Ireland’s Southwest Loop Road Trip + Map: 7 Days Through Cliffs, Coasts and Craic 🚗
This is the sort of road trip that makes you start pricing up “maybe we should move to Ireland?” rentals after Day 3. You’ll get proper Atlantic drama, tiny villages with big personality, cliff walks that mess up your hair in a cinematic way, and pubs that feel like you’ve been going there for years. Trust me, Ireland is incredible!
Start/end: Shannon Airport (super tidy loop, easy pickup/drop-off).
Alt start: Cork Airport (works great too, just flip the last day).
Before you roll: book car hire, grab an eSIM for backup data, and lock in stays on Booking.com if you’re travelling in peak months.
Ireland’s Southwest Loop Road Trip
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
- Duration: 7 days
- Route style: Loop (no annoying backtracking)
- Best for: Coast views, pub nights, scenic drives, seafood, easy hikes
- Driving level: Comfortable, not chaotic (but expect narrow lanes)
- Total driving: Around 12–16 hours across the week, split up nicely
- Main highlights: Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney area, Ring of Kerry, Beara Peninsula, West Cork, Kinsale
- Sleep bases: Doolin/Lahinch, Dingle, Killarney or Kenmare, Bantry/Glengarriff, Kinsale (or Cork)
🤚 Must-do: Build in two slow mornings. The southwest is at its best when you’re not sprinting from viewpoint to viewpoint like you’re being timed. ☘️
Map route (FREE Google Map Lower Down):
Shannon → Doolin/Lahinch → Dingle → Killarney/Kenmare → Ring of Kerry (loop) → Beara Peninsula → Bantry/Glengarriff → Kinsale → Shannon
🚗 Recommended Car Rental: DiscoverCars
7-Day Itinerary (all linked up, no weird detours that ruin the flow) 🗺️✨
Day 1: Shannon to Doolin (via The Burren) 🌿🌊
🚗 Drive: 1.5–2.5 hrs (depending on how much you faff about in the Burren)
Land, grab the keys, and head towards the Burren for that rocky, otherworldly landscape that looks like it’s been dropped in from another planet. End the day in Doolin, where the pubs basically do the welcoming committee.
📍 Things to do
- Drive through The Burren and stop at scenic pull-ins (you’ll see plenty)
- Check into Doolin or nearby Lahinch
- Sunset coastal walk if the weather’s playing nice
👉 Good to know: If you’re driving in winter, plan to arrive before dark. Coastal roads + rain + early sunsets can turn “cute drive” into “tense jaw”. 🌧️
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Day 2: Cliffs of Moher, then south to Dingle 🏔️➡️🌊
🚗 Drive: 3.5–4.5 hrs (plus stops)
Get to the cliffs early, take your photos, have your “wow okay this is huge” moment… then aim south for Kerry. Dingle is your reward at the end: colourful streets, proper food, and pubs that are dangerously easy to settle into.
📍 Things to do
- Cliffs of Moher first thing for calmer vibes
- Optional short stretch of the clifftop path (only if conditions feel safe)
- Arrive in Dingle Town for an evening wander and a pub session
🔹 Pro tip: Park, walk a bit away from the main viewpoint, and the cliffs instantly feel wilder (and your photos won’t look like a queue). 📸
Day 3: Slea Head Drive loop (Dingle Peninsula) 🚗💙
🚗 Drive: 2–4 hrs (it’s a loop, but you’ll stop loads)
Today is pure “Ireland greatest hits”. Sea cliffs, beaches, stone walls, and views that make you say “hold on, pull over” every ten minutes.
📍 Things to do
- Drive the Slea Head loop (start and end in Dingle Town)
- Stop at beaches and viewpoints along the way
- Finish back in Dingle for dinner and live music
💡 Fact: The Dingle Peninsula is one of the most photographed parts of Ireland for a reason. It’s basically built for road trippers. 😅
🤚 Optional add-on: If you want a guided experience day, this is a great place to book tours (boat trips, local history, food experiences).
Day 4: Dingle to Killarney (lakes, woodland, “how is this real”) 🏞️
🚗 Drive: 1.5–3 hrs (plus exploring time)
You’ll swap sea views for lakes and mountains. Killarney can be busy, but it’s also genuinely gorgeous, and it makes a solid base for the next day’s loop driving.
📍 Things to do
- Take a scenic route out of Dingle (only tackle the narrow high roads if you’re confident)
- Explore Killarney National Park: lakeside walks, woodland trails, viewpoints
- Evening in Killarney for pub atmosphere and easy dinner choices
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Go for a late afternoon walk in the park. The light gets dreamy and the crowds thin out. 🦌
Day 5: Ring of Kerry day 🌀🌊
🚗 Drive: 4–6 hrs (depending on how many stops you take, and you’ll take many)
The Ring of Kerry is a classic for a reason. Big sweeping roads, coastal viewpoints, mountain gaps, and loads of “why is this place so pretty?” moments.
📍 Things to do
- Drive the Ring of Kerry as a loop from Killarney or Kenmare
- Stop for viewpoints, short walks, and little towns for coffee
- If you’re feeling adventurous, add a sea-view hike or beach stop
👉 Good to know: Your map app will lie to you. Distances look short, but speeds can be slow on rural roads. Build extra time so you’re not rushing.
Day 6: Beara Peninsula to Bantry or Glengarriff (the quieter stunner) 🐚🌿
🚗 Drive: 2.5–4.5 hrs (plus detours)
Beara is less hectic than Kerry, but still properly dramatic. Think rugged coast, colourful villages, and the feeling you’ve found the “real” southwest.
📍 Things to do
- Drive a scenic chunk of the Beara Peninsula
- Stop in small villages for coffee and harbour strolls
- If conditions allow, consider the Dursey Island cable car for a unique little adventure
💡 Fact: Beara is a brilliant “slow travel” pocket of Ireland. Less traffic, more surprise viewpoints, more quiet moments.
Day 7: Kinsale for lunch, then back to Shannon 🍽️🏘️
🚗 Drive: 3.5–4.5 hrs total (split up with a good stop)
Finish in Kinsale for colour, sea air, and a last great meal before the drive back. It’s the perfect “final day” town because it feels celebratory without needing loads of effort.
📍 Things to do
- Harbour stroll and colourful streets in Kinsale
- Long lunch (seafood is the obvious move)
- Drive back to Shannon and drop the car
🔹 Pro tip: Give yourself a chunky buffer for the final drive. You don’t want your last memory to be stress-sprinting through an airport car park.
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 (pick a few, don’t overstuff it) 🧭
- Lahinch for a windy beach walk and surf-watch moment
- Loop Head Peninsula for wilder coastline and fewer people
- Extra viewpoints on the Dingle Peninsula (honestly, you’ll see them)
- Kenmare as a calmer overnight base than Killarney
- Glengarriff for harbour views and woodland walks
- Dursey Island if the wind isn’t acting feral
👉 Good to know: The best detours are unplanned. Leave a bit of breathing room each day and you’ll enjoy it more.
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
Not naming specific restaurants here (because taste and availability change), but these are the “southwest hits” that rarely disappoint:
- Seafood chowder in Doolin, Dingle, Kinsale, West Cork
- Fish and chips eaten outside while pretending you’re not freezing
- Brown bread + smoked salmon that becomes an addiction
- Full Irish breakfast on a driving day (it’s basically fuel + comfort)
- Pub stew on a wet evening when you’ve been lightly rained on for hours
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If locals are queueing at lunchtime, that’s your green light. Join them.
🎶 Road Trip Playlist
For cliff views, rainy drives, and pub-walk home vibes:
- Hozier, Take Me To Church
- The Cranberries, Dreams
- Dermot Kennedy, Power Over Me
- U2, Where The Streets Have No Name
- Van Morrison, Brown Eyed Girl
- The Pogues, Dirty Old Town
- Kodaline, All I Want
- Enya, Orinoco Flow (trust me)
- Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars
- Thin Lizzy, The Boys Are Back In Town
- CMAT, Stay For Something
- Bell X1, Rocky Took a Lover
👉 Good to know: Download offline. Signal can be patchy and your playlist deserves better. 📲
🎙️ Podcasts to Queue Up
- The Irish History Podcast
- The Blindboy Podcast
- Off Menu
- Stuff You Should Know
- This American Life
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Pre-download a mix of 30–60 minute episodes. That way you can match an episode to each leg of the drive without ending up parked outside your guesthouse waiting for the last five minutes to finish.
🎒 Road Trip Essentials
Southwest Ireland does weather like it’s flicking through TV channels. You can get blue skies, rain, wind, and a random sunbeam that makes you forgive everything… all before lunch.
Bring (all year):
- Waterproof jacket (proper waterproof, not “fashion resistant”)
- Comfy walking shoes with grip (cliff paths + wet stone do not mess about)
- Light layers (t-shirt + jumper/fleece you can peel on/off)
- Sunglasses (yes, Ireland, sometimes it’s blinding)
- Small day bag + reusable water bottle
- Phone holder + charging cable (sat-nav = sanity)
- Power bank (signal + maps can rinse battery)
- Snacks for the car (you’ll hit stretches where cafés vanish)
Seasonal add-ons (quick and painless):
- Spring (Mar–May): light gloves + a warm layer for evenings
- Summer (Jun–Aug): insect repellent, suncream, and patience for busy car parks
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): warmer jumper, rain trousers if you’re hike-happy
- Winter (Dec–Feb): beanie + gloves, torch, and plan driving days around daylight
Car stuff (always handy):
- Keep fuel above “hope and prayers” level in rural areas
- Windscreen cloths for mist and drizzle
- Offline maps downloaded (your phone will pretend it’s lost at least once)
- Small coin stash for the odd car park
Need to keep your bases simple (and driving time sane)? Sort stays early on Booking.com.
Rent a Car
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
Is 7 days enough for this loop?
Yep. It’s a great balance of big highlights and slower moments, as long as you don’t try to do every detour.
Do I need to book anything in advance?
In peak season, accommodation and popular attractions can sell out quickly, so it’s smart to book stays early.
Can I add Skellig Michael?
Possibly, but it’s very seasonal and weather-dependent. Treat it as a bonus, not a guarantee, and plan a backup day you’ll still love.
What’s the biggest driving “gotcha”?
Narrow roads and slower average speeds. You’ll drive more slowly than you expect in rural areas, so keep the daily plan realistic.
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.
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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!
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