Itinerary #1: Classic Ireland Road Trip
Grab the car keys and hit the road for this wide-ranging adventure that takes you to islands, castles, national parks, the scenic Ring of Kerry, and the amazing Cliffs of Moher, to name just a few highlights.
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Dublin | Dublin |
Day 2 | Explore Glendalough Trail | Laragh |
Day 3 | Travel to Cork via the Rock of Cashel | Cork |
Day 4 | Travel to Killarney via Kinsale | Killarney |
Day 5 | Tour Killarney | Killarney |
Day 6 | Visit the Ring of Kerry | Killarney |
Day 7 | Explore Dingle Peninsula | Killarney |
Day 8 | Stroll the Cliffs of Moher | Doolin |
Day 9 | Travel to Galway | Galway |
Day 10 | Discover Inis Mor Island | Doolin |
Day 11 | Hike Connemara National Park | Westport |
Day 12 | Travel to Westport & Derry | Londonderry |
Day 13 | Drive the Antrim Coastline & Giants Causeway | Belfast |
Day 14 | Departure From Dublin |
Start the trip in Dublin, then go for a hike on Glendalough Trail on Day 2 before driving to Cork, stopping to see the Rock of Cashel on the way. Then it's off to Killarney on Day 4. You'll spend a few days in the area, touring Killarney Castle and detouring to the scenic Ring of Kerry on Day 6. Explore the Dingle Peninsula on Day 7, returning to Killarney to sleep.
Midway through the trip, depart Killarney and drive toward Doolin, getting out of the car to walk along the striking Cliffs of Moher. Continue on to Galway, where you'll have time to explore the city before heading out to Inis Mor Island. You'll visit two national parks in the next few days: Connemara National Park and Glenveagh National Park. Then enjoy the last day's drive along the beautiful Antrim coastline, including a visit to the geological wonders of Giants Causeway, before ending up in Belfast, where you'll spend the last night of the itinerary. Learn more
Itinerary #2: Hiking the Dingle Way & Slea Head
On this outdoorsy itinerary, you'll walk along steep cliffs, explore picturesque villages, relax on remote beaches, and hike to the summit of Mount Brandon.
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Tralee - Explore | Tralee |
Day 2 | Tralee to Camp via the Dingle Way | Camp |
Day 3 | Visit Inch Beach as you Hike to Annascaul | Annascaul |
Day 4 | Explore Annascaul's Mountains and Beaches | Annascaul |
Day 5 | Walk to Dingle with Views of Connor Pass | Dingle Town |
Day 6 | Explore the Town of Dingle | Dingle Town |
Day 7 | Speedboat to the Blasket Islands | Dingle Town |
Day 8 | See "Beehive" Huts on the Way to Dunquin | Dunquin |
Day 9 | Visit the Irish-speaking Village of Ballydavid | Ballydavid |
Day 10 | Cross Brandon Massif to Cloghane | Cloghane |
Day 11 | Summit Mount Brandon | Cloghane |
Day 12 | Cloghane to Castlegregory via Fermoyle Beach | Castlegregory |
Day 13 | Return to Tralee | Tralee |
Day 14 | Depart |
The adventure begins in Tralee in County Kerry. Get some rest before the next day's hike along the Dingle Way to Camp. Spend some time relaxing on Inca Beach, a stop along the hike to Annascaul on Day 3. You'll explore the mountains and beaches around Annascaul before continuing on to Dingle Town. Base yourself in this colorful village for the next few nights, day-tripping to the Blasket Islands on a speedboat on Day 7.
You'll continue onto Slea Head midway through the trip, seeing "beehive" huts—ancient dwellings made with stone—on your way to Dunquin. The walk takes you to the Irish-speaking village of Ballydavid next, then along Brandon Massif to Cloghane. Spend the night there before hiking to the summit of Mount Brandon on Day 11. Finish up the trip with a walk along Fermoyle Beach to Castlegregory, where you'll rest for the night. Head back to Tralee on Day 13, and enjoy one last Irish-style meal in town before ending the trip on Day 14. Learn more
Itinerary #3: Cycle the Northern Ireland Coast
Pedal your way across Northern Ireland on this active trip plan that features a bike ride—ranging from easy 15-mile loops to more rigorous 32-mile routes—every day for two weeks.
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Donegal Town | Donegal |
Day 2 | Ride to Killybegs- 24 miles | Killybegs |
Day 3 | Ride to Glencolmbkille - 39 miles | Glencolumbkille |
Day 4 | Ride to Glenties- 25 miles | Glenties |
Day 5 | Portnoo Loop Ride- 32 miles | Glenties |
Day 6 | Ride to Annagry- 28 miles | Anagaire |
Day 7 | Ride to Letterkenny- 27 miles | Letterkenny |
Day 8 | Ride to Derry- 27 miles | Derry |
Day 9 | Ride to Moville- 23 miles | Moville |
Day 10 | Ride to Portstewart - 23 miles | Portstewart |
Day 11 | Giant's Causeway & Ballycastle - 21 miles | Ballycastle |
Day 12 | Ride to Cushendall - 18 miles | Cushendall |
Day 13 | Glens of Antrim Loop Ride - 15 miles | Cushendall |
Day 14 | Departure |
Begin the trip in Donegal Town. You'll get fitted for a bike before taking off on the 24-mile ride to Killybegs on Day 2, enjoying views of Donegal Bay along the journey. Rest before the next day's long ride to Glencolmbkille. You'll stop to see the cliffs at Slieve League during the trip. Continue on to Glenties and do the Portnoo Loop Ride—a 32-mile ride past historic forts and stone landmarks—on Day five. The 28-mile cycle to Annagry, up next, offers views of uninhabited islands off the coast.
At the halfway point of the trip, you'll overnight in Letterkenny, then ride to Derry (27 miles), Moville (23 miles), and Portstewart (23 miles). From there, you'll pedal to Giant's Causeway—one of Ireland's great natural landmarks—and Ballycastle. The trip wraps up with a relatively easy 18-mile cycle to Cushendall, where you'll spend the night and the beautiful 15-mile Glens of Antrim Loop. Relax in Cushendall on the last night of the trip before returning your bike and heading out on day 14. Learn more
Itinerary #4: Wild Atlantic Way Self-Drive Adventure
Drive past dramatic scenery, from windswept cliffs to secluded beaches, on this awe-inspiring road trip along one of the world's longest coastal routes.
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Dublin | Dublin |
Day 2 | Tour the Rock of Cashel - Cork | Cork |
Day 3 | Cork to Kenmare (the Sheep's Head Loop drive) | Kenmare |
Day 4 | Beara Way & Gleninchaquinn Park | Kenmare |
Day 5 | Ring of Kerry to Dingle | Dingle Town |
Day 6 | Dingle Free Day | Dingle Town |
Day 7 | Cliffs of Moher | Doolin |
Day 8 | Explore Galway | Galway |
Day 9 | Connemara National Park & Clifden | Clifden, Co Galway |
Day 10 | Sky Road Cycle/hike | Westport |
Day 11 | Achill Island | Westport |
Day 12 | Westport to Donegal Town | Donegal |
Day 13 | Slieve League and back to Dublin | Dublin |
Day 14 | Departure |
After one afternoon and evening in Dublin, you'll take to the open road on Day 2. Drive to the Rock of Cashel, then continue on to Cork, where you'll spend the night. The scenic Sheep's Head Loop drive awaits on Day 3; you'll overnight in Kenmare for the next two nights, exploring Beara Way and Gleninchaquinn Park during the day. Then drive along the Ring of Kerry to colorful Dingle Town, where you'll have a free day to explore and relax.
The itinerary continues with a drive to the incredible Cliffs of Moher, where you'll get out of the car to explore the landscape on foot. Spend the night in Doolin before sightseeing in Galway on Day 8. Continue on to Connemara National Park and Clifden. On Day 10, you'll take a break from driving and cycle the ten-mile Sky Road loop, soaking up spectacular views over the Atlantic and the islands offshore. The end of the trip features a few highlights: a trip to Achill Island, a visit to the Neolithic ruins at Ceide Fields, and a stop at the towering cliffs of Slieve League. Circle back to Dublin to return the rental car and have one last night on the town before flying out. Learn more
More Great Ireland Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Ireland? Check out these other Ireland itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.