📍 Ireland

IRELAND UNMISSABLE: COASTS, CASTLES AND WHISKEY CHARM

Georgian mansions evoking the past, monastic ruins piercing the mist, medieval lanes winding with charm. Essential Ireland.

≈ 17
Days
1335
Km
14
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Wander through Dublin between Georgian facades and literary heritage, then reach the misty valleys of Glendalough around its monastic ruins. Lose yourself in Kilkenny's medieval lanes, breathe Cork's creative energy and let the Dingle Peninsula blend rugged mountains with untamed ocean.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Dublin

capital city where literature breathes

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6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Trinity College and Book of Kells.
2
Temple Bar and lively alleyways.
3
Chester Beatty Library.
4
Christ Church Cathedral.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Liffey.
→
Musical pub crawl.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 39.2 km
Travel time: 34min
2
Day

Glendalough

monastic valley where mist settles

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6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Monastic site of Glendalough.
2
Powerscourt Gardens and waterfall.
3
Glendalough Valley.
🎯

Activities

→
Wicklow Way hike.
→
Sally Gap scenic tour.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 75.8 km
Travel time: 1h05
3
Day

Kilkenny

medieval town where cobbles lead

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6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Kilkenny Castle.
2
Jerpoint Abbey.
3
Medieval High Street.
🎯

Activities

→
Smithwick's craft brewery visit.
→
Castle park walk.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 110.3 km
Travel time: 1h35
4
Day

Cork

bohemian city where creativity thrives

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5 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
English Market of Cork.
2
Saint Finbarr's Cathedral.
3
Blarney Castle and stone.
4
Shandon Quarter and bells.
🎯

Activities

→
Cruise on the River Lee.
→
Tasting at Crawford Art Gallery Café.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 96.4 km
Travel time: 1h23
5
Day

Kenmare

ring of kerry gateway town

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6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Wild Atlantic Way coastal route.
2
Colorful village of Kenmare.
3
Killarney National Park.
🎯

Activities

→
Jaunting car ride.
→
Ring of Kerry panoramic tour.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 72.1 km
Travel time: 1h02
6
Day

Dingle

peninsula where ocean crashes wild

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6 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Slea Head Drive and panoramas.
2
Dingle village.
3
Gallarus Oratory.
4
Inch Beach.
🎯

Activities

→
Dolphin watching.
→
Dingle Gin distillery visit.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 54.3 km
Travel time: 47min
7
Day

Killarney

lakeside town mountain framed

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6 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Muckross House and gardens.
2
Muckross Abbey.
3
Gap of Dunloe.
🎯

Activities

→
Boat tour on the lakes.
→
Torc Waterfall hike.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 145.7 km
Travel time: 2h05
8
Day

Doolin

village where traditional music breathes

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6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Cliffs of Moher.
2
Lunar landscape of the Burren.
3
Aillwee Caves.
4
Poulnabrone Dolmen.
🎯

Activities

→
Traditional music session.
→
Cliffs of Moher coastal hike.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 62.4 km
Travel time: 54min
9
Day

Galway

western capital bohemian spirit

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7 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval center of Galway.
2
Lively Latin Quarter.
3
Galway City Museum.
🎯

Activities

→
Celtic music concert.
→
Galway Saturday market.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 78.5 km
Travel time: 1h08
10
Day

Clifden

connemara gateway dramatic coast

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6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Kylemore Abbey and Victorian gardens.
2
Connemara National Park.
3
Village of Clifden.
🎯

Activities

→
Panoramic Sky Road.
→
Diamond Hill hike.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 84.2 km
Travel time: 1h12
11
Day

Westport

harbour town beneath croagh patrick

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10 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Croagh Patrick sacred mountain.
2
Westport House.
3
Historic centre of Westport.
🎯

Activities

→
Great Western Greenway bike ride.
→
Sheep farm visit.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 67.3 km
Travel time: 58min
12
Day

Sligo

yeats country where poetry dwells

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7 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Carrowmore megalithic tombs.
2
Sligo Abbey.
3
Benbulben mythical mountain.
4
Yeats Museum.
🎯

Activities

→
Surfing at Strandhill Beach.
→
Yeats Trail poetic walk.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 63.8 km
Travel time: 55min
13
Day

Donegal

northwestern corner wild untamed

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6 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Donegal Castle.
2
Slieve League Cliffs.
3
Glenveagh National Park.
🎯

Activities

→
Wild Atlantic Way coastal hike.
→
Donegal Tweed artisan weaving.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 217.9 km
Travel time: 3h07
14
Day

Belfast

northern capital vibrant renaissance

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4 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Titanic Belfast.
2
Belfast Cathedral.
3
Political murals.
4
Ulster Museum.
🎯

Activities

→
St George's Market visit.
→
Historic neighborhoods taxi tour.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 167.5 km
Travel time: 2h24
15
Day

Dublin

capital city where literature breathes

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6 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Giant's Causeway UNESCO.
2
Dunluce Castle.
3
Jameson Distillery Dublin.
🎯

Activities

→
Antrim coastal walk.
→
Shopping Grafton Street.

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - Ireland

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, longest days, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, festival season, vibrant atmosphere, advance booking essential.

Shoulder Season (April-May & September-October): Mild weather, fewer crowds, good value, comfortable temperatures, pleasant conditions, excellent photography, ideal balance.

Spring (March-May): Mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, fewer tourists, reasonable prices, longer days, fresh atmosphere, excellent touring.

Fall (September-November): Comfortable weather, harvest season, beautiful colors, fewer crowds, good value, cozy atmosphere, cultural events.

Winter (December-February): Cool wet weather, shortest days, lowest prices, minimal crowds, cozy pubs, indoor attractions, festive atmosphere.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 14 and 20 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Ireland?

Emerald Isle with stunning landscapes, rich literary heritage, and warm hospitality. Experience traditional music, beautiful countryside, and authentic Irish culture. The country offers cultural depth with natural beauty and excellent storytelling traditions. Ireland provides cultural richness with natural wonders and warm hospitality.