This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure : here
Get the ultimate experience of everything Ireland has to offer with this Ireland road trip itinerary. Explore the many different cities of Ireland, hitting all the main stops and a few hidden gems along the way! Ireland is a DREAM to visit. So when you get the opportunity to visit Emerald Isle, one must try to visit as much of Ireland as you can. Road trips are the best way to explore this country as you can drive across the country in a little over 2 hours. Of course planning a road trip isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea. Here’s a guide to planning your own road trip itinerary through Ireland for the ultimate Ireland experience. Although this itinerary is for approximately 10 days, you can change the itinerary to add or subtract things to what suits you. If you have more days to explore Ireland, I’ve included some extras as well. This one provides all the highlights but also places not as well known. Fly into Dublin, which is the largest city and the capital of Ireland. It is fairly cheap to fly here but you can sometimes get a good deal flying into Shannon Airport. Even though this is a road trip itinerary, you won’t hop on the road till day 3. I recommended waiting to get your rental car until Day 3. Everything in Dublin is within walking distance and it’s easier to get around the city that way or on the hop on and off bus. There’s also the AirLink bus you can use as well. This will help you save some money on your rental car and give you more money for attractions and food! Pro-tip: Make sure you have your hotel or airbnb lined up to take you when you land. This was one of our only mistakes, as we had an overnight flight and landed at 5am. Nothing is really open at 5am, including coffee shops, so we had to wait a bit before exploring. If you are landing this early, I suggest heading to your hotel and catching a few hours of sleep before exploring for the day. (Ireland is 6 hours ahead of Central Standard Time (CST)) After catching a few zzz’s, head out for some food and attractions. Guinness is a massive multi-story building that you can explore here in Dublin. Self guided tours start every half hour to learn how they make their world famous beer along with learning the history of the Guinness family. Not only can you grab a free pint there, but enjoy one of their many restaurants as well. We ate at 1837 Bar & Brasserie and it did not disappoint, even the views were amazing! The famous little red pub is an iconic part of Ireland. Of course it was packed so we just opted for a picture in front of it. If you happen to get in, do it! If not, there are tons of other great pubs and restaurants within walking distance. Gorgeous church packed with history! Founded in 1191, it is an iconic stop on your road trip through Ireland. You can do a guided or self guided tour. For the self-guided tour, they provide you with a map and you are able to roam around the church, read the history and see pieces of history. Learn the great history of the Books of Kells and see the Long Room in the Old Trinity College Library. I recommend ordering the tickets in advance. You can purchase tickets when you get there but you may wait in a line until there is room to allow you in. If you have pre-ordered tickets, you skip the line 🙂 The Long Room (pictured above) is truly breathtaking. The pictures are gorgeous but like most of Ireland, it just doesn’t do it justice. A nice little restaurant/bakery that serves an abundance of sandwiches and wraps along with tons of sweet treats. We enjoyed our first meal in Ireland here, but don’t forget to grab a sweet treat on the way out! Pro-tip: When visiting Ireland, you can pick up a duty-free card. This card allows tax to be omitted on items you bring back home that aren’t food. There are plenty of attractions listed above to see and do in Dublin but if you are over the tourist attractions and just want to see Ireland and all its beauty. I recommended picking up your rental car and heading for a day trip to Wicklow Mountains. Just the drive itself is gorgeous but there are plenty of places to stop and hike or just take pictures. Wicklow is about 1.5 hours south of Dublin. Luxury Option: Clontarf Castle Hotel – Stay at a castle on Emerald Isle! Hotel Option: Buswells Hotel. Close to Trinity College Library. Check out more hotels and pricing here! Airbnb : Entire Studio Apartment. If you are new to Airbnb, use our code for $40 off your first trip! You can also read about EVERY Airbnb we have stayed in and if you wanted to know how to find the best deals on Airbnb, go here! I love this budget-friendly option for staying in a castle in Ireland. Head northwest to live like Lord and Lady for a night in a castle! I believe staying in a castle should be on everyone’s Ireland bucket list! From the moment we entered the gates of the castle, we received nothing but a fantastic experience. It was a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of Dublin’s busy city. We explored the grounds where there is a lake and extensive gardens and towers. You are free to explore around the castle as well. There are bars, sitting rooms, a restaurant and even a library. Our room was luxurious and romantic, and we were pleasantly surprised by heated tiles in the bathroom. After settling in and exploring the castle a bit, we dined like royalty in their restaurant. Since it was our anniversary, we ordered the 3 course meal, but again, they went above and beyond and gave use a pre-appetizer, and extra desserts. To say we were stuffed with deliciousness would be an understatement. Breakfast was included in our stay and there was an assortment of pastries, fruit, and french toast to choose from. You could even opt to have a full Irish breakfast. To top it all off, we were given a bottle of wine at check out as a thank you for staying with them. Staying in a castle can be pretty pricey, but with the night in the castle for 2 people, 3-course dinner and breakfast all for under $300. I caught an amazing deal off their website for this castle and it was worth every penny! Next, we head to Galway, one of my favorite cities! I loved the feel of this city. It doesn’t seem as overly crowded like Dublin but still packed with tons of stuff to do. Explore the city and don’t forget to grab a bite to eat. Stop by Monroe’s. A nice cozy pub with delicious food and drinks. Great place to hang with friends or watch a game on the TVs. For a fresh healthy lunch, try Revive Cafe’. A fantastic little cafe with delicious wraps and nutritious smoothies. One of our favorites on the trip! All of these below are within walking distance of each other. So you can easily get to most of these in one day. Quay street is known for having tons of shops and restaurants with a wide variety. A busy part of the city, as there are many places to wander into and explore. Quay street is part of the Latin Quarter. The Latin Quarter is made up of many examples of Latin heritage. This is fun to just take in the sites but also check out all the different little shops along the way. The full name of the Galway Cathedral is quite a mouthful. “The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas.” Like its name, the cathedral is quite impressive in size and the details are just heavenly. You can’t come to Emerald Isle and not check out at least one beach on your Ireland road trip. Salthill Beach is made up of several small beaches separated by rocky or grassy outcrops. Some of the beaches are sandy and some are made up of pebbles. Salthill beach is located on the edge of the city of Galway but worth the drive, especially during the summer when they have on duty from mid-May to the end of September. A fantastic little flea market filled with hundreds of tents selling fresh produce and local handmade crafts. Galway Market is the perfect stop to get all those souvenirs to take home from your road trip. Luxury: Glenlo Abbey Hotel an 18th-century manor house with impeccable service and elegant atmosphere. Hotel: The Connacht Hotel: a soft modern vibe hotel with a pool. Get other hotel prices here! Airbnb: Colorful Studio Apartment in the heart of Galway! See our time there! Explore the vast beauty and breathtaking views at the Cliffs of Moher. We tried exploring the day before but with the storm hitting Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher were closed for safety reasons. We were excited that they opened the next day but with caution. The wind was definitely kickin’ but we enjoyed the beauty and everything it had to offer anyway! Even on the worst days, it still is picture-worthy! There is a visitor center with some history and information along with places to get some coffee and a quick bite. As we drove back to Galway, we stopped at Hazel Mountain Chocolate, a fantastic chocolate company complete with a cafe, gift shop, and chocolate shop. We learned they make their chocolates from cocoa beans rather than a base chocolate. You can taste the difference. A cute little shop with people very passionate about what they do. If you don’t catch them on your way back from the Cliffs of Moher, not to worry! They have a shop in Galway! Galway Shop Opening Times: Monday – Sunday 11am – 6.30pm Address: 9 Middle Street, Galway City Another stop on your road trip through Ireland is the Dunguaire Castle. On your ride back to Galway from the Cliffs of Moher. Stop and check out this castle. It was built in 1520 by the O’Hynes clan on the picture-worthy shores of Galway Bay. There is a parking lot not too far from the castle to park. The castle was closed when we visited but you can explore the grounds outside and get some fantastic pictures. They do medieval banquets from April through October. If you happen to visit during this time, I recommend stopping in for their banquet. Also during these months, they provide tours of the castle, if you prefer to do that instead. This is not a mandatory stop if you visit during the off-season as we did, but it does provide lovely views and beautiful pictures. Limerick is not one of those cities to just push aside. Ever since I was little, I wanted to visit Limerick and I wasn’t disappointed. I love just walking around in this city as it held onto much of its history. With a castle, bridge and the river running right through the heart of the city, it’s everything you envisioned Ireland would be. Food and entertainment take you back in time with a medieval banquet. Enjoy a 4-course Irish meal while taking in some Irish music, song, and dance. A fantastic time to be had at the Great Hall of Bunratty Castle. Check out the menu and ticket pricing here. A fantastic tour filled with tons of information and interactive exhibits. Explore the whole castle with their winding staircases and then head to the top for some phenomenal views of the city. They also have a cafe, a gift shop, and even host events there as well. The Hunt Museum houses one of Ireland’s greatest private collections of art and antiquities, dating from the Neolithic to the 20th Century, including works by Renoir, Picasso, and Yeats. They also have temporary exhibits throughout the year as well. A small corner pub, yet perfectly quaint on the inside. The simple rustic look provided a cozy atmosphere while dining and enjoying a pint. It was reasonably priced and offered many food and drink options. Bakehouse 22 is located right across from King John’s Castle. It was the perfect place to grab some coffee and a pastry after touring the Irish castle. We loved it so much, we ended back up there for breakfast. 🙂 Luxury: The Savoy Hotel – elegant rooms and suite complete with fine dining. Hotel: The Limerick Strand– modern, chic and right on the river! Get more hotel prices here! Airbnb : Cozy Studio Apartment in the heart of Limerick! This is one of my other favorite places to visit! I am a big lover of hiking and just enjoying nature’s beauty and Ireland has no shortage of this. We loved just driving on any of the roads and enjoying the scenery. I, of course, enjoyed it a bit more than my husband as he did all the driving. This is a MUST for visiting Ireland. Even if you are only staying in Dublin, there are tons of tours that will drive you over to the Ring of Kerry from Dublin. You’ll be on a bus and won’t have to worry about navigating the small and winding streets. But part of a road trip is enjoying the ride, and so driving in our minds was the only option. It renewed my faith and trust in my husband’s driving abilities as some parts of the road were pretty tight. Ireland is fairly small. It’s a quick drive from East Coast to West Coast, only a little over 2 hours. Stop in the Killarney National Park Visitor’s Center first. There you can get a ton of information and maps to show you where you stop and park and highlights of the Ring of Kerry. They also have an exhibit there you can explore. Most of the Ring of Kerry is driving but there are plenty of places to pull over and take pictures like at the Ladies View, Torc waterfall, etc. There is also plenty of places to go hike as well. I suggest driving the Ring of Kerry counter-clockwise to avoid getting stuck behind tour buses. Fair warning the roads are windy and narrow. It is best to slow when passing another vehicle, especially the buses (unless you mastered Mario Kart on the Wii in real life.) I would have loved to stay and explore here more. If you have an extra day on your road trip, I suggest using it here. The Ring of Kerry took us about 5 hours and we didn’t stop at all the main stops. Driving without stopping on the Ring of Kerry will take about 3 hours. Don’t forget to head off the Ring of Kerry to visit the Kerry Cliffs and get amazing views of Skellig Islands. Truly breathtaking! Luxury: Killarney Park Hotel – 5-star hotel with amazing accommodations. Hotel: International Hotel – 1800’s venue with modern touches. Get more hotel prices here! Airbnb: Cozy, Spacious Apartment– One of my favorite of the Airbnbs on this trip! (The pictures don’t do it justice!) The Dingle Peninsula is another breathtaking place to explore. Smaller than the Ring of Kerry but as beautiful as ever and a definite stop of your Ireland road trip. This peninsula is almost its own little city. There are tons of walking or hiking path from easy walking paths to challenging hikes, you’ll find something for every level of difficulty. There are also breweries, hotels, restaurants, museums. You could spend hours or days here admiring all its beauty. Off to Cork and Cobh. If you ever get to experience St. Patrick’s day here, you should It is a lovely time! After the parade, take a short drive to Midleton to get the Jameson Experience. (There is a Jameson tour in Dublin, but it just doesn’t compare to this one!) There is another Jameson experience in Dublin if you don’t get the chance to explore here, but I hear this one is the best! Meet your tour guide and watch a short clip of the history. Then go walking with your tour guide to all the different buildings to really understand exactly how they make Jameson whiskey. In the end, experience the difference between US, Scottish and Irish whiskey. Then, have yourself a free Jameson drink at the bar. Don’t forget to grab some from the gift shop before heading back to your hotel. If you are not there for St. Patrick’s Day, you have plenty of time to explore other things like… Cobh was the last stop the Titanic made before it met its tragic fate. Learn about the last 123 passengers that boarded the Titanic. You’ll get an in-depth experience of what it was like on the Titanic as it made its voyage across the chilling waters. Also, take a day trip to the Blarney stone to kiss the stone for good luck! There are tons to do here and no doubt you could spend a half or even a whole day here. A prison turned fortress turned back into a prison located on a small island off the coast of Cobh. This is located right by the Titanic Experience but there are specified times for this tour, so make sure you check before heading over there. The cold and eeriness made for a creepy yet highly interesting tour! You can choose to explore on your own or follow a guide. You have plenty of time to explore before the boat comes to bring you back to shore. Get more information here! Luxury: Hayfield Manor – right in the heart of Cork. Hotel: Waters Edge Hotel – Spectacular views with clean modern feel rooms. Get more hotel prices here! Airbnb: The Dairy apartment– One of the other favorites! Such a clean and fresh look! Driving through Wicklow National Park was a treat in itself. The views along the way are just phenomenal! We stopped to hike but of course, the weather was outrageously windy when we went. Can you tell?! haha. We hiked for a few minutes and then continued our trek by car. If you have nice weather, I suggest you hike more. There is so much left unexplored! Last day drive over to Tramore and a lovely town where houses literally have breathtaking beach views. A quaint little town full of life! Feel free to explore here or if you didn’t get the chance head over for a day trip to the Wicklow Mountains. The Bishop’s Palace Museum houses a display of Waterford treasures from 1700 to the 20th Century and gives visitors a wonderful insight into the history of what was, up until the 1750s, Ireland’s second city. There are miles of beach around Tramore. Just in front of our Airbnb is this view! Spend the day enjoying the water and walking along the sand. It’s not every day you can you walk on a beach in Ireland. Not that you may buy something from here, but just to appreciate the art and craftsmanship of these gorgeous crystals. Enjoy the luxurious range of contemporary and traditional crystal stemware, china, vases, wedding gifts and more. Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city where in 914 A. D. where the Vikings first settled. It’s a cultural and historical center of the city. It houses the Waterford Crystal, multiple museums, monuments, cafes, and gift shops. Luxury: Fitzwilton Hotel – sleek modern design with high-end features Hotel: Hazelbrooks Bed & Breakfast – cozy rooms with delicious breakfast in the morning! Get more hotel prices here! Airbnb: Private Seaside Guesthouse– Nothing like staying by the water! Now it’s time to head back to Dublin for your flight out. An hour’s drive east of Limerick. Enjoy the sites of a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone. This is one of six national parks in the Republic of Ireland and it is as gorgeous as ever! Located about 1.5 hours northwest of Galway. It is definitely GORGEOUS and a must-see if you are close to that area. Located off the coast of Galway are these 3 islands that guard the mouth of the Galway Bay. There are tons of attractions on these islands that you can get to by ferry. Tours of the island are April until October. Scenes of the Star Wars film “The Force Awakens” were filmed here. Enjoy the magnitude of beauty made by Mother Nature herself. Over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns as a result volcanic eruptions. These ruins sit right on the water’s edge for a dramatic yet picturesque setting. One of the most famous yet most fun things to do in Northern Ireland. Ireland’s oldest working distillery! Do I need to say more?! It’s Ireland! 🙂 If you missed the one in Cobh, check it out here in Belfast! This is where the ship was made before it took its maiden voyage. We actually didn’t need any euro for our whole 10 days in Ireland. Everywhere accepted my credit card. But most places only accept visa or Mastercard. Very few accept Discover and most don’t accept American Express. (So don’t be like my husband and only bring a Discover card so the wifey pays for everything ;P) I would get $10-20 dollars in euro just in case. Some roads do require tolls but we just programmed our GPS to avoid the tolls. Even if you know how to drive a standard, I recommend splurging the few extra bucks and getting an automatic car. My husband can drive a standard but with driving on the opposite side of the car on the opposite side of the road, it can get very overwhelming. Especially on tiny, unfamiliar winding roads. You don’t want to add the stress of maneuvering the stick shift as well. My husband was very thankful we did choose an automatic fairly compact car. DEFINITELY get the insurance! You may not need it but it’s better to be safe than sorry! Continuing with car education. The roads lines are different from here in the US. A two-way road is separated by dotted white lines with a yellow line signaling the edge of the road. This is different than here in New Orleans where a dotted line down the middle of the road means two lanes are going in the same directions. This may be typical in your area but that’s not the case in New Orleans! We have to pay before we pump our gas, but in Ireland, they are more trusting and you can pump your gas first, then go pay for it. Our car was diesel and the color-coding was opposite to us in the USA. So be mindful when refilling your gas tank. Check and make sure you are putting the right type of gas in your car. Most places offer dining in the restaurant or take away ( or takeout as we call it here). Just note, some places charge a different price for both. Dine-in tends to be slightly more expensive and take away is usually a little less. Although they will gladly take a tip, most don’t offer you the option to tip on credit card receipts. This is why having some euro may be beneficial if you would like to leave a tip. Need more travel ideas? Go here Starting a bucket list? Go here Visiting New Orleans? Go here Feel like spicing up date night? Go here Want delicious recipes? Go here Feeling crafty? Go here Share with Friends! The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary- 10 Days in Ireland
Table of Contents:
Day 1-2: Start Your Journey in Dublin!
RELATED: 12 Day Grand Circle Road Trip with Itinerary
Here Are Some Attractions You Can Do For The TWO Days In Dublin On Your Ireland Road Trip!
Guinness Storehouse:
Temple Bar
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Book of Kells/Trinity College
Mannings
Day 2 Alternative Option: Wicklow
Where to Stay in Dublin on Your Ireland Road Trip
Drive from Dublin to Castle – Approximately 2 hours
RELATED: 10 Tips for Planning an Alaskan Cruise
Day 3: Mohill – Lough Rynn Castle
Drive from Lough Rynn Castle to Galway – 2 hours
RELATED: The Best All-Inclusive Resort in Panama City, Panama
Day 4: Galway
Noteworthy Attractions to Visit in Galway on your Road Trip through Ireland:
Quay Street (Pronounced Key Street)
Galway Latin Quarter
Galway Cathedral
Salthill Beaches
Galway Market
Where to Stay in Galway on your Ireland Road Trip
Drive from Galway to Cliffs of Moher: approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
RELATED: The BEST Things to Do in New Orleans for Under $15
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher – Hazel Mountain Chocolate – Dunguaire Castle
Cliffs of Moher
Hazel Mountain Chocolate
Dunguaire Castle
Drive from Galway to Limerick: Approx. 1 hour and 45 mins
RELATED: The Ultimate Bucket List- Over 750+ Ideas!
Day 6: Limerick
Notable Attractions in Limerick on your Ireland Road Trip
Medieval Banquet at the Bunratty Castle
King John’s Castle
The Hunt Museum
Where to Eat in Limerick:
Curragower
Related: 10 Unique Things to Do in New Orleans
Bakehouse 22
Where to Stay in Limerick on your Ireland Road Trip
Drive from Limerick to Killarney: approximately 1 hour and 45 mins.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Day 7: Killarney / Ring of Kerry
Killarney National Park
Ring of Kerry
Kerry Cliffs
Where to Stay in Killarney on your Ireland Road Trip
Drive from Killarney to Dingle Peninsula: approx. 1 hour
RELATED: A Weekend Guide to Portland Oregon
Day 8: Dingle Peninsula
Drive from Killarney to Cork/Cobh: approx. 1 hour 36 mins
RELATED: Atlanta Travel Guide
Day 9: Cork- Jameson Experience – Titanic Experience – Blarney Stone
Jameson
Titanic Experience
Blarney Stone
Spike Island (Open Weekends Only)
Where to Stay in Cork/Cobh on your Ireland Road Trip
Drive from Cobh to Tramore (Waterford): approx. 1 hour 45 mins
RELATED: Alaska Shore Excursion on a Budget
Day 10- Wicklow Mountain/ Tramore
Noteworthy Attractions in Tramore:
The Bishop’s Palace
Go to the beach!
Waterford Crystals
Vikings Triangle
Where to Stay in Tramore on your Ireland Road Trip
Drive from Waterford/ Tramore to Dublin Airport: approx. 2- 2.5 hours (depending on the roads you take)
If you have more time,
Visit:
Tullamore Distillery
Sean’s Bar – World’s Oldest Pub (Athlone, Ireland)
Rock of Cashel
Connemara National Park
Aran Islands
Skellig Island – Kerry, Ireland
Visit: Northern Ireland
Noteworthy Attractions on Northern Ireland
Giant’s Causeway
Dunluce Castle
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Bushmills Distillery
Titanic Belfast
Tips for Staying in Ireland:
You don’t necessarily need Euro
Get an automatic compact car
Lines are reversed
You get gas at the pump and then pay
Dine-in or Take away
Tipping not customary
You also might be interested in
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full[...]
This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full[...]
This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full[...]
-
Love Ireland! We visited last year and camper-vanned around for 3 weeks. Absolute heaven. Really enjoyed reading your blog and seeing your photos ♥
-
Three weeks sounds amazing! I bet you visited a ton of places!
-
-
Wow, this is such a great post! I have always wanted to go to Ireland and I think I might just use this itinerary! I love the way you listed extra stuff to do and places to stay. Everything a person needs for an awesome trip. Thank you!
-
Yes, Ireland is lovely! You’ll love it and will get to experience a lot with this itinerary 🙂
-
-
I can’t wait until we go to Ireland. There is just so much to see. Hopefully we will take our camper over from England.
Definitely a few places here is hadn’t thought about so thanks for the pointers.-
That would be awesome to just bring your van! There’s so many beautiful places you could stay over there in Ireland surrounding by its beauty!
-
-
Katy LV
·
Ireland is such a beautiful place. I have real fond memories of travelling around it as a child.
-
That’s awesome you were able to go as a little kid. Hopefully you can make another trip back there 🙂
-
-
My friend just invited me to Ireland! Now, I know what we can do!
-
That’s awesome! You’re going to have so much fun!
-
-
Wonderful pics and content! Always wanted to visit.
-
You definitely should! It’s so beautiful.
-
-
Very interesting and detailed post. I have only visited Dublin but I would like to see more of Ireland. You have definitely provided some inspiration!
-
That’s awesome that you’ve been to Dublin! It’s definitely just a taste of the vast amount of beauty and culture they have in Ireland. You should definitely visit again. 🙂
-
-
Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve been too! This is such a great travel guide to see all the best of the country!
Leave a ReplyLet me know what you think.
About Me
Hey There! I’m Becky, and I’m so glad you stopped by! I’m here to help you find adventure in the everyday life whether its spicing up date nights, cooking a new recipe, exploring our city, or traveling the world. I’m here to show you how to make that happen. So, won’t you journey along with me?
Newsletter
Popular Posts
Check Out Our Progress!
COUPON
15 Comments
Leave your reply.