Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
I love sharing itineraries here at Chasing ADVNTR so today I’m sharing our 1 week Ireland itinerary. This itinerary is jam packed with places to see and things to do. If you are looking for a relaxing itinerary – this is not for you. While I’m sharing exactly what we did, I also suggest you read for additional ideas on how to modify this into a longer trip or what to skip if you don’t want to keep up this pace!
Quick note that we did this trip as an extended family with 11 people in 3 generations. If it’s just 2 people or a family, this itinerary will likel feel less overwelming.
I also spent a semester studying in Galway and feel strongly that the area north of here up into Northern Ireland is also worth exploring, but you can’t fit this into this itinerary. With just one week you will need to choose what you want to see.
I’ve spent decades exploring family adventures, epic hikes, and National Parks across the world. For more inspiration, check out my National Parks Page or see some of my favorite destinations to plan your next adventure and make sure to join my weekly newsletter.
Quick Look at our Ireland Itineray
Day 1: Arrive Dublin and drive to Cork (stop in Kilkenny for lunch and the Rock of Cashel).
Day 2: Explore Cobh in the morning then drive to Killkenny (stop at a stone circle or Cork)
Day 3: Killarney National Park
Day 4: Ring or Kerry or Skellig Ring
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher and Ferry to Aran Islands
Day 6: Galway
Day 7: Drive to Dublin
This itinerary doesn’t include time in Dublin, but I recommend either spending a day at the beginning or a day at the end exploring Dublin and possibly taking a hike in Howth. This itinerary also starts in Dublin in the morning of the first day. You can either spend the night here or arrive in a red eye from the US.
Scroll down to get out day be day itinerary.
Getting Around Ireland
This itinerary needs a car. You can rent a car right at the airport but it’s important to know a few things about car rentals:
- Insurance often doesn’t cover Ireland – double check!
- You will drive on the left side of the road!
- Many roads in Ireland are narrow and hard to navigate: a bigger car might not actually be better
I usually start my search for a rental car on Discover cars as this allows you to search across rental agencies.
Map of our Ireland Itinerary
Day by Day 1 Week Ireland Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Dublin and drive to Cork (stop in Kilkenny for lunch and the Rock of Cashel).
Start your morning in Dublin and then hit the road for Cork. The drive took us about 3 hours but we broke it up with 2 stops: and early lunch in Kilkenny and a tour of the Rock of Cashel. This is a pretty route, but the goals here is getting to Cork as directly as possible.
We liked the town of Kilkenny and there are several places to eat right in town. We ate at Sullivan’s taproom and highly recommend the relaxed outdoor space.
After lunch, it’s s short drive to the Rock of Cashel. This is an impressive castle and worth pay for the self guided tour. If you are too late to get into the castle, you can also walk to the nearby abbey that has a similar style and offers great views back towards the castle.
Spend the night either in Cork or in Cohb (this is a slightly longer drive but saves you time in the morning). We stayed just outside of Cork at the Cork Vienna Woods Hotel & Villas. This was the perfect location for our family to get some sleep on the first night. The bar is also great and the grounds are pretty.
Day 2: Explore Cobh in the morning then drive to Killkenny (stop at a stone circle or Cork)
Day 2 deserves an early morning. Start the day in the town of Cobh. You can easily spend a full day here – but hey, you’ve got places to be!
The best place to start your visit is the Cobh Heritage Centre, where exhibits tell the story of Irish emigration, the Great Famine, and the millions who left Ireland through this port. Book your ticket in advance.
Next, visit the Titanic Experience Cobh, located in the original White Star Line ticket office. This interactive tour follows the stories of real Titanic passengers and is well worth an hour of your time.
Don’t miss St. Colman’s Cathedral, which overlooks the harbor and offers some of the best views in town. Afterward, take a stroll along The Promenade, where colorful Victorian homes, harbor views, and historic monuments make for a pleasant walk.
You can grab lunch in Cobh or head towards Cork. We got lunch in the Cork Market. In the afternoon spend time exploring Cork or head on your way towards Kenmare. We left early and took the scenic driving stopping at the Drombeg Stone Circle.
Spend the night in Kenmare or nearby. We stayed for a few days in Westcove just south of Sneem in a rental house, but there are hotels throughout this area. You can also drive straight to Killarney (although this will add more driving on top of this long day). Search for hotels.
Day 3: Killarney National Park
You can easily flip today and tomorrow depending on your preference or the weather.
This is an amazing day – especially if you have good weather. Start with a scenic drive over Moll’s Gap into the town of Killarney. From here you can rent bikes or driving and get on one of the boats in Killarney NP. If you are renting bikes they will load your bikes onto the boat.
The boat ride through the lakes takes about 2.5 hours with a stop or two and offers incredible views of the lakes and mountains.
This is a one way boat ride so you will hop off with your bike, grab a bite at the restaurant and then bike up over the pass of Dunloe (you can also hike or take a horse drawn carriage).
See exactly how to plan a boat and bike trip to Killarney National Park.
Day 4: Ring or Kerry or Skellig Ring
You have a full day to explore the Ring of Kerry or the Skellig Ring. Which drive you choose depends on where you’re staying and what you want to see.
We decided to visit the less crowded Skellig Ring and had a fantastic day with a bit less driving. The top stops on the Skellig Ring include:
Top Stops:
- Portmagee
- Kerry Cliffs
- St. Finian’s Bay
- Skelligs Chocolate
- Ballinskelligs
We loved the sweeping coastal views from the drive.
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher and Ferry to Aran Islands
Get an early start today and head to the ferry to the Aran Islands. You can either get the ferry in Galway or Doolin. Check the ferry times in advance and book early as they do fill up in the summer.
We took the ferry from Doolin.
On the way to the ferry, stop at the Cliffs of Moher. This is a must-stop and the cliffs are staggeringly tall. You will need to pay to visit the cliffs but if you have time you can walk along the cliff tops. There is a restaurant and gift shop here – very different from when I first visited over 20 years ago.
Spend the night on the Aran Islands (we stayed on Innishmore) – we stayed at Aran Island Glamping.
On the island, make sure you rent a bike and explore!
Day 6: Galway
Finish exploring Innishmore and then take the ferry back to Doolin or Galway and spend the afternoon in Galway. Walk around the town and hit the pubs. We spent the evening at a soccer game at the local stadium.
Day 7: Drive to Dublin
Finish your 1 week ireland itinerary with a drive back to Dublin. If you have time make sure to spend time exploring Dublin. We loved our tour of the gaol, visiting the Book of Kells and walking around the downtown – I think we hit 20,000 steps on our day in Dublin.
Head on your way or spend a few days exploring Dublin.
Things to Know Before Exploring Ireland
When to Visit
Ireland is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your travel style.
- Spring (March–May): Mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, and fewer crowds. We were there in Late April and had some truly amazing weather.
- Summer (June–August): Long daylight hours and the warmest weather, making it ideal for road trips and coastal adventures. This is also peak tourist season.
- Fall (September–October): Beautiful colors, comfortable temperatures, and fewer visitors.
- Winter (November–February): Cooler and wetter, but you’ll find lower prices, festive holiday markets, and a cozy pub atmosphere.
How to Get to Ireland
Most international travelers arrive through Dublin Airport, the country’s largest airport. Other major gateways include Shannon Airport on the west coast and Cork Airport in southern Ireland.
Direct flights are available from many cities in North America and Europe.
Currency
The Euro (€) is used throughout the Republic of Ireland.
If you plan to visit Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, the currency changes to the British Pound Sterling (£).
Credit cards are widely accepted, though carrying a small amount of cash is helpful for rural areas and small businesses.
Language
English is the primary language spoken throughout Ireland. Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language, and you’ll see bilingual road signs in many regions, particularly in the Gaeltacht areas where Irish is still commonly spoken.
Driving in Ireland
Driving is one of the best ways to explore Ireland’s countryside.
- Vehicles drive on the left side of the road.
- Many rural roads are narrow and winding.
- Roundabouts are common.
- An automatic transmission rental car should be reserved well in advance if that’s your preference.
Power & Outlets
Ireland uses Type G electrical outlets (the same as the United Kingdom) and operates on 230V electricity.
Travelers from North America will need a plug adapter.
Weather
Ireland’s weather can change quickly, sometimes within the same hour.
Pack:
- A waterproof jacket
- Layers for changing temperatures
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A small umbrella or rain shell
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not required.
- Restaurants: 10–15% for good service
- Taxis: Round up the fare
- Pubs: Tipping is generally not expected for drinks
How Many Days Do You Need in Ireland?
Recommend:
- 5–7 days: Dublin plus one region
- 10–14 days: Classic Ireland road trip
- 2+ weeks: Full island itinerary including Northern Ireland
Must-Know Travel Tips
- Book accommodations early during summer.
- Start sightseeing early to avoid tour bus crowds.
- Don’t overpack your itinerary: distances look short on a map but roads can be slow.
- Leave time for spontaneous stops; some of Ireland’s best experiences happen off the itinerary.
