10-Day Ireland Road Trip: Dublin, Coast & Countryside 🇮🇪
If Ireland has been whispering your name on the wind, get ready, this 10-day road trip is your heart’s answer. Think rolling emerald fields, sweeping coastal cliffs, medieval magic, and town pubs where the music meets your soul. You’ll loop from Dublin through pastel harbours, wild peninsulas, and mountain vistas, returning with a memory card full of magic and a pint glass ringing with stories. Get your shoes dusty, your camera ready, and let Ireland charm your socks off. 🚗🇮🇪
Ireland Road Trip 🇮🇪
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
| Total Distance: | ~650 miles / 1,050 km |
| Recommended Time: | 10 days (8 if you skip a couple of stops) |
| Start/End Point: | Dublin |
| Best Time to Go: | Late April–September for milder weather and festival vibes |
🗺️ The Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – 2: Dublin (stay 2 nights)
📍 Drive time to next stop: 1.5 hrs
Ireland’s capital, Dublin is equal parts historic charm, literary wit, and modern buzz. From grand Georgian streets to cozy pubs, it’s a crash course in Irish hospitality, and a deliciously gentle intro to the country.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Tour the Guinness Storehouse (and learn the art of the perfect pint)
- Wander through Trinity College and see the Book of Kells
- Stroll Grafton Street and soak in the busker vibes
🔹 My Top Tip: Head to the Temple Bar area after 6 pm, when the pubs fill, the music starts, and Ireland truly comes alive.
Day 3: Kilkenny (1 night)
📍 Drive time from Dublin: 1.5 hrs
A medieval playground with a castle, narrow alleys, and craft shops—Kilkenny is compact, charming, and ridiculously easy to fall for.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Explore the battlements of Kilkenny Castle
- Pop into Smithwick’s Brewery for a taste of local beer history
🔹 Top Tip: Take your evening stroll by the River Nore—it’s peaceful, picturesque, and ideal for digesting your dinner.
Day 4: Kinsale (1 night)
📍 Drive time from Kilkenny: 3 hrs
If vibrant, coastal charm had a hometown, this is it. Think pastel-painted streets, gourmet eateries, and a harbour full of stories.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Wander the colourful streets and soak up harbour views
- Explore Charles Fort or James Fort for history and vistas
🔹 Top Tip: Book dinner early—Kinsale’s food scene is noteworthy and fills up fast, especially on weekends.
Day 5 – 6: Killarney & Ring of Kerry (2 nights)
📍 Drive time from Kinsale to Killarney: 2.5 hrs
From quaint town to rugged wilderness, Killarney is your jumping-off point to lakes, mountains, and Ireland’s grandest loop drive.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Ride a jaunting car through Killarney National Park
- Visit Ross Castle on Lough Leane
- Drive the Ring of Kerry with stops at Ladies View and Derrynane Beach
🔹 Top Tip: Start your Ring of Kerry day early—traffic builds up by mid-morning, especially in summer.
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
Day 7: Dingle Peninsula (1 night)
📍 Drive time from Killarney: 1.5 hrs
Wilder, more Gaelic, and bursting with coastal drama—Dingle is what road trip dreams are made of.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Drive the Slea Head Loop for epic coastlines and beehive huts
- Try Murphy’s Ice Cream—sea salt flavour is a stunner
- Hit a pub for live traditional music
🔹 Top Tip: If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a friendly dolphin in the harbour—Dingle’s infamous Fungie may have retired, but the magic lingers.
Day 8 – 9: Galway & Connemara (2 nights)
📍 Drive time from Dingle (via cliffs) to Galway: ~4.5 hrs
City meets wild west—this mix of Galway’s vibrancy and Connemara’s rugged beauty is pure Irish contrast.
🗺️ Things To Do (Galway):
- Meander the Latin Quarter and catch some street music
- Ferry out to the Aran Islands for Galway bay views
🗺️ Things To Do (Connemara):
- Hike Diamond Hill for sweeping land-and-sea panoramas
- Visit Kylemore Abbey for picture-perfect gardens
🔹 Top Tip: Galway feels like a festival all summer—time your visit around the Galway International Arts Festival for max buzz.
Day 10: Sligo & Return to Dublin (1 night or fly home)
📍Drive time from Connemara to Sligo: 3 hrs, then to Dublin: 3 hrs
Beat poet W.B. Yeats would approve—Sligo is poetic, coastal, and full of surprising monuments.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Wander the ancient stones of Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Watch waves roll in at Strandhill Beach
🔹 Top Tip: Grab a final pint and seafood chowder in Sligo town before heading back to Dublin. It’s the perfect sendoff.
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
🛑 Pit Stops & Side Detours
- Rock of Cashel – A medieval crown atop green plains
- Sheep’s Head Peninsula – Coastal wildness minus the crowds
- Loop Head Lighthouse – Dramatic coastline with a lighthouse view
- Doolin – Guinness and trad music central
- Achill Island – Lonely beaches and mountain drama
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
- Seafood chowder in Kinsale – Rich, creamy, and coastal perfection
- Boxty in Sligo – Potato pancake heaven
- Fresh Galway oysters – Best enjoyed with a roaring sea breeze
- National favourites: Soda bread & hearty Irish stew
🎒 Road Trip Essentials Checklist
✅ Vehicle check: oil, tyres, battery
🆘 Bonus: phone charger, torch, reusable bag
🗺 Offline maps & playlist—build the perfect soundtrack
🥤 Snack kit: flapjacks, crisps, chocolate (trust me)
🧥 Waterproof jacket & layers—weather here flips fast
🧼 Reusable water bottle—tap water is fresh, safe, and delicious
🛂 Entry Requirements
- EU/UK citizens: No visa needed—just valid passport or ID
- US, Canada, Australia, NZ: Visa-free for up to 90 days; passport must be valid for trip duration
- Other nationalities: Check via the Entry Requirement Checker
- No entry tax—carry ID, especially if you cross into Northern Ireland
🎶 Playlist & Podcast Picks
🎵 Hozier, U2, The Cranberries—pure Irish magic
🎙️ Irish History Podcast, Blindboy Podcast, Where Is My Mind?
💡 Download everything—signal disappears faster than rain in Ireland
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
If you’re from the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, or NZ, your regular licence is fine—just ensure it’s valid.
Best time for this trip?
Late April–September gives great weather and festivals—May or September offer fewer crowds.
How do I access the free Google Maps route for the trip?
The free map is available via Google Maps with no signup required. After clicking the “View Map” link, go to “Your Places” > “Maps” in the Google Maps app to find the route. Save it for offline use, especially in areas with spotty signal.
Is driving hard?
Only if you expect straight highways—rural roads are narrow and windy, so drive slow and soak it in.
Can I pay with card everywhere?
Mostly yes, but carry some cash for markets, rural pubs, and tiny shops—they’ll often thank you with a smile.
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource. Best for overall Hotel ratings and bargains, use TripAdvisor.com!
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Travel E-SIMS: Airalo Worldwide! Use your mobile phone anywhere!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
You May Also Like
Share this post
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Author
Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
Get Social
Entry Requirement Checker
Popular Posts
Join the Community
Shop Our Google Maps
Travel Itinerary Generator
Other Resources
Destinations
Get Your Free Travel Starter Kit!
Sign up with your email to receive step-by-step planning checklists, free guides, and a wealth of money-saving tips to help you plan your trip like an expert!
