Ultimate 11 Day Ireland Itinerary

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This itinerary focuses on the southern and western portion of Ireland.

Day 1: First Day in Dublin 

There are two ways to go about visiting Dublin once you arrive. And people very passionately defend their stances on this!

Many arrivals from the US are pretty early in the morning. (I was able to arrive one time at about 11:00 AM and that really suited me! But most of the time, you’re getting there at like 5:00 or 6:00 AM.)

So you have two options: Stay awake until bedtime and fight the jetlag. Or take a short nap and stay up later, hoping you don’t sleep too long and really screw up your sense of time.

Let’s assume you plan to stay up all day: 

💡PRO TIP: You might be hard pressed to find a cafe open just yet. I’ve noticed many don’t open til 7:00 or 8:00. If you need that caffeine jolt first thing, there’s a good cafe at the airport before you exit, OR you can pick up a decent enough coffee or tea at a local Spar once you get into the city center. Also it will likely be too early to check in, but your hotel should hold your bags. 

A great first stop is Trinity College. Especially if you get there earlier, it can be really peaceful and beautiful when it’s less crowded. 

Many know Trinity College as the home of the Book of Kells (medieval manuscript of the four gospels of the new testament) and the gorgeous Long Room library. But often missed is the equally stunning Geography Building – it’s like something out of Hogwarts. Plus the campus itself with all the old buildings is just stunning. 

You’ll definitely be hungry for some breakfast or brunch by this time if you haven’t already eaten a little something.

You can dig in to a complete Irish breakfast or visit one of the many cafes throughout the city center. The Queen of Tarts is a very popular one for tourists and locals alike. Their pastries are excellent, but they also have a full breakfast and lunch menu. *Make sure to check ahead though, because I believe they’re closed on Mondays!

After you’ve eaten, and gotten reenergized a bit. I recommend checking out a museum or two. You’re spoiled for choice here as there are so many worthwhile museums in Dublin!

The EPIC Irish Emigration Museum is one of the most popular among tourists and is so well put together. It takes you through the Irish experience during the famine and illustrates the massive impact of the Irish emigrants throughout the world.  

Other great museums include:

• Kilmainham Gaol: (pronounced jail) This former prison is now a national monument. Take a tour here to learn the history of those who fought for Irish independence.
• GPO Museum: Tells the story of the 1916 Easter Rising and the history of the Irish thereafter. 
• Dublin Castle: Constructed in the 13th century, this building has played a massive role in Irish history and now serves as a government complex and museum. (side note: it’s gorgeous at Christmastime!) 
• Chester Beatty: This lesser known gem stands on the grounds of Dublin Castle. It’s based on a collection of art and manuscripts from Western, Asian, and Islamic works collected by Beatty himself. It’s actually one of my favorites to visit.

You’ll probably be ready to eat again after all that walking. Try Bambino’s Pizza in the Temple Bar district. It’s a popular local spot, and you can grab a slice then walk around the Temple Bar area and possibly pop into a pub or two.

At this point, your hotel room should be ready. I recommend checking in, situating yourself and thinking about where you’ll want to head out for dinner and some more pub atmosphere for the evening.

Day 2: Glendalough-Kilkenny Day Trip from Dublin

Day trips from Dublin are a great idea because you can keep from changing hotels too often, and there are so many trips you can take from Ireland’s capital.

I recommend taking a day tour to Glendalough, through the Wicklow Mountains, and to Kilkenny. 

I highly recommend Collins Day Tours based on personal experience. They specialize in this destination alone, and the care they show to running it truly shows. 

The tour guides are so well versed in the area and its history. But they’re really entertaining as well, so it’s a great journey not just for the scenery but the experience as a whole.

You’ll start from Dublin and head through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough. This is a valley within the national park that holds a 6th century monastic site (one of the most preserved in Ireland). 

You’ll also get a glimpse of Guinness Lake, an iconic spot and one of Ireland’s most magnificent views on the Eastern side of the country.

After a short trek through the valley, you’ll head to the medieval town of Kilkenny. You’ll be given about an hour or so (just enough time to check out the Smithwick’s Brewery Experience. Check with your driver to see if you can squeeze it in!)

After some time in Kilkenny, you’ll head back to Dublin for the evening.

Grab a relaxing dinner, or check out a few pubs for some live Irish trad music.

Day 3: Cork/Blarney Castle

Base yourselves in Cork for the next 2 days and explore the nearby areas.

Make Blarney Castle your first stop. And if you’re wondering, is Blarney Castle worth visiting, the answer is yes.

Blarney Castle is a top tourist attraction and for good reason. The castle is centuries old, has an elaborate backstory (involving Queen Elizabeth I and witches), and an epic garden and grounds area that’s perfect for exploring.

Blarney Castle is most famous for the Blarney Stone. If you’re not familiar: legend has it that if you kiss the stone, you’ll be granted with the “gift of gab”. Every year thousands of visitors flock to the castle in order to kiss the stone at the top.

Whether or not it’s true, it’s a fun experience for sure. The gardens are amazing (there’s even a poisonous garden). And at certain times of the year you can visit Blarney House, where a family that still owns the property lives for a portion of the time.

After your time at the castle, head back to Cork city to experience the foodie capital of Ireland. There are a ton of great restaurant choices including Michelin starred restaurant, Ichigo Ichie. But if Japanese isn’t on your mind there are a ton of choices, truly. 

The English Market is an historic food market located in city center. It’s cool to walk around and see all the food stalls, but I wouldn’t say it’s conducive to sitting down for a meal. (Just a neat place to see)

A relatively new place, the Marina Market, is a little on the edge of the city but so worth the walk over. It’s full of food shops with a great communal seating area. I had some really delicious BBQ from The White Rabbit. And my friends and I got really great coffee from La Creme. I highly recommend this spot for lunch.

After that there are a few good spots to check out within Cork city:

• Elizabeth Fort: A historical landmark in the city center. It’s a 17th century defense fortification built on the high ground. It offers spectacular views of the city and is worth a stop for sure.
• Shandon Bell Tower: Visit the church of St. Anne and wind your way up to rings the bells of the Shandon Tower (and take in unmatched views of the city).
• Fitzgerald Park: If you’re graced with a sunny day, take a relaxing stroll through the park. It’s near the University College Cork and offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city center.
• Cork City Gaol: (pronounced jail)This is a smaller version of the Kilmainham Gaol located in Dublin. It’s just as striking however, and will be less crowded than its counterpart.

There are also really great pubs to visit. I really liked the Franciscan Well Brewery; they have a pizza place attached that I enjoyed too. And there is a Cork Heritage Pub Trail that includes all the best pubs for Irish Trad music. My favorites were Sin é and The Corner House (conveniently across the street from each other 😉).

Day 4: Cork/Cobh: Cobh (pronounced ‘cove’) is a quaint seaside town that’s about 20-30 mins south of Cork city. You can get there by train, bus, or car.

It’s a lovely destination for a quick day trip!

The big attraction to Cobh (other than being really beautiful) is that it was the last port the Titanic saw before its fateful trip. There is a museum, Titanic Experience Cobh, that offers an immersive experience into what it would have felt like to be a passenger boarding on that historic day. 

There is also a heritage center that’s popular with tourists, especially those with Irish ancestry. This Cobh Heritage Centre tells the tale of the Irish that emigrated from this area of Ireland.

If you’ve seen images of Cobh, you’ve likely seen the “deck of cards” houses that align the street at the top of a massive hill. It’s actually harder to get to than the images show. You have to walk uphill along West View street and there’s a barrier wall that you’ll need to reach over to get a shot of the houses with St. Coleman’s Cathedral in the background.

If you’re really into photography (getting that ubiquitous shot for the gram), go for it. But you might make better use of your time at a pub or restaurant along the harbor enjoying the sights and making conversation with some locals. 

After your day in Cobh, head back to Cork city to see some more sights you may have missed the previous day. 

Days 5 & 6: Killarney

I love LOVE Killarney. It has so much to offer, you’ll want to be here for at least 2 days. There are amazing pubs with excellent live music and a great atmosphere, traditional music and dance shows, and Killarney National Park right on the town’s doorstep.

For a more in depth look into Killarney, read my Things to Do in Killarney post for all the details.

But I can tell you that you’ll want to take a good portion of day 1 in Killarney exploring the national park. This is Ireland’s oldest national park and it’s massive. There are a ton of walking trails that you can get to from town. And there are several more serious hiking trails including up a mountain if that’s your thing. 

You can also go kayaking in the lakes of Killarney (also located within the park), go on a boat ride with a guide to see some incredible views, or take a jaunting car (horse and buggy) through a mountain pass, the Gap of Dunloe. 

There’s just a ton to see within this park.

💡I recommend taking the hop on hop off bus if you wanted to get around a few places and don’t have a car. There are stops at the town center (basically where you’ll be starting from), Torc Waterfall, Ross Castle, Muckross House, and Muckross Abbey. These all lie within the national park, but are spread out enough that this bus really comes in handy. 

When you’re done exploring, head into town for well deserved pints and food. Quinlan’s is an excellent seafood spot in town. The Laurels is one of my favorite pubs to chat up some locals at the bar (they have great food too). I love the burgers at O’Donoghue Public House, and they always have live music at night. 

And you have to visit JM Reidy! This is such a unique location; you keep walking and more and more opens up to you with every turn. It’s also a cafe in the morning and for lunch, then becomes a full bar with music in the evenings.

If you’re interested in watching a traditional Irish music and dance performance, then one of the evenings you’re here take in one of the two musical revues that have shows during the high season. One is called Celtic Steps and the other is Gaelic Roots. 

I’ve been to the Gaelic Roots show and enjoyed it, but they’re both very popular. They showcase traditional Irish singing and dancing, and instrumentals. It’s a nice glimpse into the artistic culture that you don’t see everyday.

On your second day in Killarney, check out Deros day tours and book a Ring of Kerry tour. The Ring of Kerry is a small highway that goes around the Iveragh Peninsula. This route is one of the most famous tours in Ireland, and is often considered the most beautiful. Much of it follows the Wild Atlantic Way which is a long coastal route on the west coast of Ireland. And in my opinion is the most beautiful part of the island.

CAVEAT: If you’ve rented a car, you can absolutely drive this yourself. However, whoever’s driving will miss much of the scenery this way (even if you do make stops) and you won’t get the expert knowledge of the tour guide. There is no “wrong way” to tour, and you know yourselves best, but these are things to keep in mind.

Day 7: Dingle

Make your way to the Dingle Peninsula on this day. It’s about an hour drive to Dingle town from Killarney. If you haven’t rented a car, there are taxis that will take you. Or you can take a bus, but you will have to make a stop in the town of Tralee first (and it will double your time).

There are many things to do in Dingle. Among the top things would be to take a drive along Slea Head Drive. I honestly love this drive even more than the Ring of Kerry (which is the more popular one). I’ve experienced both, and they’re both gorgeous. But there is just something special about Slea Head. 

Dingle is a great place for nature activities. You can kayak, take a boat trip and go dolphin spotting, you can even take a surfing class.

For a slower pace, I definitely recommend strolling through DIngle town and looking at all the shops. Have a couple of great meals. And for sure visit Murphy’s Ice Cream shop. There are a few of these throughout Ireland, but this is the original. They have really unique flavors like Irish brown bread (my fave) and Dingle gin. It’s so good.

Dingle is a Gaeltacht region meaning that the Irish language is the predominant language. Tradition runs deep here, and it’s such a lovely and remote place you’ll never want to leave.

There are also a number of great pubs to visit. You love the lively atmosphere and the friendliness of the locals. 

Day 8: Doolin/Cliffs of Moher

It may be a small town, but there is plenty to see and do in Doolin. 

The Cliffs of Moher is a quick trip from town. I recommend either going early in the day or later on to try to catch the sunset which is absolutely stunning at the cliffs! 

It’s one of the most popular tourist spots in Ireland, if not the most popular. So going midday can be hectic. (Although, first and foremost you’ll want to check the weather forecast and capitalize on the better times of the day for sure).

There are also opportunities to walk the coastal route. The Doolin Cliff Walk offers a stunning coastal trail that leads you to the cliffs. And there are tours available as well in case you don’t feel up to guiding yourself. 

Back in Doolin you’ll definitely want to take a stroll through the town. Fischer Street is where to head for that traditional, colorful Irish small town vibe. Visit the shops (and check out the authentic Irish sweaters), enjoy the views and grab some lunch. 

And then in the evening, visit a pub or two, like O’Connor’s and McGann’s, for really great trad music and a couple of pints.

Day 9: Galway City

On the first day in Galway, it would be best to get into town, check into your hotel and then spend the day exploring the town center.

Galway is known as a cultural haven in Ireland. There is always something to see and enjoy here. Check here for festivals and events in Galway during the time you plan to visit.

Aside from events Galway offers, there is a great history dating back to ancient celtic times. There are several walking tours offered that give great detail to the importance Galway played in Ireland’s history – including its Latin Quarter with Spanish and Portuguese heritage, and being the original birthplace of the Claddagh ring.

After walking around town, stop for a break at one of the many cafes and relax with views of the river or bay.

Continue sightseeing by checking out the Galway Cathedral, walk through Quay Street, and you can’t miss taking a stroll down the Long Walk. This is for sure a touristy spot, with the colorful houses stacked along the waterway. But it’s pretty and easy to get to and makes for a great photo op (many postcards have been made focusing on this spot!)

In the evening check out one of Galway’s many foodie spots. Ard Bia is a great fine dining option. The Dough Bros is often voted as Ireland’s best pizza. And you can’t miss the King’s Head for a great pint and delicious pub food.

Day 10: Galway City/Aran Islands

On your second day in Galway, make your way out to the Aran Islands. These are a set of three small islands just off the coast near Galway, Inis Mór (Inishmore), Inis Meáin (Inishmaan), and Inis Oírr (Inisheer). On a clear day you can see them from the Cliffs of Moher.

You can take a small plane year round from Connemara Regional Airport (if weather permits) or a ferry to get to the islands (which is the more common way to get there). 

Ferry departures with Aran Island Ferries from Galway City and Doolin are seasonal (during the high season – mid April to September) and from Rossaveel, year round. A shuttle bus is available to take you to Rossaveel from Galway City and back on your return.

The ferry on the way back to Galway City will take you past the Cliffs of Moher. This is a really different and awe-inspiring way to see the cliffs.

On the islands you’re transported back to a historical Ireland filled with Celtic and Christian ruins. Aside from ruins there are also beaches, seal colonies, and dramatic cliffs.

Inis Mór is the largest of the three islands, the one most often visited, and the one I recommend. 

When you arrive, rent bikes or ebikes to cycle around (or you can walk if you prefer). Visit the Wormhole, a famous spot for diving. Dún Aonghasa is an iconic attraction on this island. It’s a large prehistoric stone fort perched beside a sheer sea-cliff. Gorgeous views, and not to be missed.

Other activities on Inis Mór include taking a horse and carriage ride, snorkeling or diving, and kayaking. Sea life is abundant here, and you’re likely to see some seals frolicking in the waters.

The Aran Islands are also known as the spot to find an authentic Irish wool sweater.

Day 11: Dublin

It will take about 3 or 4 hours to get back to Dublin. After you check into your hotel and freshen up, head to the Guinness Storehouse.

This is an attraction you won’t want to miss. The Storehouse is 7 floors of interactive museum that shares the history of Guinness as well as how it’s made. 

You won’t want to miss learning how to pour a Guinness properly. And you can even get your face imprinted on your own pint.

After that, enjoy your last evening at dinner and get your last fill at another great pub or two.