An Ireland road trip is an adventure of a lifetime. The country is full of rolling green hills, rugged coastline, and charming towns that are perfect for exploring by car. Whether you’re looking to follow the Wild Atlantic Way or visit historic sites like the Rock of Cashel, there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

One of the best things about an Ireland road trip is the flexibility it offers. You can take your time and stop wherever you like, whether it’s for a cozy pub lunch or a hike along a scenic trail. And with so many picturesque towns and villages scattered throughout the country, you’re sure to stumble upon some hidden gems along the way. From the colorful streets of Dublin to the quaint fishing village of Kinsale, there’s something for everyone on an Ireland road trip.

But there are a few things you need to understand before you set out on a road trip in Ireland.

Planning Your Ireland Road Trip

If you’re planning a road trip to Ireland, you should consider a few things before hitting the road. Here are some tips to help you plan your trip.

Choosing Your Route

One of the first things you’ll need to decide is which route you want to take. There are several popular routes to choose from, including the Wild Atlantic Way, the Causeway Coastal Route, and the Ring of Kerry. Each route offers its own unique scenery and attractions, so it’s worth doing some research to find the one that best suits your interests.

We found the best road trips in the book Ireland’s Best Trips: Road Trips. The amount of information in the book could never be replicated here, so if you are serious about visiting Ireland, I highly recommend you get this book.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Ireland depends on what you want to see and do. If you’re interested in outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, the summer months (June-August) are the best time to visit. However, if you’re more interested in cultural events and festivals, you might want to consider visiting during the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November).

Budgeting for Your Trip

Ireland can be an expensive country to visit, so it’s important to budget accordingly. Accommodation and food can be particularly pricey, so it’s worth looking for deals and discounts where possible. You may also want to consider staying in hostels or camping instead of hotels to save money.

 

Getting Around Ireland

When planning a road trip in Ireland, it’s important to consider the best mode of transportation. While public transportation is available, it can be limited in certain areas, so renting a car is often the easiest and most convenient option.

Car Rental Tips

Renting a car in Ireland is a little bit tricky. We have rented cars 4 times in Ireland, and it has been a patience-trying experience every single time. You will want to buy insurance for the car you rent in Ireland; no matter your other coverage, it won’t be enough for their companies. Also, you will need to be flexible about the kind of car you rent vs. the kind of car available when you get there. In short:

• First, book your rental car well in advance to ensure availability and get the best rates.
• Second, ensure you have the right insurance coverage, as some credit cards may not provide adequate coverage in Ireland.
• 3rd, be aware that most rental cars in Ireland have manual transmissions, so if you’re not comfortable driving a stick shift, be sure to request an automatic transmission when booking your rental.
• Renting a car in Ireland is a little bit more complicated than it is in other countries. But it can be done!

Driving on the Left

One of the biggest challenges of driving in Ireland is getting used to driving on the left side of the road. It can be disorienting at first, so it’s important to take your time and stay alert.

It’s also important to remember that the driver’s seat is on the right side of the car, so you’ll need to adjust to using your left hand to shift gears and operate the turn signals.

The great news is that after a day or so, you will be driving just fine and enjoying the beautiful scenery on your Ireland road trip.

Our Route for our Road Trip in Ireland

• We started our trip in Dublin and spent one day there.
• We drove through County Waterford and enjoyed some small towns on the way to Cork.
• We stayed in Cork for 4 nights and took day trips to visit the Ring of Kerry and Waterford, Killarney, and Dingle.
• We stayed in County Laois and from there you can visit Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. (We didn’t on this trip.)
• Then back to Dublin to drop off the car and head to the airport.

Start Your Road Trip in Dublin

Dublin is a great place to kick off a trip to Ireland. It is near the airport, offers affordable accommodations, and is the capital city. But if you limit your visit to Dublin, you are missing most things that make Ireland a great destination. If you plan on staying in Dublin for most of your trip, consider the Dublin Pass, which will allow you to visit all the big sites at a discount!

We stayed a day and a night in Dublin and enjoyed our time. I highly recommend the Hop on Hop off bus as it takes you to all the major attractions, and public transportation isn’t very extensive in Dublin. If you go, be sure to visit the following.

Trinity College

Take a student-led tour of the oldest college in Ireland. You will learn about the architecture and use of the college and be able to take a peek at the Book of Kells–a beautifully intricate version of the first four books of the New Testament. If you are a fan of Maeve Binchy, Trinity College figures prominently in many of her books.

Christ Church Cathedral

This Cathedral is almost a thousand years old and has played a large part in the history of Dublin. It is currently the seat of the Archbishop of Dublin. Dubliners who were eating, biking, and strolling used the extensive garden surrounding Christ Church. We did not go inside Christ Church because the entrance fee was high. But even if you don’t go in, the exterior is worth seeing.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

This is the largest church in Ireland, and in it you could spend hours and hours looking at artifacts. The cathedral itself is a feast for the eyes with the ceiling of domes and the mosaic floors. If you are lucky enough to be there when the choir school has a performance, tell me all about it!

Ha’penny Bridge

The River Liffey runs through Dublin, and numerous pedestrian bridges cross over the river today. The Ha’penny Bridge was built as an option for the ferries that used to take people across, and it was named for the price of the toll. A ha’penny is half a penny. Today, the Ha’penny Bridge is used by thousands of pedestrians a day. Take a picture at the top, or bring an old lock to add to the bridge!

The Guinness Factory Tour

The Guinness Factory is another favorite attraction, but we don’t drink, so we decided to do other things instead! It is very highly rated and worth a visit.

Kilmainham Gaol

The Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin is a former prison that now serves as a popular tourist attraction. It was built in 1796 and has a rich history of political imprisonment and rebellion. Visitors can take guided tours of the facility and learn about the lives of the prisoners who were held there.

Where to Next?

Next, you should head to Cork and spend a day or two exploring the south of Ireland. From Dublin, you can drive a leisurely day to Cork. Make sure to stop and see some charming Irish villages along the way and admire the scenery.

Then head to County Laois for the Rock of Dunamase and the West of Ireland.

Here are some great day trips to take from Cork.

 

Things to do in Cork

 

The city of Cork was my favorite city in Ireland. It is cosmopolitan like Dublin but seems to have more charm. More cobblestone streets, more pedestrians, and older buildings.

If you go, be sure to stop at The English Market. This is Cork’s oldest food market with many delightful sights and smells.

Walk down the pedestrian street at sunset to see the sun gleaming off the sails, making the whole town look magical.

Eat at Market Lane, and eat outside if the weather permits. We had such a delicious dinner that we returned to the same restaurant the next night! The highlight for both of us was the pork leg with mustard sauce.

 

A visit to Bunratty Castle

To me, this castle was a highlight of our trip.

As you drive through Ireland, you see ruined castles, partially rebuilt castles, and variations of the two. But Bunratty has been painstakingly rebuilt to show you what this castle would have looked like in its prime. Its prime is the 15^th century, to be exact. Enjoy the castle tour with its narrow staircases, hidden rooms, and glorious views. The castle alone is worth exploring, but the grounds of Bunratty make this an all-day adventure.

 

A village has been reconstructed to show life in the 19^th century. We visited an Irish school, a potter, and numerous homes. There is even a working pub.

Costumed guides are available to answer questions and teach you about the village.

If you have the evening, stay for the medieval feast. The main hall is filled with banquet tables and renaissance music is sung and played, candlelight dances off the armor. The life of Bunratty in the 15^th century truly comes alive with the costumed waiters and musicians.

Lismore gardens

I always feel that the things you find unexpectedly turn out to be your favorite spots. Lismore gardens was unexpected and lovely.

We drove by these gardens while trying to find our Airbnb, and vowed to return. It took some work, but we found them and spent an overcast morning exploring the gardens. The upper garden, which grows the most enormous hydrangea I have ever seen, was built in 1605 and has a variety of flowers and vegetables.

The lower garden is more of a walking garden with flowering trees and shrubs.

If you are a garden lover, this one is not to be missed!

Waterford, Ireland, in one day

If you have a grandmother (and who doesn’t), chances are you have heard of Waterford Crystal. Generally considered to be one of the best makers of crystal in the world, Waterford Crystal is based in Waterford, Ireland. There are factories worldwide, but the Waterford store offers tours and has a retail outlet.

The tour is about an hour long and takes you through the middle of an actual working factory. No windows divide you from the workers. In fact, you could sneeze, and the workers would feel it.

I have never been on a tour where you are so in the center of the action. We watched the pouring, designing, and etching of the crystal. The etching is done by hand with a diamond-tipped wheel, and it was fascinating. I could have stayed all day watching the etching.

You end up in the gift shop, and suddenly, I knew I would never be happy in my life without a piece of Waterford crystal!

What to do in Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle peninsula is otherworldly in the way the land seems to drop off into the sea. Tiny farms are built to use every square inch, and sheep graze haphazardly. I wonder how many unknowing lambs ever drop off with the land.

Although there is much debate about whether a tourist should do the ring of Kerry or Dingle, I say it would be hard to miss either one. Both can be done in a single long day, and as long as you don’t mind the car, you should do both.

The most scenic drive to Dingle Peninsula 

The getting to Dingle is almost as beautiful as the arrival.

Connor Pass leads the way into Dingle and the pass is breathtaking. The road becomes a single twisted lane as it passes through the highest mountain pass in Ireland. The green of the mountains and the blue of water and sky are so intense and seem to envelop you as you wind your way through the mountain pass. Although the driving might be a trifle scary, everyone takes the drive very slowly.

 

The town of Dingle

The town of Dingle is a good place to begin your exploration of the peninsula. The town is colored brightly and complete with everything and seaside town should have. Murphy’s ice cream for example is a great place to have some ice cream. Fish and chips at Reel Dingle Fish was up there with the best I have ever eaten. You can browse some art galleries and tourists shops, but make sure to walk along the water and look at the colorful boats coming in from sea with their riches.

The Dingle Penninsula

The Dingle peninsula loop is only around 30 miles long and has arrows pointing the way. Stop at the famine cottages near Slea Head to learn about the great Irish potato famine. Or pull over at Gallarus Oratory to enjoy the view and look at the ancient building.

The Ring of Kerry

There have been far too many things written about the ring of Kerry for me to throw my hat into the ring (haha). I will tell you there is no wrong way to visit the area that incorporates the ring of Kerry. You could drive the whole ring without stopping, pick and choose your favorites, or go to one and explore. There is enough here to occupy you for weeks if not months, so we chose to pick our must sees and really see them.

We chose the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney, and Kenmare. I suspect we would have done more if I had not been sick, but we soldiered on the best we could.

 

The Rock of Dunamase

The castle of Dunamase is another highlight of an Ireland road trip. This is the opposite of Bunratty. It is an old, crumbling ruin of a castle. But the location of the castle make this one of the most thrilling spots in Ireland. Built on an outcrop of rock 150 feet above the surrounding fields, Dunamase castle was first used as a Christian settlement in the 800’s.

A castle was eventually built there in the 12^th century and stood until the early 1500’s. It has been a ruin ever since. This ruined castle has one of the most beautiful views in all of Ireland. Standing on top of the ruins the wind whips your hair around, and it seems you can see forever. A must visit!

We ended our road trip here, because we wanted to enjoy the things that we saw without rushing, however you could certainly add on the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. In fact, we did those 2 years later with our kids. If you want to read about that check it out here.

Are you ready for a Ireland Road Trip.

In conclusion, a road trip through Ireland is a fantastic way to see the country’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. From the rugged coastlines of the Wild Atlantic Way to the rolling hills of the countryside, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Travelers should be sure to plan their route carefully, taking into account the time of year and weather conditions. It is also important to budget for accommodations, food, and gas, as some areas may be more expensive than others.

Overall, a road trip through Ireland is a unique and unforgettable experience that should not be missed. With its friendly people, breathtaking scenery, and fascinating history, it is a destination that will leave a lasting impression on any traveler.

Want more things to do in Dublin?

If you have a more extended stay in Dublin, you will want to read the Ultimate List of Things To Do In Dublin.

If you want to stay in Dublin and take some great day trips! These are some of my favorite day trips from Dublin. You could easily spend a week and never have to change hotels.

This is a great Dublin itinerary if you want to do a literature tour

Do you only have 48 hours in Dublin? There are still lots of things to do.