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Top 10 things to know before traveling to Ireland

Mar 27, 2024 • 9 min read

From pub etiquette to catching public transport – here's what you need to know before you go to Ireland © Atlantide Phototravel / Getty Images

A lifetime of living in Ireland has given me some insight into the vagaries of my home country, beginning with the number one rule: never assume anything. This is a country that delights in confounding even your most comfortable expectations about pretty much everything, from the weather to the quality of the wifi.

Here are 10 tips that I’m pretty comfortable giving anyone who plans a visit, whether for the first time or the fifth. I’ve got some practical tips around VAT refunds and the most efficient ways to get around, but then there’s a bunch of suggestions on how to crack the mightiest nut of all – the Irish themselves. Because be in no doubt, while Ireland has gorgeous landscapes, a rich history and the best pubs in the world, your visit will only be truly memorable if you get to know the people – friendly and welcoming but often contradictory and inscrutable.

1. Plan on at least seven days to start making sense of the country

Ireland is small, but there’s an awful lot to it. Luckily, distances in Ireland aren’t huge so you can get most anywhere in a few hours, but the list of where to go can get very long, very quickly.

It’ll take you a couple of days to even begin to make a dent in Dublin , but once you go beyond the capital you’ll need at least five days to make a lightening stop tour of the major highlights of the west: Galway and Connemara, Clare (where you’ll find the Cliffs of Moher and the most authentic traditional music in the country), Kerry (you’ll need a whole day just for the Ring of Kerry and another for the Dingle Peninsula ) and Cork , only it’s time to go home so you can only make enough time for Cork City .

Clearly the only solution is to plan for a month; at the end of it, you’ll be wanting to stay a year. 

2. Keep it to casual wear

The Irish aren’t big on formal wear and only pull it out for very specific occasions (a wedding, a ball, the opening of a parliamentary session). Which means you can wear pretty much whatever you want: smart casual is the most you'll need for fancy dinners, the theatre or the concert hall.

Irish summers are warm but rarely hot, so you'll want something extra when the temperatures cool, especially in the evening. Ultimately the ever-changeable weather will determine your outfits, but a light waterproof jacket should never be beyond reach for the almost-inevitable rain. If you’re planning on doing a lot of walking – in cities or on hills – a good pair of walking shoes, preferably waterproof, will do the trick.

Add these top beaches around Ireland to your travel itinerary. 

3. The land of a 100,000 welcomes

Céad míle fáilte – literally, 100,000 welcomes. The famous Irish greeting suggests a country that is big on displays of affection, but nothing could be further from the truth. A firm handshake – with eye contact – is the appropriate greeting when meeting men, women and older children for the first time. Once a friendship is made, then all bets are off and anything goes, from a hug and a kiss on the cheek (primarily amongst female friends) to an air nod and a casual "hey".

Younger Irish are less formal than their older counterparts, but even they generally eschew effusive greetings: more often than not, a quick handshake and a casual nod is the best way to say hello for the first time.

4. The Irish love to talk, until they don’t

The Irish are renowned for their chat, but with people they don’t know particularly well they generally like to keep it to topics that are light and not likely to embarrass. Despite their gregarious nature, the Irish tend to be reserved when it comes to life’s more serious issues and are very mistrustful of "oversharers". 

The old adage that the Irish will talk about anything except sex, religion and politics is something of an over-simplification, but if you do find yourself steering into deeper waters around sensitive topics it’s always better to listen: locals aren’t shy about getting into heated discussion amongst themselves about all kinds of topics but take a dim view of outsiders who express (even legitimate) criticisms of Ireland or the Irish.

5. You’d better learn about the rounds system

It’s a firm rule of drinking with locals. If someone buys you a drink, you’re obliged to buy them one back – this is the bedrock of Irish pub culture. Nothing will hasten your fall from social grace here like the failure to uphold this pub law. 

The time to repay the drink you’re drinking? It’s when the person you’re drinking with is just about to finish theirs. It doesn’t matter if you’re halfway through your own drink at that moment: you can’t let your drinking buddy sit in front of an empty glass. Your greatest challenge will probably be trying to keep up with your fellow drinkers, who may keep buying you drinks in every round even when you've still got a collection of unfinished pints in front of you and you're sliding face first down the bar.

6. The best way to visit cities is on foot or by public transport

Driving and parking in Irish cities is a nightmare. There’s no free parking anywhere; the unrelenting traffic will test even the most patient of drivers; and the one-way systems in major urban centres will confound you to the point of madness (although map apps are pretty good at pointing you in the right direction).

The good news is you don’t need a car to visit any Irish city. Dublin, the biggest by far, has a pretty decent system of public transport, but even then most of the major sights are within walking distance of each other. Same goes for Cork, Belfast, Limerick and Galway, which are more easily explored without a car.

Save this guide to the best road trips in Ireland.

7. The easiest way to explore Ireland is by car

If cities are best experienced without a car, the most effective way to explore the rest of the country is with one. The bus network, made up of a mix of public and private operators, is extensive and generally quite competitive, though journey times can be slow and lots of the points of interest outside towns are not served. The rail network is quicker but more limited, serving only some major towns and cities. Both buses and trains get busy during peak times; you'll need to book in advance to be guaranteed a seat. 

Cars can be hired in every major town and city. The Irish drive on the left hand side; distances and speed limits in the Republic are measured in kilometres, but once you cross the invisible border into Northern Ireland everything switches to miles.

8. Ireland is good cycling country

Ireland's compact size and scenic landscapes make it a good cycling destination, albeit one you need to prepare for. The weather is unreliable, roads can be very narrow and Irish drivers tend to drive quickly, even on those narrow roads. A growing network of greenways, such as the 42km Great Western Greenway in County Mayo and the Royal Canal Greenway that runs through the midlands, are a great and hassle-free way to see the country from two wheels. A good tip for cyclists in the west is that the prevailing winds make it easier to cycle from south to north. 

Buses will carry bikes, but only if there’s room. Intercity trains will also carry bikes, but you’ll need to book a space in advance as there’s limited capacity. Suburban rail services in Dublin won’t take bikes during rush hour (7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm). A number of Irish companies arrange cycle tours, including Go Visit Ireland  and Cycling Safaris .

9. Pick the right season to travel in Ireland

June to mid-September is high season: the weather is at its best and the most popular parts of the country – Dublin , Kerry and the southern and western coasts – are at their busiest. The downside is big crowds and the highest rates for accommodation and car hire.

Rates drop off from mid-September as the crowds start to thin, but most tourist spots are still open to take advantage of the last weeks of the season. Although weather can never be predicted with any degree of accuracy, the weather can be surprisingly lovely right up to mid-October.

Low season runs from November to the middle of March; Irish winter days are short, damp and cold, but the upside is fewer visitors and some terrific accommodation deals. A lot of the west coast goes into winter hibernation, though, with a lot of attractions and hotels closing down; if you’re planning to visit during this time you should check what’s open before you travel.   

Ready to head to Ireland? These are the best times to visit.

10. Claim your VAT back if you’re visiting from outside the EU

Most goods come with value-added tax (VAT) of 23%, which non-EU residents can claim back as part of the Retail Export Scheme, so long as the purchase was made with a credit card. Visitors from the UK can also benefit from this, but not visitors from Northern Ireland.

Before making a purchase, check with the retailer that they operate the scheme. If they do, you will be issued an export voucher for the purchase, which you need to get certified by customs when you leave Ireland. The voucher is sent back to the retailer who then refunds you the VAT (minus any processing fee). 

Rather than operate the scheme themselves, many retailers use VAT-refunding agencies, whereby you go through the same process of presenting the agency’s own certificate at customs. Some agencies, though, operate a scheme where you don’t pay any VAT upfront, but if you don’t file the paperwork correctly (either sending it back to the agency or presenting it to customs) your card will be charged later. Some goods such as books, children's clothing and educational items are excluded from VAT.

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5 Sensational Virtual Tours Of Ireland That You Can Watch(Videos)

By: Author Irish Around The World

Posted on Last updated: November 6, 2020

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Virtual tours of Ireland have become more and more popular since the pandemic began. With so many of us unable to visit a lot of these places, it is clear to see why. 

But I’ve checked dozens of them myself, and I found that the effect of these virtual tours of Ireland wears off very quickly.

For example, I was looking at Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge 360 photo here but after a few minutes, I had lost interest. 

It’s nice to see, but what I personally enjoy a lot more are back when things were normal. And people like in the videos below did a great job showing you exactly what life was like. 

So rather than a virtual tour of Ireland that you have to click and click and basically look at pictures, I found a selection of tour videos of Ireland. 

I have found 5 incredible virtual tours of Ireland. However, you argue that they are not technically virtual, but I enjoyed them none the less. 

I suggest grabbing a nice cup of tea and maybe casting these videos on the big screen. 

If you’re not subscribed to my weekly dose of Irish, you can sign up here. 

Let’s get to the videos:

1. virtual tour of dingle, galway and the aran island’s .

My first find was the incredible West of Ireland. One of my favourite places in Ireland. This was filmed 6 years ago but still shows just how incredible the landscape is here. 

If you get a chance next year, I highly recommend a visit. It is 26 minutes long and very entertaining:

2. Virtual tour of Ireland: My first visit to Ireland

Now don’t worry this isn’t one of those videos where the guy is overdramatic about how different Ireland is. It is actually a well put together a video which is just about to pass 1 million views. 

It was also filmed or at least published a lot more recently in  May 2019 . It starts in Dublin, and he has actually marked every place that he visited in the video, which I found quite nice. 

Yes, they are an American couple, but their humour and excellent editing will entertain you for the whole 42 minutes. Yes, this is a longer video, but they venture from streets of Dublin to the breathtaking Dingle Peninsula and beyond.

Really enjoyed this one. Plus great to see a recent video where people didn’t have to social distance. 

3. Belfast and the Best of Northern Ireland – Another Rick Steves 1.4 million views

4. The Wild Atlantic A Way A Virtual Tour

I said I would mix things up for you with number 4. A great Australian perspective on Ireland. The Australia vloggers. Plus the guy does have the same first name as me which helps haha. 

But no seriously this video was fantastic. They included some lovely stops such as Strandhill, The Silver Strand, Bunglass Point, Donegal, Downpatrick Head Sea Stack and Dublin. 

5. Exploring Ireland With 60 Minutes Of Incredible Drone Footage

Earlier I posted this post which got great feedback, and I felt it would be a great fit in this article. 

The footage is shot in stunning 4k quality and features some marvellous shots of Ireland.  A great clip to cast on the TV and let play in the background. 

Which of these virtual tours of Ireland was your favourite?

Personally, I enjoyed video two “my first trip to Ireland” the best. But arguably they were all great. 

If you had a personal fav comment below. 

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again soon. 

Stephen 

P.S You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel here I will have new videos coming soon. 

Live Adventure Travel contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ireland 7 Day Itinerary full of Iconic Cliffs, National Parks & Scenic Islands

Planning a trip to Ireland can be a lengthy task. One that leaves many scratching their head or pulling their hair out. But, lucky for you, I’ve come to your rescue. Hi, I’m Laura, your local guide. It’s my goal to make your trip to Ireland as carefree as possible. I love seeing visitors fall in love with my home country. Ireland is a magical place, and I understand just how much the trip means to you. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and I can’t wait to help you plan it. Now, let’s go on a road trip, an Ireland 7 day itinerary exploring the countries most iconic cliffs, beautiful national parks and we will even take a journey out to one of Ireland’s most scenic islands.

But first, we need to address the big question.

IS 7 DAYS IN IRELAND ENOUGH TIME?

To put it simply, no. 7 days is not nearly enough to see all there is to do in Ireland. In fact, a whole month would only allow you to scratch the service of what the country has to offer. However, with that being said, oftentimes one week in Ireland is all most tourists have. And, while it’s not a huge amount of time, it is enough to see some of the countries major highlights.

DO I NEED TO RENT A CAR IN IRELAND?

While renting a car in Ireland is most definitely desirable, it’s not 100% needed. It is possible to see some of the countries top attractions if you base yourself in major cities such as Dublin, Galway, Cork or Belfast. There are rather affordable Day Trips that run from each city. Check out my  Dublin Day Trips  post for further inspiration.

With that being said, I’d advise those planning a trip to Ireland to rent a car. It is the best way to see the ‘real’ Ireland and not be restricted by the time schedule of organised tours. 

For the purpose of this particular 7 day Ireland road trip, you will need a rental car.

Check out  Rental Cars Ireland  for affordable prices.

7 Days in Ireland Video Guide

DAY 1: THE ROCK OF CASHEL, BLARNEY STONE, COBH OR KINSALE

On the first day of the road trip, we will leave bright and early in the morning. It is best to catch an early flight to Dublin or stay the night previous in a nearby hotel. That way you are leaving yourself plenty of time to get out and explore.

For those arriving in Ireland from Shannon airport, it may be best for you to start this itinerary in reverse. Starting your trip from Galway.

Those arriving through Cork Airport may need to skip the first stop but don’t worry I’ll provide some alternative suggestions 😉

Dublin to Rock of Cashel Drive Duration: 2 Hours

STOP 1: THE ROCK OF CASHEL

The first stop of our 7 day Ireland itinerary is possibly one of the most iconic ruins in the Country, the Rock of Cashel.

The famous ruin is also known as the Cashel of the Kings and its structure is sure to leave you in awe.

The ruins sit on top of a hill looking out at Tipperary and the surrounding area’s.

It costs 6 euros per adult to enter.

And If time allows you could visit nearby Hore Abbey which is free to visit and is located just a 4-minute drive from the Rock of Cashel.

Rock of Cashel to Blarney Castle Drive Duration: 1 hour 15 

STOP 2: BLARNEY CASTLE AND GARDENS

The Blarney Castle and Garden is a must on any Ireland Itinerary, the castle is home to the Blarney Stone which is said to give those who kiss it the gift of gab.

Although there is a bit of a catch, the stone is located at the very top of Blarney Castle. To Kiss it, visitors must lie on their back, hold onto two metal bars and tilt their heads towards the ground. It’s a lot harder and scarier than it looks!

Entrance into the gardens cost 18 euros, it’s a little pricey but 100% worth it in my opinion.

Especially if you manage to kiss the stone and come back with the skills of flattery 😉

Related Post: Ireland Tips for First Time Visitors

STOP 3: THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU

Designing a 7 day Ireland itinerary for others is a difficult task because frankly, I want to take you everywhere. That is why I have decided to add in some alternative routes. That way you can choose which place suits you best to visit. 

Blarney Castle to Cobh Drive Duration: 45 minutes

OPTION 1: COBH & A TRIP TO SPIKE ISLAND

The first option for stop 3 is a small coastal town named Cobh. The town is famous for being the final port call for the Titanic and back then it was known as Queenstown.

Cobh often gets compared to major US city San Francisco due to its hill like structure, Deck of Card houses which resemble the painted ladies and Spike Island.

Spike Island is said to be the Alcatraz of Ireland, it was used as a monastery and then became known as one of the largest prisons in the world.

There are a few things worth doing on your trip to Cobh like exploring St. Colemans Cathedral, going on a boat tour out to Spike Island , learn at the Titanic Experience .

Blarney Castle to Kinsale Drive Duration: 45 minutes

OPTION 2: KINSALE & THE OLD HEAD

The second option for stop 3 is one of the best things to do in West Cork and that is the beautiful town of Kinsale. This is one of my favourite towns in all of Ireland. It is decorated head to toe in bright vibrant colours, the local’s are super friendly and kind and there is so much to see and do within a short distance of the town.

After having a stroll around the town, it’s time to visit your first stop along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, the Old Head of Kinsale.

The Old Head is a 20-minute drive from the main town and it is a view that is sure to take your breath away.

There is also free parking on site.

Old Head of Kinsale to Kenmare Drive Duration: 2 hours Cobh to Kenmare Drive Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes

STOP 4: KENMARE TOWN, COUNTY KERRY

The final stop of day 1 is the beautiful town called Kenmare located in County Kerry. This is where I suggest staying for the night. The streets of Kenmare come alive a night, it is a great place to enjoy some live Irish music and have some fun with friends or relax after a long day of exploring.

Places to stay in Kenmare

Budget-Friendly Stay: Rockcrest House

Mid Range Stay: The Kenmare Bay Hotel & Leisure Resort (I have stayed here before and could not recommend it more)

High-End Stay: Park Hotel Kenmare

IRELAND ROAD TRIP 7 DAYS: DAY 1 SUMMARY AND MAP

Summary and a suggested timetable 7.30am: Leave Dublin Airport 9.30am: Explore the Rock of Cashel  12.00pm Explore Blarney Castle and Gardens 2.30pm Stop in Blarney Town for a late lunch 4.30pm Explore Kinsale or Cobh 9.00pm: Arrive in Kenmare Please note that the schedule best suits the summer months as the sunsets later in the evening.

DAY 2: KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK

On day 2 of our 7 day itinerary in Ireland, we are going to be exploring the beauty of Killarney National Park. It is important to start the day off bright and early to see as much of the park as possible in one day.

Kenmare to Moll’s Gap Drive Duration: 11-minute drive

STOP 1: MOLLS GAP

Leaving the beautiful town of Kenmare behind, start driving towards the insanely scenic driving route known as Molls Gap.

While Molls Gap isn’t necessarily a stop, it is definitely worth pausing for a moment or two to take in the beautiful views.

I’d advise stopping outside the Avoca as the road is quite wide here and there is a car park to the left. It may also be a good place to grab a takeaway brekkie for the road. They sell delicious pastries.

Molls Gap can get quite narrow in places, so, please be extra cautious while driving.

Moll’s Gap to Ladies Views Drive Duration: 8-minute drive

STOP 2: LADIES VIEW

The second stop of the day is possibly one of the most iconic views in Killarney National Park, Ladies View.

This is a popular place for people to stop before they continue on along the famous Ring of Kerry.

Due to the popularity of the stop, it can be sometimes hard to find a parking spot. Don’t worry though, by driving a further 5 minutes down the road you will see another car park that is generally far less busy.

I suggest spending 14 to 20 minutes here to take in the views and catch a few snaps with the insanely beautiful backdrop.

Ladies Views to Torc Waterfall Drive Duration: 8-minute

STOP 3: TORC WATERFALL

Next on our Ireland 7 day itinerary is the wonderful, Torc Waterfall. This is one of my favourite spots in all of Killarney.

The Waterfall is much bigger than I was expecting and it is an overall peaceful place to visit.

It takes about 15 minutes to reach the falls after leaving your car in the car park.

Please note that typing ‘Torc Waterfall’ into google maps will bring you to the upper car park, from here you will need to hike down to the Waterfall.

If you are looking to enjoy the shorter walk then consider parking  here  instead.

Torc Waterfall to Muckross Drive Duration: 8-minute drive

STOP 4: MUCKROSS ABBEY AND HOUSE

The next stop of the day is Muckross, a beautiful place to get out and stretch the legs.

On the grounds lies Muckross Abbey, a friary that was founded in 1448. The ruin is well preserved and in the middle grows an ancient tree that is said to be as old as the Abbey itself.

The grounds is also home to Muckross House, which is only accessible via guided tour.

While on the grounds it is nice to take in the views of Muckross Lake and enjoy the landscape of the surrounding mountains.

I’d recommend spending an hour to an hour and a half exploring the area.

Muckross to Killarney Town Duration: 11-minute drive

STOP 5: KILLARNEY TOWN

Following a stroll around the grounds of Muckross, it is time for a well-deserved lunch stop.

Killarney town is a lovely little village located in the heart of the National Park. 

I highly recommend the Shire Café and Bar , it is Lord of the Rings Themed and the food there is delicious.

Following the bite to eat have a stroll around the town, there are plenty of charming shops to have a browse.

Killarney Town to Ross Castle Duration: 5-minute drive

STOP 6: ROSS CASTLE & BOAT RIDE

The next stop of our 7 days in Ireland itinerary brings us to the stunning ruins of Ross Castle. Organised tours of the castle must be booked in advance.

If time allows I recommend going on a boat tour around Killarney Lakes.

This is a really beautiful yet alternative way to see the National park. The tour lasts for 1 hour and brings you around Ross Castle and its surroundings.

BOOK YOU TOUR HERE

Alternatively, head for a stroll around the grounds of Ross Castle.

Ross Castle to Gap of Dunloe Drive Duration: 20 minute drive

STOP 7: GAP OF DUNLOE

A further 20-minute drive from Ross Castle is the beautiful Gap of Dunloe. A stunning valley that is home to 5 lakes and some of the nicest landscapes in Ireland.

How to explore the Gap of Dunloe:

Trap and Pony: One of the most known ways to explore the Gap of Dunloe is by Trap and Pony . Jump on board with a local guide and learn about Killarney’s history as you take the epic views of the Valley.

Bike: Many of those visiting Killarney National Park often rent bikes to get around. The Gap of Dunloe is a popular spot to explore via bike.

Drive: While driving the Gap of Dunloe is not advised it is still possible. If you do decide to drive make sure to get there nice and early as it is a popular spot and the road is rather narrow making it difficult to get by other road users.

Walk: My favourite way to explore the beauty of the Gap of Dunloe is by walking. The trail itself is 11km there and 11km back. Therefore, it’s best to only walk to the halfway point before returning back to the car. I’d advise parking your car at Kate Kearney’s Cottage .

Organised Tour: You can also visit the Gap of Dunloe via organised tours, like the Gap of Dunloe by Boat & Foot tour . 

Stop 8: Dingle

The 3rd day on our Ireland itinerary brings us to the stunning sites of the Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is located an hour drive from the Gap of Dunloe. It’s best to arrive in Dingle on the evening of day 2 in order to see all of which the area has to offer.

Dingle is a beautiful coastal town, which is known as the gateway to many of Kerry’s breathtaking gems such as Dunquin Pier and Conor Pass. Spend the night listening to Irish tunes in a local bar before getting a good nights sleep.

Related Blog Post: 101 Songs for a road trip

Where to stay in Dingle

Budget-Friendly Stay: The Waterfront

Mid Range Stay: Dingle Bay Hotel

High End Stay: Fab View

IRELAND ITINERARY 7 DAYS: DAY 2 SUMMARY AND MAP

SUMMARY AND SUGGESTED TIMETABLE 8.00am Leave Kenmare 9.15am Arrive at Moll’s/Have Brekkie in Avoca 10.00am Ladies View 10.40am Torc Waterfall 11.30am Muckross 12.30pm Killarney for Lunch and a stroll 2.00pm Ross Castle & Boat Tour 4.00pm Gap of Dunloe 8.00pm Dingle

Day 3: The Dingle Penisula & Drive to Clare

The highlight of day 3 is the Dingle Penisula, spend the majority of the day soaking up the incredible sites of the Kerry Coastline before making your way to County Clare. I must warn you that the drive from Kerry to Clare is long, however, it is the only drive of this length throughout the itinerary.

Stop 1: Dingle Town

The first stop of Day 3 is the beautiful Dingle Town. Start the morning off with some breakfast in ‘ An Cupan Tae ‘.

Once your tummy is full it is time to take in the relaxed atmosphere of the town by going for a stroll along the harbour front.

The harbour is a beautiful place to soak in some sunray’s and admire the view of the surrounding mountains.

Dingle was also once home to Ireland’s most loved dolphin, Fungie. Unfortunely, Fungie was last seen in October 2020. There is a statue at the harbour where visitors can go to remember Fungie.

Dingle to Slea Head Drive: 20 minutes

Stop 2: Slea Head Drive

After a relaxing morning, it is time to jump in the car and drive towards Slieve Head.

This is arguably one of the most scenic drives in Ireland.

I’d advise taking your time on this route, as the road can be narrow in places.

However, the views of the Kerry Coastline make it completely worth it.

On a clear day, you may even spot the famous Skellig Michael.

Slea Head to Dunmore Head Drive: 6 minutes

Stop 3: Dunmore Head & Coumeenoole Beach

Dunmore Head is a beautiful place to go for a walk. It is famous for being the most westerly point of Ireland and the filming location for the Star Wars film The Last Jedi.

The walk is 2.6km long and takes around 30 minutes to complete depending on your fitness level.

As you stroll you will be presented with phenomenal views of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

At the end of the trail lies Coumeenoole Beach, perfect for a swim if time allows.

Dunmore Head to Dunquin Pier Drive: 6 minutes

Stop 4: Dunquin Pier

A further 6 minutes down the road is one of my favourite sites in all of Ireland, Dunquin Pier.

This is a must on any Ireland road trip. The pier jots out onto the Wild Atlantic Coast, the dramatic cliffs and crystal clear waters make it the perfect spot for a photo opportunity.

Please note that the iconic winding pier is for walking purposes only.

A few years back the pier made it into the news headlines when a tourist attempted to drive down it. Safe to say they got stuck 😂

Dunquin Pier to Conor Pass Drive: 30 minutes

Stop 5: Conor Pass

Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland.

The drive is not for the faith hearted as it is rather narrow in places. However, if you drive slow you will be fine.

The drive begins on an open mountain road with plenty of room for two cars to pass.

I’d advise making your first stop along the pass here at the main viewing platform. From here you can hike slightly up the mountain to the left for an even better view of the pass.

There are a number of car spaces available and a clear view of the road to come. If you feel the road is too narrow for your driving ability you can always turn back around and drive back towards Dingle.

Once you have taken in all the epic views at the main viewpoint I’d advise driving towards Conor Pass Waterfall , there is a small car park here.

Stop for a moment to take in the amazing views of Peddler’s Lake and the Valley before continuing along with the remainder of the pass.

I recommend taking 1 hour and a half or more to explore Conor Pass.

Stop 6: Doolin, County Clare

The final stop of day 3 on our Ireland 7 day itinerary is the beautiful coastal town, Doolin. Doolin is located in County Clare and is a 3-hour drive from Conor Pass.

I recommend stopping in Limerick City for a quick bite to eat and a walk around before jumping back in the car.

Don’t be afraid to order an early dinner in Limerick as we will be spending 2 nights in Doolin, which will give you plenty of time to explore the town.

Day 4 is also an extremely busy day so it is probably best to avoid the pubs on night 3 😉

Places to Stay in Doolin

Budget-Friendly Stay: Oar restaurant and Rooms

Mid Range Stay: Lanelodge Doolin

High-End Stay: Doolin Inn

7 DAY ITINERARY IRELAND : DAY 3 SUMMARY AND MAP

SUMMARY AND SUGGESTED TIMETABLE 8.00am Dingle Brekkie & Walk the Harbour 9.30am Slea Head Drive 10.00am Dunmore Head 11.15am Dunquin Pier 1.00pm Lunch in Dingle 2.15pm Conor Pas s 6.00pm Dinner in Limerick City 8.15pm Doolin

Day 4: The Aran Island’s & The Cliffs of Moher Boat Ride

On day 4 of our 7 days in Ireland, we are going to dive a little bit off the beaten path with a trip to one of the 3 Aran Islands. The Aran Islands are a group of Island’s belonging to county Galway but are easily accessible from County Clare. On the way back from the island’s we are going to take a major detour and get up close and personal with the most famous Cliffs in Ireland , Cliffs of Moher.

Day 4 of our Ireland itinerary comes with a choice, Inis Mór or Inis Oirr?

I’ll highlight the top things to do on each island down below.

Option 1: Inis Mór

Inis Mór is the largest of the three Aran Island which is a given due to its name translating into ‘Big Island’ in English.

Inis Mór is also the most popular of the 3 Islands.

The easiest way to get around Inis Mór is by renting a bike. Bike rental costs around 15 euros for the day. Please be mindful that most rental shops only take cash.

Top 3 Things to do on Inis Mór

The Seal Colony: A rocky area on the island which is a famous spot for the local seals to hang out and sun bade. It is easier to spot the seals in the evening time.

Dún Aonghasa: A prehistoric fort that sits on top of a hill looking out over the entire Island. It takes about 30 minutes to walk up to Dún Aonghasa. From there you will be presented with a 360 view of the island and the Cliffs of Aran.

The Worm Hole: This is the most popular attraction on the island. A natural rectangular shaped rock pool.

Option 2: Inis Oírr

Inis Oírr is the smallest of the 3 Aran Island but surprisingly it has many wonderful things to do to keep you busy for the day.

The Easiest way to reach the island is by boat.

BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW

And much like Inis Mór, the best way to get around is by renting a bike. Most rentals will cost 13 euros for the day and they only take cash.

Top 3 Things to do on Inis Oirr

Plassey Shipwreck: Off the coast of Inis Oirr lies Plassey Shipwreck which washed up in a 1960 Wild Atlantic storm. The Ship is famous for being in the Credits of popular Irish Comedy Father Ted.

Caislean Ui Bhriain: This is quite literally a castle on top of a hill looking out over the entire island of Inis Oirr. The climb up to the castle is a little steep but nothing too difficult. Besides, the views make the hike completely worth it.

An Trá: This translates into ‘The Beach’ in English and it is quite frankly one of the nicest beaches in all of Ireland. The turquoise blue waters and white sand make it the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring the island.

Stop 2: Cliffs of Moher Boat Tour

When purchasing your ticket for the Aran Island’s I’d advise getting the Cliffs of Moher Combo . This is a great way to get up close and personal with Ireland’s leading attraction. On the way back to Doolin from the Island the boat swings by the Cliffs to allow you to see them from a whole new perspective. It is truly a unique experience, one I recommend to anyone.

PS: There is indoor seating for anyone who prefers to stay dry 😉

Stop 3: Doolin

Once the ferry has dropped you off at Doolin harbour, pop into your hotel for a quick shower and then back out for a night on the town. Doolin is a great town to enjoy a real Irish atmosphere, with live music, craic (Irish for fun) and killer sunsets.

I recommend checking out Fiddle + Bow Hotel if you are looking for some world-class chipper and cocktails. The yard is set up with fairy lights, haystack seats and live music.

Or, if you fancy a pizza Stone Wall Pizzeria is a fab spot!

ITINERARY FOR IRELAND 7 DAYS: DAY 4 SUMMARY AND MAP

SUMMARY AND SUGGESTED TIMETABLE 9.15am Find Parking at Doolin Harbour 10.00am The Aran Islands 5.15pm Cliffs of Moher 6.00pm Back to Hotel 7.00pm Night on the Town Please note, parking at Doolin Harbour can be tricky. Especially in the summer months. I’d advise arriving early to avoid missing your boat

Day 5: Doolin, The Cliffs of Moher Walk & The Burren

Our 5th day in Ireland is jammed packed with beautiful scenery! We are going to go on a hike along the Cliffs of Moher, explore the surrounding area’s of Doolin and drive through the Burren National Park.

Stop 1: Doonagore Castle

Go for a walk or drive towards Doonagore Castle.

Doonagore Castle is located on top of a hill overlooking the town of Doolin. The castle is only a 20-minute walk from the main town however, the reason I am suggesting you drive is you need to keep all your energy for later on in the itinerary 😉

It is not possible to enter the grounds of the castle, however, it is worth driving around them.

The castle is an iconic symbol of County Clare. And is one of the most photographed places in Ireland.

Stop 2: The Cliffs of Moher Walk

The Cliffs of Moher Walk is a must for anyone spending the night in Doolin. The walk begins in the main town and continues for 8km until it reaches the Cliffs of Moher.

The trail is home to breathtaking scenery featuring Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

The walk is suitable for those with a moderate fitness level. It is not overly strenuous, however, it is long. Therefore, walkers must be prepared to be on their feet for a long period of time.

The walk to the Cliffs takes about 2 hours to complete. It is one of the only ways to see the cliffs for free.

Once you reach the visitor centre there is a free shuttle bus that drives back to Doolin. Make sure to check the operating times before you leave.

Doolin to the Burren Drive: 11 minutes

Stop 3: The Burren National Park

Once you arrive back in Doolin it’s time to jump in the car for a mini road trip.

The next stop on the list is the Burren National Park. The Burren is home to many beautiful hiking routes, however, I’d imagine you will be pretty tired after the cliff walk.

Luckily, the Burren is just as beautiful to drive through and don’t worry there are loads of opportunities to stop along the way.

The word Burren comes from the Irish word “Boíreann” which translates to ‘a rocky place’. This is the perfect way to describe the area.

I recommend you spend an hour admiring the National Parks beauty.

The Burren to Fanore Beach Drive: 11 minutes

Stop 4: Fanore Beach

So, the next stop on the list is Fanore Beach…but…there’s a catch.

You must go swimming! What!? Are you CRAZY? Swimming in Ireland.

I know, it may sound like the worst idea in the world but once you get in you won’t regret it.

Yes, it is cold! but…it’s an experience.

And it would be a shame to leave the Emerald Isle without going for a swim along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Beside, Fanore Beach is beautiful, golden sand surrounded by the rocky mountains of the Burren National Park.

That’s a bucket list swim right there 😉

Fanore Beach to Galway City Drive: 1 Hour 10 minutes

Stop 5: Galway City

Following a swim in Fanore beach, it’s time to dry off and head towards Galway city for the night. Galway City is the perfect place to spend the night, a lively city with a traditional Irish charm. There are plenty of spots in Galway to dance the night away.

Places to Stay in Galway

Budget-Friendly Stay: Savoy Hostel Galway City Centre

Mid Range Stay: Skeffington Arms Hotel (I stayed here on my last trip to Galway, I highly recommend)

High-End Stay: Harbour Hotel

IRELAND ROAD TRIP 7 DAYS: DAY 5 SUMMARY AND MAP

SUMMARY AND SUGGESTED TIMETABLE 9.30am Doonagore Castle 10.30am The Cliffs of Moher Walk 2.00pm Lunch in Doolin 3.30pm The Burren 5.00pm Fanore Beach 7.30pm Galway City

Day 6: Galway City, Connemara & Dublin

Now, for your 6th day in Ireland, you may want to spend the majority of your time in Galway City. And that is understandable, however, with Connemara right on your doorstep, it would be a shame not to catch a glimpse of the area’s beauty. I thought I’d spice things up a bit with a quick trip to the National Park.

Stop 1: Galway City

Start the morning off bright and early with a stroll around Galway City. If breakfast isn’t included with your hotel booking I’d highly recommend checking out Dela Restaurant for a delicious bite to eat.

Then go for a stroll around Galway City centre and Eyre Square. Here, you will come across some super talented buskers bringing the streets to life.

Another, must-see spot in the city is the Spanish Arch area, it’s a lovely place to go for a stroll along the waterfront.

I recommend staying in the city until around 10.30am.

Galway City Pine Island View Drive: 1 Hour

Stop 2: Pine Island View Point

Once you’ve filled your tummy up with delicious food it’s time to pack up your bags and hop in the car.

Start to drive towards Pine Island View in Connemara.

The drive takes 1 hour in total, however, it’s a really beautiful route. Take some time to stop the car for some photo’s and enjoy the beautiful view.

Pine Island is a plot of land located inside Derryclare Lake. And if you ask me, it doesn’t look like scenery you’d typically find in Ireland.

It is possible to walk onto the island through a concrete bridge, although it is quite narrow. So, be careful crossing it.

Pine Island View to Sky Road Drive: 20 minutes

Stop 3: Sky Road

Sky Road is a 16km long coastal route that hosts epic views of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

The drive loops around meeting in a small town named Clifden.

If time allows I recommend checking out the entire route. There are two driving options, the upper and lower road. The Upper Route is better for coastal views.

If you are stuck for time I recommend heading straight to the main viewpoint to catch a glimpse of what the driving route has to offer.

I promise this is one you do not want to miss!

Sky Road to Kylemore Abbey: 30 minutes

Stop 4: Kylemore Abbey

Our Final stop in Connemara is the wonderful, Kylemore Abbey. This is one of the most photographed places in all of Ireland and one of the Top Things to do in Connemara .

Tickets to the Abbey and grounds cost €15.00. And while I think it is a lovely experience, I’d advise only paying in if you have an extended amount of time in Connemara.

It’s a brilliant place to spend a morning or evening when it’s raining.

If you just want to catch a glimpse of the Abbey from the outside, it is possible to park in the car park for free. You can take photos of the Abbey before entering the grounds.

It is also possible to see the Abbey from the roadside.

Kylemore Abbey to Dublin City: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Stop 5: Dublin City

After an adventurous day exploring Connemara, it is time to hit the road towards Dublin. Unfortunely, this is a long driving route, however, once you hit the motorways there are plenty of service stations. Here, you can stop to use the bathroom, for a brief rest and get a bite to eat.

If you don’t want to do a lot of driving on Day 6 you can always opt into taking an organised day tour to Connemara from Galway.

BOOK YOUR TOUR HERE

Places to Stay in Dublin

Budget-Friendly Stay: Jacobs Inn Hostel (Please Note for real budget-friendly options consider staying outside the city centre)

Mid Range Stay: Academy Plaza Hotel 

High-End Stay: Grafton Street Studios

ONE WEEK IN IRELAND: DAY 6 SUMMARY AND MAP

SUMMARY AND SUGGESTED TIMETABLE 9.00am Galway City 11.30am Pine Island View 1.00pm Sky Road 3.00pm Kylemore Abbey 5.00pm Leave for Dublin

Day 7: Dublin City

The final stop on our 7 days in Ireland post is none other than the capital city, Dublin. Now, while 24 hours in the city is not nearly enough to see all of which it has to offer it is possible to tick off some of the highlights.

Check out my detailed guide showing you the perfect way to spend just one day in Dublin . Or, if you have more time to spend in the capital I have linked some valuable recourses down below.

• 2 Days in Dublin
• Walks in Dublin
• Free Things to do in Dublin
• Best Sunset Spots in Dublin
• Hidden Gems in Dublin

Packing for Ireland

Ireland is known for it’s unpredictable weather, so much so, that it is common to see all 4 seasons in the one day. That is why it is important to come prepared with an Ireland packing list. I have highlighted down below the tops things you need to bring on your Ireland vacation. Check out my Ireland packing guide for a more detailed list.

• Waterproof Jacket
• Hiking Boots (<- my favourite brand)
• A Day Bag (<- Also my favourite)
• A torch/Headlight (for hiking)
• A Windproof Umberella
• Travel First Aid Kit
• Water Bottle (The Tap Water is Drinkable)

Best Time of Year to Visit Ireland

This is a difficult question to answer, you may want to visit at different times of the year for different reasons.

March  is a great time to visit Ireland the weather is starting to get warmer and it’s St. Partrick’s Day on the 17th but it’s busy for that reason.

June typically is the month that gets the best weather, the summer holidays havn’t started just yet so it is not peak season but it’s starting to get busy.

September is my personal favourite time to travel Ireland, the chicldrean have gone back to school but the sun is still shinning (It’s Ireland it still rains but there is a good chance you’ll get a sunny day or two in September)

Christmas can also be a great time to visit Ireland . See the cityies dressed up in sparkling lights, visit some charming Christmas markets and well… ring in the New Year Irish Style.

No matter what time of year you decide to visit Ireland. I have no doubt that you will have an amazing time.

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this and have an amazing time on your Ireland Vacation. Feel free to send me a message on Instagram if you have anymore questions <3

PIN ME FOR LATER

Check Out my Youtube Channel

If you are planning a trip to Ireland and are looking for some visual Ireland travel guides I would love for you to check out my youtube channel. Here are some video guide that will fit in with this road trip itinerary.

• Kerry Road Trip
• West Cork Road Trip
• Things to do on Inis Oirr

Disclaimer: Please note that some blog posts on LiveAdventureTravel contain affiliate links, meaning I may make a commission on purchases through those links. This is of course at no extra cost to you. Live Adventure Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

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Best virtual tours and virtual field trips to visit Ireland from your own home!

A selection of the best virtual tours and virtual field trips in Ireland to see the beauty of the Emerald Isle without leaving your house. Perfect for armchair travelers and travel planning!

Visiting Ireland is a full-body experience.

Your eyes see the country’s beauty, your skin tickles under the caress of the Irish wind, your ears resound with the screams of the bird, your nose takes in the Irish clean air and your palate delights in the earthy Irish foods and drinks.

A virtual your will never replace these experiences however, virtual field trips or virtual tours as they are also called, can be an excellent way to get a taste of Ireland when travel is not possible or anytime you want an Ireland fix from the comfort of your own home.

I discovered virtual tours in March 2020, when world travel came to a halt, and I can’t get enough of them. Some of them are absolutely wonderful and I discovered they are a wonderful aid to travel planning.

Thanks to them, you can get a sense of a specific attraction, familiarize yourself with it, figure if it is suitable for your kids and make an educated choice about whether to then try and go see the actual thing or give it a miss altogether (that’s a totally acceptable outcome too)!

Not everywhere in Ireland is accessible by virtual tour but some locations are. This is my selection of the best virtual yours in Ireland.

The best virtual tours of Ireland for armchair traveling and travel planning

Virtual field trip to Blarney Castle, Cork

Blarney Castle in County Cork needs no presentation.

One of the most famous places in the whole of the country, it regularly features in Ireland itineraries and indeed, it is worth its fame: I find Blarney Castle on of the most beautiful places in Ireland.

Blarney deserves a visit but also has an excellent virtual tour that you can easily access from your computer.

The tour is a sequence of images that you can move around using your mouse of laptop pad and allows you to see different parts of the castle and its gardens.

My favorite part, both in real life and in the virtual yours, is the poison garden and the nearby forest! I must not be the only one to think that as this is where the tour starts!

You can access the Blarney Castle Virtual your for free here

360 degrees virtual visit of Trinity College Historical Library, Dublin

One of my favorite cultural attractions in Ireland is the wonderful Long Room, the historical library of Trinity College, in Dublin .

The library is an incredible, vast space entirely covered with books: floor to ceiling, dark wooden shelves host over 200,000 books! The library is hosted in the same building as the famous book of Kells and both can be, somehow, enjoyed online.

You can find a 360-degree interactive photo of the library here , which gives a sense of the scale and beauty of it, and you can see the Book of Kells close up here .

The Book of Kells is wonderful and actually, incredibly interesting seen this way as you can really take in the detailing, which is breathtaking!

Cliffs of Moher Virtual Tour, Co Galway

The stunning Cliffs of Moher are super photogenic so I knew a virtual tour of them would be excellent and, indeed, it is!

I find it great to visit the cliffs remotely but also as a tool to plan your visit: if you are worried about visiting the cliffs with a fear of heights, for instance, seeing what the viewing points are truly like can help you gauge suitability.

You can access the virtual on the official cliffs website here . Just click on any image you fancy to get started!

The Giants Causeway Virtual Tour, NI

The Giants Causeway is one of my favorite places in the island of Ireland and one so beautiful it literally took my breath away when I first saw it.

It was a stunning vision that seemed to mix the best of Ireland, a pacific island, Iceland and God knows what more. The causeway is truly unique.

The causeway is managed by the UK National Trust (it is in Northern Ireland) and you can access their official virtual tour here . Scroll down the page a little and click on the ‘take in the view’ button to get started.

Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

if you were visiting the Giants Causeway in real life, chances are you would also be visiting the suspended rope bridge of Carrick-a-rede, only a short drive along the same coast.

The bridge is on a wonderful stretch of coastline but it is not for people with a fear of heights: I went all the way to its start to find I was simply unable to step onto it for vertigo!

If you are like me or just want to check how scary it is, now you can: access the virtual tour here

The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

This one is for museum lovers! The Chester Beatty Library is a wonderful museum in the grounds of Dublin Castle, hosting a world-renown collection of manuscripts and rare books from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.

The collection is beautiful in real life but worth exploring virtually too.

You can access both the virtual tour of the museum and their digital library clicking here

Cobh Heritage Centre and Titanic Experience, Co Cork

The town of Cobh is famous for being the last stop of the Titanic, as well as more generally an important emigration port.

Cobh preserves the memory of these events with two different attractions, the Cobh Heritage Centre and the Titanic experience, covering respectively the experience of the over 6 million people who had to emigrate from Ireland by sea between 1848 and 1950 and the story of the fateful Titanic trip.

We visited the heritage center in person and found it amazing for both adults and kids.

You can access the heritage centre here or virtually have the Titanic Experience clicking here

Ashford Castle, Co Mayo virtual tour

If you have been researching castle hotels in Ireland, chances are you have come across the wonderful Ashford Castle one of the most beautiful, luxurious and truly regal castle hotels in Ireland.

A night here is not cheap and if take a peek inside, you will immediately see why! Have a look and start dreaming clicking here

Virtual tour of Kylemore Abbey, Galway

Kylemore Abbey is another heavyweight among Irish attractions. Its beauty comes mostly from the beautiful natural surrounding around it, however, it still shines through if see through a screen.

You can access this Irish virtual your here but make sure you click on the double arrow in the lower right corner: the interactive images of the nature surrounding the Abbey are simply wonderful.

Newgrange passage tomb, Co Meath, virtual tour

The Neolithic passage tomb of Newgrange is beautiful, unique, historically significant and one of the only 2 UNESCO world heritage sites in Ireland (the other one is Skellig Michaels).

Visiting Newgrange in real life is worth it but often hard, due to the high demand and the fact that only small groups can enter at any given time, however, visiting virtually is easy!

Have a look here: this virtual tour is great and a godsend if you want to visit Newgrange but suffer from claustrophobia!

Skelling Michael Virtual Tour, Co Kerry

Skelling Michael is one of the hardest places to access in Ireland, due to the moody waters that surround this rugged island and the slippery path leading up its ancient monastic settlement.

We haven’t been yet (you cannot go with kids) so this 360 interactive image is as close as we could get!

I hope you enjoyed this selection of the best virtual tours of Ireland you can enjoy from home. I will keep adding as I find more, save this post for later and come back to check what we found!

Safe travels to Ireland.

Mama Loves Ireland

Céad míle fáilte! A thousand times welcome! I am a travel-loving Italian Mama lucky enough to call Ireland her home. Let my articles help you plan your trip to Ireland and get ready to fall in love with the Emerald Isle, just like I did. With love. M x

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What type of clothing should I pack?

Ireland has a saying: There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. In other words, a little planning goes a long way. "Packing for Irish weather can be summed up in one word: layers", says Gerry Britt, veteran visitor to Ireland from Virginia, USA. "T-shirts, light sweaters, a good waterproof jacket and a waterproof hat."

But it's not ALL about layers: do pack swimwear for Ireland's magnificent beaches. "They'll be golden, glorious, usually deserted and begging for you to dive straight in," says Gerry, who also advises bringing sunglasses to protect your eyes from hail, rain and wind – and the sun, when it does shine.

"Last, but not least, walking is one of the pleasures of Ireland so bring a solid pair of walking boots or at least a comfortable pair of trainers."

Once the rain stops and the sun comes out, you’ll be in awe of the scenery before you can shake the drops off your jacket. Gerry Britt, Virginia, USA

Connemara National Park, County Galway

Hiking in Connemara

What currency is used in Ireland?

The currency used in the Republic of Ireland is the euro (€) while Northern Ireland's currency is the pound sterling (£). When crossing between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland you can exchange your money in shops, gas stations, bureaux de change and banks. You should also check the exchange rate when changing money.

ATMs are found all over the country and it's a convenient way of dealing with your money during your stay.

Credit cards

Visa and Mastercard are widely used, while American Express cards may not always be accepted. Credit cards can be used for purchases and also to access money from ATMs. Each ATM has a list of card symbols that can be used there (bank charges may apply).

Ireland has a "chip and pin" system for debit and credit card purchases, which means you key your pin into a pinpad. If your card doesn't have a chip, most retailers will still accept it and you can just sign for your purchases.

Traveller's checks are not widely used and most banks won't accept them, so bring cash or cards instead.

County Antrim

Capturing the County Antrim scenery

What electronics should I bring?

Smartphones, e-readers, tablets and laptops – where would we be without them? If you're planning to bring your favourite devices with you when you travel, here's what you need to know. Plugs in Ireland are three-pronged and the electricity supply is 230v/50hz. Bring an adapter so you can keep your devices charged up. And consider a portable power bank to avoid the dreaded dead battery.

Galway City, County Galway

Shopping in the city

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Traveling Canucks

Canada Family Travel Blog

The perfect Ireland road trip itinerary for families

04/01/2023 By Traveling Canucks 36 Comments Categories: Family Travel Tips Ireland Top Lists Travel Stories Travel Tips Trip Ideas

A few years ago, we took an unforgettable family road trip around Ireland and Northern Ireland. Shortly after returning, we wrote a blog post that shares the highlights from this road trip . However, I realize that we did not write a detailed blog post about the actual Ireland road trip itinerary.

Let’s fix that today, shall we!

Skip ahead using the Table of Contents below.

Ireland Road Trip Itinerary for Families

Table of Contents

This post was originally published in 2017. We reviewed and updated this post in April 2024. That’s why our boys look much younger in the photos. 

Road trips are always a good idea. Especially with young kids.

We love the freedom and flexibility you get while being on the open road. The freedom to choose where you want to go, when you want to go, and how fast you want to go. You can slow things down or speed things up – it’s entirely up to you!

The first cut of our itinerary was built around visiting the top attractions in Ireland – Dublin,  Blarney Castle , Cliffs of Moher and Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. This post shares a solid 10 day Ireland itinerary.

Reflecting on previous road trips with our boys, we’ve added a few more requirements:

• Spend no more than 3 hours of drive time each day
• Find hotels that have a swimming pool
• Try to spend two nights at each hotel to reduce the packing and unpacking
• Include one kid-friendly activity each day
• Pick-up and drop off the car rental at the Dublin airport

We spent a few weeks experimenting with different itineraries. Our flights arrive and depart from Dublin. This provides an easy start and finish point. However, after spending a few days in Dublin , should we go north, south or west?

This post shares our recommended 2 week Ireland road trip.

Dublin – Nights 1, 2 & 3

We spent our first 3 nights in Dublin. Our first night was spent recovering from jet-lag and getting used to our new environment. It’s a 9 hour time difference from Vancouver, so that messed with our boy’s internal clocks. Big time. It took a solid 3 days for them to adjust.

We did NOT pick up the rental car when we arrived at the Dublin airport.

We knew we’d be very tired after the 10 hour overnight flight and we didn’t want to risk getting lost or in an accident because we weren’t thinking straight.

Remember – Ireland drives on the left side of the road.

It wouldn’t have been a good idea to drive on the opposite side of the road, in a new city, after 13 hours of travel with two boys under five years old. It sounded like an awful idea, actually.

Related:  25 Photos from our trip to Dublin

Fortunately, we had a family member pick us up at the airport and bring us back to her place. Our flight arrived at 8:00 AM but the apartment rental was not available until 4:00 PM. We needed sleep and didn’t want to deal with the hassle of picking up the rental car with low energy.

We did not intend to actually start the road trip until Day 4, so it didn’t make sense to pay for additional car rental days and expensive city parking (30 Euros per day).

Instead, we picked up the rental car on Day 3 (the day before leaving Dublin).

This gave us plenty of time to explore Dublin, acclimate to the new city and get some experience with left-handed cross walks. We took a taxi to the airport and drove the car back to the apartment.

Day 1 was spent adjusting from the nasty jet-lag, which left us with two full days to explore Dublin. We did a lot of walking along the River Liffey and Temple Bar Distric t and we visited the Guinness Storehouse , which was a lot of fun and worth the visit.

Family travel tip – the pubs in Ireland are very kid friendly. Unlike Canada, this means you can enjoy a pint of Guinness at the pub/bar  with your kids in tow. No babysitters, yeah!

Where to stay in Dublin?

We rented an apartment in the Spencer Dock neighborhood. It’s located on the east side of Dublin, north of the River Liffey. It’s a nice, clean area that is relatively central. From here, you can easily walk to the Temple Bar district in 25 minutes.

We stayed at the IFSC Dublin City Apartments . It’s a two bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and separate living space. It’s modern, clean and priced well. We would recommend staying here.

Search for more Ireland vacation rentals here .

Blarney & Cobh – Night’s 4 & 5

We chose Blarney as our next destination because of it’s close proximity to both Cork and Cobh.

Blarney is most famously known as home of the  Blarney Castle  (and kissing the Blarney Stone).

We decided to spend two nights in Blarney because we wanted one full day to visit the castle and also visit Cobh, an adorable seaside village that was the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912.

The drive from Dublin to Blarney

Leaving Dublin, we traveled south on the M50 and connected to the N11. We drove through Bray and continued south to the M11. This was a nice, easy stretch of highway.

We stopped in Enniscorthy for lunch. It took us an hour to drive from Dublin to Enniscorthy . Although, we did get a little lost trying to get out of Dublin. It’s a cute town with an old castle in the center. We spent 1.5 hours in Enniscorthy and then continued south on the N30, towards New Ross. Then we travelled south on N25 towards Youghal, passing Waterford and Dungarvan.

We spent about an hour in Youghal. The drive from Enniscorthy to Youghal took us about 1.5 hours. We ran into some construction on the way, so that slowed us down. We continued from Youghal to Blarney, which took about 45 minutes. The full trip took about 6 hours, with two stops that accounted for 2.5 hours.

At most, we spent about 1.5 hours in the car between stops.

If you want to get from Dublin to Blarney or Cork faster, take the M8, which is the main highway. This would take approximately 3.5 hours of straight driving.

Related:  Top 10 Ireland Attractions you must visit

Cobh, County Cork

Although the weather was wet and overcast, we really enjoyed visiting Cobh. It’s one of our favourite spots on this Ireland road trip itinerary.

We love the old architecture and colourful buildings in Cobh (see photos above). We hopped on a tourist train that took us around town and showed us the highlights. After a delicious lunch of seafood chowder and warm bread, we strolled along the historic waterfront and snapped a few photos before leaving.

We spent about 3 hours in Cobh. It took us about 45 minutes to drive from Blarney to Cobh.

After Cobh, we visited the iconic Blarney Castle.

When we arrived at the front entrance it was pouring rain. We contemplated skipping the attraction but decided to brave the rain. Good thing we did. By the time we made it to the top of the castle it was sunny and warm (see above photo).

We wrote a blog post about our visit to the Blarney Castle. You can read it here .

Where to stay in Blarney?

We stayed at the Blarney Golf Resort , located just outside the town of Blarney in the countryside. We stayed here because it’s located very close to Blarney Castle and, most importantly, it has a swimming pool. Our boys love pool time much more than sightseeing. 

We really enjoyed our stay at this hotel. The restaurant is nice and the rooms are spacious. Because the property is in the country, it’s quiet and peaceful in the evenings. Our boys had fun running on the grass fields, swimming in the pool and playing in the mini-playground/kids room. 

If you’re travelling with kids, we would recommend this property.

Related:  The Blarney Castle – is it worth visiting?

Ennis or Limerick – Night 6

This is the point in the road trip where you have decisions to make..

If you want to tackle the southern part of the Wild Atlantic Way , you can head south from Cork towards the coast. You can also venture west, towards Killarney. The southwestern coast of Ireland is said to have some of the most beautiful landscapes on the island.

You could dedicate an entire week to this region.

We made the decision to skip this coastal region because it would have meant many hours of driving each day. If we weren’t traveling with our boys we probably would have spent more time driving the southern section of the Wild Atlantic Way . However, asking them to spend 6-7 hours per day in the car is too much for them at this age.

Drive from Blarney to Limerick

We traveled from Blarney to Limerick and stayed one night at the Absolute Hotel Limerick . It’s a nice boutique hotel with modern decor and spacious rooms. The breakfast buffet is awesome.

However, if we had to do it over, we would probably stay in Ennis instead. Limerick is fine, but there wasn’t much to do and the traffic was quite frustrating. The riverfront walk is nice and  King John’s Castle is quite impressive.

Ennis is a traditional Irish town that’s loaded with character. It has narrow streets, historical buildings and it is much smaller than Limerick.

If you decide to stay in Ennis , check out the  Treacy’s West County Hotel . It has fun bunk beds for kids and a swimming pool. Overall, it  looks like a great family hotel. And it’s priced well.

The drive from Blarney to Limerick

We left Blarney and drove north on the N20, towards Mallow. The goal for the day was to visit the Rock of Cashel , another top attraction in Ireland. It’s not really on the way to Limerick, but it only adds an hour or two to the drive time. At Mallow, we took the N73 east towards the M8.

We stopped in the town of Cahir to have lunch and check out Cahir Castle . We were pleasantly surprised by Cahir Castle and didn’t understand why it’s not higher on the list of top tourist attractions in Ireland .

After about two hours in Cahir we realized we didn’t leave enough time to properly visit the Rock of Cashel. It also started to rain heavily, so we decided to skip it and push on to Limerick.

We arrived in Limerick during rush hour, which was not a good idea.

The traffic congestion and one way streets in Limerick are quite frustrating. You can bypass Limerick and take the N18 to Ennis instead. Add another 30 minutes of drive time.

Cliffs of Moher

The reason we spent a night in Limerick was because we wanted to visit the magnificent Cliffs of Moher (pictured above). Arguably Ireland’s most impressive natural attraction, the Cliffs of Moher should be included on every Ireland road trip itinerary.

It took us about 1.5 hours to get from Limerick to the Cliffs of Moher. We passed the charming seaside towns of Lahinch and Liscannor along the way. Both of these towns are also good options for a one night stay, instead of Limerick.

If you have a stroller, bring it with you. It can get quite windy along the cliffs, so jackets and sweaters are recommended (evening if it feels warm outside). We also suggest you bring a blanket for the kids and plenty of snacks. There is a cafeteria at the facility.

We spent about 2 hours at the Cliffs of Moher.

Related:  You MUST see the Cliffs of Moher. Here’s why.

The drive from Limerick to Galway City

After the Cliffs of Moher we drove a section of the Wild Atlantic Way towards the city of Galway. The coastal drive is quite narrow and windy. Although the actual distance is not far (about 75 km), it took us about 3 hours to get from the Cliffs of Moher to Galway. We couldn’t drive much faster than 30-40 km/hr.

The views and landscapes on the south side of Galway Bay are spectacular. Rolling green hills, stone-walled twisty roads, dramatic sea cliffs, ancient stone castles. It’s exactly what you’d expect when you think of Ireland.

Family travel tip – bring children’s Gravol for the drive. When we say the roads are windy, we mean really windy. Our oldest boy is prone to car sickness. He did not enjoy this part of the road trip.

Make sure you spend time at Dunguaire Castle . See below.

Galway – Night’s 7 & 8

Next on our Ireland road trip, we spent two nights in Galway . We wanted one full day to explore the city and knew we’d arrive late after our day at the Cliffs of Moher. Galway City is a big, bustling city. It’s one of the bigger cities in Ireland.

Unfortunately, our sightseeing plans were dampened by the rain.

We decided to escape the rain by visiting the  Galway Atlantaquaria , Ireland’s largest Native Aquarium. It’s not a big aquarium but it has plenty of exhibits to keep the little ones entertained on a rainy day.

Where to stay in Galway?

We stayed at the Clayton Hotel Galway . The location is ideal for road trippers because it’s next to the N6 highway. But there’s nothing else around and it’s far from the city center. You will need to drive or taxi to the city center from this hotel.

The room we stayed in was quite big and spacious. The hotel has a swimming pool and the onsite pub is quite good. It was a comfortable stay. We would recommend this property for road trippers, but not for people who want to be closer to the action.

Sligo – Night’s 9 & 10

After Galway, we drive north to the town of Sligo. A highlight from our time in Sligo was exploring the Sligo Abbey , an old abbey ruin originally built in 1253 and restored several times over the years.

The boys had fun running around the grounds pretending they are brave knights fighting the ghosts that lived in the shadows of the old stone buildings. They make us laugh.

After Sligo Abbey, we visit Strandhill , an Atlantic facing coastal village located 5 miles west of Sligo. We explored the tall grassy sand dunes on the beach and stopped into Mammy Johnston’s Ice Cream Parlour for some tasty homemade ice cream and hot cafe lattes.

Where to stay in Sligo?

We stayed at the  Radisson Blu Hotel Sligo . The hotel has a great indoor swimming pool and the food at the pub style restaurant is quite good. The breakfast spread is also very good. Our room was clean and modern but it was small and the air conditioner did not work, so it got quite hot at night.

The hotel is located outside the city center but it’s still a great location. It’s about a 10 minute drive from the hotel to the city center.

The drive from Galway to Sligo

We decided to break up our drive from Galway to Sligo with a visit to the Kiltimagh Pet Farm . It was a good idea to add a kid-friendly activity each day. It gave us negotiating power when they started getting cranky and resistant to the long drive times in the car.

The Kiltimagh farm is not very big, but it has enough animals to keep the kids busy for an hour or two. We had a little trouble finding the place because it’s located in the countryside.

The drive took about 4 hours, including the visit to the farm.

Portrush, Northen Ireland – Night’s 11 & 12

The next stop on our Ireland road trip is Portrush in Northern Ireland. Our plan is to visit the popular Giant’s Causeway, so we need a home base for a few nights.

Portrush is a perfect family destination in Ireland.

It’s home to Barry’s Amusement Park , the largest theme park in Northern Ireland. It first opened it’s doors in 1926 and it still has a 1950’s vibe. The town has several other arcades and game rooms, which made our boys quite happy.

The seaside resort town is widely known for its sandy beaches and world class golf courses. We enjoyed wandering the streets and admiring the architecture in the old part of town.

It’s not very big, but it’s very walkable and stroller friendly (in most places).

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Where to stay in Portrush?

We stayed at the Portrush Atlantic Hotel . The location is excellent. It’s located in the heart of the old town, a stone’s throw from the water. Our room was ocean facing, which was nice. The rooms are small but functional and comfortable.

The restaurant in the hotel is good. We ate dinner there twice and enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere (but that might be the delicious Guinness talking). Breakfast was included. It was a traditional buffet style with the standard British items you’d expect.

We would recommend staying at this hotel.

The drive from Sligo to Portrush

It rained heavily on our drive from Sligo to Portrush, so we decided to skip the sightseeing and drive directly to Portrush. We stopped at a gas station to fuel up and get a snack, but that was it. The whole trip took about 3.5 hours, from door to door.

Related –  20 Photos that from the Giant’s Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland

Similar to the Cliffs of Moher, every Ireland road trip should include the Giant’s Causeway . It’s no surprise that this mythical place has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Located on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, near the town of Bushmills, the Giant’s Causeway is an area of over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of intense volcanic and geological activity.

We visited this popular attraction because it came highly recommended by almost everyone we know that has visited Ireland. It did not disappoint. The massive sea cliffs on the northern coast are truly out of this world.

This was a clear highlight from road trip around Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Belfast – Night 13

After Portrush and the Giant’s Causeway  we drove directly to Belfast , the capital of Northern Ireland. We had originally planned to visit the Dark Hedges  in Ballymoney but our boys fell asleep shortly after we hit the road (we visited the amusement park in Portrush before the drive). We decided it was best to not wake them.

The drive from Portrush to Belfast is actually quite short. It only took us 1.5 hours from hotel to hotel.

We were pleasantly surprised by Belfast.

It’s much more modern that we had envisioned. We only dedicated one night in Belfast, but that was an oversight. If we were to do it all over again we would spend at least two nights in Belfast.

The weather wasn’t great during our time in Belfast, but we did spend some time walking around the city. We also visited the popular  Titanic Museum .

If you plan to visit the Titanic Museum (you should, it’s awesome), we suggest you look at when cruise ships are in town – and plan around that. A cruise ship was in port when we visited and it was very  busy.

Where to stay in Belfast?

We stayed at The Hilton Belfast . It’s located on the banks of the Lagan River, only a two-minute walk to the city center and 15 minute drive to Belfast City Airport. It’s also only a 10 minute drive to the Titanic Museum and it’s close to the main highway that connects Belfast to Dublin.

We scored big time at this hotel!

We were upgraded to the Executive Suite on the penthouse floor. The luxurious suite we stayed in was incredible. We felt like royalty. Our boys loved watching the trains, planes and boats from the amazing 15th floor views (see above photo). We would recommend this property.

Belfast to Dublin – Night 14

Our final day was spent driving from belfast to dublin..

We visited the Titanic Musem in the morning, which is stop 5 on the  hop on hop off belfast tour, and hit the road after lunch. The drive is all highway, so it’s fast and easy. It took us about 2.5 hours with a roadside bathroom break included.

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza  near the Dublin Airport.

We had an early morning departure the following day, so we decided to return the rental car the evening before. One less headache to deal with on a travel day. We spent our final evening at the hotel before our long flight from Dublin to Vancouver. 

We had a blast on this Ireland road trip.

Of course, there are still so many Ireland attractions that we missed. I suppose that means we’ll just have to come back again!

Read more posts from our trip to Ireland:

• Traveling to Ireland for the first time? Here’s what you need to know
• You can’t go to Ireland and not see these top 10 Ireland attractions
• 20 Photos that will make you want to visit the Giant’s Causeway
• The Blarney Castle in Ireland – is it worth visiting?
• 25 Photos that will make you want to visit Dublin, Ireland

Have you visited Ireland? Did you do a road trip?

What did we miss? What would you do differently?

Share your feedback and recommendations in the comments section below. We’d love to read about your adventure and our readers are grateful for the additional information.

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06/04/2017 at 1:09 pm

Loved the article! Following you on each leg really gave me a good idea of what Ireland is like. We had just gone on a cruise to the British Isles and visited some of the places you went to. On our next visit I’d like to see more of the country side via a road trip like you did. More of a land tour. And what you said about Belfast, we too were pleasantly surprised by how clean, modern, and friendly the city is. We really didn’t spend any time there and regret it! your article was clear and easy to follow. The format was great! (With the pictures and descriptions) I was reading it on flipboard. Send me a link on other trips you’ve taken in Europe, I’d love to read about them. Aloha!

06/04/2017 at 1:20 pm

Love your article, there were a lot of great ideas on places to visit and where to stay.in Ireland. I would love to use the Budget gift card to rent a car and do a road trip through Iceland. I have been wanting to do this for years so hopefully I will get there in the near future.

06/04/2017 at 1:46 pm

Awesome article. I’ve been dreaming of a trip to Ireland and the highlands of Scotland.

06/04/2017 at 6:46 pm

I will go to Colorado.

06/04/2017 at 7:00 pm

I would use it this summer when we go out west for my cousins wedding.

06/04/2017 at 10:29 pm

I will travel to UK and Scotland.

06/04/2017 at 10:56 pm

I would go to San Diego, CA!

06/05/2017 at 12:40 am

Great info. Any info on central Europe?

06/05/2017 at 1:43 pm

I would travel to Las Vegas!

06/06/2017 at 7:29 am

I would travel to Orlando, FL with it.

06/06/2017 at 8:39 pm

I would take my 6 year old son to Disneyland.

06/07/2017 at 5:12 am

Love this! We just got back from a road trip around Ireland and Northern Ireland with our 2 year old. We loved it so much, people were so wonderful with the baby and we LOVED the pubs. Our favourite stop was Bunratty Castle. I had taken it off our trip itinerary because we thought it was too much driving, but a friend from Ennis, Ireland insisted that we put it back on lol. We were glad we did, it was probably our favourite stop! We also loved Killarney National Park, we spent an entire day wandering around the park, farm and taking a horse and carriage ride. Love Ireland so much!

06/07/2017 at 5:15 am

Totally agree with the commenter who said they would go to Iceland. It’s high on my list, and after renting a car in Ireland, I don’t think I could go back to taking buses!

06/07/2017 at 10:22 am

I would like to take a road trip across Canada!

06/08/2017 at 4:15 pm

Great post!!

06/10/2017 at 11:24 am

This is the most thorough post on Ireland I’ve ever read!

I’m dreaming of road trips around Scotland and Utah/Arizona right now!

06/10/2017 at 10:51 pm

We would take a road trip with our kids down the Oregon coast!

06/13/2017 at 5:56 am

Well, Not so much heard about Ireland before. Looks like more than descent place. Specially Cliffs of Moher is something I am looking for. Nice pictures too!

06/16/2017 at 9:55 am

I would use it to go to Banff! We are flying to see my family in Cranbrook and I would love to rent a car to go check out Banff – it looks beautiful!

06/16/2017 at 9:57 am

Gorgeous pics! Ireland is one of my dream destinations! I would use the gift certificate during our fall trip home to Nova Scotia

06/16/2017 at 12:20 pm

We hope to either do a road trip in Iceland or Spain!!!

06/16/2017 at 4:14 pm

I would do a road trip on Prince Edward Island!

06/17/2017 at 8:39 am

Would love to take a road trip to visit my Dad, been quite some time since our last visit.

06/18/2017 at 3:29 am

I would drive out to Alberta!

06/18/2017 at 10:25 am

I would take a road trip to Eerie, PA.

06/18/2017 at 12:57 pm

I loved reading all about your Ireland adventure! It has been a dream for our family to visit my late husband’s heritage land and hopefully one day we will get there.

I would take a trip to visit my grandchildren on the East Coast – would be fun to take a road trip from CA to VA!

06/18/2017 at 6:43 pm

I would take a road trip up to Kirkland Lake, ON, to visit my family that I rarely get to see.

07/21/2017 at 5:40 pm

This is a wonderful post. As I commented on another post were in Ireland a couple weeks after you. We were traveling with 13 and 16 year old boys though. We went north from Dublin and stayed in Belfast first. If you go back, I would highly recommend a “black cab tour” of Belfast. I think it was my favorite part of the trip. The cab driver takes you around Belfast and tells you the history and points out historical places and areas that are still divided. We even got to sign our name on the peace wall. We stayed at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. No pool, but it known as the most bombed hotel in Europe. Then we traveled west along the coast (amazing drive and views). We visited the Carrick-A-Rede bridge. This was fun and offered outstanding views (I might have been nervous if my boys were little though). We had someone take our picture with Scotland in the background. We drove on to the Giant’s Causeway. It was pouring rain at that time, so we cut it short. But did visit the shop and see some of the Basalt columns. Then we drove to Donegal, via the ferry (which was cool, as we had not been one before). The next day we drove back to Portrush and Barry’s Amusement park. The next day we left Donegal and drove to Derry/Londonderry (depending who you ask). This is the only walled city in Europe that skill has its walls completely standing. We climbed to the top of the wall and were able to walk completely around the city. There was a lot of historical displays to see and read. This was my 2nd favorite stop. Then we drove into the midlands. We stayed at Dunnboyne Castle Hotel (I was not impressed with the service) but the grounds were nice and there was part of the original castle there to explore where the hotel was built. From there we visited The Hill of Tara, which was honestly less impressive than I expected. As historical stuff goes it was cool, but it was about a 4 foot tall rock. The Church turned visitor center and the cemetery were neat. The next day we went to Bru Na Boine and Newgrange, which is a 4000 year old tomb. This was my husband’s favorite part of the trip. The tomb was built to let light in during the winter solstice and light up the tomb. They imitated what it would look like and it was awesome that people so long ago had the skills to design this.

As you see our trip was more geared to older children and adults. We didn’t make it to southern or western Ireland at all. We are already planning our next trip. We fell in love with Ireland. See your posts makes me want to blog our trip 🙂

07/26/2017 at 11:29 am

Thanks for sharing Sheri! It sounds like you had a great trip.

08/06/2017 at 1:43 am

Those sea cliffs are breathtaking!

12/13/2017 at 5:37 am

Thanks a lot Cam and Nicole Wears for sharing your lovely article.

I can’t even think to plan and travel to all these places as you both did. I donno about what places you have missed out but really am pleased and fell in love with Ireland. Among all the places I loved Cliffs of Moher. Love to visit again and again… And moreover you have provided lot of informative stuff of visiting places and where to stay. I really wish, if I could make a road trip along with my family to Ireland.

01/14/2018 at 10:04 am

Great article! Just curious if you know what you approximately spent on hotels/rental car?

01/15/2018 at 9:08 am

I don’t recall the exact number, but the car rental was quite reasonable. It was around $600-$700 for 10 days. The hotels varied but were in the $150-$250 range. We chose hotels that had pools, so that increased the cost.

01/16/2018 at 9:13 pm

Thanks for the info 🙂

06/30/2019 at 1:51 pm

If you were to do this for 6 nights, what would you recommend?

07/01/2019 at 2:07 pm

I’m not sure I understand the question – are you asking if you could do this 12 day itinerary in 6 days? If so, then I would not recommend this itinerary. You would feel way too rushed.

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Ireland, Spain, Norway moving closer to recognising a Palestinian state

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez says declarations on Palestine will be made “when the conditions are appropriate”.

Ireland and Norway are both moving closer to recognising Palestinian statehood, leaders of the two countries expressed separately after meetings with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who also champions the move.

Ireland wants to recognise Palestine soon , but in a coordinated action with Spain and more European nations, the country’s Prime Minister Simon Harris said after meeting Sanchez in Dublin on Friday.

Keep reading

Are more european nations finally moving to recognise palestine statehood, red cross: do not normalise what is happening in gaza, several countries issue travel warnings over israel-iran tensions.

Earlier in the day, Sanchez travelled to Oslo, where Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said his country also “stands ready” to recognise Palestine together with “like-minded countries”.

Sanchez said Spain wants to recognise Palestine “as soon as possible”, leveraging the move as a way to gain momentum for a definitive peace process.

The current efforts come as the mounting deaths, starvation and infrastructure damage in the besieged Gaza Strip due to Israel’s war have resulted in growing international criticism.

Within Europe, the concerns about Israel’s war on Gaza have also led to shifting positions – including more nations considering the possibility of recognising Palestine.

Last month, Spain and Ireland, long champions of Palestinian rights, announced alongside Malta and Slovenia that they would jointly work towards the recognition of a Palestinian state. They said they were “ready to recognise Palestine” in a move that would happen when “the circumstances are right”.

On Friday, after meeting Sanchez, Harris said, “Let me this evening say our assessment is that that point is coming much closer and we would like to move together in doing so.”

“The people of Palestine have long sought the dignity of their own country and sovereignty –  a home that like Ireland and Spain can take its place amongst the nations of the Earth.”

Sanchez said that willing countries would make their declarations “when the conditions are appropriate” and that they would support the new Palestinian state becoming “a full member of the United Nations”.

The Spanish leader has repeatedly angered Israel with his outspoken comments since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, while Harris has already drawn a rebuke from the Israeli government this week.

Israel told the four European Union countries that committed to moving towards Palestinian recognition that their initiative would amount to a “prize for terrorism” that would reduce the chances of a negotiated resolution to the generations-old conflict.

Norway ‘stands ready’

“Norway stands ready to recognise the state of Palestine,” Norwegian Prime Minister Store, whose country is a part of the Schengen zone but not the EU, told a joint news conference with Sanchez earlier on Friday.

“We have not set a firm timetable,” he added, saying a decision on Palestine’s recognition would need to be taken in close coordination with “like-minded countries”.

In November, Norway’s parliament adopted a government proposal for the country to be prepared to recognise an independent Palestinian state.

Norway also hosted Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at the beginning of the 1990s, which led to the Oslo Accords.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 33,600 Palestinians and injured more than 76,000 others since October 7. A Hamas attack on southern Israel before the war killed about 1,100 people there.

In all, 139 out of 193 UN member states recognise Palestine as a state.