Do you love nature, dramatic coastlines, and warm hospitality? Then Ireland is your kind of destination. Driving through the country feels like flipping through pages of a storybook — every bend in the road reveals something new. From ancient castles and the windswept Cliffs of Moher, to colorful villages and the legendary Ring of Kerry, this itinerary is designed to show you Ireland at its most magical.
Highlights
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Experience true Irish hospitality with a pint of Guinness in a cozy pub
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Stand on the edge of the giant Cliffs of Moher
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Kiss the Blarney Stone and gain lifelong eloquence
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Hike through the lush green valleys of the Irish countryside
Day 1: Dublin
Arrive in Ireland’s lively capital and dive straight in. Visit Trinity College, home of the famous Book of Kells, and explore the Teeling Whiskey Distillery to learn about Ireland’s liquid gold. In the modern Docklands district, you’ll see sleek architecture contrasting with Dublin’s historic heart.
As evening falls, follow the music into the Temple Bar quarter, where fiddles and laughter spill out of every doorway. Order a Guinness and you’ll quickly feel the warmth of Irish hospitality.
Accommodation: Sandymount Hotel / Ripley Court Hotel or similar
Day 2: Bray → Wicklow Mountains → Glendalough
Begin with a refreshing coastal hike from Bray to Greystones, rewarded by sea views and perhaps a cone of fish and chips back in Bray. Then take the Old Military Road through the Wicklow Mountains, known as the “Garden of Ireland.”
Your destination is Glendalough, a valley famous for its monastic ruins and serene hiking trails. Wander to the Upper Lake, the Poulanass waterfall, and the ancient stone towers that whisper of Ireland’s early Christian past.
Accommodation: Langton House Hotel / Hotel Kilkenny or similar
Day 3: Kilkenny → Rock of Cashel → Midleton
Start in charming Kilkenny, with its medieval castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral, and cobbled lanes along the River Nore. Then drive southwest to the Rock of Cashel, perched on a limestone hill and once the seat of Munster’s kings. From here, walk to the atmospheric ruins of Hore Abbey.
End the day with a toast to Irish craftsmanship at the Midleton Distillery, where you can learn the secrets of whiskey-making and taste the results.
Accommodation: Midleton Park Hotel / Commodore Hotel or similar
Day 4: Cóbh → Blarney Castle → Killarney National Park
In the morning, stroll through Cóbh, a harbor town with candy-colored houses stacked along steep streets. This was the Titanic’s last port of call, and the heritage center tells the poignant story of Irish emigration.
Next stop: the legendary Blarney Castle. Kiss the Blarney Stone in the castle walls and, according to tradition, you’ll be blessed with the gift of eloquence. The castle grounds, with their landscaped gardens, are worth a wander.
Continue to Killarney National Park, a wonderland of lakes, castles, abbeys, and waterfalls. As night falls, the town of Killarney comes alive with lively pubs and traditional music, the heartbeat of Irish culture.
Accommodation: The Heights Hotel Killarney / Scott’s Hotel or similar
Day 5: Gap of Dunloe → Ring of Kerry
Begin with a hike or horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow mountain pass dotted with lakes and stone bridges. The views are spellbinding.
Then set off on the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland’s most famous drives. Along this loop you’ll pass rugged cliffs, emerald fields, fishing villages, and sweeping coastal views.
If you book well in advance, you could add a ferry trip to Skellig Michael, the rocky island monastery made famous by Star Wars. It’s open May to September, weather permitting.
Accommodation: The Heights Hotel Killarney / Scott’s Hotel or similar
Day 6: Bunratty Castle → Cliffs of Moher
Step back in time at Bunratty Folk Park, an open-air museum recreating a 19th-century Irish village, complete with cottages, shops, and a traditional pub.
From here, head west to the mighty Cliffs of Moher, stretching for 7 km and soaring 214 m above the Atlantic. On clear days, you’ll see Aran Islands and Galway Bay in the distance. This cinematic setting has starred in Harry Potter — and puffins often nest here in summer.
End the day with an evening of live folk music in Doolin, known as Ireland’s traditional music capital.
Accommodation: Glasha Meadows B&B / Ballinsheen House & Gardens or similar
Day 7: The Burren → Galway → Return to Dublin
Travel through the strange, lunar-like landscape of The Burren, where wildflowers grow between ancient limestone cracks and prehistoric monuments like the Poulnabrone Dolmen stand in silence.
If time allows, stop in Galway, a colorful bohemian city known for its artsy vibe and lively streets. Then it’s time to return to Dublin Airport, carrying with you the warmth, music, and stories of Ireland.
Why This Journey
This 7-day Ireland itinerary is a perfect blend of landscapes, culture, and people. From kissing the Blarney Stone to listening to fiddles in Doolin, from whiskey tastings to hikes along emerald valleys, Ireland offers experiences that are both deeply rooted in tradition and endlessly alive in the present.
