ireland trip report

The Perfect Ireland Itinerary & Road Trip

Visiting Ireland

I just got back from an amazing trip to Ireland. While the country wasn’t necessarily at the top of my list, a work opportunity in Killarney popped up and I jumped at the chance to stick around after to explore the country.

I’m SO glad I did!

The natural scenery, food and hospitality of Ireland really stuck with me. While the entire country is beautiful and scenic, with lots of rolling green hills, each county and region of Ireland offers a slightly different look and feel.

We spent about 3 weeks in the Republic of Ireland, exploring the coastal Wild Atlantic Way and the cultural Ancient East on a self drive route. I thought I’d share some advice and helpful tips about planning a trip to Ireland in today’s post.

Keep reading below for advice on how to plan the perfect trip to Ireland!

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Travel Guide to Planning an Ireland Vacation | Table of Contents

• Ireland Itinerary
• Galway and Connemara
• The Cliffs of Moher
• Dingle Peninsula
• Killarney and Kenmare
• Before You Go: Ireland Travel Checklist
• When is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?
• What to Pack for Ireland
• Getting around: Self-drive Road Trip vs. Public Transportation

Where to Stay in Ireland

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See more photos on my Instagram account, @shershegoes

Where Should You Go in Ireland?

The island of Ireland is politically divided in two.

The southern portion constitutes The Republic of Ireland while a section of the north, called Northern Ireland , belongs to the United Kingdom. Unless you have significant vacation time, I would recommend choosing one or the other for a first time visit.

The Republic of Ireland has 2 main regions that are popular for first time visitors:

On the western coast from north to south is the famous Wild Atlantic Way , a coastal driving route which offers dramatic views of the Atlantic ocean juxtaposed against cute hamlets and fishing villages.

Must-see attractions along this route include Kylemoore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher and the Dingle Peninsula, to name a few!

On the eastern coast is Ireland’s Ancient East , a region rich in 5,000 years of storytelling and legends as a result of the Viking invasion and subsequent Norman conquerors.

If you like museums, history and culture you’ll love journeying back in time to visit places like Waterford, Wexford and Cork – sites which inspired epic battles and strange tales.

Must See Cities and Destinations in Ireland

If you have:

• A short trip , base yourself in Dublin, explore the city and do some nearby day trips.
• If you have 1 week , I recommend checking out Western Ireland, where the lush countryside meets the Atlantic – small towns like Dingle, Adare and Killarney National Park in County Kerry offer dramatic, beautiful views!
• With 2 weeks or more , you can make a circular loop and see Dublin, Western Ireland and explore Ireland’s Ancient East to learn more about the country’s Viking past. Explore harbor front cities like Wexford and Waterford , picturesque Cobh and kiss the Blarney Stone in Cork! The eastern section was my favorite part of visiting Ireland.

3 Week Ireland Itinerary

What’s Not in the Itinerary Below: Northern Ireland.

I didn’t have time to see  everything  and made the decision to skip Northern Ireland on this trip so it’s not included in this article. Northern Ireland itineraries frequently include a tour of Giant’s Causeway, the dark hedges and lots of the Game of Throne locations.

County Donegal, on the northwest, was recently voted by National Geographic as ‘the coolest place on earth’ and has gotten great recognition for outdoor adventure sports so that’s high on our list of places in Ireland to visit.

Northern Ireland is geographically close to Scotland, with ferry options from Belfast and since we’re hoping to road trip Scotland next year, we decided to save Northern Ireland for a later date!

Below is a suggested itinerary for visiting Ireland, which takes into account my personal favorite Irish cities and attractions. You can use it as a starting route planner!

Update : I visited Northern Ireland!

My Belfast travel guide is up here, and I’m working on more posts about Game of Thrones, the Giant’s Causeway and other great experiences to have in Northern Ireland.

The Best Ireland Itinerary

After spending 3 weeks in Ireland, I had an amazing time and felt like I covered a lot!

We slowed down in some areas and sped up in others so I wanted to offer some tips on Ireland itineraries of various lengths, since I know not everyone has the luxury of three weeks.

Below, I’ve featured 7 of the best Irish cities to visit, including notes on the places I loved most, to give you an idea of what there is to experience in Ireland.

I find that it helps to see a visual summary when mapping out my trip so modify your Ireland travel itinerary depending on your preferences!

County Dublin

Most international airlines offer nonstop flights to Dublin. You can set a flight alert here for airfare deals.

2 full days is a must to explore the Irish capital but if you have more time, you can add in a couple noteworthy nearby day trips!

Dublin reminded me a lot of London, with gorgeous stone architecture, local pubs on every other corner and green spaces.

Best Things to Do in Dublin

• Visit the Guinness Factory!

This is the #1 attraction in all of Ireland and for good reason, it’s an entire  experience.  Learn about how Guinness is made, try new flavors and eat at their cafe for some hearty Guinness-made cuisine.

Even if you’ve been before, come again – they add new experiences constantly to keep things fresh. On our last trip, they added the option to 3D print your face into the beer foam!

2. See The Book of Kells , an illustrated Latin manuscript of the four Gospels.

Dating back the early 9th century, you can see a whole host of beautiful ornate manuscripts in Trinity College’s Old Library.

3. Have a drink at Temple Bar , the colorful Dublin pub which inspired a whole area of pubs.

4. Relax in St Stephen’s Green, a large park with a Victorian layout

5. Also visit the Jameson Whiskey factory to learn about whiskey production

Where to Stay in Dublin

There’s just no way around it, accommodation in Dublin is  expensive. 

Even in “low season” in mid to late October, all the Dublin hotels I searched for my trip were about $350-$500+ per night on a weekday – I’m talking even the airport hotels. Crazy, right?!

It turns out Dublin has a hotel bed shortage so the limited number of hotels can charge sky high prices. Enter a great affordable pick like Generator Hostel, part of the new wave of chic, “not so hostel” hostels.

Overnight:   Generator Hostel Dublin

Located right in the city center, Generator Hostel Dublin   is set in the hip neighborhood of Smithfield – conveniently next to the Jameson Distillery and a quick walk to Temple Bar.

The space is brilliantly designed in a industrial chic vibe, with exposed brick beams and original stonework. The best part is, you can book a private bedroom and still make new friends in Generator’s many social lounges & spaces.

Check rates: Hotels.com ,   Booking.com |  Read reviews: TripAdvisor

More Recommended Hotels in Dublin:

1 | Shelbourne Hotel  –  If you want historic, iconic and luxurious you’d best stay at Shelbourne. Lots of US presidents and anyone of importance has stayed here! Or just admire the splendor during afternoon tea in their gorgeous parlor overlooking St. Stephen’s Green.

Book: Hotels.com ,  Booking.com | Check prices: TripAdvisor

2 | O’Callahan  –  This well priced chain of hotels offers a good location and breakfast. Trinity College often puts up its guests and visiting professors here so it’s a solid, mid-range hotel!

Book:   Hotels.com ,  Booking.com | Check prices :  TripAdvisor

3 | Airbnb  –  Lots of locals are opening up rooms or entire apartments.

While these aren’t cheap by any means (you’re paying what you would for a hotel in another city!) it can be much more affordable than a Dublin hotel, so check out Dublin airbnb listings as well.

Browse Airbnb listings here .

2. Galway & Connemara

County Galway

On Ireland’s western coast is the city of Galway, a harbor town where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. Galway has great shopping, colorful buildings and a large student population.

We enjoyed a quick day trip into town and then continued westward to the district of Connemara, a gorgeous rugged landscape home to Atlantic coastline, bogs, heathlands, mountains and lakes.

Best Things to Do in County Galway

• Explore Galway’s shops and traditional pubs at Eyre Square . Pop in for some traditional Irish music!
• Visit Kylemoore Abbey , a stunning castle now owned by Benedictine Nuns with magnificent Victorian Gardens.
• Drive the exhilarating 11km circular loop known as the Sky Drive , a breathtakingly beautiful coastal route from Clifden
• Hike through Connemara National Park and spot the herd of wild Connemara ponies
• Explore the outdoors in Clifden – hiking, beaches and wild Atlantic seascapes are all nearby

Where to Stay in Connemara

Overnight:   Rosleague Manor

Pulling up to the ivy-decked pink exterior of Rosleague Manor, we knew we were in for a treat. This cozy country manor occupies 30 acres of private woodland and overlooks Ballinakill Bay.

The highlight of our stay was playing fetch with local resident, Tyson, who had the most human-esque understanding of any dog I’ve ever met! All the rooms are spacious and if the weather gets too rainy.. just cozy up to the parlor and have afternoon tea by the fireplace !

Check rates:   Booking.com | Read reviews: TripAdvisor

3. Cliffs of Moher & The Burren

County Clare

You can’t visit Ireland and not see the dramatic Cliffs of Moher! Even on a cloudy rainy day, these natural rock formations are quite dramatic.

We also explored the Burren, a stunning landscape characterized by rock karst formations all over the ground. It’s a barren region that reminds me of the moon and was J R Tolkien’s inspiration for The Lord of the Rings.

He actually was a guest of Gregans Castle Hotel , the manor house that I stayed at, which I discovered while I was exploring the grounds!

You can read my hotel review here .

Fun Things to Do in County Clare

• Cliffs of Moher : Ireland’s most visited natural attraction. Just don’t go too close to the edge, it’s a vertical drop!
• Poulnabrone dolmen:  a dramatic portal tomb dating back to Ireland’s Neolithic period
• Check out Bunratty Castle , a large 15th century tower house in the center of Ballyvaughan
• Visit Aillwee Cave , underground karst caves full of stalactites and stalagmites.

Where to Stay in County Clare

Overnight:   Gregans Castle

A stunning luxury hotel in the heart of beautiful Ballyvaughan village.

This historic Irish hotel was once an 18th century manor house, but has been beautiful restored and I really loved the Irish country interiors! We also had dinner here,which I highly highly recommend.

Check room rates: Hotels.com or Read reviews on: TripAdvisor

4. The Dingle Peninsula

County Kerry

Dingle is a charming seaside town perched on the Atlantic. 

As the only town on the Dingle Peninsula, the joke is that the next town over is Boston. From its dolphin resident to waterfront pubs, Dingle is a family friendly favorite to both Irish and international visitors.

The town is mainly supported through fishing and tourism and has a great street full of shops, pubs and restaurants. 

Dingle is one of Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht towns, where Irish is the official language and the town is technically called  An Daingean or Daingean Uí Chúis.  You’ll see this listed alongside Dingle on all the road signs!

Fun Things to Do in Dingle:

• Grab a scoop of Murphy’s Ice Cream – try their Dingle gin and salted caramel flavors!
• Stop by an authentic Irish Pub for dinner and enjoy the traditional Irish music
• Take a boat tour around the harbor and spot Fungie , the local dolphin resident
• Circle the Dingle peninsula by driving dramatic Slea Head Drive .
• See the remains of Minard Castle , now just ruins along the Atlantic

Overnight:   Dingle Skellig Hotel

Dingle Skellig is a family run hotel and one of the best hotels in Kerry. With friendly staff, a heavenly spa and epic views of the Atlantic Ocean, staying here is a treat!

Check room rates: Hotels.com  | Booking.com or Read reviews on: TripAdvisor

5. Killarney and Kenmare

Killarney remains one of my favorite areas to explore in Ireland.

It’s quaint, colorful and a little touristy – but in my opinion, it has a great mix of the outdoors and the comforts of luxury.

You can hike or ride a horse & buggy through Killarney National Park during the day and then come back into town for some shopping, afternoon tea or a massage.

Best Things to Do in Killarney

There’s no shortage of things to do, excellent pubs and Irish food, and overall the charm of Killarney really won us over!

Kenmare is a similar twin to Killarney so if you have time, check out both towns. If not, pick whichever is more convenient to access on your road trip!

• Ride a horse and buggy through Killarney National Park – or hike!
• Explore magnificent Muckross Castle , Ross Tower and row across the lakes
• Relax with a blissful spa at The Brehon’s Angsana Spa
• Take a day trip to Derrynane beach
• See the fairy huts and sculpture garden in Sneem

Where to Stay in Killarney  

The Killarney Royal occupies a great location right in the center of town.

It’s a short walk from the Killarney train station and its luxurious, comfortable beds are just what you need after all the adventure and outdoor pursuits in Killarney!

There’s also a wonderful on site restaurant with a very reasonably priced set menu, if you’re looking for a great place to eat in town.

Book:   Hotels.com , Booking.com | Check prices: TripAdvisor

More Recommended Hotels in Killarney:

1 | Old Weir Lodge  –  A cozy, family run hotel in between Killarney town and the Convention Center.

This is a great pick for families or business travelers! We also like their breakfast options, which include oatmeal with Baileys :)

Book: Hotels.com  | Booking.com | Check prices : TripAdvisor

2 | The Brehon  –  If you want 5 star luxury, there’s no place better in Killarney than the Brehon hotel. Just step into the lobby for a drink and you’ll experience the glam firsthand!

We also had deep tissue massages at the Angsana Spa – such a treat! Their Thai masseuses really  know how to work out any tension.

Book: Hotels.com  | Booking.com | Check prices: TripAdvisor

County Wexford

Wexford is a coastal haven in southeast Ireland.

There’s miles of spectacular coastline, quaint villages and an abundance of historic sights. We’ve heard the county is quite popular with local Irish, and that many buy vacation homes near the sea.

Best Things to Do in Wexford

• Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world, with a classic black and white exterior and incredible views of Hook Peninsula.
• Enniscorthy is a picturesque town dating back 1500 years. We checked out the castle, met locals for a step back into Irish / British history and visited some local pubs!
• To explore Ireland’s cultural evolution, visit the Irish National Heritage Park , an open air museum with lots to do. We had a fun Viking meal here and also got to meet the park’s falcons!
• Local Wexford weavers have created Ross Tapestry , a series of colorful, elaborate tapestries illustrating the Norman invasion and history of Ireland. It’s a completely volunteer led community project and was a nice way to learn more about the city and Irish history.
• Genealogy trips to Ireland are a common reason for overseas Irish to visit the country. If you’re interested in learning about the Irish famine period and Irish history, visit the Dunbrody Famine ship  for an interactive experience.

Where to Stay in Wexford

Overnight:   Brandon House Hotel

A 4 star country manor house, Brandon House is a comfortable hotel midway between Waterford and Wexford. It’s conveniently located on the N25 road (on route to Dublin) and is close by to many of Ireland’s best beaches.

We ate dinner here and it was an excellent meal – in particular, they have a huge dessert menu and a group of us ordered everything off it and literally everything was amazing. Try the cheesecake!

Book: Hotels.com , Booking.com | Check prices: TripAdvisor

More Recommended Hotels in Wexford:

1 | The Clayton –  Clayton Whites is located right in Wexford’s city center and a great choice for sight seeing and shopping. It’s within walking distance of the train and bus station and rooms are large and comfortable.

Book: Hotels.com , Booking.com |  Check prices: TripAdvisor

2 | The Talbot Hotel –  The Talbot Hotel is located in downtown Wexford, right on the harbor. With huge, apartment style rooms this is an ideal hotel for families visiting Wexford. Free parking and a pool on site!

Book: Hotels.com , Booking.com |  Check prices:   TripAdvisor

7. Waterford

County Waterford

Waterford is Ireland’s maritime getaway and has a vivid past.

First invaded by Viking raiders, then Norman conquerors and medieval merchants, it was notably also the last port of call for many Irish seeking their fortunes overseas.

Best Things to do in County Waterford

• Waterford Crystal is headquartered in duh, Waterford! They offer a really fun guided tour that I highly recommend. You can read more about the crystal and tour in this post here .
• For medieval history fans, check out Waterford Treasures  and the Bishop’s Palace .
• Into adventure? Head to Dunmore East and jump in the ocean for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding or try the adventure obstacle course!
• Make sure to try Dungarvan Brewing Company beer while you’re in the area. Try the Copper Coast Irish Red Ale!
• Understand Ireland’s Viking past through virtual reality at The Viking Museum
• Cycle along the Waterford Greenway , the longest off-roading and cycling experience in Ireland!
• Explore Mount Congreve mansion and gardens, a must if you like dahlias!
• Make sure to eat at the Irish pub, The Reg . The food here is incredible. Again, don’t skip dessert!

Where to Stay in Waterford

Overnight:   Dooley’s Hotel

Located right on The Quay harbor front, this family run hotel has cozy rooms and a full Irish breakfast. It’s near the city center, shopping and sights and is a great affordable hotel pick in Waterford.

Book: Hotels.com ,   Booking.com | Check prices: TripAdvisor

How to Plan a Trip to Ireland

I planned my Ireland vacation itinerary quite quickly and relied heavily on Rick Steves Ireland and Lonely Planet .

The reason I used both guidebooks is that Rick Steves’ tends to cover his favorite Irish cities and he omitted Killarney entirely. Lonely Planet covers more places but lacks Rick Steves’ warm commentary and insightful suggestions.

P.S. Get a 30 day trial free   of  kindle unlimited here !

If you’re like me, you enjoy a healthy dose of travel inspiration through popular culture. I’ve always loved reading about the Celts and Irish folklore and in high school, Irish authors like James Joyce were part of our curriculum.

And of course, most people wanting to visit Ireland nowadays are hoping to see locations made famous from Game of Thrones! Below are some popular books and movies written about Ireland should you want some inspiration before your trip.

Recommended Books, Shows & Films About Ireland:

• Guidebooks : Rick Steves Ireland & Lonely Planet Ireland
• Films :  P.S. I Love You (filmed in County Wicklow), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (filmed at Skellig),  Laws of Attraction (Humewood Castle)
• Books :  Angela’s Ashes  by Frank McCourt, Ulysses   and  Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man   by James Joyce
• HBO: Game of Thrones (scenes shot mostly in Northern Ireland)

Should You Plan a Self Drive Ireland Itinerary?

In my opinion, the best way to tour Ireland is by self driving.

Ideally, plan an Ireland itinerary for enough days to cover a full circularly loop around the island, so that you get to experience a bit of scenery from the Wild Atlantic Way and the rich culture of Ireland’s Ancient East.

It’s best to rent a car and self drive so you have the freedom to stop and go as you wish. If you’re hesitant to drive on the left, I wrote about our experience driving in Ireland here .

Driving in Ireland

While Ireland is a small country, the roads are  really  curvy and narrow compared to driving in America.

Add the uncertainty and hesitation that comes with driving on the left, we found that it took a bit longer to get from place to place than Google Maps suggested. So if you want to self drive a Dublin to Dublin loop, I would budget at least 10 days and ideally 2 weeks .

We rented a small, 4-door sedan and extra collision insurance.

Most cars are manual, so specify if you need an automatic. You can also pick up and drop off in different cities. 

I have an in-depth post here covering everything you need to know  about renting a car  in Ireland, with helpful information about costs, extra fees and advice so you can check out that post for more info!

Ireland in 1 Week

If you have less time of course, you can speed through and/or cut out towns.

We added the Dingle Peninsula and Connemara to our driving itinerary in Ireland, but both are geographically a bit west, so you can cut these out if you have just 7 days and keep to a tighter route.

Or, you can fly into Dublin and out of Shannon or Cork to save additional time.

Public Transportation in Ireland

Regarding public transportation, there isn’t a wide spread bus or train network that covers the entire Irish countryside. Instead, you can take buses from city to city and book individual tours to day trip to popular sites.

For example, you can take the bus from Cork to Killarney and then book tours for the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney National Park, Muckross House etc. It’s a little more piece meal this way and requires a bit of planning but Irish bus route schedules are available online.

A third option is to book a package tour if you’re not comfortable with driving and don’t want the hassle of booking public transportation.

I saw loads of tour buses all over the entire journey, everything from Trafalgar to Globus. I’m always curious how self-planning trips compares to tour packaged itineraries so I looked online afterwards – they do hit all the popular cities and sights in their “best of Ireland” tours and so if you wanted to avoid driving on the left yourself, I think they would be a good option.

Or you can book individual day tours to popular places. I’ve included some of the most popular day tours below:

Ireland of course offers 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, just like you would find anywhere else. Some glamorous, some bare bones – there’s lots to choose from. You can browse current hotel deals for Ireland here .

If you want standout and unique accommodation in Ireland, look for one of the typically Irish bed & breakfasts and castles!

Country Houses & Historic Hotels

Ireland’s Blue Book has a stunning portfolio of Irish country houses, historic hotels and manor houses.

All of them remain family run, with charming exteriors and brilliantly decorated interiors and for a romantic Ireland vacation, you will definitely want to stay in one of these!

Historic Ireland hotels also tend to have incredible chefs running their on site restaurants. I’m not typically one to eat at a hotel but in Ireland we ate dinner at so many hotel restaurants because they’re excellent!

Then after, we would head over to the bar / pub area inside and there would be so many people, both locals and tourists, listening to live Irish music and having a great time.

Here are some of the charming hotels we experienced on our trip to Ireland:

Where to Stay in County Waterford: The Cliff House Hotel Review

Where to Stay in County Galway: Rosleague Manor Hotel Review

Where to Stay in County Clare: Gregans Castle Hotel Review

Where to Stay in County Kerry : The Killarney Royal and The Brehon

Staying in an Irish Castle

Most of Ireland’s castles lay in ruins and there aren’t many castle attractions remaining in Ireland. Instead, the most dramatic castles are privately owned and have been restored into luxury 5 star hotels.

Most all the castle options are luxury hotels, given the cost of maintenance but even if you just splurge on 1, it’s such a treat.

Staying in a castle in Ireland gives you an insider look at some really gorgeous architectural details and the grounds typically have masterpiece gardens to explore.

For kids, there’s archery, falconry, horse back riding and other medieval pursuits to enjoy while parents can relax at the spa or play a round of golf.

And that’s it! Hope this Ireland itinerary guide was helpful. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

Essential Tips for Visiting Ireland

Getting In | Aer Lingus, the national Irish airline, offers non-stop flights from select US cities. Two reasons to recommend Aer Lingus: low nonstop fares from many US cities and their pre-clearance facilities. We found cheap flights to Ireland in October – you can check for flight deals and routes here .

When returning to the U.S., take advantage of the U.S. pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports, where you complete U.S. immigration, customs and agriculture controls before departure so that when you land in the U.S., you can just collect your bags.

Getting Around | If there’s one thing I can recommend, it’s to rent a car and drive around Ireland. Not only is the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route one of the world’s most scenic drives, transportation in Ireland is a bit difficult without your own vehicle. We were nervous about driving on the left but ultimately renting a car was the best decision! Check car rental prices for your dates here .

Where to Stay | I highly recommend staying at an Irish country house during your trip. Irish hospitality is truly something else. For unique luxury accommodation check out out Ireland’s Blue Book. Or, take advantage of Airbnb for a local experience!

Protect | Lastly, be sure to visit Ireland with travel insurance . Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, your phone gets stolen, or a flight delay leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Hurricane Ophelia hit the country smack in the middle of our road trip! Get a quote for your trip here .

  You Might Also Enjoy:  

Ireland Vacation Planning Articles

Ireland Travel Tips : Know Before You Go

The Most Beautiful Places in Ireland

How to Plan the Perfect Ireland Itinerary

Where to Stay: 10 Enchanting Irish Castle Hotels  

Packing Checklist:  What to Wear in Ireland

For Foodies: All the Best Food We Ate in Ireland

Ireland Road Trips

The Best Stops on the Wild Atlantic Way (with map!)

7 Useful Tips for Renting a Car in Ireland

How to Master Driving in Ireland (as a tourist!)

Irish Sights, Activities & Tours We Especially Enjoyed:

Co Galway: Visiting Kylemore Abbey , Ireland's Most Beautiful Castle?

Co Kerry: Can't Miss Sights in  Killarney  & Dingle

Co Waterford: Waterford , Ireland's Oldest City, the  House of Waterford Crystal  &  Mount Congreve Gardens

Co Wexford: Don't Skip Wexford - Here's Why!

Co Kilkenny:  Exploring Kilkenny Castle, in photos

Restaurant & Hotels We Loved:

County Clare: Gregans Castle Hotel

County Galway: Rosleague Manor Hotel , Where to Stay in Galway

County Wexford: The Strand Inn

County Waterford: The Cliff House Hotel , The Reg Pub

Northern Ireland

Travel Guide: Belfast

Where to Stay in Belfast as a First Time Visitor

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Grand central market, here are the best places to visit …, plitvice lakes, all the best food we ate in …, 55 comments.

Hey Sher, great write-up…very comprehensive. I agree, Ireland was never really tops on my list either, but I’m so glad I had a chance to go. I love it when a place exceeds my expectations. How did you do with the driving? Did you fall in love with Tyson at Roseleauge?

Ha I wrote about our experiencing with the driving in this post .

It ended up being fine so now I want to road trip Scotland! The main thing I found strange was how you had to pay inside at the gas station, there would also be like empty parked cars while everyone waited to pay ha!

I read your Tyson story – loved the interview with Mark! Funny enough I wrote my post about Rosleague last night.. will be publishing it in a couple weeks :) Which was your favorite of the blue book properties?

Hello Mike. Yes it’s true. Ireland is a nice place to visit. Even I never thought of going to Ireland but somehow we made a plan with friends and my experience to travel Ireland was one of my best trip ever.

Love this post! I’ve always wanted to do a trip to Ireland so this is so much food for thought and really comprehensive! I’m based in Dubai at the moment but definitely one for the bucket list when I’m based in the UK again. Thanks for sharing all your tips! : )

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Hi Sher: Love all your articles! We are budget travelers, but would like to splurge 1 night to stay in a castle or another luxury type accommodation. Do you have a suggestion for one that will accommodate 4 per room? We’re open to any location at this point as we are still working on our itinerary for 8-9 days. I looked at Gregan’s Castle and it appears we would have to get 2 rooms there which would be out of our budget even for a splurge! Thanks for all the great info!

Hi Donna! Thanks for the kind words. Yes – I would definitely recommend splurging a night in one of Ireland’s cool castle hotels. Have you seen my post on the list here ?

Hm, I’m not sure if they have room for 4 at Gregans , perhaps you could email them to ask if one of their suites could accommodate? Gregans is a more cozy house. If you can’t get rooms there, I would still recommend making a dinner reservation. It was very good!

At Rosleague , in Connemara, the rooms are HUGE and they might be able to fit 4.

In Killarney there’s lots of options for bigger parties. We had 4 of us in a loft style room at Old Weir Lodge for incredibly affordable rates.. I think we each paid around $30/night but this was also off season. I wouldn’t say it’s luxury but definitely very comfortable.

We also stayed at the Killarney Royal in one of their corner rooms which had 2 queen size beds and I’m sure 4 would be comfortable there.

If I went back to Ireland I would love to stay at Adare Manor or Ashford . Both are pricey (depending on the season) but they seem like once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Falconry, boating, archery, golf etc. Adare opened right after my trip ended but we saw the outside renderings and it looks FAB. Ashford books out months in advance, even in the off season. They also have a cottage on the grounds which are converted into rooms, I believe those are cheaper and you still get to experience the castle + grounds.

I will say in general the Irish are very hospitable and friendly. We made a mistake one night and booked a last minute room in Dingle which only came with a twin (there were 2 of us). It was meant for a single. They were very nice at the front desk and didn’t force us to upgrade rooms. Instead, they added in an extra cot / rollaway bed.

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Hi!! This was an amazing guide! I was wondering what your opinion on staying at one hotel in Dublin for the duration of the trip and taking multiple day trips to certain sights?! It seems to be less expensive and less stressful than trying to find a bunch of different hotels, but I also don’t want to miss anything since this is a once in a lifetime thing! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi Savannah – glad the guide was helpful! Hm, so do you mean you don’t plan to rent a car? If that’s the case then yes, a great way to see Ireland is to base yourself in Dublin and do day trips. Dublin is on the northeast of the Republic of Ireland and a lot of the famous sights are on the western coast, so it will be a bit of a longer drive. It’ll also probably be much more expensive than if you rented a car to drive around Ireland on your own and Dublin hotels tend to be much more expensive than in other cities. But, a guided tour will take care of all your transportation! so, there’s pros and cons :)

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This is the best itinerary of an Ireland trip I have read yet! Thank you so much. I traveling with children (3.5 years and 8 months) is there any of the stops that you would recommend NOT going to? Or ones that you would recommend on adding? I often wear the baby in a carrier, so needing to use a stroller is not necessary.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks so much for the kind words!! I am actually planning to head back to Ireland this year!

Hm… So let me preface this by saying I don’t have kids so I may not aware of all the do’s & don’ts for young children. I would suggest spending less time in Dublin, which is most popular for its bars, and seeing the countryside. I think kids would like Dingle, with the dolphin, boat tours and the Slea Head drive is very beautiful. Skip Minard Castle, it is a long drive and they are ruins, not a still standing & furnished castle like Kilkenny. The town of Kilkenny is nice too.

Kerry is probably very kid friendly. The town center is very cute, lots of shopping, great food + ice cream, Killarney park is beautiful and kids probably like the horse buggy rides. If you have time, pop over to Wexford and the Irish National Heritage Park – the park itself is a open air museum, and then they have some excellent activities you can book like falconry, archery, dressing up like Vikings, etc. I wrote some more about it here , and you can check out their Youtube channel to get a feel for it.

Hope that helps!

Thank you so much for this! Just a quick 1uestion re Itinerary…Does the number of days include the previous days’ plans? I.e. for the 5 day itinerary, is the idea that you’d do the itinerary for days 3 and 4 as well? (i.e. Dublin, Newgrange, Howth, Galway, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara Galway)? Thank you!

Hi! It’s flexible depending on how many days you have and whether or not you’ll be renting a car! If you have 3-4 days, I would recommend staying in Dublin and taking a day trip or two :)

Thank you so much for this post. We will be first time overseas travelers with a “once in a lifetime” trip next year. It’s a 2 week trip and we are hoping to see as much as we can. You gave me some feedback initially when we were thinking of taking a Viking Cruise. We’ve changed our minds and are now looking at Ireland, England, and Germany. Do you think we could see enough of Ireland in 4 days? Dublin looks great but we aren’t as interested in the bigger ‘cities’ so we are thinking only 1 day there. After I mapped out your recommendations, it looks like we would be most interested in the Galway/Clare areas. Thinking maybe we fly into that side of the island and out of Dublin to England. Interested in how many days you think we would need to see Kylemore/Clifden/Connemara Park/Aran Island/Mohr/Bunratty Castle?

Hi! You can see a lot of Ireland in 4 days, but you’d probably need to rent a car (and be comfortable driving on the left). I don’t think Galway has its own airport, so you have to check for the closest airport + factor in driving time.

Aran Island would be a full day trip. Connemara you could drive through or you could spend all day hiking and exploring. Kylemore Abbey might still be under construction, in which case, just a couple hours (it’s mainly the garden as the castle was under renovation when I visited) The Clifden drive is beautiful – it would take maybe a couple hours. Galway would be nice to spend a day in, we just drove through and had lunch. Galway is a smaller city and known for its pubs so if you like nightlife you could spend the night.

It depends on how long you want to linger in each place, and the driving. Typically what do is I add all the destinations I want to see in Google Maps and use their driving distance as a benchmark. The roads in Ireland are very narrow, and we were unused to driving on the left, so I’d add 30-45 minutes longer to the Google Maps driving estimates.

At a quick glance, I’d estimate 5 days at minimum for the places you listed, and 6-7 if you wanted to take it leisurely? Hope that helps!

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Hi! I live your Ireland pages, but I wish your pictures were labeled. They are all so nice! :)

I am going to visit Ireland month of June 19, and these tips are very helpful for me before landing there. Thanks for sharing these wonderful tips <3

You failed to mention The Quiet Man in your list of films! The best movie ever made. Cong was the filming location. If you haven’t seen this movie yet it is a must see!! John Wayne at this best.

Can you recommend which areas to begin and end on a 4 night country trip. Leave from Dublin on Tues AM. Spend Tue/Wed/Thur/Friday night in country. Picked these areas:

Doolin – Doolin Inn or Limestone Lodge? Cliff Walk/Caves Clifden – Cong – Ashord Lodge What is best base for Connemara National Park area – want beautiful scenery

Don’t know where to go first. Dublin to Doolin, night in Doolin. Doolin to Clifden night in Clifden. Clifden to Cong 2 nights Cong then home to Dublin. Can you recommend a better itinerary. 2 Teenage boys in tow. First time in Ireland. Thanks.

Help please. Hope for somewhat relaxing trip.

For the best route, plug in all the stops you want to make in Google Maps and then order your itinerary by the most efficient driving route. That’s what we did, and I recommend trying to keep driving to no more than 2.5 hours a day if you can.

Haven’t been to Doolin!

Ashford Lodge is gorgeous, you will love it. They have lots of add on activities like salmon fishing, golfing, archery, falconry etc which kids would enjoy.

We stayed in Clifden and Delphi Mountain in Connemara. Both were great, but slightly different experiences. Clifden is closer to Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey. We stayed at Rosleague – fabulous hotel, great service but slightly older clientele. Our review post is here if you want more photos.

Delphi Mountain Lodge was our second overnight. The hotel is more of a casual hunting lodge style and they sit on 1,000 acres so pretty scenery and also add-on activities. We tried ziplining and archery, very fun. Some more photos of that on our Facebook, here .

I am loving your information! I am planning a trip with my 23 year old daughter. Could you share your google map?

Hi Shannon, Sorry I don’t have a saved Google Map for Ireland. I just plugged in the destinations I was interested in when I was planning my trip. That gives me an idea though – I’ll start creating maps with saved locations for the future!

Great itinerary! We definitely need to go back to visit more of the places on your list, and ours. We were excited to see you mention Minard Castle on the Dingle Peninsula. Judging by how remote it seemed, and the complete lack of people visiting, we felt like we stumbled onto our very own stunning secret spot! Looks like the secret is out! ;)

The link for the best time to visit Ireland wasn’t working and my apologies if I missed it in the comments section but when is the best time to visit?

Oh, thanks for letting me know! I will fix the link.

Generally the shoulder season (May, September) is best. Summer can get pretty crowded. We’ve visited in both April and October and had a great time! There’s always on and off rain so be sure to pack a good rain jacket and some rain boots if you have.

When is the best time to visit Ireland?

Excellent introduction to Ireland

Thank you for such a thorough post with so much information for planning my trip to Ireland. I really appreciate it. There is so much information here I will need to study it to take it all in. Many thanks.

Wow! Incredible blog, thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. Very helpful for planning my Ireland 2021 trip!

Thanks for the help, we want to go if the virus allows us in the fall, and your post has helped us learn more about what it takes to go. We hope to enjoy Irish culture and cuisine.

I was lucky to know Ireland because I went for a study trip and I had the opportunity to know almost the whole country, very modern and quiet to stay for good.

My family and I are going in June. I was wondering if the places to stay book up in early June? I was wondering if we need to book ahead or can we wing it?

Hi James – definitely recommend booking ahead for summer travel!

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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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Thanks for informative blog

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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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.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

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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All around Ireland

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Take to the roads less travelled, and the places well loved. Visit sky-high cliffs and relax in the warm welcomes you’ll receive in our buzzing towns and villages

Every day of this trip around the island of Ireland is packed with suggestions of what you can see and do in that area. Some days you may want to fit it all in, others you may just prefer to stick around the one place… the choice is yours. To help you decide, here's our pick of the highlights you can enjoy!

Take some time to explore Dublin city before heading southbound to Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, a perfect example of the majestic sights to be found in Ireland's Ancient East.

Dublin: surprising by nature

The Ha'penny Bridge, Dublin

Enjoy the architectural beauty of Trinity College Dublin and its Long Room Library – home to the illuminated gospel from the 9th century, the Book of Kells. Then head for the Viking fortress of Dublin Castle, and the treasure-trove of artefacts held in the Chester Beatty Library. If you have more time, explore Dublin's  significant history one step at a time with the Dublin Discovery Trails app – a series of walks celebrating the city’s incredible and storied past.

The Book of Kells Experience

Dublin Castle

Wicklow's magical garden.

Powerscourt Estate, County Wicklow

Set amongst 47 acres of stunning gardens and voted the third best in the world by National Geographic, the walled gardens and ornamental lakes of the historic 18th century Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow  exude serenity. Your reward for successfully negotiating the steps to the top of the Pepperpot Tower (modelled on a pot from Lord Powerscourt's dining table) is the incredible view. Eat up at the onsite Avoca Terrace Café, which overlooks the beautiful views of Ireland’s Ancient East.  If you have more time, visit nearby Glendalough, a haven of serenity and peace within the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Powerscourt Estate

Glendalough Visitor Centre

Walk the cobbled streets of Kilkenny and discover the intriguing Butler family legacy, a cathedral’s exquisite stained glass windows and a witch who got away.

Where modern and medieval meet

Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny

Surrounded by a network of maze-like alleyways and lanes, the architectural brilliance of Kilkenny Castle stands dramatically on the River Nore, dominating the city’s skyline. Take the short trip to St Canice's Cathedral, pick up a hurling stick and play like a local at the Ultimate Hurling Experience and have a taste of the oldest ale in the land at the Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny! Maybe even time your trip right to join the Kilkenny Arts Festival every August! Take a trip to the Medieval Mile Museum one of Kilkenny’s newest visitor attractions located in the city, which tells the story of Kilkenny through fascinating monuments and artefacts. The city is also known for its buzzing music scene at places like Matt the Millers and Kyteler's Inn – the latter owned by Dame Alice Kyteler, the first person in Ireland to be accused of witchcraft. If you have more time, rest a while at Kilkenny's Mount Juliet Estate, named after a 16-year old bride back in the 1750s, it's also home to the Michelin Star Lady Helen Restaurant.

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny

Medieval Mile Museum

Discover the heritage of Ireland's oldest city, Waterford, and then follow the Copper Coast to the harbour town of Cobh.

Waterford, the original Viking City

Reginald's Tower, Waterford city

Although they have a reputation as pillagers, the Vikings were also builders. Waterford  is famously a Viking city, founded in 914. Take the Waterford Viking Triangle tour, visit the King of the Vikings virtual reality experience and see the 12th century Reginald’s Tower, where you'll find weapons from a Viking grave and the Waterford kite brooch. The Vikings knew what they were doing: their city grew to become a busy medieval port that traded across Europe. The city is also known for its crystal. Witness the master craftsmanship that has enchanted the world for centuries at the House of Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre. If you have more time, don’t leave Waterford without tucking into the famous Waterford blaa. Introduced by the Huguenots in 1690, the blaa is a soft bread roll unique to Waterford city.

Waterford Medieval Museum

Delve into a bygone age.

Copper Coast, County Waterford

In 1840, the village of Bunmahon was at the heart of the copper-mining industry. The Copper Coast Geo Park Visitor Centre, County Waterford, housed in an old church near the beach, reveals the area’s intriguing legacy. You can also see the haunting remains of the industry at Tankardstown – by 1879, the miners had smelled gold in the US and the copper mines closed as locals left for foreign shores. If you have more time, beat the hunger pangs at Aherne's Seafood Restaurant in Youghal, one of Cork’s  most beautiful seaside towns and famous for being the filming location for John Huston’s Moby Dick back in 1954.

The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark

A maritime legacy.

Cobh, County Cork

Cobh was the departure point for almost half of the six million emigrants who left Ireland for a new life. The most famous departure? Titanic, on her ill-fated maiden voyage. Trace the experiences of the hopeful passengers at Titanic Experience Cobh, starting in the original White Star ticket office – at the end, find out the fate of each one of the 123 passengers who boarded at this final stop. If you've got some free time, visit the location named as Europe’s leading tourist attraction at the prestigious World Travel Awards. Dominated by the 200-year-old star-shaped fortress of Fort Mitchel, Spike Island has been through many incarnations over the course of its 1,300 years, including a monastery, a stronghold and a prison.

Cobh Museum

Make way for a city that locals call the best in the world! Pleasantly compact, Cork never piles on the stress while you're sightseeing.

A city for all seasons

Cork City Gaol, Cork city

Onwards to the lively city of Cork, and a vast array of delights await. Easily manageable by foot, for those with a penchant for all things arthouse, the Triskel Arts Centre tops the list. For a more unique experience, take in the eerie 19th century history and opulent Gothic and classical architecture of Cork City Gaol. Or sample some of the wares produced at the Franciscan Well Brewery, named after the site where a medieval Franciscan monastery once stood – complete with a healing well. If you have more time, join the Cork Tasting Trail where you'll explore the Victorian English Market, which has been satisfying its patrons' appetites since 1788.

Experience a kaleidoscope of maritime adventure as you continue your journey along the Wild Atlantic Way from Kinsale to the Ring of Kerry.

Tower above the crashing waves

Kinsale Harbour, County Cork

Set your compass to the Old Head of Kinsale, at the start of the Wild Atlantic Way.  With its sheer cliffs topped with that iconic striped lighthouse, the air here is a tonic. The wedge-shaped headland is part of a world-class links golf course, while sea conceals the wreckage of the tragic Lusitania, a British liner sunk by a German torpedo during World War I. Enjoy the gentle looped walk that takes you around the cliffs to a Celtic fort, built around 100BC. If you have more time, peer into the life of Clonakilty’s most famous son: aka "the Big Fella" at the Michael Collins Centre. And definitely sample some of the town’s most famous export: Clonakilty black pudding, delicious!

Kinsale Mead Co.

Michael Collins Centre

Kinsale Tours

Whale watching and star gazing.

Brow Head Peninsula, County Cork

When you visit the Mizen Head Visitor Centre, you’re connected to the mainland by an arched bridge stretching over the crashing waters, below. Do look down, though, you might spot some seals, dolphins and hump-back whales at play! It was on Brow Head, next to the Mizen Head Peninsula, that the cast and crew filmed some of the scenes from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. One look at the views when you arrive and you’ll know immediately why this area was chosen by location scouts. If you have more time, take a detour and enjoy the savage beauty of the Skelligs  – as featured in The Last Jedi. A trip to Skellig Michael may not always be possible, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy the area on the mainland.

Mizen Head Signal Station Visitor Centre

Skellig Michael Cruises

The gateway to the ring of kerry.

The Ring of Kerry, County Kerry

Searching for great festivals, culinary excellence and a vibrant traditional music scene? Killarney  packs it all in. At the foot of MacGillycuddy's Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland, the town is filled with energy, made all the better by the stunning County Kerry  landscapes surrounding it. Before leaving this charming town, check out Quinlan's Seafood Bar or take in a trad session at Murphy's Bar until the early hours. Home to mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls, the Killarney National Park is a world away from every day life. Travelling this direction in August? You're in for a treat as The Rose of Tralee Festival comes to town.

Killarney Lake Tours

Killarney Brewing Taproom

Prepare to be wowed by the panoramic views and dramatic walks of the Wild Atlantic Way as you travel through County Clare and on to Galway city.

Lighthouses and dolphins

Loop Head, County Clare

Follow the famous Loop Head Peninsula Drive, and you're at the place where the sheltered Shannon Estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean, and in sight of a lighthouse at the edge of the world. This is Loop Head,  where the views stretch out to the Blasket Islands in Kerry, and spotting dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds is commonplace. Take a boat trip with Dolphinwatch to see Europe's largest group of bottlenose dolphins in this EU Special Area of Conservation; or taste freshly smoked organic salmon and discover how salmon is smoked at the Burren Smokehouse. While in the Burren, make sure to learn about the vibrant life of Ireland’s most unique landscape at the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark. If you have more time, Lahinch is a buzzing location filled with colourful characters and hip food joints. With the sound of the ocean in your ears, tackle the breathtaking and well-worn Doolin Cliff Walk, or visit the atmospheric Gus O'Connor's pub in Doolin to hear some of the best traditional musicians this cultural region has to offer.

The cliffs of more adventure

O'Brien's Tower, County Clare

The imposing Cliffs of Moher  wind in and out over a stretch of more than 8km along County Clare's  coastline. This unmissable attraction is also home to a plethora of birdlife: razorbills, kittiwakes and even the odd peregrine falcon. From May to July, thousands of brightly coloured puffins nest of the famous cliffs above the savage waves below, creating an incredible spectacle for visitors.

Cliffs of Moher – Irish Day Tours

The city of tribes.

Galway city, County Galway

At the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way lies the uber-cool bohemian melting pot of Galway city,  an oasis for artists and festival-goers. From music and horseracing to literature and top-notch seafood, the City of Tribes delivers in spades through a plenitude of buzzing bars, traditional pubs and chic restaurants. History buffs should visit the Galway City Museum or soak up the medieval atmosphere of the Spanish Arch. In July, you can join the fun at the Galway International Arts Festival,  one of Europe’s leading international creative events.

Galway City Tours - Walking Tours

With its sandy beaches, walking trails and rich heritage of Irish language and culture, this journey from Galway to Mayo is authentic Ireland at its finest.

A place to fall in love

Kylemore Abbey, County Galway

As you set off along the Wild Atlantic Way  to Connemara  in County Galway,  make sure you follow the signposts for Kylemore Abbey, home to the Benedictine nuns since 1920. Visit the restored rooms of the Abbey and learn about the love story of the Abbey's original owners, which is rooted in this spot. Make sure to visit the Victorian Walled Garden. Shirley Lanigan, author of The 100 Best Gardens of Ireland, has mused: "Any garden that can hold its own against such a backdrop must be impressive." And the formal garden beds of Kylemore are no exception. If you have more time, take on a spiritual – and physical – pilgrimage by climbing the scree-covered slopes of Mayo’s   Croagh Patrick,  with its heart-stopping views over Clew Bay. Then head to Westport,  and Matt Molloy's pub, where a night of traditional music is almost guaranteed.

Kylemore Abbey & Neo-Gothic Church

A bridge to another world.

Keem Bay, County Mayo

Drive the narrow coast road to Keem Strand and gaze at the grand sea-cliffs and lush sandy beaches. On your way back, visit Lílí Bán’s seaside shack for a coffee by Keel Beach.

Achill Island Blueway, Achill Island

Croagh Patrick

The isolated landscape, country roads and wild coastline make Sligo and Donegal must-see locations for lovers of dramatic seascapes and local adventure.

Bundoran, County Donegal

But it’s not just world-class surfing here: drive the Gleniff Horse Shoe for incredible views of Ben Bulben mountain or visit Drumcliffe Church, the final resting place of County Sligo’s most famous wordsmiths, WB Yeats. Donegal recently topped National Geographic's Cool List. Visit Bundoran during June for the Sea Sessions Music Festival  and find out why.

Bundoran Surf Co.

Waterworld Bundoran

Visit the edge of the world.

Slieve League Cliffs, County Donegal

Among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, Slieve League  will undoubtedly prove to be a highlight of your trip. They standing almost three times as high of their most famous County Clare sisters, the Cliffs of Moher. And only experienced hikers will brave the narrow and exposed ridge of One Man's Pass. However, you don’t need to be Edmund Hilary to enjoy the vistas on offer here. Pop into the Slieve League Cliffs Centre, a family-run halfway point packed full of history and culture, locally made knitwear and the odd traditional Irish music session. If you have more time, head over to the Inishowen Peninsula where if the conditions are just right, you may spot the Northern Lights dancing on the horizon.

Slieve League Donegal Walking Day Tour-Hidden Dublin Walks and Tours

Sliabh Liag Boat Tours

Absorb the iconic landscapes that surround the Causeway Coastal Route as it weaves between the Walled City of Derry~Londonderry and Belfast.

City of culture

The Walled City, Derry~Londonderrry

Connecting the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route  is the Walled City of Derry~Londonderry, built as a defence for early 17th century settlers. The best way to discover the only remaining fully walled city in Ireland is on foot. Even better, take a walking tour with some of the most charming tour guides you could ever hope to meet! Derry~Londonderry is a city with a fascinating and complicated history, so get an overview with a visit to the Museum of Free Derry for the background to the city’s civil rights movement. Then head to the Siege Museum to understand the city's past and the impact those impregnable walls have had on Ireland's history. If you have more time, visit the white sands of Portstewart's Blue Flag beach and make a date to dine at Harry’s Shack! Feeling active? Head to Portrush, and take some surfing lessons at the Alive Surf School! Or tee off on the championship course at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Museum of Free Derry

Derry~Londonderry

Tower Museum

Royal Portrush Golf Club

A giant's tale.

Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, County Antrim

Continue along the Causeway Coastal Route, declared one of the best road trips in the world by CN Traveler, and you’ll pass plenty of jaw-dropping panoramas. However, there’s no doubting the major attraction is the mythic Giant’s Causeway.  Up to 40,0000 basalt columns tumble down into the sea due to volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Others call it the result of feuding giants – a tall tale that's far more fun to believe! If you have more time, book in to cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, a vertigo inducing feat that will literally take your breath away!

Giant's Causeway

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Experience island life.

Rathlin Island, County Antrim

With a population of fewer than 150 people, Rathlin Island  manages to maintain its sense of community while welcoming visitors with open arms. It's also home to an impressive selection of seabirds as well as many legendary tales, the most famous of which concerns the Scottish King Robert the Bruce and the lessons he learned from a relentless spider when took refuge here in 1306. Before you leave the island, don’t miss a tour of the Rathlin West Light, one of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland. Follow the coast to the peninsula of Islandmagee. Here, you should prebook a visit to The Gobbins cliff path, which wraps around the cliffs and overlooks the crashing waves below; a stunning architectural feat, given its creators erected this over 100 years ago. After all that fresh sea air, head to Larne for a delicious meal at Billy Andy's historic bar.

Rathlin Island Boathouse Visitor's Centre

Rathlin Island

RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre

From the Victorian history of Belfast to the fantasy and intrigue of the Haunted Forest and County Down's Game of Thrones® locations, warm welcomes await.

The Titanic city

Titanic Belfast, Belfast city

With its iconic attractions and Victorian charm, Belfast  is a city that buzzes with energy. It's here that Titanic's soul, story and sorrow are etched not just on the city, but in the history books, too. Explore its legacy at Titanic Belfast,  an interactive museum dedicated the liner's story. When it comes to nightlife, Belfast does pubs incredibly well. Check out the Crown Liquor Saloon  for Victorian style, Kelly's Cellars, a stalwart since 1720, and Bittles Bar, an intriguing pub dedicated to Ireland's literary and sporting heroes. Head south from Belfast towards Strangford Lough.  On it’s eastern shore, the majestic 18th century gardens of Mount Stewart  have been hailed by garden designer Fionnula Fallon as an “extraordinary mixture of grandeur, whimsy and eccentricity”.

Titanic Belfast

Mount Stewart

Newtownards

A trip to the Haunted Forest

Tollymore Forest Park, County Down

An amble amongst the woods at Tollymore Forest Park will leave Game of Thrones® fans tingling with excitement. One of the key filming location for the HBO series, the 600-hectare expanse contains Gothic remnants of an 18th century estate – a perfect fit for the fantastic scenery required to bring Westeros to life. Die-hard Game of Thrones® fans should head to Castle Ward – aka home of the Stark family – and check out Winterfell Tours for banquets, archery lessons, movie location tours and glamping!

Castle Ward

Viking heritage, gilded shrines and an UNESCO World Heritage Site: a trip through the historic east from Carlingford to the megalithic wonderland of Brú na Bóinne has a little bit of everything!

Views aplenty around Carlingford

Carlingford, County Louth

Back in Ireland’s Ancient East,  the medieval village of Carlingford is framed by a twinkling stretch of water, said to have seen the footsteps of giants like Fionn MacCumhall. And the woods nearby are rumoured to be filled with leprechauns. Just ask local Leprechaun Whisperer Kevin Woods, if you don’t believe us! Go boating, take a walking tour with a local guide – all under the watchful gaze of the Slieve Foy Mountain – or follow the Carlingford Greenway. After all this thirsty work, drop into PJ O'Hare's pub, where you'll find one of Carlingford's liveliest bars, which includes an old untouched grocery store, a blazing open fire and the perfect atmosphere in which to wind down. For one last taste of Ireland's wilder side, make a beeline for the Cooley Peninsula, home to the Cooley Distillery.

Mourne, Cooley, Gullion Way

Shining a light at the boyne valley.

Newgrange, County Meath

In the tranquil setting of the Boyne Valley in County Meath lies one of the great treasures of the ancient world: a Neolithic passage tomb that dates back over 5,000 years – that’s older than the Pyramids of Giza. Accessible via the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Newgrange comes to life every year at the winter solstice, when sunlight passes through a small opening to illuminate the burial chamber within. If you have more time, explore the colourful tale of the Battle of the Boyne in Oldbridge, County Meath at the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre.

Newgrange & Boyne Valley - Day Tours Unplugged

Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre

Tales of the unexpected.

Drogheda, County Louth

Be warned – there's a gruesome relic on show at St Peter's Church in Drogheda. The preserved head of St Oliver Plunkett, who was hung, drawn and quartered in 1681, resides inside a gilded shrine. Outside in the town of Drogheda, which was once one of the largest walled towns in medieval Ireland, your eye will be drawn to the handsome structure of St Lawrence's Gate; while Millmount Martello Tower is where the Normans established a fort in the 12th century.

As you come to the end of a magical adventure, Ireland's Ancient East throws up one last batch of fun and intrigue as you travel through horse country in County Kildare before heading back to Dublin city.

Horsing around

Irish National Stud, County Kildare

Find out why Ireland adores the sport of kings with a trip to the Irish National Stud, where the winners of five horseracing classics were bred. Visit during February to June for foaling season, and you may spot a future champion among the perky youngsters. Before wrapping up a memorable adventure and heading back to Dublin, pop into the ornate Japanese Gardens next door. If you have more time, take a detour to visit Ireland's first and largest Palladian manor. Only a 30-minute drive from Dublin, Castletown House features gorgeous river walks, lush parkland and opulent beauty. While the nearby Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge displays a host of artefacts from silver screen legends. Round off your adventure with a trip to Kildare Village discount designer outlet for some relaxing retail therapy.

The Irish National Stud & Gardens

Kildare Village Outlet Shopping

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How to plan the perfect 1-week trip in Ireland

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written by Joanne Owen

updated 14.08.2024

Voted the world’s friendliest country by the Rough Guides’ community — with Dublin also deemed the friendliest city in the world — Ireland boasts a bounty of captivating cultural and natural landscapes. If you’re thinking of taking a vacation in the Emerald Isle, here we share tips on how to plan the perfect 1-week trip to Ireland, with detail on where to go and what to do in Ireland for a week.

1-week trip in Ireland: the best step-by-step guide

• Step 1: Arrange this first

Step 2: Decide what you want to get out of your trip

• Step 3: Plan your Ireland itinerary

Step 4: How to get around Ireland

Step 5: be sure to visit ireland in the right months, step 6: book accommodation and attractions, step 7: how much does an ireland trip cost, travel ideas for ireland, created by local experts.

Fascinating Ireland & North Ireland

Ireland is one of the most popular destinations for tourists: its rich cultural heritage, the beautiful landscapes and the laid-back lifestyle attract many travelers. Visit the famous Giant's causeway, fascinating Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and many more highlights.

Spectacular Ireland

This itinerary will give you a chance to discover the most spectacular places in Ireland within eight days. Visit the Killarney National Park and the South West Coast of Ireland. Travel back in time during your visit on the Aran Islands and cross the region of Connemara.

Game of Thrones – Northern Ireland

The Seven Kingdoms await you in this Game of Thrones adventure. The incredible landscapes of Northern Ireland make up an enchanting array of fortresses, heart-stopping cliffs and countless small villages steeped in history. A trip to the universe of Game of Thrones is about to begin!

Pearls of Ireland: Cliffs of Moher, Galway and the Burren National Park

Take some time off with your family and friends and discover the most spectacular places that Ireland has to offer. In addition, we recommend you pay for the beautiful city of Dublin a visit.

The West Coast and Cliffs of Moher

This itinerary discovers the most authentic parts of the Emerald Isle. The spectacular Cliffs of Moher on the west coast, the many castles and fortresses in the south, together with the breathtaking landscapes of the Wicklow Mountains National Park presents the perfect backdrop to a trip.

Given Ireland’s rich cultural heritage — not to mention its swathes of staggeringly scenic cliffs, coastline and mountains — deciding what to do in Ireland for a week takes some planning , which is where our step-by-step guide will come in very handy.

Read on to be led through the process — from getting to grips with visa requirements and getting there, to deciding what you most want from your trip, and where to realise those dreams.

Editor’s tip:  for armchair inspiration, get the picked-packed Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places in Ireland , and   read up on the best things to do in Ireland .

Wondering what to do in Ireland for a week? Be sure to spend time in a Dublin pub © Shutterstock

Step 1: Arrange this first 

Before getting into the nitty gritty of what to do in Ireland for a week, read on for a run-down of what you need to arrange ahead of your trip.

• How to get to Ireland

Traveling from the U.S. to Ireland is relatively straightforward, with multiple direct and connecting flight options. Here’s a guide to how to get to Ireland from the U.S.

Direct Flights

The following U.S. cities are departure points for direct flights to Dublin (DUB):

• New York (JFK/EWR): flight time of 6-7 hours.
• Boston (BOS): flight time of 6-7 hours.
• Chicago (ORD): flight time 7-8 hours.
• Philadelphia (PHL): flight time 6.5-7.5 hours.
• Washington, D.C. (IAD):  flight time 6.5-7.5 hours.
• Atlanta (ATL): flight time is around 8 hours.
• Orlando (MCO):  seasonal direct flights; flight time around 8 hours.
• Miami (MIA):  seasonal direct flights; flight time 8-9 hours.
• Los Angeles (LAX):  flight time approximately 10-11 hours.
• San Francisco (SFO):  flight time is about 10-11 hours.
• Seattle (SEA):  seasonal direct flights; flight time 9-10 hours.

Connecting Flights

If you're flying from a U.S. city that doesn’t offer direct flights to Ireland, you can connect through major hubs in the U.S. or Europe.

Recommended U.S. connection hubs include New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and Washington.

European connection hubs include London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris.

Other airports in Ireland

• Shannon Airport (SNN):  located on the west coast of Ireland, Shannon Airport offers a few direct flights from the U.S., particularly during the summer. 
• Cork Airport (ORK):  while fewer in number, some seasonal flights are available to Cork from major European hubs like London or Amsterdam.
• Knock Airport (NOC):  this serves the west of Ireland — you can connect from London or other European cities.

Beara peninsula, County Cork, Ireland  © Shutterstock

Visa requirements

For U.S. citizens traveling to Ireland, visa requirements are pretty straightforwar. For stays of up to 90 days, you don't need one.

This visa exemption applies to tourism, business meetings, and attending conferences and short courses of study or training.

Note that your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

How long can you stay?

As mentioned above, you can stay in Ireland for up to 90 days without a visa.

For stays of over 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa — also known as a "D visa” — before traveling. 

You apply for this through the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), or an Irish consulate or embassy in the U.S. 

The application typically requires supporting documents, such as proof of financial means, health insurance, and details about your purpose of stay.

Editor’s tip: always check with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs or the U.S. Department of State for the most up-to-date information before you travel.

Dublin, Ireland © Shutterstock

Plan your budget

While we cover the potential costs of a trip to Ireland in detail a little later, it’s worth mentioning early on that figuring out your budget should be one of the first things you do while planning what to do in Ireland for a week.

This means researching and comparing the costs of flights, checking out accommodation options, and wising up on the price of tours, trips and entry to all those attractions that are likely to make it onto your must-see list.

If you’re still not sure what those attractions are, we cover that right below. 

Editor’s tip: while planning your budget, read up on great things to do in Dublin for free .

Bushmills Distillery © Shutterstock

When it comes to deciding what to do in Ireland for a week, take time to consider what you want to get out of the trip in relation to your interests.

Covering culture and cuisine, history and outdoor adventures, read on for suggestions for how to indulge your personal passions on a 1-week trip to Ireland that’s perfect for you.

Culture and cuisine

If you’re into the arts and music, plan to visit pubs with live music, or time your trip to coincide with festivals like the Galway International Arts Festival.

You’ll also want to devote a decent amount of time to Dublin — a UNESCO City of Literature that’s home to a host of fascinating museums, among them the National Gallery of Ireland and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

To dig deeper into traditional Irish heritage, consider visiting regions that are known for their strong cultural heritage, such as the Gaeltacht areas where Irish Gaelic is spoken.

Staying on the subject of tradition, food-loving culture vultures will want to try classic dishes like Irish stew, soda bread and seafood chowder in local pubs and farm-to-table restaurants.

You could also book guided food tours, whiskey tastings, and cooking classes. 

Dublin and Cork , for example, offer excellent food tours, while the Old Jameson Distillery or Bushmills in Northern Ireland are great for whiskey enthusiasts.

Editor’s tip: discover the best pubs in Ireland for traditional music.

Galway oysters at the International Oyster Festival © Shutterstock

If history’s your thing, plan to visit Ireland’s ancient monuments and ruins. 

Must-see sites include Newgrange, the Rock of Cashel, the Hill of Tara and the ancient monastic site of Glendalough.

Ireland is also known for its castles, of both the ruined and restored variety. Alongside visiting iconic historic sites like Blarney Castle, Kilkenny Castle, and Ashford Castle, you could even stay in a castle hotel. 

Rock of Cashel, Ireland © Shutterstock

Outdoor activities 

Ireland offers epic landscapes for hiking, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and the Wicklow Mountains.

National Parks like Killarney National Park and Glenveagh National Park are also on hand for walks on the wild side, while offering wonderful wildlife-watching opportunities. 

On that subject, nature lovers will want to research birdwatching and whale-watching trips.

Staying on the water theme, you could consider focusing your trip on coastal regions to enjoy the likes of kayaking, surfing and boating, with the Wild Atlantic Way being a prime location for water-based adventures.

Lastly, Ireland is a golfer's paradise, home to world-renowned courses like Ballybunion, Royal County Down and Lahinch.

Ring of Kerry © Shutterstock

Step 3: Plan your Ireland itinerary 

After deciding what you most want from your trip, you’ll need to get into the day-by-day details of your itinerary.

To help you do exactly that, here are three fabulous ways to plan the perfect 1-week trip in Ireland.

7-day itinerary 1: Experience Spectacular Ireland 

As suggested by its name, this Spectacular Ireland itinerary offers opportunities to experience the most spectacular places in Ireland in a week.

Spend the first couple of days in Dublin, where you’ll want to explore historic landmarks like Trinity College, with its incredible Old Library and Dublin Castle.

We also suggest visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral — Ireland's largest cathedral, and the final resting place of writer Jonathan Swift — and Christ Church Cathedral, which is known for its medieval crypt and connections to Dublin’s Viking history.

You’ll also want to explore Temple Bar area to soak up the vibe of its historic pubs, including The Brazen Head, which dates back to 1198. 

On day three, collect your rental car to drive to Kilkenny via Wicklow — a county that’s known as the Garden of Ireland. Along the way, stop off to walk the valley of Glendalough and see the 6 th -century monastic settlement.

Devote day four to visiting the Rock of Cashel to see stacks of historic ruins before continuing to Cork, the Blarney Castle, and the incredible Killarney National Park.

Come day five, travel along the coast towards to County Clare. Around these parts you can explore the Dingle Peninsular, stroll sweeping beaches, and visit historic Spanish Point.

Next, travel on to Doolin village, which is known as the capital of Irish music for very good reason.

On the morning of day six, rise early to voyage to one of Ireland’s most romantic — and remote — places. Namely, the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Maher.

Spend day seven in Galway . If you have time, stay a couple of nights. That way you can do a deeper dive into what’s known as the Pearl of Ireland’s West Coast, with the stunning Connemara National Park on hand for soul-stirring walks. 

Like the sound of this itinerary? Book it now .

Connemara, Ireland © Shutterstock

7-day itinerary 2: Best of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Here’s how you can experience the best of Ireland and Northern Ireland in a single 7-day trip. 

After arriving in Dublin, start your vacation with a visit to Trinity College and Dublin Castle, followed by strolling around the historic Grafton Street area and Temple Bar.

Spend the morning of day two exploring Kilmainham Gaol, followed by visiting the Guinness Storehouse for a tour and a pint.

That afternoon, drive or take a train to Galway and explore the colorful Latin Quarter. 

On day three, take a scenic drive through the Connemara region, and visit Kylemore Abbey — a beautiful Benedictine monastery that boasts glorious gardens.

In the afternoon, head to Connemara National Park to walk and watch wildlife before returning to Galway for the night. 

The Cliffs of Maher await on day four, followed by the Burren region, which is known for its unique limestone landscape and rare flora.

Try to make time to visit the megalithic Poulnabrone Dolmen and Aillwee Cave before continuing to Doolin  — your base for the night.

Antrim Coast © Shutterstock

Rise early on day five and head to Killarney, a picturesque town that serves as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry.

Here you could explore Killarney National Park, Muckross House and Gardens, or take a aboat trip to Innisfallen Island

When it comes to the Ring of Kerry — one of Ireland’s most scenic routes — be sure to stop at Ladies View, Torc Waterfall, and Ross Castle.

Day six will see you head to Belfast via the Rock of Cashel — an historic site of ancient ruins and epic views.

En route, you could also stop to see to Kilkenny Castle before reaching Belfast in time to explore the Titanic Belfast Museum and Cathedral Quarter.

On your last full day in Ireland, take a drive along the Antrim Coast to visit the Giant’s Causeway — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s known for its huge hexagonal basalt columns.

You could also visit the dramatic medieval Dunluce Castle and stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge for a thrilling walk across the bridge before returning to Belfast.

Editor’s tip: if you can stay a couple more days, book our customisable Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland itinerary.

Giant's Causeway © Shutterstock

7-day itinerary 3: Game of Thrones Glories in Northern Ireland

The Seven Kingdoms await in this 7-day Game of Thrones-themed itinerary that focuses on the incredible landscapes of Northern Ireland. Think fortresses, cliffs and villages steeped in history. 

First, though, spend a couple of nights in Dublin to explore all those attractions outlined above before collecting your rental car and crossing into Northern Ireland  on day three..

Along the way, take a walk through the Mourne Mountains to follow in the footsteps of the wild Dothraki, and venture into the forest of Tollymore, where the White Walkers attacked the Guard.

Another top stop is the Abbey of Inch, where Robb Stark was crowned King of the North, and Ward Castle — the stage for many a Game of Throne scene.

After overnighting in Belfas t, spend day four explore the Quarry of Magheramorne, often featured as the interior of the Black Castle.

You’ll also want to visit Cushendun Cave, Murlough Bay, the Hanging Bridge of Carrick-a-Rede and Larrybane before ending the day in the small port of Ballintoy.

Next, devote day five to the epic coast and mountains, including Portstewart beach and Downhill beach, both of which will be instantly recognisable to Game of Thrones fans. 

Your last stop of the day is Derry . Famed for its medieval walls, it also played a prominent role in the Struggles. 

As you make your way back to Dublin on day six, ready to depart on day seven, stop at the remarkable Marble Arch Caves.

This natural wonder served as the lair of Beric Dondarrion in series three, and also has UNESCO status.

Ballintoy © Shutterstock

Here’s how to get around Ireland, whether you want the freedom of a self-drive trip, or would prefer to stick to public transport. 

How to hire a car

Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Ireland, especially if you want to visit rural areas, and see some spectacularly scenic routes.

U.S. citizens can drive in Ireland with a valid U.S. driver's license — an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not required — and you drive on the left side of the road.

Major international rental companies like Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise operate in Ireland, as well as local companies like Dooley Car Rentals and Dan Dooley.

Note that Irish roads, especially in rural areas, can be narrow and winding, so consider renting a smaller car for easier navigation and parking.

Also be aware that most rental cars in Ireland have manual transmission (stick shift). If you prefer an automatic, request one when booking.

Healy Pass, Kerry © Shutterstock

Getting around by public transport

Ireland has a good public transport network, especially in cities and between major towns. 

The national rail service operates trains between major cities and towns. Main routes include Dublin to Galway, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Belfast (Northern Ireland).

Tickets can be purchased online, at the station, or via the Irish Rail app. Booking in advance can save money, especially when it comes to intercity routes.

Editor’s tip: some routes, like Dublin to Galway or the journey through the Wicklow Mountains, offer beautiful scenery.

The   national bus service provides extensive coverage across Ireland, including rural areas not served by trains.

Dublin’s bus network covers most areas, including the airport.

Dublin's light rail system, Luas, has two lines (Red and Green) that connect the city center with suburbs. Tickets can be purchased at Luas stops or via the TFI Leap Card.

Public transport cards

The TFI Leap Card is a convenient, cost-effective way to pay for public transport in Dublin and surrounding areas. It can be used on buses, trams (Luas), trains (DART and commuter rail), and some regional buses.

Also note that the Visitor Leap Card offers unlimited travel on public transport in Dublin for 1, 3, or 7 days. 

Read more on getting around Ireland .

The Temple Bar, Dublin © Martina Brui Photography/Shutterstock

Though a year-round destination, when it comes to deciding when to go to Ireland , the best months to visit depends on what activities you most want to do.

With that in mind, here's an overview of the best times to visit Ireland, considering weather patterns, and activities and events held in different seasons.

Late spring and summer — best for outdoor activities

With spring temperatures averaging 46°F-54°F (8°C-12°C), rising to 59°F-68°F (15°C-20°C) in summer, late May through to August are the best months to enjoy  hiking and exploring Ireland’s spectacular natural landscapes. 

Summer also sees Ireland host several festivals, including the Galway International Arts Festival.

Beara Peninsula, County Cork © Shutterstock

Fall  —  best for culture, food and music

With an average temperature range of 48°F-57°F (9°C-14°C), visiting Ireland between September and November is a fabulous time for foodies to visit Ireland as harvest festivals celebrate local produce, seafood and traditional cuisine.

Fall is also a good time for city breaks in Dublin, Galway and Cork, with smaller crowds allowing for more immersive experiences of Ireland’s historic sites, museums and castles.

As the weather cools, touring one of Ireland’s famous whiskey distilleries also becomes all the more inviting. 

When it comes to Fall events, the Dublin Theatre Festival is usually held in late September to early October, with the Cork Jazz Festival and Wexford Festival Opera also on the cards.

Daniel O'Connell statue, Dublin © AdobeStock

Winter — best for city breaks and festive atmosphere

Winter in Ireland is mild compared to many parts of the US, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. In fact, the average range is 41°F-46°F (5°C -8°C).

That said, rain is frequent, which makes winter best suited to travelers who are looking for cultured city breaks and cozy pub experiences, or to enjoy the festive Christmas atmosphere.

Bantry House, County Cork, Ireland © Shutterstock

Booking accommodation and entry to attractions in advance is always a good idea, and that applies to Ireland as much as anywhere else.

Accommodation is often cheaper when booked in advance, with hotels typically offering early-bird discounts and promotions.

At the same time, having your travel arrangements sorted well in advance cuts down last-minute stress.

When it comes to booking tickets to attractions and tours in advance, you’ll have access to more dates and time slots, and might be able to secure time-saving skip-the-line tickets. 

Editor’s tip : read up on the where to stay in Dublin , and get The Mini Rough Guide to Dublin

Curracloe beach, County Wexford © Shane Lambert/Shutterstock

It goes without saying that the cost of a trip to Ireland will vary depending on your travel style, length of stay, and the kind of activities you plan to do.

That said, here's a ballpark overview of estimated costs for budget, mid-price and luxury travel, but first the cost of traveling from the U.S.

Flight costs from the US

Round-trip flights to Ireland from the US typically range from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending on the time of year and your departure city.

Irish thatched cottage at the Ulster Folk Park © Shutterstock

Budget travel

Expect to pay $30-$80 per night to stay in hostels, budget hotels, guesthouses and basic Airbnbs, and around $20-$40 a day to self-cater and eat in cheaper pubs and cafes.

You could also work to a budget of $10-$20 per day for activities, mixing attractions like museums and parks with self-guided walks and budget tours,

Mid-range travel

Mid-range hotels, B&Bs and boutique guesthouses tend to cost $100-$200 a night, while dining in regular restaurants and pubs are likely to set you back $40-$80 per day.

Meanwhile, you could work to a daily activity budget of $20-$50.

Luxury travel

Staying in high-end hotels — including historic castles — will range from $250-$600+ a night, with fine-dining meals likely to cost $80-$150+ a day.

If you’re in the market for private tours and exclusive activity experiences, you’re looking at spending $50-$200+ a day.

Ready to plan your own trip to Ireland?  Get The Rough Guide to Ireland .

Not keen on planning?  Not a problem! Talk to our local expert .

Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.

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Reader Trip Report: A Coastal Trip around Ireland Part I

One of the most difficult parts of planning a trip to Ireland is deciding what to do and where to go in the time that you have.  That’s why I am so excited to bring you another Reader Trip Report installment. This time Kevin and Mary share their adventures driving the Irish coast from the end of September through mid October.

There are so many ways to travel Ireland. While I am I am partial to renting a car and staying  a couple of nights in each place, many visitors like to move every night to fit in as much as they can. Kevin and Mary did the latter and their detailed itinerary offers a great template for those of you looking for a coastal trip around Ireland. :-)

A little background on Kevin & Mary:

Kevin and Mary had each visited Ireland individually, but never together. Kevin traveled to Dublin for work and Mary stayed with friends and visited the country during a few trips several years ago. After 16 years, their dream to travel together had finally come together.

They decided to complete a coastal drive after Mary wanted to visit Dingle and Kerry, and Kevin wanted Giant’s Causeway and Waterford (Dublin City was excluded this time as they both had visited before). They moved each night and covered 2400 km in two weeks (Steph’s note: whoa  that’s a long way!!). Let’s see where they got to!

Day 1, September 28

Activities:

Arrival in Ireland; Picked up rental car ; Traveled to hotel

• Ordinance Survey Atlas : We purchased one from the bookstore at Dublin Airport and found it very useful for when our GPS went a tad wonky! See if they sell one that has names in English rather than Gaelic as that became confusing at times.
• We used a Chase credit card, so we did not have to purchase any car insurance. We only needed to give the rental car company with a letter noting that the credit card company covered Ireland or that they provided car insurance to all European countries without exception. Chase emailed us the letter within 5 minutes of the request.
• Dan Dooley charges 10 euro per day or 100 euro per trip for GPS. Their online site only permits the 10 euro per day charge, so if your trip is longer than that call them and they’ll charge the lesser amount.

Car Rental Charges:

• €3000 hold on the credit card in case of accident.
• €90 for tank of gas was charged immediately upon rental and fully refunded if we returned the car with full tank – which they did. However, the exchange rate was different when they refunded the cost of fuel on departure day, so we lost a little. It’s not a fortune, but going forth I would try to negotiate to have them put a hold for the €90 rather than submit the charge.
• €100 for GPS.

Accommodations & Dinner:

Hilton Dublin Airport , Dublin: This was a nice hotel with a restaurant that was very reasonable. Parking was €5. We had dinner here to make matters easy as we had traveled from LA and were trying to adjust time zones.

Day 2, September 29

Cathedral in Drogheda; Monasterboice early Christian settlement ; Belfast City Hall ; Black Cab City Tour

• Peter’s Roman Catholic Church Drogheda is a lovely medieval cathedral with parking lots outside the main city center. Use the atlas to avoid M1 toll.
• Monasterboice was a wonderful cemetery with fantastic Celtic crosses and free parking.
• We highly recommend the Belfast City Hall tour. Sign up for the 45-60 minute tour on first floor table under the dome.
• Agree to the price of the Black Cab Tour with the driver before you begin the tour. Unfortunately, the tourist information office would not book a tour for us, so we asked our hotel concierge to book it. Doing my research beforehand, I knew the cost of the tour should be £25 for two persons. The tour was fine. However, when it ended the driver asked for £10 more for the concierge’s commission. When we returned to the hotel, the concierge denied the commission charge. Moral of the story: know which company you are dealing with and negotiate the price before you start.
• Northern Ireland uses British pounds for currency.

Accommodations:

Belfast Hilton , Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Crown Bar , Belfast.  The dinner was fine, but forgettable – the real destination is the bar downstairs.

Day 3, September 30

Nutts Corner Photo Booths ; Dark Hedges ; Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge ; Giant’s Causeway

• Dark Hedges: Go very early. We arrived at 9:30 AM and already there were about 30-50 people there.  We heard during the high tourist times there can be up to 2000 people per day.
• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: Highly recommend. Be aware there are many stone steps involved before you get to the bridge and that during a windy day it can be “challenging” to walk across the bridge. Parking is free, and they have a gift shop and toilets.
• There is a parking spot with picnic tables about 1 mile east of Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge with great views. There is also a picnic area at Dunseverick Castle grounds (free grounds admission and parking).

Ardtrabane House, Bushmills, Northern Ireland (Editor’s Note: no longer in operation): We highly recommend this B&B.  The B&B itself is lovely. The hosts are welcoming and very helpful.

While check in starts at 4 PM, you can email with them before arrival to arrange to park at their home prior to that time.  They will give you directions to walk to Causeway via farm road (maybe 10 minute walk?) that puts you right on the Red Path.  In fact, they will give your directions to/from the Causeway and explain what you are seeing the entire way.  By doing this, we saved two admission fees and parking.

The Nook , Bushmills, Northern Ireland: Adjacent to Visitors Center and within walking distance to Ardtrabane B&B.  It was fine, except for the flies.  But you’re in the country!

Day 4, October 1

Derry City (Gates/walls, Guildhall ); Muckross Head ; Slieve League

• Derry City Parking: Foyleside Shopping Center Garage  opens at 8 AM, cost £1/hr.
• The Tourist Information Office is right across the street from Folyeside Garage, and they were among the best staff we met the entire trip
• Toured Derry gates/walls using the Rick Steves’ guidebook.
• Guildhall is an incredible building. I think they offer paid audio tours, but we just explored on our own.  Chatted with one of the workers, and he wound up taking us to other rooms and explaining so much history – past and current.
• There is a path to climb even higher for viewing.
• Bring bug spray!
• The closed gate does not mean meant you have to hike to and from the views. You can drive, just open and close gate.  Driving is better as there are several spots to stop and park.
• There are boats nearby available for tours.
• Republic of Ireland uses Euro, so the rest of our trip was using this currency.

Ocean Spray B&B , Kilcar, Donegal:  Good basic B&B with a lovely family.  Located 4km off the main road, so it was a bit challenging at times. Ocean view and near beach head.

Cooks Pantry , Carrick, Donegal: After finding several of the places we researched before arrival closed, we found Cooks Pantry– a lovely option.

Day 5, October 2

Drove to Galway City stopping along the way to view peat bogs and peat stackings; Explored Galway City

• Galway City benefits from advanced research: the city is more of a tourist/college town, while Salt Hill offers the beach and promenade.

Balcony House B&B , College Road, Galway: An OK B&B with small rooms and tight parking, but WiFi was ok and it had a good breakfast.  The best part was that it was within walking distance to downtown.

Dinner & Drinks:

The Cellar Bar and Restaurant , Galway: Reasonable, good food & selection, a step up from pub food.

Drinks at The Kings Head , Galway: Go for the two chairs next to the fireplace with a coal fire.  Lovely.

Day 6, October 3

Drove through the Burren ; Cliffs of Moher

• We drove from Ballyvaughan to Corkscrew Hill to Poulnabrone Dolmen to Lisdoonvarna to Doolin . It was a unique experience and we are glad we did it.
• Doolin: You can drive down to the water where the boat tours depart, park for free, and walk along a unique stone beach (a mini Causeway). The town and its pubs have a lot of character.
• If you are not staying within walking distance to the Cliffs of Moher, the only option to park is at the paid lots across the street.
• Sunset at Spanish Point is just lovely.

Berry Lodge , Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay, Clare: An absolutely lovely experience. Great stay, large comfortable room that was really a suite.

Cogan’s Bar , Main Street, Miltown Malbay: Close by with very good food and good service.

Day 7, October 4

Killimer Ferry crossing the Shannon; Inch Beach ; Explored Dingle town

• We booked online in advance and did not have to reserve date/time as the ticket was good for up to one year from the date of purchase.
• Inch Beach, Kerry: A large wide beach, good for walks and shells! They even offer surfing lessons! Free parking, restaurant, gift shop and toilets.

Milltown House , Dingle, Kerry (2 nights)

Lord Bakers , Main St, Dingle: Good fixed price options and lovely seafood.

Drinks at the Marina Inn , Strand Street, Dingle: Drinks during one of the Ireland games for the Rugby World Cup!

Tell us what you think of the first week of Kevin & Mary’s coastal trip around Ireland in the comments below. Did they see a place on your Ireland bucket list? Or are you waiting for the next week’s installment when they share the rest of their adventures in Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford and Wicklow?

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Thanks for letting me read along with your journey! We’ve only just been to Ireland, again, this summer, but, I’m already homesick for the place!

Isn’t it funny how easily that can happen? You visit a place for a week and suddenly it’s home. :-)

I am planning our first trip to Ireland for Sept. 2016. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Undecided about touring northern Ireland. I think we may want to stay along the coastal areas. Still doing the research. Plan to stay in B&B’s the whole trip. We really want to keep to our own timeline and immerse ourselves with the people, culture, etc. Will need to rent a car. Plan to stay for 2 wk minimum, depending on the costs. Sharon

September may be my favorite time to go to Ireland so I think you are going to have a great time! If you are looking for the good scenery, I think you can easily stick to the southern coast and be really excited about your trip and by really immersed. If you have more time, you can always add in more activities! I hope you have a great time!! :-)

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m planning a trip for Sept. 2016. The more I read the more enthused I get. Jemma

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12 of the best hikes and walks in Ireland

Mar 7, 2024 • 7 min read

Find the perfect walking route for you with these top hiking trails in Ireland © Juraj Kamenicky / Shutterstock

Hiking in Ireland  means magnificent coastal cliffs, rewarding family friendly walks and a variety of terrain and scenery that'll leave you in awe of the beautiful Emerald Isle.

The country has so much to offer in terms of natural beauty, and seeing it on foot is one of the best ways to experience it. Ascend steep rocky paths, jump in the ocean right after, and sit in a local cafe to analyze the peaks and pits of the trail you just conquered.

Here's our pick of Ireland's best hiking routes.

1. Carrauntoohil, County Kerry

The highest peak in Ireland 13km (8 miles) out and back, 4 – 5 hours, hard

The route you will most likely take to reach the highest point in Ireland is known as “the Devil’s Ladder” and it is no joke. As the name suggests, this trail is challenging, steep and dangerous. Be aware of the difficulty and potential falling rocks from above before embarking on this trail.

If you’re not 100% confident in taking on this hike but still want to reach the top of Ireland, then you should contact a local guide. There are plenty in the area and hiring one to help you safely reach the summit is a good idea.

2. Mweelrea, County Mayo

Connacht’s highest mountain 10.5km (6.5 miles) out and back, 3.5 – 4.5 hours, hard

Offering up incredible views of the surrounding mountains, Mweelrea is a hike you can’t miss if you’re traveling along the Wild Atlantic Way . The highest mountain in the province of Connacht, standing at 814m (2671ft), has many different routes to the top that vary in difficulty and views.

For many, the best route to take starts and ends at Silverstrand Beach. Not only do you get constant coastal views on the trail, but you can also hop straight into the sea to cool down afterwards.

3. Croaghan Cliffs, County Mayo

Best island hike 12km (7.5 miles) loop, 4 – 5 hours, hard

The third highest sea cliffs in Europe, located right beside one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches , on an island that’s accessible by car. How perfect can a hike sound?

With cliffs three times bigger than the Cliffs of Moher , this hike is not to be missed if you’re traveling the west coast of Ireland. If the full hike is too long for you there’s a shorter one-hour-long round-trip hike up to a viewpoint looking down on Keem Bay. The views here are nothing short of spectacular.

4. The Wicklow Way

Ireland’s best multi-day hike 130km (80 miles) thru-hike, 5 – 7 days, hard

The Wicklow Way is a dedicated hiker's dream and Ireland's crowning jewel thru-hike. Challenge yourself to finish it as fast as possible or just take your time and enjoy the serenity of the Wicklow mountains.

Some of the best camping features along the trail are the three Adirondack shelters, located near Scarr mountain, Glenmalure and Aughavannagh. Sleeping a night in one of these shelters with just a mat and sleeping bag is a great experience.

5. Mt Errigal, County Donegal

Best sunrise or sunset hike 5km (3.1 miles) out and back, 2–3 hours, moderate

The best views in Donegal have got even better since a new trail and stairs were added to this beautiful mountain to make it that bit easier to reach the summit.

If you’re looking to catch a sunrise or sunset then Errigal is the hike for you. The 360-degree views of Donegal guarantee the perfect vantage point to watch the sun appear or disappear. If you’re lucky, you might even get above the clouds and see a cloud inversion. The best time to catch one of these is during autumn or winter.

6. Lugnaquilla, County Wicklow

The best hike for sweeping views of Wicklow 13km (8 miles) out and back, 3.5 – 4.5 hours, hard

A combination of forest paths, cliff faces, a valley trail, a waterfall and a river guides you up to the highest point in Wicklow . This hike offers some of the best views of the Wicklow mountains and is the perfect way to pick out any of the other peaks you would like to attempt.

If you’re finishing your hike in Glenmalure, there is a great mix of activities for you to try. Grab a pint of Guinness in a cozy pub, take a cold plunge in Coolalingo waterfall or hit up the local sauna. All of these activities are a five-minute drive from the starting point of your hike.

7. Croagh Patrick, County Mayo

A unique pilgrimage 8km (5 miles) out and back, 3 – 4 hours, hard

If you’re looking for a unique hiking experience then plan to hike Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday (the last Sunday in July), when thousands of pilgrims hike up to the summit to attend mass in honor of St Patrick – some will even hike barefoot as an act of penance.

If a pilgrimage isn’t your scene, you can climb this spectacular mountain any other day of the year. The summit offers some of the most incredible views of Clew Bay, a natural ocean bay that contains 365 islands.

8. The Great Sugar Loaf, County Wicklow

A great walk for the entire family 2.5km (1.5 miles) out and back, 1 – 1.5 hours, easy

One of Ireland’s most recognizable hikes, the Great Sugar Loaf gets its name from resembling a giant pile of sugar. This short walk includes a steep scramble to the summit that makes the panoramic views from the peak that little bit more rewarding.

If you happen to hike the Great Sugar Loaf on an exceptionally clear day you can see all the way across the Irish Sea to Snowdonia in Wales. Pretty impressive for a mountain that stands at only 501m (1643ft) tall.

9. Ballinastoe to Djouce, County Wicklow

Best hike to take it slow 12km (7.5 miles) out and back, 2.5 – 3.5 hours, moderate

Take a mythical walk through Ballinastoe Woods before emerging at a viewpoint overlooking Guinness Lake. This is one of those trails where you have to keep reminding yourself to watch where you’re putting your feet because it’s nearly impossible to take your eyes off the views.

Keep an eye out for the JB Malone Memorial along the trail. He is the man responsible for getting the Wicklow Way to become a recognized trail, and a true legend in the Irish hill-walking community.

10. Lough Ouler Loop, County Wicklow

Best romantic hike 8km (5 miles) loop, 3 – 4 hours, hard

Lough Ouler is known as the "Love Heart Lake," so you can probably guess why it’s the ultimate hike to go on for a date. This trail is the best place to catch an epic sunrise with your significant other, but of course it's just as amazing solo. 

If you’re willing to brave the cold lake waters, Lough Ouler is the perfect place for a swim, and you can set up camp quite comfortably beside the lake.

11. Glenbarrow Waterfall Loop, County Laois

Best hike for reconnecting with nature 4.5km (2.8 miles) loop, 1 – 2 hours, easy

This gentle hike offers you the chance to stroll along a riverside as you explore a moss-covered forest. Many people will take the opportunity to go for a dip in the waterfall or meditate beside it, taking in the calming sounds of the flowing water.

The trail is located in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, a great place for hikers and trail runners to enjoy. With routes that range from 2km (1.2 miles) all the way up to 60km (37 miles), this mountain range caters for every ability level.

12. Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, County Wicklow

Best scenic walk near Dublin 9km (5.5 miles) one way, 2 – 3 hours, easy

The Bray to Greystones cliff walk is the perfect walk for families staying in Dublin ; it starts and ends near the two town train stations that both take you back to the city . For those looking for a higher vantage point, Bray Head can be incorporated into the hike to get sweeping views of the Dublin and Wicklow coastlines.

Bray and Greystones are both filled with excellent cafes and restaurants for refuelling after your hike. With immersion in coastal nature and high-quality food and coffee available afterwards, you’ve got the best of both worlds on this trail.

Top tips for hiking in Ireland

• Pack for all weather. The Irish weather can be volatile, particularly on exposed peaks, so come prepared.
• Trails can sometimes be hard to follow on the more difficult routes, so do your research before attempting any trail. Make use of the official, detailed regional maps called Ordnance Survey Maps .
• Walkers and cyclists in Ireland have no rights of access to privately owned land. Access has been negotiated with landowners for many national trails and waymarked walks. However, you will occasionally come across locked gates, barbed-wire fences or "no walkers allowed" signs – these are legal and must be obeyed.
• Leave no trace. Anything you bring with you on a hike must come home with you.
• Pack snacks and water before you leave your accommodation or get them in the town or city where you are staying. There are very few shops close to many of Ireland's best hiking routes.
• The emergency numbers for Ireland are 112 or 999.

This article was first published May 19, 2021 and updated Mar 7, 2024.

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Planning a Trip to Ireland in 2024: 8 Essential Details

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: February 16, 2024

STOP – let’s get this out of the way from the start – why should you trust my planning a trip to Ireland guide?

• Reason one : I’ve lived in Ireland for 35 years
• Reason two : I’ve spent the last 10 helping thousands of people plan a trip to Ireland
• Reason three : We recently published the world’s largest Ireland itinerary library
• Reason four : We use a tried and tested 8-step approach so you plan your visit in a logical manner

I am  very  confident that, if you follow the steps laid out in the Ireland trip planner below, you’ll remove the bulk of the stress involved in planning your visit! Cheers!

Table of Contents

The steps for planning a trip to Ireland in 2024

Click to enlarge

The graphic above will give you an overview of how to plan a trip to Ireland – these are the steps we’ll take you through below.

We’ve refined this over the years and it’s now our go-to process . Take a few minutes to look through it – it’ll save you  time, hassle and money in the long run.

Step 1: Identifying your Ireland road trip uncontrollables

The first step in planning a trip to Ireland is to build a solid foundation.

This means understanding the things that you have no control over  from the beginning . For most people, the ‘uncontrollables’ are:

• Visa requirements
• Entry points to the country (e.g. ferry terminals or airports in Ireland )
• How long they can visit for
• Their budget (see our guide to the cost of a trip to Ireland )

Getting a sense of these elements from the very beginning will set you up for success . This tends to be the boring part when planning an Ireland vacation, but it pays dividends in the long run (I promise).

Step 2: Understand the lay of the land

The second step of how to plan a trip to Ireland is to get a good lay-of-the-land . This will help you understand what is and isn’t possible when it comes to your Ireland itinerary .

Now, if you’ve been to Ireland before and you know the layout of the country, you can ignore this. However, this is a very useful step for first-timers.

We have three goals for this step:

• Goal 1 : To help you understand where the attractions in Ireland that  you want to see are located
• Goal 2 : To identify clusters of attractions (these will help you map our your route)
• Goal 3 : To rule places in or out (the clusters will help you do this)

Here’s what to do:

• Step 1 : Open a Google ‘My Map’ and create a new map
• Step 2 : Plot everywhere you want to see on the map
• Step 3 : Look for clusters of attractions (i.e. areas where you have a build up of attractions)

Step 3: Understand your options for getting around Ireland

The next step in how to plan a trip to Ireland will have a massive effect on both your experience and the cost of your trip.

Deciding how to get around Ireland can be a sticking point for many people when planning a trip to Ireland.

If you’re sticking to main towns and cities ( check your map from step 2 !) there’ll be good public transport options, and you likely won’t need a car .

If you want to step off-the-beaten-path and like flexibility, a car is your best bet. Here are the pros and cons to both:

Option 1: Getting around by car

Renting a car in Ireland is a good choice if you want to step off-the-beaten-path and like flexibility.

• The advantages: You’ll have more freedom to explore and you can travel at your own pace
• The disadvantages: It can be very  expensive and, for some, driving in Ireland can be stressful.

Option 2: Getting around by public transport

Getting around Ireland without a car is possible. Yes, using public transport in Ireland is less flexible than using a car but it has its advantages.

• The advantages: It’s relatively affordable, it’ll be less stressful for some and it’s easy to combine it with day trips
• The disadvantages: You won’t be able to get to many rural attractions, some places have poor public transport and you have to stick to predetermined schedules

Step 4: Deciding when to visit Ireland

The next stage of our how to plan a trip to Ireland process involves picking the best time of year to visit Ireland .

Deciding when you’re going to visit at this stage puts you in a good position for the itinerary planning step (e.g. in the summer you’ll have  many  more hours of daylight to explore in).

Some factors worth thinking about at this point are:

• Your budget : Off peak ( Autum and Winter ) will be cheaper than peak ( Summer and Spring )
• The weather : Daylight hours and  likely  weather conditions (see the weather in Ireland by month )
• What’s on : Some people like to plan around the different festivals in Ireland
• Your availability : In an ideal world, you’d visit whenever you like, but you may have to plan around work, school etc

Step 5: Mapping out an itinerary

The next step in planning an Ireland vacation is to map out a rough Ireland itinerary .

Now, if you don’t want the hassle of this, we have  hundreds  of ready-made itineraries in our Road Trip Hub where you can pick a route based on:

• How you’re getting around (we have public transport and car itineraries)
• Your start point (e.g. Shannon, Dublin etc.)
• The speed you like to travel (fast or slow)
• Your fitness level (good or limited)

However, you can of course map our your own itinerary. Here are some things to consider if you’re planning a trip to Ireland yourself:

1. Be realistic

The biggest causer of stress amongst people planning a trip to Ireland is that they try and fit everything into one trip .

You need to be realistic about what you can and can’t do during your visit. Yes, this’ll mean not visiting some places but it’ll ensure that you enjoy the time that you’re here for.

2. Prioritise attractions

Go back to the map you made during step 2 . It’s time to priortise. If, for example the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher are absolute musts for you, leave them in.

If there’s somewhere you’re only half interested in, remove it. Whittling down to your ‘must-sees’ will help massively.

3. Look at your clusters

The next step is to look at the clusters on the map near your starting point. If you find a group of places that you want to see while touring Ireland, take note of the county in your spreadsheet.

This will help you build up a list of places that will form your various different bases. When you’ve run through the whole map, it’s time to bring it all together .

This stage in planning a trip to Ireland can be the most time consuming. Take your starting point and find the nearest cluster to it. That’ll be your first base.

Decide how long to stay there for and then move onto your second cluster, AKA base two. Keep following this process for planning your trip and you’ll eventually have an itinerary to follow.

Step 6: Picking your start point and booking your flight/ferry

The next step in our how to plan a trip to Ireland process is where things get real. At this point, you know where you’ll visit, when you’ll visit and you have a rough  overview of your itinerary.

It’s now time to lock in your start point and book your flights . Sometimes, your start point is decided for you based on where you’re travelling in from. If you have the flex to choose, you need to choose wisely!

Take a look at the map that you’ve used to plot down all of your ‘must-sees’ and plot the various different airports/ferry terminals that you have the option to fly into.

If all of your ‘must see’ places to visit in Ireland are in Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry, it makes sense to use Shannon as the starting point for your trip to Ireland. Then get those flights booked!

Step 7: Locking in the final route and booking accommodation

Photos via The Sandhouse on FB

We’re nearing the last step of planning an Ireland vacation. Now that the flights/ferry have been booked, it’s time to finalise your itinerary .

At this point, you should have a fair idea of the route you’re going to take. Now, it’s all about tightening it up and mapping it out .

Decide on a final itinerary and commit to it. Once you have your plans set, it’s time to get your accommodation booked .

If you’d like some suggestions on unique places to stay, drop into our hub on where to stay in Ireland .

It’s also at this point, if you’re renting a car in Ireland , that you should look at making a booking .

Step 8: Understanding etiquette and time/money savers

And finally we’re onto the last step of how to plan a trip to Ireland – things to know before you visit.

Below, I’ve popped in some handy Ireland travel tips that’ll hopefully save you time and money. It’s worth reading our guide on what not to do in Ireland at this point, too!

There’s plenty of different laws in Ireland that tourists need to be aware of.

Two that people tend to get caught with are the drinking age in Ireland and the fact that it’s illegal to smoke in doors.

2. Tipping in Ireland

Tipping in Ireland , for the most part, is optional – don’t be fooled into believing that you need to tip for everything.

It’s fairly standard to leave between 10 and 15% in places where you’ve had a meal.

3. Northern Ireland vs the Republic of Ireland

Some people are surprised to discover that there are differences between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland .

Yes, they’re separate countries on one island. There are 32 counties in Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is made up 26 counties and Northern Ireland is made up of the remaining 6. The currency in Ireland is Euro and in NI it’s Pound Sterling.

4. Money savers

There’s plenty of ways to save money but you need to be aware of them while planning a trip to Ireland and not after. Some handy options are:

• The VAT refund : If you’re travelling to Ireland from outside the EU, you’re entitled to a refund on some purchases
• The Heritage Card : This is a handy way to save on admission to state-managed Heritage Sites like Kilmainham Gaol
• The Dublin Pass : This can give you solid savings when visiting the main attractions in Dublin

Wrapping up our planning an Ireland vacation guide

Photos via Dan and Molly’s on FB

The steps above will make planning an Ireland vacation very straightforward once you take the time to work through each of them in order.

One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is that they rush straight to what they want to see and then become overwhelmed when they realise that the attractions are dotted all around the island.

At The Irish Road Trip, we approach the topic of how to plan a trip to Ireland afresh every year and  constantly  refine our process.

The steps above to planning a trip to Ireland is the most up-to-date process that we use and it has helped us map our hundreds of trips.

Ireland trip planning FAQs

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘How do you go about planning a trip to Ireland for a large group?’ to ‘What Ireland trip planning tips are the most useful?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How far in advance should I plan a trip to Ireland?

Start planning a trip to Ireland as early as you can. You don’t need to book anything, but it’s worth working out the route you’ll take as far in advance as possible as it’ll make everything else more straightforward.

How many days should you spend in Ireland?

The longer the better. If possible, try to allow at least a week in Ireland. Although this will only scratch the surface, it’ll give you a good period of time to explore a section of the island.

How do you go about planning an Ireland vacation?

In this guide, we take you through 8 steps that follow a logical manner. If you work through them, you’ll remove the stress that many encounter when planning a trip to Ireland.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Saturday 16th of July 2022

Thank you so much Keith for all the time and effort you put into this site! It's amazing!!

I hope you are still answering questions here. The latest post I saw was 2019 but I really need some help!. My husband and I Had an opportunity handed to us free of charge to go to Ireland over Christmas (23rd - 30th). Are airfare and lodging aren't costing us anything which is great and I am very appreciative but the cottage is in Tulla which I gather is remote. We will be staying there all 7 nights so we would need day trips returning each night to Tulla. We are also there over Christmas. I am having a hard time finding anything open on the 24th and 25th. I was hoping to book some bus tours but I can't find one open the entire time we are going to be there. It's probably just that I don't know where to look. I would really appreciate it if you could steer me in the right direction. Thanks!!!

Keith O'Hara

Hey Trish - You won't find any (to my knowledge) fee-paying attractions open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or, possible, Stephen's Day (26th). To be honest, I'd be surprised if any organised tours are operating during that times, as Ireland to an extent shuts down during the Christmas to New Years period. Are you renting a car?

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

Can you park your car at Glenmacnass‌ ‌Waterfall‌ ‌In‌ ‌Wicklow‌ Parking overnight? We are planning to go wild camping around there.

Thursday 30th of June 2022

Hi Alex - We camped at Lough Ouler a few years back and debated parking there or on the other side at Turlough Hill. We ended up bottling it as we'd heard reports about break-ins along the Sally Gap. Parking in the village nearby and got a taxi up. Not ideal, but was good for peace of mind!

Tuesday 22nd of March 2022

Thanks so much for getting us started with these basic facts. Looking forward to spending our 40th anniversary in your country.

Friday 11th of February 2022

Hi We are planning a trip based on your 11-Day Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary starting last week of May. Do you recommend on making hotel reservations in advance ?

Hey - yes, definitely book in advance! Otherwise you could end up either paying very high prices for a place to stay and/or having to stay outside the town/village/city that you want to stay in. Have a lovely trip and safe driving!

Monday 7th of February 2022

Brilliant suggestions. Thanks. Just starting to plan a trip…. I was born in cork and am looking forward to going back. I live in Wales. So it should be straightforward 👍👍 Having said that. After reading your suggestions…I am going to do a bit at a time … just so I don’t miss anything Thanks again

Thanks Kay. Have a lovely trip!