The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary for First-time Visitors

Ireland feels like it was made for a road trip…castles, cliffs, winding roads, and cozy pubs around every turn.

 In today’s post, I’m sharing my 11-day Ireland road-trip itinerary that loops around the coast, starting and ending in Dublin. This route gives you a little bit of everything: vibrant cities, quiet countryside, and a few fairytale stops along the way.

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I also recommend renting a small car for Ireland’s narrow roads, but if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or family, something roomier might make sense. We had an SUV and survived just fine, though there were a few moments on one-lane country roads where I questioned my life choices.

And the most important thing to remember with a road trip like this is to be flexible.

The plan might change — someone might get sick (like me), the weather might throw you off, or you might linger at a stop you love and skip another entirely. That’s OK. We were adjusting this itinerary on the fly as we went and didn’t make it to everything we planned, but that’s part of what made it such a great adventure.

Ireland Road Trip Itinerary Map

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Start in Temple Bar. It’s a touristy area, yes, but it’s lively and the perfect introduction to Dublin’s energy. Just note that Temple Bar is an area in Dublin, and the famous red bar you see in photos is called the Temple Bar Pub.

Again, this is very touristy and not everyone’s cup of tea, but I do think it’s worth stopping for one drink. You can also stop for a drink or lunch at The Long Hall or The Palace Bar if you want somewhere more local.

From there, it’s just a short walk to Dublin Castle, where you can take a brief self-guided or guided tour through the State Apartments and courtyards. The site has been at the heart of Irish history for centuries, and the mix of medieval and Georgian architecture is fascinating to see up close.

Then head about 15 minutes south to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, one of Ireland’s most beautiful churches, filled with history and incredible stained glass.

Right next door is Marsh’s Library, a 300-year-old gem with oak shelves and chained books. It’s small and quiet, an ideal first-day stop before you crash for the night.

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Day 2: Exploring Dublin’s Highlights

Overnight in Dublin

Spend your first full day seeing the sights.

Start early at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and walk through the Long Room, one of the world’s most stunning libraries. Go right when it opens to avoid crowds.

Afterward, grab lunch, then head west toward the Liberties area. If you planned ahead, visit Kilmainham Gaol, a powerful look at Ireland’s fight for independence — but be sure to book weeks in advance, as tickets often sell out fast.

Finish the day at the Guinness Storehouse. The self-guided tour ends at the Gravity Bar, where you can pour your own pint and enjoy panoramic city views. If you don’t drink, Guinness Zero is a great alternative and tastes surprisingly close to the original.

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Today is the day you pick up your rental car and head toward Kilkenny.

Once you reach Kilkenny, tour Kilkenny Castle, stroll through the medieval streets, and visit Smithwick’s Brewery for a pint and a look at how one of Ireland’s oldest ales is made. Stay overnight in the city center—you’ll be able to walk everywhere.

If you have extra time, you can also consider detouring to Kinsale, a colorful fishing town known for seafood and boutique shops.

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First up, the Rock of Cashel, which is an ancient fortress perched high on a limestone hill. It’s one of Ireland’s most photographed sites for a reason, and the views are incredible. Plan to spend at least an hour or two exploring the ruins.

Then continue to Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the famous stone and wander the gardens if you’re feeling brave enough to climb the narrow spiral staircase. From Blarney, it’s about an hour and a half to Killarney, which will be your base for exploring the Ring of Kerry.

Now, full transparency, both my mom and I came down with food poisoning that day, so we made a straight shot to our hotel and called it an early night. But if you’re feeling better than we were, you could:

• Take a car ride through Killarney National Park
  
• Visit Ross Castle for sunset photos
  
• Or stroll through downtown Killarney, which is full of shops, pubs, and live traditional music
  

After a quiet night in Killarney, we were ready to tackle the famous Ring of Kerry the next morning.

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This was our big scenic day – looping the Ring of Kerry, about 110 miles of winding roads, mountain passes, and Atlantic coastline. We started early from Muckross Park Hotel to beat the buses and had long stretches of the road to ourselves.

The highlight was hands-down the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee. The views here are unbelievable—sheer cliffs dropping into the ocean, waves crashing below, and on a clear day, you can see the Skellig Islands in the distance. It’s absolutely worth the small entry fee and felt far less crowded than other viewpoints.

If you want to actually visit the Skellig Islands, where Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi were filmed, you’ll need to book a boat tour well in advance, and keep in mind they’re extremely weather-dependent. We had a tour booked for that afternoon, but it was canceled due to rough seas, which is pretty common. Always have a backup plan, and keep in contact with your boat tour company.

The drive itself is stunning but can be intense—narrow roads, blind corners, and the occasional sheep traffic jam. If you’re not confident on tight roads, or if you just want your driver to relax and enjoy the scenery, it’s worth considering hiring a private driver or tour for the day. We met two incredible women in their 70s and 80s doing the same trip who gave us that idea, and honestly, it’s a smart one.

From there, we continued the loop back toward Killarney, stopping in small towns like Kenmare and Waterville for photos and snacks. It’s a long driving day, but the scenery makes every mile worth it.

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Before leaving Killarney, make time for Muckross House. If you go early, you’ll practically have the place to yourself. The gardens are peaceful, the lake views are beautiful in the morning light, and the staff are some of the most passionate people we met on the trip—they really bring the history to life.

We were staying at Muckross Park Hotel, so it was just down the road on our way to Dromoland Castle.

After the visit, we continued north to Dromoland, a 16th-century castle-turned-hotel that’s pure luxury. We wanted to have lunch here before checking in at 3 pm, so we headed straight from Muckross to Dromoland.

Here, you can book a falconry experience, hit the spa, go golfing, or just walk the grounds pretending you own the place. Personally, we recommend the falconry experience, and we also loved meeting the resident owls.

Be sure to make dinner reservations at the Earl of Thomond Restaurant—it’s elegant without being stuffy. After dinner, you can have a drink outside the restaurant and enjoy some live music.

The next morning, we were back on the road heading north — trading luxury for Ireland’s wild western coast.

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After leaving Dromoland Castle, we took a short detour to Bunratty Castle, one of the most complete and authentic medieval fortresses in Ireland. The castle grounds include the Bunratty Folk Park, which recreates 19th-century village life with cottages, shops, and even animals roaming around — it’s fun, easy to walk through, and makes for fun photos.

Right next door is Durty Nelly’s, a cozy pub that’s been around since 1620 — and we were so glad we stopped for an early lunch here. The atmosphere is warm and traditional, and the Guinness stew was one of the best meals of the trip.

From there, drive north toward the Cliffs of Moher – one of Ireland’s most photographed spots. Just be sure to prepare yourself for gale-force winds and a high chance of rain!

Then continue to Galway, where you can base yourself for the night. Galway has a youthful energy—street musicians, colorful buildings, and more pubs than you can count. Spend the evening wandering, eating at one of the fabulous restaurants, and listening to live music.

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This is your long driving day, about five to six hours, depending on stops. The scenery gets even better the farther north you go. If you have time, stop at Slieve League, one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs.

Plan to reach the Giant’s Causeway (above) well before sunset for that golden light over the hexagonal basalt columns. This was honestly one of my favorite stops. Just be prepared to walk a couple of miles to really get those incredible views and photos.

Stay overnight in Portrush.

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This was one of the best days of the trip. Start with the Dark Hedges, made famous by Game of Thrones. It’s busiest mid-morning, so go early if you want photos without crowds.

Then head to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This is a short but thrilling bridge, suspended high above the water. The original bridge was built by salmon fishermen over 250 years ago to reach the tiny island for their seasonal catch.

The modern, sturdier version you’ll walk across today dates back to the 2000s, but it still sways enough to give you a healthy dose of adrenaline — and incredible views of the coastline below.

Afterward, drive to Dunluce Castle, which looks like something out of a fantasy movie. Which, it kind of is. For Game of Thrones fans, this is what the House of Greyjoy was inspired by.

Head back to your hotel in Portrush.

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Drive south toward Belfast and spend a few hours at the Titanic Museum. It’s interactive and very moving, telling the story from the ship’s construction to its voyage.

If you have time on your way back to Dublin, make a detour to Trim Castle — it’s not far off the route and was one of the filming locations for Braveheart. The ruins are massive, and you can take a short guided tour or just wander the grounds. It’s a great last taste of Ireland’s medieval history before heading back to the city.

From there, it’s about an hour to Dublin. Once you return, drop off your rental car and spend your final night buying souvenirs and having one last Guinness before flying home.

If you don’t want to spend time in Belfast or at Trim Castle, you can also head straight back to Dublin and see any sights you may have missed during your first two days.

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Day 11: Fly Home

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And that’s my tried-and-true 11-day Ireland road trip—castles, cliffs, coastal drives, and plenty of pints. It’s the kind of itinerary that balances big highlights with slow moments. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments!

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