Planning the perfect Ireland road trip itinerary does not have to be stressful or overwhelming.
No matter where you choose to visit in Ireland, you are in for a real treat! There are so many amazing things to do in Ireland! I love Ireland so much and keep coming back for more!
Planning your trip to Ireland last minute?
Make sure to book your hotels and tours in Ireland in advance to ensure availability! Here are our top picks for your trip!
Top experiences and tours in Ireland:
- Cliffs Of Moher + Galway From Dublin (Top pick!)
- Guinness Storehouse Ticket (Often sells out)
- Northern Ireland tour from Dublin (Highly recommend NI!)
- Wicklow Mountains tour from Dublin (Multiple stops!)
Top Hotels In Ireland:
- The Dean Cork (Modern with indoor pool)
- Jurys Inn Dublin Parnell Street (Over 11,000 reviews + epic location)
- The Lodge At Ashford Castle (Pretty and historical)
- Slieve Donard (Luxury castle hotel in Northern Ireland!)
I have explored Ireland from top to bottom and have yet to be disappointed by a single place!
Ireland is a diverse country that offers something for everyone and this ultimate Ireland itinerary hits it all.
My Ireland road trip itinerary is written in a clockwise manner around the island, but feel free to modify it or go counter-clockwise if you want!
For this Irish road trip itinerary, I am not specifying an amount of time so that you can make the drive as time allows for your schedule.
If you are planning a trip to Ireland, I am here to help with tips and full itineraries!
If you have two weeks, consider spending a few days in each location to take in the gorgeous beaches and beautiful waterfalls in Ireland!
Now, let’s dive into one of the best Ireland driving routes!
The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal
Begin Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Into Dublin
The Dublin Airport is a major international airport and flights into Ireland are often relatively affordable.
In fact, the reason I went to Ireland on my first trip was because it was so cheap to fly into! I had no clue how amazing the country was and am very glad I went on a whim!
Since you will be renting a car in Ireland, picking up your rental from the Dublin airport is a great and affordable way to go about securing your vehicle.
If you are doing the itinerary counter-clockwise, you will fly into Belfast Airport in Northern Ireland.
Make sure to check out my tips on driving in Ireland.
Stop 1: Explore Dublin To Begin Your Ireland Road Trip
Dublin is the largest city in the Republic of Ireland and has so much to do. I recommend a quick stop in Dublin and then getting out to visit the rest of what Ireland has to offer.
No Ireland itinerary would be complete without a stop in Dublin, but the rest of Ireland is much less expensive and way cooler in my opinion!
Spend as long as you like in Dublin but I recommend 1 to 2 nights.
Best Things To Do In Dublin:
Have a Guinness in the Temple Bar area. Temple Bar is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Dublin. It is lively and the perfect place to experience your first Irish pub!
The Temple Bar itself is a great place for dinner and a pint. Even though it is touristy it is still a cool thing to add to your itinerary for Dublin.
Book Here: Dublin: Generation Pub Crawl
Walk through St. Stephens Green. I love nature and St. Stephen’s Green is like the Central Park for Dublin! It is so relaxing and pretty with lots of flowers and walking paths.
Visit Dublin Castle. There is a real castle located in the heart of Dublin! It is the perfect introduction to castles in Ireland!
Visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells. You must pay Trinity College and the famous library a visit when you are in Dublin! It is stunning and unlike anywhere else in the world!
Book Here: Dublin: Fast-Track Book of Kells Ticket & Dublin Castle Tour
Experience the Guinness Storehouse. If you love beer, visiting the Guinness Storehouse is the best possible way to start your Ireland itinerary. You get beer included and will learn about the history!
Book Here: Dublin: Guinness Storehouse Entry Ticket
Where To Stay In Dublin
Dublin has a shortage of hotel rooms and as a result, they can be expensive! I recommend spending a shorter amount of time in Dublin to save money.
I have an entire post detailing where to stay in Dublin if you want more information.
Best Hotels in Dublin:
- Mid-Range: Academy Plaza Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Luxury: The Westbury Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
Stop 2: Enjoy Rock of Cashel And Hore Abbey
I did the Rock of Cashel as a day stop on my way from Dublin to Cork, but you can spend the night in the area if you want more time to explore. Rock of Cashel is very popular for a good reason!
It is an epic ruin set on the top of a hill surrounded by sheep. Does it get any more Irish than that? This is a fun place to stop when driving through Ireland!
There is an entrance fee to visit the Rock of Cashel. However, the outside is the best part and a dream for photographers!
If you are looking to get off the beaten path, visit the nearby Hore Abbey instead. You can see Hore Abbey from the Rock of Cashel but significantly fewer people visit there.
Hore is Gaelic for grey, which is the color the nuns wore back in the day. The abbey ruins are magnificent!
The view of the Rock Of Cashel from Hore Abbey and the field beside it is worth making this a stop on your road trip of Ireland itinerary.
Best Hotels Near Rock of Cashel:
- Affordable: Cashel Town BnB. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Mid-Range: Baileys Hotel Cashel. Check Rates: Booking.com
Stop 3: Visit Ireland’s Ancient East
Cork is just a few hours away from Dublin and is worth a stop on your Ireland road trip itinerary. It is close to many of the top stops in Ireland’s Ancient East. You will not be disappointed!
See Cobh During Your Ireland Road Trip
When visiting Cork, you must make the 30-minute drive to the colorful town of Cobh! It is one of the prettiest towns in Ireland and a must-see during your trip!
Cobh was the last stop the Titanic made before crossing the Atlantic. If you’re interested in the history of this doomed ship, check out the amazing Titanic Museum.
While in Cobh, visit the church high on the hill and explore the colorful local neighborhoods. While the town is small, there are quite a lot of things to do in Cobh for a fun day trip!
Best Hotels in Cobh:
- Mid-Range: Commodore Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Mid-Range: WatersEdge Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
Kiss The Blarney Stone
Kissing the iconic Blarney Stone is one of the most popular and unique things to do in Ireland. The stone is found in Blarney Castle on the sprawling Blarney Estate right outside of Cork.
The estate is massive and you could spend an entire day there. I recommend budgeting at least 3 hours to kiss the Blarney Stone, explore the Blarney Manor where the family lived, and explore the landscaped grounds.
You must stop here when driving around Ireland!
Book Here: Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour from Dublin
Best Hotels Near Blarney Castle:
- Mid-Range: Blarney Castle Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Mid-Range: Maranatha Country House. Check Rates: Booking.com
Stop 4: Drive The Ring Of Kerry
No road trip around Ireland is complete without a drive on the famed Ring of Kerry!
Please note that the Ring of Kerry is quite a harrowing drive with extremely narrow roads. There are also large tour buses that go by quickly so you must be very careful.
If you see a car coming down the road, it is best to pull over and wait for it to pass before proceeding. This is one of my top tips for road trips in Ireland.
Visit Kerry Cliffs
The Kerry Cliffs are like a miniature version of the Cliffs of Moher. They are located in the middle of the Ring of Kerry along the Skellig Ring.
The Skellig Ring is a short circle drive at the end of the Ring of Kerry. It is easy to spot with many signs. You can even see the Skellig Islands, where Star Wars was filmed, from the Kerry Cliffs!
The Kerry Cliffs are home to many seabirds and make for a wonderful walk to explore the cliffs during your Ireland itinerary.
Book Here: From Killarney: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Tour
Ride The Car Ferry To Valentia Island
Valentia Island is located near the Kerry Cliffs and is a must-see on a Ring of Kerry road trip. If you drive the Skellig Ring, Valentia Island is less than 2 km away!
The island is home to a stunning lighthouse and quaint seaside towns. Valentia Island can be accessed near Kerry Cliffs by a bridge or by a ferry on the other end of the island.
I recommend arriving on the island by the bridge and exciting by the car ferry which has a small fee. It is a fun and unique thing to do on an Ireland road trip!
Where To Stay On The Ring of Kerry
There are a ton of fantastic places to stay along the Ring of Kerry for all budgets. No matter where you stay, you will be close to nature. This makes getting around Ireland by car so easy.
- Mid-Range: Valhalla BnB. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Luxury: Parknasilla Resort & Spa. Check Rates: Booking.com
Stop 5: Explore Killarney
Killarney is one of my absolute favorite places to visit in Ireland! The city is vibrant and welcoming with breathtaking scenery.
Killarney is a wonderful place to stop on your Ireland road trip because the area is so diverse and truly has so much to offer!
Best Things To Do In Killarney:
Muckross House and Killarney House. These beautiful, historic homes are located in the Killarney area and are both fascinating places to visit.
Muckross House is located a bit out of the city and can be quite busy. The grounds are stunning!
Killarney House is located in the heart of Downtown Killarney. You are free to walk in and out of the grounds as you please!
Torc Waterfall. This pretty waterfall is a unique stop on your road trip in Ireland!
It is located right off the main road and is an easy walk to visit. It is a must-see because of how unique it is! Torc Waterfall tops my list of the best hikes in Ireland!
Ross Castle. This castle is beautiful and easy to get to. It is located in the heart of Killarney on a lake.
It is completely free to visit the castle and view it from the outside. There is a fee if you want to go inside, but I think the best views are from the outside near the lake!
Killarney National Park. The town of Killarney is located right on Killarney National Park and there is so much to see and do.
I recommend driving through the Gap of Dunloe and seeing Ladies View during your Ireland road trip.
Book Here: Killarney: Killarney National Park Private Tour
Where To Stay In Killarney
Killarney has plenty of lodging options! It is quite a popular town and for good reason! Here are some of my recommendations for where to stay in Killarney during your Ireland road trip.
Best Hotels in Killarney:
- Mid-Range: The Brehon & Spa. Check Prices: Booking.com
- Luxury: Aghadoe Heights. Check Prices: Booking.com
Stop 5: Visit the Dingle Peninsula
I have done multiple Ireland road trips around the entire country and the Dingle Peninsula is one of the most spectacular places! It will beat all of your prior expectations and the views go for miles!
This is one area where you will want time to enjoy everything so think about extending your Ireland road trip for longer in Dingle!
Must-See Stops On The Dingle Peninsula:
Slea Head Drive. This is one of the most epic things to do on your Ireland road trip. This loop drive starts and ends in the town of Dingle.
It offers stunning cliffs, Star Wars movie locations, mountains, quaint towns, and breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. You will love discovering the best stops on Slea Head Drive!
Dunquin Pier. This is an iconic postcard destination on the Dingle Peninsula. It is located in the town of Dunquin on the Slea Head Drive loop and is a ferry pier.
It is quite a good photo location for catching the sunset. You will have lots of fun walking down to the water.
Connor’s Pass. This is the highest pass in Ireland and a wonderful addition to your itinerary. Be prepared for slow driving and very narrow roads.
Conner’s Pass is beautiful but the roads are quite thin so be sure to pull over well in advance for any oncoming traffic.
Dingle Town. The town of Dingle is a must-see on your Ireland road trip because it is so cute and centrally located. There is so much to see and do!
Walk around the shops and grab an ice cream while you enjoy the waterfront.
Book Here: Ireland: Dingle Peninsula Day Tour
Where To Stay In Dingle
Dingle is a wonderful and quaint place to stay in Ireland. There are a bunch of nice hotels and cute bed and breakfasts.
Best Hotels in Dingle:
- Mid-Range: The Lighthouse. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Luxury: Dingle Benners Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
Stop 6: Check The Cliffs of Moher Off Your Bucket List
Is there anything more iconically Irish than the Cliffs of Moher? Even if you don’t generally like to do “touristy” things, the Cliffs of Moher are a must on the best Ireland vacation itinerary!
I recommend budgeting at least 2 hours to see the Cliffs of Moher. Seeing these gorgeous cliffs in person will blow your mind and exceed your expectations!
You can also stop by the Visitor Center for some education and also grab a bite to eat before heading out to the views!
This is one of the more dangerous things you will do on your Ireland road trip, so make sure that you practice extreme caution!
Book Here: Galway: Gaze Across the Stunning Cliffs of Moher and Burren
There are a lot of fabulous Irish Castle Hotels near the Cliffs of Moher if you are looking for a unique place to stay!
Stop 7: Drop By Doolin For Irish Charm
Doolin is an adorable town just 10 minutes north of the Cliffs of Moher. If you are already visiting the cliffs on your Ireland road trip, I recommend a quick stop in Doolin too.
Doolin is a cute little town with iconic pink houses, an adorable downtown, a castle turret, and a lovely harbor.
While in Doolin, take a day trip to the nearby Aran Islands. You can catch an affordable ferry from Doolin, and it is a short boat ride to the islands!
These islands are a unique and beautiful place to see when you travel Ireland by car!
Best Hotels in Doolin:
- Affordable: Mountain Aven Guest House. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Luxury: Doolin Village Lodges. Check Rates: Booking.com
Stop 8: Experience Westport And Achill Island
I love getting off the beaten path and there is no better place to do that than Westport and the nearby Achill Island. Westport is an adorable town in Co. Mayo with so much to offer.
Visit Westport House and see their falcon demonstration or take a bike ride through neighboring towns. Westport House is where famed pirate Grace O’Malley lived and you can go into a real dungeon too!
I highly recommend a day trip to the nearby Achill Island or even staying a night here. Achill Island is pristine Irish beauty at its best with white sand beaches, mountain lakes, and cute towns.
You can even go surfing, paddle boarding, or snorkeling on Achill Island if you want more adventure!
Make sure to check out the other great things to do in Co. Mayo!
Best Hotels In Westport:
- Affordable: Plougastel House B&B. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Mid-Range: The Wyatt Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
Best Hotels on Achill Island:
- Affordable: Murrayville B&B. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Affordable: Hy Breasal B&B. Check Rates: Booking.com
Stop 9: Explore The Slieve League Cliffs And Bad Eddie’s Boat In Co. Donegal
Co. Donegal, Ireland’s northernmost county, is known as its most “wild.” This isn’t a place most people visit on their Ireland road trip, but I have gone and highly recommend it.
You will love exploring the best things to do in Donegal!
This is real and unspoiled Ireland, far away from tourists. This is where you will find sheep wandering in the road with no fences to keep them in.
Best Things To Do In Co. Donegal
Slieve League Cliffs. This is a must for your Ireland road trip itinerary because they are one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe (second only to the cliffs on Achill Island).
The cliffs are located in the southern end of Donegal. You can drive to them and walk the rest of the way.
The views are incredible and you will hardly see another tourist in sight. After the busy Cliffs of Moher, this is a more relaxed portion of your Ireland itinerary.
Bad Eddie’s Shipwreck. Once you leave Slieve League, make your way up to Bunbeg, where you will find a shipwreck on the beach. This is an old wooden shipwreck located on a beach you can drive on!
It is so cool to get up close and personal with an actual shipwreck on a beach!
Glenveagh National Park. This park is the epitome of wild Irish landscapes. If you love mountains, this is the place for you!
Make sure to leave time to drive through the national park or walk up one of the mountains! This is another one of the lesser-known things to do on your Ireland itinerary that you will love!
Malin Head. Malin Head is the northernmost point of Ireland. It offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean with many sea cliffs and beaches to explore.
Malin Head is also a Star Wars filming location so if you love the movies, this will be a must-see stop on your Ireland road trip!
Stop 10: Finish Your Ireland Road Trip By Exploring Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is much less visited than the Republic of Ireland but the country is so beautiful you must take time to visit here. There are amazing things to do in Northern Ireland!
Belfast is located less than 2 hours from Dublin, so if you are flying out of Dublin after your Ireland road trip, you can spend a night or two in Belfast or Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast.
Explore The Causeway Coast
The Causeway Coast is a stunning coastal drive that offers everything from pristine white sand beaches to castles perched high on the edge of cliffs!
The stops listed below are all close to one another so you can easily see them in one day. There is so much to do on a Northern Ireland road trip, but here are a few top Causeway Coast attractions.
Dunluce Castle. This age-old castle ruin is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Could it get any more stunning than that? The castle is steeped in history and bloodshed. It makes for fantastic photos!
Giant’s Causeway. This is a spectacular ode to nature with hexagonal, basalt rocks pushing up from the ocean. Make sure to go early in the morning to beat the tour buses.
Dark Hedges. This hedgerow leads to an old manor house and became popular after being featured in Game Of Thrones. Like Giant’s Causeway, make sure to go early or late to beat the tourists.
Mussenden Temple. This temple is perched on a cliff in Northern Ireland overlooking a perfect stretch of white sand beach. It is a fantastic place to catch the sunset.
Game Of Thrones Doors. If you are into Game Of Thrones, you’ll want to search out some of the Game Of Thrones Doors! There are many located along the Causeway Coast in bars and hotels.
Book Here: From Belfast: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour
Book Here: Dublin: Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce & Belfast Tour
Best Things to Do in Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is located under 2 hours from all the best nature Northern Ireland has to offer.
If you add Belfast to your driving itinerary for Ireland, check out the Titanic Museum Experience and walk around the Titanic Quarter. Interestingly, Belfast is where the Titanic was built and originally set sail.
Belfast is also home to the buzzing Cathedral Quarter. This is the perfect place for a bite to eat or a drink at one of the many pubs. If you have time, take a pub tour or walking tour around Belfast.
Book Here: Belfast: The Titanic Experience with SS Nomadic Visit
Best Hotels in Belfast:
- Mid-Range: Ramada by Wyndham Belfast. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Mid-Range: Bullitt Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
- Luxury: The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast. Check Rates: Booking.com
End Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Out Of Dublin Or Belfast
Eventually, your car trip in Ireland must come to an end. Either fly out of Dublin or Belfast.
If you fly out of Dublin, I highly recommend staying outside of the city and then driving in on the day of your flight. This will save you from going back to Dublin and will save you money on a hotel as well.
Ireland Road Trip Map
If you want to see what it all looks like on paper, here is your Ireland road trip map!
Unfortunately, Google Maps only lets us put 10 destinations, so we weren’t able to capture all the small stops like Cobh or Slieve League Cliffs.
This is the general idea of where the route will take you when you visit Ireland by car.
This Ireland road trip itinerary showcases the best attractions in the country. You will see popular things as well as hidden gems in Ireland! There is something for everyone!
I hope you have learned how to plan a trip to Ireland.
If this is your first time in Ireland, read up on the best time to visit Ireland next.
Pin this post:
3 day Amalfi Coast Itinerary: The Perfect Trip For Your First Visit
I’ve followed you away for several years now and I think this is the best one yet. Be safe while traveling.
Thank you so much! This means so much to us!
What timeframe was this completed in, My wife and I are coming to Ireland for 10 days.
You can do it in 10 days if you spend one day in each. I would recommend skipping Ring Of Kerry and Donegal if you want this itinerary in a more relaxed time frame!
We will be there for 10 days and will need to return to Dublin
Any specific landmark/ site that are a “must” is appreciated.
Also want to see a few of the Great Lighthouses
Please add Inishowen Peninsula (Malin Head) to your map then take the Greencastle ferry to the causeway coast.
We are always forgotten by the tourist and is winning the loto but forgot to claim the prize.
Nice itinerary, and the watercolour is beautiful but there are so many inaccuracies and spelling errors
Hello! What was inaccurate? We would love to correct it! Thanks!
We have 6-7 days what do you recommend.
Victoria, this is the most comprehensive list I’ve ever seen. Will refer to it if I ever have the opportunity to travel to Ireland. Thank you for this.
Great trip , but you should visit Bunratty Castle for a medieval banquet and folk park a great nights entertainment
Have always wanted to tour Ireland. Your list is great, I know it will come in handy once i get the chance to visit. Amazing photos too.
Awesome! I wish I knew more about Ireland to know for sure where to go, but I thought this definitely helped for my future road trip! ?
I am landing in Dublin on 26 Dec and leaving on 11jan. My gf wants to stay in a city until 1jan so I was wondering if the itinerary can be completed in 10 days? Especially with daylight hours being so short. And is it advisable to stay in Dublin for 5 days? Thank you!
Your photos are incredible! I’ve only been to Dublin but this has me itching to go back! Great post!
Great blog. We loved Kerry and Dingle although didn’t know about Cobh. A definite visit next time. Thanks for sharing your itinerary.
I did an Ireland road trip in 2003 with my mom and have been wanting to return ever since! Dingle was my favorite!
This is a great itinerary! And very similar to the road trip I just did in Ireland last week with my mom and sister! Our favorites were the Rock of Cashel and Cobh, I think, along with having tea at Ashford Castle!
We LOVED Cobh and Rock Of Cashel too! And Dingle! We really wanted to do Ashford Castle but didn’t get around to it!
What a brilliant resource! I can’t believe I’ve still never been to Ireland, but I’d love to do a road trip like this!
Thank you so much! Ireland is an amazing place to road trip!
I’ve always wanted to do a trip to Ireland. I will surely have this one on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your itinerary! Definitely one to steal 🙂
Thank you!! Have fun in Ireland when you go!
Fabulous itinerary!!! This is pretty much what we will follow for our second trip to Ireland. Two things you could include that are not to be missed: Kylemore Abbey which is just stunning and staying at Ballynahinch Castle which was also incredible and surprisingly inexpensive. Thank you for all of the tips!
Hello! I came across your blog and love it! My family recently moved to Belgium and we are wanting to visit Ireland in a couple of weeks thanks to RyanAir. We will only be there 6-7 nights and are thinking of flying into Cork vs. Dublin r/t flights being cheaper. If you had the choice, which airport do you prefer?
Also, I just wanted to check with you to see if you have any ‘updated’ recs. I was thinking of visiting the following from your intinerary and comments:
Cork
Dingle
Cliff of Moher
Westport Dublin
Cork
Any thoughts or recommendations before I start booking hotels?
I really appreicated all the effort you put into this blog! It’s SO helpful!
Hi! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post about your trip. I will be traveling to Ireland this summer. I was wondering, is it necessary to rent a car to do a trip like this? I’ve heard mixed reviews about car rentals in Ireland and am unsure what to do! There will be 4 of us going. Any advice is appreciated 🙂
Hello! Thank you! Sadly yes, to do this trip you must rent a car. That being said, there are some day tours from Dublin that go to many of the areas in this list except Donegal. They are pretty affordable and we recommend some here: https://www.followmeaway.com/day-tours-from-dublin/
Renting a car allows freedom BUT if you do we recommend taking pictures and a walk around video when you get the car so you aren’t taken advantage of by the rental companies. The driving on the “wrong” side of the road really isn’t that difficult and you will get the hang with slow and cautious driving!
Hi and thank you for such great information. My wife and myself are looking to go to Ireland about May next year and was wondering what your thoughts were should we try to see some of Scotland as well, allowing ourselves 21 days total. Also, would a motorhome be a good means of transport/accom?
Hi! This trip looks amazing,do you have a link you re able to provide to the google maps screen shot you posted? My family and I are looking to do an 8 day road trip in August.
My friends and I will be visiting Ireland in March and would like to do a road trip. Can you provide me with a link to the google maps screen shot you posted? If not, maybe a list of places you stopped?
Hello! Yes I have to recreate a better one! Can you email me victoriayore@gmail.com
Victoria:
I sent you my email, but have not received the link to the google maps screen shot you posted.
This was super interesting and informative- thank you! My partner and I are considering this trip in the Springtime, does anyone have insight as to what we can expect budget-wise?
I’ve been trying to plan a trip of a lifetime my husband & I will be taking in October…right after he retires on the 1st. We have purchased our plane tickets & plan to stay for 3 weeks. How do we plan reservations for lodging, without staying at 21 places & keeping a strict schedule? Is there a way we can plan to do it in segments, staying in one place & making day trips for several days & then moving on to the next section of the trip? Is there someone you can recommend that could help us do This? I don’t want to blow this special trip because of poor planning…I want no regrets! Your blog is the most concise & so enjoyable-any help would be so appreciated!
Hi Denise,
I can help you out.
I ran into your comment here and think your post is so nice and am really happy your going to spend some time in Ireland. Its really beautiful here. I am a Canadian living in Belfast currently and have been doing a lot of research on travel around Ireland and have covered most of the island already. I can make you an itinerary tailored to things you might like no problem let me know.
Maybe leave your email here that way i can get in touch with you if you would like the help.
Best, Hannah
I could really use some help! Me, my 2 sons and one of their girlfriends will be visiting my daughter in Ireland in a couple weeks? I have never done this and am trying to read blogs like this and create an itinerary. If you have any advice on maps to download or rental car advice I would so appreciate it! I am confusing myself on how many nights to stay at one place!! We have 7nights. Flying in and out of Dublin. My daughter is studying abroad in Gallway. She plans to meet us in Dublin and we will road trip to Gallway for the week. I appreciate any help! Thank you! Maureen
I would recommend Dublin, Galway, and one other place such as Dingle/Killarney!!! Car rental you can get something affordable just make sure to take photos of the car to ensure you aren’t being scammed!!
Hi, Super post. We are planning a trip this June and would highly appreciate the link to the Google maps itinerary. Many thanks.
We are planning to spend about 3 weeks (August 20-September 6) and this itinerary is incredibly helpful. Thanks so much! My husband’s great-great grandfather is from Newry, County Down in Northern Ireland, so we will add that to the trip, and maybe find more information…Americans hunting for their Irish roots.
Have so much fun!!
thanks for the wonderful information and it will be most helpful in September when I travel with my Mom for a 2 week Ireand/Scotland trip. I am starting to get excited now. flights are booked and have booked a B & B for our first couple of nights in Dublin,
Your map and itinerary is so spot on and has helped immensely with my plans for Ireland. I will most definatley be visiting Norther Ireland after reading your information.
Do you have any suggetions for a similar trip to Scotland? 5-6 days?
Lori… just saw your post… my husband and 2 adult daughters are looking to travel to Scotland/Ireland in September… are you traveling to Scotland first? I’m just in the beginning stages of planning our trip… wondered what you have found? Places to stay?
Shelly. I am sorry it took so long to reply! We are traveling to Ireland first. Round trip to Dublin was cheaper from Canada. We will take a quick cheap flight to Edinburgh for the remainder of the trip.
I have been booking B&B through Booking.com and finding an average of $120 Canadian per stay. What have you planned so far for Scotland?
Could you post a map or directions leaving Dublin working up to Derry and back down to Dublin? I have enjoyed your blog and will be reading for new helpful hints. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Donna!
We have never been to Derry in Ireland just yet so we can’t share a post featuring that location. Hopefully we will visit soon!
Hi this itinerary is wonderful and very detailed. My husband and I are traveling to Dublin in late November for 7 days. I read that during winter a lot of attractions are closed. Any recommendations for us of places not to missed and how can we do a shorter itinerary since be have to flight back home from Dublin.
Hello!! Sounds like an amazing trip! I would recommend doing a loop of the southern Irish coast and western. So essentially when you get to the “cliffs of moher’ section of this itinerary that is when you are done and you head back to Dublin. So for 7 days in winter we recommend to stop on this itinerary at Cliffs Of Moher. That should be plenty to see and do and still have things that are open!
What a great itinerary! Our family is having a debate about our December Christmas holiday and it’s between Ireland (my choice) and Estonia (my husband’s). Armed with this wonderful road trip, I have a much better idea of where to go, stay and what sights to see. I even have to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to win the debate, so this helps me soooo much! We have two teenage daughters so we will be looking for family type accommodation. Any recommendations on what type of vehicle to hire that will be suitable for 4 people, luggage and the roads in Ireland?
We recommend renting a hybrid SUV. Just toggle that “on” when searching for a car. Tell your girls this is an EPIC place to visit, especially for teens! The sights are totally amazing and you guys should 100% go to Ireland! There is something for everyone
Hey! I am hoping to visit Ireland next year. I will have graduated from college but will only be 18. I understand that I can’t rent a car until I’m older. Are there any bus lines I can take? Hoping to spend 2 weeks there.
Sometimes you are able to rent a car under 25 and just pay a higher fee than anyone else. Have you checked into that option? There are a variety of tours and also trains that go around Ireland! So you do have options. It isn’t the most public transport friendly place in the world but there are options
Hello there,
thoroughly enjoyed reading your itinerary. Can you please let us know which all cities/places you have opted to stay in the nights and what was the duration of each stays? if you can provide some tip on recommended hotels that would be great.
we are having a trip coming up in next 10 days, with two toddlers
your help is really appreciated.
Hey ! enticing write up 🙂
I just booked a 5 day trip for July. Wonder if you could help with a crash course here to plan my route. We will self drive, and I have Belfast on my mind followed by the expansive ocean drives. So mostly chasing vistas and landscapes (don’t mind the occasional historic sites en route)
Many thanks in advance.
This looks amazing. Unfortunately, we arrive in Dublin on Monday and fly home via Dublin the following Tuesday early morning. Would you recommend an abbreviated itinerary? My husband was thinking we should spend Monday night and Tuesday night in Dublin, heading out for our drive early Wednesday morning, returning to Dublin on Monday night (late is ok).
Hello!! YES! A good shorter itinerary is to simply cut off at the Cliffs Of Moher! so do the entire itinerary from the beginning and after COM you just return back to Dublin. So you leave Dublin, head down to Cork and Cobh, then over to Killarney, then Dingle, then Cliffs Of Moher. If you have to shorten this even more I recommend leaving off Killarney and heading straight to Dingle. It is TRUE Ireland and you will love it!
Hello, thank you for this itinerary. I am thinking of a surprise trip for my husband to Ireland.
Question – when is the best time to plan a road trip like this for weather and can this be done in two weeks and not feel too rushed .
plan is for year 2020.
Thank you again for posting this
We personally LOVED fall in Ireland! September and October were wonderful. Spring is also a great time, Late March and April. We recommend avoiding the end of May and early June as there are multiple bank holidays in Ireland and the UK and it makes things crazy busy! Just look up the bank holiday schedule for 2020 and avoid that time. Ireland is amazing all year!
Hi. Your itinerary is a great help. We are traveling in July and are flying into Dublin and driving straight to Kilkenny..1 night, Blarney..1 night, Killarney..2 nights, Galway..3 nights and back to Dublin..3 nights. Are those good places to stay for the nights?
Ireland is on top of my bucket list. Even though I couldn’t make it yet, I’m pretty sure to visit it in the nearest future. Looks stunning in pictures, so I can only imagine how much more beautiful it is in reality. Thank you for sharing your amazing experience. I’ve just lived through your travels.
Thank you SO MUCH for this itinerary! My traveling partner and I were spending hours searching for things to see as we began mapping out a plan when I decided to Google “Ireland mapped trip”. What a find!
By the way, do you know you have two Stop 5s?
UGH!!! no i didn’t know that! I will go fix straight away! And this is amazing to hear I’m glad we can help! We totally LOVE Ireland so much!
Was parking an issue anywhere or was it easy to find places to park?
It was very easy to find pretty much everywhere! It is wonderful!
I’m an American driver. How difficult is it to acclimate to driving this suggested itinerary ?
It isn’t too difficult at all! You begin on the interstate which is actually easier than on the 2 lane roads so you can get a gist of it. JUST GO SLOWWWWW. If you are traveling with someone else task them to remind you when it comes to turning and such. Otherwise just be careful and think. You just have to get back in the mindset of when you were learning to drive. You had to think about each step. That is how it is here for a day or two! But it is easy you got this!
Hi – This itinerary is really helpful, appreciate your efforts. I plan to visit Ireland this August. My cousin lives in Cork and we plan to stay there towards the end of our trip.Do you see any issues taking the reverse route…Dublin, Belfast, Cork back to Dublin. Please let me know. Thank you.
Nope!! Belfast is real close to Dublin so its only around 1.5 hour drive!! Really nice!
Thank you, One more query – if I have 3 nights to cover from Dublin to Dingle via Belfast/cliffs of Moher etc, which are the best places/towns to stay to be able to cover the best along this route ? Please suggest, thank you again.
If you have three nights we recommend possibly skipping Belfast and going straight to Cliffs Of Moher and staying nearby Cliffs of Moher then possibly staying in Limerick which is a really cute area!!
This looks amazing we are crossing by ferry from Liverpool on 10th of July and returning 23rd July 2019. Looking forward to doing most of these places.
It will be our very first trip to Ireland. I checked out quite a few ideas for Ireland but yours was the best I have come across. But we have only 8 days from Dublin to Dublin. I am a bit confused as to what we should drop and what is a must do. I do want to visit Doolin, Dingle and even Westport but how do i plan it. Can you suggest some tweaks. I am really looking forward to a great time.
Hey Priya!
That is a great itinerary! I would recommend going:
Dublin> Cork
Cork>Dingle
Dingle> cliffs of moher and doolin
Cliffs of Moher to Westport
Westport back to Dublin
That is how I would space it out and you will see A LOT! So on the way down SKIP ring of Kerry and Killarney!
My husband and I will be going to Ireland in August and have given ourselves 3 weeks approximately. Staying in Meath for 4 days for a christening. Twhile there were going to visit Donegal area etc. we have booked Kilkenny for a couple of nights before heading off, where would you suggest next? We leave the 13th Aug so I need to book ASAP
Hi there,
Very interesting subject and posts. I am going next week, for 4 days only, and it will only be the Republic of Ireland. Would you mind to to help me with a route for 4 days?
Much appreciated,
Cristian
Would highly recommend Dublin, Cork/Cobh, and Cliffs of Moher. It will be a lot of driving! Alternatively you can do Dublin with day trips to Howth and Bray and perhaps a tour to Cliffs Of Moher!
Thank you for this itinerary. We’re traveling next year and I’m putting together a 14 day trip. I believe you have chosen well and I’m going to use this for a model. Love your beautiful photos too.
Thank you so much!!! Have so much fun in Ireland!
just curious … how much you are estimating for the trip… money wise>>>>
You forgot Dingle. Amazing people and awesome nightlife of traditional music. Go to Dick Mack’s, it’s across the street from the church.❤️
Dingle is totally included on this itinerary!!!! Thanks!
Beautiful pictures. Thank you for a great plan! We have 9 days before a cruise so have to get to Southampton at the end of the road trip. Flying into London and can take a flight to Ireland. Where would you suggest starting? On our cruise we have one day in Dublin and one day in Belfast….surely not enough so want to see more of the country. Have you bookmarked for ideas!
Thank you!!! So you will be there for 9 days? You can easily do Killarney, Dingle and Cliffs Of Moher with TONS of time to spare!
Great information!
We are planning an Ireland trip in 2021
We are thinking of around 14 days
Flying into and out of Dublin. Thinking about spending more time in each city but after Westport driving back to Dublin and skipping the northern part of your itinerary.Your thoughts?
Also we plan on using your suggested hotels
What time of year is best? Least rain
Thank you
Yep!!!! 10000% think that is a GREAT itinerary and will give you great time to enjoy each area. Don’t miss Westport area as it is a lesser known part of the country so you will get the best of both worlds! We REALLY enjoyed being there in late april/early May as well as the fall in October/September. Avoid summer as all of the UK is on bank holiday and then Ireland has bank holiday and it is a crazy mess!!
Hello. I just returned from Ireland yesterday after a 5-day trip. I used Victoria and Terrence’s post to plan my itinerary. This was an awesome road trip. We went to most places recommended by you + more! In our 5-day trip, we drove 1400 kilometers (870 miles!). It was great! Thank you for the post (and for recommending the ice cream).
Thanks Rhonda! We are SO GLAD you had an amazing time! The ice cream in Ireland is just so good right?!
I was so inspired by your Blog, that I booked tickets for my husband and I to visit Ireland in the Spring. I wanted to ask if you could provide a link to the google maps screenshot? Also, I know you mentioned that you did not want to give specific days/times to spend for each stop and leave it to our discretion, but I would love to get your opinion on where we should stop and stay overnight versus where to just pit stop on the road trip. Any feedback would be appreciated, I’m currently in the process of looking up places to stay.
Thank you!
Hey!!!! YES I can but I couldn’t put all the stops sadly so it would be better to do it yourself! As far as spending the night I recommend Dublin, Cork/Blarney/Cobh area [all within 30-ish min so anywhere there can be fine!] then you can do Dingle AND Killarney or just one. If you can just do one I recommend Dingle. Then stay near Cliffs Of Moher. Then stay near Westport or Achill Island. Then stay somewhere in Donegal. Then stay near the Antrim Coast or in Belfast for day trips! I hope this helps! This is if you want to do the FULL itinerary!
I would loveee to do it all! Do you think it is doable in 7 days?
I think it is doable but I don’t think you would enjoy yourself! I would choose either the top half of the bottom half. Meaning you either END with Cliffs of Moher [Dingle, Cobh, Cork etc] or your start where this itinerary starts with cliffs of moher and do Westpoert/Donegal/Northern Ireland. Just take half the itinerary for 7 days if you don’t want to rush about!
Hi, many thanks for publishing your fabulous trip. Four of us are arriving in Belfast, staying 2 nights and then hiring a car to tour the west coast and over to Dublin. We will have 7 days before returning to Belfast for one night and then flying home. We will take in your recommendations for places of interest, the only thing I have not yet been able to establish is whether crossing the border is allowed by the car hire company, any ideas? Thanks
Yep!!! It is usually always allowed with no issues!! If you are very worried, simply email or call to be sure for peace of mind! But never had any issues! Have fun!
Omg this was so helpful! Now I’m thinking of changing the itinerary we had planned for 7 nights in June. We have hotels booked for :
1. Dublin
2. Cork
3. Killarney
4. Galway
5. Bunratty Castle for my 2 year olds birthday + an Irish night
6. Kilkea Castle for a wedding
7. Dublin
Galway wasn’t even on your list! Maybe Dingle instead?? So hard to choose!
Hi… we will be in Ireland for 5 days in late Aug… we’re renting a car and starting in Dublin.
I know we can’t do it all, but what route would you suggest?
Thanks.
David
Amazing pics and list! Do you recommend booking all lodging beforehand or could we just do it as we travel around? Was just thinking that would give us freedom to stay where and when we wanted rather than sticking to a hard schedule.
You can do it as you travel around and that is what we have done MANY times! Just book 2-3 days in advance you don’t have to do the whole thing! Enjoy!
This post is AMAZING!!! We are planning a 7 day trip April 2023! Did you rent your vehicle directly from the rental car agency at Dublin airport?
Yes we did! You have to take a shuttle to the rental car center but yes it is on the airport!! Super easy! Enjoy!