Planning a 5-day Ireland itinerary can be a pain in the backside… So, we’ve done all of the hard work for you!
We’ve spent 25+ years travelling around Ireland and the itinerary below leans on that experience and the many mistakes we made along the way!
In a nutshell, this 5-day itinerary:
- Starts and ends in Donegal
- Has been meticulously planned
- Has an hour-by-hour itinerary for each day to save you time/hassle
- Follows logical routes that take you to hidden gems, tourist favourites and great pubs and restaurants
Who this itinerary 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.
This road trip is specifically for those of you:
- Starting in/near Donegal
- Using public transport and organised tours
- Looking to explore at a slow pace
- With a good level of fitness (i.e. it includes long walks and hikes)
- Remember, we have hundreds of different itineraries here if this one doesn’t suit you
An overview of this itinerary
The map above gives you a very high-level overview of where this route will take you.
It uses several bases (e.g. Belfast for 3 nights) and provides you with day-long road trips you can head off on, so you avoid having to change accommodation constantly.
Now, I’ll stop rambling on – here’s a day-by-day insight into each of the days below!
Day 1: Arrive in Donegal
It’s day one, so welcome to Ireland, or more specifically, Donegal. This is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful counties in Ireland.
Unfortunately, it is also the county with the worst public transit system in Ireland, so we’ll be moving on fairly quickly. Have no fear, though. We’ve got plenty of great things for you to see and do.
For day one, you’ll be jumping on a bus from the airport to Donegal Town.
You’ll be staying in Donegal town for one night, so be sure to take a look at some of our suggestions for accommodation.
Our Donegal Town accommodation recommendations
- Budget: Heeneys Lodge B&B (superb reviews and a 5-minute spin from town) and Ros Dún House (top reviews and a 3-minute ramble away from the town)
- Mid-range: Central Hotel and The Gateway Lodge (both are right in the town and make a great base to explore from)
- Luxury: Lough Eske Castle (one of Ireland’s top hotels a short drive from town) and Harvey’s Point (gorgeous lakeside 4-star just outside of town)
Stop 1: Donegal Airport
Okay, so today’s trip will be a little long-winded, but it’ll be worth it! You’ll be jumping on TFI Local Link Bus Route 992 or 992A from Donegal Airport (Ballymanus Station) to Crolly.
The 992 typically departs at 13:10. The journey should take about 15 to 20 minutes and a ticket costs about €2.50.
If you miss the bus or arrive on a Sunday, you can take a taxi to Crolly instead. However, you will need to book this in advance.
Stop 2: Crolly
Once you arrive in Crolly, you’ll need to walk towards Paddy Og’s Pub (Teach Paidi Óig).
Your next bus, a Galway-bound Bus Feda , should leave from here at 14:45 (every day except Sunday) but make sure to check the times well in advance.
Jump aboard the coach and you should arrive in Donegal Town at around 17:15.
Stop 3: Dinner, drinks and live music
You have had a long day of travel today so make sure to treat yourself to dinner and a pint at one of our recommendations below.
Our Donegal Town food recommendations
There are loads of great restaurants in Donegal Town. If you didn’t check out Olde Castle Bar and Red Hughes at lunchtime, it’s well worth dropping in.
Their gastropub menu of freshly sourced seafood, steaks, lamb and poultry regularly nets them “Best in Ireland” awards in the McKennas Guides.
The Harbour Restaurant & Bar is a casual spot specialising in home-cooked food created from the highest quality local ingredients and is another top choice.
Meanwhile, the Market House restaurant in Donegal Town has an extensive menu with everything from fresh seafood that’s straight off the boat in Killybegs to locally sourced lamb and pork.
Our Donegal Town pub recommendations
Just over the bridge from the castle and tucked away on the quiet yet wonderfully named Meetinghouse Street, you’ll find the Forge.
With old stone walls, a stable door, and knick-knacks adorning every inch of the walls (and ceilings), it’s full of charm and character.
Sitting in the heart of town, McCafferty’s Bar is another fine place to spend your last evening in Ireland. From the wood panelling and the hanging jugs to the cosy nooks and friendly staff, it’s a true Irish pub in every sense.
Located near the castle on Bridge Street, the Reel Inn offers award-winning Irish music with plenty of traditional songs and craic every night of the week.
Day 2: The Trip to Galway
Today, we’re off to gorgeous Galway. We’ll stay three nights in this vibrant city, enjoying all it has to offer, as well as taking in some superb tours in the surrounding countryside.
Recommended accommodation in Galway
- Budget: Feeney’s Audubon Lodge (in Salthill outside of the city by the sea) and Corrib View Guesthouse (a 45-minute walk from Eyre Square)
- Mid-range: Balcony House B&B (10-minute walk from Eyre Square) and Ash Grove House (gorgeous guesthouse near Galway Cathedral)
- Luxury: The G Hotel (luxury hotel in the city) and Glenlo Abbey (one of Ireland’s top hotels – 15-minute drive from the city)
Stop 1: Donegal Town Garda Station Bus Stop
Today you’ll be taking a direct bus to Galway. It departs from the Garda Station.
The bus is operated by Bus Feda and leaves at 9:45 am Monday to Saturday, and it’s worth booking online to secure your place. Tickets cost €23.00, and the journey takes a little over 3 hours.
If you miss the 9 am bus, there is another at 5:15 pm Monday to Saturday. On Fridays, there is an extra service at 12.45 pm and another at 5.30 pm. On Sundays, there’s only a 4:15 pm and 8:15 pm service. The journey takes 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Please note that prices and times may change, so always check when you’re booking.
Alternatively, Expressway operates a service between the Abbey Hotel where you took the bus yesterday and Galway Bus Station.
Stop 2: Galway
Welcome to Galway! If you opted to take the Bus Feda bus, that will drop you off at the cathedral while the Expressway service drops you off at Galway Bus Station.
Stop 3: Check-in, get lunch and decide between walking or the bus
When you land in Galway, head to your accommodation, get checked in and head for lunch.
By now, you must be hungry. There are heaps of brilliant places for lunch in Galway, but if you don’t want the hassle of finding somewhere to eat, we’ve got a few suggestions!
We recommend Blakes Bar (traditional pub grub), Zappis (authentic Italian cuisine), or Tigh Neachtain (Irish and international cuisine).
Now, Galway is a very walkable city, but if it’s raining or if you fancy getting dropped to the ‘main’ attractions, the hop-on/hop-off bus tour is well worth buying.
Regardless of which option you choose, here are some of our favourite sites in Galway City (we’ve listed them in a logical way for you to walk between them).
Stop 4: Galway Cathedral
Galway Cathedral is wonderfully impressive both inside and out. It’s arguably the jewel in the Galway City skyline and you’ll cop it from many places as you stroll around the city.
Interestingly enough, it’s not as old as it looks, and construction on the building was only completed in 1965, earning it the title of ‘the last great stone cathedral to be constructed in Europe’.
The cathedral is free to enter, but visitors are asked for a donation of €2 to help with the building’s upkeep.
Stop 5: Quay Street and the Latin Quarter
Galway’s colourful streets are an absolute joy the ramble along regardless of the time of year.
If you’re walking from the cathedral, you’re a short stroll away from the Latin Quarter and Quay Street where you can have a nosey around.
These streets are alive with the buzz from tourists and locals alike.
Stop 6: The Hall of the Red Earl
One of our favourite places to visit in Galway (especially if it’s raining!) is the Hall of the Red Earl.
The Hall of the Red Earl is one of Galway’s most interesting sites. The ruins date back to the 13th century, with ties to the founding of Galway and the Anglo-Norman De Burgo family.
It was the first municipal building in the city, used for collecting taxes, hosting banquets, and sentencing criminals.
The Hall of the Red Earl was lost as the city grew until 1997, when the ruins were unearthed by archaeologists on behalf of the Office of the Public Works.
Today, you can walk amongst the ruins, view the artefacts, and learn about the hall’s history from the informative displays.
Stop 7: Galway City Museum
The Galway City Museum is just a stone’s throw from the Spanish Arch. It’s one of the best places to learn about Galway’s history, culture, and archaeology, with collections telling the story of prehistoric Galway all the way through to 19th and 20th-century Galway!
The museum has three floors and seven long-term exhibitions, including The Wild Atlantic – Sea Science, and an exhibition on Pádraic Ó Conaire.
It’s free to visit, although donations are always appreciated.
Stop 8: Spanish Arch and the Long Walk
The Spanish Arch is a must-see Galway attraction, dating back to Medieval times. The large stone arch is located on the outskirts of the city centre, overlooking the Claddagh (shore).
It originally housed soldiers who were keeping watch on the city’s Medieval walls. Its nickname is thought to come from the city’s merchant trade with the Spanish, whose ships would often be docked in the area!
From the Spanish Arch, you can take a short stroll alongside the water to what’s known as The Long Walk. You’ll likely have seen pictures of it (it’s a line of colourful buildings right on the water).
Stop 9: Dinner, drinks and live music
After a fun-filled day exploring some of the sights and sounds of Galway, it’s time to grab some dinner and drinks, and perhaps enjoy a little live music.
Galway is a lively city regardless of the time of year. Here’s some spots worth checking out:
Our dinner recommendations
There’s some excellent restaurants in Galway – our favourites are Ard Bia, The Quay Street Kitchen, and Dela. Ard Bia is absolutely fantastic, but you need to book in advance for dinner.
The restaurant has a quirky interior and serves beautifully presented modern dishes.
The Quay Street Kitchen has a great selection of vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes, and Dela has modern Irish cuisine on the menu.
Live music and trad bars
There’s some mighty pubs in Galway. After dinner, head out for drinks at either Tigh Neachtain or The Crane. Both are traditional pubs with a great atmosphere.
Trad music is an integral part of the city, with heaps of options to choose from. Our favourite spots are Crane Bar (mentioned above) and Tigh Chóilí.
Day 3: The Clare coast
Today’s tour takes us out of County Galway, around Galway Bay, and into the gorgeous County Clare, an area famed for its stunning natural beauty.
The road itself is an attraction, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a clatter of gorgeous hills, rivers, lakes, and mountains, not to mention the beautiful and ever-present Galway bay.
Today’s tour meets at 9:30 am outside of Kinlay Hostel on Eyre Square. Grab some breakfast at your accommodation or head to Pascal Coffee House or Gaslight Brasserie for a tasty bite before the tour departs.
This 8-hour coach tour leaves Galway at 9:30 am, though it’s best to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. Normally, you’ll arrive back in Galway between 17:30 and 18:00, after a superb day of sightseeing.
Let’s take a look at some of the main stops along the way, but as always, bear in mind your specific tour may differ.
Stop 1: Dunguaire Castle
The stunning Dunguaire Castle sits on a spit of land jutting out into Galway Bay and has a long history stretching back to mediaeval times. Built in 1520 by the prominent O’Hynes Clan family as a simple tower house with fortified walls, it’s stunningly beautiful from the outside.
To truly experience the beauty of this fortress, head off on a self-guided tour of Dunguaire Castle. The grounds are lovely and the interior is fitted with period furniture and plaques that’ll take you through the castle’s past.
Stop 2: Corcomroe Abbey
Next, you’ll drop by the incredible Corcomroe Abbey, a stately 13th-century Cistercian monastery surrounded by beautiful countryside. While it now sits in ruins, the walls and towers have been incredibly well-preserved, and it’s a truly humbling experience to wander among the ancient stones.
Stop 3: The Burren
The Burren is a vast area of more than 250 sq km that stretches out as far as the Aran Islands. Famed for its craggy landscape made up of huge slabs of limestone known as Karst, it’s a wonder to behold. The Burren actually translates to ‘a rocky place’, and the limestone pavements are a testament to this.
While the area is famed for its rocks, there’s an abundance of vegetation that manages to survive in the area, including wildflowers, herbs, grasses, and more. In fact, cattle and livestock have managed to survive and indeed thrive on the nutritious grasses grown in the Burren for centuries.
You’ll spend a good part of your tour driving through this epic landscape, so have your camera ready to catch the action!
Stop 4: Doolin Pier
Doolin is a vibrant little village. The pier is best known for being the departure point for ferries heading to the Aran Isles and the Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy a ramble around the village, taking in the various craft shops, and photos at the pier, before heading for lunch at the Hotel Doolin.
Stop 5: Lunch at Hotel Doolin
You’ll get an hour and a half to enjoy a sumptuous lunch at Hotel Doolin’s Fitzpatrick’s Bar. This is a lovely traditional pub with a crackling fire and an extensive menu, packed full of Irish classics and modern dishes alike. There’s plenty of fish, shellfish, lamb, beef, and chicken on the menu, but also lots of veggie and vegan options. Don’t miss the seafood chowder and soda bread!
Stop 6: The Cliffs of Moher
The highlight of the tour is a guided walk atop the mighty Cliffs of Moher. Standing 214 metres above the sea, you’ll get amazing views over Galway Bay as the waves smash the rocks below you. You’ll enjoy a couple of hours here, with plenty of opportunities to walk along the cliff tops and the surrounding countryside, enjoying some of the best views in Ireland.
Stop 7: Lisdoonvarna
Lisdoonvarna is a charming and peaceful spa town and an excellent example of life in rural Ireland. However, that all changes during the famous annual Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, the largest in Europe. Each September, it attracts around 40,000 hopeful singletons in search of true love.
The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival takes over the bars, pubs, hotels and streets of Lisdoonvarna and takes place throughout the month of September. The festival boasts an impressive line-up of live music and dancing both midweek and at weekends.
If you’re visiting outside of September, chances are you’ll just drive by and hear the story of the festival.
Stop 8: Back to Galway
After another drive through breathtaking countryside, you’ll normally be back in the middle of Galway by 18:00, just in time for dinner, drinks, and entertainment.
Our dinner recommendations
For dinner, we’ve got a few stellar recommendations: Ard Bia, The Quay Street Kitchen, and Dela. Ard Bia is absolutely fantastic, but you need to book in advance for dinner.
The restaurant has a quirky interior and serves beautifully presented modern dishes.
The Quay Street Kitchen has a great selection of vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes, and Dela has modern Irish cuisine on the menu.
Live music and trad bars
There’s some mighty pubs in Galway. After dinner, head out for drinks at either Tigh Neachtain or The Crane. Both are traditional pubs with a great atmosphere.
Trad music is an integral part of the city, with heaps of options to choose from. Our favourite spots are Crane Bar (mentioned above) and Tigh Chóilí.
Day 4: The trip to Donegal
We’ve had an action-packed few days in Galway, but today we’ll leave the hustle and bustle behind and head to the wonderful Donegal Town.
We’ll enjoy some of the local sights and attractions before hitting the town one last time.
The bus leaves at 9 am today, so rise up early and enjoy a tasty breakfast at your accommodation.
It’s unlikely that any cafes will be open this early, but you can often grab something from a shop if your accommodation doesn’t have breakfast.
We’ll be staying just one night in Donegal.
Our Donegal Town accommodation recommendations
- Budget: Heeneys Lodge B&B (superb reviews and a 5-minute spin from town) and Ros Dún House (top reviews and a 3-minute ramble away from the town)
- Mid-range: Central Hotel and The Gateway Lodge (both are right in the town and make a great base to explore from)
- Luxury: Lough Eske Castle (one of Ireland’s top hotels a short drive from town) and Harvey’s Point (gorgeous lakeside 4-star just outside of town)
Stop 1: Cathedral Gaol Rd bus stop 10936 & 10937
Today you’ll be taking a direct bus to Donegal Town. It departs from Galway Cathedral, the Gaol Rd bus stop 10936 & 10937 (that’s the road with the Salmon Weir Bridge).
The bus is operated by Bus Feda and leaves at 9 am Monday to Saturday, and it’s worth booking online to secure your place. Tickets cost €23.00, and the journey takes a little over 3 hours.
If you miss the 9 am bus, there is another at 4 pm Monday to Saturday. On Fridays, there are two extra services, one at 1.30 pm and another at 5.30 pm. On Sundays, there’s only a 3 pm service.
Please note that prices and times may change, so always check when you’re booking.
Stop 2: Donegal Town
If you’ve taken the morning bus, you should be arriving in Donegal Town just after midday. Welcome! The bus will drop you off in the car park opposite the Garda Station, near the tourist information centre.
Donegal Town is a lovely place to stroll around, so grab a coffee—Coffee on Sene by the tourist information on Quay Street is good—and enjoy the sights.
It’s a lovely place for a wander with attractive buildings, a 2.5km riverside walk and a restored 15th-century castle rising above the rooftops.
The town has colourful cottages, historic pubs, independent shops, a few churches and a famine graveyard to keep you busy for a while.
Once you’ve wandered about a bit, checked into your accommodation, and dropped your stuff off, it’s time for lunch.
Stop 3: Lunch
If you fancy enjoying magnificent views of Donegal Bay and Bell’s Isle while you eat, stop by Quay West for lunch.
With its chic interior, this award-winning dining establishment is well-known for delivering flavoursome and reasonably priced food.
The menu is extensive and features local delicacies like Donegal mountain lamb, chargrilled Aubrac beef, and fresh Killybegs Seafood.
Alternatively, Olde Castle Bar & Red Hugh’s Restaurant is located near Donegal Castle and right next to a picturesque 9th-century Church.
It’s a traditional Irish bar and restaurant that offers the freshest locally sourced seafood and steaks.
Stop 4: Donegal Castle
After enjoying a spot of lunch, take a gentle stroll to the epic Donegal Castle. It is said that when Donegal Castle was originally built in 1474, it was the most impressive of the many Irish castles the island boasted at the time.
Former seat of the mighty O’Donnell clan, it’s seen many battles and is steeped in history. One of the best ways to learn more is to take a tour of the grounds.
Along the way, you’ll take in barrel-vaulted storerooms, a magnificent carved fireplace, and an uneven “trip” stairwell to catch enemy intruders unawares.
There are also plenty of exhibits along the way, and it’s well worth the €5 admission fee.
Stop 5: Donegal Bay Waterbus
Next up is arguably one of the most unique things to do in Donegal town. I’m talking, of course, about the Donegal Waterbus. There’s even a sing-song on the return journey (and why not!).
Opt for seats in the air-conditioned salon or the open deck, and enjoy the passing scenery and live commentary from the captain.
As you cruise the bay, you’ll pass the bronze statue commemorating the Chieftain Red Hugh O’Donnell, Ballyboyle Island, The Hassans, the Old Coastguard Station, Belles Isle with its ruined castle, local oyster farms and a sizable seal colony.
The departure point is just a 4-minute walk from the castle, but it’s important to check the departure times in advance, as they’re reliant on tide times. It’s also worth noting that the waterbus tour only operates in the summer months.
Stop 6: Dinner, drinks and live music
Once you drop anchor, it’ll probably be nearing dinner time. As this is your last night in Ireland, be sure to kick back, relax, and enjoy the culture to its fullest.
Fortunately, Donegal Town has plenty to offer in that regard.
Our Donegal Town food recommendations
There are loads of great restaurants in Donegal Town. If you didn’t check out Olde Castle Bar and Red Hughes at lunchtime, it’s well worth dropping in.
Their gastropub menu of freshly sourced seafood, steaks, lamb and poultry regularly nets them “Best in Ireland” awards in the McKennas Guides.
The Harbour Restaurant & Bar is a casual spot specialising in home-cooked food created from the highest quality local ingredients and is another top choice.
Meanwhile, the Market House restaurant in Donegal Town has an extensive menu with everything from fresh seafood that’s straight off the boat in Killybegs to locally sourced lamb and pork.
Our Donegal Town pub recommendations
Just over the bridge from the castle and tucked away on the quiet yet wonderfully named Meetinghouse Street, you’ll find the Forge.
With old stone walls, a stable door, and knick-knacks adorning every inch of the walls (and ceilings), it’s full of charm and character.
Sitting in the heart of town, McCafferty’s Bar is another fine place to spend your last evening in Ireland. From the wood panelling and the hanging jugs to the cosy nooks and friendly staff, it’s a true Irish pub in every sense.
Located near the castle on Bridge Street, the Reel Inn offers award-winning Irish music with plenty of traditional songs and craic every night of the week.
Day 5: The trip to Donegal Airport
Today we head back to Donegal Airport for your flight home. Ideally, this should be an afternoon flight, as it’s going to be a fairly long journey to the airport. You’ll be taking at least two buses, though you can take a taxi for some sections. Just be sure to book ahead.
Before you head out, be sure to enjoy one last Irish breakfast, either at your accommodation or at Blueberry Tea Room and Restaurant. Believe me, you’ll struggle to find things like white pudding and boxty outside of Ireland!
Blueberry Tea Room offers up some superb breakfast treats, and besides their Donegal Fry, you can order granola, porridge, scones, breakfast sandwiches, various egg dishes, and several veggie options. They also brew up a mean cup of coffee!
Option 1: Bus Eireann and Local Link
You have two options for getting to Donegal Airport from Donegal Town. Option one takes you on two bus journeys and leaves earlier in the day.
Stop 1: Donegal Abbey Hotel
Your first bus of the day leaves from the bus stop right outside Donegal Abbey Hotel. Hop on the 494 Bus Eireann bus to Dungloe at 9 am, and ride for 6 stops until you reach Dungloe. The journey should take about an hour and 25 minutes, and you’ll hop off at the bus stop opposite Sweeney’s Hotel (600061).
Stop 2: Dungloe (Sweeney’s Hotel)
Your next bus is the Local Link 992 towards Crolly. This will take you directly to Donegal Airport. Just be sure to hop off at the Ballmanus Station. The journey should take 40 minutes or so. However, you may have to wait a few hours between the buses.
Fortunately, there are a few things to do while you wait. There’s a short river walk, and you can enjoy superb views out over the bay from Dungloe Pier. In wet weather, drop by Patrick Johnny Sally’s, a quirky little pub in an old stone cottage. It’s normally open from 10 am.
Option 2: Bus Feda and Local Link/Taxi
Our second option takes you on a Bus Feda route back to Crolly, and from there, either the bus or a pre-booked taxi will get you directly to the station.
Stop 1: Bus Stop opposite Garda Station at Waterbus Office
Head back to the same bus station as you jumped off yesterday, and board the Bus Feda service from Galway to Donegal. The first service of the day is at 12:05, so enjoy a morning in Donegal. It’ll take about 2 hours and 10 minutes to get to Crolly and if you book ahead, you can expect to pay about €15 for the trip.
Stop 2: Crolly – Paddy’s Ogs Pub
Once you arrive in Crolly, head to Paddy Ogs Pub where you might be able to take the Local Link 992A right to the station. There’s a good chance that there won’t be a bus that fits with this schedule though, so you may well have to book a taxi from Crolly to take you to the airport.
And with that, your trip to Ireland is over. Enjoy the flight home! We hope you had a great time and made some fond memories and friends. May the road rise to meet you.
And that’s a wrap on this road trip
We hope you found the above road trip guide useful. If you have any questions, ask in the comments below and we’ll do our best to help.
Or, if you’d like to browse our other Irish Road Trip itineraries, visit our Road Trip Hub – cheers!
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.