Ever want to explore the lush landscapes of Ireland? Look no further than this 7-day itinerary which includes the entire coast of Ireland. Stay tuned for a follow up 7-day Scotland itinerary which will include the likes of Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, and the Scottish Highlands! Bear with me as I split these adventure packed itineraries into a few much more manageable posts. *Of note, this trip included quite a bit of driving (over 2,000 miles to be exact!) and is definitely not for the faint of heart. Although I don’t regret anything from this trip, there are definitely certain parts I wish I spent more time exploring.* Without further ado, I bring you the gorgeous landscapes, and people, of Ireland!
7 Day Ireland Travel Itinerary
Day 1 - Dublin → Donegal
After a direct redeye flight from Toronto into Dublin, we picked up our rental car and immediately hit the roads. After a quick stop at Malahide Castle near the airport, we headed north into Belfast and Northern Ireland, eventually landing at our air bnb in Donegal late that first night. This was by far the longest day, both driving and timewise. I will definitely admit it was not only physically draining but also mentally draining; however, this allowed us to experience many of the must see “touristy stops” in Northern Ireland.
- Very close to the airport (~15 minutes). A great stop to start or end your trip!
- Dates back to 1185 and was part of the Talbot Family Estate for just under 800 years!
- I recommend booking your tickets ahead of time to ensure availability and preferred time slot.
- Guided indoor castle tour is roughly 45 minutes; however, the grounds are beautiful and well worth some extra time to walk around exploring.
- €16 per person (roughly $17.50)
Belfast, United Kingdom
- Unfortunately, we only had time to stop at a gas station briefly for snacks before continuing our drive through. Based on feedback from others, I highly suggest booking a Black Taxi Tour if time allows and/or visiting the Titanic Museum. If I visit again, I would definitely spend at least a day in Belfast exploring the area and learning more about the history of Northern Ireland.
- A short trail hike to walk across a bridge built in 1755 by the local salmon fishermen. The views from over the bridge are simply breathtaking.
- The Gaelic phrase “Carraig-a-Rade” translates to “Rock in the Road”
- Again, I recommend booking tickets ahead of time. The bridge walk is typically weather dependent! We were fortunate enough to have perfect weather with the bridge wide open!
- £15.50 per person (roughly $19.75)
- A must see for any Game of Thrones fan!
- Dating back to the 18th century, the rows of beech trees were planted to impress approaching visitors.
- Rows of trees line the road approaching the Stuart family’s Gracehill House.
- Free to explore with visitors typically parking alongside the adjacent road.
- Experts believe this formed just under 60 million years ago! At that time, Ireland was still attached to North America; however, began to slowly rip away. Over time, volcanic eruptions and subsequent cooling formed the rock formations we currently see.
- There are several trails, of varying length and difficulty, surrounding this area.
- We parked nearby at the Causeway Coastal Car Park to save some money. £10 per car ($12.75) with a short walk to the main attraction and trails. There is a main entrance and parking lot; however, you’ll spend upwards of $20 per person to park closer.
7 Day Ireland Travel Itinerary
Day 2 - Donegal → Galway
After a good night’s sleep to recharge, we headed Southwest along the coast towards Galway. We made a few stops before our Afternoon Tea reservation at Ashford Castle where we felt like Kings and Queens for a few hours. We then stayed in an old renovated church, Bookeen Church, outside of Galway before grabbing a few pints with several locals at Mary Wards Pub and The Earl Inn! Probably one of the best nights interacting with the locals and hearing a lifetime (or two) of stories.
- After finding a nearby car park garage, a short walk brought us to the main area and streets of Sligo. This coffee shop had a few pastries available along with drinks for all. Choose from the likes of an americano, latte, cappuccino, pour-over coffee, or tea. Before you leave, buy a T-shirt or tote bag to bring home!
- A short walk from Rover Coffee, these sandwiches were simply incredible. There were numerous. hot and cold sandwiches to choose from with daily specials on the board. There were also some side salads, soups, and drinks as well. Indoor and outdoor seating was available, depending on the weather.
MADE Art Gallery, Sligo
- This art gallery and shop will have something for everyone. Postcards, photos, paintings, pottery, clothing, jewelry, etc. I was able to find the perfect handmade elephant onesie for my sister’s little one!
- A Benedictine Monastery set along 1,000 acres of countryside within the mountains.
- Unfortunately, I may have planned a little too much for this day and we were only able to experience the outdoor castle grounds given time constraints. The castle itself looked like nothing I’ve ever seen and I can only imagine how the inside looked!
- Tickets again may be purchased ahead of time, although no specific time slot for entry is required.
- €17 per person ($18.50)
- If you want to feel like royalty for a few hours, I highly recommend booking the Afternoon Tea! Reservations are required. This fills up rather quickly and far out. I suggest looking for tickets as soon as you start planning your trip and book a date.
- Choose from their list of dozens of teas. All served in original teapots with detailed teaware.
- Unlimited tea, mini handheld sandwiches, scones, and pastries are included.
- Around €85.50 per person ($92.50)
Mary Wards Pub & The Earl Inn
- Nothing quite like ending a busy, albeit amazing, day with some locals over a few pints!
- Mary Wards Pub can easily be missed while driving as there is no sign on the building. Immediately upon entering, you’ll first be stared at by confused locals before they offer up a seat at the bar with a pint in hand. The pub is broken into 3 smaller rooms, each with its own little bar and TVs broadcasting the local soccer matches.
- Down the road, we were welcomed with open arms at The Earl Inn. After the first couple of pints, I don’t think we paid for another drink! The hospitality was like nothing I’ve ever experienced back in the states with the locals sharing their life stories, Ireland’s vast history, and treating us as their own; as family. It was such a great experience and really made us feel at home.
7 Day Ireland Travel Itinerary
Day 3 - Galway → Limerick
Our day started with visiting Dunguaire Castle (which unfortunately was closed for indoor tours) before arriving at Hazel Mountain Chocolate. I’m surprised the chocolate I bought made it home in one piece without breaking! We then checked out Corcomroe Abbey which was quite the sight to see, albeit with an eerie feeling given numerous crows constantly circling overhead. We then experienced the underground Doolin Cave, witnessing a massive Stalactite, one of the five largest in the world! Our day ended exploring the well known Cliffs of Moher, taking in the jaw dropping views.
- Built back in 1520 on the shores of Galway Bay.
- Unfortunately, the castle was closed for indoor tours. We were still able to walk the grounds and see the amazing stone architecture from outside.
- There is a small parking lot down the road from the castle, with an easy walk down the street on the sidewalk.
- Known for their sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients, their small batch chocolates are award winning. There will definitely be a flavor or type of chocolate for everyone.
- They work directly with cocoa bean farmers from Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, and Madagascar.
- Adjacent to the chocolate factory and shop, there is a cafe with coffee and small bites. Restrooms are also available.
- History dates this Cistercian Abbey back to 1194. Initially started by a small community of monks.
- There is parking right next to the abbey entrance.
- Free to visit and walk around
- Found in 1952 by 2 student adventurers who broke off from the larger group exploring the area.
- Houses one of the largest stalactite formations in the world and the largest in all of Europe. This behemoth currently measures 6.725 meters in length (around 23 feet).
- I recommend booking tickets ahead of time. Guided tour is right around 1 hour. There are definitely some tighter spots and walks within the cave itself. Caution if at all claustrophobic. Also of note, there are 125 steps to get down into the cave.
- €18.50 per person ($20)
- Another must see attraction while visiting Ireland. Named after a ruined fort during the Napoleonic Wars which is situated at Hag’s Head.
- Spans roughly 8 km or 5 miles in length.
- Again, recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time. You may choose from multiple time slots, with varying prices. We chose the afternoon time slot. Entry was from 4PM to close. This still gave us plenty of time to walk around at our own pace and explore the grounds.
- €8 per person ($8.75)
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