Ireland was a blast, but required quite a bit of planning on our part (read all about our adventures here).

Usually we book one hotel and only have our daily activities to decide upon, but this trip involved an almost daily hotel change and quite a bit of driving. I’ve had a few people ask me how we decided what to do and where to go, so I’m posting our itinerary here for anyone to use as a base plan for their vacation. We actually received a similar itinerary from a friend and we augmented based on our tastes. I’ll include some optional things that may be easy to hit along the way if you’re interested.

Overall, I’d recommend you spend more than five days exploring all Ireland has to offer.  There were so many things we wanted to see and do that we just didn’t have time for.  Which is why we are already planning to go back… 🙂

I hope our driving southern Ireland travel guide helps you plan your trip to amazing and relaxing Ireland!

 

Airline: Aer Lingus

Day 0

• Arrive in Dublin Airport 
• Rent Car ( Budget ) * Note: Driving is on the left side here (and that means shifting with your left hand for a manual car!)
• Sleep in Dublin

 

Hotel:

Hilton Dublin Kilmainham
S Circular Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland
+353 1 420 1800
-Checkout @ 12 noon

 

Day 1

Dublin to Shannon, sleep in Shannon

• Kilmainham Gaol Tour -Arrive by XX:XX
• Book of Kells/Old Library -Arrive by XX:XX

 

(From Dublin to CoM 266km, 3.5 hours)

• Cliffs of Moher – Arrive at 18:30(Take the turn about a kilometer before, just south of the visitor center. A tiny sign will read “parking here for the Cliffs.”  Turn down the tiny road and honk around corners to warn those approaching the other way that you’re coming up. Get to cliffs by 6:30PM, sunset is 9:30PM)

(From CoM to Shannon – 62km, 1 hour)

Hotel:
Treacys Oakwood Hotel
Airport Road, Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland
includes free parking and breakfast

 

**Optional Dublin to Galway. Spend the night in Galway.

Day 2

Shannon to Killarney, sleep in Killarney

(Shannon to Bunratty – 10 minutes)

Bunratty ​-

• Visit Bunratty Castle

(Bunratty to Dingle – 160km, 2.5 hours)

Dingle ​-

• Dingle Peninsula
• Slea Head Drive
• James G. Ashe Pub

(Dingle to Killarney – 65km, 1.5 hours)

Hotel:
Cahernane House Hotel – includes breakfast **highly recommend
Address: Muckross Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Phone: +353 64 663 1895
E-mail: info@cahernane.com

Day 3

Killarney, sleep in Killarney

Killarney ​-

• Ross Castle
• Killarney National Park (Kissane Sheep Dog Farm)
• Gap of Dunloe
• Inch Beach
• Muckross House
• Torc Waterfall
• Ring of Kerry

 

Hotel:
Brehon Hotel and Angsana Spa – includes breakfast
Muckross Road, Killarney, Ireland
+353 64 6630700
info@thebrehon.com

Day 4

(Killarney to Cashel – 142km, 2 hours)

Cashel –

• Rock of Cashel

(Cashel to Dublin 141km, 2 hours)

Hotel:

The Morrison, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, DUB IE
T: 353 18872400

**Optional stops in Kilkenny (Medieval Mile) and Cork (Blarney Castle)

Day 5

• Dublin Castle
• Lunch downtown
• Return Rental Car
• Fly out

** Optional Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar, Jameson Distillery