7 Days In Ireland: My Exact Road Trip Itinerary
The Emerald Isle is known for beautiful scenery, endless coastline, and rolling countryside dotted with green hills. Plus, of course, the incredible Irish people.
A road trip here is on many bucket lists, and for good reason. The country’s compact size and ample beauty makes a perfect week-long getaway.
My friends and I did a road trip around Ireland and had an absolute blast. This itinerary very closely follows our route, read on for my 7 days in Ireland itinerary.
7 Days In Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1 of 7: Dublin
This 7 day tour of Ireland kicks off in Ireland’s capital, and largest city, Dublin.
We only had a short time here, so Day 1 is jam-packed with things to do.
Trinity College & Trinity Library
The Library of Trinity College is one of the best places to visit in Ireland, let alone Dublin.
It’s a historic library, founded in 1592, famed for the Long Room and Book of Kells.
While the library is the most famous attraction, I encourage you to also take the time to walk the campus while you’re here. It’s really beautiful with cobblestone squares and gorgeous 18th-century buildings.
Trinity Library: Long Room & Book of Kells
The Long Room is a stunning space, located in the Old Library, holding over 200,000 of the school’s oldest books.
The aisles are lined with marble busts of famous philosophers, and bookshelves reach up two stories to the room’s grand, arched ceiling.
The library’s most famous book, which has its own exhibit, is the Book of Kells. This is an original manuscript Gospel book containing four Gospels of the New Testament.
The scripts are illuminated manuscripts, meaning the text is supplemented with drawings and elaborate borders.
It’s believed the documents date back to 800 AD and were given to the library in 1661 for safekeeping… pretty incredible.
St Patrick’s Cathedral
The next stop along our Dublin tour is St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
This Roman Catholic cathedral dates back to 1191 and is the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It stands at the site of a well which St. Patrick is believed to have used for the baptism of Christian converts.
The 800 year old Gothic-style cathedral is magnificent. It features grand, domed ceilings, a 4,000 pipe organ, and intricate stained-glass windows — it’s beautiful.
Guinness Storehouse
The number one attraction in Dublin is a must-see during your 7 days in Ireland, cue the Guinness Storehouse.
This is a seven-story brewery experience which covers the beer-makers long history, and of course, serves up pints of its famous stout.
The storehouse is open for self-guided tours, but I recommend joining a guided tour. The brewery’s history is quite interesting and the guides do a great job telling the story.
Guided or self-guided, your tour ticket includes a free pint in the Gravity Bar. This is a great way to end your visit, the Gravity Bar has sweeping 360-degree views of downtown Dublin and a really fun vibe.
Temple Bar District
Centrally located on the the south bank of River Liffey, is the Temple Bar District.
This is one of the city’s main nightlife hubs and a huge tourist attraction.
There are countless pubs in the area with live music spilling out onto the cobblestone streets. This is a great place to grab some drinks from a pub and wrap up your first night in Ireland.
For more ideas regarding what to do in Dublin, check out: The Best Things To Do With 2 Days In Dublin.
Day 2: Dublin to Cork or Cobh
On Day 2 of our 7 days in Ireland we traveled from Dublin to Cork, spending the entire day at castles along the way.
Below are the three castles we stopped at.
Note: We originally planned to visit four castles, but decided to skip one last minute, the itinerary was feeling a bit too ambitious. Three castles was perfect.
Kilkenny Castle
Built in 1195 and located in Kilkenny, about 2 hours from Dublin, is the Kilkenny Castle.
This huge castle is especially unique compared to the many in Ireland because it’s been extensively restored and adorned with period-specific pieces, providing an idea of life in the castle hundreds of years ago.
The castle also has lovely grounds and gardens worth exploring during your visit.
While in Kilkenny, I recommend touring the town a bit. It’s a very photogenic city with great boutique shops and delicious restaurants.
Rock of Cashel
Rock of Cashel was one of my favorite castles we saw during our 7 days in Ireland.
The site is famed for two reasons, it was the seat of the kings of Munster and a supposed St. Patrick baptism site in the 5th century.
It also possesses the most impressive collection of medieval buildings in Ireland. Here you’ll find a round tower, high cross, Romanesque chapel, and Gothic cathedral… to name a few.
While it’s mostly ruins that stand today, I was still amazed by the beauty of this castle.
The 5th century structure is perched atop a hill, surrounded by ancient headstones and incredible views of Ireland’s lush, rolling countryside.
It’s an unforgettable sight.
Cahir Castle
Cahir Castle, one of the largest castles in Ireland, is situated on an island in the River Suir.
The fortress was once the stronghold of the powerful Butler family and saw considerable conflict during its time.
Despite all the action in battle, the 13th century, fort-style castle is well preserved and not only popular for tourists, but also film crews.
Popular movies and television shows such as Excalibur and The Tudors have been filmed here.
If time permits, consider walking the Inch Field sculpture trail behind the castle following your visit.
Day 3: Cork or Cobh
Most visitors use Cork as their base for Southern Ireland and we planned to do the same, however, ended up in nearby Cobh instead.
Our Airbnb in Cork cancelled, and since I was traveling with a large group, the only alternative was in Cobh.
Cobh is much smaller, but we ended up really enjoying our time there. It’s a charming, seaside town with colorful buildings and a stunning cathedral.
We went out to a pub one night and were the only tourists there, otherwise it was all locals, which was a really fun experience.
Titanic Experience Cobh
Did you know Cobh, Ireland was the Titanic’s last stop before beginning its first, and last, journey across the Atlantic?
The Titanic Experience is located in the historic White Star Line Building – the very place from which the Titanic’s last passengers boarded.
The museum includes a ton of information about the infamous ship and its wreckage, while following real stories of ship passengers.
Since we hadn’t originally planned to stay in Cobh, this wasn’t on our initial itinerary, but instead a last minute add-on. I’m very glad we visited, the museum is small but well put together, and the staff was so friendly.
Blarney Castle
The Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold with origins dating back 800+ years.
It sits on 60 acres equipped with trails, lakes, gardens, and the Blarney House, a 19th century Scottish Baronial-style home.
The castle is partially in ruins but the grounds are anything but. I was very impressed by the well-kept landscape and variety of lush gardens throughout the property.
Most come here to kiss the famous Blarney Stone – more on that in a minute! – but to not explore the grounds during your visit would be a real shame.
You’ll want to plan at least a half day to see everything the Blarney Castle has to offer.
Kiss The Blarney Stone
Atop this famous castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, known to most as the Blarney Stone.
According to legend, kissing the stone endows you with the gift of eloquence or great flattery. However, it’s not so straightforward, you must hang upside down, over a sheer drop about 5 stories high to kiss the stone.
While there’s ample safeguards in place, this may not sit well for those with a fear of heights (ahem, me).
The stone is one of Ireland’s top attractions so expect a significant line. We visited on a weekday during early fall and had to wait about 45 minutes for our turn.
If visiting in summer or over the weekend, it can easily take 2 – 3 times as long.
Below is my unsuccessful attempt at kissing the stone… oops.
There’s always an employee to help you up and ensure you don’t fall. Even with him there, I was uncomfortable with hanging upside down at such heights.
I was with a big group of friends, all of whom had no problem kissing the stone.
Jameson Distillery Midleton
Jameson Irish Whiskey was distilled in Dublin for over 200 years before moving to its relatively new home in Midleton of County Cork.
Not only is this an active distillery, but also a whiskey museum and visitor center. They offer a number of tours and tastings – even more than their Dublin location!
If you enjoy Irish whiskey, this is a great place to learn how it’s made and perhaps try something new.
This is Ireland’s largest whiskey distillery, and definitely worth a visit during your time in Southern Ireland.
Day 4: Cork or Cobh to Killarney
There is so much to do in this region of Ireland, it’s packed with some of the country’s most beautiful places, you’ll need a few days to see all the highlights.
Below are a few popular options for day 4 of your 7 days in Ireland. But know it’s only possible to do one of the three things listed below.
Option 1: Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is a scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry.
Rugged coastal landscapes, mountains, dazzling lakes, and charming small towns dot the famous roadway.
The Ring of Kerry is 190 km (120 mi) long and can technically be driven in about 3.5 hours. However, you’ll want to allot a full day to really experience all attractions and natural beauty along this gorgeous highway.
If you’re able to fit this into your 7 day Ireland itinerary, you’ll quickly understand why this is one of Ireland’s most popular drives.
Option 2: Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is located just north of the Ring of Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula.
It’s surrounded by sandy beaches and rocky cliffs, which encircle Ireland’s famous rolling hills and coastal mountains.
The peninsula can be explored in various ways, without one clear loop to follow.
Again, you can technically drive the peninsula in just a few hours but you’ll want to allow a full day for stops.
Some must-sees on the peninsula include: Slea Head Loop, Conor Pass, the town of Dingle, and sandy beaches such as popular Inch Beach.
The Dingle Peninsula is a real gem and often flies under the radar of international visitors.
Option 3: Great Skellig
Great Skellig (also called Old Skellig Michael) is a rocky, mountainous island just off the shore of Iveragh Peninsula.
The extremely rugged island was amazingly used as a Christian monastery in 7th century, the ruins of which are now popular to explore.
The fact that anyone ever inhabited this island is remarkable. Not only is the landscape strenuous to navigate, but it’s also quite difficult to reach.
The 11 km (7 mi) journey from the mainland takes about an hour due to rough seas and tour cancellations are common, thanks to poor conditions.
Stepping foot on Great Skellig requires reservations made well in advance, coupled with some luck in terms of cooperating weather.
During our stay in Cobh, we had multiple locals tell us this was the best place to see in Ireland. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for us on this trip, but I hope to return some day.
This is definitely one of the coolest attractions in Ireland and a must-see if possible.
Day 5: Killarney to Galway
Cliffs of Moher
Sheer sea cliffs hugging the Atlantic Ocean for 14 km (9 mi) form the incredible Cliffs of Moher.
The green Irish countryside abruptly turns to cliff edge, where vertical rock face suddenly drops 214 m (702 ft). It’s a gorgeous sight that will stop you in your tracks.
On a clear day the views here are tremendous, with visibility stretching out to the Aran Islands, expansive Atlantic Ocean, and Galway Bay.
This is Ireland’s most famous natural attraction and it’s easy to understand why. It’s the perfect place to take in the beauty of Ireland.
Just don’t expect to have the place to yourself, it gets extremely crowded.
There is a large visitor center on site and numerous viewpoints with safety railings. These areas get quite crowded, especially the visitor center.
Additionally, there’s a long path following the cliff’s edge with no safe guards. If you choose to walk the cliff path, it’s imperative to use caution and common sense. You will, however, encounter much less crowds as you venture further out.
This is one of the most beautiful places we saw in Ireland, and one you can’t miss during your 7 day Ireland road trip.
Galway
Near the Cliffs of Moher is the city of Galway.
The city is well known for a fun, young vibe and top-notch nightlife. Whether you seek a laid-back pub, traditional Irish music, or up-all-night dancing you’ll find it here.
During our first night we went for dinner, explored boutique shops in the Latin Quarter, grabbed a drink from O’Connors. Then danced the night away to live music at The King’s Head.
We belted Ed Sheeran’s “Galway Girl” more times than I can count and never tired of it… well, I didn’t at least. This was easily one of my favorite nights during our 7 days in Ireland.
Day 6: Galway
The Aran Islands
A popular attraction near Galway is the Aran Islands. They’re 3 rocky isles, roughly located near the Cliffs of Moher, which create a barrier protecting Galway Bay.
The islands are known for impressive natural beauty, limestone walls, golden beaches, and jagged sea cliffs.
This is definitely one of the best day trips from Galway, which is saying a lot considering the abundant natural beauty in the area.
Inishmore (Inis Mór) is the largest of the Aran Islands, the closest to mainland, and the most popular for tourists.
In addition to natural attractions, it boasts deep history and well-preserved Irish culture.
There are regular ferries out to the islands, which take about 35 minutes to an hour from the mainland, depending which island you plan to visit.
It’s best to allow a full day for this excursion.
Explore Galway
Galway is a great city with plenty of attractions to fill the day for those who are unable to explore the Aran Islands.
Consider the following day trips or activities in Galway:
- Eyre Square
- Dunguaire Castle (closed temporarily)
- The Galway Cathedral
- Kylemore Abbey
- Quay Street & Latin Quarter
- Connemara National Park
Day 7: Galway to Dublin
For our final day of this 7 day itinerary we return to Dublin.
It’s 2.5 – 3 hours from Galway to Dublin, what you do with the day is up to you. You could spend a majority of the day in either city.
We got into Dublin with plenty of time to check out a few more attractions before our early flight the next morning.
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is a former 13th century castle and current Irish government complex, conference center, and popular tourist attraction.
A self-guided tour allows you to explore the castle, learn of its history, and Irish history in general. Plus see special temporary exhibits and explore the Dublin Gardens… just to name a few things!
Jameson Distillery Tour Bow St.
To wrap up our final night in Dublin we went for a whiskey tasting at Jameson Distillery.
Jameson Distillery Bow St. is the original site where the famous Irish whiskey was distilled for over 200 years.
This was until 1971 when the operation was moved to Midleton, as mentioned previously.
Today the Bow St. location is still a highly popular attraction, offering tours, tastings, and cocktail making classes. You can even fill and personalize your own bottle straight from a barrel.
It was the perfect spot to wrap up our week in Ireland.
That wraps up our 7 days in Ireland! Again, this very closely follows I trip I took with friends.
Below is additional information you’ll need to plan your trip. Plus, 5 and 10 day itineraries, as alternate options.
Ireland Itinerary 5 Days
Below is a modified version of the above itinerary for those who only have 5 days to explore Ireland.
- Day 1: Dublin – visit attractions in Dublin.
- Day 2: Dublin to Cork – see castles along the way.
- Day 3: Cork – either see Blarney Castle or day trip out to Dingle Peninsula or Ring of Kerry.
- Day 4: Cork to Galway – Cliffs of Moher followed by evening out in Galway.
- Day 5: Galway to Dublin – return to Dublin for trip home.
Ireland Itinerary 10 Days
With 10 days in Ireland you could do a few different things in addition to the 7 day itinerary listed above.
Nature-enthusiasts would probably enjoy an extra day or two in Killarney to better explore the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, and Great Skellig. This is where I’d spend my extra time.
If interested in adding some Ireland national parks to your itinerary, consider:
- Wicklow Mountains National Park – near Dublin
- Killarney National Park – near Killarney
- The Burren National Park – between Galway and Limerick
- Connemara National Park – near Galway
- Ballycroy National Park – near Castlebar
- Glenveagh National Park – near Letterkenny
City-lovers may enjoy more time in Galway or Dublin – you could easily spend 3 or 4 days in Dublin alone.
10 days in Ireland would also allow time to explore the northern region of the country’s west coast. This is a quieter area which boasts beautiful coastline, mountains, and castles.
Last, consider visiting the country of Northern Ireland. Famous attractions such as Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges, and Glens of Antrim can all be explored with the beautiful city of Belfast as a base.
Getting To Ireland
Most Ireland road trips will begin and end in Dublin.
Dublin Airport is the country’s largest and is well connected to major cities throughout Europe.
There are also smaller airports throughout the country, offering regional flights.
Additionally, Dublin is connected to Northern Ireland and Scotland by train.
If traveling from England, ferry is more convenient compared to train.
Looking for cheap flights? Be sure to sign up for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to get low-cost flight alerts delivered right to your inbox. It’s a free service I’ve used for years and couldn’t recommend more.
Getting Around Ireland
The best way to explore Ireland is by car, this allows the most options and flexibility.
If you plan to rent a car, and are not familiar doing so in Ireland, check out: 5 Things You Must Know Before Renting A Car In Ireland.
Rather Not Drive?
Ireland is well connected by Irish Rail, which offers routes through most major towns and counties.
However, once you’ve arrived at specific destinations, a car is required for most attractions. Excluding Dublin, where a car is not necessary.
If you’re set on traveling without a car, you’ll need to join tour groups or keep excursions and activities very localized.
When To Visit Ireland
Rain and mild temperatures are common throughout the year in Ireland.
Summer months offer the best weather, it’s the warmest and often the most sunny. Not-surprisingly, summer sees the bulk of visitors.
Shoulder seasons, spring and fall, can be great times to visit with lesser crowds and mild weather.
We visited in late September and were fortunate to have excellent weather and minimal crowds throughout our entire trip.
Winter is cold and rainy, but can be quiet and peaceful as there’s few tourists this time of year.
As you can see, there’s so many beautiful things to see throughout Ireland! 7 days is just enough to see some of the Emerald Isle’s most impressive attractions.
I hope you’ve found this itinerary helpful in planning your trip, and have the best time!
Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.
Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Ireland and Europe guides, or head on over to Discover Ireland.
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We are going to Ireland for our honeymoon. My wife is so excited but I am so nervous to be the one doing the driving. Is it hard to adjust? Am I going to be able to do this ? Any information or encouragement that I can do this will help me.
Hi! It’s not so bad. The smaller country roads are really narrow, but just drive slow. Highways and major roads feel completely normal. We didn’t like driving (or parking!) in Dublin, so next time we wouldn’t have a car in the city. Have fun!