Collect the car after Dublin
The route has an arrival night in Dublin, then the car pickup and Glendalough journey. Add a city day before that pickup if you want Trinity College or a longer Dublin visit.
EUROPE / IRELAND
A 10-Day Ireland Road Trip from Dublin through Kerry and Galway
A castle before lunch. A sea view around the next bend. And an evening with nowhere more urgent to be.
A ten-day Ireland road trip from Dublin through Wicklow, Kilkenny, Kerry, Dingle, Doolin, and Galway, with castle visits, coastal drives, and time in the towns.
A trip from Alisha & MattPlanned with couples in mind.
Some days, the drive is a big part of the plan.
YOUR TIME10 days, including travel
THE ROUTEDublin → Kerry → Galway → Dublin
TRAVEL STYLERoad trip + town walks
THE PACESeveral bases, a few longer drives
THE TRIP, IN A FEW WORDS
A little history.
A lot of coastline.
Start with a night in Dublin, then head through Glendalough, Kilkenny, and Cashel toward Kerry. The middle of the route makes room for Killarney and Dingle.
Continue to Doolin for the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, then finish near Galway. Dublin sightseeing ideas are shown separately if you want to add a city day.
See how the route fits together ↘A LITTLE ORIENTATION
Across the country.
Around the coast.
A ten-day route, with optional Dublin sightseeing ideas shown separately below.
ROUTE DIAGRAM · NOT TO SCALEDublin + WicklowArrival + Glendalough
Kerry + DingleCastles, lakes, coastal roads
Doolin + BurrenCliffs + limestone landscape
Galway → DublinFinal stay + departure
TEN-DAY ROAD TRIP · START AND FINISH IN DUBLIN
Planning your Ireland stay
Choose the coastal extras
The Skellig detour, a Cliffs of Moher boat outing, and cliff-top viewpoints use different parts of the day. Keep boat and longer walking plans conditional on current operation, and allow the road journey its own time.
Your Ireland route and overnight stays
| Day | Route or focus | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DUBLIN · ARRIVAL | The Fitzwilliam Hotel. |
| 2 | DUBLIN → GLENDALOUGH → THOMASTOWN | Mount Juliet Estate, Hunter’s Yard. |
| 3 | KILKENNY → CASHEL → KENMARE | House 15, Kenmare. |
| 4 | KENMARE → RING OF KERRY → KILLARNEY | Muckross Park Hotel. |
| 5 | GAP OF DUNLOE · KILLARNEY | Muckross Park Hotel. |
| 6 | KILLARNEY → DINGLE | Base Dingle. |
| 7 | DINGLE PENINSULA | Base Dingle. |
| 8 | DINGLE → BURREN → DOOLIN | Doolin Inn. |
| 9 | DOOLIN → BURREN → GALWAY | Glenlo Abbey, Galway area. |
| 10 | GALWAY AREA → DUBLIN AIRPORT | Homeward bound. |
THE PLAN
Your Ireland itinerary, day by day
Open a day for the details. Keep the whole route close.
10 days · 9 nightsA ROUTE TO MAKE YOUR OWN
IRELAND · THE ROUTE
DAY1Hello, Dublin.
DUBLIN · ARRIVAL
Keep arrival day light. Reach your hotel, settle in, and choose a short walk or dinner nearby if your flight leaves time.
- Arrive in DublinFit the first evening to your flight arrival time.
- Transfer to the hotelLet the hotel know if your arrival will be late.
- Keep the evening clearLeave room to rest after the flight. Save the longer sightseeing for an extra Dublin day.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
The Fitzwilliam Hotel.
DAY2Through Wicklow to the estate.
DUBLIN → GLENDALOUGH → THOMASTOWN
Collect the car and head to Glendalough before continuing to Mount Juliet. Allow time for the monastic site and a walk before the onward drive.
- Rental-car pickupAllow time for collection and the drive to Glendalough before choosing the length of your walk.
- Glendalough monastic siteExplore the site, allowing time for the historical context.
- Choose a walkChoose the Green Road or Poulanass walk according to available time and current conditions.
- Mount Juliet EstateSettle in at Hunter’s Yard; The Hound is the dinner stop.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Mount Juliet Estate, Hunter’s Yard.
DAY3Castles on the way to Kenmare.
KILKENNY → CASHEL → KENMARE
A town walk, a castle, and the Rock of Cashel make this a full travel day.
- Kilkenny town & castlePair the town walk with a castle visit, checking current entry arrangements.
- Rock of CashelCheck the guided-tour and chapel options before visiting the Rock of Cashel.
- Continue to KenmareLeave room for the longer final drive and hotel check-in.
- An evening in townConsider Kenmare Brewhouse for dinner after settling in.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
House 15, Kenmare.
DAY4The Ring of Kerry day.
KENMARE → RING OF KERRY → KILLARNEY
Give the road trip the day. Choose your stops and build a driving plan before setting out.
- Set out from KenmareAn early start leaves more of the day for the drive.
- Ring of Kerry & Skellig RingConsider Waterville and the Skellig Ring when choosing stops. Allow extra driving time for detours.
- Continue to KillarneyCheck in and leave room for the hotel and lake area.
- Dinner in KillarneyThe Lane is a dinner option for the evening.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Muckross Park Hotel.
DAY5Through the Gap, across the lakes.
GAP OF DUNLOE · KILLARNEY
Make the guided Gap of Dunloe outing the center of the day.
- Gap of Dunloe adventureCombine a pony-and-trap journey with a boat trip, confirming the operator’s current route and meeting point.
- Lakes of Killarney & Ross CastleChoose a boat outing that includes the lakes and a Ross Castle finish, confirming the route with the operator.
- Muckross House, if timeKeep this as an optional visit rather than a fixed appointment.
- A hotel eveningConsider Colgans for dinner. If you want to use the hotel pool, confirm access with your stay.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Muckross Park Hotel.
DAY6Hello, Dingle.
KILLARNEY → DINGLE
Explore Dingle town, take a sea safari if conditions allow, and return for dinner.
- Dingle town walkLook around the craft shops, harbor, and streets. Harry Clarke windows and the Fungie statue are on the route.
- Lunch in townConsider Pig & Leaf, Mexwest, or a picnic from the Little Cheese Shop for lunch.
- Dingle Sea SafariRecheck departure, weather, and clothing instructions with the operator.
- Dinner at SolasConsider Solas Tapas & Wine for dinner; check current opening and reservations.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Base Dingle.
DAY7The Slea Head loop.
DINGLE PENINSULA
Take the coastal loop, with time for the stops that interest you. Plan the sequence before leaving town.
- Slea Head driveGallarus Oratory, beehive huts, and Coumeenoole Beach are named on the route.
- Possible farm or sheepdog stopIf a farm visit or sheepdog demonstration interests you, confirm availability and allow time for it along the drive.
- Back to DingleConsider The Fish Box, Little Italy, or Dick Mack’s for a food stop back in town.
- Optional music eveningCheck the current programme at St James’ Church or look for live music in a pub.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Base Dingle.
DAY8The Burren, then the cliffs.
DINGLE → BURREN → DOOLIN
This is a busy driving day. Build the sightseeing around a confirmed boat departure and allow enough time to reach Doolin.
- Burren drive & perfumeryPair a Burren Perfumery visit with lunch in its tea rooms.
- Poulnabrone & on to DoolinVisit Poulnabrone Dolmen if the drive and boat departure leave enough time.
- Cliffs of Moher boat outingConfirm operation, departure, and arrival instructions with the operator.
- Visitor-area viewpointsVisit the cliff-top viewing areas if opening and daylight allow. Check longer coastal-path access separately.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Doolin Inn.
DAY9A final stretch toward Galway.
DOOLIN → BURREN → GALWAY
Continue the Burren section, then leave the afternoon for Galway and the final hotel.
- Optional morning viewpointOnly add a walk if current access and your departure timing allow.
- Continue through the BurrenChoose a few stops along the drive and leave time for Galway in the afternoon.
- Galway town walkExplore the city streets and cathedral.
- Dinner & the final overnightBotown or The Dough Bros are food options on the route.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Glenlo Abbey, Galway area.
DAY10Back across to Dublin.
GALWAY AREA → DUBLIN AIRPORT
Leave the day for the airport drive, rental return, and onward flight.
- Drive to Dublin AirportRecheck driving time and allow a buffer for your own departure.
- Return the rental carFollow your current rental agreement and airport instructions.
- Fly onwardAllow time for your onward connections.
WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Homeward bound.
MAKE ROOM FOR THISFrom the water.
From the water.
Then from above.
The Doolin day pairs a Cliffs of Moher boat tour with the visitor-area viewpoints. Two ways to see the same stretch of coast, if conditions and access allow.
A GOOD PLACE TO LAND
Where to put your feet up.
Places to stay along the route.
A BASE TO EXPLORE.
DUBLIN
The Fitzwilliam Hotel
The Dublin base for your arrival night, before setting out toward Wicklow.
Find it on the mapTHOMASTOWN
Mount Juliet Estate
Stay at Hunter’s Yard after exploring Glendalough, before continuing to Kilkenny and Cashel.
Find it on the mapKILLARNEY
Muckross Park Hotel
Two nights, following the Ring of Kerry and for the Gap of Dunloe day.
Find it on the mapGALWAY AREA
Glenlo Abbey
A final overnight near Galway. Confirm your preferred accommodation and room when arranging the stay.
Find it on the mapThe route also includes House 15 in Kenmare for the night before the Ring of Kerry drive.
If you add time in Dublin.
Add a city day before picking up the rental car if you want time for these Dublin ideas. Check current entry and performance arrangements when planning your visit.
A walk through central Dublin
Build a city walk around St Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, and Temple Bar, with time for a café stop.
Trinity College & the Book of Kells
Make the Book of Kells a main stop on your extra Dublin day. Check the current visitor experience and book entry before planning the rest of the day.
An evening performance
Check Dublin’s current theatre and music listings, then choose a performance that fits your extra city day.
Bakery and food stops
Consider Fable Bakery, Bread 41, Little Geno’s, or Bambino for a food stop. Check opening and choose one near your city walk.
A NOTE FROM ALISHA & MATT
Take the long view.
Leave room
for a detour.
There are several hotel moves and some busy days in this route. Use the plan to see what fits, then give the places you care about enough time.
Alisha & MattPick up the car when you leave Dublin.
Collect the rental car before heading to Glendalough. Allow time for pickup, the drive, and the walk you choose.
Check the coastal paths separately.
Check current coastal-path access before planning a walk from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher visitor center.
Keep weather-dependent outings flexible.
The Gap of Dunloe, Dingle Sea Safari, and Cliffs of Moher boat trips all need current operator and weather checks. Confirm departures before arranging the rest of the day.
BEFORE YOU GO
A few good questions.
How much time does this route allow in Dublin?
The ten-day route allows an arrival night in Dublin, then heads to Glendalough the next day. Add a city day if you want time for the Book of Kells, a longer city walk, or an evening show.
Can we visit Trinity College or see an evening show?
Yes. Add a Dublin day before collecting the car so you have time for the Book of Kells, a city walk, or an evening performance. Check current entry and theatre listings before booking.
Does the page include the Cliffs of Moher coastal walk?
It includes the visitor-area viewpoints and the planned boat tour. For a longer Doolin-to-visitor-center walk, check current coastal path access separately.
How do we keep a copy?
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THERE’S MORE TO SEE, TOGETHER.
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