The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

Planning the perfect Ireland road trip itinerary does not have to be stressful or overwhelming.

No matter where you choose to visit in Ireland, you are in for a real treat! There are so many amazing things to do in Ireland! I love Ireland so much and keep coming back for more!

I have explored Ireland from top to bottom and have yet to be disappointed by a single place!

Ireland is a diverse country that offers something for everyone and this ultimate Ireland itinerary hits it all.

My Ireland road trip itinerary is written in a clockwise manner around the island, but feel free to modify it or go counter-clockwise if you want!

For this Irish road trip itinerary, I am not specifying an amount of time so that you can make the drive as time allows for your schedule.

If you are planning a trip to Ireland, I am here to help with tips and full itineraries!

If you have two weeks, consider spending a few days in each location to take in the gorgeous beaches and beautiful waterfalls in Ireland!

Now, let’s dive into one of the best Ireland driving routes!

The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

Begin Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Into Dublin

The Dublin Airport is a major 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 cheap to fly into! I had no clue how amazing the country was and am very glad 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 doing the itinerary counter-clockwise, you will fly into Belfast Airport in Northern Ireland.

Make sure to check out my tips on driving in 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 recommend a quick stop in Dublin and then getting out to visit the rest of what Ireland has to offer.

No Ireland itinerary would be complete 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 recommend 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 popular neighborhoods in Dublin. It is lively and the perfect place to experience your first Irish pub!

The Temple Bar itself is a great place for dinner and a pint. Even though it is touristy it is still a cool thing to add to your itinerary for Dublin.

Book Here: Dublin: Generation Pub Crawl

Walk through St. Stephens Green. I love nature and St. Stephen’s Green is like the Central Park for Dublin! It is so relaxing and pretty with lots of flowers and walking paths.

Visit Dublin Castle. There is a real castle located in the heart of Dublin! It is the perfect introduction to castles in Ireland!

Visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells. You must pay Trinity College and the famous library a visit when you are in Dublin! It is stunning and unlike anywhere else in the world!

Book Here: Dublin: Fast-Track Book of Kells Ticket & Dublin Castle Tour

Experience the Guinness Storehouse. If you love beer, visiting the Guinness Storehouse is the best possible way to start your Ireland itinerary. You get beer included and will learn about the history!

Book Here: Dublin: Guinness Storehouse Entry Ticket

Where To Stay In Dublin

Dublin has a shortage of hotel rooms and as a result, they can be expensive! I recommend spending a shorter amount of time in Dublin to save money.

I have an entire post detailing where to stay in Dublin if you want more information.

Best Hotels in Dublin: 

• Mid-Range: Academy Plaza Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Luxury: The Westbury Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com

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 popular for a good reason!

It is an epic ruin set on the top of a hill surrounded by sheep. Does it get any more Irish than that? This is a fun place to stop when driving through Ireland!

There is an entrance fee to visit the Rock of Cashel. However, the outside is the best part and a dream for photographers!

If you are looking to get off the beaten path, visit the nearby Hore Abbey instead. You can see Hore Abbey from the Rock of Cashel but significantly fewer people visit there.

Hore is Gaelic for grey, which is the color the nuns wore back in the day. The abbey ruins are magnificent!

The view of the Rock Of Cashel from Hore Abbey and the field beside it is worth making this a stop on your road trip of Ireland itinerary.

Best Hotels Near Rock of Cashel:

• Affordable: Cashel Town BnB. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Baileys Hotel Cashel. Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 3: Visit Ireland’s Ancient East

Cork is just a few hours away from Dublin and is worth a stop on your Ireland road trip itinerary. It is close to many of the top 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 prettiest towns in Ireland and a must-see during your trip!

Cobh was the last stop the Titanic made before crossing the Atlantic. If you’re interested in the history of this doomed ship, check out the amazing Titanic Museum.

While in Cobh, visit the church high on the hill and explore the colorful local neighborhoods. While the town is small, there are quite a lot of things to do in Cobh for a fun day trip!

Best Hotels in Cobh:

• Mid-Range: Commodore Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: WatersEdge Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com

Kiss The Blarney Stone

Kissing the iconic Blarney Stone is one of the most popular and unique things to do in Ireland. The stone is found in Blarney Castle on the sprawling Blarney Estate right outside of Cork.

The estate is massive and you could spend an entire day there. I recommend budgeting 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!

Book Here: Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour from Dublin

Best Hotels Near Blarney Castle: 

• Mid-Range: Blarney Castle Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Maranatha Country House. Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 4: Drive The Ring Of Kerry

No road trip around Ireland is complete without a drive on the famed Ring of Kerry!

Please note that the Ring of Kerry is quite a harrowing drive with extremely narrow roads. There are also large tour buses that go by quickly so you must be very careful.

If you see a car coming down the road, it is best to pull over and wait for it to pass before proceeding. This is one of my top tips for road trips in Ireland.

Visit Kerry Cliffs

The Kerry Cliffs are like a miniature version of the Cliffs of Moher. They are located 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 home to many seabirds and make for a wonderful walk to explore the cliffs during your Ireland itinerary.

Book Here: From Killarney: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Tour

Ride The Car Ferry To Valentia Island

Valentia Island is located near the Kerry Cliffs and 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 home to a stunning 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 recommend arriving on the island by the bridge and exciting by the car ferry which has a small fee. It is a fun and unique thing to do on an Ireland road trip!

Where To Stay On The Ring of Kerry

There are a ton of fantastic places to stay along the Ring of Kerry for all budgets. No matter where you stay, you will be close to nature. This makes getting around Ireland by car so easy.

• Mid-Range: Valhalla BnB. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Luxury: Parknasilla Resort & Spa. Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 5: Explore Killarney

Killarney is one of my absolute favorite places to visit in Ireland! The city is vibrant and welcoming with breathtaking scenery.

Killarney is a wonderful place to stop on your Ireland road trip because the area is so diverse and truly has so much to offer!

Best Things To Do In Killarney:

Muckross House and Killarney House. These beautiful, historic homes are located in the Killarney area and are both fascinating places to visit.

Muckross House is located a bit out of the city and can be quite busy. The grounds are stunning!

Killarney House is located in the heart of Downtown Killarney. You are free to walk in and out of the grounds as you please!

Torc Waterfall. This pretty waterfall is a unique stop on your road trip in Ireland!

It is located right off the main road and is an easy walk to visit. It is a must-see because of how unique it is! Torc Waterfall tops my list of the best hikes in Ireland!

Ross Castle. This castle is beautiful and easy to get to. It is located in the heart of Killarney on a lake.

It is completely 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 located right on Killarney National Park and there is so much to see and do.

I recommend driving through the Gap of Dunloe and seeing Ladies View during your Ireland road trip.

Book Here: Killarney: Killarney National Park Private Tour

Where To Stay In Killarney

Killarney has plenty of lodging options! It is quite a popular town and for good reason! Here are some of my recommendations for where to stay in Killarney during your Ireland road trip.

Best Hotels in Killarney: 

• Mid-Range: The Brehon & Spa. Check Prices: Booking.com
• Luxury: Aghadoe Heights. Check Prices: Booking.com

Stop 5: Visit the Dingle Peninsula

I have done multiple Ireland road trips around the entire country and the Dingle Peninsula is one of the most spectacular places! It will beat 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 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 loop drive starts and ends in the town of Dingle.

It offers stunning cliffs, Star Wars movie locations, mountains, quaint towns, and breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. You will love discovering the best stops on Slea Head Drive!

Dunquin Pier. This is an iconic postcard destination on the Dingle Peninsula. It is located in the town of Dunquin on the Slea Head Drive loop and is a ferry pier.

It is quite a good photo location for catching the sunset. You will have lots of fun walking down to the water.

Connor’s Pass. This is the highest pass in Ireland and a wonderful addition to your itinerary. Be prepared for slow driving and very narrow roads.

Conner’s Pass is beautiful 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 located. There is so much to see and do!

Walk around the shops and grab an ice cream while you enjoy the waterfront.

Book Here: Ireland: Dingle Peninsula Day Tour

Where To Stay In Dingle

Dingle is a wonderful and quaint place to stay in Ireland. There are a bunch of nice hotels and cute bed and breakfasts.

Best Hotels in Dingle: 

• Mid-Range: The Lighthouse. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Luxury: Dingle Benners Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com

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 best Ireland vacation itinerary!

I recommend budgeting at least 2 hours to see the Cliffs of Moher. Seeing these gorgeous 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 dangerous things you will do on your Ireland road trip, so make sure that you practice extreme caution!

Book Here: Galway: Gaze Across the Stunning Cliffs of Moher and Burren

There are a lot of fabulous 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 adorable town just 10 minutes north of the Cliffs of Moher. If you are already visiting the cliffs on your Ireland road trip, I recommend a quick stop in Doolin too.

Doolin is a cute little town with iconic pink houses, an adorable downtown, a castle turret, and a lovely harbor.

While in Doolin, take a day trip to the nearby Aran Islands. You can catch an affordable ferry from Doolin, and it is a short boat ride to the islands!

These islands are a unique and beautiful place to see when you travel Ireland by car!

Best Hotels in Doolin:

• Affordable: Mountain Aven Guest House. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Luxury: Doolin Village Lodges. Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 8: Experience Westport And Achill Island

I love getting off the beaten path and there is no better place to do that than Westport and the nearby Achill Island. Westport is an adorable town in Co. Mayo with so much to offer.

Visit Westport House and see their falcon demonstration or take a bike ride through neighboring towns. Westport House is where famed pirate Grace O’Malley lived and you can go into a real dungeon too!

I highly recommend a day trip to the nearby Achill Island or even staying a night here. Achill Island is pristine Irish beauty at its best with white sand beaches, mountain lakes, and cute towns.

You can even go surfing, paddle boarding, or snorkeling on Achill Island if you want more adventure!

Make sure to check out the other great things to do in Co. Mayo!

Best Hotels In Westport:

• Affordable: Plougastel House B&B. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: The Wyatt Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com

Best Hotels on Achill Island:

• Affordable: Murrayville B&B. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Affordable: Hy Breasal B&B. Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 9: Explore The Slieve League Cliffs And Bad Eddie’s Boat In Co. Donegal 

Co. Donegal, Ireland’s northernmost county, is known as its most “wild.” This isn’t a place most people visit on their Ireland road trip, but I have gone and highly recommend it.

You will love exploring the best things to do in Donegal!

This is real and unspoiled 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 (second only to the cliffs on Achill Island).

The cliffs are located in the southern end of Donegal. You can drive to them and walk the rest of the way.

The views are incredible and you will hardly see another tourist in sight. After the busy Cliffs of Moher, this is a more relaxed portion of your Ireland itinerary.

Bad Eddie’s Shipwreck. Once you leave Slieve League, make your way up to Bunbeg, where you will find a shipwreck on the beach. This is an old wooden shipwreck located on a beach you can drive on!

It is so cool to get up close and personal with an actual shipwreck on a beach!

Glenveagh National Park. This park is the epitome of wild Irish landscapes. If you love mountains, this is the place for you!

Make sure to leave time to drive through the national park or walk up one of the mountains! This is another one of the lesser-known things to do on your Ireland itinerary that you will love!

Malin Head. Malin Head is the northernmost point of Ireland. It offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean with many sea cliffs and beaches to explore.

Malin Head is also a Star Wars filming 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 beautiful you must take time to visit here. There are amazing things to do in Northern Ireland!

Belfast is located 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 stunning coastal drive that offers everything from pristine white sand beaches to castles perched high on the edge of cliffs!

The stops listed below are all close to one another so you can easily 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 age-old castle ruin is perched 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 fantastic photos!

Giant’s Causeway. This is a spectacular 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 popular after being featured in Game Of Thrones. Like Giant’s Causeway, make sure to go early or late to beat the tourists.

Mussenden Temple. This temple is perched on a cliff in Northern Ireland overlooking a perfect 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 Thrones Doors! There are many located along the Causeway Coast in bars and hotels.

Book Here: From Belfast: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour

Book Here: Dublin: Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce & Belfast Tour

Best Things to Do in Belfast

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is located under 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. Interestingly, Belfast is where the Titanic was built and originally set sail.

Belfast is also home to the buzzing Cathedral Quarter. This is the perfect place for a bite to eat or a drink at one of the many pubs. If you have time, take a pub tour or walking tour around Belfast.

Book Here: Belfast: The Titanic Experience with SS Nomadic Visit

Best Hotels in Belfast:

• Mid-Range: Ramada by Wyndham Belfast. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Bullitt Hotel. Check Rates: Booking.com
• Luxury: The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast. Check Rates: Booking.com

End Your Ireland Road Trip By Flying Out Of Dublin Or Belfast

Eventually, 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 in on the day of your flight. This will save you from going back to Dublin and will save you money on a hotel as well.

Ireland Road Trip Map

If you want to see what it all looks like on paper, here is your Ireland road trip map!

Unfortunately, Google Maps only lets us put 10 destinations, so we weren’t able to capture all the small stops like Cobh or Slieve League Cliffs.

This is the general idea of where the route will take you when you visit Ireland by car.

This Ireland road trip itinerary showcases the best attractions in the country. You will see popular things as well as hidden gems in Ireland! There is something for everyone!

I hope you have learned how to plan a trip to Ireland.

If this is your first time in Ireland, read up on the best time to visit Ireland next.

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