Best Ireland Itinerary (From 3 Days to 3 Weeks)
There isn’t one single best Ireland itinerary. The best route for you depends on how much time you have, how you like to travel and what you want to experience.
With that being said, there are several well-trodden routes that visitors to Ireland, and people like myself who live here and travel around regularly, have been enjoying for decades.
In this guide, I’ll show you my favourite Ireland trip itinerary (I cover trip lengths from 3 days to 3 weeks) and give you samples that you can follow on your own trip. Cheers!
Why trust this guide: I’ve lived in Ireland my entire life and have spent the last decade helping thousands of people planning trips to Ireland. I take pride in creating free, meticulously planned Ireland itineraries that follow rewarding routes that you’ll remember for years to come.
Key need-to-knows when planning your Ireland itinerary
I’ve created the map above to give you a sense of the lay-of-the-land. The first thing to take note of is where the international airports in Ireland are located.
The second thing to note is where the best places to visit in Ireland/counties are. And the third thing to focus on is the drive times between different areas – many people planning a trip to Ireland completely underestimate how long it takes to get around.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Ireland depends on what matters most to you. In my experience, May and September are the sweet spot. You’ll have mild weather, up to 16 hours of daylight, fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices. June to August offer the warmest weather and the longest days (up to 17 hours of daylight), but it’s also when Ireland’s most popular destinations are at their busiest.
Where to fly into/out of
Where you fly into (and out of) can have a huge impact on your Ireland travel itinerary, especially if you’re only visiting for 5 to 7 days. Shannon is ideal if you’re focusing on the Wild Atlantic Way, Belfast makes the most sense for Northern Ireland, while Dublin is best for exploring Ireland’s Ancient East. If your route allows it, flying into one airport and home from another can save hours of driving.
The best way to see Ireland
Deciding how to get around Ireland should be one of the first things you think about when planning your trip. Renting a car in Ireland gives you the freedom to explore the country’s most scenic regions, while public transport works well for cities and larger towns but doesn’t reach many rural attractions. If you don’t want to drive, you can easily combine public transport with organised tours.
The weather
The weather in Ireland is famously unpredictable. It’s not unusual to experience sunshine, showers and strong winds in the same afternoon, so it’s always worth packing layers and having a flexible plan. Don’t let the forecast dictate your trip – expect variety and you’ll rarely be disappointed.
How many days you need in Ireland
The ideal trip length for a first time visit to Ireland is 7 days+. A 1 week Ireland itinerary gives you enough time to arrive, settle for a couple of days near your arrival point and then explore 2 other parts of Ireland (e.g. arrive into Dublin for 2 nights and then see Cork and Kerry).
The best Ireland itinerary: The 7 day road trip
Out of the 800+ itineraries in my Irish Road Trip library, this 7 day route is by far the most popular. It’s a road trip I’ve done several times since the early 2000s, and it’s one I keep coming back to. Does it cover every corner of Ireland?
No – that would be impossible in just 7 days. Instead, it focuses on many of Southern Ireland’s best-known attractions while keeping driving times realistic.
If you’ve already explored places like Cork and Kerry, you can easily adapt the route to include the Antrim Coast, Donegal, Sligo and Mayo instead.
Is this route too busy for you? I have much slower Ireland vacation ideas in my Road Trip Hub. For now, though, here’s an overview of the itinerary shown on the map above.
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin and see Ireland’s capital
In an ideal world, you’d have a ‘Day 0’ built into your Ireland itinerary (i.e. a day to arrive, shake off the jet lag, get a decent night’s sleep and start exploring properly tomorrow). Most people don’t have that luxury, though, so don’t worry if today is your arrival day.
If you’re renting a car in Dublin, I’d recommend collecting it from Dublin Airport before heading into the city.
You won’t need it today (Dublin is best explored on foot) but having it ready means you can leave straight after breakfast tomorrow rather than wasting an hour collecting it from a city centre rental location.
I’ve mapped out the 1 day Dublin itinerary on the map above for you and it takes in the main things to do in Dublin. It assumes that you have the full day, but you can chop and change if you need!
Morning
Start at Trinity College and, if possible, book the first Book of Kells tour of the day online in advance as you’ll skip the queue for the ticket desk. From Trinity, you’ll make your way through Temple Bar before crossing the famous Ha’penny Bridge, which was Dublin’s first toll bridge. Stay aware of your surroundings here.
I’ve seen pickpockets operating around the Ha’penny Bridge on several occasions over the years, particularly when it’s busy. Head out onto O’Connell St. and into the GPO, one of the most significant buildings in modern Irish history and pay in to see the Witness History exhibition.
Afternoon
By lunchtime you’ll have worked up an appetite. Take the short walk up to The Brazen Head for lunch with a difference! Dating back to 1198, the Brazen Head is Dublin’s oldest pub! The food is hearty, the building is full of character and it’s a nice change of pace after a busy morning exploring the city.
One small tip from experience: when walking from the GPO, I always avoid the boardwalk side of the River Liffey and stick to the opposite quay instead as you get dodgy characters on the boardwalk!
Evening
I eat out in Dublin every couple of weekends and the city never disappoints. If I was only in Dublin for the day, I’d go for SOLE (Seafood), Featherblade (steak) or Pickle (Indian).
Night time is when the capital really comes alive and there’s some great traditional pubs in Dublin to choose from. If you’re after live music, head to Darkey Kelly’s. If a great pint of Guinness is higher on your list, make your way to Bowes. Tomorrow is one of the longest driving days on this 7 day Ireland itinerary, so it’s worth getting an early night and setting off early for the journey south.
Day 2: Ancient castles and Kinsale
Today is when your Ireland road trip really gets going. You’ll leave Dublin behind and make your way into County Cork, stopping at two of Ireland’s best historic sites before spending the night in Kinsale, a harbour town that I’ve been visiting since I was a kid and one that I never get tired of returning to.
Morning
The first stop of the day is one of the best places to visit in Ireland – the Rock of Cashel, just under a two-hour drive from Dublin. Rising high above the surrounding countryside, this spectacular collection of medieval buildings was once the seat of the Kings of Munster before becoming one of Ireland’s most important ecclesiastical centres.
I’d set aside at least 90 minutes for your visit here. In the past, I’ve walked around the site in an hour when I was short on time, but if you enjoy history, it’s well worth slowing down. I’d also recommend joining one of the guided tours if there’s one starting when you arrive, as it adds plenty of context that you’d otherwise miss.
Afternoon
It’s around a 75-minute drive from Cashel to Blarney Castle. Most tourists visit to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, but don’t make the mistake of rushing straight to the top. The gardens and grounds are every bit as memorable as the castle itself, so leave plenty of time to explore them. Leave yourself at least 90 minutes to explore.
Wander through the gardens, seek out the Witch’s Kitchen and the Druid Circle and then decide if you fancy climbing to the top of the castle. If the queue for the Blarney Stone is lengthy, don’t feel like you’re missing out by giving it a miss – I’d happily trade the queue for more time exploring the grounds.
Late afternoon/evening
It’s then a straightforward 50-minute drive into Kinsale, one of the highlights in this Ireland tour itinerary. If you can, check into your accommodation and then head straight out to do the Scilly Walk while you still have plenty of daylight. It’s an easy walk with fantastic views over the harbour and it finishes at Charles Fort, one of the largest military forts in Ireland.
On your way back, treat yourself to a pint by the fire or outside, depending on the weather, the brilliant Bullman Bar (you can’t miss its bright orange exterior!). When it’s time for dinner, Fishy Fishy, Man Friday and The Black Pig are all hard to beat. Afterwards, call into The Grey Hound for a cosy pint in Kinsale’s oldest pub or The Tap Tavern, which pours one of the best pints in town.
Day 3: Wild West Cork
Day 3 is my favourite day on this Ireland travel itinerary. Rather than taking the quickest route to Killarney, you’ll dip into West Cork before crossing the Beara Peninsula. There’s a lot of driving today – around 6 hours in total, but it’ll be broken up with a lot of stops along the way. Hit the road for around 9.
Morning
Leave Kinsale behind and make your way west towards Mizen Head, Ireland’s most southwesterly point. You have two options for getting there:
- Option 1 (what I’d do): Take the more direct inland route. It takes around 2.5 hours, giving you enough time to enjoy Mizen Head, stop at beautiful Barleycove Beach and still tackle the spectacular Beara Peninsula later in the day
- Option 2: Follow the scenic coastal route through West Cork, stopping at places like Inchydoney Beach, Union Hall, Glandore and Skibbereen. It’s a much more leisurely drive that takes around 4 hours with stops, but you’ll need to skip the Beara Peninsula to reach Killarney before nightfall
Afternoon
From Mizen Head, continue east towards Glengarriff before joining one of Ireland’s most spectacular driving routes through the Beara Peninsula. The highlight is the Healy Pass, a winding mountain road that delivers unforgettable views across lakes, valleys and rolling hills.
Unlike the busier Ring of Kerry, this corner of Ireland often feels wonderfully peaceful. You’ll pass tiny villages, quiet coastal roads and some of the most overlooked scenery on the island before eventually making your way towards Killarney.
Evening
Arrive in Killarney, where you’ll spend the next two nights. That means you can unpack once and enjoy the town without worrying about another hotel tomorrow. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Killarney.
My favourites are: The Mad Monk (seafood) and Kitty O’Se’s (superb seafood and grilled meats). You’ll find some mighty pubs in Killarney. JM Reidy’s, The Laurels, and O’Connors all serve up traditional vibes with plenty of charm and character along with regular live music.
Day 4: The Ring of Kerry drive
Today is the day on this Ireland vacation itinerary that most of you will be looking forward to. The Ring of Kerry is Ireland’s best-known drive, and while it has become hugely popular over the years, it more than lives up to the hype. It starts and ends in Killarney town and, while it’ll be a busy day, it’s well worth the effort. I’ve created a 1 day Ring of Kerry itinerary for you (see my graphic above).
Morning
Get away as early as you can today. The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s most popular drives and, while you can tackle it at any time, setting off early means quieter roads, fewer crowds and a much more relaxed day.
I’ve mapped my full Ring of Kerry itinerary above, but the morning is all about Killarney National Park. You’ll visit Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall, Ladies View and Moll’s Gap before heading off towards Kenmare.
Afternoon
By the time you roll into Kenmare, you’ll probably be ready to stretch the legs and grab a coffee. I always stop at Bean & Batch. It’s right on the edge of town, the coffee is excellent and they do some great pastries if you fancy something sweet before getting back on the road. From Kenmare, you’ll join the N70 and this is where the Ring of Kerry really comes into its own. The scenery changes constantly, with mountain passes giving way to quiet beaches, ancient stone forts and dramatic viewpoints overlooking the Atlantic.
I’ve highlighted the main stops on the map above, but if I had to single out a few, I’d make time for Staigue Stone Fort and Derrynane Beach. By the time you reach Caherdaniel, you’ll have covered a good chunk of the route, making it the perfect place to stop for lunch. I always nip into The Blind Piper. It’s right on the route, there’s plenty of parking and it’s a handy place to recharge before tackling the second half of the drive.
Late afternoon/evening
Once you leave Caherdaniel, you’ll join one of my favourite stretches of road anywhere in Ireland – the Skellig Ring. It’s technically a detour from the Ring of Kerry, but I’d argue it’s an essential one. The road twists its way along the Atlantic coast, taking in spectacular viewpoints like Coomakista, the Kerry Cliffs and Valentia Island. If you only make one detour today, make it this one.
The drive up to Geokaun Mountain rewards you with one of the best views in Ireland, looking out across Valentia Island, the Atlantic and, on a clear day, the Skellig Islands. The final leg of the drive takes you through Portmagee, a colourful little fishing village that’s best known as the departure point for trips to the Skellig Islands. It’s also where I’d stop for dinner (try The Moorings!) before making the 1.5-hour drive back to Killarney.
Day 5: Explore the Dingle Peninsula
The best itineraries for Ireland tend to have one thing in common – Dingle, which is where you’re heading today!
After a 45-minute drive from Killarney, you’ll reach the Dingle Peninsula, where you’ll spend the day following one of Ireland’s most spectacular coastal routes.
Morning
Today’s route takes you onto one of my favourite peninsulas in Ireland. Leave Killarney after breakfast and make the 40-minute drive to Inch Beach. I always stop here, even if it’s just for 20 minutes. From Inch, continue towards Conor Pass.
At over 400 metres above sea level, it’s one of Ireland’s highest mountain passes and, if the weather plays ball, the views are spectacular. If you’re nervous about driving narrow roads, approach it from the Dingle Town side rather than trying to drive over from the opposite direction. There’s a small pull-in at the top where you can safely park and soak up the views before continuing down into Dingle.
Afternoon
Take some time to explore Dingle Town before setting off again. If you fancy a coffee and pastry, Bean in Dingle never disappoints. If it’s edging closer to lunchtime, head straight to The Fish Box – I was here first in 2021 and I’ve been back on every subsequent visit to the town! Once you’ve refuelled, it’s time for the Slea Head Drive. My map above shows the full route, but make sure you stop at Ventry Beach, Coumeenoole Beach, Dun Chaoin Pier, Ceann Sibéal and Clogher Strand.
Evening
Once you’ve completed the Slea Head Drive, leave Dingle behind and make the two-hour drive east to Adare, where you’ll spend the night. I always use Adare as the overnight stop here because it breaks the journey north perfectly and saves a lot of driving tomorrow.
For dinner, I’d book a table in 1826 Adare (seasonal Irish fine dining) or The Blue Door (excellent seafood and modern Irish dishes). Afterwards, round off the evening with a pint in Pat Collins Bar (traditional pub with live music and a great Guinness) or Aunty Lena’s (lively gastropub with traditional music) before calling it a night.
Day 6: Visit the Cliffs of Moher and continue to Galway
Today takes you from County Limerick into County Clare before finishing in Galway, where you’ll spend the final two nights of this Ireland vacation itinerary. It’s another busy day, but it packs in some of Ireland’s most famous attractions along with a few places that many visitors overlook.
Morning
Leave Adare after breakfast and make the 25-minute drive to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. If you’ve never visited before, I’d recommend allowing at least a couple of hours here. While the castle is impressive, it’s the Folk Park that makes this place special.
Wandering through the recreated streets, cottages and shops gives you a real sense of what life in Ireland was like during the 19th century. From Bunratty, it’s around an hour to the Cliffs of Moher. Yes, they’re one of Ireland’s busiest tourist attractions, but don’t let that put you off – they’re famous for a reason. I’d say I’ve been here 20+ times since I was a child but the view never gets old.
Afternoon
Once you’ve finished at the cliffs, make the short drive to Doolin for lunch. There are plenty of places to eat, but, personally, I always head to either Gus O’Connor’s or McDermott’s (usually the latter as there’s much more parking!). After lunch, head into the Burren, one of the most unusual landscapes in Ireland. Rather than rushing straight through it, make time for the Aillwee Cave.
The guided tour takes around 45 minutes and it’s a nice change of pace after spending the morning outdoors. After leaving Aillwee Cave, you’ll continue through the heart of the Burren before joining one of my favourite stretches of road in County Clare.
The drive hugs the edge of Galway Bay, with limestone hills on one side and coastal views on the other. Before crossing into Galway, make one final stop at Dunguaire Castle. Sitting right on the edge of the bay, it’s one of Ireland’s most photographed castles and it’s well worth spending 15 or 20 minutes stretching the legs and taking in the views before the final drive into Galway City.
Evening
You’ll reach Galway City in the early evening, where you’ll be spending the final two nights of this Ireland itinerary. I always recommend staying here for two nights, as it gives you a full day to explore Connemara tomorrow without having to pack up and move on first thing in the morning. After checking in, head into the city for dinner.
I’d book a table in Kai (creative seasonal cooking), Ard Bia (modern Irish grub) or Dela (one of my favourite all-round restaurants in Galway). Afterwards, it’s time to sample a few of the best pubs in Galway. Head to The Crane (my favourite for traditional music), Tig Chóilí (great sessions every night) or Garavan’s (excellent whiskey selection and a cosy snug) before calling it a night.
Day 7: Connemara or back to the airport
If you’re flying home today, you’ll need to spend most (or all) of the day travelling back to Dublin or Shannon Airport. However, if you’ve another day to spare, I’d spend every minute of it in Connemara. It’s one of my favourite parts of Ireland and, after more visits than I can count, it’s still somewhere I look forward to returning to. The route below combines some of Connemara’s biggest attractions with a couple of quieter roads that many visitors miss.
Morning
Leave Galway after breakfast and make your way towards Clifden through the heart of Connemara. The direct drive takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, but if you have the time, I’d recommend taking one of the scenic routes marked on my map above instead. When you arrive in Clifden, park up and grab a coffee from Upstairs Downstairs Café before taking a stroll around the town.
It’s small enough to explore in half an hour and it’s a handy place to break up the drive before tackling the Sky Road. The Sky Road is one of those places that truly lives up to its name. Before joining the loop, you’ll pass Clifden Castle and, if you’ve time, it’s worth making the short walk out to the ruins. When you reach the Sky Road itself, make sure you follow the Upper Road – the views are far better than those from the lower route.
Afternoon
Once you’ve finished the Sky Road, continue towards Letterfrack for lunch. If they have room, I tend to head for Veldons Seafarer Bar & Restaurant. It’s only 15 minutes from Clifden and it’s a good place to refuel before the afternoon. From there, it’s a five-minute drive to Kylemore Abbey. If you’ve seen photos of Connemara before, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Kylemore without realising it. Leave yourself plenty of time here as the abbey, Victorian Walled Garden and woodland walks are all worth exploring.
After Kylemore, continue towards Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord, before driving through Leenane. Rather than heading straight for Cong, take the quieter route via Loch Na Fooey. It adds very little driving time and it’s one of those roads that rarely appears on first-time visitor itineraries. Pull in at the Loch Na Fooey Lookout before continuing on to Cong.
Evening
When you land in Cong, take some time to wander around the village. It’s famous as the filming location for The Quiet Man, but even if you’ve never seen the film, it’s well worth exploring. Visit the abbey ruins, stroll through the woodland walks and see the Monk’s Fishing Hut.
It’s then around 50 minutes back to Galway for your final evening, where you’ll polish off what I believe is the best Ireland itinerary for first-time visitors.
How to plan a trip to Ireland for 3 days to 3 weeks
Now that I’ve shown you what I believe is the best Ireland itinerary, it’s time to look at what’s possible across other trip lengths.
If you’re on the lookout for Ireland vacation ideas, I have itineraries that cover trips from 3 days to 3 weeks and you can pick your mode of transport and more.
3 to 4 day Ireland itinerary
Three or four days isn’t enough to see all of Ireland, and trying to do so will leave you spending more time driving than exploring.
Instead, I’d pick an airport, stay in one base and use it to explore the surrounding region with a mix of city sightseeing and day trips. You can comfortably experience one region of Ireland without feeling rushed. I’d avoid changing hotels unless you absolutely have to:
- If you start in Dublin: Spend 2 days in Dublin and then do a couple of day trips to Wicklow, Kilkenny or further afield
- If you start in Belfast: Spend 2 days in Belfast and then take a day trip along the Causeway Coastal Route
- If you start in Shannon: Either head southwest to Kerry and do Killarney, the ROK and Dingle or west into Clare and see Doolin and the Aran Islands
- Sample itineraries: 3 day Ireland itinerary and 4 days in Ireland
5 to 6 day Ireland trip itinerary
Five or six days is where an Ireland road trip starts to make sense. You’ll have enough time to move beyond one region while still travelling at a comfortable pace.
I’d recommend using two bases rather than changing accommodation every night, as it’ll give you more time to explore and less time packing and unpacking. With 5 or 6 days, you can comfortably experience two regions of Ireland and tick off many of the country’s biggest attractions:
- If you start in Dublin: Spend 2 days exploring the capital before heading to Killarney for 3 nights. From there, you can drive the Ring of Kerry, explore the Dingle Peninsula and stop at the Rock of Cashel on the journey south
- If you start in Belfast: Spend 2 days in Belfast before heading west to Donegal or south to Galway. This gives you time to experience the Causeway Coast along with some of Ireland’s quieter, less-visited regions
- If you start in Shannon: Base yourself in Galway and Killarney. You’ll have time to visit the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Connemara and either the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula before heading home
- Sample itineraries: 5 days in Ireland and 6 day Ireland itinerary
7 to 8 day trip to Ireland itinerary
Seven or eight days is the sweet spot for an Ireland road trip. It’s enough time to experience many of the country’s biggest attractions without feeling like you’re constantly racing from one place to the next.
It’s also the point where Donegal becomes a more realistic option, giving you much more flexibility when planning your route. With a week in Ireland, you can comfortably experience several different regions while keeping driving times manageable:
- If you start in Dublin: Spend 2 days exploring the capital before making your way over to Galway for 2 days. Then travel up into Mayo and on to Sligo
- If you start in Belfast: Spend 2 days in Belfast before following the Causeway Coastal Route. You’ll then have enough time to explore Donegal before flying home
- If you start in Shannon: Base yourself in Galway and Killarney, using them to explore Connemara, Clare, the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle
- Sample itineraries: 1 week in Ireland and 8 days in Ireland
9 to 10 day Ireland vacation ideas
Nine or ten days gives you the freedom to slow the pace of your trip. Rather than moving every day, you can spend two or three nights in several locations, take scenic detours and include places that many shorter itineraries simply don’t have time for.
With 9 or 10 days, you can comfortably explore much of Ireland without feeling like you’re constantly packing and unpacking:
- If you start in Dublin: Spend 2 days in the capital before exploring Galway, Connemara, Clare, Kerry and either West Cork at a leisurely pace
- If you start in Belfast: Spend 2 days exploring Belfast before following the Causeway Coastal Route into Donegal. From there, continue through Sligo and Mayo
- If you start in Shannon: Here’s where a Wild Atlantic Way road trip starts to make sense (see above)
- Sample itineraries: 9 day Ireland itinerary and 10 days in Ireland
11 days to 2 weeks in Ireland
Eleven days to two weeks is the luxury trip length. At this point, your Ireland itinerary stops being about fitting everything in and starts becoming about experiencing Ireland at a much more relaxed pace.
You’ll have time to spend several nights in different regions, take day trips and explore places that shorter itineraries simply can’t accommodate. With up to two weeks in Ireland, you can comfortably explore almost the entire island without feeling rushed:
15 days to 3 week Ireland itineraries
If two weeks is the luxury trip length, three weeks is complete freedom. Ireland really becomes your oyster. Instead of worrying about what you can squeeze into your itinerary, you can build your trip around what interests you most.
You’ll have the flexibility to linger in places you love, take spontaneous detours and change your plans if the weather has other ideas. With 15 days to 3 weeks in Ireland, you can comfortably explore the entire island while travelling at a relaxed pace:
- 15 days in Ireland
- 16 days in Ireland
- 17 days in Ireland
- 18 days in Ireland
- 19 days in Ireland
- 20 days in Ireland
- 21 days in Ireland
Browse my Ireland vacation ideas library
WAIT – please take 10 seconds to read the points below before you scroll. It’ll make finding your perfect Ireland trip itinerary easier:
1. You can pick your trip length and starting point
Two of the key elements in any Ireland itinerary are the length and the start point. Our road trip itineraries range from 3 days right the way up to 4 weeks. There are also multiple start points including the main ferry terminals and airports in Ireland.
2. You can pick a mode of transport
You can pick an Ireland trip itinerary based on how you plan on getting around Ireland. We have Ireland itineraries that only use public transport for those of you doing Ireland without a car. We also have itineraries for those of you that plan on renting a car in Ireland.
3. You can decide how fast you want to travel
Love to squeeze as much as possible into each day? Our ‘Fast Trips’ are just for you! Prefer to take it easy and avoid moving accommodation too often? You’ll love our ‘Slow Trips’.
4. You can choose a travel itinerary for Ireland to suit your fitness
Travelling with someone that has poor mobility? No problem – we have low fitness Ireland itineraries. Want to tackle some of the different hikes in Ireland? We’ve medium-high fitness itineraries just for you!
5. You’ll find our different itineraries starting from 3 days below
Now it’s time for you to find the best Ireland itinerary for you. Simply visit my Irish Road Trip library and pick your trip length!
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 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.
Keith,
I just realized you responded to my post in the comment section on the Wild Atlantic Way section. Sorry to basically duplicate my previous post here.
Rich & Judy
No worries, Rich! Did the other comment answer your questions, or is there anything else you need a dig out with? Cheers. Keith
Hi, We are traveling to Ireland during Easter Week 2020 arriving in Dublin on Easter Sunday. We would like to attend a Catholic mass that day. Do you have any recommendations?
Thank you.
Hi Leslie – all Catholic Churches in Dublin will run a mass on Easter Sunday. The one thing you’ll need to check is times. Many will run early morning or later in the evening (usually 18:00, but this can vary depending on the church.
Hey Keith! Heading to see family on 26th of December and have 7 days to work with (flying in and out of dublin.) Traveling with a very well traveled 2 year old who is generally great at being on the move but still a consideration for any of the more “adventurous” activities. I’m mindful that the weather might be shite, mostly we just want to see beautiful landscapes, any must see attractions (weather permitting) and cozy, festive Christmas pubs. Would be happiest near an open fire with a pint or a wine to be honest. We have family in Dublin, we know we want to hit Galway & Sky Road and we also have friends in Dingle and are desperate to make it down there. I’m roughly thinking two days in Dublin (Dec 27 & 28) 5 days on the road (Galway, sky road, dingle…and anywhere in between!) night of 2nd back in dublin, departing AM 3rd Jan from Dublin Airport. I’m trying to get my head around the planning and having some trouble, don’t want to over do it and ideally don’t want to be in the car more than 2/3 hours at a time but don’t want to miss anything we want to do. Your blog is wonderful, hoping you can be my consultant!
Hi Aimee,
Apologies for the delay – I’ve been battling a vomiting bug, which has been minus craic!
OK – you’ve a really tight schedule, especially considering you want to do Dublin (East), Galway (West) and Dingle (South West) all in 5 days. Is there any way that you’d consider cutting out Dublin? It’d give you more time to play with in Dingle, which you definitely need.
Another thing to note is that you’ll definitely end up spending more than 3 hours in the car, at times, e.g. Galway to Dingle is 3 hours plus.
28th (Day 1): Wicklow
Loads of easy-to-get-to scenery here that’s perfect if it’s raining or if the bambino doesn’t fancy moving about too much. Have a look at our guide to Wicklow. You could kick the day off with the Sally Gap Drive (have a look at Lough Tay) and then head out to Glendalough for one of the shorter walks around the lake (weather permitting). Then, to tick off your cosy pub goals, head to either the Wicklow Heather or the Coach House. The Wicklow Heather, in particular, is insanely cosy
If it was me, I’d stay in Laragh – it’s a nice base and it’s close to everything. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Trooperstown Lodge.
29th + 30th (Days 2 + 3): Galway
Make the city or Salthill your base (here’s a guide on where to stay in Galway). There’s a load of stuff to do in the city and outside of it – have a look at our guide to where to go in Galway for some ideas.
31st + 1st (Days 4 + 5): Dingle
The drive from Galway to Dingle is around 3.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Let me know what you think of the above.
Cheers,
Keith
Hey Keith,
Thank you so much for the reply, sorry to hear about the sick bug. Really appreciate you taking the time to help me and others, a wonderful service! So I probably should have mentioned, we’ve spent a good deal of time in Wicklow/Glendalough so probably won’t hit that area this time (although it is amazing!!) We will need the time in Dublin or else we’d have a very unhappy Nan on our hands! So I guess we’re looking for the ideal spots to hit in Galway (will look at your guide!) Kerry and maybe somewhere nice to stop off in Limerick or Tipperrary on the way back to Dublin. THANK YOU!
Hi Keith,
I am working on a plan to FINALLY visit Ireland in May 2020 and as of now my plan is to spend 10-12 days and drive myself throughout. Do you have any tips or advice on places to see (and also avoid) if you’re a female solo traveler? I have traveled before on my own plenty in places like Southern Africa and even lived in Italy for a few months, so I have common sense on most travel-related safety issues, but every country is different of course.
I would also love to know if you have any recommendations on saf(er) places to stay or great places to check out for a genuine Irish Pub experience? If there’s a potential for live music, even better!
I apologize in advance if you have noted some of these items already and I just haven’t gotten to that section of the site yet! But thank you in advance as well for your help!
Hi Rita,
Sorry – I thought I had replied to your comment! Ireland’s like anywhere else in the world, you’ve nice, decent, law-abiding people…. and you have the exact opposite.
Once you have your wits about you, you should be fine. Exercise the same level of caution as you did on your previous travels.
Can you give me an idea of your route and I can recommend some pubs?
Cheers,
Keith
Hey Keith,
Planning on a combination of a golf trip and some sight seeing last week of March 23-30th in 2020. How concerned should we be in regards to the weather? Traveling with 6-8 and seems to be the only real week for all schedules. Let me know if it’s worth reconsidering. Look forward to hearing your feedback. Thanks!
Hi Mike,
Here’s a guide to visiting Ireland in March. There’s info in it on the weather during the last two Marches (Marches… that definitely doesn’t sound right?!) to give you an idea on what we’ve experienced.
In a nutshell, March and April can be tricky. We’ve seen more and more storms during these months over the years.
That being said, you could visit and it could be grand. If you had the option to move it to May, that’d be ideal!
Cheers,
Keith
Hi Keith!
My name is Catalina, I’m from Argentina.
I am travelling to UK for New Years Eve with my boyfriend and we’ll be in Ireland for 4 days. I really want to make the most of it even though I know we’re on a tight schedulle.
We rented a car for 3 days. The day without car we’re going to Dublin.
Regarding the 3 day road trip, the only thing I know for sure is Cliffs of Moher. I’ve already been to Galway and would like to visit another town.
There are so many places to go that I feel a little bit overwhelmed! What would you recommed us? I was thinking:
Day 1: Cliffs of Moher and something else.
Day 2: Kerry?
Day 3: Claire?
Day 4: Dublin
We are willing to sleep very little and see as much as we can. Great landscapes,some castles and a lot of Irish culture is what we are looking for.
If you could give me your opinion on the schedulle I would be very greatful!!
Thanks in advance,
Cheers
Catalina
Hi Catalina,
Cheers for getting in touch.
If it was me, I’d do a day in Clare (there’s heaps of things to do around Doolin).
You could do day 3 driving through the more off-the-beaten-track towns in Galway, like Leenaun, and make your way to Mayo.
You could then do a night in Mayo and another in Sligo, if you liked.
If you really wanted to do Kerry, you could always do day 1 in Clare and then head to Kerry for day 2 and 3, before heading to Dublin for day 4.
It would be a lot of driving, but if that doesn’t bother you then it should be fine.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Keith
Hi, my husband and i are planning a trip to Ireland march 15 to march 22. We would like to get away from big cities and explore villages, wildlife, outdoor beauty with some history mixed in. Can you suggest which counties we might focus on, they all look beautiful ! We are folks who enjoy Airnb type accomodations and exploring the sights, we are happy to rent a car.
Hey! So, this is really going to depend on where you’re flying/arriving into. If you’re coming into Dublin, you could stay outside of the city in the likes of Howth or Skerries for a night. You could then do two nights in Wicklow in a town like Avoca or Roundstone or Laragh.
You could then head to Galway and base yourself in (another) Roundstone. You could add in Mayo and stay on Achill Island for a few nights.
As far as Airbnbs go, here are loads for you to look at!
Hi Keith, first of all this page is impressive and was so helpful already!! Thanks for putting in so much work and help people find their best itinerary. We have possibly 7 to 8 days flying into Dublin airport and would like to do a camper van road trip. Hopefully only a small camper van without much amenities. We’d like to see coastal areas, cute and small villages and especially the little pubs 🙂 Most likely flying out from Dublin airport again because I assume we’ve to return the camper van in Dublin. Would you have any suggestions for which part of Ireland to visit best and maybe which route to take? We’re planning on travelling mid of Feb 2020. I would be thrilled to get a reply from you. Cheers, Lisa
** soz if I might have posted this comment twice but as I reloaded the page, my comment was gone so I’ve redone it.
Hi Lisa,
Sorry it’s taken me a while to get back to you. I seem to constantly be battling colds and the flu these days!
Sounds like a lovely trip you have planned. If it was me, I’d do the second 7-day itinerary in our 7 days in Ireland guide. Plenty of coastal areas in Waterford, Cork and Kerry to keep you occupied.
I’ve done this route a handful of times over the years and it never fails to disappoint. Make sure that you drive the Copper Coastal Route in Waterford!
Cheers,
Keith
Hello we will be coming to Ireland in August and would like to rent a vehicle for 8-10 people. We were wanting to do a self guided tour but are having issues finding a vehicle large enough. We would prefer NOT to drive but drivers are upwards of $5000 for 4-5 days….then we are headed to the ND Navy game on the 29th. We are very much looking forward to this trip but transportation is proving to be an issue.
Hey – I think your best bet is joining a guided tour. It’s going to be the only way that you can travel about the place with that many people all in one vehicle. Unless of course you stick to public transport and get around that way.
Hi Keith
Excellent site! So much information. Thanks for that. Still having a bit of trouble figuring out an itinerary. I would love some insight if possible.
I will be travelling to Ireland with my husband and another couple in March. So soon, I know. We are flying to Dublin from Scotland on the 15th (morning) and flying from Dublin back to Canada on the 20th (afternoon).
We will be renting a car. I would normally have planned to travel in a big loop from Dublin to Galway to Belfast and back to Dublin, but we are looking to spend St.Patricks day in Dublin. This is why I am stuck.
I was hoping to experience Northern Ireland a bit (Belfast, giants causeway, dark hedges, maybe titanic experience). My other hope was experiencing some of southern and western Ireland with a focus on Galway (ideally 2 nights). But also seeing Kilkenny, Killarney, and maybe Cork. I don’t know how to best plan around being in Dublin for St.Patricks day (we would like to be around for breakfast and the parade + festivities that night so late 16th-early 18th).
Any help would be very appreciated. Again, thank you for all the information you’ve already given me!
Missy.D
Hi Missy,
Cheers – glad you found it useful! So, everything you mentioned in the above comment will absolutely not be possible with 4 and a half/5 days. You’d need to drive for every minute of the day, which would be a complete waste.
The best thing to do in this situation is to prioritise which places are an absolute must, and which you just kinda want to see. That’ll help narrow down the route and make life for you a whole lot easier (it’ll also make your trip way more enjoyable).
Here’s a suggestion (note: I’d do this completely differently if you didn’t say that you want to get back to Dublin for Paddy’s Day):
Days 1 and 2: Belfast (make the city your base and explore the Causeway Coastal route)
Day 3: Back to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day
Days 4 and 5: Galway and then back to Dublin
To be honest, spending Paddy’s Day in Dublin is killing your itinerary, to an extent. There’s nothing great about Dublin on the 17th, unless you’re really into parades. I’d be inclined to cut Dublin out completely, spend days 1 and 2 in Belfast, take the long drive to galway for days 3 and 4 and then try and squeeze in Kilkenny on the final day.
Actually, scratch that – it’s just too much. Definitely look at priortising that places you want to see and try and skip Dublin on Paddy’s Day.
I hope this helps.
Keith
Hello Keith !
Your site is fantastic, really haven’t scratched the surface yet. Will be visiting Ireland in May for a few weeks, probably between 10-14 days with my 87 year old grandmother. She can’t do hiking or anything but wants to see the ring of Kerry, Blarney stone.. book of kells, cliffs of moher.. lol she mentioned the sheep shearing.. just the main highlights. We will probably rent a car and my grandmother is not opposed to letting me take hikes independently of her if there are things she can’t do for physical limitations. . She is admirably mobile but tires pretty quickly.
I expect her first day will be low key recovering from the flight and she will need to have rest stops along the way.. do you have any recommendations? Money isn’t a major issue (within reason.) This is her lifelong dream trip, she has regretted not making it to Ireland before. She wants to see as much as she can (and I’d like to see as much as possible, too, this is my first international adventure)
Thank you!
Hi Kelly,
That’s an amazing trip to be taking with your grandmother – fair play to her!
My Nan is around the same age, so I can only imagine how memorable of a trip this will be for both of you. As this is a bucket list trip for her, I’d love to do out a proper (free) itinerary for you both – can you give me an email on keith@memoriesfromireland.com and we can get it rolling?
When you email just give me a sense of any other ‘must-visits’ that you both have along with a rough idea of how much you want to spend on accommodation each night. I don’t usually do this, but as it’s such a monumental trip for you both, I’d love to help!
Cheers,
Keith
Hello! We would love your advice. We are 4 Americans (2 couples from Utah) in our mid 40’s heading to Ireland for the first time. I say first because I hope to make it the first of many visits. We will be there Oct 8,2020 arriving around 10:00am and leaving the afternoon of the 17th fling in and out of Dublin. Flights are already booked! We will be renting a car and want to do a southern loop. Starting off heading south. We would like to stay 2 nights in each stop using Airbnb and or VRBO rentals. We would love to spend at least 1 night in a castle if at all possible but I have no idea where the best place for that would be. Things we really want to see; as many castles as possible, old historic sites, and ocean views, and pubs. Places on the must see list are Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Skellig Michael. We are “outdoorsy” so hikes and walks followed by a pint or 2 are our thing. I look forward to hearing from you, Cheers!
Hey,
If you’re going to be heading south from Dublin, you could try Kilkea Castle (Kildare) or Tubbrid Castle (an Airbnb in Kilkenny).
In terms of itinerary, you’ve a nice 9 days to work with, which is great. If it was me, and I wanted to see the places that you’ve outlined above, I’d do it like this:
– Days 1 and 2: Arrive in Dublin, sleep off the jet lag, explore the city and use it as your base to visit Wicklow.
– Days 3 and 4: Kilkenny – you could make Tubbrid Castle your base if it suited your budget. You could explore Kilkenny on day 3 and then on day 4 do a day trip to see the Rock of Cashel and then Cahir Castle
– Days 5 and 6: Make Killarney or Kenmare your base. Visit the Dingle Peninsula, explore the National Park, head out to see Skellig Michael (hopefully you can get onto a tour).
– Days 7 and 8: Clare – base yourself in Doolin and explore all around you
Hope this helps.
Keith
HI!
Traveling into Dublin, headed to Galway. Priority is to find the old family homestead. Best way to find it? According to the 1911 census, the home is listed as “Residents of a house 22 in Glencoh (Turlough, Galway)”
Your help is appreciated!
Barbara
Hi Keith,
Your site has been so helpful in preparing for our upcoming trip to Ireland in June 2020. We are doing 2 days in Dublin, then driving to Galway for 2 days. We then plan to head to Killarney for 2 days and Kilkenny for 1 day. I just had a few questions:
1. On the drive from Galway to Killarney, are there any smaller towns/villages that you think are must sees?
2. With only being in Killarney for 2 days, I just don’t think we have enough time to tour the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. I think we will have to choose one. Do you have any recommendations?
Thank you!
Hi Keith –
A ton of great information !!
I am traveling with my 30-something daughter for about 5 days in mid May We are flying in and out of Shannon from NY We land VERY early on a Tuesday morning – think we will rent a car and drive to Cork ( family roots ) maybe stay there a day or so – do Cork, Kinsale and then go back up – Cliffs of Mohr and Galway and surrounding area and fly out on Sunday afternoon Any suggestions/tips would be appreciated Pubs/ restaurants are as important as the countyside!!
Hi Keith,
Thanks for the wonderful, informative site. Very helpful! We will be traveling to Ireland on July 8, 2020 and staying for 8 to 10 days. Arriving in Dublin and spending the first two days there, then heading off to visit ancestral counties of Roscommon and Kerry. Will be flying back from Dublin. Do you have suggestions relating to Roscommon and Kerry, plus other areas that we might be able to visit with the time we have allotted? Thanks for any advice you might be able to offer!
Dan
Hello Keith,
Your site is wonderful. Really a blessing for those of us who like hidden gems in a country. I am traveling in March for 10 days. Is it to crazy to aim going around the whole Island? I love to drive and there are spots everywhere i would like to visit. I concentrate in nature and sacred site. No cities or towns. Thanks so much
Coming to this beautiful place in April. Arrive in Dublin on a Thursday at 0700. Was thinking of renting car and driving to…
Day 1: Dingle, maybe via Rock of Cashel, and getting there Thursday afternoon.
Day 2: Slea Head Loop.
Day 3: Not sure
Day 4: Dublin
Day 5: Dublin
Is this at all possible and/or worth the trouble of so much driving. Notice i wasn’t sure about day 3. I was thinking after Slea Head would be to head toward Dubling with a stop somewhere.
Alternatively
What about..
Day 1: Dublin through Rock of Cashel (to see castle, only) to Kenmare for Day 1
Day 2: Ring of kerry Loop Drive then drive to Dingle
Day 3. Slea Head Loop Drive, Head back to Dublin
Day 4/5: Dublin
Hi Faran,
Definitely a lot of driving in your suggested route above. If it was me, I’d arrive into Dublin and spend day 1 there. Spend day two in Wicklow.
Drive to Kerry on the third day and base yourself in Killarney for two nights. You can do the ROK from here and explore more of the area around you.
Head back to Dublin then on the final day. It’s a lot of driving but if you really want to get to Kerry you’ll have to go for it!
Hope this helps! Cheers.
Hi Keith
My husband and two of our friends are planning a self drive trip of Ireland arriving around 14th September and staying 14 nights. We are Australians who have not travelled overseas a lot (actually only a trip to Canada a couple of years ago). What do you recommend. I thought we would include Belfast as well. What do you recommend.
Cheers Karen
Hi Karen,
It’s always tricky to reply to a itinerary question like this one as I don’t have any insight into the kind of things you like (e.g. are you here for hikes? Or do foodie trails appeal to you more).
What I’d recommend doing is creating a ‘must-see’ list and then plotting out what’s possible from there. If you hop into our guide to Ireland’s counties, have a browse through each one and make a list of the places you fancy seeing.
Then plot them on a Google Map. From here, you need to think about how much you want to be moving around. What I mean by that is, would you prefer to base yourselves from 5 different places over the two weeks? Or would you like to move around more frequently.
I hope this helps. Cheers!
Hi Keith
I hope you’re well.
I was planning a visit for July but that doesn’t look likely to happen on the current climate which has left me with one very upset 14yr old. So I thought we would look into rescheduling for October ?
We’re hoping to fly into Belfast, and fly out of Dublin with a visit to family in New Ross along the way. I was planning on 5-7 days whilest keeping costs to a minimum. We have been offered a place to stay in New Ross with family so as many nights there as possible would be great.
We are looking to sight see and ideally visit Galway and maybe Londonderry. Can you recommend an itinerary?
Hi Keith
Just found your page. It’s brilliant
My husband retires 2021 and we are planning on visiting his great great grandfathers Museum in Mayo His mother’s birthplace in Connemara and auntie in Newlawn we then want to end up in Galway and Dublin
Have you any advice of B&B pubs en route to these places
We are hoping to go for 15 days so any advice or help would be greatly appreciated we will be travelling from Heathrow Airport UK
We’ve never been to Ireland before so we are really really looking forward to it thank you
Hi Keith,
I am planning to take my grandparents to Ireland next spring. My grandmother has always wanted to go and never got the chance to travel. However, they are not in the best of health and I don’t think they could handle walking an hour+ (which seems to be the best/only way to see some of the main spots you mention in your recommended itineraries).
Do you have any recommendations for best places to go that don’t require much of a hike? My Grandparents would love: beautiful landscapes, local places that don’t feel touristy (they always manage to make friends with locals while out eating, etc), places of historical significance.
Hey! A lot of people planning a visit to Ireland have this problem, but it can definitely be worked around.
Say, for example, they’re very limited mobility wise, if you took them to Donegal, there’s plenty of places where you can literally drive right up to for an incredible view.
Here’s a couple of examples:
– The Slieve League Cliffs: you can drive right up to the ‘main’ view
– Ballymastocker Bay: you can pull in on the road above and grab an incredible view
– The Inishowen 100 drive: there’s an endless number of great views on this (the one at Tra Na Rossan is unreal!
If you’re looking for lovely little towns, you can’t bate Ardara (Nancy’s pub, in particular, is lovely!).
I hope this helps!
Hello Keith,
I’m just writing to thank you for doing this. I do not have a set date for when I can come to Ireland but reading the info you provided and the extensive comments you’ve answered, I almost feel like I’ve been to Ireland already! I know that’s when I can finally plan my trip, this website will be my go to for planning my trip! God bless you Keith!
A fine message to wake up to! Thanks a million Heather – I’m glad you found it useful. Hopefully your visit is just over the horizon.
Cheers from a cold and sunny Dublin!
Hello.
Thanks for all your posts. They are very informative and helpful.
One questions, when planning can we assume the driving times we see on Google Maps are more or less accurate? I know there are a lot of country roads and I didn’t know if this was taken into account by Google.
Thanks again!
Do you have a guide to travelling around Ireland with a dog?
Hey Nicola – I don’t, but this is weird timing. Myself and my dad have been chatting about doing a trip with our dog who’s an absolute nightmare in the car. So, while we’ve nothing on planning a trip in Ireland for those with a dog yet, but hopefully it’s on the horizon!