Your Guide to Planning the Ultimate Ireland Vacation

Ireland’s popularity as a destination creates a struggle to organize your dream trip if left to the last minute. Ireland is known for its grassy back roads, but the country recently put in major motorways connecting major cities, allowing tourists and locals alike to explore old scenic roads winding through small villages. The major motorway will take you directly to your destination. For example, travelling from Dublin to Cork used to take at least 4 hours, but now it only takes 3. The island can take 7 hours from top to bottom and is a feasible destination for a self-drive vacation for many North Americans, provided you are comfortable driving on the wrong side of the road. Here is a sample of what you could expect while driving around the island. 

Ireland has a fascinating history. Many American presidents have impacted the country, and the Irish have held onto various mementos you can see when you visit. For example, when you drive south of Dublin and arrive in county Wexford – the birthplace of the Kennedy family ancestors – there is a monument to John F. Kennedy in New Ross, a nice place to stop for a photo and lunch. Not only do you get to see the county that is proud to be known as the sunny southeast, but you can also experience delicious strawberries in summer, as this is known as a farming country, given its beautiful coastline. 

From Wexford, you can journey on to Waterford. Waterford is known for its fantastic beaches, the famous House of Waterford Crystal Museum, and hosts the Tall Ships Festival. Consider spending the night at Waterford Castle. 

Head to Cork from here, where many people fled Ireland during the potato famine. This beautiful port city is close to the legendary Blarney Castle. When you arrive in this quaint town, walk around, grab a meal, and enjoy the castle grounds. Climbing to the top is a tight squeeze in parts. Lay down on your back, look up at the sky, and lean backwards to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. 

Cork is a beautiful county with a stunning rugged shoreline. Walking around Kinsale gives a visitor an appreciation for the sea and the shore. From here, many head to County Kerry. Head out to the Dingle Peninsula and try to find Fungi, the resident dolphin living in the bay. Enjoy some local fare before heading on to Killarney. This beautiful town is a great place to catch a jaunting car ride and stay for two nights. For day two, many will trek out to the Ring of Kerry. This famous drive is along a beautiful peninsula. If you have time, tour the Skellig Michael – the larger of two Skellig Islands, which features remains of an old monastery. This beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site has gained popularity from the latest Star Wars films, as the islands, shaped like a beehive, jet out of the ocean.

From Killarney, head north to Bunratty. It is a great place to stay before you fly out of Shannon Airport or as a break in your Ireland trip. Visit Bunratty Castle, where you can enjoy a fantastic dinner and show.  

Head to the Cliffs of Moher and hope for clear, sunny skies. These spectacular cliffs are a stunning sight but might be impossible to see if the fog has rolled in. The Visitor Centre has much to offer and is built uniquely into the hill. Stretch your legs and walk along the paths to catch that perfect photo. Venture to the Burren region for a fascinating change of topography as you travel through limestone hills before touring the underground caves and caverns. Consider stopping in the coastal town of Doolin for a meal, famous for its traditional Irish music, where boat tours head out to the cliffs. 

Continue to Galway, mingle with locals, and wander the streets to find a place to eat before resting your head for the night. This vibrant town is known for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife, and whoever can afford to spend a couple of nights should consider spending a day doing the Aran Islands Day Tour. 

You'll reach the famous Connemara region as you head north from Galway, described as Savage Beauty by Oscar Wilde. Clifden, a lively small town with great pubs and an ideal base for fantastic day drives, is another great place to spend a few nights. 

When you say goodbye to Clifden, you can head east, back to Dublin, or venture north along a less-travelled road into the beautiful counties of Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal. All are less busy counties than in the south, with great opportunities to meet locals with unique accents, leaving you breathless – either from the region's sheer beauty or laughter with the locals.  

Continue across the border to the UK counties belonging to Northern Ireland, where you'll learn more about the history of the divide and the region's troubled past. The murals will speak a thousand words, and locals’ accents will change the further you travel. Everyone has a story, and the ability to overcome the recent history is amazing. Derry is a great walled city, and its historic centre is a beautiful tribute to the city's past. From here, you can look down and see the divide of the town and marvel at its past while admiring the present. 

Take your time and visit the Giant’s Causeway. This legendary bridge to Scotland has a great tale but is even more impressive in person. The Visitor Centre boasts an immersive audio guide that will take you through the area's history. Head to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Featured in the Game of Thrones TV show, this wobbly bridge is high above a gorge, and those who are brave can walk across it. After a fright on the bridge, visit the village of Bushmills for a drab of Irish whiskey and relax for a few minutes. 

Make your way to Belfast, a beautiful, historic, and forever-changing city. Visiting the Titanic Belfast museum and taking a Black Cab tour are two must-dos when visiting Belfast. Both are fascinating and look for pieces of history heard around the world. The museum for the Titanic is an interactive journey into the past, telling stories of passengers and the infamous vessel's construction. The Black Cab tour is a great way to hear tales of troubled times as you drive from the Catholic side of town to the Protestant side. Take note of how the curbs change colours, and witness how the pride of both sides’ shines through. 

A great place to stop when heading south from Belfast is Slane Castle, home to the Hill of Tara, an archaeological complex featuring several monuments near the River Boyne. Continue to Newgrange, a prehistoric monument older than the pyramids, and learn about how the solstice played a role in its making.