The Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
Preparing the complete Ireland road trip itinerary does not have to be stressful or overwhelming.
No matter where you pick to visit in Ireland, you are in for a real treat! There are so many astonishing things to do in Ireland! I love Ireland so much and keep coming back for more!
I have explored Ireland completely and not disappointed by a single place as well as exceeded my expectations!
Ireland is a divergent country that provides something for everyone and this ultimate Ireland itinerary covers it all.
My Ireland road trip itinerary is written in a clockwise manner around the island, but feel free to modify it if you want!
For this Irish road trip itinerary, I am not mentioning an amount of time so that you can make the drive as time allows for your schedule.
If you have two weeks, consider spending a few days in each location to take in the stunning beaches and pretty waterfalls in Ireland!
Now, let’s get into one of the best Ireland driving routes!
The Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
Start Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Into Dublin
The Dublin Airport is a Key international airport and flights into Ireland are often relatively affordable.
In fact, the reason I went to Ireland on my first trip was because it was so inexpensive to fly into! I had no information how stunning the country was and am very delighted I went on a whim!
Since you will be renting a car in Ireland, picking up your rental from the Dublin airport is a great and affordable way to go about securing your vehicle.
If you are execute the itinerary counter-clockwise, you will fly into Belfast Airport in Northern Ireland.
Stop 1: Explore Dublin To Begin Your Ireland Road Trip
Dublin is the largest city in the Republic of Ireland and has so much to do. I Suggest a quick stop in Dublin and then getting out to visit the rest of what Ireland has to offer.
Ireland itinerary is incomplete without a stop in Dublin, but the rest of Ireland is much less expensive and way cooler in my opinion!
Spend as long as you like in Dublin but I Suggest 1 to 2 nights.
Best Things To Do In Dublin:
Have a Guinness in the Temple Bar area. Temple Bar is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Dublin. This area is enthusiastic and the perfect place to experience your first Irish pub!
The Temple Bar itself is a fantastic area for dinner and a pint. Regardless of it’s touristy it is still a wonderful thing to add to your itinerary for Dublin.
Walk through St. Stephens Green. I love nature and St. Stephen’s Green is referred as the Central Park for Dublin! It is so soothing and alluring with lots of flowers and walk ways.
Visit Dublin Castle. There is a real castle located in the center of Dublin! It is the perfect intro to castles in Ireland!
Visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells. You need to purchase a ticket in advance to visit the Trinity College and famous library when you are in Dublin! It is astonishing and unlike anywhere else in the world!
Experience the Guinness Storehouse. If you are a beer lover, visiting the Guinness Storehouse is the finest possible way to begin your Ireland itinerary. You get beer included and will learn about the history!
Where To Stay In Dublin
Dublin has a shortage of hotel rooms and consequently, they can be expensive! I Suggest spend a less time in Dublin to save money.
Stop 2: Enjoy Rock of Cashel And Hore Abbey
I did the Rock of Cashel as a day stop on my way from Dublin to Cork, but you can spend the night in the area if you want more time to explore. Rock of Cashel is very famous for a good reason!
It is an epic ruin placed on the top of a hill surrounded by sheep. Does it get any more Irish than that? This is a enjoyable place to stop when driving through Ireland!
There is an entry fee to visit the Rock of Cashel. Anyway, the outside is the best part and a dream for photographers!
If you are looking to explore off the beaten path, visit the nearby Hore Abbey instead. You can see Hore Abbey from the Rock of Cashel but notably fewer people visit there.The abbey ruins are amazing!
The view of the Rock Of Cashel from Hore Abbey and the field beside it is fully worth making this a stop on your road trip of Ireland itinerary.
Stop 3: Visit Ireland’s Ancient East
Cork is just a few hours away from Dublin and it is worth a stop on your Ireland road trip itinerary. It is near to many of the major stops in Ireland’s Ancient East. You will not be disappointed!
See Cobh During Your Ireland Road Trip
When visiting Cork, you must make the 30-minute drive to the colorful town of Cobh! It is one of the charming towns in Ireland and a must-see during your trip!
Cobh was the final port of call for the Titanic made before crossing the Atlantic. If you’re curious about the history of this doomed ship, check out the stunning Titanic Museum.
During your time in Cobh, visit the church high on the hill and explore the colorful local neighborhoods. While the town is little, there are quite a lot of things to do in Cobh for a enjoyable day trip!
Kiss The Blarney Stone
Kissing the iconic Blarney Stone is one of the most renowned and unique things to do in Ireland. The stone is found in Blarney Castle on the stretching Blarney Estate right outside of Cork.
The estate is massive and you could spend a total day there. I suggest allocate at least 3 hours to kiss the Blarney Stone, explore the Blarney Manor where the family lived, and explore the landscaped grounds.
You must stop here when driving around Ireland!
Stop 4: Drive The Ring Of Kerry
Road trip around Ireland is incomplete without a drive on the famed Ring of Kerry!
Please note that the Ring of Kerry is quite a distressing drive with extremely narrow roads. There are also large tour buses that go by rapidly so you must be very cautious.
You have to prioritize safety over speed when navigating potential conflicts on the road. This is one of my top tips for road trips in Ireland.
Visit Kerry Cliffs
The Kerry Cliffs are like a tiniest version of the Cliffs of Moher. They are Situated in the middle of the Ring of Kerry along the Skellig Ring.
The Skellig Ring is a short circle drive at the end of the Ring of Kerry. It is easy to spot with many signs. You can even see the Skellig Islands, where Star Wars was filmed, from the Kerry Cliffs!
The Kerry Cliffs are abode to many seabirds and make for a magnificent walk to explore the cliffs during your Ireland itinerary.
Ride The Car Ferry To Valentia Island
Valentia Island is situated near the Kerry Cliffs and it is a must-see on a Ring of Kerry road trip. If you drive the Skellig Ring, Valentia Island is less than 2 km away!
The island is abode to a amazing lighthouse and quaint seaside towns. Valentia Island can be accessed near Kerry Cliffs by a bridge or by a ferry on the other end of the island.
I suggest arriving on the island by the bridge and exciting by the car ferry which has a little fee. It is enjoyable and distinctive thing to do on an Ireland road trip!
Where To Stay On The Ring of Kerry
There are a lot of fantastic places to stay along the Ring of Kerry for all budgets. No matter where you stay, you will be very near to nature. This makes getting around Ireland by car so easy.
Stop 5: Explore Killarney
Killarney is one of my complete favorite places to visit in Ireland! The city is vibrant and welcoming with spectacular scenery.
Killarney is a wonderful place to stop on your Ireland road trip because the area is so diverse and honestly it has so much to offer!
Best Things To Do In Killarney:
Muckross House and Killarney House. These beautiful, historic homes are situated in the Killarney area and are both fascinating places to explore.
Muckross House is situated a bit out of the city and can be quite busy. The grounds are stunning!
Killarney House is situated in the heart of Downtown Killarney. You are free to walk in and out of the grounds as you please!
Torc Waterfall. This lovely waterfall is a special stop on your road trip in Ireland!
It is situated right off the main road and is an easy walk to visit. It is a must-see because of how special it is! Torc Waterfall tops my list of the best hikes in Ireland!
Ross Castle. This castle is pretty and easy to get to. It is situated in the heart of Killarney on a lake.
It is totally free to visit the castle and view it from the outside. There is a fee if you want to go inside, but I think the best views are from the outside near the lake!
Killarney National Park. The town of Killarney is situated right on Killarney National Park and there is so much to see and do.
I suggest driving through the Gap of Dunloe and seeing Ladies View during your Ireland road trip.
Where To Stay In Killarney
Killarney has plenty of lodging options! It is quite a famous town and for good reason!
Stop 5: Visit the Dingle Peninsula
I have finished multiple Ireland road trips around the entire country and the Dingle Peninsula is one of the most spectacular places! It will exceed all of your prior expectations and the views go for miles!
This is one area where you will want time to enjoy everything so think about extending your Ireland road trip for longer duration in Dingle!
Must-See Stops On The Dingle Peninsula:
Slea Head Drive. This is one of the most epic things to do on your Ireland road trip. This repeat drive begins and ends in the town of Dingle.
It offers stunning cliffs, Star Wars movie locations, mountains, quaint towns, and stunning views as far as the eye can see. You will love finding out the best stops on Slea Head Drive!
Dunquin Pier. This is an iconic destination on the Dingle Peninsula. It is situated in the town of Dunquin on the Slea Head Drive loop and is a ferry pier.
It is quite a good picturesque site for catching the sunset. You will have tons of fun walking down to the water.
Connor’s Pass. This is the highest pass in Ireland and a marvelous addition to your itinerary. Be ready for slow driving and very narrow roads.
Conner’s Pass is lovely but the roads are quite thin so be sure to pull over well in advance for any oncoming traffic.
Dingle Town. The town of Dingle is a must-see on your Ireland road trip because it is so cute and centrally situated. There is so much to see and do in the town!
Walk around the shops and grab an ice cream while you enjoy the waterfront.
Where To Stay In Dingle
Dingle is a marvelous and quaint place to stay in Ireland. There are a bunch of nice hotels and cute bed and breakfasts.
Stop 6: Check The Cliffs of Moher Off Your Bucket List
Is there anything more iconically Irish than the Cliffs of Moher? Even if you don’t generally like to do “touristy” things, the Cliffs of Moher are a must on the finest Ireland vacation itinerary!
I suggest allocate yourself at least 2 hours to see the Cliffs of Moher. Seeing these stunning cliffs in person will blow your mind and exceed your expectations!
You can also stop by the Visitor Center for some education and also grab a bite to eat before heading out to the views!
This is one of the more threatening things you will do on your Ireland road trip, so make sure that you practice with extreme caution!
There are a lot of fantastic Irish Castle Hotels near the Cliffs of Moher if you are looking for a unique place to stay!
Stop 7: Drop By Doolin For Irish Charm
Doolin is an lovely town just 10 minutes away from north of the Cliffs of Moher. If you are already visiting the cliffs on your Ireland road trip, I suggest a brisk stop in Doolin too.
Doolin is a delightful small town with prominent pink houses, an captivating downtown, a castle turret, and a lovely harbor.
When in Doolin, take a day trip to the nearby Aran Islands. You can grab an economical ferry from Doolin, and it is a short boat ride to the islands!
These islands are a distinctive and charming place to see when you travel Ireland by car!
Stop 8: Experience Westport And Achill Island
I love exploring off the beaten path and there is no better place to do that than Westport and the nearby Achill Island. Westport is an lovely town in Co. Mayo with so much to provide.
Visit Westport House and see their falcon presentation or take a bike ride through neighboring towns. Westport House is where renowned pirate Grace O’Malley lived and you can go into a real dungeon too!
I mostly suggest a day trip to the nearby Achill Island or even staying a night here. Achill Island is immaculate Irish beauty at its finest with white sand beaches, mountain lakes, and cute towns.
You can even go surfing, paddle boarding on Achill Island if you want more thrills!
Stop 9: Explore The Slieve League Cliffs And Bad Eddie’s Boat In Co. Donegal
Co. Donegal, is the Ireland’s northernmost county, known as its most “wild.” This isn’t a place most people explore on their Ireland road trip, but I have gone and highly recommend it.
You will just love visiting the best things to do in Donegal!
This is real and preserved Ireland, far away from tourists. This is where you will find sheep wandering in the road with no fences to keep them in.
Best Things To Do In Co. Donegal
Slieve League Cliffs. This is a must for your Ireland road trip itinerary because they are one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe (next to the cliffs on Achill Island).
The cliffs are situated in the southern end of Donegal. You can drive to them and walk the rest of the way.
The views are wonderful and you will hardly see another tourist in sight. After the busy Cliffs of Moher, this is a more relaxed part of your Ireland itinerary.
Bad Eddie’s Shipwreck. Once you leave Slieve League, make your route up to Bunbeg, where you will find a shipwreck on the beach. This is an old wooden shipwreck situated on a beach you can drive on!
It is so refreshing to get up near and personal with an actual shipwreck on a beach!
Glenveagh National Park. This park is the quintessence of wild Irish landscapes. If you love to visit mountains, this is the place for you!
Make sure to allocate time to drive through the national park or walk up one of the mountains! This is another one of the less-known things to do on your Ireland itinerary that you will love!
Malin Head. Malin Head is situated at the northernmost point of Ireland. It offers extraordinary views of the Atlantic Ocean with many sea cliffs and beaches to explore.
Malin Head is also a Star Wars filming set location so if you love the movies, this will be a must-see stop on your Ireland road trip!
Stop 10: Finish Your Ireland Road Trip By Exploring Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is much less visited than the Republic of Ireland but the country is so pretty you must take time to visit here. There are amazing things to do in Northern Ireland!
Belfast is situated less than 2 hours from Dublin, so if you are flying out of Dublin after your Ireland road trip, you can spend a night or two in Belfast or Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast.
Explore The Causeway Coast
The Causeway Coast is a incredible coastal drive that offers everything from immaculate white sand beaches to castles perched high on the edge of cliffs!
The stops listed below are all near to one another so you can simply see them in one day. There is so much to do on a Northern Ireland road trip, but here are a few top Causeway Coast attractions.
Dunluce Castle. This aged castle ruin is roost on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Could it get any more stunning than that? The castle is steeped in history and bloodshed. It makes for fabulous photos!
Giant’s Causeway. This is a breathtaking ode to nature with hexagonal, basalt rocks pushing up from the ocean. Make sure to go early in the morning to beat the tour buses.
Dark Hedges. This hedgerow leads to an old manor house and became renowned after being featured in Game of Thrones. Like Giant’s Causeway, make sure yourself to go early or late to beat the tourists.
Mussenden Temple. This temple is roosted on a cliff in Northern Ireland overlooking a ideal stretch of white sand beach. It is a fantastic place to catch the sunset.
Game Of Thrones Doors. If you are into Game Of Thrones, you’ll want to search out some of the Game Of Throne Doors! There are many situated along the Causeway Coast in bars and hotels.
Best Things to Do in Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and it is situated less than 2 hours from all the best nature Northern Ireland has to offer.
If you add Belfast to your driving itinerary for Ireland, check out the Titanic Museum Experience and walk around the Titanic Quarter. Excitingly, Belfast is where the Titanic was created and originally set for sail.
Belfast is also abode to the buzzing Cathedral Quarter. This is the great place for a quick light meal or a drink at one of the many pubs. If you have time, take a walking tour around Belfast.
End Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Out Of Dublin Or Belfast
Finally, your car trip in Ireland must come to an end. Either fly out of Dublin or Belfast.
If you fly out of Dublin, I highly recommend staying outside of the city. and then driving on the day of your flight. This will retrieve you from going back to Dublin and will retrieve you money on a hotel as well.
This Ireland road trip itinerary presents the finest attractions in the country. You will see famed things as well as hidden gems in Ireland! There is something for everyone!
I hope you have understand how to plan a trip to Ireland.