Dreaming of rolling green hills, charming coastal towns, and ancient history? We just returned from an epic 14-day road trip across Ireland and Northern Ireland, celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, and we’re here to spill the secrets to planning the perfect Irish adventure! From must-see sights to essential travel tips (and a few things we’d do differently next time), this post, based on our Ireland road trip itinerary, is your guide to experiencing the magic of Ireland.
The Power of Planning (and Wanderlog!)
We started our planning with Rick Steves’ trusty travel guides, but our real game-changer was Wanderlog, a collaborative trip planning app. We used the free version initially, then upgraded to pro for offline access, route optimization, and seamless Google Maps integration. This app became our central hub for our Ireland road trip itinerary, reservations, and even budgeting. Highly recommend!
14-Day Ireland Road Trip Itinerary Overview:
- Dublin: 2 days exploring the city
- Kinsale: 2 nights in this charming coastal town
- Dingle: 3 nights (our favorite!)
- Galway: 2 nights, including a day trip to the Aran Islands
- Portrush (Northern Ireland): 2 nights
- Belfast (Northern Ireland): 2 nights ne
- Trim: 1 night
See the full detailed itinerary and travel guide on our Wanderlog Ireland Travel Guide.
Highlights of our Ireland Road Trip Itinerary:
- Dingle Peninsula Drive: Breathtaking coastal scenery, charming villages, ancient beehive huts, and the Gallarus Oratory. A must-do!
- Cliffs of Moher: Dramatic and awe-inspiring, even in windy weather.
- Giant’s Causeway: Book ahead and take the cliff top walk for spectacular views
- Newgrange: A mind-blowing journey into ancient history.
- Inishmore (Aran Islands): Exploring by e-bike was unforgettable. Seriously, don’t attempt it without them!
Pro Planning Tips Before You Go:
- Heritage Card (Ireland): Worth the € 40/person if you’re visiting multiple sites (we would have saved € 34!)
- National Trust Explorer Pass (N. Ireland): Skip the pass if you are not visiting 3+ sites
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Dublin: Avoid getting a rental car in Dublin. The Hop-in Hop-off buses provide a more convenient and affordable way to see the city’s sights. We went with City Sightseeing Dublin. (Full disclosure, several options are available should you travel to Dublin).
- Book popular attractions in advance: Especially during peak season. Kilmainham Gaol, Newgrange, and the Giant’s Causeway are just a few examples.
- Consider Global Entry & TSA Precheck for easier travel
Foodie Favorites:
- Finn’s Farm Cut (Kinsale): Best meal of the trip!
- The Fish Box (Dingle): Seafood lovers rejoice!
- Il Valentino Bakery (Dublin): A hidden gem with amazing sandwiches and desserts.
Driving Tips:
We didn’t encounter roads your often see in pictures until we were one small town roads in Northern Ireland trying to access some of the remote Game of Thrones filming locations. If you’re used to driving in areas of US like New England with its rotaries and one-way streets, the biggest adjustment is driving on the left side of the road. The majority of the highways and regional roads are plenty wide so you’ll just have to get use to driving on the opposite side of the road. Having a good navigator or co-pilot is key especially when it comes to roundabouts and there are a lot of them. One additional tip is to be sure to either download or even printout maps since there are areas where you may not have good cell service.
What We'd Do Differently:
- Skip Portrush: A bit too touristy for our taste. Next time, we’d stay closer to Giant’s Causeway in an area like Bushmills.
- Choose a more central Dublin hotel: While we enjoyed our stay at the Schoolhouse Hotel, a hotel closer to the city center would have been more convenient.
- Slower Pace: Mostly two-night stays felt a little rushed and we were exhausted by the end of the trip. In the future we’d plan to try to stay three nights per location would allow for more relaxation.
What's Next?
We’re already dreaming of our next Ireland trip! Skellig Michael and more of the national parks in Northwestern Ireland are at the top of our list.
What are your favorite Ireland travel tips? Share them in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our YouTube video for more visuals and stories from our trip!
Stay tuned for detailed posts on each of the cities we visited in Ireland!
