evening, be entertained at one of the local pubs, mainly Murphy’s or Paul Geaney’s.

The Slea Head Drive is a scenic route that starts and ends in Dingle with beehive huts, beaches, cafes, pottery shops, and other stops where you can pull over along the way to enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and the Kerry peninsula. For some adventure, consider going sea kayaking or horseback riding on the hills behind the town.

Dublin to Galway

Number of days: 1-2 Start point: Dublin End point: Galway Distance: 300km (186 miles) Driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Though the two cities are located only about three hours from one another, if you stick to the confines of the M4 and M6 motorways, driving from Dublin to Galway  is one of the best road trips you can take in Ireland if you know when to get off the main road and take advantage of all of the glorious places to stop.

Far too many visitors to the Emerald Isle head south from Dublin and only explore the coastal region of the country and leave the incredible beauty, bucolic countryside and historic villages of central Ireland forgotten. This is such a mistake, however, as there are so many great things to see and places to visit between these two Irish cities.

On this road trip, first stop in the charming Kildare village , where you can do some designer outlet shopping. If you’re interested in Irish whisky, make a stop at the Kilbeggan Distillery Visitor Centre , where you can take a tour and taste some of their whisky.

Further along the road, take in the ruins of the 6th-century Clonmacnoise monastic site. There are ruins of a 6th-century cathedral, several 10-13th-century churches and more to see. Just a few miles north, you can explore the central city of Athlone and then continue further north to the lovely village of Roscommon .

If you’re interested in exploring more of rural County Galway before heading to lively Galway City, you can even extend your road trip to include a trip through the incredible Connemara peninsula.

Depending on your interests and time, ideally you would want to spend one to three days to see everything on this road trip and to really do this area of the country justice. However, you can also fairly easily complete the trip in one day.

Galway to Killarney

Number of days: 1-2 Start point: Galway End point: Killarney Distance: 272km (170 miles) Driving time: 4 hours 15 minutes

The journey from Galway to Killarney is dotted with some of the most interesting sights in Ireland. While the drive time is 4 – 4.5 hours, you’ll be stopping along the way so it will probably be a long day, but sure to be one of your favorites on your Ireland itinerary .

Starting in Galway, make your way to Killarney by meandering along the coast. Just outside of Galway, you’ll find Dunguaire Castle . You will probably recognize it as it is one of the most photographed Irish castles. Take a tour of the castle or, if you have time, attend a medieval banquet with a traditional Irish dinner and entertainment in the evening.

You’ll drive through The Burren, known for having an otherworldly, grey rock landscape. It’s a lot more interesting than it sounds to take a walk in the stark terrain that overlooks some beautiful beaches, especially if you catch it on a sunny day.

Have lunch in the quaint, colorful town of Doolin after passing through The Burren. Doolin is also a great place to stay overnight if you want to travel at a more leisurely pace. Next up is the Cliffs of Moher . Time your visit to be at the cliffs early or late to miss the midday crowds.

One of the best ways to enjoy the view is from one of the walking paths – Hag’s Head, the Doolin Cliff Walk, or the full Coastal Trail. You can also get a completely different perspective of the 700-foot cliffs on a boat cruise.

From here, there are two ways to get to Killarney: the highway through Limerick or the Tarbert ferry. If you want to stay along the coast, take the ferry. If you’d like to stop in Limerick, take the highway. End your day arriving in the lively town of Killarney . There will definitely be a pub to enjoy as you recount your favorite day in Ireland.

Northern Ireland Road Trips

Causeway coastal route.

Number of days: 1-2 Start point: Belfast End point: Londonderry Distance: 220km (137 miles) Driving time: 3 hours 45 minutes

One of my favorite drives in Ireland is the Causeway Coastal Route, which starts in Belfast and travels up the coast of Northern Ireland all the way to Derry-Londonderry. Technically, it’s not a very long route, and at 246 kilometres you could cover it in a day, however, the beauty of this drive is in taking it slow and enjoying the attractions along the way.

Some of the highlights include doing the cliff walk along The Gobbins , braving the swinging Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge , and marveling at the geological wonder that is Giant’s Causeway .

Whisky lovers will want to stop at Old Bushmills Distillery , the oldest working distillery on the island, before visiting cliff-perched Dunluce Castle and strolling by the iconic Mussenden Temple , and plenty more.

The nice thing about the Causeway Coastal Route is that it’s easy to adapt the drive to your schedule and your interests. If you are pressed for time, you can pick 3 clustered attractions and plan to drive a portion of the route in 1 day, however, if time allows it, you can easily turn this into a 1-week road trip planning stays in coastal towns and villages along the way.

This drive is worth adding to your itinerary because it hits many places in Northern Ireland you won’t want to miss, plus it also connects to two other drives – the Wild Atlantic Way in Derry-Londonderry and the Mourne Coastal Route at Belfast – so you can continue your Irish road trip.

The Mourne Coastal Route

Number of days: 2 Start point: Belfast End point: Newcastle Distance: 132km (81 miles) Driving time: 2 hours 15 minutes

The name of the Mourne Coastal Route can be a bit misleading given only a small part of this road trip is in Mourne Mountains and there is otherwise so much more to the wider route.

The Mourne Mountains would be more the finish line to a rather scenic route leading from Belfast through some of the most fascinating landscapes Northern Ireland has to offer.

This road trip is mostly within the County Down region. It’s a bit like Northern Ireland’s equivalent to the Wild Atlantic Way – only much smaller. But there is a lot to fit in and it is often split into 3 sections.

The first section is North Down and the Ards Peninsula, where attractions include Bangor and the Coastal Path , Mount Stewart, and the scenery of Strangford Lough. A great place to stay is the Old Inn which connects to Crawfordsburn Country Park.

The next section is Saint Patrick’s territory, including his burial town of Downpatrick, where the main attractions include Castle Ward (Winterfell), along with many beaches along the coast towards Newcastle and the Mournes. A great place to stay here would have to be the Glamping Pods at Castle Ward.

Finally, it is the Mourne region which is just scenic all over with various mountain trails and lots of forest parks to explore including Castlewellan and Tollymore Forest Park . In this area, you can stay in Newcastle at the Donard Hotel . Newcastle also marks the start of a trek to the top of Slieve Donard and the highest peak in Northern Ireland.

Game of Thrones Road Trip

Number of days: 2+ Start point: Belfast End point: Belfast Distance: 288km (179 miles) Driving time: 4 hours 22 minutes

Taking a  Game Of Thrones road trip is one of the most unique and interesting road trips ideas in the country. This road trip spans much of Northern Ireland, and can easily be completed in 3-5 days, but if you have longer, by all means explore the area for as long as you can.

You will begin and end in Belfast and will make a loop, beginning with the southeast of the country to County Down and ending in the North along the Antrim Coast .

There are a myriad of filming locations all throughout Northern Ireland, especially on the coastal areas. You can explore abandoned castles, see the Game Of Thrones Doors (Google it!), and visit one of the most iconic filming locations: the Dark Hedges, which served as The King’s Road.

In County Down, don’t miss a chance to see Castle Ward (Ned Stark’s home in Winterfell), Inch Abbey (Robb Stark’s camp at Riverrun), and Quintin Bay (the setting for Stokeworth).

There are many more filming locations to see along the way, which you can read about in the link above. If you are looking for somewhere awesome to stay, check out the haunted Ballygally Castle Hotel , which is also home to a Game Of Thrones Door.

We hope this article encourages you to start planning your Ireland road trip. The 13 road trips featured here are some of the best in Ireland and they can keep you on the road for weeks, even months, if you have the time.

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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

2 thoughts on “ 13 Amazing Ireland Road Trips You’ll Love ”

Is there not any good road trips from Dublin to Belfast?

Sorry, but this post offers confusing and contradictory information. You show a map for the Wild Atlantic Way that doesn’t correspond with the route at all. Suggesting a 6+ hour inland, disinteresting drive on motorways from Kinsale to Donegal, when it’s a coastal route, more or less. You do allude to the route taking much longer, but why not show a proper map. Also, a better route on the map for the Belfast to Derry would be along the Antrim Coast, taking in the Nine Glens.

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7 Day Ireland Itinerary – Ultimate Road Trip Guide For The South

Last Updated April 25, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » 7 Day Ireland Itinerary – Ultimate Road Trip Guide For The South

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).

Read more about Ireland

• Things you have to see and do on your Ireland road trip
• 6 of the Best Things to do in Galway
• Must-read Ireland travel guide

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 .

In This Article

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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 .

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.

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.

Check rates

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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 ).

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

What you should read next

• A Week in Ireland – Enchanting Castles, Wild Coastline, and Star Wars
• 10 Must-See and Do Things For Any Road Trip in Ireland
• Ireland Road Trip Travel Guide – Everything You Need To Know
• Why You Absolutely Must Do A Road Trip Around Ireland In Photos

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100% .

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Data: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices like PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are so good and you can use it globally but recently, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. The best one is Airalo . Save money by getting region-specific eSIMs and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts . The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. TripAdvisor is also useful for reviews and bookings.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental.

Tours: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

• Insured Nomads – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks.
• RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
• SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
• Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
• InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

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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Routes and Trips Travel Guide with Maps and Photos

Road trip in ireland: dublin to galway, moher and cork.

Posted by: Liisa Nygård

In this post I’ll show you our road trip in Ireland, from Dublin to Galway Doolin Cave, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick and Cork. I will give you my best tips for planning a self drive trip around the emerald isle. You will also get our itinerary map. 

Me and three of my friends spent a week driving around in the beautiful, green landscape of Ireland. We flew to the capital of Ireland, Dublin and our  Ireland road trip could start.

– Guest post by Emma Nygård –

Road trip in Ireland: the Cliffs of Moher

Ireland is a country that is known for both its beautiful green landscape and its unique culture.

The green country has a oceanic climate, which means that both the summers and winters are quite mild. The rainfall in Ireland is abundant. We were lucky with the weather on our trip to Ireland. It rained only once during our stay, and that was only a shower.

Pubs and Irish folk music pops into your head anytime you think of Ireland. My friends and I are all fans of Irish music, so we spent a lot of time on our trip exploring Irish pubs listening to Irish troubadours. The Irish pub culture is definitely something worth exploring while in Ireland!

Road Trip in Ireland on the Map

Our Ireland road trip map

This is our Ireland road trip itinerary on the map. We made a loop trip from Dublin and started west towards Galway. After the West Coast we returned via Limerick and Cork.

Many of our expectations about Ireland and its people were met. The landscapes really are that green in Ireland, and the cliffs really are that steep. The pubs really do have troubadours that play Irish music and the Irish people really do have an unique dialect.

Road Trip in Ireland: the Itinerary

Nights 1-3: dublin.

A major part of international flights to Ireland fly to the capital of Ireland, Dublin. That is also where we landed in the beginning of September 2014.

We had pre-ordered a rental car via Internet before the trip. It is easy to find different car rental companies located nearby Dublin airport.

Our road trip in Ireland was a week long, we spent our three first days in Dublin. We noticed that it is a lot cheaper to rent a car for a full week than just for five days, so we did rent a car for the full week. This is worth taking notice of, many car rental companies offer week-long “value” deals, so if you’re thinking about just renting a car for 5 or 6 days also do a search for a full week as it is often cheaper than the 5 or 6 days. It might be best to leave the car at the hotel while visiting the bigger cities. It saves the trouble of finding your way around and finding a parking spot.

Temple Bar and the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin

What to See in Dublin

Dublin is a lively city with a lot of sights to see. Since we wanted to experience the culture in Dublin, we didn’t focus that much on sightseeing. We walked around in Dublin and explored a big part of the city by random.

One of the things we did in Dublin was a visit to the Guinness Storehouse as Guinness is one of Ireland’s most famous export products. The Guinness Storehouse is located quite close to the city center. It took us about half an hour to walk there from O’Connell Street, which is kind of the main street of Dublin.

We explored all off Guinness’s history and how the world famous stout is made. We also got a chance to learn how to tap our own pint of Guinness. It is actually more complicated than I first thought! The Guinness Storehouse is definitely worth a visit while in Dublin.

Ireland road trip: Temple Bar, Dublin

Like many other tourists, we also visited the area of Temple Bar. Temple bar is a nice area full of Irish pubs in the city centre of Dublin. There were a lot of people in the pubs even though it was a Wednesday.

The prices in Temple Bar are quite high compared to other areas. Temple Bar is a nice enough place with it’s traditional tunes and crowded pubs, but at the same time it doesn’t really offer you a genuine Irish feeling. It’s very touristy and unless your image of Irish culture is tipsy middle-aged american men with a “Kiss me I’m Irish t-shirt” then don’t waste too much time there.

More about Dublin, Ireland:  Self-Guided Dublin Walking Tour: Dublin’s Top Sights

Nights 3-4: Galway

After our stay in Dublin we headed off to Galway on the west coast of Ireland. Halfway from Dublin to Galway, there is a small town called Kilbeggan . We stopped there to have lunch and visit Kilbeggans whiskey distillery. Kilbeggan, where whiskey has been distilled since 1757, is the oldest whiskey distillery in Ireland.

On our stop at Kilbeggan we got to learn how whiskey is made and at the end of the tour we got a chance to taste some of the whiskeys. Even though I’m not a friend of Whiskey, I still enjoyed the tour very much. Kilbeggan is located by the River Brosna, the scenery is gorgeous and you get a different sense of Irish authenticity than you get in say Temple Bar.

Kilbeggan, Ireland

We only spent one night in Galway, so unfortunately we didn’t have so much time to explore Galway. The city is quite small with a few sights worth visiting such as the Galway Cathedral and the Spanish Arch.

Right in the city center there is a very nice and lively pedestrian street with small shops, restaurants and pubs. We had a great time strolling down the street.

Walking in Galway

Nights 4-5: Limerick

After our one night stay in Galway we continued our road trip in Ireland. We drove south on the Wild Atlantic Way towards Limerick. This is when we noticed that it is indeed very good to have a car when exploring Ireland. It is possible to get around with public transport as well, but with the car we were able to adjust our route and timetable in any way we pleased.

We drove the whole day in these scenic landscapes of the coast. We made frequent stops in tiny villages and just enjoyed the stunning scenery. There is a lot to explore on the coastline of Ireland, and in order to get the most out of it, it is good to plan where to stop in advance. Enjoying the old castles, caves, steep cliffs, beautiful villages and much more made the day go by very quickly. Two definite must-do’s when and if you decide to make a similar journey:

Road trip in Ireland: Cliffs of Moher

1. Cliffs of Moher

Admiring the scenes at Cliffs of Moher is an absolute dream. The rocks and the huge waves crashing in over 200 meters below your feet is an image i will cherish forever.

There are few places on earth that capture natures beauty as good as this one! If you go to Ireland, visit the West Coast and Cliffs of Moher!

The fantastic Doolin Cave

2. Doolin Cave

The Irish West Coast is home to many caves due to the amount of limestone in the ground. As we were driving, we figured we’d stop at one of them and boy was it magical!

The place we visited is called Doolin Cave and we were lucky to have a tour group just heading down to the cave as we walked in to the reception. It costs under 20 euros to go down into the cave with a guided group. You walk down over 10 flights of stairs (with that said it’s not wheelchair accessible) after which you’re given hard-hats before entering the actual cave.

The cave itself is quite narrow at some points and you might bump your head in the ceiling. After a while of walking in the cave we reached a room where the tour-guide turned off all lighting. The purpose of this was to give each one an idea of just how pitch-black it is down there without lighting. When he flicked on the lights again everyones jaw dropped. Hanging before our eyes was the longest free-hanging stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere. With a length of a whopping 7.3 metres it really is a breath-taking sight!

The tour-guide was an older gentleman and one of the nicest fellows you’ll meet, he knew everything about the cave and was keen to answer any questions you had. If you go to Ireland, visit Doolin Cave!

Driving on the Irish West Coast

In the evening we were exhausted, and it was good that we had booked a hotel in Limerick for the night. There would have been even more to see along the coastline but unfortunately we didn’t have time for it all.

If you’re looking to really see the West Coast in detail you should reserve at least a couple of days for it. We didn’t have the time for it though so when dawn broke we woke up in a sunny Limerick.

There was a big festival going on in the city, so we spent the day walking around Limerick just watching people have fun and enjoy the sunny weather. The festival was about a huge granny, yes you read that correctly granny as in grandmother, she waddled through the streets assisted by a big crane. It seemed a bit strange at first glance but people really seemed to enjoy it, and come to think of it now she was actually pretty funny!

View of Limerick

Nights 5-7: Cork

From Limerick we drove south towards Cork. On the way to Cork we stopped by at the historical Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle has a stone, the Blarney Stone, that is believed to give you the gift of gab if you kiss it, the Irish certainly have that so there might be something to it. Other people (apart from us) who have kissed the stone include Mick Jagger, Winston Churchill and The Simpsons (well not actually but they did in a show).

Although we went to Blarney Castle mostly to kiss the stone, we were surprised over how much else there is to see in the surroundings of Blarney Castle. There are beautiful grounds to walk around in, a poison garden and much more! I’m glad we made a stop in Blarney Castle.

Blarney Castle, Cork

Pub Crawling in Cork

In Cork we met my friend, who showed us around the city. In the evening we got to take part in a pub crawl, and we all had a ball! We stayed in Cork for two nights, so we had time to get to know the city.

The beautiful town of Cork is full of colorful houses surrounding the river that floats trough the town. Cork is a town that never sleeps, it’s widely popular among students which means that there are loads of things going on, regardless of what time of the day it is.

Me and my friend in Cork, Ireland

On the last day of our  road trip in Ireland we had planned to drive the whole way from Cork to Dublin airport. To make the trip seem shorter, we made a stop at Rock of Cashel , a historical site located between Cork and Dublin. We did a very reasonably priced guided tour in and around the castle.

As it was in Doolin Cave it was at Rock of Cashel, the tour-guide was phenomenal. He had a rich Irish brogue, a great sense of humor and superb knowledge of the castle and its surroundings. This beautiful place really was an ideal place to end our journey in Ireland.

Rock of Cashel

Tips for a Road Trip in Ireland

I would definitely say that it is a great idea to explore Ireland by car. Although Dublin is a beautiful city you will miss a big part of Ireland if you don’t visit other parts of the country.

The west coast is amazing, and I wish that we could have had more days to explore that part of Ireland. I would also have liked to drive to the most southwestern point of Ireland, since there is a big national park there with supposedly amazing landscapes.

 Castles, Cliffs and Green Landscapes

However I still think that we got to see a big part of Ireland, and got to experience many different sides of the country. We saw the green landscapes, the castles, cliffs, caves and rocks of the west coast, and we also experienced the rich culture of Ireland by visiting pubs and restaurants in both small towns and big cities.

Road trip in Ireland, the travellers

When planning the itinerary for a road trip in Ireland, it is important to reserve enough time. There are so many places that you can stop at, and driving the tiny roads is slower than expected. Also note that if you don’t mention separately that you would like an automatic gearbox in your car you will most likely get a manual one.

Even more important than that, Ireland is one of the countries that still has left-hand traffic! This takes some time getting used to, but you’d be surprised how quickly you get accustomed to it though.

The route we made for our road trip in Ireland is just an example of a trip and you should make your own route, one that suits you. There are many similar journeys offered by travel agencies. You can get great ideas of where to go by inspecting what routes the travel agencies offer.

I’d be happy to answer any questions about planning a road trip in Ireland, or any other trip to Ireland. ‘Til next time  Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral  my friends…

-Emma Nygård

Other Routes and Trips Posts on Ireland Travel

• What to see in Dublin:  Self-Guided Dublin Walking Tour: Dublin Top Sights
• Maybe you want to make a day trip by bus from Dublin? Check out my post Giants Causeway Day Trip from Dublin
• Or rent a car and head to the Wicklow Mountains?  Wicklow Mountains Scenic Drive from Dublin

I’m planning a trip to Ireland and would love to hear your suggestions. I have a week. Planning to do a road trip starting and ending in Dublin.

Hi I would suggest what this post is about or alternatively Galway, Burren, cliffs of Moher, down to Killarney and Ringof Kerry and then straight back to Dublin.

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4 replies to this topic

Blarney Castle is easy by regular city bus (route 215)

Midleton Is reachable by train or bus (routes 240,241, 260, 261). The train is faster and more frequent, but drops you a 15 minute walk from the distillery, while the bus drops you right outside.

Thanks super helpful .. any hotel ideas or bes location to stay

If you don’t have a car , steer clear of these ones, which are too far out

-Maryborough House Hotel

- Rochestown Park Hotel

- Oriel House Hotel

- Vienna Woods Hotel

- Radisson Little Island

- Cork International Hotel

- Cork Airport Hotel

- Carrigaline Court Hotel

- Travelodge

- The Commons Inn

- Blarney Castle Hotel

- Muskerry Arms

With the exception of the Travelodge, they are all well connected to public transport, but you’d spend 20-30 minutes at the start and end of every day on a local bus to connect to go somewhere else.

The last two are very handy for Blarney Castle, but not great for other places.

I’m tempted to call out The Kingsley as too far out, but it is at least walkable to the centre.

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From cable cars and ancient fossils to seabird sanctuaries and clifftop picnics...

10 unmissable island experiences around Ireland

Unique and thrilling experiences can be found on the islands surrounding Ireland, so what are you waiting for? Add these to your bucket list…

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Dún Aonghasa, County Galway

Bring your coffee and sandwiches to the ancient fort of Dún Aonghasa , which clings tenaciously to the cliffs of Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands  in County Galway. The fort is a 15-minute walk from the visitor centre located on the edge of the Kilmurvey Craft Village. The short hike across the rocky, moon-like terrain is a small price to pay for lunch with incredible views 87 metres above the Atlantic waves.

Viewing platform at the RSPB West Light Seabird Centre on Rathlin Island, County Antrim

The RSPB West Light Seabird Centre on Rathlin Island is home to Northern Ireland’s largest colony of seabirds. Species such as puffins, razorbills and guillemots come to nest in this area every year, attracted by the rocky cliffs, lakes, and grassy fields. One of the best ways to observe them is from the centre’s main viewing platform on the craggy cliffside. After your visit to the seabird centre, explore some of the island’s scenic walking routes and pay a visit to the famous upside down lighthouse. 

The gardens of Garnish Island, County Cork

The gardens of Garnish Island in Bantry Bay, County Cork are renowned in the horticultural world for their great beauty and the large collection of plants that thrive there. Brought to life by the island’s previous owners Annan and Violet Bryce and architect and garden designer Harold Ainsworth Peto, this 37-acre garden is a glorious collage of colour that changes with the seasons and perfectly balances formal and wild elements. Explore the sunken Italian Garden, the Grecian Temple with sea and mountain views and the Martello Tower, which dates from 1805.

The Janus figure on Boa Island, County Fermanagh © Shutterstock

On Boa Island – one of 154 islands in County Fermanagh’s Lough Erne there is an intriguing statue considered to be one of the most remarkable stone figures on the island of Ireland. Believed to represent a Celtic deity, the ancient two-headed statue has been named the Janus figure, due to its similarities with the Roman two-headed god, Janus. You’ll find this mysterious pagan statue in the Caldragh Cemetery, one of the stops on the island’s walking trail .

Bray Head on Valentia Island, County Kerry

Tetrapod tracks dating back to the Devonian period over 300 million years ago can be seen on Valentia Island in County Kerry, one of Ireland’s most westerly land masses. Around 20 trackways have been preserved on the rocky coastline of the island, and they’re possibly some of the oldest evidence of the evolution of creatures from the water. Add this stop to your adventure on the Ring of Kerry!  

The monastic settlement on Devenish Island, County Fermanagh

Of the many lake islands in Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Devenish stands out. It was here in the 6th-century that Saint Molaise founded his monastery and at one point almost 1,000 monks lived and worked here in splendid isolation. You can still see the ruins of its Augustinian Abbey, intricately carved stone crosses and perfectly intact round tower. Not bad, considering the site was raided by Vikings in 837AD and burned centuries later.

The deserted village on Achill Island, County Mayo

At the foot of Slievemore Mountain on County Mayo’s Achill Island lies an eerie village of between 80 and 100 tumbledown stone cottages, abandoned from the mid-1800s. As you walk among those long empty ruins, you might wonder, what happened here? Achill’s famous Deserted Village came about due to a few factors including evictions due to the inability to pay rent to greedy landlords, famine and emigration. Explore the site and imagine what life was once like here...

Grey seal colony on the Great Blasket Island, County Kerry © Shutterstock

 The Blasket Islands in County Kerry have been described as the grey seal capital of Ireland. During the winter, up to 1,000 seals can be seen lounging on the shore of Great Blasket Island’s White Strand, and late September-October is a great time to see fuzzy seal pups. Several tours can get you that little bit closer to seals in their natural habitat – while still maintaining a safe distance to avoid disturbing them. The Great Blasket Island Premium Tour includes a landing on the island, cave and cove explorations, marine and birdlife sightings and of course, a chance to see the thriving grey seal colony.

Stone steps on Skellig Michael, County Kerry

You may recognise these rocky steps from Star Wars: The Force Awakens… but Skellig Michael  is much more than a dramatic film location. In the 6th century, monks settled on this island off the County Kerry coast, climbing to the top of its tallest summit and creating an extraordinary monastic village there, 218 metres (714 ft) above the churning ocean. Although some have deemed it vertigo-inducing, climbing the steps to the village is an incredible, spiritual experience.

Cable car to Dursey Island, County Cork

Even the postman takes the cable car over to Dursey Island  in County Cork to deliver to the five native island residents! This cable car has been in operation since 1969 and carries you 250 metres across the Atlantic Ocean to the tranquil island. Once there, you can follow the Dursey Island Loop which takes you past rugged cliffs and rustic stone walls, as you listen to a soundtrack of birdsong and the crashing waves of the Atlantic.

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Shannon, Ireland Vacation Packages

The town of Shannon welcomes you to immerse yourself in all the rich history Ireland’s rugged west has to offer, including the Wild Atlantic Way. Explore ancient castles and settlements, walled cities, stunning abbeys and more. Of course, the Emerald Isle offers breathtaking seaside cliffs, vast green expanses, surfing-friendly beaches and other gorgeous landscapes — all within easy driving distance from Shannon. 

Let Delta Vacations fill your heart with Ireland with a an unforgettable  getaway and take advantage of daily nonstop Delta® flights from New York City (JFK) to Shannon Airport (SNN), May 23 through September 8, 2024, and flights five times a week September 10 through October 6, 2024. †

†Flight routings subject to change without notice.

Explore Shannon

Shannon, the gateway to Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, has inspired artists, writers and travelers for centuries. From quiet beauty and rural charm to towering cliffs and golden beaches, this spectacular region has a lot to offer, including the majestic beauty of the Cliffs of Moher and the unusual landscape of The Burren. Enjoy the bustling city life filled with dining, nightlife, and attractions, while being just minutes away from a quieter side of life offering vast, gorgeous scenery and friendly, tale-telling locals. 

Looking for the journey of a lifetime? Travel the 1,500-mile-long coastal road known as the Wild Atlantic Way. From the wind-whipped tip of Malin Head in County Donegal to the balmy beauty of Kinsale town in County Cork, the west of Ireland will wow you with its epic landscapes and charm you with its quiet moments.

Explore a variety of castles, abbeys, friaries and other ancient structures brimming with rich history.

Wind your way along this 1,500-mile coastal route and indulge in breathtaking views and delicious local flavors.

Visit the 15 th -century Knappogue Castle and taste whiskey distilled on the grounds while you take in the medieval scenery.

• Iconic Castles Slide 1 of 3: Explore a variety of castles, abbeys, friaries and other ancient structures brimming with rich history.
• Wild Atlantic Way Slide 2 of 3: Wind your way along this 1,500-mile coastal route and indulge in breathtaking views and delicious local flavors.
• Whiskey Tasting Slide 3 of 3: Visit the 15 th -century Knappogue Castle and taste whiskey distilled on the grounds while you take in the medieval scenery.

Shannon beckons history lovers to explore all the region has to offer. Visit Bunratty Castle, a.k.a. Shannon Castle, and indulge in a four-course feast while being serenaded by medieval musicians. If you want to taste some of the best whiskey in Ireland, be sure to stop by Knappogue Castle, where it’s distilled on-site. Delve deep into Irish history at Craggaunowen Park and Castle and enjoy thrilling battle reenactments.

Want to explore the rugged terrain of western Ireland? The Wild Atlantic Way is a 1,500-mile coastal route dotted with breathtaking cliffside vistas, antique and prehistoric sites, churches and monasteries, delectable local eats and much more. Behind every bend on this magical coastal road, a new delight awaits.

A vacation to western Ireland isn’t complete without experiencing the passionate energy of local sports matches. Catch a world-class rugby match in nearby Limerick, root for the local soccer team, and spectate the Gaelic Games, recognized by UNESCO as intangible heritage.

Shannon and the surrounding area offer incredible shopping experiences for every traveler. Explore independent artisan stores and shop like a local. Get a taste of Ireland’s famous produce, including beef, root vegetables, fresh butter and, of course, distilled spirits. For a seamless shopping experience, make sure to have Euros on hand; some shops may not accept foreign credit or debit cards.

If there’s one thing Ireland is known for, it’s the numerous pubs that dot the emerald landscape. Durty Nelly’s, a world-famous pub, has offered rest and refreshments to weary travelers since 1620. Enjoy a pint at McIntyre’s Pub as local bands rock out every Friday and Saturday. Nearby is Shannon Harbour, where you can indulge in fresh seafood and other delicious fare.

Delta Vacations flight + hotel packages include round-trip airfare aboard a Delta flight to Shannon Airport (SNN). Enjoy nonstop flights from New York City (JFK) to Shannon Airport (SNN), May 23 – September 8, 2024, and flights five times a week September 10 – October 6, 2024. †

You can also purchase round-trip private car, SUV and van transfers from the airport to your hotel. If you plan on seeing several areas across the region, add a car rental to your package. Just remember to drive on the left side.

† Flight routes subject to change without notice.

CAR RENTALS IN IRELAND

Enjoy more freedom and extra savings by adding an Enterprise® or Avis® car rental to your Delta Vacations getaway.

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