Here’s my crack at a rough 7 day itinerary that mixes history, food, nature and culture. The time on the road is some of the best given the scenery you’ll come across. I would like to say I could give you the best itinerary for a road trip, but this website does a great job and has many different itineraries to suit any period of time; www.theirishroadtrip.com. Reach out if you have ideas about where you want to go and what you want to do and I’ll help!
Dublin: Arrive Friday, Depart Monday morning for Belfast - (1.5 hour drive drive)
See my Dublin guide here.
Belfast: Arrive Monday morning In Belfast for one night.
Sectarianism and its effects are still very front of mind in Northern Ireland. Go to Belfast and do a black cab tour to learn about the troubles. The Giant's Causeway is also on the way and lots of Game of Thrones tourism to do up there. Stay: City centre
Eat and drink: Where To Eat And Drink In Belfast
Depart Belfast Tuesday morning for Galway (3h 45m drive)
This trip will take you via Athlone where the Kelly’s are from. Athlone is on Lough Ree which is worth seeing. Athlone is also home to the oldest pub in the world; Sean’s Bar which has run continually since 900AD.
Galway: Arrive Tuesday afternoon for two nights.
Galway city is the biggest town on the west of Ireland, it’s a uni town so always has a bit going on. It’s also close to Connemara National Park and the Aran Islands. There are beaches there that have crystal clear water with white sand. It’s close also to the Cliffs of Moher and the surfing village, Lahinch. It’s a good place to do little day trips from. Definitely worth a couple of days stay.
Stay: Close to the city centre in Galway. Our just out of Galway; Doolin or Lahinch
Eat and Drink: Six Places You Need To Eat In Galway, Vaughn’s near Lahinch is a fishing pub with great seafood.
Depart Galway Thursday afternoon for Dingle (3 hour drive)
You’ll drive through Adare, a nice town in Limerick. Adare Manor is one of the most iconic luxury hotels in Ireland. If you wanted to stay there you could cut Dingle from the end of the trip.
Dingle: Arrive Thursday afternoon.
Dingle is at the Southwestern most tip of Ireland and is a smaller version of Galway. It’s a Gaeltacht, so it is officially an Irish speaking region. You’ll likely hear some people speak it on the streets. Great Blasket Island is off Dingle and you can visit it. Dingle distillery is great too as well as the Kerry Cliffs which are much the same as the Cliffs of Moher but not as well recognised.
Depart Dingle Friday afternoon to arrive in Borris for the wedding weekend!
Other great towns, villages and sites in Ireland:
Dunmore East - Popular holiday destination in the south east of Ireland
Westport - Great town in Mayo
Achill Island - Off Westport
Killarney - In Kerry, near Dingle
West Cork - Artist area with people from all over the world living there
Kilkenny - Great small city
Enniskillen Northern Ireland - where Castle Archdale is (Jack’s family)
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