5 Days in Ireland: A Local Expert’s Itinerary

This 5 day Ireland itinerary was the first guide published on The Irish Road Trip. It is loosely based on a trip I took with my dad back in 2015, with some minor tweaks and improvements.

In the decade since that first trip, I’ve followed the same route twice more, while thousands of visitors have used it for their own 5 day trip to Ireland.

Two things have remained consistent – the scenery never disappoints, and the feedback is always glowing. If you follow the route I outline below, I guarantee you’ll enjoy a memorable Irish Road Trip that’ll give birth to plenty of great memories. Cheers!

My tried-and-tested 5 day Ireland itinerary

My map above will give you the lay-of-the-land very quickly, so take 30 seconds to throw your eyes over it.

Now, if this route doesn’t suit your schedule, just tweak it – for example, maybe you’re starting from Shannon – just reverse the route.

Itinerary overview

• Day 1: Arrive in Dublin and explore the city (stay in Dublin)
• Day 2: Day trip to Wicklow (stay in Dublin)
• Day 3: Killarney via the Rock of Cashel (stay in Killarney)
• Day 4: The Ring of Kerry Drive (stay in Killarney)
• Day 5: The Dingle Peninsula (stay in Killarney)

Your starting point

This is a 5 day Ireland road trip from Dublin. If you’re not starting in the capital, I have 5 day trips beginning in Belfast, Shannon, Wexford, Cork, Mayo and Donegal!

Getting around Ireland

You’ll need your own mode of transport (see my guide to renting a car in Ireland). If you are using trains and buses, I have 5 day public transport road trips starting in Dublin, Shannon, Belfast, Cork, Wexford, Mayo and Donegal.

The speed of this itinerary

You’ll often see me talk about ‘Fast Trips’ and ‘Slow Trips’ when I’m describing the pace of a road trip. Well, this is an itinerary that falls in between. You’ll stay in 2 different locations and move at a reasonable pace, seeing plenty but not overpacking any day, with the exception of day 4 when you drive the Ring of Kerry (can’t be avoided and I’m confident you’ll really enjoy the day!).

Alternative routes

This itinerary won’t suit everyone. If, after looking at the itinerary outline above, you decided you’d rather see other parts of Ireland, you have two options:

• Scroll to the end of this guide for 5 other routes
• Visit my Irish Road Trip Library where you’ll find 40+ itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland

Day 1: Dublin

Welcome to Ireland’s capital! Now, the first of your 5 days in Ireland will be completely dependent on what time you land.

I’m going to follow a 1 day Dublin itinerary that assumes you’re landing early. If you’re not, just adjust it as needed! Here are some need-to-knows:

Decide where you’ll collect your rental

So, when you’re going through the process of hiring a car in Ireland, you’ll be asked to select a pick-up point. There are two options:

• Airport collection: More expensive and you don’t need the car for day one. You also may need to pay for parking, depending on where you’re staying. The bonus is the convenience of having it ready-to-go for day 2
• City centre collection: You can also opt to collect the car from a location in the city centre (e.g. Europcar have one in Spencer Dock). You’ll save money but you have the hassle of getting it on the morning of day 2

Where to stay in Dublin

You’ll spend the first 2 nights of your 5 day tour of Ireland in Dublin. Here are the places that I recommend over and over:

• Budget: The Generator (in Smithfield – 25-minute walk from centre) and Abigail’s (hostel in Temple Bar)
• Mid-range: The Harding Hotel (very central – right next to Christ Church Cathedral) and The Skylon (15-minute bus ride from the city)
• Luxury: The Merrion (extremely central, just off St. Stephen’s Green) and The Westin (very central, just off Grafton Street)

Getting around Dublin

• Time savers: If you want to cover a lot of ground quickly, the Hop On Hop Off Bus goes to or near all of the main sites on this itinerary
• Money saver: If you’re visiting the ‘main’ Dublin attractions, the Dublin Pass can save you €€€

Stop 1: Trinity College Dublin

The 1st stop on your 5 day trip to Ireland is the city’s Trinity College, which was incorporated in 1592, making it the oldest university in Ireland.

Now, you don’t have to be a student to enjoy Trinity – you can stroll inside its grounds and admire its Neoclassical and modern architecture.

The main landmark here is the bell tower (pictured above) which was finished in 1853. The big attraction of Trinity, however, is the tour that takes you to the Book of Kells and the incredible Long Room Library.

The Book of Kells is an ancient manuscript that dates to around 800 AD! After seeing the book, you’ll continue through to the breath-taking Long Room which houses 200,000+ of Trinity’s oldest books!

There can be large queues: To avoid ’em, book a fast-track ticket for the tour that also includes Dublin Castle

Stop 2: The shortcut through Temple Bar

The next stop, the Ha’penny Bridge, can be reached via a little detour through Temple Bar (it’s an 8-minute walk).

Arguably one of the most famous attractions in Dublin, Temple Bar is a ‘cultural quarter’ that gets far too much hype from visiting ‘travel bloggers’, in my opinion.

You’ll pay a ridiculous premium in many of the pubs in Temple Bar but the trade-off is live music throughout the day and a party-vibe… if that’s what you’re into!

My 2 cents: Walk right on through Temple Bar. I’ll give you some recommendations for historical city pubs in a moment!

Stop 3: The Ha’penny Bridge

Arguably one of the most famous landmarks in Ireland, the Ha’penny Bridge is Dublin’s original toll booth!

It has spanned the Liffey River for over 200 years and, once-upon-a-time, you had to pay a Ha’penny to cross it.

You won’t spend a huge amount of time here, but it’s a great little pit-stop en route to stop 4 of this 5 day Ireland itinerary.

Safety warning: You can get some dodgy characters hanging around on the boardwalk on the opposite side!

Stop 4: The Dublin Castle tour

Next on my 5 day Ireland itinerary is Dublin Castle, just a handy 10-minute stroll from the Ha’penny Bridge.

The castle dates back to the 13th century and served as the English administrative headquarters in Dublin for more than 700 years.

You can wander the grounds for free, but you’ll need a ticket to go inside – if you opt for this one, it also includes access to the Book of Kells.

Stop 5: Christ Church

Christ Church Cathedral is a 4-minute stroll from Dublin Castle, and it rarely fails to impress (it’s worth booking your ticket in advance).

Its origins trace back to the early 11th century, when it was founded under the rule of Sigtrygg Silkbeard.

The stone structure you see today largely dates from the late 12th century, rebuilt under John Cumin. Take a moment to admire it from the outside before heading in to explore the interior.

Stop 6: Lunch at Ireland’s second oldest pub

The first of many pubs on this 5 day Ireland road trip is Brazen Head, a 7-minute walk from the previous stop.

While Dublin has no shortage of historic pubs, this one lays claim to being the oldest in the city, with roots stretching back to 1198.

Inside, you’ll find traditional Irish pub grub – think Guinness beef stew, hearty soups and no-nonsense portions – served in a setting that still leans heavily into its past.

Planning a 5 day Ireland road trip? My guides to deciding the best time to visit Ireland and planning a trip to Ireland will come in handy!

Stop 7: Pick the Guinness Storehouse or the Jameson Distillery

The final stop on day 1 of your 5 days in Ireland leaves you with a choice – Jameson Distillery Bow St. or the Guinness Storehouse.

The Jameson Distillery is a 7-minute walk from The Brazen Head, while the Guinness Storehouse is around 15 minutes on foot – it’s worth booking tickets for either in advance.

I’ve done both and, in truth, they’re evenly matched in terms of the overall experience. The graphic above breaks down the pros and cons of each to help you decide.

Stop 8: An evening of music in Dublin

Head back to your accommodation (see my guide on where to stay in Dublin if you haven’t decided) and chill for a bit.

Here are a handful of places to eat and pubs that I recommend to everyone visiting Dublin:

• Restaurants: 3 of my favourite restaurants in Dublin are SOLE, Gallaghers Boxty House and FX Buckley
• Pubs with music: Darkey Kellys, the Old Storehouse and the Celt are 3 of the best live music pubs in Dublin
• Historic pubs: From our guide to the best bars in Dublin – Kehoe’s and Neary’s are firm favourites

Day 2: Wicklow day trip

So, while people of all fitness levels will have been able to easily follow day 1, day 2 of this 5 days in Ireland itinerary comes with a choice – to hike, or not to hike!

It’s a decision you’ll need to make later in the morning, when you arrive to Glendalough. Now, luckily enough, you can still experience Glendalough without a massive trek, so don’t worry!

Stop 1: The Sally Gap Drive (multiple stops)

Out of the many day trips from Dublin, the 26km/16 mile Sally Gap Drive is the one I’ve done the most and it’s one I continue to do, as there’s so much to it.

This is a hugely rewarding scenic drive that starts from just outside of Roundwood Village, around a 1-hour drive from Dublin.

Here’s an overview of the stops along the route:

1. Lough Tay: Also known as Guinness Lake, Lough Tay can be viewed from above from many vantage points
2. Ballinastoe Woods: A now-famous woodland that can be easily accessed from along the road
3. The ‘P.S. I Love You Bridge’: Made famous from the movie, it’s an old-world-style-bridge
4. Glenmacnass Waterfall: Park in the car park on the right and carefully walk along the road to the viewing area

Stop 2: Glendalough

So, even if you plan on doing the hike, I’d recommend you start your visit to Glendalough from the Glendalough Visitor Centre car park (€4).

The visitor centre is right next to the Monastic City, one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. At the centre, there’s a wonderful exhibition on the history of Glendalough and St. Kevin.

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 Monastic City, you’ll see the Glendalough Round Tower, one of the area’s most well-known landmarks. It stands 33 metres high and dates back almost 1000 years!

If you don’t fancy the hike, you can follow the trail to the Upper Lake, as seen on my map above.

Does this itinerary not suit? Remember, we have 56 different itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland here!

Stop 3: Pick a walk

So, there are many walks in Glendalough, and they vary greatly in terms of length and difficulty.

I’ve done the different trails here many times over the years and the 2 I keep going back to are:

1. The Lake Walk: A 2-hour/4.1km linear trail with very little incline
2. The Spinc Walk: A 3.5 hour/9.5km looped hike that’s graded as strenuous (pictured above)

Stop 4: The Wicklow Heather for lunch

The most visually impressive restaurant you’ll visit during your 5 day trip to Ireland is the Wicklow Heather – a 6-minute spin from Glendalough.

I’d say I’ve eaten here 20 times over the years and, while the food is great, it’s the interior that keeps me coming back.

This is what I imagine an old Irish inn would have looked like back in the day – beautiful wooden panelling, beamed ceilings and thousands of photos and artefacts covering its walls.

Get in, rest your legs, make your belly happy and enjoy your very unique surroundings!

Stop 5: Powerscourt Waterfall

The last stop before your journey back to Dublin for the night is Powerscourt Waterfall – a 25-minute drive away.

The waterfall here, which stands at around 121 metres, is the highest waterfall in Ireland.

It’s easily accessible, too! Park up and take the 30-minute walk that takes you right up to the base of the falls. It’s particularly impressive after heavy rainfall!

Beware of the flies: If you visit during the summer months, this whole area is swarmed with them!

Stop 6: Back to Dublin

It’ll take you around 1-hour to get back to Dublin, depending on traffic (rush hour is from around 3:30 until 6:30).

I’m going to give you some different food and pub recommendations for evening 2 of your 5 day driving tour of Ireland:

• Restaurants: Try Bunsen for brilliant burgers, The Ivy for a fancy feed or Featherblade for a great-value steak
• Great Guinness: You’ll find some of the best Guinness in Dublin in Bowes and Mulligans of Poolbeg St.

Day 3: Killarney via Cashel

The 3rd of your 5 days in Ireland will see you leave Dublin and head to the buzzy town of Killarney in Kerry.

You’ll stop at the ancient Rock of Dunamase, first, and then the outstanding Rock of Cashel, to break up the journey.

Where to stay in Killarney on night 3, 4 and 5

• Budget: New Street Lodge (beside the park) and Castle Lodge (cosy B&B outside the centre)
• Mid-range: Killaran House (exceptional and very central) and Killarney Avenue (next to the park)
• Luxury: Muckross Park (5-star hotel outside of the town) and The Killarney Park (old-world hotel by the train station)

Stop 1: The Rock of Dunamase

The Rock of Dunamase in County Laois is around a 1-hour drive from Dublin. You’ll see it from afar as it sits in an elevated position at 46 metres/151 feet.

There have been numerous fortifications on this site over the years, as was revealed by excavations that took place in the 1990s.

There was a hill fort during the 9th century and then, around 845, Dublin’s Vikings besieged the site.

The current castle, which was built during the 12th century, is now in ruin, but you can park here and then take a short but steepish walk up to it for a look around.

Stop 2: The Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel will be the highlight for many that follow this 5 days in Ireland itinerary.

It’s a 55-minute drive from Dunamase and, although it’ll break up your trip to Killarney, it’s a hugely rewarding stop.

The Rock of Cashel looms over the busy town of Cashel in Tipperary from its position on top of a limestone outcrop.

It was originally the seat of the Kings of Munster, but in 1101, it was given to the church. It quickly became one of Ireland’s most important ecclesiastical centres.

The Rock of Cashel tour: The 1-hour guided tour is extremely popular so make sure to book tickets in advance

Stop 3: Killarney

You’re a 2-hour drive from Killarney when you finish up at Cashel.

When you arrive, check-in to your accommodation (see my guide on where to stay in Killarney if you’re undecided) and then grab some lunch.

If you’re after something tasty and casual, J.M. Reidy’s rarely disappoints.

Day 3 of this 5 day Ireland road trip isn’t over – you’re going to explore a bit of Killarney, next!

Stop 4: Ross Castle

Ross Castle is located inside Killarney National Park and, depending on where you had lunch, it should be walkable. However, I’m going to recommend you drive as you’ll need the car for the next two stops!

Ross Castle, which dates to the 15th century, was built at the edge of Lough Leane by the O’Donoghue Mór clan.

Now, you can take a tour of the castle but, personally, I’ve always found it better to admire from the outside if I’m pressed for time.

It’s location right by the lake, surrounded by mountains and woodland, makes it an impressive sight to behold.

Does this itinerary not tick all of your boxes? Don’t worry – we have 56 different itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland here!

Stop 5: Muckross Abbey

Muckross Abbey is a 20-minute drive from the castle and it’ll take you roughly 20 minutes to walk to it and the same back.

A visit here is one of the more popular things to do in Killarney for good reason!

Although now in ruin, you can explore the 2 floors of the abbey and admire the many surviving architectural marvels, like the 3 mullioned window.

The abbey is a Franciscan friary and it dates to 1448. It’s most impressive feature is the giant yew tree that grows at its centre.

Stop 6: Torc Waterfall

The last stop on day 3 of this 5 day Ireland itinerary is Torc Waterfall, an 8-minute drive from Muckross.

Now, I left this last for a reason – Torc tends to be mobbed with people during the day and it’s near impossible to get parking.

Visiting later in the evening gives you a better chance at 1, being able to park next to it and 2, enjoying it when it’s a little quieter.

Torc is 66 ft high and 360 ft long and it’s a handy 5-minute walk from the car park, so it’s very accessible!

Stop 7: Killarney for the night

And that is day 3 of your 5 days in Ireland finished. Killarney Town is a tourist-hot-spot and it’s pubs and restaurants tend to be buzzing throughout the year.

Here are the restaurants and pubs I go back to over-and-over again.

• Restaurants in Killarney: Cronins, Porterhouse and the Mad Monk never disappoint
• Pubs in Killarney: O’Connors and Jimmy Brien’s are two great spots for a pint

Day 4: The Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry Drive will be the highlight for many that follow this 5 days in Ireland itinerary.

I have a tried-and-tested (I’ve done it 14 times…) 1-day Ring of Kerry itinerary that takes in the best of the Iveragh Peninsula.

Get a decent breakfast in Killarney and then hit the road no later than 09:00 – you’ve a busy day ahead!

An overview of the route

So, you’ve already visited the first 3 stops from the map above, so you’re going to start from Ladies View, around a 20-minute drive from the town.

I won’t go through all of the stops in detail, as I do that here, but I’ll give you an overview.

• Stop 1: Ladies View: The most impressive viewpoint on this 5 day trip to Ireland
• Stop 2: Moll’s Gap: A winding pass with breathtaking vistas of the Macgillycuddy’s
• Stop 3: Kenmare: A charming town that’s notably quieter than Killarney
• Stop 4: Staigue Stone Fort: An ancient fort built between 300 and 400 AD
• Stop 5: Caherdaniel for lunch: Fuel up at the Blind Piper
• Stop 6: Derrynane Beach: One of the Wild Atlantic Way’s finest
• Stop 7: Coomakista viewpoint: A famous viewpoint
• Stop 8: Coomanaspig: One of Ireland’s highest accessible points by car
• Stop 9: Kerry Cliffs: Jaw-dropping cliffs towering 1,000 feet high
• Stop 10: Valentia Island: Drive to Geokaun viewpoint for breath-taking views
• Stop 11: Dinner in Portmagee: Grab a bite in the Moorings
• Stop 12: Return to Killarney: It’s a 1-hour and 20-minute drive

Day 5: The Dingle Peninsula

The 5th day on my 5 day Ireland itinerary will be completely dependant on your plans.

If you’re flying home/getting the ferry home/or heading back to where you live in Ireland, you’ll need day 5 to travel.

If you have the full day 5 to explore, then it’s time for a day trip to the Dingle Peninsula!

Stop 1: Inch Beach

Stop 1 on day 5 of this 5 day Ireland road trip is a 40-minute spin from Killarney.

Although Inch Beach is on the Dingle Peninsula it is, as you can see from the aerial photo above, like a peninsula in itself!

It stretched for an impressive 5.5km and is one of the best beaches in Ireland for surfing.

Grab a coffee from Sammy’s (you can’t miss it!) and then head for a saunter while admiring the mountains and watching the surfers tackle the waves.

Does this itinerary not tick all of your boxes? Don’t worry – we have 56 different itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland here!

Stop 2: Conor Pass

Our next stop is a 30-minute drive away – Conor Pass. It stands at 410m above sea level and it’s one of the island’s highest mountain passes.

Please take note of the following:

• If you’re driving in Ireland for the first time: Approach from the Dingle Town side. You can pull in and admire the view without having to drive it
• If you want to drive it: Stick ‘Conor Pass’ into Google Maps and take the shorter route to the pass. You’ll drive it both ways

Stop 3: Dingle Town

Your next stop is the very lively Dingle Town, a 10-minute drive from Conor Pass.

Park at the harbour (here’s the car park) and then head-off around the town on foot.

You’ll see the status of Dingle’s famous dolphin, Fungie, along with the town’s colourful streets.

If you fancy some a great coffee and a pastry, head to Bean in Dingle. For breakfast, My Boy Blue is hard to bate.

If you’re in need to a hearty lunch, one of the best restaurants in Dingle is the Fish Box!

Stop 4: The Slea Head Drive

As was the case with the Ring of Kerry, the Slea Head Drive is likely to be a highlight for many who follow this 5 day itinerary for Ireland.

It follows a loop and takes in many of the best things to do in Dingle over the course of a 38km/24 miles.

I go into the drive in detail in this guide, but I’ll give you an overview of each stop:

1. Ventry Beach: Beautiful 4.5km beach that’s perfect for a ramble
2. Ceann Sleibhe and the White Cross: 2 famous viewpoints
3. Radharc na mBlascaoidí viewpoint: A great viewpoint to soak up Dunmore Head
4. Coumeenoole Beach: Stunning, no-swim beach
5. Dun Chaoin Pier: The departure point for the Blasket Island Ferry
6. Ceann Sraithe: A Star Wars filming location with views of the 3 sisters
7. Clogher Strand: One of Kerry’s best beaches

Other ways to do a 5 day trip to Ireland

I’m very aware that no single 5 day Ireland itinerary will suit everyone, so I’ve created several different options for you to consider.

My graphic above outlines different routes to consider, depending on what parts of Ireland you’d like to see. I covered itinerary 1 above – here’s an overview of the other 5:

5 days in Dublin, Wicklow and Antrim

Ideal if you can start your 5 day trip to Ireland in Dublin and then fly home from Belfast. You’ll spend days 1 and 2 in Dublin and Wicklow before tackling the best things to do in Belfast and then the superb Antrim Coastal Route.

5 days in Ireland’s West

This is arguably the most logical 5 day tour of Ireland if you’re flying in and out of Shannon. You’ll see the Clare coast, Doolin, the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher and then Connemara.

5 days in Dublin, Sligo and Donegal

This route comes with the biggest warning – there’s a lot of driving and you have to ensure you leave yourself with enough time to get back to the airport on your departure. You’ll see Dublin, Sligo and many of Donegal’s top attractions, like the Slieve League Cliffs.

5 day Ireland itinerary from Shannon to Dublin

You can do this route either way. This 5 day Ireland road trip ticks a lot of boxes, as you don’t have to double back on yourself to fly home.

5 days in Cork, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Dublin

You’ll see a lot of Ireland in 5 days on this route, including Kilkenny, Cork City and the beautiful little town of Kinsale.

Wrapping up my 5 day Ireland road trip

You’ll hopefully have a better sense of what to see in Ireland in 5 days after reading the guide above.

Remember, I have 56 different 5 days in Ireland itineraries in my Road Trip Library that let you select:

• Your starting point
• Your mode of transport
• Your fitness level
• How fast you like to travel