Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Classic Irish Road Trip From Dublin to the Ring of Kerry
Ireland – Dublin – Galway – County Limerick – County Kerry – County Cork
With culture and castles galore, legendary hospitality as standard and breath-taking scenery that explains the country's 'Emerald Isle' moniker, Ireland has something to suit all travellers. Spend your days strolling along cobble-stoned streets and peering up at the turrets of age-old castles, before settling into evenings tucked away in low-lit restaurants or cosied up in traditional pubs (Guinness in hand, of course).
There will be plenty to keep the literary lovers and food connoisseurs entertained along the way too. In Dublin, the legacies of Oscar Wilde and James Joyce are baked into the streets, while in Galway, a host of local delicacies – from cheese to chocolate – line the city’s storefronts. Away from the urban scene, tradition, friendly faces and grand religious buildings await. Let’s hit the road...
Itinerary
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Top ‘o the morning – your trip to Ireland begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge for some complimentary nibbles before take-off. Flights to Dublin from the UK take one hour and 20 minutes, so you’ll be on Irish soil before you know it.
When you land, grab your bags and hop in a car for your private transfer into the city, where you can check in for a two-night stay at your centrally located hotel. After taking some time to relax and unpack, step out to start exploring.
On the agenda this afternoon: Guinness. Armed with tickets, head to the Guinness Storehouse Experience to explore the site independently and learn how to pour the perfect, bartender-approved pint. At the end, you’ll leave with a digital certificate and your appetites whetted for dinner.
Wake up bright and early to tuck into a tasty breakfast and meet a friendly local for a walking tour of Dublin. Compact and cobbled, the city’s streets are ideal for a day of discovery on foot.
Start at Merrion Square, one of Dublin’s grandest public squares that’s also home to the famous Oscar Wilde Statue. Literary lovers can then head to Sweny’s Pharmacy, which featured in James Joyce’s Ulyssess and is now a working shrine to his genius.
Then, pass by Trinity College Dublin, Parliament House and Dublin Castle, before turning onto the pedestrianised hubbub of Grafton Street. Historied-out, end the tour at Powerscourt Town Centre, a beautiful Georgian townhouse full of shops, cafes, restaurants and antiques.
Come afternoon, dial up the whimsy by heading to the Gaiety Theatre to catch a Riverdance show. Expect traditional Irish tap dancing (or jigs), songs, ballet and Celtic music. What a lineup.
Swap one coast for the other this morning as you check out of your Dublin hotel and depart for Galway, on the opposite side of the country. Pick up your hire car and then hit the road for the two-hour-and-20-minute drive – plenty of time to pump up the road trip tunes.
Arrive at your hotel around midday to drop your bags before heading out for an afternoon of eating. Accompanied by a local guide, stroll the animated streets of the city in search of gourmet delights, meeting a series of passionate local producers to sample their specialities. Irish whiskey, cheese, crab, pastries, chocolates and beer are all on the menu, so come hungry.
This evening, return to your hotel to freshen up before venturing out for supper in the city. It’ll be hard to follow the tasty treats you’ve enjoyed today, but traditional pub food should do the trick.
Bid Galway farewell today as you buckle up for the journey south to Adare, via the legendary Cliffs of Moher. The total drive time is around four-and-a-half hours, depending on the route and where curiosity takes you.
Some of the possible stops include Dunguaire Castle and the Burren Perfumery, which has a tearoom, herb garden and blending area. Then, take the Wild Atlantic Way Route to reach the Cliffs of Moher, where you can walk along the trails for spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands.
Suitably wowed, drive the final stretch to Adare, arriving in time to scope out your new surroundings. While you’re here, don’t miss a visit to the mystical site of Desmond Castle Adare and the Holy Trinity Abbey.
Well acquainted with the local sights, turn your thoughts towards dinner. If you haven’t already, order seafood chowder (a thick, creamy seafood soup) tonight.
This morning, check out of your hotel and depart for Kenmare, a small village and region in County Kerry. After setting off, pick up the Ring of Kerry, a 111-mile circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula that – because of its winding and narrow roads – takes most of the day to drive.
Along the way, stop at Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the famous Blarney Stone located high in the castle battlements. Fair warning: this is not one for those with a fear of heights…
From the Castle, it takes around an hour and half to reach your Kenmare hotel, where you can check in and enjoy a well-earned cocktail before dinner. Why not send some photos to friends and family back home while you’re at it?
The name of the game today: enjoying the great outdoors in Kenmare. Fuel up on a bountiful breakfast before heading out to kickstart your adventure.
Offering all kinds of activities – from horse riding and cycling to fishing, golf and hiking – Kenmare is ideal for reuniting with the great outdoors.
However you choose to spend your day, be sure to pop into one of the village’s buzzy restaurants or pubs for dinner tonight. Then, return to your hotel to sink into a plush stack of pillows and rest up for tomorrow’s journey.
Rise and shine – it’s your last full day on the Emerald Isle. After a lie in and a quintessentially Irish fry-up, head out on the two-hour drive east to Shanagarry, in County Cork.
Pull into your next hotel this afternoon and check in for an overnight stay. After pausing to shake off any post-car-journey stiffness, head back out for an afternoon of whatever takes your fancy.
Close to the coast, Shanagarry is primed for wind-swept beach walks and – for the brave – maybe even a dip in the sea. The area is also full of wide-open fields and rolling hills for those who’d prefer to stay inland.
At the end of the day, don’t forget to toast to a trip well spent during another delicious dinner. It doesn’t come much better than this – until you top it all off with an Irish coffee (a caffeinated cocktail topped with cream), that is.
Sadly, your time in Ireland comes to an end today. Spend the morning enjoying the facilities at your hotel before saying your goodbyes and setting off on the drive back to Dublin. The journey takes three and a half hours, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy another scenic stretch of the Irish countryside before arriving.
When you reach the airport, return your hire car and board your flight home. It’s another speedy one hour and 20 minutes in the air, meaning you’ll be back in the UK in time for dinner – we hope you picked up some Guinness, local cheese or chocolate to enjoy this evening...
Why visit Ireland with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Ireland
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