south of ireland road trip

The BEST 7-Day Southern Ireland Itinerary

Posted on September 29, 2023 | Julie J. |

Last Updated on October 13, 2023

I’ve recently returned from an epic first trip in Ireland where I was blessed with almost non-stop sunshine. Road-tripping around the country, I was able to explore Ireland’s top attractions as well as plenty of hidden gems. I share below my 7-day itinerary for the southern part of the country.

This 1-week itinerary will take you through Southern Ireland’s iconic destinations such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Killarney National Park, as well as less-known places where you can escape the crowds. I’ll give you also a couple of alternatives so you can pick what’s best for you.

While it’s possible to reach most of these places by public transportation, add a couple more days to complete the itinerary if you’re not driving or remove a few places.

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Planning a trip to Ireland

I recommend renting a car for your trip, especially if you just have 7 days. While you can visit Southern Ireland using a blend of public transportation and tours, having a car will give you the freedom to go everywhere and see more places in a shorter time frame.

I’ve tried to pick the best places to visit in Southern Ireland for this itinerary and provided alternatives to consider depending on the season and what you like doing. As Ireland is a small country, distances are short so you can easily skip a place or add another.

This 7-day Southern Ireland itinerary will take you through all of the region’s highlights and popular attractions, with a couple of hidden gems along the way. I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip to Ireland – let me know how it went!

Tip – No matter what season you visit, make sure to pack layers and be ready for sunshine and rain.

If you want to save money on accommodation , try to book as early as you can. When planning ahead, you can find rooms at Airbnbs for under USD 50, while last minute, you’ll be lucky to find something under 100. However, booking last minute gives you the freedom to adapt your itinerary as you go.

Try to always have snacks and water with you as you might not always be near a store.

7-Day Southern Ireland Itinerary

Day 1 – cliffs of moher and burren national park.

Start your first day seeing the majestic Cliffs of Moher , a must-see destination in Ireland. You have different options for visiting the cliffs depending on how much you want to walk.

The most comfortable option is to take a cruise and see the cliffs from below. It’s also a great option if it’s raining or if you suffer from vertigo. Cruises last around an hour, leave several times a day from Doolin, and operate from April to October.

You can then head to the visitor center (feel free to skip the cruise) where you can take a short walk to the viewpoints.

If you like hiking, the Doolin Cliff Walk is considered one of the most scenic trails in Ireland. The full hike runs over 10 miles (15 kilometers) from Doolin to Hags Head, with the visitor center more or less in the middle. You can hike all or part of it.

Before going, I had read online that during summer there’s a shuttle between Doolin and Hag’s Head , passing by the visitor center, I couldn’t find any info on the official website, so I didn’t risk it. However, if you’re interested in doing the full hike, either try to call the visitor center or stop there on your way to Doolin.

Next, head to Burren National Park for another epic hike surrounded by otherworldly landscapes . The Burren is one of my favorite places in Ireland because of its uniqueness, I don’t think there’s any other place on earth that looks like that – there are circular patterns on the hills and mountains , and the more you go up the more you can see them.

There are several hikes you can do depending on how much time you have and your fitness level. Most trails start at Gortlecka Crossroads where you can park and see a map of the trails. I did the Blue Trail and I highly recommend it.

The trail goes up quite a lot but you’ll be rewarded with incredible views. The 4.7-mile loop takes around 3 hours to complete.

Depending on how you are planning your trip to Ireland, you might not have the time to visit both if you arrive mid-day. You can either skip the Burren and head straight to the cliffs or do the hike in the Burren early the next morning.

They are close to each other so you might be able to fit both into a half day , especially towards summer when days are longer.

Depending on the time you finish your day, you can spend the night in either Ennis, Limerick, or better, Tralee.

Day 2 – Dingle Peninsula

On day 2 of your Southern Ireland itinerary, drive around the stunning Dingle Peninsula . Offering spectacular views, quaint towns, and ancient ruins, the Dingle Peninsula has it all.

Start your day with an easy stroll around Lough Carun in Glanteenassig Forest Park , then head to the longest beach in the country, Fermoyle Beach . You can drive all the way to Fahamore, where you can get a coffee, and stroll along the beach.

Next, head to Brandon Point for stunning views and a chance to spot dolphins. Go back on your track, to drive the iconic Conor Pass – make sure to stop at Peddler’s Lake , you’ll have to climb up a bit but it’s worth it – all the way to Dingle where you can have lunch.

From there, start on the Slea Head Drive with stops at Cashel Murphy, Dunmore Head, Clogher Strand, and the Gallarus Oratory.

If you have extra time you can add a hike to your day’s itinerary or start on the Ring of Kerry. Otherwise, you can spend the night in Dingle or head back to Tralee.

Day 3 – Ring of Kerry

Cahergall Stone Fort, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

Probably the most popular road trip in the country , the Ring of Kerry is full of interesting sights and places to visit.

Start your exploration at Kerry Bog Village , a living history museum where you can get a glimpse at what life looked like in a 19th-century Irish village .

Keep driving along the coast and take a detour to see the Cahergall Stone Fort before taking a short ferry ride to Valentia Island where you can see the lighthouse and stop by the Skellig Experience Visitor Center .

You can then have lunch in the charming town of Portmagee before heading to Kerry Cliffs where some spectacular scenery awaits.

In Ballinskelligs , make a stop to tour the ruins of the castle and the abbey. Along the coast, the Derrynane House is a great place to learn more about Irish history while the Staigue Stone Fort offers stunning views over the valley.

End the day in Kenmare , where you can enjoy a stroll around town and maybe a meal.

I recommend spending the night in Kenmare unless you still have about 2 hours of sunlight left so you can enjoy driving through the park to Killarney Town. Take the scenic road through the Gap of Dunloe and spend the night in Killarney. Otherwise, just do this drive the next morning.

Another option is to not linger too much driving around the Dingle Peninsula, so you can do the first part of the Ring of Kerry on day 3, spend the night in Portmagee, and on day 4 visit the famous Skellig Michael (possible from May to September), finish the loop then head to Killarney.

Day 4 – Killarney National Park

Panoramic views of the lakes at Killarney National Park

Killarney is one of my favorite places in Ireland. Even though it’s pretty crowded, there are tons of things to explore and places to visit where you can find yourself alone. Plan to spend a full day there, driving around, hiking, and visiting the estates.

If the weather is nice, hop on a kayak to explore the lake and find a quiet spot – otherwise, book a boat trip around the lake.

There are also plenty of hikes for all levels from easy strolls to higher intensity trails. As most of the hikes are short (under 2 hours), it’s easy to fit one or two into your schedule.

The Old Kenmare Road hike is one I recommend, it takes around 2 hours and you’ll pass by one of the park’s highlights, Torc Waterfalls .

For stunning views along the lake, check out the Mass Path , going from Derrycunnihy Church to Lord Brandon’s Cottage.

If hiking is not your thing, you’ll enjoy driving around the park and stopping by some of the many viewpoints you’ll find scattered throughout the park. Don’t miss driving through the Gap of Dunloe .

And, of course, you can’t visit Killarney without visiting the iconic Muckross House and Ross Castle.

Depending on when you finish your exploration, you can either spend the night in Killarney or head to the next stop, Kinsale – you can also spend the night in Cork if you prefer.

Day 5 – Kinsale, Cork, and Blarney Castle

On day 5, start your day with a stroll around the charming port town of Kinsale . Known as the gourmet capital of Ireland , the city offers a diverse culinary scene from unpretentious food stalls to a Michelin-stared restaurant. Fishy Fishy, Man Friday, and The Bulman are locals’ favorites.

The town is also filled with cafes offering all sorts of tasty pastries, pies, and cakes.

If you want to learn more about the area’s history, head to the Kinsale Museum housed in the 16th-century Town Hall. A bit outside of town, don’t miss touring Charles Fort .

Once you’re done in Kinsale, head to Blarney Castle to tour the castle and the gardens. And, of course, don’t forget to kiss the Blarney Stone , believed to grant the gift of gab (note that the line to kiss the stone can be loonnnggg). If it’s something you really want to do, I’d advise you to start your day with Blarney then.

Next, head to Cork where you can stroll around the downtown area as well. Some of the best places to visit there include the English Market, the Butter Museum, St Anne Church, University College Cork, and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral . If you’re hungry try the potato pie at the popular Jackie Lennox’s .

Close to Cork, you can learn more about the Titanic at the Cobh Heritage Centre from where the vessel departed and at the Titanic Experience Cobh , which offers experiential exhibits on the Titanic and its sinking.

Spend the night in Cork or somewhere in the countryside closer to Cashel.

Day 6 – Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny

A must-add to your 7-day southern Ireland itinerary, Rock of Cashel is one of the highlights of the Emerald Isle. The castle offers over 1,000 years of history with traces of different time periods. Set on top of a hill, make sure to get to a viewpoint a bit further out for nice views of the castle.

You can take a guided tour inside the castle or visit on your own . If you want to enter the 12th-century Cormac’s Chapel, you’ll need to go on a tour, there’s a set schedule, so make sure to check it out before going there.

Once you’re done with the castle, head to Kilkenny , a beautiful medieval town and a tourists’ hot spot. Even though it’s touristy, the city is a must-visit. Start by the castle then maybe tour the St Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum and Rothe House.

It’s a great town to just stroll around and get lost in small streets . For something fun, take a brewery tour and tasting at Smithwick’s Experience .

You can spend the night in Kilkenny and enjoy a night out at one of the city’s many pubs and bars.

Day 7 – Copper Coast and Beach Hopping

One of the best places to visit in South East Ireland , the Copper Coast is a UNESCO global geopark and features stunning rock formations and beautiful beaches. Start your day with a short hike to Mahon Falls then rent a bike at O’Mahonny’s Pub and cycle the Waterford Greenway along the coast.

You can decide to spend your day there, spending time at some of the beaches you’ll find along the way. Otherwise, continue driving along the Southern coast . You can rent kayaks in Hook Head , hike the Furlongs Road Loop , or visit popular beaches like Curracloe and Ballymoney . If you like bird watching, consider cruising to the Saltee Islands .

Depending on when your flight back is, you can skip this part or just visit the Copper Coast and head to wherever you’re catching your flight back afterward.

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Where to Visit in Ireland for the First Time

Best things to do on a Southern Ireland road trip

With its cosy country pubs, rolling hillsides, and charming towns, you’ll be captivated by the welcoming atmosphere and number of great things to see when you visit Southern Ireland.

Here you’ll find some of the most beloved towns in Southern Ireland – Killarney, Kilkenny , and Cork – and the famous the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. The latter is the perfect spot to lace up your hiking boots and ramble through the landscape or explore ancient ruins with your expert leader on a small group tour in Southern Ireland. Think of it as the ultimate Southern Ireland road trip with someone to take care of the driving along all those challenging, winding country roads. Here are some of the best things to see and do along the way.

HOW TO SEE NORTHERN & SOUTHERN IRELAND ON THE ONE TRIP

Kiss the Blarney Stone

Even if you aren’t keen on hanging onto a ladder and leaning over backwards to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle is well worth a visit. A stroll through the grounds reveals a magical landscape that many believe is haunted. On a chilly morning or afternoon, it’s not hard to see why as the landscape looks almost magical with the mist rolling through it. You can also visit the castle and admire its formidable battlements and venture underground to see the castle’s dungeon. Walking backwards up and down the Wishing Steps without stopping is said to make your wish come true.

Cork is the largest city in Southern Ireland and famous for The English Market which has been selling the best of the region’s produce since 1788. Wander its stalls and chat with the stall holders to learn more about the fare on offer. You can also pull up a seat and dine on traditional dishes like drisheen and pigs’ trotters at the market’s Farmgate Café. Other highlights in the town of Cork include touring the Cork City Gaol, strolling around Elizabeth Fort, admiring the stained glass at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, and sampling traditional brews at the Franciscan Well Brewery.

Visit Torc Waterfall

Visiting the Torc Waterfall near Killarney Town is easy as it is only a 200 metre walk from the carpark to the beautiful 20 metre high falls which are at their best when the weather is wet. If you can, time your visit after it rains as you’ll get to see delicate curtains of water tumbling down the falls. For a lovely view over Middle Lake, take the steps that lead up to the second higher viewing point after you’ve enjoyed your first look at the falls.

WALK THE WICKLOW WAY IN SOUTHERN IRELAND

Killarney is a lively tourist town that’s the perfect base for explore nearby Killarney National Park which was the first National Park created in Ireland. The colourful streets are a hive of activity, especially during the summer months, with plenty of cute gift shops and boutiques to explore. Allow time to visit Ross Castle, down on the shores of Lough Leane, a stronghold built by the O’Donoghue clan. The tower house has borne witness to much of Ireland’s history over the centuries. The 15th-century Muckross Abbey is another historic building worth exploring.

Drive the Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry, a circular 179km driving route, takes you through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery and reveals countless unspoiled natural wonders. However, while there is no denying the rolling green hills, crystal clear lakes, and towering cliffs are superb, you’ll be glad your leader is driving. Many of the roads are barely wide enough to fit one car. Along the way, keep a lookout for castles, historic mansions and shepherds tending their flocks. A farm visit and herding demonstration is one of many highlights on this scenic journey.

Dingle is a cute little town that’s big on country charm. Rub shoulders with the locals at one of the many pubs, where you can listen to songs sung in the traditional Irish language, or take a short drive to Slea Head, Europe’s westernmost point. From here, it’s a short hike along the coast to admire the best of Dingle’s stunning scenery. You’ll stroll along country lanes and past beaches and cliffs where nesting seabirds, seals and even dolphins are a common sight. Don’t miss the Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian Church of unknown age and origin.

Kilkenny is located in one of the most ancient parts of Southern Ireland and the perfect spot to try your hand at the Gaelic game of Hurling – one of Ireland’s treasured national sports. Cycle through the lush Irish countryside as you explore the Waterford Greenway, a traffic-free trail built on a disused railway line, or hike along the River Nore to Kilkenny Castle. This defensive castle with magnificent rose gardens and charming walking paths was remodeled to make it more genteel in Victorian times. Evenings can be spent at the pub with traditional live music and whiskey tasting.

SEE MORE OF KILKENNY AND ITS SURROUNDS

Galway is sure to get your toes tapping with traditional live music, either at one of the town’s atmospheric pubs or while you’re walking down the street as the buskers here are incredible. Take a drive to the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most visited spots in Ireland, which are fringed with wild waves and plunge dramatically into the ocean. While you’re in Galway, you can also visit the impressive Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas. If you enjoy seafood, the oysters plucked from the nearby ocean shouldn’t be missed.

Feeling inspired?

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid has been leading small group adventures for over 30 years. We’re a certified B Corp, which means we want to be the best travel company not just in the world, but for the world. To create positive change through the joy of travel. You can read our latest adventures right here.

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Ireland Itinerary - Ultimate Road Trip Guide for the South

Ireland is a place where legends, epics, and science fiction become reality. Ireland is breathtaking ancient landscape. Ireland is rolling green hills and craggy sharp rock. Ireland is céad míle fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes)

Upon landing in Dublin and out of the airport by 1PM, we made an explicit decision to hit the road right away.

Day 1 – A Peek Inside the Ancient East

Day 2 – from castles to kissing to a ring called kerry.

With a full stomach from our Irish breakfast and on the second day of your 7 days in Ireland, we hopped into our car and made our way to the Rock of Cashel.

Day 3 – Magic on Skellig Michael

This was the most special day of the entire 7 days in Ireland. Not only am I a Star Wars geek, I am also a super Star Wars geek.

Day 4 – A Day In Killarney

The hotel back right into the largest lake of the national park and as part of that, there's also the ruins of The McCarthy Mór Castle.

Day 5 – Coastal Adventures on Dingle Peninsula

As beautiful as the Ring of Kerry was, I'd say rivals it in many ways as the drives are much more epic as Slea Head Drive literally hugs the coast.

Day 6 – Mighty Cliffs and The Burren

The Cliffs of Moher were staggeringly impressive with its continuous sheer drop of 214 metres that winds out as far as the eye can see. Where the vistas truly opened up though was beyond the fences of the maintained park.

More Amazing Travel Inspiration

A Road Trip Through Southern Ireland

This road trip through southern Ireland was absolutely unforgettable. It was my first time planning a road trip and it’s my favorite journey to date! Not to mention I was with two of my best friends, so of course we had an amazing time.

Travelling by car was the perfect way to experience the beautiful Irish countryside. One of my friends drove the entire time, on the opposite side of the car AND on the opposite side of the road than what we are used to… such bravery! I was the navigator, which was actually a breeze because southern Ireland has very few main roads between destinations.

I’m sure you’ve heard horror stories of driving in Ireland but we really had no trouble at all. Just take your time travelling the VERY narrow, windy roads and enjoy the moment when you have to stop for sheep crossing! I highly recommend experiencing this road trip through Ireland – you won’t regret it.

Day 1 – Drive from Dublin to Kilkenny

We had stayed in Dublin for 2 days prior to beginning our road trip, so we took the bus to Dublin Airport and picked up our rental car in the morning. Before you head out of Dublin, grab some food for a picnic lunch later in the day! There is a grocery store right next to the airport.

To read my blog post, “48 Hours in Dublin,” click here.

Powerscourt Estate

Take the M50 to Powerscourt Estate, just an hour outside of Dublin and a beautiful first stop on your road trip. The inside of the castle has only shops and restaurants, so spend some time walking the vast grounds, admiring the backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains.

Note: you will have to pay a toll for travelling on the M50, which you can pay online here: https://www.eflow.ie/i-want-to/pay-a-toll/

Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains

Take the R115 through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough. Here you will find several monastic ruins from the 6 th century.

There are also hiking trails along two different lakes where you can stop and have your picnic.

Arrive in Kilkenny, where you’ll be spending the night. Walk over to the gorgeous Kilkenny Castle, where you can choose to take a tour or simply wander around the outside. A short walk will bring you to the Church of St Canice. Climb up the very narrow round tower for great views of Kilkenny.

Across the River Nore, which runs through the town, Matt The Millers Bar & Restaurant is a fun place to end your night.

Kilkenny B&B: Fanad House

Day 2 – Drive from Kilkenny to Kinsale

Cahir castle.

Take the N76 to Cahir Castle, one of the largest castles in Ireland. You can choose to take a tour or walk around and admire the outside of the castle.

Rock of Cashel

A 20 minute drive will bring you to the Rock of Cashel. According to legend, it was created when St Patrick banished Satan from a cave and the rocks landed in Cashel.

Tours are available but make sure to walk around the grounds overlooking green Irish pastures.

Blarney Castle

Drive south for an hour to the popular Blarney Castle. For over 200 years, people around the world have climbed the steps of the castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. According to legend, kissing the stone grants the gift of eloquence. Obviously you’ll have to find out if it’s true by kissing the stone yourself!

The grounds and gardens are also gorgeous. Make sure to take a look at the Blarney Castle House.

Pass through Cork on your way further South to Kinsale, quaint and colorful sea port town.

For a delicious dinner overlooking the harbor, Man Friday is a lovely restaurant to end your night.

Kinsale B&B: Desmond House

Day 3 – Drive from Kinsale to Kenmare

Killarney national park.

Spend your day exploring Killarney National Park. We began our morning with some unplanned horseback riding through the park with Killarney Riding Stables. The most amazing experience! Highly recommend.

Ross Castle

Drive to Ross Castle, situated on the lakes of Killarney National Park.

Muckross House

Make your way further South into the park to Muckross House, a beautiful Victorian mansion where Queen Victoria actually stayed for a visit!

You have a lot of options here for things to do. You can tour the house and traditional farms, walk around the estate, hike to a waterfall or take a horse and carriage.

We chose to stay in the small town of Kenmare for the next two nights (and loved it) instead of Killarney, which is a larger and more populated town. There are plenty of restaurants in town where you can end your night.

Kenmare B&B: Seashore Farm

Day 4 – Drive the Ring of Kerry

Time for a full day of adventuring on the Ring of Kerry! Make sure to drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise (head West from Kenmare on the N70). This way, you will be driving along the ocean and you can pull over for amazing viewpoints without having to cross traffic.

To read my blog post, “A Guide to Driving the Ring of Kerry,” click here.

Day 5 – Drive from Kenmare to Bunratty

From the N70, take the R561 to Inch Beach. I was so surprised when we came across this long, beautiful beach and it was warm enough to take a quick dip! Not what you would expect in Ireland.

Travel further West to Dingle, a cute harbor town where you have to try Murphys Ice Cream. From here you can choose to travel along Slea Head Drive (which I wish we did!).

From Dingle, take the R560 along Conor Pass (a beautiful viewpoint), on the way to Bunratty where you’ll be spending the night. End your day at Durty Nelly’s or if you book in advance, a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle.

Bunratty B&B: Bunratty Meadows

Day 6 – Drive from Bunratty to Galway

Cliffs of moher.

Head to the Cliffs of Moher early in the morning so that you have time to hike to the various viewpoints. No road trip through Ireland is complete without stopping here!

Make your way to Doolin. Stop at Gus O’Connor’s Pub if you need some lunch and make sure to check out The Sweater Shop!

Take the R479 to R477 and stop at one of my favorite places of the trip, The Burren. The landscape is so rugged and unique.

Dunguaire Castle

Make a pit stop at Dunguaire Castle on your way to Galway, your home for the next two nights.

Galway hotel: The Western Hotel

Day 7 – Day Trip to Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore abbey.

Take a gorgeous drive past Connemara National Park to the stunning Kylemore Abbey. Before becoming an Abbey, Kylemore Castle was built in the late 1800s by a wealthy businessman, inspired by the love for his wife. How romantic!

Make sure to take the shuttle to the Victorian Walled Garden.

Galway

Spend your afternoon discovering Galway. Walk along the main road past Eyre Square, the Spanish Arch and The Docks to beautiful Salthill.

Ed Sheeran fans must visit O’Connors Pub in Salthill, where he filmed part of the music video for his song Galway Girl .

Day 8 – Drive from Galway to Dublin

Malahide castle .

Before heading to Dublin Airport area, end your road trip through Ireland at Malahide Castle and Gardens for some down time.

Dublin Airport hotel: Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport

I hope you enjoyed this road trip itinerary for southern Ireland!

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- Wild Atlantic Way Special von Irland Highlights -

Wild Atlantic Way

Welcome to the wild atlantic way.

The Wild Atlantic Way, 1600 miles (2600 km) in length, is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. It winds its way all along the Irish west coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north down to the picturesque town of Kinsale, County Cork, in the south.

Discover the Wild Atlantic Way

Go for the road trip of your life and discover the Wild Atlantic Way

Wild Atlantic Way Route

The route which is over 1600 miles long is divided into 14 stages for easier orientation

Wild Atlantic Way Sights

Discover must-see attractions, famous landmarks and hidden gems of the Wild Atlantic Way

Wild Atlantic Way Map

With our interactive Wild Atlantic Way map, all the must-see attractions are just one click away.

The Wild Atlantic Way route from start to finish unfolds the wonders of nature, the power of the ocean and its imprint on the west coast of Ireland, and the stunning countryside in all its diversity. Enchanting villages are nestled along the coast as well as ancient monuments – their origins having long sunk into the mists of oblivion dot the landscape. Behind every bend on this magical coastal road a new delight awaits.

The wild Atlantic with its unrestrained and untameable tides and storms has continuously been moulding the west coast of Ireland. With a constant meeting of water and land, a deeply indented and wild terrain has emerged with towering cliffs, spellbinding bays and beaches, mystical islands, always changing and never reaching the end. In the isolation or perhaps expressed in a different way living near and with the Atlantic at your doorstep has ensured that old traditions and the Irish language have been preserved. A trip along the Wild Atlantic Way is also an encounter with the past.

Must-see sights of the Wild Atlantic Way

Need inspiration? Explore some of the must-see highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way:

Baltimore Beacon

Cliffs of Moher

Slieve League

Your Wild Atlantic Way Travel Guide

Everything you need to know to plan your Wild Atlantic Way road trip:

B&Bs and Hotels in Ireland

The best B&Bs and hotels in Ireland – use our search to find perfect accommodations for your trip to Ireland.

B&Bs and Hotels
Wild Atlantic Way Tours

Discover self driving and guided multi-day tours and round trips along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Tour Packages
Holiday Homes

Discover self-catering holiday homes and holiday apartments for an memorable holiday in an Irish cottage.

Car Rental in Ireland

Find the best rental car deals from leading car hire companies in Ireland with our car rental search.

Car Rentals
Ferry to Ireland

Our ferry search engine finds the cheapest ferry crossings to Ireland and compares all relevant shipping companies.

Flights to Ireland

Find the best flights to Ireland with our flight search widget, which includes all the major airlines.

Wild Atlantic Way Travel Blog

Browse the latest articles from our Wild Atlantic Way travel blog:

Discovery Points of the Wild Atlantic Way

Along the Wild Atlantic Way there are numerous Discovery Points, which are pointed out by signs with the WAW logo.

Stages of the Wild Atlantic Way

Discover the 14 stages of the Wild Atlantic Way. You can take the whole trip in one journey or explore the stages one by one.

Navigating on the Wild Atlantic Way

You don’t necessarily need a map to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, since there are more than enough road signs to help you to keep on track.

The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide

Last Updated: February 5, 2024

The ultimate guide to planning an epic Ireland road trip itinerary!

We’ve been lucky enough to explore countless countries, and it’s fair to say that it takes a lot to impress us.

But when we visited the Emerald Isle and explored the country on a two-week Ireland road trip, it honestly took our breath away.

Ireland boasts a rugged coastline, rolling pastures, picturesque lakes, quaint villages and some of the friendliest people we’ve ever met.

It also has more pubs per capita than any country we’ve ever travelled to, and we knew that was going to help cement Ireland in our list of favourite countries ever.

When we found out we were heading to Ireland in October to speak at the TBEX Europe conference we decided to rent a campervan and do an epic road trip around the country.

Ireland had been at the top of Alesha’s list of must-visit destinations since she was a kid, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally explore the European nation.

Having travelled in a campervan around Canada, Australia and Chile we knew that it was definitely the best way to see a country, and with the stories we had heard from travellers about the landscapes in Ireland we were sold on the van life.

After some research we found out the best campervan company in Ireland is Bunk Campers , and we decided to get something a bit more luxurious for our journey.

All the campervans we had owned or rented over the years were just basic vans, with a small bed and tiny kitchens.

This time we rented a fully kitted out campervan, and it was nice to have luxuries like running water, hot showers, a toilet (only number ones!!!) , a heater (so good on those cold mornings) and a dining table to sit at.

Once we picked up our campervan in Dublin we had two weeks for road tripping Ireland the best we could.

Of course two weeks is nowhere near enough time to see everything on a road trip in Ireland, but we were lucky that we had about eight days beforehand as well to see more of Kerry County, Dublin and Ireland’s Ancient East.

What we did see though made us fall in love with Ireland even more, and we’re already making plans on returning in the near future for a longer trip.

Here’s our guide, including tips, highlights and our full Ireland road trip itinerary.

Table of Contents

The Ring of Kerry

Ireland’s ancient east, donegal’s wild atlantic way, loop head peninsula, the giant’s causeway, achill island, the ring of beara, day 1 – dublin to wexford (150km), day 2 – wexford to cork (190km), day 3 – cork to kenmare via the ring of beara (200km), day 4 – kenmare to killarney via the ring of kerry (140km), day 5 – killarney, day 6 – killarney to tralee via dingle (160km), day 7 – tralee to lahinch via loop head (160km), day 8 – lahinch to galway via doolin (100km), day 9 – galway to achill island via kylemore abbey (200km), day 10 – achill island to donegal via ballina (220km), day 11 – donegal to londonderry via slieve league and malin head (250km), day 12 – londonderry to belfast via the giant’s causeway (190km), day 13 – belfast, day 14 – belfast to howth (or dublin) via newgrange (180km), want to save this for later pin it, 8 highlights of our ireland road trip.

Our Ireland road trip was an incredible experience, and we really fell in love with the country after our 2 weeks driving around.

We even took a quick trip into Northern Ireland (which is actually a part of the United Kingdom) , and we’re glad we did, as it added some other great stops into our itinerary.

From the famous Giant’s Causeway to the Kerry Cliffs, exploring the history of Ireland’s Ancient East to walking through the Dark Hedges, these are the highlights of our Ireland Road Trip.

Want to know where to go on a road trip in Ireland? Read on…

Dark Hedges Game Of Thrones Northern Ireland Road Trip Campervan

Arguably the best driving loop in the entire country, the Ring of Kerry starts off near Killarney in the southwest of the country and takes in the beautiful coastal scenery of the Iveragh Peninsula.

If you leave from Killarney the Ring of Kerry is about 214km long, not including all the detours, but every single kilometre of that is an absolute joy.

Check out these epic day tours and activities you can do in Killarney !

Head in a clockwise direction from Killarney, straight to Kenmare and then onwards to Sneem. This is to avoid the tour buses, which are forced to drive in an anti-clockwise direction.

Every time you see a photo opportunity make sure you grab it! The landscape is out of this world, and ranges from sprawling farmland to lush forest, with jagged mountain peaks and a dramatic coastline topping it off.

The highlight is the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee, with towering rocks dropping spectacularly into the sea, and you can even see the famous Skellig Islands in the distance on a clear day.

If you have the time, and the weather is nice, make sure you take a trip to the Skelligs, home to puffins and landscapes that can be seen in the latest Star Wars movie.

The Ring of Kerry roads are extremely narrow, so make sure you drive with care.

While the rest of the country boasts a world class coastline and jaw-dropping landscapes, for those with a love of culture and history then Ireland’s Ancient East is a destination where one day can easily turn into seven.

You can begin your journey in this fascinating area with a night (or more) at Waterford, delving into the Viking history that has been around for over 1000 years. Don’t miss out on the King of the Vikings virtual reality exhibition!

Head to Wexford and take a tour of the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience. This authentic, interactive exhibition of what it was like to travel in an immigrant ship (complete with the actual Dunbrody ship!) back in the 1700s is absolutely remarkable, and while we are usually dubious of recreations, this was world class!

Enniscorthy is a gorgeous heritage village that was also home to centuries of sometimes tragic history.

The castle is well worth visiting, but don’t miss out on the views from Vinegar Hill, which was actually the location of a fierce battle between British and Irish soldiers in 1798.

Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world, and if you’re looking for an iconic photo you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place than here.

By far the best attraction in Ireland’s Ancient East is the Irish National Heritage Park .

This sprawling venue has been built to showcase more than 9000 years of Irish history. Kids and adults alike will be completely entranced by walking around the traditional dwellings that have been recreated on the grounds.

Passionate actors share stories of what it was like to live in the times when humans first settled in the Emerald Isle, and the hardships endured over the years.

To complete the experience don’t miss out on a traditional Viking dinner in the restaurant. Expect ribs cooked underground on coals, hearty soups and fresh bread, all washed down with craft beer!

You’ll be required to dress up in old-fashion clothes as well, but don’t worry about the quality of food – it’s absolutely impeccable, and much healthier and tastier than would have been found back in the day.

The entire west coast of Ireland has become known as the Wild Atlantic Way , and the slick marketing campaign by the tourism board isn’t without just cause – It’s absolutely phenomenal, and should be the main objective of any Ireland road trip.

One of the more incredible, yet often skipped, areas of the country is Donegal County up in the far north of the Republic of Ireland.

The town of Donegal itself is enjoyable, with some great pubs, cafes and restaurants to keep you entertained, but it’s only when you hit the coast that you start to see the county’s true potential.

Slieve League is the main attraction, with its marvellous hiking trails that offer stellar views over the Atlantic Ocean and cliffs that almost rival the ones found in Kerry.

The drive out to Meencarrick is superb, and it is one of the nicest coastal routes in the country. Don’t miss driving out to the headland for some hiking next to the cliffs.

The entire length of ocean roads in Donegal is great, but make a special detour to Malin Head, the northernmost point in the Republic of Ireland (even further north than Northern Ireland).

It will be super windy, but the views are great and the bucolic roads to get there are alone worth the trip.

In the list of big attractions in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are right near the top. These soaring, vertical rock faces tumble into the sea, and stretch for kilometres like an impenetrable barrier against the Atlantic.

They are also supremely crowded with tourists.

Instead head a bit further south to the Loop Head Peninsula, where you can find similar landscapes and scenery with no entrance fee charged, and almost nobody else to get in the way.

You won’t find fences here either. If you want to walk right up to the edge of the cliffs, you can (just be careful).

If you have time, do both. But if you just want to choose one, skip the Cliffs of Moher and instead hit up Loop Head Peninsula.

Although the Giant’s Causeway is actually in Northern Ireland, it is still one of the best places on the Emerald Isle and should not be missed during your road trip itinerary.

Thousands of basalt, hexagonal columns rise out of the sea creating one of the most magnificent geological environments in the United Kingdom.

Legend has it that a giant built the Causeway as a path to connect Ireland with Scotland so he could take part in a fight, and if you use your imagination you can almost picture the columns forming a bridge between the two nations.

Walking around the Giant’s Causeway can easily take a few hours, with plenty of great photo opportunities and even some hiking trails around to occupy your time.

The audio tour that can be purchased from the wonderful visitors centre tells the legend, geology and history of the Giant’s Causeway, and is worth the price.

If you’re trying to keep your costs down though you can actually visit the Giant’s Causeway for free. Park in the closest town and hitch or take a bus to the site, then walk around the visitors centre.

When we were driving around Ireland we met one or two people that had mentioned a place called Achill Island, but it never came up as a ‘must do’ in our conversations.

Still, when we realised it would only be a short detour to check it out, we decided we had nothing to lose by making the visit.

It was one of the best decisions we made.

Achill Island is an absolute delight, and boasts ridiculously beautiful beaches, wonderful headlands, quaint fishing villages and fun adventure activities to enjoy.

After crossing over on the bridge we drove to the end of the road, and couldn’t believe the kind of views that surrounded us.

Sheep wandered on the steep farmland with an impossible ocean vista rolling out in every direction. Hills climbed all around us, offering great hiking for those feeling active.

We ended up watching sunset from a water reservoir that looked out over the whole town of Keel, and finding a place to camp next to an inland lake close by.

With more time you could rent some surfboards or kites and hit the ocean, or head up into the mountains for some trekking.

When we return to Ireland we’ll definitely be giving Achill Island a bigger portion of our schedule.

The Ring of Kerry is the go-to for road trips in Ireland, but the nearby Ring of Beara is just as beautiful, without the people.

Just like its neighbour, the Ring of Beara is a coastal loop that takes in the absolute best vistas of the Beara Peninsula.

You’ll find sheep grazing on pastures that butt up against the ocean. The roads twist and wind like a snake weaving through a field, and requires a lot of concentration to navigate.

Unfortunately the weather was quite bad on the day we did the Ring of Beara, but even then whenever we did get a glimpse of the landscape we were absolutely blown away.

Stonehenge might be the most famous Neolithic site in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but it definitely isn’t the oldest.

Only a few hours north of Dublin is the spectacular Newgrange archaeological site; a huge, circular stone structure that was built over 5200 years ago as a passage tomb and temple.

Approaching Newgrange is not what you would expect. It is surrounded by farmland, and you can see cows and sheep walking around just on the other side of the fence. But the site itself is wonderful.

The main tomb takes up over an acre of land, and stands 15m tall with an 85m diameter. It’s part of a larger complex as well, surrounded by other tombs named Knowth and Dowth.

One of the most remarkable things about Newgrange is that the entrance passage is aligned to let in a beam of light during sunrise during the winter solstice.

Guides can show you this phenomenon at any time of year though using flashlights.

You must head to the Visitors Centre to purchase your tickets first, which is actually a bit far away from the Newgrange site.

They offer free bus transport with your ticket from the Visitors Centre to Newgrange, but we recommend taking your own car to the site.

We didn’t know you could do this and spent almost 2 hours total waiting – not because of crowds, but because that was just the way the bus schedule worked. Save yourself the headache and drive your own car to the site.

Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

We ended up renting our campervan to try and find the best Ireland road trips for two weeks and managed to see a lot of the country.

However it did end up being a bit rushed, and you could easily extend this to a month if you wanted to do all the amazing side trips and hiking excursions around.

This is the exact itinerary that we followed, although where possible we’ve given alternatives that might be worth spending the night in.

Our trip was plagued with storms and a hurricane (yes, a hurricane), so we had to skip a few things.

We don’t mention many places to stay, because most of the time we slept in our campervan, and you can find your own spots along the way, or stay in any one of the dozens of epic B&Bs in the country .

We’ll definitely be adding to our list once we do our next Ireland road trip.

Once you’ve picked up your campervan in Dublin (and of course visited the Guinness Storehouse, which is a must see) head out of the city aiming for the town of Wexford in Ireland’s Ancient East.

The drive itself won’t be overly beautiful, but chances are you’ve picked up the rental in the afternoon and the goal is to just get out of the city.

In Wexford and the surrounding area there are plenty of things to do that could take up a few days of your itinerary. Some of the best things to do around Wexford are:

Visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience in Wexford.
Do the King of the Vikings Experience in Waterford.
Go to Hook Lighthouse.
Spend a few hours at Dunmore Adventure Centre , which has a tonne of activities to enjoy, like kayaking, sailing, climbing, windsurfing, and our absolute favourite, the Wibit Waterpark. Ever seen the show Wipeout? Well Dunmore East has one of these giant inflatable parks set up out in the harbour! One of the funnest things we have ever done.
Hang out at Ireland’s National Heritage Park.
Go cycling along the Waterford Greenway.
Hang out in Enniscorthy and climb Vinegar Hill.

You can take your time driving to Cork and visit some of the great attractions in the area, or just enjoy the beautiful country scenery.

Get out and enjoy the beautiful coastal walks around Ardmore, and have lunch at the phenomenal Cliff House Hotel.

The roads are quite good and Cork itself is a fun city. Plenty of great pubs and restaurants to enjoy, and some great attractions nearby:

Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Also don’t forget to spend some time walking around the stunning grounds.
Eat at Cliff House Hotel…Trust us on this one.
See the colourful houses in Cobh.

Leave early on this day because the plan is to tackle the beautiful Ring of Beara driving loop on the way to Killarney.

From Cork take the backroads to Ballylickey, then head onto the Beara Peninsula. You’ll be thankful you left early because this loop will take you all day with all the photo stops.

Once you finish the loop spend the night in Kenmare, which is a beautiful little village.

Some of the main attractions along the way are:

Drive the spectacular Ring of Beara.
Walking around Kenmare.

After a delicious breakfast in Kenmare head west onto the Ring of Kerry, and make sure those camera batteries are charged!

This loop is the most famous, and arguably the most beautiful, drive in all of Ireland, and if you get a sunny day it might end up being one of the best road trips of your life!

If you’re into hiking, or want to do some of the day excursions around the Ring of Kerry you might need to break up your trip into two or three days.

Visit the Skelligs – Two rocky islands off the coast of Ireland home to an old monastery, puffins, and was used as a film scene in the latest Star Wars movie.
Hike around the Kerry Cliffs.
Hang out at Derrynane Beach.

Be careful of the roads along the Ring of Kerry – they are twisting, narrow and often busy with tour buses!

After a few days of driving you deserve a well-earned rest. Except you’re now in Killarney, and there are so many things to do in Killarney that you could easily fill a week with activities!

We spent 4 days in Killarney before we started our road trip, and loved it so much we came back! You’ll be spoilt for choice here, whether you’re into history, gardens, adventure activities or simply drinking beer.

Rent a bicycle and explore Killarney National Park.
Go on a river cruise .
Visit Ross Castle and the Abbey.
Check out Muckross House and the gardens.
Get into nature at Torc Waterfall.
Head out to the Gap of Dunloe and admire the world-class scenery.
Drink delicious beer at Killarney Brewing Company.
Climb Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain.

If you want to splash out and enjoy a night outside of your campervan, then head to the best luxury hotel in Killarney, Muckross Park Hotel .

Once you’ve managed to pry yourself away from Killarney (it might take a while), you have another epic drive to check out on your Ireland road trip.

Drive out to Dingle, a wonderful town that would make a nice base for a day or two, and move out to the end of the Dingle Peninsula.

This captivating area is home to the Slea Head Drive, another magnificent loop that features rolling hills jutting up against steep ocean cliffs.

As you’re now on the Wild Atlantic Way you can expect to see more than your fair share of coastal scenes, but this one around Slea Head is pretty special.

It’s not just cool scenery – there’s also a bunch of history, with stone beehive huts peppered along the coast and the impeccable Gallarus Oratory adding to the awesomeness of Slea Head Loop.

Spend the night in Tralee after doing some of the best attractions around Dingle:

Head out on the Slea Head Drive.
Visit the Gallarus Oratory, and all the beehive huts along the way.
Drink some Dingle Gin.
Do a boat trip to see Fungie the Dolphin.

Today isn’t a long day driving, and you really have two options on how you want to head to Lahinch – you could take the ferry, creating an excellent short cut, or drive out to the city of Limerick.

We personally decided to skip Limerick, even though we had heard good things, as we much prefer to be in the countryside. Plus there’s a massive highlight to see along the way!

While it’s only a short drive today your timing will be dependent on the ferry schedule that gets you across the small harbour from Tarbert to Killimer. Make sure you get there early in case you have to wait.

Once you get on the other side drive out to Loop Head Peninsula, home to some of the most wonderful cliffs in the entire country, and they’re completely free!

If you have time, or really love cliffs, you could also do the Cliffs of Moher, although these are very touristy. Spend the night in Lahinch, a wonderful beach town with a colourful main street.

Take the ferry from Tarbert to Killimer.
Drive out to Loop Head Peninsula and see the cliffs.
Visit the Cliffs of Moher.
Rent a surfboard and hit the waves in Lahinch.

On this day we unfortunately had to wipe all the attractions from our schedule as a hurricane hit the country, and we ended up bunkering down in the small town of Ennis to wait out the storm.

However if we had our time again, we would drive from Lahinch to Doolin, which is meant to be an amazing little beach village that gets a lot of rave reviews from our friends.

Then keep following the coast, eventually finishing up in Galway.

This stretch also could be turned into a two-day journey, with all the things to do.

Take a boat out to the Aran Islands, a World Heritage Site where the locals speak Irish as well as English and ancient, ruined churches are just waiting to be explored.
Grab a pint in one of Doolin’s colourful pubs.
Follow the sea and enjoy the Wild Atlantic Way views.
Go out to Spanish Point.
Party the night away in Galway.

If you’ve ended up partying a little too hard in Galway you might need to break this journey up into two days, as you’ll be leaving late. But if you’re feeling fresh get a move on early!

The first stop is going to be Kylemore Abbey, a sensational old castle with some of the most beautiful gardens in all of Ireland.

Keep following the road around and make a beeline for Achill Island, where if you’re not careful you may get stuck for a day or two.

Wander around Kylemore Abbey and the gardens.
Reach the end of the road on Achill Island and be blown away with the views.
Take a swim at the beach in Keel.
If you have more time enjoy all the hiking and surfing opportunities around Achill Island.

The beautiful drive takes in the countryside around Ballycroy, which is surprisingly delightful and has lots of great hiking opportunities.

The area around Ballina has some cool, old friaries, and once you get to Sligo you’ll find tonnes of outdoor adventures to enjoy.

If you have time before settling in Donegal do the drive out to Slieve League, otherwise you can do it in the morning.

Finishing up in Donegal hit up one of the excellent restaurants and down it all with a pint of Guinness.

Go for a hike in the Ballycroy National Park.
Visit the 600-year-old friaries near Ballina.
Head up one of the mountains or lakes in Sligo.

It’s another long drive today, which could also be broken up if you had the time, because the Donegal area has a lot of epic scenery and activities to enjoy.

The first thing you should do is enjoy the coastal drive out towards Slieve League, taking the side roads that turn down into the tiny fishing villages along the way.

Slieve League is hugely impressive, and with more time you could do the hike to the cliffs, or if you’re trying to fit it all in a day you can simply drive to the top and check out the views.

Get back in the car and head straight up to Malin Head, the northernmost point in Ireland. Afterwards head back south towards Londonderry.

We personally headed to Quigley’s Point and stayed at the Foyleside Caravan Park as we needed power to charge our laptops, and we enjoyed the spot.

Don’t miss out on Slieve League – epic cliffs and gorgeous ocean views.
The road to Meencarrick has some beautiful, old village and surf beaches to check out.
Fall in love with the scenery around Glenveagh National Park.
Stand at the northernmost point of the Republic of Ireland in Malin Head.

You’ll be spending the next few days in Northern Ireland, which means you’ll get to visit one of the United Kingdom’s most popular tourist attractions, the Giant’s Causeway.

Stick as close to the coast as possible on the drive to the Giant’s Causeway, stopping along the way to take some pictures.

Spend a few hours wandering around the famous basalt hexagonal columns, then get back in the car and make the drive into the countryside.

Swing by The Dark Hedges in Ballymoney – an avenue of enormous, twisting beech trees that is one of the most photographed places in the whole country.

It was already a popular spot, but when the HBO series Game Of Thrones filmed a scene there it was propelled into another level of busyness. Still, it’s worth seeing, even if you don’t know anything about the series.

Afterwards head into Belfast for the night, or pick a caravan park outside of town.

Enjoy the coastal road in Northern Ireland.
Walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge near Ballintoy.
Walk (don’t drive) down the Dark Hedges.
Check out the Giant’s Causeway. Remember you don’t have to pay to enter if you don’t want to visit the information centre or use the carpark.

The Northern Ireland capital is filled with intense history, fascinating murals, a world-class museum and more than its fair share of awesome pubs.

Belfast is a city that oozes with grungy atmosphere, and whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny that it has an overwhelming character that should be experienced.

We were really looking forward to visiting Belfast, and it did not disappoint. To really appreciate the city though you should be willing to embrace the tragedies of the last few decades, and admire how it has bounced back.

Spend a few hours in the marvellous Titanic Belfast, known for being one of the world’s leading tourist attractions. Get your ticket here .
Join a free walking tour of Belfast to learn about the city’s political history.
Check out the Crumlin Road Gaol.

For the last full day jump on the highway and head south of Belfast. You can easily be in Dublin in 2 hours, but it’s worth stopping off at the Neolithic site of Newgrange.

As mentioned above, Newgrange is one of the real highlights of any Ireland road trip, and learning all about the massive passage tomb is splendid, especially when you consider it’s older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids!

If you need to be in Dublin tonight then you can be in the city quite easily, but personally we recommend heading to the fishing village of Howth , only 30 minutes from the city.

Howth is genuinely wonderful, and the perfect place to finish up your Irish road trip. You can park your van by the dock and head out to get fish and chips, or if you want a perfect place to stay head into the only hotel in town (yes, the only hotel in town), King Sitric .

Visit the ancient Neolithic site of Newgrange.
Go for a hike around Howth, or enjoy the best seafood in the country at King Sitric Restaurant.

Sunset Howth Ireland Road Trip Campervan

Tips For a Road Trip of Ireland

Driving a campervan around Ireland is definitely the best way to see the country.

Having your own wheels is one thing, but having your own home is the icing on the cake!

Still there are some things you need to keep in mind before you start this fun adventure. For another good reference, check out this article on renting a motorhome in Europe.

Here are some tips for renting a campervan in Ireland.

Bigger isn’t always better: The roads in Ireland can be notoriously narrow, and having a giant RV isn’t ideal in the Republic of Ireland. We went with the Aero model from Bunk Campers and it was a good balance of size and comfort, without being too big for the roads.
Try to free camp where possible: This is the whole bonus of having a campervan – You get to save on accommodation! In the Republic of Ireland we never had a problem finding a carpark or patch of grass to pull up for the night. We stayed next to a lake in Achill Island, behind a bus station in Ennis, on top of Vinegar Hill and plenty of other spots. It’s not always glamorous, but at least it’s free!
Sometimes you’ll have to stay in a caravan park: In Northern Ireland wild camping is illegal, so you have to stay in a caravan park. They’re not too expensive (sometimes 20 Euros or less), but they come with the added bonus of amenities like laundry, proper bathrooms, electricity hook ups and wifi.
Buy a prepaid SIM card from 3: Having data on the road is important, and we picked up a prepaid SIM from the telephone company 3. For 20 Euro we got unlimited 4G data and unlimited texts and calls for a month. We could also hotspot our laptops off of our phone with it. Get one from any 3 store.
Don’t underestimate driving distances: You might look at one leg and think, “Oh it’s only 150km, we’ll be there in 2 hours,” but that’s not always the case. Road conditions can slow you down, as will the hundreds of photo stops along the way. Don’t be too ambitious when planning your schedule.
Head south and drive clockwise: The weather in Ireland moves from the Atlantic Ocean and moves across the country heading northeast. A tip we got from the manager at Bunk Campers is to head south to Kerry County and drive clockwise. That way if you get nice weather you can basically follow it north.

[box] Our Ireland road trip adventure was made possible thanks to our partnership with Bunk Campers and support from Failte Ireland . All thoughts, opinions and pints of Guinness drunk at Irish pubs are, as always, our own.[/box]

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Alesha and Jarryd

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Around Ireland In 18 Days: A Coastal Road Trip Of A Lifetime (Full Itinerary)

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: April 6, 2024

Around Ireland In 18 Days: A Coastal Road Trip Of A Lifetime (Full Itinerary)

Hello and welcome to a road trip guide that my fingers will never forgive me for writing.

In the guide below you’ll find a chonker of an 18-day coastal road trip that’s planned for you from start to finish.

Now, this route isn’t for the faint-hearted or for those looking to spend several nights in one place – there’s a lot of moving about and you’ll be staying in different places each night.

If you’re looking for ‘slower’ or shorter road trips , drop into our road trip hub . Scroll down to see the full 18-day route.

The 18-Day Road Trip

The image above shows a rough outline of the route taken over the course of this road trip. Is it perfect? Absolutely not!

So, if there’s somewhere that you want to see that hasn’t been included, just alter the route to suit you! Here’s a breakdown of the different days:

Day 1: Wicklow
Day 2: Wexford
Day 3: Waterford
Day 4: Cork
Day 5: West Cork
Day 6: Kerry
Day 7: Kerry Part 2
Day 8: Kerry and Clare
Day 9: Clare
Day 10: Clare and Galway
Day 11: Galway and Mayo
Day 12: Mayo and Sligo
Day 13: Donegal
Day 14: Donegal
Day 15: Donegal and Derry
Day 16: Antrim
Day 17: Antrim
Day 18: Louth

Day 1. Wicklow

To make the most of our first day on the road, get out of the bed and into the car for 8:00. Our first day sees us take a nice and handy spin from Dublin to Wicklow.

1. Gallivanting Around Glendalough (start 09:00)

Photo by AndyConrad/shutterstock.com

We’re going to kick the day off with a moderate hike that I’ve done many times. The Glendalough Spinc Route is a hike that I can’t recommend enough.

It’s challenging enough to give you a good workout, but not too strenuous in that you can still chat away and have a laugh with friends as you climb.

The walk begins at the Upper Lake car park and follows the Poulanass Waterfall before entering the Lugduff Valley. You’ll find a full guide to this walk in our guide to the best walks in Wicklow .

2. Roundwood for lunch (arrive around

Photo via the Coach House

At this stage, you’ll be in need of a post-hike feed. Head for the Coach House in Roundwood, fuel up and rest the legs.

If you’re here in the winter you’ll be able to warm yourself by an enormous open fire. The drive from Glendalough to Roundwood takes 14 minutes (if it took 4 hours to complete the hike, you should arrive in Roundwood by 14:15).

3. Lough Tay

Photo by Lukas Fendek/Shutterstock.com

Roundwood to Lough Tay – 11-minute drive (if you spend 90 minutes eating and chilling, you’ll arrive at Lough Tay for 16:00).

Lough Tay is easily one of my favourite places in Ireland.

Mainly because it’s a such short drive from Dublin (where I live) but also due to the fact that you’ll have the whole place to yourself if you arrive at sunset (basing this on the past 3 times I’ve visited at sunset).

Keep driving until you come to a little makeshift car park on the right.

Cross the road and walk down the grassy hill until you’re treated to the incredible view above.

4. The Sally Gap Drive

Photo by Dariusz I/Shutterstock.com

So, this is a looped drive rather than a stop. Start it at around 16:30 and head in the direction of Glenmacnass Waterfall.

I did this drive several times over the past 12 months, and many times over the years, and it never fails to disappoint.

The vast, quiet landscape that engulfs you as you chug along the Sally Gap Drive has the knack of making you feel like you’re the only person left on earth.

You’re driving along smooth bendy roads that hug the side of mountains one minute and passing along tarmac surrounded by towering trees (keep an eye out for trees donning Christmas decorations) the next.

Take your time with this drive. Jump out of the car when the feeling takes you. And gulp down as much of that fresh mountain air that your lungs allow.

5. A Nest for the Night

Glenmacnass Waterfall to The Glendalough Hotel, – 11-minute drive (take 45 minutes to do the Sally Gap Drive and arrive at the hotel for 17:30).

So, where you stay in Wicklow is totally up to you.

I’m going to recommend The Glendalough Hotel , but if this doesn’t suit your budget, there are plenty of other places to stay nearby (check our interactive map of the best places to stay in Ireland !)

Check into the hotel, grab a bite to eat in the hotel’s Glendassan River Restaurant and kick back with a couple of drinks.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Thursday 25th of April 2024

We did your tour last year, we thought you being Irish and living in Ireland you would have more knowledge of Ireland than us. We followed your Itinerary to the letter only choosing different accommodation from time to time. This tour was the best ! I would recommend it every day of the week. The views, the walks, the people, I will remember this adventure forever, I'm so glad I found your page. Thank you for your hard work it is very much appreciated, and for anyone out there, do It ! trust the Itinerary you won't be disappointed its amazing.

Monday 4th of April 2022

Morning Keith O Hara I have been looking at your 18 days tour of Ireland I am arriving on the 14th April at Rosslare can I start my tour on day 2 I am driving a small camper van can you tell me about camp sites on my around please and do I have to book or just turn up my name is John Duke

Keith O'Hara

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

Hey John! You'll find campsites in most counties along that trip. The best way to do it is to just give it a Google and then suss out a spot with good reviews (I've never stayed in a campsite in Ireland, so I wouldn't like to lead you astray). In terms of booking. I'd recommend doing so if you're visiting during the busier months of the year, like summer. I hope this helps!

Tuesday 11th of January 2022

This was a great trip to read through. I understand how tired you are after writing so much - my husband and I are coming to Ireland from the U.S. in May 2022 for 3 weeks, and I've been planning everything myself for many months. Lots of great suggestions for places to visit, things we shouldn't miss, etc. Also, many of the things you suggested are already part of our plans, so it made me feel like I had done a good job! Thanks for all of the great help - we can't wait for the trip to begin!

Tuesday 12th of January 2021

Really digging this blog!! I have the travel blog so bad and Ireland is next on the list - your recommendations are speaking to me! Thanks for taking the time to create all the wonderful road trips / ideas.

Akshay Bansal

Tuesday 14th of January 2020

I am considering travelling to Ireland this summer via road-trip and AirBnBs. While researching, I found your blog and found it very helpful and resourceful.

I am travelling from New Delhi (India) with my extended family (infants, toddlers, siblings, wife, parents etc.). Assuming this might be our only trip to Ireland together as a family, I am interested in covering Ireland comprehensively within a limitation of 11-13 days.

Is it possible to shorten the suggested 18-day itinerary to the above duration by bypassing some of the locations or sites. I understand this would mean we missing a few locations, but need your help.

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10 day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary: Suggested Route & Stops

There is no better way to experience Ireland than on a road trip! Exploring the Emerald Isle by road allows you to go at your own pace, admire the serenity of the countryside and the beauty of its coast, dive into the history and tales of castles, kings and warriors, and indulge in hearty Irish cuisine with its traditional touches and contemporary twists.

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Whether you are a nature lover, a history buff, or a Game of Thrones fan, there is plenty to do and see in Ireland for every type of traveler!

Before we jump into our recommended Ireland road trip itinerary, it’s worth noting that the island of Ireland consists of 2 separate countries, Northern Ireland – part of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland – an independent country formed in 1922 following the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

For the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on exploring both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, suggesting plenty of stops in both regions along the way. Regardless of how much time you plan to spend in Ireland, we highly recommend that you make time to visit both parts of the island to compare and contrast and see the best this region has to offer.

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This 10-day Ireland road trip itinerary will take you around some of the most stunning parts of both countries!

Is Ireland Good for a Road Trip?

The short answer is yes! Thanks to its well-maintained roads and many attractions dotted around the region, Ireland is one of the best destinations for a road trip itinerary. Plus, the island’s compact size (486 km long and 275 km wide) and the close proximity between many destinations and scenic areas allow you to see several places in one day. It’s the perfect recipe for a great road trip!

How Many Days is Enough for Ireland?

While it’s possible to experience highlights of Ireland in a week or even a few days, we definitely recommend staying for at least 10-14 days.

You’ll need at least 7-10 days to cover the main highlights and attractions like Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and the Giant’s Causeway .

If you want to dive deeper, explore lesser-known regions, spend time hiking outdoors, or get on the water in areas such as Connemara National Park, the Aran Islands, or the Dingle Peninsula, we recommend that you extend your trip to 2-3 weeks to give you time to go beyond the major sights and attractions.

Tips for Driving in Ireland

Our itinerary: 2 weeks in ireland.

We spent 2 weeks in Ireland on our first visit to the region. This allowed us to follow the 10-day Ireland road trip itinerary that we share below with all the detours and extra time in the cities of Dublin and Belfast.

But this was by no means enough to see all of Ireland. So we decided to focus our trip on the Northern part of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and leave the southern part of the Republic for another visit. Starting in Dublin, our road trip sent us West to County Clare and then north, along the Wild Atlantic Way and through County Galway, County Mayo and onto Northern Ireland.

Those interested in extending their trip to add a few destinations in the Southern part of the region to their itinerary will find some suggestions at the end of this article.

Now let’s jump into our recommended 10-day Ireland road trip itinerary!

10-Day Ireland Itinerary

Day 1-2: dublin.

Dublin is the perfect place to begin your Irish road trip. It’s full of historic architecture, beautiful green spaces in the city, and iconic attractions like the Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse, and Irish Whiskey Museum.

If you only have a few days to spend in Dublin, base yourself in the heart of the city to soak up Dublin’s lively atmosphere. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, the Temple Bar neighbourhood is full of pubs, restaurants, eclectic shops, and art galleries. This is where you’ll find plenty of traditional music and traditional food. Just note that Temple Bar does get rowdy at night, especially during weekends and peak tourist seasons.

Quays Irish Restaurant specializes in traditional Irish dishes like Irish Stew, Cottage Pie, and Dublin Coddle. O’Sheas Restaurant is another good option. Alternatively, check out Gallaghers Boxty House – a restaurant that specializes in serving traditional Irish “boxty,” a potato pancake made from grated potatoes, flour, and buttermilk or milk. You’ll find a variety of boxty dishes on the menu, including both traditional and contemporary interpretations of this classic dish.

Where to Stay in Dublin

Staycity aparthotels .

During our time in Dublin, we based ourselves at the Staycity Aparthotels City Quay , a great affordable and centrally located hotel with a variety of room options, including studios and apartments. Our studio apartment had a comfortable bed, an en suite bathroom, free and fast Wi-Fi, and a fully equipped kitchenette.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Temple Bar area, has a 24-hour reception, and allows for early check-in – which was fantastic given our early arrival time. There is a fitness center on-site, and their buffet breakfast was great value for the price.

Day 3: County Clare

Drive time from Dublin: 3 hrs

Known for cliffs towering over the Atlantic, dramatic limestone landscapes, and historic sites, County Clare is one of the most scenic destinations on the west coast of Ireland.

There are a few big attractions on this section of your Ireland road trip, including the famous Cliffs of Moher, a stretch of towering cliffs along the Atlantic coast, and the Burren , a unique and fascinating karst landscape, as well as the charming town of Doolin. So it’s worth spending at least 2 days to explore the area.

Visit the Cliffs of Moher

The spectacular Cliffs of Moher stretch for over 8 kilometres and tower some 214 metres above the ocean, offering magnificent views of the west coast of Ireland. A designated UNESCO Global Geopark, the Cliffs attract millions of visitors each year and are known as one of the top attractions in all of Ireland.

The scenery alone is breathtaking, and the landscape is home to some amazing wildlife. You can spot puffins, razorbills, and with a bit of luck, maybe even a peregrine falcon.

The Cliffs can get very busy throughout the day, so we recommend planning a visit at sunset when the crowds subside and you can enjoy the cliffs in their best light. During our Ireland road trip, we checked into our hotel (recommendation below), had an early dinner, and headed to the Cliffs for a sunset visit. It was a perfectly planned evening – the sunset was beautiful and we had the place all to ourselves!

Stay at the Armada Hotel

The Armada Hotel is the perfect spot to stay in County Clare. It’s a charming seaside hotel in Spanish Point with beautiful ocean views, spacious rooms with comfortable beds, and a great on-site restaurant, Aileen’s, where we had one of the best meals in Ireland, a taste of contemporary Irish Cuisine.

The hotel is located just 30 mins from Cliffs of Moher, so you can easily check-in and enjoy a beautiful meal at Aileen’s Restaurant before heading out for sunset at Cliffs of Moher.

After visiting the Cliffs, spend the night here and hit the road early the following day to take in some of the other attractions in County Clare en route to your next destination – Galway.

The Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, County Clare

Things to do en route to Galway

Visit the burren smokehouse & burren brewery.

The Burren Smokehouse and the nearby Burren Brewery and Roadside Tavern are sister businesses focused on preserving the traditions of Ireland’s culinary heritage. The smokehouse offers guided tours that provide a fascinating insight into the art of smoking fish, showcasing the meticulous preparation and aging techniques that result in their exceptional flavors.

While the brewery showcases the step-by-step process of craft beer production with varieties ranging from ale to stouts, both their delicious smoked salmon and on-site brewed beer are available to sample at the Roadside Tavern – a great stop for lunch along the way.

Flaggy Shore Oysters Experience

A stop at the Flaggy Shore Oysters is another opportunity for a great food and wine experience along the Wild Atlantic Way. The 90-minute experience is as educational as it is delicious, offering a fun and interactive way to learn about the area’s rich history of oyster bays, the fascinating life cycle of oysters, and the diverse sea creatures and seaweeds that grace the Flaggy Shore.

Led by knowledgeable guides, the experience culminates in a hands-on oyster shucking lesson , followed by a lovely sampling of their renowned local oysters paired with a glass of carefully selected organic wine.

Visit the Burren

The dramatic rocky landscape of the Burren is another must-see in County Clare. The Burren National Park has marked trails that lead to vantage points of the sea and varied landscapes. If you plan to explore the Burren, be sure to check out the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating back 5,000 years. This megalith monument is one of the most photographed of its kind in Ireland.

Detour: Take a Day Trip to the Aran Islands

If you have an extra day to spare, take a day trip to one of the Aran Islands, Inishmore (Árainn), Inishmaan (Inis Meáin), and Inisheer (Inis Oírr). The islands are known for their rugged beauty, rich Gaelic heritage, and unique charm and the islands’ wild beauty has inspired writers, artists, and poets for centuries.

Day 4: Galway

Drive time from County Clare: 1.5 hrs

Galway is the third-largest city in Ireland, famous for its rich cultural heritage, lively atmosphere, and beautiful natural surroundings.

Often referred to as the “Cultural Heart of Ireland”, the city has a thriving culinary scene, with lively pubs serving traditional Irish dishes, culinary walking tours, innovative contemporary restaurants, and Michelin-starred chefs.

Dine at Kai Restaurant

We had an amazing meal at Kai Restaurant during our time in Galway. This culinary gem is situated in the West End neighbourhood and is known for its innovative and seasonally inspired cuisine, as well as its commitment to using locally sourced, organic ingredients.

Kai’s menu changes daily to reflect the availability of fresh ingredients and the chef’s creativity. The focus is on showcasing the best of Irish produce with thoughtfully crafted dishes, combining traditional flavours with modern techniques.

We loved the rustic, cozy atmosphere with wooden furnishings and dimly lit dining room – it was a perfect spot to cocoon and enjoy a great meal on a rainy evening in Galway.

Other Things to Do in Galway

Visit Eyre Square. Dating back to medieval times, this square has been a popular gathering spot for visitors and locals, especially in the summer. Located right in the centre of Galway, Eyre Square is surrounded by shops, pubs, and restaurants. It’s a great palace to take in the pace of the city.

Just a 10-minute walk from Eyre Square, Galway Cathedral is another spot worth visiting in the city. It’s one of the largest buildings in the city and the last church in Ireland to be made from stone. Completed in 1965, it does feel quite modern, but the art, stained glass, and rose windows are still intricate and interesting.

Stretching between the Spanish Arch and St. Nicholas’ Church, the colourful Latin Quarter is home to Galway’s most popular and eclectic shops, pubs, and historic buildings. You can easily spend an afternoon strolling along the cobblestone streets, shopping at the family-run shops selling local crafts, antique jewelry, and handmade souvenirs.

The city is full of galleries, theatre companies, and cinemas showing independent films. While the arts scene is spread all over the city, you can’t go wrong by sticking to the Latin Quarter. There are theatres and galleries within walking distance, and you can enjoy some live Irish music at one of the many pubs in the Latin Quarter.

Galway Cathedral, 10 day Ireland road trip

Where to Stay in Galway

We stayed at a very average hotel while in Galway, which we do not want to recommend to others. Here is a great option that we wish we had booked instead.

Hyde Hotel is a stylish and sustainable boutique hotel in the heart of Galway. With 69 bright and colourful guest rooms, the hotel offers a mix of comfort and luxury with an uncluttered design and modern amenities. The hotel has a 24/7 front desk and a restaurant and bar on site.

Day 5: Killary Fjord

Drive time from Galway: 1.5 hrs

Ireland’s only true fjord , Killary Fjord, forms a stunningly beautiful border between counties Galway and Mayo. The fjord extends 16 km from the Atlantic coast to its head at Aasleagh Falls and features some of the most dramatic vistas in the western part of Ireland.

Killary and the surrounding mountains offer much in the way of outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, and boating. If you’re short on time, the best way to take in this amazing landscape is with a boat tour.

En route: Lunch at Misunderstood Heron

Make sure you stop for lunch at the Misunderstood Heron, a unique food truck set up along the Wild Atlantic Way overlooking the Killary Fjord. The menu changes to reflect seasonality as the team pickles, ferments, forages and puts a lot of care into the food they serve. Enjoy a simple, delicious lunch with a view of Connemara’s mountains and sea vistas.

Detour: Day Trip to Inisbofin

If you have an extra day, consider taking a day trip to Bofin Island or Inisbofin . You can reach the island by ferry from Cleggan Village.

There is not a lot to do on Inisbofin, aside from admiring its beautiful cliffs and beaches, but the main attraction here is the ability to escape the mainland and immerse yourself in the tranquil traditional Irish lifestyle. The island is popular for biking, hiking, fishing, and kayaking, but we spent our day strolling around the island’s quaint streets, immersed in tales of life on the island from our local guide, Tommy.

Day 6: Lough Erne

Drive time from Killary Fjord: 3 hrs

Today, you’ll travel further North, crossing the border into Northern Ireland. Spend a day at the charming Lough Erne, a jewel of the Fermanagh Lakelands.

The lake offers water activities, trails that lead to vantage points over breathtaking scenery, and ancient sites for history buffs to explore. The connecting lakes that form Lough Erne have a large presence in Irish mythology and folklore, and it’s said that warrior queens, high kings, and giants visited the area.

Beautiful Lough Erne, 10 day Ireland road trip

Explore the Landmarks around the Lake

There are also a number of unique landmarks worth visiting around the lake, like Cliffs of Magho Viewing Point , which offer spectacular views over Counties Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal, Tully Castle , or Enniskillen Castle , which dates back to the 15th century. The latter served as a guard to one of the few passes into Ulster and houses the Fermanagh County Museum and Inniskillings Museum with exhibits on the area’s ancient history.

Take a Boat Tour to Devenish Island

During our visit, we joined Barry from Erne Water Taxi for a few hours on the lake aboard their new all-electric passenger boat Island Discovery. Our destination was the Devenish Island, home to the ruins of a monastic settlement that dates back to the 6th century, as well as a well-preserved round tower, an abbey, and several ornate high crosses.

Northern Ireland Lough Erne Devenish Island Oksana 01569

Detour: Visit the Marble Arch Caves

If time permits, drive about 20 mins south of Enniskillen to visit the Marble Arch Caves. The caves and the surrounding landscape are part of the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. Guided tours through the caves give insight into the fascinating underground landscape of cave formations, chambers, and subterranean rivers. During the months of June and July, there are even yoga classes offered in the Marble Arch Caves.

Stay at Finn Lough Forest Hideaway

The highlight of the visit to Lough Erne was our stay at Finn Lough Forest Hideaway, set on the shores of the lake surrounded by lush woodlands and rolling hills.

The luxury getaway resort offers a variety of accommodation options ranging from bubble domes to lakeside cottages and offers a range of activities for guests to enjoy, such as paddleboarding, kayaking, cycling, and nature walks.

This is the perfect place to linger for an extra day, as the resort has great wellness facilities on site, including their morning yoga sessions, the Awen Shore private soak tub on the water’s edge, and the Elements Trail, a private 2-hour experience, through a series of hot and cold therapy treatments nestled in the forest.

The on-site Barn Restaurant deserves its own shout-out. The beautiful restaurant offers a seasonal tapas menu with locally sourced, seasonal produce with a modern twist on traditional Irish fare.

Day 7-8: Northern Ireland: Causeway Coastal Route

Total driving distance from Londonderry to Belfast : 3-4 hours

The next few days will undoubtedly be a highlight of your Ireland road trip itinerary. We recommend following the Causeway Coastal Route, to explore Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline along a 300-kilometre drive between Derry-Londonderry and Belfast. This drive features plenty of natural beauty, historic sites, and quaint seaside towns that North Ireland is famous for.

You can easily spend two weeks touring the sites along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, but if you only have a few days, visit the following.

Visit Dunluce and Dunseverick Castles

Don’t miss the picturesque and historically fascinating Dunluce Castle and Dunseverick Castle .

Dunluce Castle is one of the most picturesque castles in Northern Ireland, set against the dramatic basalt landscape of the country’s coastline. The castle ruins are open to the public and offer panoramic views of the coastline below. Castle grounds are open from 9:30am – 5pm daily, and tickets are £6.

Perched on a basalt cliff over the Atlantic Ocean, Dunseverick Castle is a 5th-century fort and ancient royal site. The ruins aren’t as well preserved as those of Dunluce Castle, but its historical significance is unique, as it is said that Saint Patrick visited the castle to baptize a local man named Olcán, who went on to become a Bishop of Ireland. The fort also served as a point of defence during Viking invasions of the 9th and 10th centuries.

See Sunset at Giant’s Causeway

The iconic Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the dramatic landscape of basalt columns that have inspired legends and folklore for generations. The causeway and its main attractions, the Amphitheatre and the Organ Pipes can be visited any time of the day, but we recommend saving the trip for sunset to enjoy the beauty of this area at the best light.

Snap a Moody Photo at the Dark Hedges

The picturesque site, known as Dark Hedges, is a renowned tourist hot spot not far from Giant’s Causeway, made famous as the filming location for the Game of Thrones series.

Aside from being a Game of Thrones filming location, the Dark Hedges is a very scenic location with beautiful rows of beech trees dating back to the 18th century. The visually dramatic trees line the sides of Bregagh Road, which was built as an entrance to Gracehill House, a Georgian Mansion once home to the Stuart family.

Bregagh Road is now primarily pedestrian, with only an occasional vehicle passing by this road at night. The road is one of the most photographed sites in Northern Ireland and is well worth a stop for any aspiring photographer or Game of Thrones fan.

To avoid the crowds (tour buses come to this site in great numbers from Belfast), head to the Dark Hedges early in the morning, before 9 am or late at night.

Visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a unique scenic stop to include on your tour of the northern coast. This famous rope bridge was erected by salmon fishermen over two centuries ago, and offers breathtaking views of Rathlin Island, the Scottish Islands, and the surrounding coastal landscape. The rope bridge is only open from 9am-5pm, so be sure to plan accordingly.

At the Carrick-a-Rede walkway, 10 day Ireland road trip

Follow the Antrim Coast Road

The Antrim Coast Road is a part of the Causeway Coastal Route and a natural continuation of your Ireland road trip itinerary. Passing along the nine Glens of Antrim, this stretch of road offers unparalleled views of the natural beauty of the Antrim Coast. Take your time and use the many viewpoints to take some amazing photos of the vertical cliffs, glacial valleys, and ancient cultural sites along the Antrim Coast Road. Don’t miss a stop at Torr Head , Cushendun Caves , and Glenarm Castle.

Along the Torr Head road, 10 day Ireland road trip

Do the Gobbins Cliff Walk

One of the most incredible ways to experience the Causeway Coast is by doing the Gobbins Cliff Walk. This unique coastal path, designed by a 19th-century engineer, offers a thrilling and immersive adventure along the rugged Antrim coastline. Spanning 5 km, the trail winds its way along the cliffside, featuring suspension bridges, caves, staircases, and tunnels.

Despite the chilly weather, the walk exceeded our expectations, showcasing the power of crashing waves and the sights and sounds of nesting seabirds.

Gobbins Cliff Walk, Coastal Causeway Route

Stay at Salthouse Hotel

During our Ireland road trip, we stayed at the Salthouse Hotel , a stunning eco-friendly property near Ballycastle. It’s perfectly located about halfway along the Coastal Causeway Route and offers a blend of seaside charm and modern comforts. The rooms are spacious, bright and comfortable, and the on-site restaurant offers a sophisticated yet relaxed ambience, serving a great menu showcasing locally sourced dishes, including freshly caught seafood.

The Salthouse Hotel, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland

READ NEXT: Northern Ireland’s Coastal Causeway Route Ful Itinerary & Stops

Day 9-10: Belfast

There is no better place to finish your Ireland road trip than in Belfast. While we enjoyed our time in Dublin, we found Belfast to be a much more vibrant and happening destination with lots more to see and do.

Full of history dating back millennia, the Northern Irish capital of Belfast is a cultural hub known for its art, maritime history, and culinary scene. Plenty of interesting architecture tells the story of Belfast and attractions that are unique to the city.

Visit the Titanic Exhibit

Known as the birthplace of the Titanic, Belfast is now home to a world-class exhibit honouring the famous ship, its builders, and its passengers. Titanic Belfast is an immersive, state-of-the-art attraction that brings the ship’s story to life, and a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

Titanic Experience, 10 day Ireland road trip

Explore the Queen’s Quarter

To see some stunning architecture and the famous Botanic Gardens , head to the cultural district of Queen’s Quarter for a scenic stroll. Right next to the Botanic Gardens is Queen’s University, the oldest university in Northern Ireland and a wonderful example of the city’s world-famous architecture. Belfast Castle represents the Scottish Baronial Style of Architecture and offers views of Belfast Lough.

Dine at A Peculiar Tea

Make sure to experience Belfast’s renowned culinary scene while you’re in town. Our favourite dining experience was at A Peculiar Tea , a Willy Wonka-themed restaurant in the heart of Queen’s Quarter. Their splurge-worthy 7-course dinner tasting menu was a whimsical culinary adventure full of vibrant colours and unique ingredient combinations.

From goat cheese to monkfish, Jerusalem artichoke to duck, each course was a masterpiece of presentation and flavour complexity – we were absolutely in awe!

Northern Ireland Belfast Peculiar Tea restaurant 09784

Stay at the Harrison Chambers of Distinction

This swanky boutique hotel was a highlight of our stay in Belfast. The hotel offers a luxurious and stylish experience with 16 uniquely themed rooms , each with its own personality and story. The rooms offer plenty of comforts, including four-poster beds, sitting areas, and ensuite bathrooms, while the suites feature Victorian-style bathtubs.

The hotel takes care of the essentials with fast Wi-Fi and includes breakfast, even offering the luxury of breakfast in bed. The lively downstairs bar is the perfect place to mingle with other guests and enjoy evening drinks, adding to the cool and vibrant vibe of this hidden gem in Belfast’s Queen’s Quarter.

Ireland Road Trip: What You’ll Miss

We had an amazing time on our Ireland road trip, but given that we chose to focus on the northern part of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, we of course, missed a number of great destinations in the South and a few great stops along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The truth is, 10 days is not enough to see the entire country!

We did not include many destinations in our Ireland road trip itinerary, but you can easily customize your own to suit your taste and road trip pace. From ancient ruins for castle enthusiasts to parks full of natural beauty, there is much to add to your Irish adventure.

Castles

Blarney Castle is a popular destination in southern Ireland, known for the famous Blarney Stone. The romantic ruins are set in the Cork countryside and have been drawing visitors for over 200 years.

Kilkenny Castle, located in Ireland’s Ancient East, is another attraction to add to your Ireland road trip itinerary. The beautifully restored castle dates to the 13th century and is open to visitors year-round.

National Parks

If time permits, there are also several national parks that you can add to your Ireland road trip itinerary.

Killarney National Park is the first national park established in Ireland and the most visited National Park in the country. The park is home to McGillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland, Muckross House, Ross Castle, and has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Wicklow Mountains National Park stretches 23,000 hectares south of Dublin, is Ireland’s largest national park and is home to St. Kevin’s monastic settlement at Glendalough.

Connemara National Park is located in County Galway and covers 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, and heaths. The mixed terrain is best for experienced hikers, and there are paths of varying difficulty.

Glenveagh National Park is in the heart of County Donegal, with trails to a Victorian castle with remarkable gardens.

Additional/Alternative Routes

This 10-day Ireland tour follows a section of the Wild Atlantic Way , another popular Ireland road trip. This alternative route hugs the Atlantic Coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal south to Kinsale in Cork and offers 2,500km of stunning scenery and great food and wine experiences.

The Ring of Kerry is another popular Ireland road trip. It’s a 179km circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwestern Ireland. This route is ideal for travellers who prefer to go off the beaten track and leads to attractions like a 6th-century monastery, ancient stone forts, and picturesque fishing villages among the Kerry cliffs.

And finally, there is Slea Head Drive a scenic coastal route along the Dingle Peninsula in southwest Ireland. The circular route is 47km long, beginning and ending in the town of Dingle.

Along the Coastal Causeway Route in Northern Ireland, 10 day Ireland road trip

We hope you enjoyed this summary of our Ireland road trip itinerary, a great route that, in our opinion, highlights the best of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, offering great food and wine experiences, scenic drives, stunning landscapes and unique cultural and historical sights.

Have any questions about our Ireland road trip itinerary? Leave a comment below, and we’ll be happy to offer our insights to help you plan a great road trip of your own!

Disclaimer: We visited Ireland as guests of Tourism Ireland , but, as always, all opinions expressed in this article are our own.

About The Author

Oksana & Max St John

Ireland road trip – 7 epic Itinerary ideas to inspire you

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Looking for Ireland road trip ideas and places to visit? These itinerary suggestions are perfect for Irish road trips of 5 days, a week or 10 days with a car, camper or motorhome. Start planning your Ireland travel today!

Considering a trip to Ireland? Feeling a little daunted by all the beautiful locations and not sure where you should visit or how to start planning an Irish road trip?

Don’t worry, my friend. I know exactly how you feel.

It can be almost impossible to choose where to go, but I’m going to let you into a secret – WHEREVER you go will be AMAZING. You’ll be totally enchanted by the beauty and friendliness of Ireland; it’s a fantastic place to visit, whether you’re going for a long weekend, 5 days or a week.

We’ve put together 7 incredible road trip itinerary ideas to whet your appetite and help you plan your adventure. Think of me when you’re sipping your Guinness in a pub and listening to the locals play the heck out of their fiddles (yes, this REALLY happens. A lot.)

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The most Famous Ireland Road Trip- Wild Atlantic Way

Ireland road trip itinerary and Ireland travel tips

Recommended by Grace | Extreme Nomads

The Wild Atlantic Way is a tourist route that runs the entire length of the west coast of the Republic of Ireland, stretching from Mizen Head, County Cork, in the south to Malin Head, County Donegal, in the north. Famous for anyone wanting to go motorhoming or campervanning in Ireland , it’s characterised by a raw and rugged coastline, winding country roads, and myriad suggested stop-offs at some of Western Ireland’s favourite landmarks, the Wild Atlantic Way is one Irish road trip you definitely won’t want to miss.

How long does it take to drive the Wild Atlantic Way?

The beauty of this route is that you can choose to commit to as little or as much of it as suits your itinerary. Say, for example, you were going to fly into Cork airport and wanted to focus your trip on the south in particular. You could choose to cruise down Cork and Kerry’s coastline, stopping off in places like Bantry Bay, Baltimore, Glengarriff, and Dingle. This way, you could explore a modest chunk of the route in just a couple of days.

If you have a more lenient timeframe and want to tackle the entire route, it would be wise to give yourself a minimum of a week — and even better if you can commit two or three.

Highlights of a Wild Atlantic Way road trip

Some of the highlights of a Wild Atlantic Way road trip include:

Mizen Head (one of the locations where the latest Star Wars movie was shot)
the windswept isle of Skellig Michael,
Achill Island (Ireland’s largest island and an epic kitesurfing destination)
Galway City
Cliffs of Moher

When is the best time for an Irish road trip on the Wild Atlantic Way?

As Ireland’s weather is notoriously volatile, summertime is typically the best time to visit Ireland & tackle the Wild Atlantic Way. June/July are usually the best months in terms of low rainfall and likelihood of sun — but you never really can know for sure (prepare for the worst, hope for the best as they say!).

Ring of Kerry- another famous Irish road trip idea

Ireland road trip ideas and travel tips- Ring of Kerry

Recommended by Elaine | Your Ireland Vacation

The Ring of Kerry is one of the most beautiful road trips in Ireland. The route is a 200 km circular drive which begins from the lively town of Killarney, Co. Kerry and takes in some of the most stunning views and landscape in Ireland.

Best places to visit in a Ring of Kerry road trip

There are many incredible stops on the Ring of Kerry but the one that tops most visitors wish lists is the Skellig Islands. The Skellig Islands are a rocky outcrop of islands located just off the coast of Co. Kerry and are often regarded as one of the best places to visit in Ireland . The islands, which were once home to a monastery of monks, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most well-known of the islands is Skellig Michael and a limited number of tourists are allowed to set foot on the island each day. During summer months there are day trips from the port of Portmagee to the islands. Skellig Michael was the setting for some famous scenes in the new Star Wars movies.

The scenic lookout known as Ladies View is located close to Killarney town and is one of the most spectacular vistas in Ireland. The viewpoint overlooks the sprawling lakes of Killarney National Park.

Valentia Island is another beautiful stop. This relatively small island has spectacular views of the coast and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland highest mountain range. It is home to the village of Knight’s Town which has a traditional Irish feel.

How long should a Ring of Kerry road trip take?

While you can drive the entire route in one day, we recommend taking at least 2 days, or ideally 3, to explore the Ring of Kerry. The summer months are the best time to drive this route, despite the large number of tourists.

Ring of Beara road trip itinerary

Beara- Ireland road trip itinerary ideas for one day

Recommended by Kate | Our Escape Clause

Uncrowded, untamed and featuring unbelievable beauty, the Ring of Beara road trip in Ireland is one of the country’s best-kept secrets.

While visitors flock to the Ring of Kerry (practically next door to Beara) and many also visit the stunning Slea Head Drive on Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Beara feels much more undiscovered.

Why should you consider Beara for your Ireland road trip?

Featuring all the hallmarks of an excellent Irish road trip- rolling green views, castles, colourful villages, rugged coastal terrain (and plenty of sheep!)- driving the Ring of Beara is a wonderful way to get off the beaten path in Ireland , especially if you like to avoid crowds.

Start your drive in Kenmare (which is also very convenient to the Ring of Kerry, if you’d like to use the village as a base and drive both peninsulas back-to-back), and as you set off to the explore the Ring of Beara, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to stop along the way.

Castletownbere, a charming fishing village, makes an excellent stop for lunch, but also be sure to stop in Eyeries (known as one of the most colourful villages in Ireland–a huge feat!), Adrigole (home of a beautiful waterfall) and Dzogchen Beara (a Buddhist meditation centre that welcomes visitors and has incredible views).

How long does it take to drive the Ring of Beara?

You can comfortably road trip the Ring of Beara in a day, starting and ending in Kenmare, but be sure to get an early start! If you have the opportunity to spend a night on the peninsula and savour the experience a bit more, it’s all the better.

When is the best time of year for this Irish road trip?

Like most road trips in Ireland, this one is best undertaken in the summer, when you’ll have the best chance of clear weather!

Slea Head Drive/ Dingle Peninsula Loop road trip

Ireland road trip itinerary ideas- Slea Head and Dingle Peninsula. Ireland travel tips

Recommended by Stephanie | History Fangirl

No matter how long you have to drive around Ireland, Slea Head and the Dingle Peninsula will become one of your favourites.

Starting in the town of Dingle, Slea Head drive is a loop that covers the Dingle Peninsula. That’s why its alternatively called the Dingle Peninsula Loop or just driving the Dingle Peninsula.

Highlights of Slea Head/ Dingle Peninsula include

Some of the best highlights of Slea Head Drive include:

the historic stone Beehive Huts
views across to the Blasket Islands
Gallus Oratory

There are a few places closer to the town that you’ll also want to visit. Some people include a visit to the Dingle Distillery as part of their Slea Head drive time. However, I think it’s better saved for another afternoon so you can do the full distillery tour without worrying about trying to finish the drive at a specific time.

There are many other fun things to do in Dingle in the evening when you’ve completed the drive, like go to a traditional music performance or look for the Dingle Dolphin.

How long does a Slea Head, Ireland road trip take?

To complete Slea Head Drive, most tourists will base themselves in the town of Dingle and then spend half a day to a full day enjoying the drive. The time you take depends on how often you stop to take pictures, but if you set aside half a day you will be able to see the whole drive and take the time for 3-4 stops.

When is the best time of year for a Dingle Peninsula road trip?

The best time to drive in Ireland is in the late spring or early autumn when it’s not too crowded but the weather is still lovely.

Central Ireland road trip- Comeragh Mountain

Ireland road trip- one day itinerary for Ireland travel

Recommended by Maria & Ciaran- Maptrekking.com

The often overlooked area of central Ireland is a less touristy region filled with undiscovered gems for road trips in the wilderness. Since so many visitors are drawn to the Wild Atlantic Way, a one-day road trip through the secluded Comeragh mountains would be a great alternative to explore in the summer.

Base yourself in the coastal town of Dungarvan, Co. Waterford- it has beaches, a castle, a coastal bike trail, and a Gaeltacht village.

Highlights of a central Ireland road trip

Some of the best places to visit on this road trip include:

The Magic road (get pulled uphill by nature… seriously)
Mahon Falls
Lough Mohra
Rath Beag walk
Carey’s Castle

Comeragh Mountain Road Trip itinerary- (including the magic road!)

Starting from Dungarvan, drive 20 mins north-west to the Magic Road. Look for a fairy tree with items hanging off the branches. Put the car into neutral and be amazed as you are pulled up the hill towards the rock saying ‘Magic Road’.

Drive a little farther to spend time at Mahon Falls. Continue another 15 mins to the Kilclooney Wood Car Park. There are walking trails here; the most popular being to Counshingaun Lough. It is the largest lake in the area and offers beautiful views if you can make the effort to reach it.

Continue for another 15 mins to the Lough Mohra & Rath Beag Loop Walk. Here are more great views and the less well-known Lake Mohra. There is also a sandstone hill and historical ring forts called ‘raths’ to explore.

Take the 30 min scenic drive through the Nire Valley to Carey’s Castle. Far off the beaten tourist path, it is a peaceful park with a hidden castle to explore.

Drive to the last stop, Holy Year Cross about 10 mins away. With a wonderful view of Clonmel, it is a great place for sunset after the long day of adventuring. For a well-deserved pint and dinner, drive 5 mins into Clonmel to eat at Mulcahy’s.

Southern Ireland road trip- historical tour

Rock of Cashel- an unmissable place to visit on a southern Ireland road trip

Recommended by Cath | Travel around Ireland

Enjoy history? One of the best Irish road trip ideas is an itinerary which explores the many historical sites of the region.

Highlights of a Southern Ireland road trip

Some of the best places to visit in Southern Ireland include:

Bunratty Castle
King John’s Castle
Blackrock castle
Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone
Cahir Castle
Rock of Cashel
Kilkenny Castle

7 day Southern Ireland historical road trip itinerary

The route includes some of the best castles in Ireland , plus other historical sites in counties including Tipperary, Clare, Cork and Waterford, and would take at least 7 days to complete the trip.

First on your stop would be Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare. This beautiful 15th century castle is located in County Clare and hosts a medieval banquet every evening which is worth booking. The Folk Park is a step-back-in-time and shows life in a 19th century Irish village.

From Bunratty, continue to Limerick City and visit King John’s Castle on the banks of the River Shannon. From Limerick, head south to Cork where you can visit Blackrock Castle, now an observatory on the banks of the River Lee, before heading to Blarney to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the stone are bestowed with the gift of the gab.

From Cork, you can head to Tipperary to visit Cahir Castle and the Rock of Cashel, a historic abbey sitting on a rock and dating from as far back as the 12th century. It was originally the seat of the High Kings of Munster and is an impressive site to visit. Get there early to avoid the tour buses.

From Tipperary, you can visit Waterford and immerse yourself in its Viking history before stopping at Kilkenny Castle to complete your tour, one of the most popular castles in Ireland.

There is no bad time of year to visit these sites, although late spring or early summer would be best to avoid too many crowds and in the hopes of good weather, something you cannot guarantee in Ireland.

No matter what time of year you visit, this tour will let you discover the history of the Emerald Isle in the best way possible.

Northern Ireland road trip- Causeway Coastal Route

Northern Ireland Road Trip ideas and itinerary

Recommend by Dave | Show them the Globe

The incredible Causeway Coastal Route is located on the north coast of Northern Ireland. This road trip is a great way to explore Northern Ireland and is packed with awesome sights and things to do.

Highlights of driving the Causeway Coastal route

Giants Causeway
Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
Dunluce Castle
Dark Hedges (you can actually drive down this road)

Northern Ireland road trip itinerary

Start in Belfast and head north. We recommend heading straight to the Giants causeway if you can and get there at opening time. It’s about a 90 minute drive if you go the direct route.

The Giants Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Irish mythology says that the unique rock formations were created when an Irish giant called Finn MacCool was challenged to a fight by a Scottish giant. Finn built the causeway to get to Scotland. (It’s unclear who won…)

The nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bride connects the mainland to the tiny Carrickarede island and crossing on foot is an exhilarating experience. Expect to queue for a while to get across, but it’s worth the wait.

Another unique stop on the route is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Castle which hang precariously above the sea below.

Don’t miss the Dark Hedges. This road of arching 18th Century beech trees features in the HBO Series Game of Thrones and is one of the most beautiful roads in Ireland. It can be easy to drive right past it, but be prepared for a LOT of tourists and people milling around.

We actually drove right down the road, which was fun.

How long does it take to drive the Causeway coastal route?

One of the best aspects of the Causeway Coastal Route is that it is a relatively short route to drive. At less than 200 miles long you can comfortably explore the whole route in one weekend. All of the main sights are located close to each other so there are no long drives and the route is stunning and interesting.

When is the best time of year for a Northern Ireland road trip?

We recommend exploring the Causeway Coastal route in September when the weather is most likely to be fair and visitors can avoid the summer crowds.

Inspired to plan an Ireland road trip now? Where will you go first? Don’t forget to grab your free road trip checklist and get started!

If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest so others can benefit too. See you out on the road!

Ireland Travel and Road trip itineraries. 7 incredible Irish road trip ideas

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

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Could find anything north of Clare mentioned for Rep of Ireland :- other than Nothern Ireland Causeway Coast. Do you have an itinerary for Galway West to Malin Head in Donegal? Thanks

Not at the moment sorry- we haven’t had as much time as we would like to explore. Hoping to get over there in 2021… global pandemics not withstanding!!

Hey Kat – which of these would you say are most dog friendly? Thanks!

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Our ultimate 2 week ireland road trip itinerary.

In June and July 2019, we embarked on perhaps our most epic road trip to date ...

A 2 week, Ireland road trip that literally took us EVERYWHERE!

Instead of driving a few hours a day and seeing perhaps just a small part of the country, we took it upon ourselves to plan the most full-on Irish road trip possible.

In just 16 days, we did a full loop of Ireland , starting and finishing at the Spaceships Rentals site just outside Dublin.

The total we drove over 3,000km, making our way through 26 out of the 32 Irish counties, and seeing all of the top sites we wanted to see.

This included driving almost all of the famous Wild Atlantic Way, all of the Ring of Kerry and seeing about 40 castles along the way.

If you are planning your own road trip around Ireland, then this full-on 2 week Ireland itinerary should give you everything you need to help you plan your own epic trip .

So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into day 1 …

Map courtesy of Wanderlog travel planner

Interactive map of our Ireland road trip itnerary

Travellerspoint

Ireland road trip video

Day 1: Dublin to Wexford

We arrived at Dublin airport in the morning and immediately set off north to the Spaceships Rentals pick-up point, located about a 40 minute drive from the airport.

For the next 2weeks this would be our little home, carrying us a total of 3,338km (2,074 miles) around Ireland.

Our first stop was the Powerscourt House & Gardens , located just south of Dublin city, after travelling around the busy ring road.

What’s nice is that, once we got off this busy toll road, that is the last of bad motorway traffic we saw in Ireland!

Much of the country is still made up of uncluttered country roads, which is the best way to discover the Emerald Isle.

Dublin isn’t actually a part of our 2 week itinerary, as we have visited for a few days before.

But it is certainly worth adding in 2 days here either at the start or end of your Ireland itinerary.

By far the best part of the day was spent driving through the Wicklow National Park and stopping off at Glendalough.

We continued on our way south, stopping off for a bit in Wicklow, before driving on to Carnavan Bay, about a 40 minute drive from Wexford.

This ended up being one of my top 5 favourite wild camping spots in Ireland , and we had ourselves a BBQ whilst watching the sun slowly set over the cliffs whilst laying in our bed.

Quick day 1 itinerary:

Picked up our Delta campervan van from Spaceships Campervan Rentals
Visited Powerscourt House & Gardens
Drove through Wicklow Mountain National Park (including Sally Gap & Glendalough)
Stopped off in Wexford
Camped down by Carnavan Bay

Total Drive Time:

Useful guides:.

‍ Hiring A Campervan In Ireland - Everything You Need To Know ‍
The Best Things To Do In Dublin (Ireland)

Day 2: Wexford to Cashel

After a good old fashioned fry up, we made our way over to the famous Hook Lighthouse , widely regarded as the oldest operating lighthouse in the world.

The coastal drive here is lovely, and once we arrived at Hook Lighthouse, we found out that it’s possible to wild camp right next to the lighthouse in a big car park on the edge of cliffs.

So, if you’re in the area and looking for somewhere to spend the night, then you should definitely give this a go; there are lots of other campervans that regularly use the spot.

We then made our way northwards towards Waterford, a quaint little town that had one sight we were in dire need of visiting … Tesco!

After stocking up on supplies and checking out Waterford, it was time to head up to Kilkenny.

This is a lovely classic town with old-fashioned buildings, cobbled streets and lots of tourist-oriented Irish bars.

Definitely a great place to spend a day or two.

But the best sight by far here is Kilkenny Castle; we made ourselves some salads and sat on the large lawn outside having lunch whilst enjoying views of the castle … perfection.

Our final stop of the day was the incredible Rock of Cashel.

You’ve probably seen pictures of this castle before, and it’s possibly Ireland’s most famous castle.

Built hundreds of years ago it was where kings of Ireland resided for generations.

The best views of the Rock of Cashel are from far away, most notably the road towards Cashel if you're coming from Killarney.

Sure, inside is nice, but I wish we'd taken more time to experience the Rock of Cashel from far away as that is when it’s at its most inspiring.

That night we camped at Apple Camping & Caravan Park , which turned out to be the best campsite from our whole trip!

You get free homemade apple juice for every guest, and you can go strawberry picking there (honest to God, these were the best strawberries we had in all of Ireland!).

Quick day 2 itinerary:

Stopped off at Hook Lighthouse
Drove through Waterford
Went north to Kilkenny and had lunch at Kilkenny Castle
Explored the famous Rock of Cashel
Camped at Apple Camping & Caravan Park

Useful Guide:

‍ The Best Things To Do In Tipperary (Ireland)

Day 3: Cashel to Blarney

Our first and most surprising stop of the day was Cahir Castle.

I hadn’t seen this castle mentioned very much before our visit and merely thought it would be a fleeting visit.

But in the end, we loved it!

It’s one of the nicest and best-preserved castles to visit in Ireland , and the town of Cahir is a great wee place as well.

After this, we embarked on what ended up being one of the best drives from all over Ireland!

The route from Cahir to Lismore takes you through winding Irish roads right up through mountains until you reach a point called The Vee.

The views from here really were incredible, and we were blessed to have a warm, sunny day to enjoy them.

From there, we visited Lismore Castle, once again one of Ireland’s best-preserved castles.

You are only able to walk the grounds as the castle itself is still a full-time residence, but the lawn outside proved to be the perfect lunch spot.

From there, we headed on further south to the popular port town of Cobh, home to The Titanic Experience .

This is built at the site of the old White Star Line ticket office and it is here that the last passengers boarded the Titanic before its doomed voyage across to America.

Our stop in Cork city proved to be a bit damp, though we still enjoyed a couple of hours walking the streets and picking up some fresh ribs and chicken wings for the BBQ that night.

Camping in Cork is not possible, so we headed out to Blarney for the night so that we could arrive early to Blarney Castle.

Quick day 3 itinerary:

Went for a walk around Cahir Castle
Drove up to The Vee viewpoint
Had lunch in front of Lismore Castle
Enjoyed ice creams and walked around Cobh
Visited the Titanic Museum
Visited Cork just in time for the rain
Camped opposite The Huntsman pub
‍ The Best Things To Do In Cork (Ireland)

Day 4: Blarney to Castletown-Bearhaven

Blarney Castle was one of my most anticipated stops of the whole trip and I was super excited to kiss the Blarney Stone !

My grandparents have told me countless times of when they kissed the Blarney Stone many years ago, and it’s certainly a unique experience.

The grounds around the castle are wonderfully maintained, so I recommend taking an hour to explore these before leaving.

From here, we went south to Charles Fort, a spot we were very excited to use our travel drone ; however, on this day the skies were full of mist and we could barely see the fort, let alone the river below.

Kinsale is another lovely seaside town in Ireland, a place you could easily spend a few days exploring and relaxing in.

The rest of the day was spent enjoying the magnificent coastal drive all the way to Castletown-Bearhaven on the Beara peninsula.

On the way, we drove as close to Castlefreke castle as we could get, which was hard to track down but very worth it.

We spent that night camped in the town of Castletown-Bearhaven in one of the bays that the local council has set aside solely for campervan use.

It was a great spot, and we also made good use of the local pubs in town.

Quick day 4 itinerary:

Kissed the Blarney stone at Blarney Castle
Had lunch outside Charles Fort
Drove through the small town of Kinsale
Drove up to Castlefreke castle
Camped in Castletown-Bearhaven

Day 5: Castletown-Bearhaven to Killarney

This ended up being one of our most epic days from our Ireland road trip, completing the rest of the Beara peninsula and the whole of the Ring of Kerry as well!

Though the Ring of Kerry is the much more famous of the two, the Ring of Beara is better in many ways. It is uncrowded, and we went virtually the whole way without bumping into more than a dozen cars.

The landscape out near Allihies is extremely rugged and I loved the twisty, turning country roads.

But of course, the Ring of Kerry is famous for a reason and the 3 to 4 hours it took to get around it was a lot of fun.

Especially when you reach the Western tip and can enjoy the cliff views near Portmagee.

You pass through numerous villages and towns along the way, all of which you could happily stop in for lunch, dinner and a few pints of Guinness.

But the highlight of the day was our night spent in Killarney town; here, you will find some of the best Irish bars anywhere in Ireland.

It’s popular all days of the week with stag nights and hen nights and it’s no surprise why.

You’ll find at least a dozen bars blaring out live music and there is an incredible atmosphere.

Our favourite bars were:

Murphy’s Bar
O’Connors Pub

If you plan on doing the same, I recommend staying at Killarney Flesk Caravan & Camping Park which is cheap, has great facilities and is just a 20 minute walk from the centre of town.

Quick day 5 itinerary:

Drove all the way out to Allihies
Drove the whole Ring of Beara
Drove the entire Ring of Kerry
Spent the night out in Killarney town
Camped in Killarney Flesk Caravan & Camping Park
‍ The Best Things To Do In Kerry (Ireland)
‍ Driving The Ring Of Beara: What To See And Why You Should Do It! ‍
Driving The Ring Of Kerry: Everything You Need To Know!

Day 6: Killarney to Dingle

This was another one of my favourite days spent road tripping Ireland, as much of the day included touring Ireland’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and Torc Waterfall are all lovely and worth a visit; but by far the best things to see are the Gap of Dunloe, Molls Gap and Ballaghbeama Gap.

As the guy who ran the campsite in Killarney put it …

“If Leprechauns were to live anywhere in Ireland, then the Gap of Dunloe is where you would find them.”

It is hands down the most magical and scenic part of Ireland and my favourite place to visit in Ireland.

We ended up driving the whole way through the Gap of Dunloe (not recommended or encouraged) and came out on the other side and spent a good couple hours driving through gorgeous valleys.

This is Ireland at its most scenic and if you were to roadtrip any part of Ireland, this is the part I would recommend most.

At the very least, you should take a few hours to walk the entire length of the Gap of Dunloe, as the scenery changes again and again, the further through it you walk.

By the way, the reason we drove through the Gap (which once again, you should try to avoid as it is an extremely narrow road) is because the road was closed south of Killarney and there was no other way for us to get through to Molls Gap.

If the roads were all open, the best approach would be to walk the Gap of Dunloe first thing in the morning and then afterwards head round to Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall and then carry on down that road to Molls Gap.

Afterwards, our route took us around Carrauntoohil (Ireland’s tallest mountain) and on up to the Dingle Peninsula.

After stopping off at Inch Beach and Minard Castle, we picked up some fish and chips and enjoyed them at our wild camping spot for the night, in a secluded layby right on the cliffs, just outside Dingle.

Quick day 6 itinerary:

Discovered the Killarney National Park
First stop of the day was Ross Castle
Took some time to walk around Muckross Abbey, House & Gardens
Headed on down to Torc Waterfall
Walked and then drove the legendary Gap of Dunloe
Found ourselves in Molls Gap
Headed on through Blackvalley
Drove through Ballaghbeama Gap
Headed on round Carrauntoohil
Went for a stroll on Inch Beach
Took some cool shots at Minard Castle
Picked up fish & chips in Dingle
Camped just up the road from Dingle
‍ The Best Things To Do In Dingle (Ireland) ‍
The Best Things To Do In Killarney (Ireland)

Day 7: Dingle to Limerick

The Dingle Peninsula ended up being just as magical as the Ring of Beara and the Ring of Kerry.

When leaving Dingle, you enter what is called the Slea Head Drive; essentially a loop that takes you to the rest of the peninsula and back to Dingle.

The first stop we found was a small parking spot on the left, where you can park up and head over the road to pet and feed the sheep.

The spot isn't yet marked on Google Maps, so here are the coordinates: (52°06'30.5"N 10°23'34.9"W).

It’s just a few euros per person and you can feed sheep, horses, goats and even pigs!

And the setting is one of Ireland’s ancient neolithic sites.

The drive on round takes you to the popular Coumeenoole Beach and we decided to visit an old church in Kilmalkedar.

For lunch, we headed round to Brandon Point, where you can enjoy sweeping views all out across the Atlantic Ocean.

The rest of the day was spent driving on up to Kilteery Pier where we wild camped for the night.

Quick day 7 itinerary:

Drove the Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head Drive
Found ourselves petting and feeding sheep at the Lios Stone Circle (52°06'30.5"N 10°23'34.9"W)
Boiled up some tea overlooking Coumeenoole Beach
Visited Kilmalkedar Church
Had lunch out at Brandon Point
Stopped off in Tralee for supplies
Camped at Kilteery Pier near Limerick

Day 8: Limerick to Doolin

On the way into Limerick, we stopped to get a few shots of Adare Manor before visiting King John’s Castle .

I won’t lie, it looks a lot better in the images, but is still worth a visit if you are passing by.

The rest of Limerick doesn’t seem to offer too much, but has a big high street, great for picking up supplies or grabbing a coffee and stealing some much-needed WiFi.

Bunratty and Dromoland Castle proved to be much nicer, with Dromoland being my favourite (mainly because of the gorgeous golf course located on its grounds!).

From there, we followed the coastal road (Wild Atlantic Way) and had some brief stops in Kilkee and Lahinch.

This drive is very nice and well worth it, but the stand out attraction of the day was Doonagore Castle.

We arrive as the sun was starting to go down and managed to capture some awesome shots on our drone.

We spent the night in a campsite in Doolin called O'Connor's Riverside Camping & Caravan Park ; and for dinner headed to the local pub for some cider, bangers & mash and a bit of traditional Irish music.

Quick day 8 itinerary:

Took some shots of Adare Manor
Went for a wander around Limerick
Took in King John’s Castle from the riverside
Had lunch outside Bunratty Castle
Drove up to Dromoland Castle and longed to play golf there
Stopped off in Kilkee and Lahinch
Had a great time photographing Doonagore Castle
Had dinner in a quaint, traditional pub in Doolin
Camped at O'Connor's Riverside Camping & Caravan Park in Doolin
‍ The Best Things To Do In Clare (Ireland)

Day 9: Doolin to Galway

We arose early for a morning visit to Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction … the Cliffs of Moher.

Few people come to Ireland without visiting the cliffs of Moher and it gets very busy at around 10am.

We got there an hour or so beforehand when there was hardly anyone around and had a great time walking along the cliffs and enjoying some of Ireland’s most extraordinary views.

Afterward, our route took us up into the Burren National Park, which is fascinating because the landscape is very unique and looks more like the Moon than Ireland.

On the drive through, you pass by Father Ted's house (if you don’t know what this is, then you’re missing out on some of the best classic Irish comedy!)

Our next stop was Galway, and on the way took a break at Dunguaire Castle.

We decided to camp in an area called Salthill, which was about an hours walk from Galway centre.

On this day, the weather must have been hitting almost 30 degrees and the skies were so clear we felt like we were strolling along beaches in the south of France!

In Galway town, you will find tonnes of great Irish pubs, serving up fresh pints, traditional music and great craic. I recommend stopping in at:

O’Connell’s Bar (The outdoor area is one of the best beer gardens EVER!)
The Front Door (One of just 5 bars in the same building!)
The Skeff Bar

Quick day 9 itinerary:

Walked along the Cliffs of Moher
Went for a stroll through Burren National Park
Snapped some cheeky shots of Father Ted’s House
Played frisbee in the grounds of Dunguaire Castle
Walked the promenade from Salthill into Galway
Had a night out in Galway
Camped at O'Hallorans Caravan Park in Salthill, Galway
‍ The Best Things To Do In Galway (Ireland)

Day 10: Galway to Roundstone

I planned this day to be a little shorter, as I figured I may be a little hungover from the night before.

So this day was a bit more chilled out and we didn’t get going until a bit later, which was nice!

Our first stop was Ashford Castle , possibly the best preserved and most renovated castle in Ireland.

When we were there, a helicopter was landing and then taking off from the helipad outside. Turns out you can stay here for about €800 a night and it is frequented by celebrities and millionaires.

As you leave Ashford Castle you pass through the town of Cong; this didn’t mean much to us at first but we later found out it’s famous for being the filming location of the 1952 movie Quiet Man starring John Wayne.

On our drive down to Roundstone, we took lengthy drives around Lough Mask and Lough Inagh.

They really are gorgeous, and the whole landscape is breathtaking; so allow plenty of time here for photo stops.

Read More: Our Top 23 Travel Photography Tips!

Our final major stop of the day was the 1897 Happening Statue which turned out to be built on one of Ireland’s most historic and important locations.

If you are interested in Irish history then this is a spot you simply cannot afford to miss on your Ireland road trip.

Finally, we spent the night wild camping on a small secluded pier called Glynsk Pier.

Quick day 10 itinerary:

Took a walk in the grounds of Ashford Castle
Headed out through Cong (for The Quiet Man museum)
Drove alongside Lough Mask and Lough Inagh
Was amazed by the “1897 Happening” statue
Camped at Glynsk Pier

Day 11: Roundstone to Achill Island

On the day we were here, there was a wedding at Ballynahinch Castle work we couldn’t get into the grounds.

However, there are spots along the river you can get out and view it, and it really is magnificent, with a river flowing the whole way down from the castle.

As you head further round the coast you come to Roundstone, another lovely little seaside village in Ireland.

We stopped off at Dog's Bay just further along, here you’ll find clear blue waters and a nice beach to walk along.

We stopped off in Clifden for a couple of hours so we could get some work done in a cafe and once again steal some much-needed WiFi.

The Abbeyglen Castle is located just on the outskirts of town and from there we went on to Connemara National Park.

At the Connemara National Park Visitor Centre you can choose from a few different walks to take; each one taking you higher up the mountain and offering better and better views.

Kylemore Abbey was a nice place to get out and walk, though we didn't take the longer route which allows you to visit the gardens as well.

This whole morning of driving is one of the best days of the whole Ireland itinerary, and one of the best spots to stop off and appreciate the views is the Misunderstood Heron.

It’s located right on the edge of a fjord stretching into Ireland and on a warm day, the views are unbeatable (oh, and the coffee isn’t too bad either).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Misunderstood Heron (@misunderstood_heron) on Jun 11, 2019 at 6:45am PDT

We arrived at Croagh Patrick an hour or so later after taking the longer coastal route up.

We didn’t walk up ourselves, as it’s a good few hours arduous climb up and down, but the views are meant to be spectacular!

It’s also a very important religious pilgrimage site, which you can read more about here .

Much of the rest of the day was spent finding somewhere to wild camp and we eventually found ourselves on Achill Island.

We picked up fish & chips from a spot just as you enter the island and found an incredible spot located right on the edge of a cliff!

This was one of my favourite camping spots from the entire trip.

Quick day 11 itinerary:

Tried to sneak some glimpses of Ballynahinch Castle
Ventured on round to the village of Roundstone
Had a dander at Dog’s Bay
Enjoyed a coffee in Clifden
Took some photos at Abbeyglen Castle
Walked in the Connemara National Park
Took in the beautiful Kylemore Abbey
Had coffee at the Misunderstood Heron
Stared up in awe at Croagh Patrick
Stopped in Westport
Drove on round to Achill Island
Camped on the edge of cliff on Achill Island

Useful Guide: ‍

‍ The Best Things To Do In Mayo (Ireland)

Day 12: Achill Island to Sligo

From Achill Island we headed north all the way up to Downpatrick Head.

When you check this out online, your first thought is probably “isn’t that just a bit of rock out in the water?”

Well, yes! But there’s more to see there than that, and it’s a great place to walk up around the cliffs, watch people fishing and to see old WW2 outposts.

Our next 2 stops were Markree Castle and Parkes Castle, with the latter being situated beside a lovely large lough.

The drive around here is once again spectacular and the most enjoyable part of the day.

From here, we headed into Sligo and then north around Benbulbin.

This is a large mountain which, from the right angle, looks as if it’s just standing there on its own.

We spent that night up in Mullaghmore, wild camping once again on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean.

Quick day 12 itinerary:

Walked around Downpatrick Head
Lusted after Markree Castle
Checked out the lake by Parkes Castle
Ventured into Sligo
Were impressed by the magnificent Benbulbin
Camped in Mullaghmore
Our 90 Top Travel Tips

Total Drive Time:

Day 13: sligo to mullaghderg beach.

After 3 nights of wild camping, we were in desperate need of a shower (as I’m sure you could imagine)!

So we headed across the border into Northern Ireland to a small village called Kesh.

From her years spent camping at nearby Lough Derg, Cazzy knew there were free public showers here we could use; and, no word of a lie, they were the best showers we found all over Ireland!

On the way, we visited Bundoran, which is a typical family seaside town.

For lunch, we stopped at Lough Derg at the same spot where Cazzy has been camping since she was young.

We then drove on up to Lough Eske Castle, which is a privately owned castle, which you can stay in and which was being used that day for a wedding.

Our stop in Donegal was short but sweet, as the town is surprisingly small, as is the castle.

The most impressive part of the day was Slieve League, which is a mountain situated right on the coast.

You can walk up it and on the way check out the grandiose cliffs; this is a very popular tourist spot and well worth a visit.

That night, we had our 4th night of wild camping at a small beach called Mullaghderg.

Quick day 13 itinerary:

Passed through Bundoran
Headed to Kesh for a cheeky free shower
Had lunch at Lough Derg
Checked out the expensive supercars at Lough Eske Castle
Took a walk around Donegal & Donegal Castle
Walked up to Slieve League
Camped at Mullaghderg Beach
‍ The Best Things To Do In Donegal (Ireland)

Day 14: Mullaghderg Beach to Derry

On your way up into Glenveagh National Park, you come across Errigal, which was in many ways the most impressive mountain in Ireland.

It stretches up into the clouds, completely separated and on its own, and is far more impressive than Carroutohill in Kerry, even though that’s the highest peak in Ireland.

You can then drive into Glenveagh National Park and walk to the Glenveagh Castle (which we weren’t able to do, unfortunately).

The drive on up to Doe Castle is lovely and you can really see a stark difference in the landscape here compared to countries in the deep south of Ireland.

Doe Castle is a relatively small, but well preserved castle that is worth visiting.

From here, you come out and do the Atlantic Drive which is a relatively short route that heads out into one of the Donegal's peninsulas.

After driving the rest of the Wild Atlantic Way, you’ll find this to be a bit of a let down as it’s nothing special or unique compared to the rest of the coastline, but still nice.

On up in Fanad Head you come across another one of Ireland’s old and significant lighthouses.

We then took the coastal road south to Letterkenny before driving all the way back up to Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point.

It was a great sense of achievement to have reached this point, driving from the deep south all the way to the north.

We didn't stay too long as it was getting late and windy and we wanted to get to our campsite!

So we drove straight on down to Quigley’s Point, not far outside of Derry.

We both highly recommend staying here and visiting the pub over the road; here we had the best food from our entire Ireland road trip!

Quick day 14 itinerary:

Took in the impressive size of Errigal
Drove through the Glenveagh National Park
Ventured on up to Doe Castle
Went round the Atlantic Drive
Saw the lighthouse at Fanad Head
Stopped off in Letterkenny
Drove up to Malin Head
Camped at Quigley’s Point

Day 15: Derry to Belfast

On our drive down into Derry, we came across a sign heralding the end of the Wild Atlantic Way.

This was another symbolic moment, having driven almost all of it on our way up the west coast of Ireland.

Derry is an important city to visit, as it has played a central role in Ireland’s rough and tumultuous history .

There are stark reminders of the British atrocities committed there when you visit Free Ferry Corner and the peace murals surrounding it.

Just remember, it’s called Derry not Londonderry!

After this, we spent the rest of the day with Cazzy’s folks heading to a string of Northern Ireland's best sights, all located on the north coast Causeway Coastal Route.

This includes Mussenden Temple, Dunluce Castle, Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

Another popular spot that we skipped was the Bushmills whiskey factory.

If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, it's worth stopping off at the Dark Hedges on your way south to Belfast.

I’d recommend spending a day or two in Belfast if you can, being that it’s the capital of Northern Ireland and Ireland’s second biggest city.

We’ve been there tonnes of times before, and you can check out what to do there in this post here .

We then spent the night just outside Belfast with Cazzy’s family.

Quick day 15 itinerary:

Visited the murals at Free Derry Corner
Walked around Derry city
Played frisbee near Mussenden Temple
Stopped off for family fun at Portstewart
Took some photos of Dunluce Castle
Walked down and around the Giant’s Causeway
Strolled to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Walked through the Dark Hedges
Spent some time exploring Belfast
Stayed just outside Belfast
‍ The Best Things To Do In Belfast (Ireland)
‍ The Best Things To Do In Northern Ireland

Day 16: Belfast to Dublin

The final day from our epic 2 week Ireland road trip itinerary involved us essentially heading south back to the Spaceships Rentals site.

On the way, we visited Tollymore Forest Park and the Hillsborough Castle & Gardens.

Again, we have been here before, as Cazzy grew up around here; but both are well worth a visit!

As are the Mourne Mountains which, if you can spare a few hours, are well worth hiking up.

Back near the drop off site you have Slane Castle (famous for hosting a number of major concerts over the years) and the Hill of Tara which is an ancient site dating back thousands of years.

It has been the crowning point for kings of Ireland for generations, and today you can still walk up ancient mounds built there.

This was literally our final stop and we had 5 minutes to reach Spaceships before they closed (so we really did use all of our available 16 days!)

Quick day 16 itinerary:

Strolled around the Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
Took another walk in Tollymore Forest Park
Stared up at the Mourne Mountains
Checked out Slane Castle
Enjoyed our final stop, the Hill of Tara
Dropped van off at Spaceships Campervan Rentals

Total Driving Time:

Other places to add to your ireland itinerary, other places in ireland we’ve been.

Though they don’t fit into this 2 week Ireland itinerary, there are a few extra places we have been to in Ireland that we would recommend you try to fit in. This includes:

Castle Saunderson and West Wing Crom Castle
Glenariff Forest
Taking time to climb the Mourne Mountains
Cabra Castle
Tullynally Castle

Places in Ireland we still need to visit

As you’d imagine, there is always more to see in this gorgeous country, and we fully intend to take more driving tours of Ireland in the future.

In particular, there are a few key things we didn’t get to squeeze into our itinerary, but would love to go back and see.

This includes:

A day trip to the Aran Islands
A day trip to Skellig Michael & other islands
Dursey Island cable car
Cuilcagh boardwalk
Carrickfergus Castle
Trim Castle
Malahide Castle
Johnstown Castle
Athlone Castle
Birr Castle
Leap Castle
Sean’s Bar (the World’s oldest pub)

Read Also: Backpacking Ireland: 30 Top Travel Tips!

Common questions when planning your Ireland road trip

What is a sensible budget for road tripping ireland.

Road tripping Ireland really isn’t that expensive.

Sure, it’s pricier than some other countries in Europe, and you will quickly burn through the cash if you spend most nights in pubs drinking 4 or 5 pints of Guinness.

But if you are sensible, like I think we were, then you will end up spending between €40 and €50 per day, per person (excluding the cost of the car or camper rental).

Our average daily expenditure ended up being a little under €50 a day each, but as you can see, that covered a heck of a lot! Including:

Fuel for our entire trip
Usually 1 meal a day at a pub or cafe
A drink in a pub most nights
Entry to a number of top attractions
Return flights from London to Dublin
The cost of staying in a few campsites

Of course, you will then need to factor in the price of a campervan or vehicle itself (or just convert your own van into a campervan like we've now done!).

This will vary greatly depending on the size of the vehicle you need, which company you choose to hire with & whether you're travelling as a couple and can split the costs.

If you are keen to drive in a vehicle, then check out our guide on the best car rentals in Ireland .

Our journey around Ireland was in collaboration with Spaceship Rentals, so we saved on the cost of the van hire itself, however, we did still choose to pay an additional €22 per day for full, no excess insurance cover.

We did a LOT of searching before our trip and decided to work with Spaceships for a few reasons. Most notably because:

They offer the most competitive prices out of any rental company we could fine
All of their vehicles are very new and custom fitted
They offer a massive range of vehicle sizes

We decided to opt for the Volkswagen Delta which, at the time of year we visited, usually costs €59 per day.

If you wish to opt for a larger motorhome, prices will be more.

Either way, if you stop and work it out, you’ll soon realise that the cost of hiring a campervan is a LOT cheaper than paying for hotels , Airbnbs and transport the whole way around Ireland.

Plus, it offers up so much more fun and flexibility, so I would highly recommend it!

You can check out Spaceships Rentals prices here , and you can read our full review of them here .

If you want to check out the best campervan rental all of Ireland has to offer then read here!

Where do you stay each night?

This is the great thing about road tripping Ireland, it’s completely up to you!

There are campsites everywhere, and you can find a cheap spot for the night for maybe €20 to €30.

Alternatively, the much better option is to wild camp!

Out of 15 nights on the road, we wild camped 10 of those, and they were the 10 best nights!

Don’t get me wrong, staying at a campsite is nice, and actually very necessary as it gives you a chance to have a proper shower and get clothes cleaned.

But aside from that, wild camping is so much more fun and you get to stay in some truly beautiful spots with amazing views to wake up to.

Here’s a list of our favourite wild camping spots in Ireland .

How long do I need to road trip Ireland?

It is completely up to you, all I will say is, the longer … the better!

As you can see, we spent 16 days road tripping it, and we got to see almost all of the best spots we had planned.

However, we did need to skip a few places and our itinerary every day was pretty full-on.

We would often be on the road/seeing places for about 10 hours a day, with about 3 to 4 hours of that spent driving.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute and wouldn’t have had it any other way!

But if you do have longer to spare, then I would say you could easily follow the same Ireland itinerary as us, but extend it to a month or more.

That being said, if you only have a week or less to spend, then no problem!

Simply pick the places you like most and create a loop.

For example, many people spend a week driving across to Killarney, doing the Ring of Kerry and then heading to Cork and Wexford on the way back.

Others head north and see the northern coast of Northern Ireland, stopping off at famous locations like the Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones filming locations.

It really is up to you!

What should I pack for an Ireland road trip?

Well, it almost depends on which time of year you plan on visiting, as the weather in the summer months is almost entirely different to the winter.

That being said, it's well worth having some waterproof gear with you all year round, as you really do never know when it might suddenly rain in Ireland!

For a better idea of what to pack at different times of the year, check out my full guide on what to pack for Ireland .

What are Ireland’s top sites?

That’s such a hard question! But if I had to pick 10, then they would perhaps be (in no particular order) …

Giant’s Causeway
Ring of Kerry
Beara peninsula
Dingle peninsula
Rock of Cashel
Gap of Dunloe
Cliffs of Moher
Wicklow National Park
Slieve League Cliffs

For a more comprehensive idea of what there is on offer, check out these posts we wrote:

The Best Things To Do In Ireland
The Best Places To Visit In Ireland

Is it difficult driving in Ireland?

No, not at all.

They drive on the left in Ireland and the vehicles are right-hand drive.

It helps to have a decent vehicle, as many of the roads are county roads and quite windy.

They can get quite narrow at times, but in 16 days of driving more than 2000 km, we never had any issues at all with traffic.

That being said, they roads can be dangerous when wet and late at night, so avoid driving recklessly and you should be okay.

Read Also: A Guide To Getting Around Ireland: Everything Explained!

Well, that’s about it!

If you have any more questions about our 2 week road trip itinerary of Ireland, then just drop me a comment below.

I would encourage more people to head to Ireland and to experience the beauty on offer.

It really is an incredibly diverse country and easily one of my favourite places I’ve ever been to.

Also, if you think we missed any locations that you’d recommend, I’d love to hear your thoughts below ...

Let us know what you think.

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Southern Ireland Tours & Trips

Discover amazing adventures through Southern Ireland visiting places like Dublin, the Atlantic Ocean and Killarney. Most travellers enjoy exploring our Southern Ireland trips in September, making it the most popular time of the year. Check here the best Ireland vacations .

215 Southern Ireland tour packages with 5,751 reviews

In-depth Cultural
Coach / Bus

Irish Highlights (Summer, 7 Days)

Very good hotels and Jill was an excellent guide. The tour included a good selection of Irish tourist spots and places of interest. More time in Dublin would have been better. The included meals in Dublin and the cooking school were far too early for dinner and too late for lunch so we could not take full advantage of them and enjoy them. In all a good taste of Ireland.

€100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

7-Day Ireland to Island Small Group Tour of Ireland

Just finished our 7 day tour with Finn. It was the best tour I’ve been on since leaving Australia two months ago to travel around Europe, Morocco and Ireland. The knowledge Finn has about his homeland was exceptional and his witty informative commentary had everyone’s attention. His recommendations were spot on and his willingness to help us to get the most out of trip was second to none. I would highly recommend this tour with Finn. ❤️thanks Finn you made it all worthwhile. Deb Stacey

Sightseeing

7-Day Emerald Explorer Small Group Tour

It was a wonderful trip! Highly recommend it to others. Our tour guide Mike Duggin was so knowledgeable and kept us all laughing!

Best of Ireland (10 Days)

Excellent tour. Very well organized. Saw a lot but never felt rushed through any of the sites. Everything was timed perfectly.

The Celtic Voyage - Multi-Day - Small Group Tour of Ireland

This tour was so good! We experienced more of Ireland than the itinerary indicated (because of stops we made along our journey, which I loved!), but never felt rushed. Our guide Diarmuid is such a professional - he provided us with interesting information about the places we stopped and Ireland in general, kept us on schedule with a relaxed demeanor, and is genuinely a very nice person. I've never traveled with a tour group before and this one couldn't have been any better. The Emerald Isle is so beautiful and everyone is so friendly that, even when there was a bit of rain, it was still fun. Many thanks to Mick and Diarmuid (the best!!) for making this a most memorable trip. PS the accommodations were fantastic - especially the breakfasts!

Northern & Southern Ireland

there is a difference between, a tour guide and a tour leader, this i did not know. a leader is the organizer of all events, transportation and accommodations. Zoe far exceeded my expectations in this role, and i would highly recommend her. She was not a tour guide. I was expecting more information about the people, locations and cultures of Ireland.

10 Day Wild Irish Experience - Small Group Tour

- Lee, our tour guide/driver, was excellent. He was informative, helpful, humorous and handled the variety of people on his bus well. He helped luggage and arranged meals and tours for the group. -We liked the opportunities for self directed time at some of the stops. -The bus was clean and comfortable. Lee was a great driver. We felt safe in his hands. -The lodgings were very nice. The breakfasts were good and plentiful.

€99 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

8 Day Castles & Coast Experience - Small Group Tour

The smart tour itinerary hits many of the Wild Atlantic Way highlights, but driver guides make the experience. A special shout out to Anthony Dawson for his informed commentary, savvy ability to get us to key locations before the hordes of other tours, scrupulous attention to safety, great music playlists, and naturalist knowledge of birds, flora, and fauna. Patience and a great sense of humour round out the experience perfectly. (Our only damper on the overall week was a very uncomfortable bed in Dingle at one of the hotels.)

Hiking & Trekking

Highlights of Ireland

Wild South - Multi-Day - Small Group Tour of Ireland

The tour was absolutely perfect, everyone was incredibly welcoming and it was a fantastic way to explore Ireland! ????

3-Day Blarney Castle, Kilkenny & Irish Whiskey Small-Group Tour from Dublin

Marcus, accomodation, and the tour was great

Great Tour of Ireland ( 7 days )

Introduction to Ireland

Wonderful trip. The guide, Tricia, was such fun and a great storyteller. We saw the many regions and visited some local venues we would never have found on our own. This was our first trip yo Ireland, and would highly recommend it. Great people, beautiful lodgings, and amazing visits. Go on the excursions, they are worth the extra money and add a day onto your trip to see a bit more of Dublin.

3-Day West Coast Explorer Small-Group Tour from Dublin

This tour and our driver/guide made this a trip of a lifetime with breathtaking vistas and sites. Our hotel was nice however I would have preferred staying right in Galway, we were too far in the outskirts.

Kerry Royal

Had a great time! Our guide, Kathleen was great! She knew everything about Ireland and sprinkled in some great stories! I feel like we got a great look at the southern part of the country!

What people love about Southern Ireland Tours

The entire trip was wonderful, very well organized, and satisfying. Peter Flood was an excellent tour guide. He was as knowledgeable as could be, funny, and helpful; and really seems to love what he does.

Small Bus touring is the way to go!

Mike was amazing! We had such a great group of people, Mike was so full of knowledge about the history and culture of Ireland, and it was so laid back. We got to explore each destination at a leisurely pace and enjoyed most evenings checking out the local bars. Highly recommend!

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The Ultimate One Week Road Trip Itinerary for Ireland

T he island of Ireland is split into two with the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Even with Brexit there is no passport control or immigration when traveling between the two regions of the island.

In this 7 or 8 days itinerary we drove a total of 1,100 miles (1,800km) and gas cost a total of 160 euros. With only one week in Ireland it is impossible to see everything, but gives you enough time to see the main attractions and highlights across the island. Several of the days were more driving focused than others to squeeze all of Ireland in one week.

While it took us 8 days in Ireland to drive around the island and enjoy the entire itinerary below it is possible to do it as a 7 day itinerary to Ireland, you just have to wake up and get ready first thing each morning, as there is no time to sleep in.

Renting a car in Dublin

How much does it cost to rent a car in ireland, do i need extra car insurance in ireland, what type of car should i rent in ireland, day 1: streets of dublin, day 2: cobh – cork – killarney, day 3: killarney – the dingle peninsula – limerick, day 4: limerick & cliffs of moher – galway, day 5: erris head – downpatrick head – sligo, day 6: castle classiebawn – sliabh liag – glenveagh castle, day 7: northern ireland: dunluce castle, giant’s causeway & belfast, day 8: last day dublin.

Before renting a car in Ireland it is important to know that in Ireland and Northern Ireland you drive on the left side of the road. Our rental car even had a reminder sticker right above the windshield, but it was not our first time driving on the left, so we had no issues. It does take an extra second to remember especially when making turns and driving on an empty road.

We recommend renting a car only for your time outside of Dublin, as within Dublin parking is limited and expensive. Honestly walking between attractions is often quicker. Overnight parking costs upwards of 15 euro near the city center and that is with a discounted rate through the hotel. It is simply not worth the hassle of having a rental car in Dublin, only rent it for when you are leaving the city.

Because we spent the first two nights in Dublin we rented a car from Europcar picking up and dropping off at the Dublin City Centre, Spencer Dock location.

Rental cars in Ireland are relatively cheap compared to other countries that we have rented cars. For a 6 day rental it cost about 180 euro for a Hybrid Toyota Corolla. Had we opted for a smaller vehicle it would have only cost 100 for the 6 day car rental.

The one note of caution for renting a car in Ireland is the required special insurance coverage information to use our credit card rental car insurance that specifically states there is coverage in the Republic of Ireland. It is a simple phone call to the credit card but you might need to explain specifically what you need to the customer support as it goes beyond the normal coverage documentation.

To drive to Northern Ireland is well there is an additional 30 euro fee as it is part of the United Kingdom, with no real explication for the fee other than the rental company would like more money. We only added the Northern Ireland fee in the middle of our road trip via because we did know if the weather would be good enough to warrant the additional driving.

Additional car insurance is required in Ireland and is expensive. We read that If booking through a third party online, the additional insurance they offer is not actually accepted in Ireland and you will need to get insurance coverage directly with the rental car company, which can cost 20-30 euros per day.

Even with full CDW coverage through our credit card we were required to put a 5,000 euro hold on the card in case of any damage. Make sure you have enough credit available on your credit card for the duration of the car rental until the hold is released after retiring the car.

There are several questions to think about when renting a car in Ireland. The first is what size car should you need to rent in Ireland. With narrow roads, tight historic city centers, and limited parking spots, it is best to opt for the smallest car that your group comfortably fits in.

With three people, one checked bag and two carry on bags we chose a Toyota Corolla and the trunk was absolutely full. If you are traveling with two people and less luggage an even smaller car, like the Volkswagen Polo is enough.

7 or 8 Day (one week) road trip itinerary to Ireland and Northern Ireland

Since we have two full days in Dublin split between the start and end of our Ireland road trip, our first day in Dublin was spent mostly strolling along the streets of Dublin along the River Liffey. After dropping our luggage of at our hotel we began exploring Dublin on foot.

We started out walking through the relaxing Saint Stephen’s green park to enjoy some of the bright orange and yellow autumn foliage that was at its peak during our visit. There is also a small memorial in the park dedicated to the peaceful defenders of human rights around the world which is interesting to experience and read.

Heading towards the center of town we passed The Umbrellas Dublin which are colorful umbrellas hanging across the road, effectively in an ally between a few bars and casinos. While it does make for a cute photo spot, it is not really worth visiting if you have to go too far out of the way.

We then made our way to the campus of Ireland’s oldest university, Trinity College Dublin . While it is probably most famous for the Trinity College Library and see the Book of Kells, we opted to just walk through the grounds as it was several hours before the next available tour.

After that we walked into the Temple Bar neighborhood which is probably most famous for The Temple Bar Pub . We had stop inside to experience the bustling atmosphere, live Irish music, and of course get our first, and maybe most expensive, pint of Guinness in Ireland.

Tired from our overnight flight to Ireland we wandered back to our hotel trying to pass through as many beautiful and peaceful neighborhood streets as we could. We stayed at the historic Harcourt Hotel , which is situated an approximately 20 minute walk south of most of the top attractions in Dublin. We read complaints online of the adjacent nightclub being loud, but staying in the middle of the week we encountered no issues ourselves.

Waking up early in the morning I picked up our rental car from the Europcar Dublin City Centre, Spencer Dock location as soon as it opened at 7:30AM to get as much out our day as possible.

After packing up our luggage we began the 4 hour, 170 mile (270km) drive to Cobh . Traffic was relatively light during this drive, but being the first day driving in a new country, the drive did take a little longer as I was getting a feel for the flow of traffic.

Arriving in Cobh, we parked along Spy Hill road for the iconic view of the colorful “Deck of Cards” Houses with St. Colman’s Cathedral in the background. From this viewpoint it is mostly holding your camera above a stone wall to get a beautiful photograph. We then walked around the block to the small West View Park where you can get a similar view, but we do recommend both viewpoints as the park is at the same level as the Deck of Cards houses, so you can’t see the full cathedral.

We then made our way over to St. Colman’s Cathedral where we took a look inside this iconic church and enjoyed panoramic views across downtown Cobh and the entire port. On our way out of Cobh we drove down the main street and stopped for a few minutes to explore some shops before driving on to Cork.

On the way to Cork we stopped at the Blackrock Castle Observatory , which was unfortunately closed when we visited, but it still makes for a beautiful photo, from the edge of the parking lot and right along the water.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Downtown Cork on foot walking along Paul St, Drawbridge St, and along both sides of the River Lee on Merchant’s Quay and St Patrick’s Quay. We stopped for an early dinner at Gallagher’s Cork on MacCurtain Street where you will find a wide range of restaurant options.

Since it was already dark by this point and we still have much of Ireland to explore, we continued driving the 90 minutes west to Killarney, where we checked into The Heights Hotel Killarney to get some rest after a long day of driving.

We started off with an early morning hike in Killarney National Park to the Torc Waterfall . It is only a 200 meter walk along a paved path to the waterfall which makes it perfect for every type of visitor. There are additional walking paths through the wooded areas and along Muckross Lake, but did not look as interesting to us.

We made a quick stop at the Ross Castle to enjoy the grounds of this 15th-century. The interior is closed during the winter, when we visited, so could only enjoy the amazing exterior of the Ross Castle.

We then drove 40 miles (60km) out along the scenic Dingle Peninsula stopping at several viewpoints with breathtaking views of the water and Inch Beach. We stopped in the city of Dingle to walk through the colorful fishing village. Make sure to stop by the famous Murphy’s Ice Cream shop and try our favorite homemade ice cream flavor, Dingle Sea Salt flavor.

Making our way out to the end of the peninsula our next stop was Coumeenoole Beach , with its pristine golden sand surrounded by jagged cliffs. It makes for beautiful photos from every angle. Just be careful if you walk around on the beach as it is narrow and relatively flat, which means the turbulent waves can come in quickly, trapping you out there.

From here you can also hike up to Dunmore Head , which is described as the most westerly point In Europe, nearest point to the Blasket Islands. It is also now famously known for being featured in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Based on our limited time and reviews from other visitors, Dunmore Head should be visited if you have the time, but is only really worth it if you are a big Star Wars fan, as there are more beautiful spots to focus on in the region.

Our last stop on Dingle is the iconic Dunquin Pier with its two picturesque pyramid shaped rocks jutting out of the water right beyond the pier. While our favorite photos were actually from atop the cliffs, it is definitely worth walking down to the pier, which serves as which serves as the departure point for the Blasket Island ferry during the summer season.

We then had a 3 hour drive back into the mainland of Ireland, heading north to Limerick. We made a last minute decision to drive the same road out of the Dingle Peninsula to avoid driving through the mountainous Conor Pass to the other side of the peninsula, as we could see heavy rain storms forming.

Checking into the luxurious George Hotel Limerick City , we called it a night as it continued to rain all evening.

We spent the morning walking through Downtown Limerick, primarily walking along the calm River Shannon. The two main highlights you must visit in Limerick are King John’s Castle and Saint Mary’s Cathedral . We spent most of our time just strolling down the streets enjoying our only relaxed morning during the whole Ireland road trip itinerary.

A two hour drive northwest of Limerick is one of Ireland’s most famous attractions, the Cliffs of Moher . When you arrive make sure to head to the main car park on the opposite side of the road from the cliffs. Entrance tickets are €12 per adult, paid for when you park. From there make your way across the street and walk your way up to the top of the cliffs on the right hand side. After enjoying the panoramic views from this angle walk back down, sticking to the cliff edge to the southern end to get multiple perspectives of this breathtaking scenery.

Since the entrance tickets is technically for the parking, you can park a bit south of the Cliffs of Moher Experience at the Cliffs of Moher Liscannor Walk parking lot near Hag’s Head for only €5. The walking path along the cliffs connects between the two, and is open for anyone to walk through. However, this does make you walk a 7km more round trip along the cliffs as the best views are from the northern side.

After 3 hours exploring the Cliffs of Moher, we drove to the nearby village of Doolin which is home to the now Instagram famous pink cottage. Inside is a sweater shop with a great range of high quality merino wool products at the lowest prices we saw around Ireland.

With some new merino wool items in hand, it was a 90 minute drive north to Downtown Galway . After checking in to the chic Western Hotel in Galway we spent the evening walking around Galway and into many of the cute shops lining the streets.

We started in Eyre Square where the Christmas Markets were in full swing by mid-November. We walked down the pedestrian roads through the heart of the Latin Quarter . The route is relatively straight but the road changes names four times during the 10 minute walk from William St, Shop St, High St, to Quay St.

The next morning started off with a 3 hour drive north to County Mayo until we reached Erris Head Loop Walk . It is a 5km walking loop that starts off walking through sheep pasture and then takes you along the rugged west Irish coastline. The route passes near the small ragged Llandavuck Island, which is the perfect place for a photoshoot.

We encountered many wet and muddy patches along the route, so highly recommend wearing waterproof boots. It is also important to remember that the trail starts off cutting through private pasture, respect the owners land and sheep. The walk took us 2 hours in total including stopping for photos.

Back at the car we drove an hour east to Downpatrick Head where you can see the picturesque Dún Briste Sea Stack . We recommend visiting close to sunset as the golden hour glow is out of this world. Standing on the top of the cliffs can be windy, so a jacket is a must. There are no fences, but don’t go too close to the edge, as you cannot see the erosion happening under your feet.

Unsure of how far we would be able to drive at the end of the day, we made a last minute reservation at Castle Dargan Hotel in Sligo, which was still an hour and a half drive from Downpatrick Head. This luxury hotel is nestled on 170 acres estate in a modern renovation of a 18th century Castle. Honestly we wish we had heard about this hotel in advance so we could spend more time at this luxurious countryside oasis.

Remember, with only 8 days in Ireland driving between destinations in the evening can be a good way to maximize the time. Just be careful as roadways in some areas of Ireland are narrow and winding with limited visibility if it starts raining.

Day six is a driving heavy day with over 6 hours in total driving time throughout the day, as we had to make it halfway across Northern Ireland, to make sure we had enough time to see the top attractions in Northern Ireland in just one day.

A one hour drive north of Siglo is the fairytale looking Castle Classiebawn. Although you can’t visit the castle, we stopped at the Castle Classiebawn Viewpoint located across the cliffs, where it is safe to pull off and snap some photos. If you have a telephoto lens or zoom on your phone, now is the time to bring it out.

We then continued driving 2 hours north along the rugged coastline to Sliabh Liag , the second highest sea cliffs in Ireland and some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Parking costs €5 for 2hrs and you can drive all the way to the main viewpoint during the off season. Otherwise you have to pay for the shuttle or walk several kilometers.

The cliffs are significantly higher than the Cliffs of Moher, but each offer its own set of beauty. From the viewpoint parking lot at Sliabh Liag are some of the best views. While you can hike up well into the mountains from here, we recommend only about 20-30 minutes uphill to get a nice range of angles to enjoy the view.

After about an hour at Sliabh Liag we continued driving east for two hours until we reached Glenveagh Castle , a late-19th century castle built along the idyllic Lough Beagh, now within the Glenveagh National Park. From the Visitor Center you can take a shuttle bus to the castle for €3 round trip per adult. We arrived just in time for the last shuttle heading out.

Arriving to the castle with only about 20 minutes we quickly paid the €7 entrance fee per person to start our self guided tour. Since the staff had to wait for the last shuttle as well, they let us stay and take our time walking through the castle as they were closing up. We spent about 45 minutes in total walking through the castle, but could have easily spent twice the time if we had it. Just as we finished up the last return shuttle was arriving and it was back to the car to keep driving.

We drove for another 2 hours east in the dark, entering into Northern Ireland until we reached our hotel for the night, ibis Coleraine Riverside . The hotel was comfortable, but only recommended for a short stay as it was showing signs of its age.

Now entering into Northern Ireland from Ireland means we had entered the United Kingdom and while there is no border or passport control, it does mean prices are in British Pounds, not Euros like Ireland uses.

Just a 20 minute drive north of Coleraine is Magheracross View Point with panoramic views of the Causeway Coast’s stunning landscape. If you walk back along the road a little bit you can see Elephant Rock which looks like an elephant jutting out of the cliffs and into the water.

Right next door is the medieval Dunluce Castle which now sits in partial ruin. Tickets are £6 per adult. Walking through this romantic Irish Castle offered many unique photoshoot spots both of the castle itself and the surrounding cliffs. Try to arrive early as when tour buses start to arrive, the complex quickly fills with people.

Then it was on to the most popular attraction in Northern Ireland and one of the most iconic spots in the entire island, Giant’s Causeway , just a 20 minute drive further east. The unique landscape of Giant’s Causeway consists of tens of thousands basalt columns in hexagonal shapes, as tall as 40ft.

Using the main parking lot at the visitor center requires purchasing the visitor center experience in advance, which is not required to visit the Giant’s Causeway. This experience costs £15.50 per adult and includes closer parking, a guided tour, and access to the exhibits.

Otherwise add the Causeway Coast Way Car Park to your GPS at 60 Causeway Road where it costs £10 to park. It is just an extra 5 minute walk to the start of the Giant’s Causeway trail. From here it is 1km walk, about 20 minutes down a paved road to the Giant’s Causeway. There is an option of a shuttle bus which costs £1 per person each direction.

The main spots to visit are the Grand Causeway , Wishing Chair , and Giant’s Boot . There is also a small rock mound that juts out into the water as the most instagrammable spot, just be polite with your time as everyone wants to get a photo here. There are plenty of other spots if you just want to sit and enjoy the view.

You can walk around on the basalt columns, but be careful as they can be slippery, especially when wet or near the water. There are also staff there for your safety so please respect them if they ever make any requests.

We then continued on to Downtown Belfast which is a two hour drive from Giant’s Causeway, making it the perfect day trip from Belfast if you are staying there. We just spent an hour walking around the streets of Belfast, making sure to visit the beautiful Belfast City Hall and many of the surrounding buildings with its impressive facades. After exploring for a bit it was a two hour drive back south from Belfast to Dublin.

Arriving back to Dublin in the early evening we wanted to experience a bit Irish culture and music before the end of our road trip. We attended the Celtic Nights Dinner & Show , which included a three-course meal off a set menu, for €49 per adult. It was a good way to squeeze the experience traditional Irish dance, Irish music, and Irish food into one evening, but felt like we could have experienced a better version of each one outside of this tourist attraction.

For our last night in Dublin we decided to stay on the other side of the historic center at Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, City Centre located a few blocks north of the River Liffey. Since we arrived to late in the evening to return the car, we had to park it at a garage several blocks from the hotel, at a discounted rate.

For our last day in Ireland we still had to check off some of the best attractions in Dublin off our list. But first, I dropped of the rental car back at the Europcar Dublin City Centre, Spencer Dock location. Two important notes about this rental location are that there is no after hours drop off offered, and they have limited weekend hours, only opening Saturday from 8 AM–1 PM and Sunday 10 AM–1 PM.

We started off at the Dublin Castle , which from 1204 until 1922 it served as the seat of British rule in Ireland. Since Ireland’s independence it has still been used for state ceremonies, with Ireland’s presidents inaugurated in St Patrick’s Hall. Our favorite rooms in the castle are The throne room, The Battleaxe Staircase, the State Drawing Room, The Chapel Royal, and of course St. Patrick’s Hall. Self guided tickets are €8 per adult.

Our next stop is the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral , Ireland’s largest Cathedral dating back over 800 years. This massive ornate church is well worth the visit and €10 entrance fee per adult.

Dublin once had a vibrant distilling industry district called the Golden Triangle, with business declining dramatically in the early 20th century. Teeling Whiskey Distillery was the first new distillery in Dublin for over 125 years, with an old family distilling knowledge dating back to 1782. Here you can take a guided tasting tour, learning the history, distilling process, and of course how to taste whiskey starting at €20 per person. You can also upgrade your experience with additional small batch and single malt tastings.

No visit to Dublin or Ireland in general would be complete without the Guinness Storehouse Experience . With tickets starting from €20 per adult, experience the multi-story self guided tour to learn about the brewing process and history of Guinness, entry to Guinness Tasting Rooms, ending at the crowded Gravity Bar overlooking Dublin, with an included pint of Guinness.

In my personal opinion, as someone who has been on brewery tours before and has brewed my own beer, most of the experience was built around an amusement park vibe. It is definitely something worth doing once, but will probably not be going back when I am in Ireland again.

That brings us to the end of the ultimate one week road trip itinerary to Ireland, while we stayed one more night in Dublin and left first thing the next morning, you can also get a flight out the same afternoon or evening.

With just 8 days in Ireland it is impossible to see all the attractions, but we were able to visit many of the top things to do in Ireland. We look forward to visiting again soon to visit some more out of the way natural landscapes, and of course taste some more Guinness.

If you have any suggestions of things to do in Ireland or your favorite hidden gems that are missing from this road trip itinerary, please let us know in the comments below so we can check them out ourselves on our next visit to Ireland.

The Ultimate One Week Road Trip Itinerary for Ireland

Taking the train in Ireland – what you need to know

Apr 19, 2024 • 11 min read

Iranrod Eireann. Rosslare to Dublin line. Woodenbridge golf course

Traveling by train is one of Ireland ’s great, if under-appreciated, pleasures.

It’s a small island and the rail network is limited, so no journey is especially long – but riding the rails across the country is one of the loveliest ways to enjoy the rolling countryside.

Compared to its European counterparts, Irish trains aren’t especially spectacular, but this is a country that doesn’t need high-speed or sleeper trains: you roll along at a maximum of 160km/h (99mph) and before you know it you’re on the other side of the island.

The particular nature of Irish demographics has shaped train travel in Ireland: with around a quarter of the population clustered in the greater Dublin region, it makes sense that most train journeys begin or end in the capital. In Northern Ireland the same is true of Belfast .

Irish trains might not be especially quick or super luxurious, but they’re an efficient and eco-friendly way of exploring the island – so long as your explorations are focused on the major cities and towns. Here is our essential guide to train travel in Ireland.

Overhead shot of trains on rails at a depot

The lowdown on rail travel in Ireland

Irish trains are efficient, relatively frequent and usually on time. Irish Rail/Iarnród Éireann operates the entire network of trains in the Republic, from intercity trains linking the major urban centers to the busy commuter network that services the greater Dublin region.

There are two main lines into the west and three into the south and southwest; spurs off the main lines connect to a host of smaller towns throughout the country. There’s also a line to Belfast, from where Translink services connect the city with the Antrim Coast and Derry (Londonderry) .

Within the greater Dublin region, a network of commuter services connects the capital with a host of suburbs and dormitory towns in the surrounding counties. Dublin’s coastline between the northside suburbs of Howth and Malahide, and Greystones in County Wicklow is served by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) trains.

There are some notable gaps in the country’s rail network, with no services in counties Donegal , Monaghan and Cavan , and no trains into West Cork . Some towns – like Buttevant in Cork or Annacotty in Limerick – are on the rail line but they’re bypassed as they have no functioning station.

Ireland’s bigger train stations – including Cork , Limerick , Galway , Sligo, Belfast and the two in Dublin – are all pretty well stocked when it comes to picking up supplies and other assorted sundries for your journey. Most other stations will have a small shop.

A train crosses a viaduct below a dramatic cloudy sky

Train tickets are relatively good value

The good news about traveling by train in Ireland is that it is relatively inexpensive compared to train travel in some places, such as the UK, for example. If you buy it online, a standard one-way fare between Dublin Heuston and Kent Station in Cork costs €30–35, and around €55 in first class.

Online is the best place to buy your tickets for train travel in the Irish Republic. Not only do you get the best fares (with savings of up to 50% compared to buying the ticket at the station), but you can purchase your ticket up to 90 days in advance and reserve a seat when you do.

You have the option of collecting your bought ticket from a machine at the station as you’re boarding, or downloading a QR code at the point of purchase. If you wait to buy your ticket at the station, you’ll pay significantly more and have to get there early to queue up at the ticket kiosk.

For travel in Northern Ireland, you’re better off buying the ticket at the station as only a limited number of tickets are available online. Show up a short time before your intended departure time and just buy your ticket there.

Only a handful of services offer first class, but upgrading is relatively inexpensive. On average, expect to pay around €20–25 more to sit in first. There are three kinds of first class service on Irish trains. CityGold is on direct Dublin to Cork services, and includes an onboard host and a complimentary newspaper on selected early morning services. The Enterprise service between Dublin and Belfast offers the same, plus a fine breakfast. Premier Class is similar, but is only available on direct services between Dublin and Tralee and some Dublin to Cork trains.

A train runs through a village near the edge of the sea

Some discounts and offers apply

There are discounted fares for children and young adults aged between 19 and 25, as long as they have a valid discount card. Under fives and those aged 66 and over travel for free.

The commuter network in the Greater Dublin area has a fare cap of €6 for travel between the capital and a host of towns in the surrounding counties.

There are two rail passes aimed at visitors. The Trekker Four Day (€88) offers unlimited travel for adults on all Irish Rail services on four consecutive days from the date of issue. The Explorer (adult/child €128/64) provides five days of travel on all services in a 15-day window.

However, before investing in either, be sure that you plan on making the most out of it. The limited rail network means that connections are limited and traveling between some destinations involves backtracking: Cork and Waterford are both on the south coast, but to get from one to the other means travelling to Limerick, while Sligo and Westport are only 140km (87 miles) apart along the west coast, but to go between them by train you’ll have to travel through Dublin – which is on the other side of the country.

In Northern Ireland, the Sunday Fun Day Tracker ticket gives passengers unlimited train travel on a Sunday for £9 (£4.50 for children). Tickets are available from all ticket offices, the mLink ticketing app and from the conductor on the train.

These are the busiest times to travel by train

Unsurprisingly, peak times for train travel coincide with busy rush hour periods. Early morning services to Dublin from cities including Cork, Galway and Limerick can be busy, especially if the train is due to arrive in Dublin around the start of the working day. Friday evening trains departing Dublin can also be quite busy. However, as online bookings also include the option of booking a seat, you’ll never have to stand.

The commuter network is busiest on weekdays from 7am to 9am and from 4:30pm to 6:30pm as thousands of people travel in and out of work. You can’t prebook seats on these services, so plenty of people do end up standing. Keep an eye out on changing schedules, especially for weekend and holiday travel, as frequencies diminish.

The train network is limited, but it has some benefits over road travel

There are no rail links to any Irish airport, which means you’re relying on taxis, private cars or buses once you arrive in the country. Irish ferry ports are better connected to rail lines, however, and you can catch trains in Rosslare, Dublin and Larne; there is no rail link to Belfast Port.

If you want to reach the more remote corners of the island, then the Irish rail network is quite limited, and a car will give you the flexibility you need. However, rental fees can be very expensive and fuel is another considerable cost, with the price of unleaded and diesel hovering between €1.75 and €2 a liter. Parking is also pricey in all urban centers, especially Dublin.

Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to get around, but it can be a slow business, as most make lots of stops along the way. There are some direct express services, but they are at the mercy of traffic, which can also add considerable time to a journey compared to traveling by train. Plus, buses don’t have bathrooms, with those traveling longer distances relying entirely on rest stops.

A train passes through autumnal countryside

On board facilities vary depending on the type of train

There are two kinds of Irish trains: InterCity and commuter. InterCity trains are all the same – relatively modern with comfortable seats in standard class and fancier recliners in first – and they travel at speeds of up to 160km/h (99mph). There’s no journey in Ireland that is longer than 2½ to 3 hours. Commuter trains are slightly older, with less comfortable seats; older trains are used on some small-distance spur lines in rural areas and are very basic (facilities include seats and a toilet).

While Ireland’s flagship service is the one between Dublin and Cork, the fanciest train is the Enterprise service between Dublin Connolly and Belfast Lanyon Place, which is a joint venture between Irish Rail and Translink. This train is on a par with most services you’ll find in mainland Europe and first class is the most luxurious of any in the country.

All InterCity trains have three-pin sockets at every row where you can plug in a charger or a laptop. Most commuter trains in the greater Dublin area also have sockets. All trains have toilets and there is a cross-network wi-fi service operated by Irish Rail, but it is patchy and inconsistent. Translink has its own wi-fi network, which is accessible on all bus and rail services in the north, but, like in the Republic, you’re at the mercy of signal strength and contention levels.

Food options are pretty limited. There is a trolley service on the Dublin to Cork service, while the Enterprise between Dublin and Belfast operates a full service menu in a dedicated dining car; first class passengers also get a pretty good breakfast as part of their ticket.

Some trains on the Dublin to Cork route have a “quiet carriage” (usually Carriage G, marked in purple when booking) where the use of phones is prohibited and passengers are encouraged to keep noise levels down.

You can bring a bike on any Irish Rail train for free, although there are some restrictions during busy periods (such as sporting fixtures and concerts). The Dublin to Cork line is the only one to have a dedicated bike storage area; all other InterCity trains have (very) limited bicycle spaces within the passenger compartment – it’s not unusual for only two bikes to be allowed into the compartment, so be sure to book in advance. Bikes are not allowed on commuter and DART services during peak hours – before 10am and from 3:30pm to 7pm Monday to Friday.

A train follows a scenic route by the sea

There are many scenic train routes: here are the best

No matter where you are in Ireland you’re going to find a beautiful landscape or two, but some journeys are worth keeping your eyes wide open for.

Dublin to Sligo

Once you’ve gone past the huge suburban sprawl of the greater Dublin area, the landscapes get quite gentle; beyond Mullingar the train skirts alongside the edge of beautiful Lough Owel. For the best views, sit on the left-hand side of the train.

Dublin to Belfast

The Enterprise service is the best in the country, with the most comfortable seats and the best food options – especially in first class. The train skirts alongside the Irish Sea between Malahide and Balbriggan, so be sure to sit on that side as you travel (on the right-hand side if you’re traveling to Belfast).

Derry (Londonderry) to Coleraine

The Translink service between Northern Ireland’s second city and Coleraine is a stunner, a 40-minute journey along the Causeway Coast that comes with beautiful beaches, huge cliffs and unimpeded views out over the North Sea.

Downpatrick to Inch Abbey

It’s only a 10-minute journey, but the trip from Downpatrick in County Down to the monastic ruins of Inch Abbey takes place in a vintage steam train (or a 1960s diesel train) that chugs its way along the line, over the River Quoile and past the drumlin-specked landscape.

Cork to Cobh

One of Ireland’s most scenic trips is the 25-minute trip from Cork City to the seaside town of Cobh , which takes you along the river (sit on the right for the best views), past marshy Harper’s Island and over the bridges on Lough Mahon and the Slatty Water. You can always stop off at Fota and visit the wildlife park there.

Book in advance for wheelchair access to trains

All InterCity services are nominally accessible, but if you do need assistance you will need to book it in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made. This usually means that a conductor will have a ramp ready for wheelchair access, but we have also heard plenty of anecdotal evidence of staff simply lifting a wheelchair onto a train, which depending on the individual can either be a help or an annoying hindrance. Whatever you do, make sure to communicate your requirements before you travel as assistance is not guaranteed otherwise.

For passengers with learning difficulties or any issue where there may be a challenge with communication (such as autism) Irish Rail staff are trained to recognize visual cue cards such as the JAM card , which inform the interlocutor of the holder’s condition. JAM cards are available online or at mainline train stations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo.

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However, out of all of my 7 day Ireland itineraries, the route below is by far the most popular (and it's one I've followed several times). Here's a quick overview: Day 1: Arrive/start in Dublin. Day 2: West Cork. Day 3: Ring of Kerry. Day 4: Dingle Peninsula. Day 5: Clare. Day 6: Galway City. Day 7: Connemara or home.
The Irish Road Trip Guide
Although you'll find Irish road trip itineraries in our road trip hub, and guides to each county in our county hub, here's what parts of Ireland are trending today. Ring of Kerry Drive Guide. Ireland's Finest Castles. Our County Donegal Guide. Dingle Peninsula Guide.
The 18-day Coastal Road Trip Around Ireland (Full Itinerary)
Day 17: Antrim. Day 18: Louth. Day 1. Wicklow. To make the most of our first day on the road, get out of the bed and into the car for 8:00. Our first day sees us take a nice and handy spin from Dublin to Wicklow. 1. Gallivanting Around Glendalough (start 09:00) Photo by AndyConrad/shutterstock.com.
10 day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary: Suggested Route & Stops
Additional/Alternative Routes. This 10-day Ireland tour follows a section of the Wild Atlantic Way, another popular Ireland road trip. This alternative route hugs the Atlantic Coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal south to Kinsale in Cork and offers 2,500km of stunning scenery and great food and wine experiences.
Ireland road trip
7 day Southern Ireland historical road trip itinerary. The route includes some of the best castles in Ireland, plus other historical sites in counties including Tipperary, Clare, Cork and Waterford, and would take at least 7 days to complete the trip. First on your stop would be Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare.
14 DAYS IN IRELAND: the ultimate Ireland road trip itinerary
Drive south out of Wicklow via the M9 on day three of your Ireland road trip itinerary. After about an hour and a half, stop off in Kilkenny City. Check out Kilkenny Castle, the River Nore, St Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower, Black Abbey, St Mary's Cathedral, St Francis Abbey, St John's Priory, and Kilkenny Town Hall.
Our Ultimate 2 Week IRELAND ROAD TRIP Itinerary
April 20, 2023. This epic Ireland road trip itinerary took us around all of the north and south in just over 2 weeks! Covering more than 3,300km! Warning: This is FULL ON! In June and July 2019, we embarked on perhaps our most epic road trip to date ... A 2 week, Ireland road trip that literally took us EVERYWHERE!
10 Best Southern Ireland Tours & Trips 2024/2025
Southern Ireland Tours & Trips. Discover amazing adventures through Southern Ireland visiting places like Dublin, the Atlantic Ocean and Killarney. Most travellers enjoy exploring our Southern Ireland trips in September, making it the most popular time of the year. Check here the best Ireland vacations .
2 Weeks in Ireland: The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
This 14-day Ireland road trip itinerary starts in southern County Cork, follows the coast and Wild Atlantic Way into Northern Ireland, and finishes in Athlone. ... After a few hours of swimming and exploring, continue south on the Ring of Kerry for about 45 minutes through the Skellig Ring to Valentia Island.
The Ultimate One Week Road Trip Itinerary for Ireland
In this 7 or 8 days itinerary we drove a total of 1,100 miles (1,800km) and gas cost a total of 160 euros. With only one week in Ireland it is impossible to see everything, but gives you enough ...
The essential guide to train travel in Ireland
The particular nature of Irish demographics has shaped train travel in Ireland: ... Cork and Waterford are both on the south coast, but to get from one to the other means travelling to Limerick, while Sligo and Westport are only 140km (87 miles) apart along the west coast, but to go between them by train you'll have to travel through Dublin ...