14 Days in Ireland
Trip Overview
Kiss the Blarney Stone first, then hike the Cliffs of Moher. This two-week loop hugs Ireland's wild west coast before diving into the island's ancient east. You'll island-hop on the Wild Atlantic Way, then finish with Dublin's foodie revolution and buzzing nightlife. The pace is moderate, most days mix a signature sight with unhur down-time in a village pub. Expect weather to change every ten minutes, music in every second pub, and landscapes that switch from lunar karst to soft golden beaches.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$150-220 per day
Best Seasons
April, October; May and September give long daylight without peak crowds
Ideal For
First-time visitors, Photography lovers, Traditional-music fans, Couples & small groups
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Dublin Docklands & Trad Tunes
Jet-lag? Walk it off. A breezy docklands stroll works, then dive straight into Temple Bar's living soundtrack.
Morning
EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum
Interactive galleries track 10 million Irish journeys. Digital passports let you 'leave' too. This is your crash course in the island's sweeping global story.
Book first slot online to avoid tour-bus rush
Lunch
The Woollen Mills (EPIC café)
Afternoon
Trinity College & Book of Kells
The 18C Long Room library, Harry-Potter-esque, marks where the campus tour ends. Arrive after 15:00. Morning crowds thin.
Buy fast-track on GetYourGuide
Evening
Temple Bar live session
Oliver St. John Gogarty's, grab a pint of Guinness, stay for bodhrán beat
Where to Stay Tonight
Temple Bar / Trinity vicinity (The Clarence Hotel (mid-range) or Garden Lane Backpackers (hostel))
Walk everywhere; late-night music outside your door
See all Ireland accommodation options →Order Guinness only after the bartender has finished the previous pour, fresh tap matters.
Day 1 Budget: $170
2
Coastal Dart to Howth
Dublin, Howth
Sea air, cliff-top views and Dublin's best fish & chips just 25 min from town.
Morning
Howth Cliff Path Loop (moderate)
Purple arrows mark the trail around Howth Head, keep your eyes on the water. Seals pop up at Red Rock without warning. The lighthouse throws views straight back to Dublin Bay.
Lunch
The House
Afternoon
Howth Market & Abbey Tavern trad matinee
Sample the honey first. Locals swear by the rosemary batch. Then grab a seat at the 12th-century tavern, 16:00 sharp, for the fiddle session.
No booking, arrive 15 min early
Where to Stay Tonight
Dublin (same) (Stay central)
Avoid repacking
See all Ireland accommodation options →Sit Dart's right-hand side outbound for sea views
Day 2 Budget: $140
3
Medieval Kilkenny & Smithwick's
Train south to the Marble City, castle, craft beer and hurling legends.
Morning
Irish Rail to Kilkenny
90-min journey through sheep-dotted midlands. Walk 5 min to hotel, drop bags.
Buy open return day-of at Heuston
Lunch
Kytelers Inn (1324)
Afternoon
Kilkenny Castle & Butler Gallery
A 12C fortress, restored. Long Gallery portraits stare down, contemporary art now fills the basement stables.
Evening
Smithwick's Experience
Brewery tour ends with a well poured pint. Stay for dinner on site
Where to Stay Tonight
City centre inside medieval walls (Hibernian House B&B)
5-min walk to everything. Hosts print next-day bus times
See all Ireland accommodation options →Climb 200-year-old-round tower inside castle grounds for 360° views
Day 3 Budget: $160
4
Rock of Cashel to Cork City
Cashel → Cork
Snap Ireland's most photogenic castle-rock before breakfast, then hit foodie-forward Cork hard.
Morning
Bus to Cashel, Rock visit
15-m limestone cliff, sheer and sudden. Crown of 12C chapel ruins, stone against sky. Audiovisual show lays out St. Patrick lore, quick and clear.
Pre-book if weekend, tour buses swarm
Lunch
Bailey's Gem (Cashel)
Afternoon
Bus to Cork + English Market
25-minute ride. Then graze artisan cheese, spiced beef and drisheen inside this 1788 covered market.
Where to Stay Tonight
St. Patrick's Hill / Victorian quarters (The Montenotte Hotel (infinity-view pool))
Walk downhill to centre. Free shuttle back up
See all Ireland accommodation options →Look for 'real' Cork accent, locals add 'boy' to every sentence
Day 4 Budget: $180
5
Kinsale Harbour & Gourmet Bites
Kinsale
Colourful sailing town well-known as Ireland's culinary capital.
Morning
Transfer to Kinsale (bus 40 min)
Dump the bags, grab coffee, then march straight to the 11:00 'Historic Stroll'. Guides spin the 1601 siege into a blood-and-mud thriller, and the pirate queens? They'll steal the show.
Meet at Tourist Office
Lunch
Fishy Fishy Café
Afternoon
Charles Fort & coastal walk
17C star-shaped fort blocks the harbour mouth, walk the Scilly Walk for postcard shots back to town.
Evening
Gourmet trail dinner
Start at Bastion (tasting), end at Blue Haven for live trad
Where to Stay Tonight
Town centre crooked street (The Old Bank B&B)
Free parking. Hosts are ex-yacht chefs with local tips
See all Ireland accommodation options →Book dinner before noon, Kinsale tables fill fast
Day 5 Budget: $190
6
Blarney Stone & Killarney Park
Blarney → Killarney
Kiss the stone early, then trade crowds for lakes and red-deer valleys.
Morning
Blarney Castle (arrive 09:00)
Spiral stairs first. Lean back, kiss the limestone, legend says you'll speak like a poet. Poison garden next. Druid stones at Rock Close wait.
Buy online 1 day ahead for 10% off
Lunch
The Creamery (Blarney village)
Afternoon
Train to Killarney + jaunting-car spin
1-h scenic rail. On arrival hop a pony-trap through Killarney National Park to 15C Ross Castle on Lough Leane.
Haggle politely, posted prices are negotiable off-peak
Evening
Dinner & Irish show at Celtic Steps
Champion dancers, live fiddle
Where to Stay Tonight
Killarney town centre (The Ross Hotel (boutique))
2-min to bus & train for Ring of Kerry tomorrow
See all Ireland accommodation options →Bring insect repellent for lakeside walks, midges love summer
Day 6 Budget: $200
7
Ring of Kerry Highlights
Skellig chocolate tastes better at 1,000 feet. The full-day mini-coach loop proves it, mountain passes bite, Atlantic viewpoints slap, and the sweet stuff waits at the top.
Morning
Small-coach tour (max 16)
08:30 sharp, go. Killarney viewpoint first. Snap the Gap of Dunloe, then straight into Black Valley.
Book via King's Court agency day before
Lunch
The Moorings (Portmagee)
Afternoon
Skellig Ring detour & Kerry Cliffs
Skip the big-bus section, watch puffins instead. They crowd the cliff ledges like commuters without a schedule. You'll stand 300 m above Atlantic swells.
Evening
Back by 18:00; free night
Murphy's Bar for local sett-dancing session
Where to Stay Tonight
Killarney (same) (No change)
No repack
See all Ireland accommodation options →Sit left side of coach for best coastal photos
Day 7 Budget: $160 (tour includes most)
8
Dingle Peninsula & Dolphin Cruise
Dingle
Slea Head drive, beehive huts and Fungie the dolphin's playground.
Morning
Transfer bus to Dingle (1 h 15)
Blasket Centre guides run the 11:30 rigid-inflatable dolphin trip, check in, then walk straight to the marina.
Sail early, afternoons get choppy
Lunch
Out of the Blue (seafood van)
Afternoon
Slea Head Drive (rent e-bike or hop-on bus)
Celtic roads curve like a drunk's signature. 6th-century beehive huts squat on the slope. You'll see Sleeping Giant. You'll see Blasket Islands.
Book bike before 12:00, stock limited
Evening
Trad crawl on strand street
Start at O'Flaherty's, end at A Droichead Beag
Where to Stay Tonight
Dingle town quay (Milltown House B&B)
Harbour-view breakfast room
See all Ireland accommodation options →Pack layers, Atlantic wind cuts even in July
Day 8 Budget: $170
9
Surf & Turf in Lahinch
Lahinch (Clare)
Swap Slea Head for surfing waves and the lunar Burren.
Morning
Bus via Tralee to Lahinch (2 h 30)
Dump your gear, grab a wetsuit and a 7-ft foamie, then dive straight into a 2-h beginner lesson on Lahinch's mellow beach break.
Lahinch Surf School accepts walk-ups off-peak
Lunch
The Corner Stone
Afternoon
Burren National Park ramble
The short bus (20 min) to Mullaghmore trailhead drops you at the start of a 7-km loop that climbs straight onto limestone pavements, wild orchids push up through every crack.
Evening
Trad & seafood at Vaughey's
Try Burren Smokehouse salmon plate
Where to Stay Tonight
Lahinch promenade (Lahinch Sea View B&B)
Surfboard storage & hot outdoor shower
See all Ireland accommodation options →Rinse skin after Burren walks, limestone dust dries fast
Day 9 Budget: $185
10
Cliffs & Culture at the Cliffs of Moher
Sunrise at Ireland's well-known cliffs, then ferry to the Aran Islands.
Morning
Pre-09:00 Moher visit (shuttle from Doolin)
214-m-high boardwalks beat the crowds, puffins nest May, July. Visitor centre opens 09:00; pop in after photos.
Book shuttle day before at Hotel Doolin desk
Lunch
Gus O'Connor's the roadhouse
Afternoon
Inis Oirr (Aran Islands) by Doolin2Aran ferry
Smallest island, rent a bike, loop past the rusting Plassey shipwreck and the 14C stone fort in 2 h flat. You'll be back on the 17:00 ferry.
Check weather, can cancel if swell >3 m
Evening
McDermott's pub session
Some of Clare's best uilleann-piping
Where to Stay Tonight
Doolin village (Hotel Doolin (eco-certified))
Ferry pier is 3-min walk; live music nightly
See all Ireland accommodation options →Pack rain pants, ferry spray soaks jeans
Day 10 Budget: $170
11
Galway Bay Bohemian Vibes
West-coast cultural capital: Spanish Arch, craft beer and oysters.
Morning
Bus to Galway (1 h), walking tour
The free 'Legendary Walking Tour' kicks off at 11:00 sharp. You'll hit Lynchgate first, then hear the Claddagh ring story, finishing at the 16C Spanish Arch.
Meet at tourism kiosk statue
Lunch
Moran's Oyster Cottage (kilometre-zero oysters)
Afternoon
Kirwan's Lane shopping & Claddagh swans
Start with Celtic jewellery designers, then walk Salthill prom. Kick the wall for luck at Blackrock Divers.
Evening
Róisín Dubh late trad
Craft-beer flight plus bodhrán circle from 21:30
Where to Stay Tonight
Latin Quarter (The House Hotel (hip, central))
Walk to all pubs. No taxi needed
See all Ireland accommodation options →Book dinner 18:30, music starts after, avoids two-sitting stress
Day 11 Budget: $190
12
Yeats Country & Strandhill Surf
Sligo
Northwest detour: poetry, seaweed baths and Atlantic rollers.
Morning
Train Galway, Sligo (2 h 10)
Rural route past bogs and Ben Bulben's table-top peak. Drop bags near station.
Sit left for mountain views
Lunch
Hargadon's (since 1868)
Afternoon
Strandhill coastal dunes & seaweed bath
10-min bus. 3-km beach stroll. Then surrender to hot Atlantic kelp at Voya Seaweed Baths, your skin emerges five years younger.
Reserve bath slot. Only 6 tubs
Evening
Sligo Live trad festival vibe (year-round pubs)
Shoot the Cue at McGarrigle's
Where to Stay Tonight
Sligo quay (The Glasshouse (contemporary, river))
5 min walk rail & bus; Ben Bulben views
See all Ireland accommodation options →Bring old swimsuit, seaweed oils stain
Day 12 Budget: $180
13
Belfast Bound: Titanic & Murals
Cross the border. Dive into ship-building heritage and political street art.
Morning
Bus Sligo→Belfast Express (3 h)
Direct via Fermanagh lakelands, passports handy, no routine checks. You'll arrive Europa Buscentre.
Buy online for reserved seat
Lunch
St. George's Market (Fri, Sun)
Afternoon
Titanic Belfast & SS Nomadic
Six-storey interactive museum rises straight from the slipways where the liner was built. Step aboard the tender ship that once ferried passengers to Titanic.
Book afternoon slot. Mornings sell to cruise ships
Evening
Cathedral Quarter pub crawl
Start at The Duke, end with trad at The Dirty Onion
Where to Stay Tonight
Cathedral Quarter (The Flint (serviced apts))
Walk to murals & bars; free laundry useful before flight
See all Ireland accommodation options →Black cab mural tours stop running 17:00, book earlier if you want one
Day 13 Budget: $190
14
Coastal Causeway & Farewell
Giant's Causeway → Dublin Airport
Giant's hexagons, rope bridge thrills and back to Dublin for late flights.
Morning
Day tour to Giant's Causeway & Carrick-a-Rede
40,000 basalt columns stack like dragon bones along the Game-of-Thrones coastline. The rope bridge, optional, but you won't skip it, swings 30 m above white-capped water. Wind howls. Columns gleam. Total spectacle.
Includes airport drop, good for evening flights
Lunch
The Nook (Bushmills)
Afternoon
Dark Hedges photo stop, return to Dublin Airport 18:00
Famous beech alley. Arrive airport with 2 h buffer for US preclearance.
Evening
Departure
Fly home full of stories, music and maybe a tin whistle in your bag
Coach has USB ports, download photos en route
Day 14 Budget: $130
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, regional day-tours, one rental-free itinerary. Book trains early, irishrail.ie, for web fares. Buses fill but rarely sell out. Day tours link rural highlights without left-side driving stress.
Book Ahead
Skip the queues. EPIC, Book of Kells, Titanic Belfast, those three entry tickets punch above weight. You'll need them. Small-coach Ring of Kerry winds tighter than you'd expect. Aran Island ferry bucks, hold the rail. Causeway day-trip runs even in drizzle. Go anyway. Weekends split three ways: Dublin, Galway, Doolin. Dublin for craic, Galway for music, Doolin for cliffs you can almost touch. Kinsale and Galway both do fine-dining without the fuss. Book ahead.
Packing Essentials
Pack a waterproof jacket, fleece, and quick-dry trousers, you'll need them. Add a universal adapter, euro & pound sterling cash (Northern Ireland), travel insurance docs, and a light towel for seaweed baths.
Total Budget
$2,300, $3,000 excluding flights
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Grab the Bus Éireann Trekker pass, €60 for 5 days, and you've cracked Ireland's transport code. Crash in hostels at €35 a dorm bed. Pack supermarket lunches; self-cater and pocket the difference. Hit free walking tours in every town. Do this and you'll bank roughly $600 in savings.
Luxury Upgrade
Trade up to castles, Ashford, Dromoland, then glide around the Ring of Kerry with your own driver. Chopper above the Cliffs. Eat two-star meals at Ballymaloe and Chapter One. Budget an extra $1,500.
Family-Friendly
Skip the cliff hikes, pick easier trails instead. Farm-stay B&Bs with animals beat sterile hotels every time. Trade the bike slog for an Aran minibus tour; you'll see more and won't arrive wrecked. Add Tayto Park or Dublin Zoo days to break up the sightseeing.
Book Activities for Your Trip
Tours, tickets, and experiences in Ireland
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Ireland.
See All Ireland Tours on Viator