8-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary: Castles, Coastlines & Countryside Charm

Ireland is made for road trips. It really is. With its winding coastal routes, ancient ruins, pastel-colored villages, and warm-hearted locals, the Emerald Isle offers endless beauty and charm—especially when explored at your own pace. This one-week Ireland road trip is designed for couples, small families, or anyone looking for a mix of luxury, culture, and scenery.

Starting in Dublin, this loop will take you through some of Ireland’s most iconic and scenic regions: the historical capital, the lakes and mountains of Killarney, the majestic Ring of Kerry, the dramatic cliffs and beaches of Dingle, and the artsy, vibrant vibes of Galway. With handpicked boutique and luxury hotels—including a stunning Relais & Châteaux estate—this is a road trip that combines timeless Irish charm with modern comfort.

Lets get one thing out of the way before we start though - and that is the Irish weather. There is a reason why the countryside is so green. It rains - and I mean it pours - A LOT. You can either wait it out through indoor activities, or embrace it and head out anyway. You will likely have to do both.. so ensure to pack appropriately.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin

Where to Stay: Aloft Dublin City

Land in Dublin and ease into the trip with a stylish stay at Aloft Dublin City. Centrally located and modern, it’s ideal for exploring on foot or grabbing a drink at the rooftop bar with views of the city skyline.

Evening Idea: Head out for a casual first-night dinner in the Liberties neighborhood, known for its creative food scene. Alternatively, relax and regroup with room service after your flight. We arrived quite late so we were quote happy to just grab a drink and rest up for the next day.

Toddler Tip: Aloft’s spacious rooms and accessible location make it easy to roll in with a stroller or unwind early if needed.

Day 2: Explore Dublin’s Highlights

Dublin is compact and walkable, so it's easy to hit the highlights in a day:

• Trinity College & the Book of Kells: A must-see for book lovers and history buffs.

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral & Gardens: Explore centuries of history in Ireland’s largest cathedral.

• Temple Bar: Visit in the morning to browse independent shops and enjoy live music without the nighttime crowds; or if that is more your thing, come back in the evening!

• St. Stephen’s Green: Take a walk through Dublin’s prettiest park. Also a great spot to let little legs stretch or stop for a quick snack on a bench.

• Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Distillery: If you’re keen to sample the local spirit(s) - and I highly recommend you do!

PRO TIPS: Want more depth? A guided walking tour adds great context, especially for first-timers. Book a free walking tour or self-guided audio tour to get the most from your short stay. And ensure to book the Book of Kells visit well in advance - we booked a 9am slot and we saw a line of disappointed people queuing outside when we were leaving at 11am.

Day 3: Drive to Kenmare via Killarney

Drive Time: ~3.5 hours

Where to Stay: Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare

Hit the road and head west toward County Kerry. Midway, make a stop at the Rock of Cashel, a dramatic medieval site with panoramic views. It’s worth the detour.

You can either hit the stops in and around Killarney today, or head over to your base to do the full drive the next day - we did the latter as we were travelling with

Sheen Falls Lodge is a beautiful and luxurious country estate near Kenmare. Book the Oscar’s Suite if you can with river views and timeless elegance—ideal for a restorative night after the drive. Read our detailed review of our stay at Sheen Falls.

Evening Idea: Wander into Kenmare for a pub dinner or dine at the award-winning on-site restaurant.

Toddler Tip: Sheen Falls offers family-friendly amenities like high chairs and child menus without compromising the luxury experience.

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Drive

Total Distance: ~304 km

Must-visit stops:

• Muckross Abbey

• Torc Waterfall

• Ladies View

• Derrynane beach

• Portmagee town for lunch

• Sneem and Waterville for scenic vistas

PRO TIPS: This is a full day of driving in order to stop at various points, and so it is totally up to you how much time you want to devout to the Ring of Kerry. Its doable in one day but in hindsight I wish we had allocated two days for it, so I highly recommend adding a day here if you can. The other reason to add a day is to give yourself a buffer for rainwashed periods here and there - for example there is no point stopping at a scenic viewpoint if you cant see anything or if it's pouring rain.

Check out this detailed resource that lists and explains all the stops on this loop, and pick your favorites (I've listed my favorites above). Start early to beat the tour buses and enjoy quieter roads; and since tour buses drive anti-clockwise, your best bet is to drive clockwise!

Day 5: Dingle Peninsula Loop

Total Distance: ~179 km

This is a much shorter loop but in my view, much more beautiful. Again, check out this detailed resource for a list of all the stops - star your favorites on Google Maps and head out!

Must-See Highlights:

• Inch Beach

• Dingle town for lunch and local crafts

• Ventry beach

• White Cross Viewpoint

• Slea Head Drive (arguably more breathtaking than Ring of Kerry)

• Conor Pass

• Dunquin Pier

Where to Stay: The Rose Hotel, Tralee

• We will be heading up north next, so we found Tralee to be the perfect town to rest up before the next leg. The Rose Hotel is well positioned for this quick stopover and has a lovely pub on site too.

Day 6: Galway

Total Distance: ~200 km

After 3 days of driving, it was nice to park up after arriving in Galway and exploring on foot!

• Head up to Galway and check in. Drop the car and get ready to spend the rest of the day walking around the colourful streets.

• Don't miss the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Arch and the beautiful pier

• For some of the freshest seafood, check out Hooked!

Where to Stay: The Nest Boutique Hostel

• Dont be fooled - this hostel has private rooms too, and they are spacious and have everything you need for a comfortable stay!

Day 7: The Cliffs of Moher

Driving Time: ~2.5–3 hours

On the way:

• Poulnabrone Dolmen - a large portal tomb that dates back to the Neolithic period

• Stop for brunch at Ballyvaughan - we recommend Monks for an absolutely delicious meal!

• Head to Fanore beach for a scenic walk or directly head to the Cliffs of Moher experience center.

Where to Stay: O'Connor's accommodation, Doolin

• There are 5 villages that serve as a great base to visit the Cliffs of Moher. One of the closest is Doolin, a small village with 2-3 great pubs/restaurants and tons of little B&Bs, and just a 8-min drive to the Cliffs. If you are after a quintessential Irish countryside stay, this is your best bet!

PRO TIP: Book an entry slot into the Cliffs of Moher experience on their website. You do not need to book in advance - you can book on the day of, if you like - but if you cant show a pre-booking at the entrance, you have to pay EUR 15 per person as entry fee. Whereas its only EUR 8 per person online!

The experience center has a boardwalk where you have incredible views of the cliffs - you don't have to hike. I am told there are much better viewpoints if you want to do the trail from Doolin (believe its 6km and fairly challenging) - with a baby and windy weather we decided against it, but its an option.

Day 7: Back to Dublin for one last hurrah

Driving Time: ~2.5–3 hours

Highlights:

• Guinness Storehouse - in case you didnt manage to visit at the start of your trip, its a great way to bookend the vacation. The experience is huge - 7 floors, with each floor dedicated to one concept/theme, e.g. ingredients, fermentation process, advertising, etc. Plan at least 2 hours to visit, do a tasting, and have a drink on the rooftop.

  PRO TIP: Book the Stoutie experience to have your photo printed on your Guinness! Its a EUR 8 upgrade to your ticket that I think is totally worth it!

• Stroll along the River Liffey and see the many bridges of Dublin - all a little different. Also visit the EPIC Emigration Museum and Famine Memorial.

Where to Stay: Aloft Dublin city or an airport hotel if you have an early morning flight out

And there you have it! Whether it's your first time in Ireland or a return visit, this one-week road trip offers the perfect balance of adventure, history, and relaxation. From misty cliffs and medieval ruins to cozy towns and luxurious stays, each day brings a new reason to fall in love with the Emerald Isle. With the freedom of the open road and a route packed with charm, you'll leave with incredible memories—and more than a few reasons to start planning your next trip back.

As always, more photos below xx