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13 Days In Ireland: 56 Detailed Itineraries To Choose From

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated:

13 Days In Ireland: 56 Detailed Itineraries To Choose From

Yes, we have 56 detailed 13-day Ireland itineraries for you to pick from…

Eh… why 56 you ask?!

The reason for the excessive detail is that we’ve covered every (I hope…) possible way of spending 13 days in Ireland.

Each of our 13-day itineraries was meticulously planned and:

Below, you can pick a 13-day Ireland itinerary based on:

13 day ireland itinerary

Please take 10 seconds to look at the graphic above – it will help you pick the best Ireland itinerary for you below!

As you can see, we have 13-day Ireland itinerary guides that cover every angle under the sun.

To find your perfect itinerary, read the next section carefully.

How to browse our Ireland in 13 days itineraries

Doonagore Castle

Photos via Shutterstock

The quickest way to find the best 13-day Ireland itinerary from our library is to click where you’ll be starting your trip from in the list below.

We’ve used the main airports and ferry terminals for our starting points. Simply click one of the locations below and you’ll be taken to itineraries that begin at that location:

13 days in Ireland from Dublin

Overview of the route

This is a sample map. Each of our itineraries has one.

First up is our 13-day Ireland itineraries that start in Dublin. There are two sections below and we’ve split them up into on how you plan on getting around Ireland.

As we outlined in this graphic, ‘Fast Trips’ will suit people looking to see/do as much as possible and who don’t mind moving accommodation frequently while ‘Slow Trips’ are ones where you’ll change hotel/B&B as little as possible.

For those using a car

For those using public transport

 

A speedy overview of this route

Christ Church Cathedral

Photos via Shutterstock

If you’re starting your 13-day Ireland itinerary in Dublin, the routes we’ve made for you are hard to bate.

They vary quite a bit depending on how you’re getting around, but both the public transport and the car itineraries taken in many of Ireland’s top attractions.

Over the course of your 13 days in Ireland you’ll:

 

13-day Ireland itinerary from Shannon

 
Overview of the route

This is a sample map. Each of our itineraries has one.

If you’re looking for a scenery-packed 13-day Ireland itinerary that kicks off in and around Shannon, this section is for you.

We’ve chopped up the itineraries into two sections – the first is for those of you using a car and the second is those of you that will rely on public transport.

As we explained in this graphic, our fast 13 days in Ireland itineraries are for those who want to explore as much as possible and who don’t mind moving about a lot.

Our slow itineraries are for those of you who want to move accommodation as little as is physically possible.

For those using a car

For those using public transport

 

A speedy overview of this route

the quiet man

Photo left: Michelle Fahy. Bottom right: Stephen Duffy. Top right: Chris Hill

Shannon makes a great starting point to explore Ireland from and it gives you many options of where to head.

If you land in Shannon Airport, the most natural point to head for first is Limerick City. From there, the island is your oyster.

If you follow our route from Shannon, you’ll:

 

Ireland itinerary 13 days from Belfast

Overview of the route

This is a sample map. Each of our itineraries has one.

If you’re spending 13 days in Ireland and you’re beginning your journey from Belfast, this section should tickle your fancy.

Belfast makes an excellent starting point for a road trip as it gives you plenty of options to work with.

As we outline in this graphic, we’ve split up our itineraries below into two sections – 1 is for those with a car and another is for using buses, trains and organised tours.

For those using a car

For those using public transport

 

A speedy overview of this route

Carrick-a-Rede

Photos via Shutterstock

This 13-day Ireland itinerary gives you a taste of Belfast City first, before taking you up along the mighty Antrim Coast. You’ll then move onto Derry before taking in a good chunk of Donegal.

The route then takes you down into Sligo, on to Mayo and then settles in Galway for a bit. It then cuts across to Dublin where you’ll explore the city and then take a day trip to Wicklow before heading back to Belfast via the Boyne Valley.

If you follow our itineraries from Belfast, you’ll:

 

13 days in Ireland from Wexford

Overview of the route

This is a sample map. Each of our itineraries has one.

Many people spending 13 days in Ireland begin their journey in Wexford, as it’s home to a very handy ferry terminal in Rosslare.

As is the case with all of our itineraries, we split them up below by the mode of transport that you’re using.

If you’re confused about ‘Fast Trips’ and ‘Slow Trips’, refer to this graphic as it’ll clear everything up.

For those using a car

For those using public transport

 

A speedy overview of this route

Hook Lighthouse

Photos via Shutterstock

A quick disclaimer: This 13-day Ireland itinerary varies massively depending on your mode of transport.

The bus services around some of the more rural parts of County Wexford, in particular, make getting to some parts of the county impossible.

If you follow our itineraries from Wexford, you’ll:

 

13-day Ireland itineraries from Cork

Overview of the route

This is a sample map. Each of our itineraries has one.

Our 13-day Ireland itinerary guides that begin in Cork take in a good chunk of the bottom half of Ireland.

There’s some beautiful trails, spectacular scenery, boat-loads of historical sites and plenty of scenic drives (some you’ll have heard of, others you hopefully won’t!).

As usual, we’ve split them up for those of you with a car and for those of you without.

For those using a car

For those using public transport

 

A speedy overview of this route

Mizen Head

Photos via Shutterstock

Cork is an excellent starting point for a road trip, especially for those visiting for the first time and looking to see the ‘main’ attractions.

The route starts by giving you a taste of Cork City before taking you through the wonders of West Cork.

You’ll then follow the coast around to Kerry and up into Limerick before heading across to Dublin and back down Cork. If you follow our itineraries from Cork, you’ll see:

 

Ireland in 13 days from Knock

Overview of the route

This is a sample map. Each of our itineraries has one.

So, it’s likely that there won’t be a huge number of you looking for a 13-day Ireland itinerary that begins in Knock.

However, we thought it was important to include it as a start point. The public transport itineraries from Knock were very difficult to map out, but we got there in the end!

Below, you can pick itineraries kicking off in Mayo based on trip speed, your fitness levels and how you’ll get around (we explain how to browse the itineraries in this graphic).

For those using a car

For those using public transport

 

A speedy overview of this route

Westport Town

Photos via Shutterstock

If your 13 days in Ireland begin in Knock, you’re in for a treat – Mayo is home to countless adventure opportunities.

The public transport and the car itineraries vary massively, but each take in the best routes available, with plenty of scenery, history and lively towns along the way.

If you follow our route from Knock, you’ll:

 

13-day Ireland itinerary guides beginning in Donegal

Overview of the route

This is a sample map. Each of our itineraries has one.

The last of our 13-day Ireland itinerary guides begin in Donegal. For those of you with a car, you have a lot of flexibility, and you’ll make the most of it if you follow our itineraries.

For those of you using public transport, you’re much more limited as Donegal has very limited services in places.

As always, we’ve split the different itineraries up into sections for those of you with a car and for those without.

For those using a car

For those using public transport

 

A speedy overview of this route

Grianan of Aileach

Photos via Shutterstock

If you’re driving, Donegal is the perfect place to step off the beaten path. Yes, you can visit the main attractions like Slieve League, but there’s so much more to discover when you follow the right route.

If you’re using public transport, you’ll need to accept that you won’t get to see a good chunk of the county. However, we’ll help you get to everywhere that’s feasible.

If you follow our route from Donegal, you’ll:

  • See some of the best things to do in Donegal
  • Soak up some of Sligo’s finest scenery
  • Explore the Connemara coast
  • Lots more
 

FAQs about exploring Ireland in 13 days

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Is 13 days in Ireland enough?’ to ‘What route is best?’.

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.

Is 13 days in Ireland too long?

Definitely not. While Ireland is no where near as big as the likes of Canada, getting around it takes time. 13 days will give you enough space to explore a nice chunk of the island.

What to do in Ireland for 13 days?

It’ll depend on you and how you like to travel. If you want to see as much as possible, follow one of our ‘Fast-Trips’ above. If you want to take it slow, pick one of our ‘Slow-Trips’.

Where to spend 13 days in Ireland?

Again, this will depend on you and whether you’ve been here before and what you want to do. If it was me and I was visiting for the first time, I’d aim to arrive in Shannon and then explore the lower half of Ireland.

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