3 Days In Ireland From Dublin ('Fast-Trip' For Those With A Car + Good Fitness)

Planning a 3-day Ireland itinerary can be a pain in the backside… So, I’ve done all of the hard work for you!

I’ve spent 25+ years travelling around Ireland and the itinerary below leans on that experience and the many mistakes that I made along the way!

Below, you’ll find 3 different itineraries that have been:

Meticulously planned
Tried-and-tested
Created to follow logical routes

Who these itineraries will suit

Now, before you scroll down, take 10 seconds to look at the graphic above – each of our road trip itineraries have been tailored to specific needs.

These road trips are specifically for those of you:

Start point: In/near Dublin
Time to play with: You have a full 3 days to work with
Mode of transport: You’ll need a car (if you’re renting a car, read this Irish car rental guide – it’ll save you time and hassle)
Travel speed: This is a fast-paced itinerary
Fitness levels needed: Good – it includes walks
Need a different itinerary? I have many variations of this trip length here

Why trust these guides

I have spent the last 25+ years travelling around Ireland and have dedicated the last 10 to writing what is now The Irish Road Trip Guide.

While the image above will give you a sense of some of the feedback that I receive, this is a drop in the ocean – these hand-crafted itineraries are used by tens of thousands of people every year with nothing but A+ feedback.

Itinerary 1: The logical route

I call this ‘the logical route’ as it really is the most sensible use of your 3 days in Ireland.

It uses Dublin as a base so you don’t waste time moving accommodation and it takes well-planned out day trips that are packed with scenery and historical sites.

3 days is a tiny amount of time to try and see Ireland – I’m strongly of the opinion that you’re better off picking a base and exploring nearby spots, as that’s the best way to make the most of your time.

An overview of the 3 days in Ireland

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin and explore the city (stay in Dublin)
Day 2: Day trip to Wicklow (stay in Dublin)
Day 3: Day trip to the Boyne Valley (stay in Dublin)

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin

Day 1 is going to be very dependent on the time that you arrive into Dublin. If you need to rent a car, I’d recommend collecting one at Dublin Airport via Discover Cars.

While you won’t need it for the first day in the city, it’ll save you having to go and collect one on the morning of day 2.

For this itinerary, I’m going to make an assumption that you’ve landed in the morning and are ready to explore from early-afternoon.

Recommended accommodation in Dublin

Budget: Abigail’s Hostel (Temple Bar), Jacobs Inn (central hostel) and the Generator Hostel (short walk from the city)
Mid-range: Dublin Skylon Hotel (just outside the city), Wren Urban Nest (Temple Bar) and the Harding Hotel (very central)
Luxury: The Merrion (St. Stephen’s Green – very central) and The Westin (just off Grafton Street)

Getting around Dublin + money savers

Time savers: If you want to avoid walking where possible, it’s worth getting a ticket for the Hop On Hop Off Bus around Dublin. It goes to or near all of the main sites on this itinerary plus plenty more.
Money saver: If you’re visiting the ‘main’ Dublin attractions, the Dublin Pass can save you €€€ (here’s how)
The guided walking tour: The local-led Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour immerses you in 1,000 years of history over 2 hours

Stop 1: Lunch

Photos © Tourism Ireland

There are plenty of great restaurants in Dublin that serve up a delicious lunch, but if you fancy a tasty bite in a lovely old-world-style pub, Neary’s (EST. 1887) just off of Grafton Street is hard to bate!

They serve simple dishes (like soups and sandwiches) that are packed with flavour and great value for money. Alternatively, Sprout and Co. on Dawson St. is also a great choice.

They have a range of hearty salad bowls, with good options for vegetarians and vegans.

Stop 2: Trinity College

Now you’re all fuelled up, it’s time to head to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, arguably the most famous cultural attraction in Dublin.

If you can, I’d highly recommend pre-booking your tickets online, as the queues can get really long (bordering on ridiculous!). This fast-track ticket allows you to dodge the queue and gets you into Dublin Castle, too!

Spend around one hour seeing the Book of Kells, walking around the exhibit, and taking in the beauty of the Old Library. After that, give yourself another 20 minutes or so to walk around the university campus.

Stop 3: The Ha’penny Bridge (via Temple Bar)

The Ha’penny Bridge (officially named the Liffey Bridge) dates back to 1816 and was the first pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey!

It’s a seven-minute walk from the Trinity Gates, but feel free to take your time as you make your way through the lively streets of Temple Bar.

Now, Temple Bar can be a bit of a tourist trap. If you fancy a pint, here are several pubs in Temple Bar worth trying (the Palace is my go-to).

If you feel like an afternoon coffee, there are some great cafes in the Temple Bar area or on the other side of the river. Joe’s Coffee and Vice Coffee are two of my favourites across the water.

They’re both just a short stroll from the north side of the Ha’penny Bridge.

A handy tip for tourists: Struggling to decide when to visit Ireland? Find the pros and cons for each month here

Stop 4: Dublin Castle

Next on the itinerary is Dublin Castle. Nestled in the city centre, the castle dates back to the 13th century and was the seat of the English for over 700 years.

Today, it’s an important government complex and the site of Presidential Inaugurations and key State events. The castle is around 10 minutes from the Ha’penny Bridge on foot.

There’s no admission fee to explore the grounds, but if you want to have a look inside you’ll need to purchase tickets for either a self-guided tour or a guided tour.

Guided tours include access to the State Apartments, Exhibitions, Chapel Royal, and the Mediaeval Undercroft. Self-guided tours include access to the State Apartments and Exhibitions only.

Tickets for guided tours can be purchased on the day of your visit at the ticket booth.

Stop 5: Christ Church Cathedral

Photos via Shutterstock

Christ Church Cathedral dates back to the early 11th century when it was founded under Sigtrygg Silkbeard, a Norse King of Dublin. It was rebuilt later in stone, largely thanks to the first Anglo-Norman archbishop, John Cumin, in the late 12th century.

The cathedral is only a 4-minute walk from Dublin Castle and a really interesting place to visit. Some highlights are the restored crypt houses, Strongbow’s tomb, and the Treasures of Christ Church exhibition.

You can grab a ticket online here – these include an audio guide that comes in several languages, with three themes to choose from – ‘Power and Politics’, ‘Music and Spirituality’, and ‘Christ Church and the City’.

Self-guided tours with an audio guide usually last around one hour.

Stop 6: The Guinness Storehouse

Photos © Diageo via Ireland’s Content Pool

You’re a 20-minute walk from Guinness Storehouse. It’s at St. James’s Gate, the home of Guinness, and there are several tours available.

I’d recommend the Guinness Storehouse Experience, a self-guided tour that takes roughly 90 minutes.

You’ll learn about Guinness’ history, its ingredients, and get to enjoy a pint of Guinness and one other Guinness beer whilst taking in the views of the Gravity Bar.

Stop 7: Dinner, drinks and live music

By now you must be getting hungry. Dublin has heaps of options for dinner and drinks, but I’ve a couple of suggestions for you!

Dinner recommendations

There are some outstanding restaurants in Dublin, with something to tickle most tastebuds.

My go-to for steak: Hawksmoor (incredible interior, exceptional steak and sublime service)
My go-to for seafood: SOLE (simply spectacular)

Live music and trad bars

Although I’ve a detailed Dublin pubs guide, my go-tos are Bowes, Kehoes and Neary’s.

There are plenty of live music pubs in Dublin, too, like the Celt, the Old Storehouse and Darkey Kelly’s!

For those that don’t fancy the pub

Skip the pub crawl and enjoy a lively night of traditional music and dance in an intimate 18th-century Dublin townhouse.

The Irish House Party offers dinner, craic, and world-class performers.

Another way that you could spend day 1

If you’ve been to Dublin before, or if you just aren’t that gone on busy cities, you’re in luck – many of the best things to do in Dublin are located a short train ride away.

I’ve outlined a route for you to follow on the map above, but you’ll find the itinerary in detail half way down the page here.

Day 2: Wicklow’s Wonders

On day 2, it’s time to put that rental car to use and head out of Dublin. Today, you’ll be exploring Wicklow, also known as the Garden of Ireland.

There are a few walks on the agenda today, so make sure to bring appropriate clothing and footwear, lots of water and snacks, and a raincoat (just in case!).

Stop 1: Glendalough Visitor Centre and Monastic City

Photos via Shutterstock

Park up at the Glendalough Visitor Centre (the Lower Car Park – €4) and plan to spend between 30 – 45 minutes exploring the centre and the ‘Monastic City’.

The visitor centre is right next to the Monastic City, one of the most important monastic sites in the country. The city was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and went on to become one of Europe’s most famous religious sites!

At the centre, there’s a wonderful exhibition on the history of Glendalough and St. Kevin. There’s also an interesting 15-minute long audio and visual presentation about early Irish Saints and monasteries.

Now you’ve learned about the site, it’s time to take a 2-minute stroll to the Monastic City next door. Whilst the remains of the city are scattered all across the glen, many of the main ruins and features are within walking distance of the visitor centre.

These include the Glendalough Round Tower, one of the city’s most well-known landmarks. It stands 33 metres high and dates back almost 1000 years! Other attractions nearby include St. Kevin’s Church and the Glendalough Cathedral ruins.

Stop 2: The Spinc Walk

The Spinc Walk is one of the finest trails in Glendalough. It takes you on a 9.5 km ramble with steep inclines and forest paths.

There’s over 600 steps near the start, but after that, it’s a little more relaxed, though there are some tricky downhill sections later.

It’s a moderate to strenuous walk, with a total ascent of 380 metres. Having said that, if you’re in reasonable shape, you should be okay and most people complete the walk in just over 3.5 hours.

Stop 3: Late lunch at the Wicklow Heather

Photo left: The Irish Road Trip. Others: Via Wicklow Heather

I love nipping into the Wicklow Heather for lunch whenever I’m in Glendalough. The restaurant is in the heart of idyllic Laragh, with a historical interior and some lovely outdoor seating areas.

It’s only a 6-minute drive from the Upper Lake Car Park.

The menu has traditional Irish dishes, like comforting seafood chowder or hearty cottage pies, with an option for vegetarians and vegans.

Stop 4: The Sally Gap Drive (multiple stops)

The glorious Sally Gap Drive is one of Ireland’s finest drives. Aim for Lough Tay, first. Also known as Guinness Lake, Lough Tay is the jewel in Sally Gap’s crown!

From here, follow the winding road down, over the PS I Love You bridge and around until you reach a car park (on your right).

From here, very carefully walk around and get an eyeful of Glenmacnass Waterfall before heading on to Glendalough.

If you’re feeling up for a walk, I’ve got two for you to choose from. There’s the Djouce Mountain Walk and the Ballinastoe Woods Walk, both of which range from 2 to 2.5 hours in length.

Stop 5: Powerscourt Waterfall along with the house and gardens

Photos via Shutterstock

Powerscourt Waterfall is a 15-minute spin from where you’ll finish the Sally Gap Drive. This is Ireland’s tallest waterfall at 121m and it roars through ancient woodland alive with red squirrels and Sika deer.

It’s a gentle stroll from the car park out to where you can see the waterfall, so it should be very manageable even after your hike earlier in the day.

A short drive away, Powerscourt House overlooks 47 acres of formal gardens with statues, secret hollows, and sweeping terraces.

The grounds are extensive but you can easily have a coffee in the cafe and then wander at your leisure.

A handy tip for tourists: The weather can make-or-break a trip to Ireland. Here’s a guide to what to expect from each month

Stop 6: Back to Dublin for the night

After a long (and hopefully enjoyable!) day of exploring, it’s time to say goodbye to Wicklow and head back to Dublin.

If you’re still struggling to pick a place/area to stay in the city, see my guide on where to stay in Dublin!

Here are some recommendations for the evening:

Food: There are some excellent restaurants in Dublin. SOLE and Gallaghers Boxty House are 2 I recommend over and over
Live music: There are plenty of live music pubs in Dublin. Darkey Kellys, the Old Storehouse and the Celt rarely disappoint
Historic pubs: From my guide to the best bars in Dublin – Kehoe’s and Neary’s are firm favourites

Day 3: The historic Boyne Valley

Photos via Shutterstock

On day 3, you’ll be heading out to the beautiful Boyne Valley, famous for its archaeological sites.

Today, I’d recommend getting a good breakfast in as there won’t be places to grab a bite near your first stop, so it’s best to eat before you leave Dublin.

Stop 1: Newgrange

Newgrange is a fascinating prehistoric monument and the main attraction in the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. The neolithic passage tomb was built around 3200 BC, making it older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge!

From Dublin City Centre, it’s around a 45-minute drive (depending on traffic). I’d recommend setting out as early as possible to avoid traffic.

You can book your Newgrange Tour + Exhibition tickets here, pre-booking is essential. Please note, that you cannot go to the monuments directly. You must start at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. The Newgrange Tour is roughly one hour long.

Stop 2: St Peter’s Church, Drogheda

Photos via Shutterstock

Your next stop is St. Peter’s Church, a 15-minute drive from Newgrange. It’s a stunning French Gothic-style church that dates back to 1884.

It’s well known for being home to the national shrine to St. Oliver Plunkett, a Catholic archbishop who was executed in Tyburn, England for treason and “promoting the Roman Faith”.

The shrine is elaborate and detailed and contains the preserved head of St. Oliver Plunkett! Other artefacts on show include his bones and the cell door of his Newgate prison.

Please take care to observe complete silence in the church as it’s a sacred place.

Stop 3: Monasterboice

Photos via Shutterstock

Monasterboice is a 12-minute drive from the church. The ruins date back to the late 5th century and were founded by Saint Buithe.

The Christian settlement was an important centre of religion and learning in the area up until 1142 when the Mellifont Abbey was founded.

Highlights of the settlement are the 28-metre round tower, two church ruins, and the magnificent 10th-century high crosses – the Muiredach’s Cross and the West Cross (the tallest in Ireland).

I’d recommend spending around 30 minutes here.

Stop 4: Hill of Slane

Photos via Shutterstock

The Hill of Slane is an incredibly important site, and a possible location for where St. Patrick lit the Paschal Candle, which represented Christianity coming to Ireland.

The site is home to 16th-century Franciscan Monastery ruins, built on top of an older monastery founded by St. Erc, one of St. Patrick’s followers.

It’s a 15-minute drive from Monasterboice, and we’d recommend spending between 30 minutes to an hour here, depending on how much you want to explore.

Stop 5: Lunch in Navan

Photos via The Gate Restaurant on FB

Drive the 25 minutes to Navan to grab a bite of lunch. I’d recommend checking out The Gate Restaurant (a family-run restaurant serving Irish food) or the Crystal Cafe (a great spot for light bites like gourmet sandwiches and wraps).

Room8 (delicious salads and sandwiches – vegetarian and vegan friendly) and Checkov’s Cafe (a cosy spot for sandwiches and salads) are good options, too!

Stop 6: Kells Round Tower and High Crosses

Photos via Shutterstock

Kells Round Tower and High Cross is a 17-minute drive from Navan. The tower and high cross are in the town of Kells, which was founded by Saint Columba in 550 AD.

The round tower is in good condition, but interestingly, unlike other round towers in the country, it has five upper windows instead of four.

Once you’ve had a look at the round tower (it’s 26 metres tall, you can’t miss it!), head over to admire the five high crosses: the South Cross, the West Cross, the East Cross, the Market Cross, and the North Cross (only the base remains).

The South Cross, also known as the Cross of St. Patrick and St. Columba, is the most impressive and in the best condition. It dates back to the 9th century, with intricate carvings of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel, amongst other things.

Stop 7: Spire of Lloyd

Photos via Shutterstock

The Spire of Lloyd is just a quick 4-minute drive away and an interesting building sometimes referred to as “Ireland’s only inland lighthouse”!

It’s a long column with a 360-degree glass viewing room that is accessed via 164 stairs but please note that it’s rarely open to the public.

The 30-metre spire is said to have been used for watching horse races and hunting in the 19th century, although the racecourse in Kells was built after the tower.

The tower was built in 1791, although it was built on an Iron Age ring fort, with evidence that the site was used as far back as the Bronze Age!

Stop 8: Trim Castle

Photos via Shutterstock

Trim Castle is Ireland’s largest Anglo-Norman fortification. It’s very impressive with an imposing presence. The Castle dates back to the 12th century and took Hugh de Lacy and his successors 30 years to complete.

It’s free to visit the castle grounds, but a guided tour of the keep costs €5 (adult), €4 (senior), €3 (student/child), and €13 (family).

The tour is well worth it, especially for any Braveheart fans, as parts of the movie were filmed there!

The castle is open daily between 10am and 5pm. We’d recommend at least 30 minutes to one hour here. It’s a 30-minute drive from the Spire of Lloyd.

Stop 9: Bective Abbey

Photos via Shutterstock

The next stop is Bective Abbey, a 10-minute drive away. It was founded in 1147 for the Cistercian Order and became a significant monastic settlement.

The ruins you can see today mostly date back to the 13th and 15th centuries, with a chapter house, a church, and a cloister.

The ruins have been used several times in Hollywood movies. Most recently, in The Last Duel, which came out in 2020.

The abbey is free to visit with a designated car park. Give yourself around 30 minutes here.

Stop 10: Hill of Tara

Photos via Shutterstock

The last stop of the day is the Hill of Tara. It’s a 12-minute drive from Bective Abbey and we’d say 30-45 minutes is a good amount of time to spend here.

The Hill of Tara has been in use since the late Stone Age, but it’s known best as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, with all old Irish roads leading to the site!

The site is shrouded in myth, and the story of Conn of the Hundred Battles tells the tale of how the High Kings of Ireland came to be.

It’s free to visit, with a free 25-minute Audio Visual Show at the visitor centre (in the church), and free guided tours scheduled every day. The centre is open between 10am and 5pm year-round, but the site is open 24/7.