There's loads to see here that will definitely make you change your mind about Limerick. This is an international city with many ex-pats and visitors, however, it still maintains it's Irish culture. Nevertheless it's still an immensely charming place to spend an afternoon exploring. That way you can embrace longer days and nicer weather. 5 day Ireland road trip itinerary - from Dublin As mentioned above Dublin is one of the most popular airports to fly into. Waking up in Cork, and we recommend spending the morning exploring a bit more of the city, before leaving after lunch and making your way to Blarney Castle. If you have 5 days in Ireland you might be wondering the best things to see in a short space of time. Petrol:100 to fill the tank (this will vary depending on the type of car) also keep in mind that petrol prices right now are pretty high! This family-run eatery specialises in both Irish and international cuisine, with many local Kerry ingredients on the menu. 10 Day Ireland Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Dublin Your tour of Ireland begins in Dublin, Ireland's largest city. The total drive time is about an 1 hour and 10 minutes, of course depending on traffic. Waking up in Bushmills the first stop on day 3 of our 5 days in Ireland is Dunluce Castle. As one of six national parks in Ireland, the Wicklow Mountains are the pinnacle of Irish natural beauty, surrounding you with lush green hills, blue lakes, and dramatic valleys within an hour of leaving Dublin. This was probably one of our favourite things to see during our 5 days in Ireland. Its around 20 minutes drive from Ballintoy Harbour. There is a lot to see and do in Cork, and it is a great night out as well. This concludes our various itineraries for spending 5 days in Ireland. If you're not completely shattered by this point, take a short walk to Dolan's for a traditional Irish pub experience. If you're brave enough to face the waves, have a go at surfing or sea kayaking; there are a few places at the top of the beach where you can hire the equipment if you don't have your own. For some more fresh Irish food (we know you won't be able to get enough of the incredible ingredients) head to Freddy's Bistro - a cosy restaurant run by three sisters. There are a couple of cafes on site if you fancy a cup of tea or a snack, and Blarney itself also has a number of places to go for food and drinks. There are a couple of places you can stop on your way round if you fancy it, including the Celtic Prehistoric Museum, the collection of Beehive Houses (drystone huts which resemble beehives) in Fahan, or Caif Na Tr for an incredibly scenic cup of tea (this is also a great spot for lunch). You can find accommodation along the ring of Kerry or you can leave the ring and make your way to Tralee which is what we did. The ultimate Ireland road trip: 7 days. This is true in counties Cork, Kerry, and Galway on this trip, so take your own map in English to avoid confusion. Stroll through the English MarketVisit the Crawford Municipal Art GalleryVisit Cork City GaolDo a food tasting tourExplore St Fin Barres CathedralEnjoy a harbour cruiseRing the Bells at St Annes ChurchDo a Cork Harbour cruiseDo a historical guided tour. August is especially busy due to school holidays. After your visit to Blarney Castle head to Killarney for the evening. If you've walked rather than driven here, we'd recommend doubling back to reach Killarney town (unless you'd rather walk the 270 kilometre Kerry Way in a loop back), so you'll get double the satisfaction from this scenic route. From drinking Guinness in Dublin to navigating the incredible Wild Atlantic Way and seeing the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, here's how to spend 10 days exploring Ireland by car. Know what kind of petrol your car takes. 2 Different Ways To Spend 2 Days in Dublin (Itineraries) For the last day of your Irish road trip you will need to start thinking about heading back to Dublin. We recommend staying the night in Cork but do make sure that you have booked your accommodation in advance and that it includes parking as not all places do. It is worth visiting just for Harrys Shack alone! You then have the whole day to wander around and explore the islands either on an organised tour, or by bike. Nearby you will see Ballintoy Harbour. Get those walking boots on; it's time to explore the beautiful Killarney National Park. 8-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary Overview. The drive to Dublin is around 130 miles and should take roughly two and a half hours, so bear this in mind when planning when you need to set off from Galway. Accommodation:A minimum of 100 per night for something mid-range (depending on location, time of year, and amenities). If you are wondering whether or not you should plan your 5 day Ireland road trip, take this as your sign to go. From here it is only a 20 or so minute drive to Cork, which is where we recommend spending the evening. Bring comfy shoes and wet-weather clothes - there are lots of great opportunities for exploring the great outdoors on this trip, and Irish weather is notoriously unpredictable Book your flights to the Aran Islands for day nine in advance - this is better for both organisation and making sure you get seats on your plane of choice. From Cobh do a 50 minute drive and visit Kinsale, which is another colourful town in Cork. With rolling hills and spellbinding castles, there's always so much to do in the Emerald Isle. Five days in Ireland is just enough time to visit a few key destinations. So you do need to be patient, but it is worth it. Ireland is nicknamed the Emerald Isle, and honestly, after your 5 days in Ireland you will understand why. The scary bit is that you have to lay on your back and reach out to kiss the stone, which happens to be suspended above a massive drop. As mentioned before our highlights include Portmagee, Waterville, Caherdaniel, and Kenmare. You will also want to give yourself a good 2 hours at least to experience Blarney Castle. You can either leave the car behind and; walk to historic Muckross House, which is around 5.5 kilometres from Killarney High Street (it should take just over an hour). 2-3 Day Trip : Explore Dingle to Killarny via Ring of Kerry. You probably need to give yourself about 2 hours to get to Shannon Airport, depending on traffic of course. There are a number of scenic walks you can do around here. If you have a look at the itineraries above there is some more detail on what you can see and do here. Here are some of our tips for renting a car in Ireland. For the last activity on your Ireland road trip we can't think of anything more suitable than one final pint of Guinness (or any other tipple of choice) at one of those quintessentially Irish pubs; the driving's done, you're feeling nostalgic, and this epic holiday deserves to be toasted. A great place to start is by heading straight to Kilkenny Chamber Office to purchase a Medieval Mile Pass, which allows you to enter many of the attractions in the city's famous Medieval quarter. Once you've checked in to your hotel and freshened up after your journey, we recommend heading down O'Connell Street, one of the central roads in the city, to begin your walking tour of Dublin. Follow the R115 down to Glendalough, the most visited area of the park, then take your first scenic detour and drive west on the R756 up through Glendalough Valley. The must do thing at Blarney Castle is of course kissing the Blarney Stone. We have a whole article dedicated to Sligo which you can read here. Start your tour at King John's Castle in the north. The Rock of Cashel is popular with tourists, but dont let the mass amounts of tour buses put you off. Once you have adequately explored the Rock of Cashel, our recommendation is to drive to Cork. As a reminder here are some of the best things to do in the city. Once you reach Kenmare, you are then on track for Killarney National Park. The Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge is a bridge that is 20 meters long and 30 meters high. Shannon Airport has a lot of international flights that arrive here. The speed limit is also kilometres, but keep in mind if you are driving between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland that Northern Ireland uses miles. You will stumble upon so many beautiful rolling green hills, and countryside, as you enjoy your Irish road trip. Be sure to top off your visit with a climb up the castle towers for amazing views of Limerick. This avoids the stress of organising it once you've arrived in Dublin, and gets you the best price. The castle itself is thought to have been built in the 13th century, and much of it remains today for you to explore, however its shining feature is the brand new visitor centre complete with 3D models, hands-on exhibits, animations, and videos. Each code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once. The Castle was builtby the MacQuillan family in around 1500. Alternatively, you can go on a minibus tour of the island or walk to the different landmarks - it's totally up to you. If you have: A short trip, base yourself in Dublin, explore the city and do some nearby day trips. Sometimes it is better to ignore the map and get onto a main road instead if it is nearby. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is currently run by the National Trust. Here you are close to places like Sligo, Donegal, and Galway. Put the wrong one in and you will have major issues. Either way, aim to be back in Dingle Town by mid-afternoon to set off for Limerick. In the Republic of Ireland you will speed limits in Kilometres and you will need to pay in Euros. The dishes served here depend entirely on the catch of the day; if nothing has been caught, it simply won't open (don't worry, this is rare!). Don't worry, there are plenty of car rental companies in Dublin so you'll have no trouble picking up a car once you're ready. For the best views of the lakes, push yourself to walk up the steps to the side of the waterfall; your feet may ache (there are around 100 steps), but the photo opportunity is unmissable. Parking tip: The best option for parking in Galway for more than a few hours is in one of the long-stay car parks, which cost 5 per day (there are three: The Greyhound Track, Dyke Road and Galway Cathedral Car Park). It is a 2.5 hour drive, but a visit to the Cliffs of Moher is definitely worth it, and one of the top sights to see in Ireland. After lunch head back to your hotel for your things and set off for Killarney; no detours this time, just drive straight there. A lot of people tend to visit Dublin when visiting but if you want to see what the rest of the country has to offer, we recommend a 5 day Ireland road trip. Here you'll find the statues of two important Dubliners to introduce you to the city's heritage. Here you can explore the gorgeous streets, and visit the famous Deck of Cards (those colourful houses that you tend to see on Instagram). Top Destinations For Photography Vacations And Tours In the USA, A 3 day Budapest itinerary with everything you need to know to plan your trip, Best spots to take photographs in Edinburgh, The most Instagrammable places in Hamburg. Knock is located in the west of Ireland. But has had a turbulent history and was seized by the MacDonnell clan in the 1550s. The drive from Donegal to Belfast is around 2 and a half hours, so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get back. After leaving the cathedral head across picturesque Salmon Weir Bridge (see if you can spot some Atlantic salmon in the water) and wander back towards Eyre Square for a spot of brunch at Merchant Cafe and Bar (the Eggs Benedict is particularly tasty), before getting ready to return to Dublin. Cork is also known for its incredible food scene and is often thought of as the food capital of Ireland, so head back down the hill and across the river to spend your last few hours here at the English Market. Top tip: Be sure to buy a combined ticket for the college, the Book of Kells Exhibition and the Old Library to get the full picture of Dublin's scholarly past (14 altogether). Shannon is located on the western side of Ireland so for your 5 day Ireland itinerary, you will want to focus on places like Cork and Kerry. Day 1: Arrive in Dublin. On day 3 of your 5 days in Ireland, we recommend another early start. It was recently made compulsory to view the university on one of their guided tours, rather than solo, but this isn't a bad thing as the tours are super interesting and informative. Aughris is great if you want beautiful views all to yourself, whereas Strandhill is more popular with locals. Driving on the left or right: Which countries do what, and why? Just a reminder here are all the things you can do in Galway: EAT! so this is definitely an important landmark to prioritise. The majority of cars in Ireland are manual (use a gear stick) so if you want an automatic car arrange this in advance. Travel tip: Always say yes to hiring a wetsuit as well as a board or kayak - even if the weather is warm, the North Atlantic Ocean certainly won't be. And you will need it, especially when exploring the Glendalough Monastic Site. 5-day road trips 7-day+ road trips 48-hour trips The section below is wedged with 48-hour road trips that'll be perfect for those of you looking to explore a chunk of Ireland over a weekend. Updated: June 18, 2019; When is the best time to plan your 5 day Ireland road trip, 5 day Ireland road trip itinerary from Dublin, 5 day Ireland itinerary day by day highlights, 5 day Ireland road trip itinerary from Shannon, 5 day Ireland road trip itinerary from Belfast, 5 day Ireland road trip itinerary from Cork, 5 day Ireland road trip itinerary from Knock, How much money do I need for my 5 day Ireland itinerary, What to pack for your 5 day Ireland road trip. Travel is basically the thing that excites us about life, and we want to share that excitement with the world. Aim to fly back at around three or four in the afternoon to leave a little time to explore the city when you return. There are a number of beaches you can visit including Strandhill, Rosses Point, and Aughris Head. A lot of this itinerary follows parts of the Wild Atlantic Way which is a famous drive in Ireland. Belfast to Dublin in 5 Days (Road Trip Itinerary) June 18, 2019 July 24, 2017 by Stevie Haughey. You probably need about an hour to explore the ruins. This Irish Gothic statue was unveiled on St Patrick's Day in 1906 and commemorates those that died in Ireland's fight for independence. To see the main attractions, try a free walking tour. Before you set off, there are a few things you need to know about driving in Ireland: By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. We met on a working holiday in Canada, and moved to the UK not long after. From here you basically want to follow the ring as it meets the ocean and hugs the coastline, stopping wherever you fancy to snap a photo or just gaze at the stunning sights. These villages are great if you are looking for a break from driving and a bite to eat. Spend the rest of your afternoon/evening relaxing and exploring the city on your own terms, and grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in the centre (you won't struggle to find somewhere good!). There are loads of stops on the service, so find one close to your hotel to drop off your bags. This will take you to the early afternoon. After a relaxing evening by the sea, drive to Mussenden Temple. For us we were really pushing it for time, and it was a bit stressful trying to fit everything in. Layers The weather in Ireland can be quite intense, especially with wind and rain. In this article we go through everything you need to know to plan your Irish road trip. Continue on the ring until you reach Killorglin, where you should head north on the N70 towards the Dingle Peninsula rather than looping back around to Killarney. Our recommendation for day 3 of your 5 days in Ireland is to drive from Sligo to Galway. Most people will begin their 5 days in Ireland from either Dublin Airport or Shannon, but there are a number of other airports that you may also use. The ferry from Liverpool to Dublin takes 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours on a fast ferry and over 7 hours on a slow ferry so plan ahead. It is a little bit out of the way, so if you are running short on time you can skip it and head straight to the next destination on our 5 day Ireland itinerary which is Blarney Castle. Drop off your things at your hotel, and go in search of some dinner to perk you up for a night of entertainment at the Triskel Arts Centre. A quiet road in Killarney National Park 2-3 Day Trip : Explore Donegal region. Drive to Muckross House and pick up the Jaunting Car here for a tour of the house and gardens and Torc Waterfall. Make sure you book your accommodation well in advance for Killarney, as this is the gateway for the Ring of Kerry. About 4 or 5 cars drove past us the whole time we were there and we honestly felt we had the whole place to ourselves. The airport sees a number of flights from Europe and beyond, and is by far the busiest in Ireland. The Limerick City Gallery of Art is also located in the park, and is well worth a visit if the weather's a bit grey and you're in the mood for some contemporary Irish art. The shoulder months of March, April, September and October are good if you want to avoid the masses but you arent too bothered about the weather. The best road trip to experience old Ireland Starts and ends in Killarney (travel clockwise); 179km (111 miles) Towering mountains, glistening lakes and enchanting forests. There is so much to see in Ireland, it sometimes feels like it would take years to see it all. Blarney is probably the most well-known castle in Ireland, although it's not the building itself that has the strongest claim to fame, oddly enough. There are 32 counties in Ireland and this 5 day Ireland itinerary has you going through a few of them, depending on where you are starting your Irish road trip. But each stop is so unique and really gives you a sense of everything Ireland has to offer. This 5-day road trip has it all: beautiful beaches and breathtaking mountains, lively cities and friendly towns, medieval monuments and houses of landed gentry, food markets and craft stores, famous sites and hidden gems. You must drive on the left side of the road. For your 5 day Ireland road trip you can rent a car from all major airports in Ireland. Once you have explored the islands we recommend staying the night again in Galway. Having suffered from a spate of violence in the past, this city has really come into its own since winning the Irish City of Culture award in 2014. Day 11: Fly out of Shannon, or return to Dublin. It costs 8 to go into the centre, but the cliffs are just as amazing if you simply park the car a take a short walk around without going in. It starts in Dublin, goes around the south coast to Cork, via the Waterford Crystal Factory, then a kiss of the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, skims above the Ring of Kerry (an optional 179km loop in south west Ireland and visiting the stunning Killarney National Park - if you have more time) before visiting the cute seaside town of Dingle, a Go north from Kilronan Town, past the remains of St Ciaran's Church and Holy Well, continuing along the coast to the Seal Colony Viewpoint (definitely stop here and see if you can spot the seals) and along to Kilmurvey beach for a picnic. This trip planner will give you a core seven day Ireland itinerary with four additional options for designing a 5-10 day trip. Car rentals can be expensive in Ireland, and there are often hidden costs such as surcharges for returning the car at a different location from where you rented it. I want to see nature and history but will it be too much to do Dingle and Cork and all the places usually seen in the. Honestly no. A lot of people tend to visit Ireland and stick around Dublin for the duration, which is great, but it doesnt give you a taste of the real Ireland. There are some beautiful attractions in the Wicklow Mountains with the below being some of our highlights. Once you reach the peak you need to wait in line, until it is your turn to kiss the stone. Come off the M8 to join the R639, and the Rock of Cashel is around an hour outside of Kilkenny. Day 1: Dublin to Donegal. Glendalough is renowned for its early medieval monastic settlement. You will need to start making your way back towards Shannon at some point as well, so you need to factor this in. 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