Self Drive Tours of Ireland

Travel at your own pace on one of our ireland fly drive vacations with a self drive ireland itinerary. read more ->.

When it comes to the best independent vacations Ireland has to offer, look no further than Discovering Ireland Vacations. All of our self drive and fly drive tour packages are designed and tailored to deliver an authentic and rich experience of the Emerald Isle.

Self-Drive Vacations

Our wide range of self-drive vacations around Ireland allow you to spend as long as you wish in each location, giving you the option to stay just one night in that town or city that captures your heart as you enjoy the friendliness, humour and Irish welcome.  

As experienced Irish vacation specialists, we offer visitors the chance to experience Ireland’s diverse scenery, culture and leisure activities whilst driving around and exploring a variety of spectacular landscapes. When you aren’t limited by a schedule, you can also spend time learning and basking in the ancient history and folklore at some of Ireland’s well known heritage sites and places of interest at your leisure.

One of the main benefits of a vacation in Ireland is how small it is - it's relatively easy to fit a lot in to a small trip and driving is the best way to do it. Visitors to Ireland love self-drive vacations as it offers the option to make your own way to everything independently, enjoy flexibility and explore hidden gems and make unplanned stops along the way. 

Fly Drive Vacations  

A fly drive vacation to Ireland is ideal for the independent traveler looking to explore all that Ireland has to offer at their own pace, offering the best way to enjoy a relaxing break and meet the people, with the flexibility of being your own driver. They are ideal for people who enjoy the freedom seek to make their own plans. Versatile and adaptable, these tours make the ideal  honeymoon in Ireland , so contact our experienced specialists today to book and plan your tour of Ireland to ensure that you get the most from a self-drive vacation.

The tours and packages outlined in our Ireland fly drive vacation section are just some of the sample travel packages available, so please do talk to one of our expert vacation guides to arrange your own customised tour. Given the country is so small, the driving distances In Ireland are never too long. We will provide you with a rented car and thoroughly plan your itinerary for you. Enjoy the ease of using prepaid vouchers for each night's accommodation, and our self-drive tours with airfaire are a popular choice. There is also the option to add on activities such as  golfing , fishing, cycling and hiking.

We offer, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14 night Ireland self-drive vacations including the popular " Highlights of Ireland " tour which takes in Waterford, Dublin, Kerry and Galway. This is one of our most popular tours and it can be commenced from any Irish Airport and includes many of the most popular visitor attractions in the country. Take in the historic history of Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in Ireland's capital city of Dublin. Enjoy Powerscourt House in the Sunny South East, Blarney Castle in Cork and soak up the magical scenery along the Ring of Kerry with a visit to the Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney. A trip the famous Cliffs of Moher is a must as well as the stunning Burren landscape, followed by a visit to Galway, the Aran Islands and Connemara.

We additionally have a range of  Irish castles and manors tours  available where visitors can enjoy overnight stays in the majestic Ballyseede Castle in Kerry, Gregans Castle in Clare, Dromoland Castle and Merrion Hotel in Dublin. Ideal for honeymoons, these Irish castles and manors tours include gourmet meals in some of Irelands most prestigious culinary locations.

Elements of our self-drive tours of Ireland can be tailored and customized to suit your needs and if you have any special requests please mention to our travel advisors who will be more than happy to set them up for you. Your dream vacation starts here with Discovering Ireland Vacations.

6 Night Self Drive Tours of Ireland

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The Irish Road Trip

The Best Ireland Itinerary (Irishman’s 2024 Guide)

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: April 15, 2024

The Best Ireland Itinerary (Irishman’s 2024 Guide)

We spent 8 months and €15,728 building what is, in my opinion, the best Ireland itinerary library available anywhere.

It became clear long ago that there is no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ Ireland travel itinerary.

For example, some of you will have a car while others will be relying on public transport.

So, we created a library of Ireland itineraries that let you pick a starting point, trip length, method of transport and much  more.

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about our Ireland itinerary library

best ireland trip itinerary

Click to enlarge

WAIT – please take 10 seconds to read the points below before you scroll. It’ll make finding your perfect Ireland trip itinerary easier:

1. You can pick your trip length and starting point

Two of the key elements in any Ireland itinerary are the length and the start point. Our road trip itineraries range from 3 days right the way up to 4 weeks. There are also multiple start points including the main ferry terminals and airports in Ireland .

2. You can pick a mode of transport

You can pick an Ireland trip itinerary based on how you plan on getting around Ireland . We have Ireland itineraries that  only  use public transport for those of you doing Ireland without a car . We also have itineraries for those of you that plan on renting a car in Ireland .

3. You can decide how fast you want to travel

Love to squeeze as much as possible into each day? Our ‘Fast Trips’ are just for you! Prefer to take it easy and avoid moving accommodation too often? You’ll love our ‘Slow Trips’.

4. You can choose a travel itinerary for Ireland to suit your fitness

Travelling with someone that has poor mobility? No problem – we have low fitness Ireland itineraries. Want to tackle some of the different hikes in Ireland? We’ve medium-high fitness itineraries just for you!

5. You’ll find our different itineraries starting from 3 days below

Now it’s time for you to find the best Ireland itinerary for  you . We’re gong to start at the 3 day Ireland itineraries and then work our way up to 21 days. Dive on in!

3 days in Ireland

3 days in Ireland

3 days in Ireland is a fairly small amount of time, so you need to be careful – you can easily fall into the trap of trying to do much.

The result is that your itinerary will be over-packed and you’ll spend most of your time in the car/on public transport.

The best Ireland itinerary for 3 days is one that finds a central base and that sees you explore around you on day trips.

Some people with a small amount of time like this can feel disheartened, but don’t – you can see many of the best things to do in Ireland in 3 days. You just need a logical itinerary.

4 days in Ireland

ireland itinerary 4 days

4 days in Ireland is a decent chunk of time. However, if you have the flexibility to chose when to visit Ireland (many don’t), try and arrive during summer or spring.

These two seasons boast plenty of daylight hours so, although you only have 4 days, you’ll still have plenty of time to explore.

These shorter road trips can be tricky to map out at times so, when it comes to planning a trip to Ireland with only 4 days to work with, take your time.

The best Ireland itinerary for 4 days is one that uses 1 – 2 ‘bases’ max and that explores a specific corner of Ireland, e.g. Kerry and West Cork.

5 days in Ireland

ireland itinerary 5 days

Click to enlarge map

5 days in Ireland is arguably the perfect amount of time to explore a section of Ireland.

These are our most popular Ireland itineraries and it’s a trip length that many people visiting Ireland choose.

If it was me, I’d try and fly into either Shannon or Dublin. Landing in Shannon places you right on the Wild Atlantic Way with everywhere from the Aran Islands to the Cliffs of Moher close by.

We’ve had our Ireland vacation itinerary guides live on our site for over a year and they’ve racked up some great reviews. Enjoy!

6 days in Ireland

6 day Ireland itinerary

6 days in Ireland is a lovely amount of time to play with and you can easily cover a decent bit of land during this time.

The beauty of 6 days, also, is that if you’re flying a good distance to get to Ireland, you can take some time out to banish the jet lag.

The best Ireland itinerary for 6 days, in my opinion, is one that doesn’t stretch itself too thin.

If you’re starting in Belfast, for example, tackle the Causeway Coastal Route and then explore the many places to visit in Donegal .

7 days in Ireland

ireland itinerary 7 days

Our itineraries for spending 7 days in Ireland mark the start of our longer Irish road trips.

Trips of this length are great as they give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to what you can do (even if it’ll see the cost of a trip to Ireland increase steadily).

If you’re visiting for 7 days, try and visit during summer or spring as the weather in Ireland tends to be better then and you’ll get more bang-for-your-buck.

8 days in Ireland

8 days in Ireland

8 days in Ireland provides you with options. You aren’t too hard pressed for time and 8 days ensures you don’t have to rush at any point (unless you want to!).

With 8 days, you can explore several counties in depth or you can go full-steam-ahead and try and squeeze in as much as possible.

The best Ireland trip itinerary for 8 days, for me, would be starting in Dublin and then working down through Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford and then around through Cork and Kerry.

9 days in Ireland

9 days in Ireland

So, you’re spending 9 days in Ireland . Wonderful! However, you want to see all of the ‘main’ attractions during this time and you’re worried it’s too much.

It’s likely (and I’m basing this on getting emails from endless visitors) that you’re trying to pack in too much to the point that you’ll spend all your time moving accommodation and travelling.

9 days is a lovely chunk of time. But don’t get carried away. You can see and do  a lot  during this time frame. You just need to decide how much travelling about is ‘too much’.

10 days in Ireland

10 days in Ireland

The second most popular of our Ireland vacation itinerary guides are the ones focused on spending 10 days in Ireland .

This is a mighty amount of time for an Irish road trip and it gives you a huge amount of flexibility.

For this trip length, you could easily pick 3-4 bases and fit a huge amount in while still taking it nice and handy. Or, you could go full whack and try and see as much of the island as possible!

11 days in Ireland

11 day Ireland itinerary

Our itineraries for spending 11 days in Ireland have gone down well since we published them last year.

In particular, the ones that use public transport have received good feedback, especially as planning buses and trains for this number of days was a nightmare .

The best Ireland itinerary for 11 days is up for debate. Personally, I think if you have this amount of time to play with the island is your oyster – you just need to pick a well-thought-out route, which is our Ireland trip itinerary library comes in.

12 days in Ireland

12 day Ireland itinerary

If you’re spending 12 days in Ireland , you’re in for a treat. You can see a whole lot in 12 days, from the  many  castles in Ireland to islands, cliffs and lots more.

You don’t have to worry too much when it comes to picking a start point for a trip of this length, as you’ve a bit of room for error.

If I had the option, I’d start in Cork and drive the Wild Atlantic Way, taking in the likes of Kinsale , the Beara Peninsula , Doolin and Achill Island .

13 days in Ireland

13 day Ireland itinerary

If you have 13 days in Ireland you’ll be the envy of many, and for good reason – you can cover a lot of ground in a 13 day Ireland trip itinerary.

We’ve created 56 different Ireland itineraries for a 13-day trip (yes, 56) and they’ve been used by over 100,000 people in only a few short months.

The different routes take in everywhere from County Mayo and County Clare to some of the most charming small towns in Ireland . Check ’em out below!

14 days in Ireland

2 week Ireland itinerary

Our 14 days in Ireland itineraries were some of the most enjoyable to research, plan and write as we had a fair idea that this trip length would be popular.

Thankfully, it was! Those of you planning a 2-week Ireland trip itinerary are on the cusp of a bucket list road trip that you’ll remember for a life time.

Although I’d argue that there’s no best Ireland itinerary for a trip this length, we’ve created 56 different options for you to choose from at the link below.

15 days in Ireland

15 days in Ireland

15 days in Ireland poses a great number of adventure opportunities. If you’re doing Ireland on a budget , you’ll need to be careful about where you pick as your bases.

I’d avoid the various cities in Ireland along with key tourist towns and, if you can, stay slightly off-the-beaten-path.

We spent a huge amount of time mapping out our 17-day Ireland itineraries and, based on initial feedback, they’re going down very well already!

16 days in Ireland

16 day ireland itinerary

16 days in Ireland is the stuff of road-trip-envy. You’ll have the chance to see a massive amount of Ireland during this time.

As was the case with all of our Ireland vacation itinerary guides, we spent a lot of time planning our 16-day routes.

At the link below, you’ll be able to pick a trip based on start point, fitness level, mode of transport and how fast you like to travel.

17 days in Ireland

17 days in Ireland

17 days in Ireland is, yep, a good chunk of time. We found these Ireland itineraries tricky to plan out at times, especially the ones that use public transport.

However, we got there in the end and these routes have been read over 70,000 times in recent months.

The best Ireland itinerary for this length of time is one that doesn’t go overboard when it comes to moving hotels and that takes the time to experience each of the areas it uses as a base.

18 days in Ireland

18 day ireland itinerary

18 days in Ireland is a massive amount of time to work with. However, it’s worth getting a sense of the lay of the land with a trip of this length.

Although you can see plenty on an 18-day Ireland travel itinerary, the aul trap of spreading yourself too thin is an easy one to fall into.

Our 18-day Ireland itineraries took a fair bit of time to map out and I’m confident you’ll find them  very  useful.

19 days in Ireland

19 day Ireland itinerary

19 days in Ireland is another considerable amount of time. However, and I’ll sound like a broken record, it comes with advantages and disadvantages.

It’s easy to fall into a trap when planning an Ireland itinerary of this length and think,  ‘Ah, sure we’ve loads of time – we’ll just head over and play it by ear!” .

19 days requires a lot of planning as there are  many  moving parts with a trip of this length. Luckily, you’ll find the best Ireland itinerary for 19 days at the link below.

20 days in Ireland

20 day ireland itinerary

Few people, aside from those of us that live here, get to spend 20 days in Ireland .

This is a massive amount of time and it gives you the opportunity to either explore one corner of Ireland in depth or squeeze in as much as possible.

For example, you could explore Kerry (the Ring of Kerry , Dingle Peninsula , etc) and then work your way through West Cork, Waterford, Wexford and more.

The best Ireland itinerary for 20 days is one picks an adequate number of bases near key areas of interest and that avoids falling into the trap of trying to ‘fit everything in’.

21 days in Ireland

21 days in Ireland

21 days in Ireland is a huge amount of time, and this comes with both pros and cons.

You could arguably map out the best Ireland itinerary imaginable with 3 weeks, but you’ll also need to spend a lot of time planning.

This was the hardest of our Ireland vacation itinerary guides to create and the research phase took over 12 days. We did the hard work for you – cheers!

FAQs about the best Ireland trip itinerary 

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from Ireland vacation ideas to detailed train itineraries.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What is the best Ireland itinerary?

I’d argue that there is no best Ireland travel itinerary – no ‘one size fits all’. We’ve created hundreds of Ireland itineraries for you to choose from, in an attempt to help you find the best Ireland itinerary based on your situation.

How many days in Ireland is enough?

It depends. If you’re looking to see specific things and they’re close together, 5 days could be plenty. If you’re looking to see the West of Ireland, you’ll want at least 7. There is one one clear answer.

Is Rick Steves Ireland itinerary good?

By all accounts, Rick Steves Ireland itinerary guides are pretty good. I’ve spoken to many Americans, in particular, visiting Ireland for the first time who swear by Rick’s itineraries.

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Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Nicola Doyle

Thursday 7th of April 2022

Do you have a guide to travelling around Ireland with a dog?

Keith O'Hara

Friday 8th of April 2022

Hey Nicola - I don't, but this is weird timing. Myself and my dad have been chatting about doing a trip with our dog who's an absolute nightmare in the car. So, while we've nothing on planning a trip in Ireland for those with a dog yet, but hopefully it's on the horizon!

Friday 6th of August 2021

Hello. Thanks for all your posts. They are very informative and helpful.

One questions, when planning can we assume the driving times we see on Google Maps are more or less accurate? I know there are a lot of country roads and I didn't know if this was taken into account by Google.

Thanks again!

Heather Cripe

Sunday 18th of April 2021

Hello Keith,

I’m just writing to thank you for doing this. I do not have a set date for when I can come to Ireland but reading the info you provided and the extensive comments you’ve answered, I almost feel like I’ve been to Ireland already! I know that’s when I can finally plan my trip, this website will be my go to for planning my trip! God bless you Keith!

Monday 19th of April 2021

A fine message to wake up to! Thanks a million Heather - I'm glad you found it useful. Hopefully your visit is just over the horizon.

Cheers from a cold and sunny Dublin!

Sunday 17th of May 2020

Hi Keith, I am planning to take my grandparents to Ireland next spring. My grandmother has always wanted to go and never got the chance to travel. However, they are not in the best of health and I don't think they could handle walking an hour+ (which seems to be the best/only way to see some of the main spots you mention in your recommended itineraries).

Do you have any recommendations for best places to go that don't require much of a hike? My Grandparents would love: beautiful landscapes, local places that don't feel touristy (they always manage to make friends with locals while out eating, etc), places of historical significance.

Hey! A lot of people planning a visit to Ireland have this problem, but it can definitely be worked around.

Say, for example, they're very limited mobility wise, if you took them to Donegal, there's plenty of places where you can literally drive right up to for an incredible view.

Here's a couple of examples:

- The Slieve League Cliffs: you can drive right up to the 'main' view - Ballymastocker Bay: you can pull in on the road above and grab an incredible view - The Inishowen 100 drive: there's an endless number of great views on this (the one at Tra Na Rossan is unreal!

If you're looking for lovely little towns, you can't bate Ardara (Nancy's pub, in particular, is lovely!).

I hope this helps!

Lynda rendell

Wednesday 29th of April 2020

Hi Keith Just found your page. It’s brilliant My husband retires 2021 and we are planning on visiting his great great grandfathers Museum in Mayo His mother’s birthplace in Connemara and auntie in Newlawn we then want to end up in Galway and Dublin Have you any advice of B&B pubs en route to these places We are hoping to go for 15 days so any advice or help would be greatly appreciated we will be travelling from Heathrow Airport UK We’ve never been to Ireland before so we are really really looking forward to it thank you

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Experience the Best of the Emerald Isle

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Ireland with CIE Tours, with over 90 years of expertise in welcoming you to explore this enchanting island. From the majestic landscapes of the Ring of Kerry to the iconic Giant’s Causeway, experience Ireland's rich history, warm camaraderie, and thrilling adventures. Discover renowned sites like the Cliffs of Moher, the historic city of Dublin, and the charming towns along the Wild Atlantic Way. Whether you're selecting from our 20 carefully planned guided tours, designing a custom vacation for any group size, or embarking on an independent self-drive adventure, CIE Tours ensures unforgettable Irish experiences tailored to your interests. With a remarkable guest satisfaction rate of 95%, allow us to guide you through the extraordinary magic of Ireland, where every journey is a trip of a lifetime.

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  • Ballintubber Abbey

Elaborately carved Celtic crosses dot the grounds of this ancient church founded in 1216, in Ireland's scenic County Mayo.

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O'Brien's Tower

Originally built as a viewing area for 19th Century visitors, O'Brien's Tower sits near the high point of the Cliffs of Moher.

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A vibrant arts and culinary scene—and colorful buildings set along medieval streets—make Galway a can't-miss stop.

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  • Blarney Castle

Kissing the "Stone of Eloquence" may be the reason millions of tourists flock to Blarney Castle every year, but the gardens around it—including its new Poison Garden filled with dangerous and toxic plants—are another reason to add this to your must-do list.

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Trinity College & Book of Kells

Ireland's oldest college houses one of the country's most cherished treasures—a beautiful illuminated version of the New Testament Gospels, created by monks in the 9th century. It's one of the essential things to see in Dublin.

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Giant's Causeway

Legend has it that the basalt stone columns were set into the sea by giants creating stepping stones—but volcanic activity set these stones in place millions of years ago.

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Kylemore Abbey

This 19th century grand manor and its legendary gardens became the home to Benedictine nuns fleeing Belgium during World War I.

Skellig Experience

  • Skellig Experience

Learn about the island of Skellig Michael, where early Christian monks lived in austere conditions. This beautiful and remote location was used in the film "Star Wars VII".

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Dublin's Ha'penny Bridge

This cast-iron walking bridge, which spans the River Liffey, was built in the 19th century. Join the 30,000 Dubliners and visitors who walk across Dublin's iconic Ha'Penny Bridge each day.

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  • Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry offers one of the most scenic drives in the world, with emerald green meadows, stark cliffs and sandy shores dotted with ruins.

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  • Dingle Peninsula

The Irish mainland's westernmost point features wide, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs along its edges, and dramatic hills and mountains at its center.

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Aran Islands Cliffs

These beautiful cliffs rise dramatically along the entire western side of Inis Mor island and yield great views of the Cliffs of Moher across Galway Bay.

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Musicians and artists are an integral and vibrant part of fabric of the lively, cultured city of Galway.

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Cheesemonger

Ireland's food renaissance includes many artisan producers who take full advantage of its natural bounty.

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  • Bunratty Castle

This splendid 15th-century tower house in County Clare includes a living reconstruction of the life of Ireland over a century ago.

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Get a fascinating glimpse into Ireland's long-practiced art of falconry, the country's traditional "Sport of Kings."

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Flavors of the Sea

Ireland abounds with the savors of the sea and the folk who fish it.

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Fine Dining

A generation of culinary innovation and exploration has made modern Ireland a foodie's paradise.

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In Ireland, fresh seafood is never more than a short swim away.

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Merry Ploughboy

Dine at this iconic pub and come alive to the fancy footwork of Irish step dancers and lively traditional tunes.

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  • Cliffs of Moher

These shale and sandstone cliffs rise 700 feet above the Atlantic, and serve as one of the most iconic pieces of scenery in all of Ireland.

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Sheep Herding

Ireland's emerald green pastures are home to countless flocks of sheep. Irish wool is used for the intricately knitted Aran sweaters and other goods.

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  • Vilnius University
  • Vintage Afternoon Tea Tour
  • Walking Tour of Korcula
  • Walled City Brewery
  • Warner Brothers Studio “Making of Harry Potter”
  • Waterford Crystal
  • Waterford Tour
  • Welsh Banquet
  • Welsh Language Lesson
  • Wenceslas Square
  • West Coast Coastal Drive
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Westport House
  • Whitby Tour
  • White Cliffs
  • Wild Atlantic Way Drive
  • Windsor Castle
  • Winter Palace
  • Yansa Gora Monastery
  • York Minster
  • York Walking Tour
  • Zwinger Palace
  • Abbotsford House
  • Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
  • Ardmhor on Barra
  • Armadale Castle
  • Armory Museum
  • Astronomical Clock
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau
  • Bamburgh Castle
  • Bannockburn Visitor Center
  • Baroque Town Hall
  • Basilica of San Marco
  • Bell Tower Clock
  • Belleek Pottery
  • Belvedere Palace
  • Betws-y-Coed
  • Black Madonna
  • Blair Athol Distillery
  • Blair Castle
  • Blarney Castle & Killarney
  • Blarney Woollen Mills
  • Blasket Centre
  • Bled Castle
  • Blenheim Palace
  • Blue Lagoon
  • Bodmin Moor
  • Bodnant Welsh Food Centre
  • Boka Waterfall
  • Book of Kells
  • Bosta Beach
  • Brecon Beacons National Park
  • British Golf Museum
  • British Museum
  • British Music Experience
  • Brodie Castle
  • Brú na Boinne Visitor Center
  • Burren Smokehouse
  • Cabra Castle
  • Caernarfon Castle
  • Callanish Standing Stones
  • Canal Cruise
  • Cardiff Bay Tour
  • Cardiff Castle
  • Cardiff Tour
  • Castle Esplanade
  • Castle Hill
  • Castle Howard
  • Castle Square
  • Cathedral of St. Dude
  • Cathedral of St. Vitus
  • Catherine Palace & Park
  • Cavern Club
  • Cawdor Castle
  • Charles Bridge
  • Chester Cathedral
  • Chester Walking Tour
  • Church of St. Donat
  • Churchill Barriers
  • Clan Donald Centre
  • Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
  • Corrib Cruise
  • Crown Jewels
  • Cruiser Aurora
  • Crumlin Road Gaol
  • Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center
  • Culross (Outlander)
  • Culross Abbey
  • Culross Palace
  • Daliborka Tower
  • Dan O’Hara’s Homestead Farmhouse Visit
  • Dartmoor National Park
  • Derry’s Medieval Walls
  • Dingle Bay Cruise
  • Diocletian’s Palace
  • Doge’s Palace
  • Dome Cathedral
  • Dominican Monastery
  • Donegal Castle
  • Doune Castle
  • Dublin Castle
  • Dubrovnik Walking Tour
  • Dun Carloway Broch
  • Dunbrody Famine Ship
  • Dunrobin Castle
  • Dunvegan Castle
  • Edinburgh Castle
  • Edinburgh Tour
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Eilean Donan Castle
  • EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
  • Evening Canal Cruise
  • Falconry Exhibition
  • Famous Blacksmiths Shop
  • Field of Mars
  • Firth of Forth
  • Fisherman’s Bastion
  • Florence Walking Tour
  • Fort Augustus
  • Fort William
  • Forth Bridge
  • Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum
  • Franciscan Monastery
  • Fridheimar Tomato Farm
  • Gavrilo Princip Museum
  • Gearrannan Blackhouse Village
  • Gediminas’ Tower
  • Gellert Hill Citadel
  • General Post Office Museum
  • Giant’s Causeway
  • Glamis Castle
  • Glasgow Cathedral
  • Glen Grant Distillery
  • Glencoe Mountains
  • Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
  • Glenfiddich Distillery
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter)
  • Glengesh Pass
  • Goathland Station (Hogsmeade from Harry Potter)
  • Golden Circle
  • Golden Lane
  • Goriska Brda
  • Gothic-Baroque Cathedral of St. Mark
  • Government Palace
  • Gower Peninsula
  • Grafton Street, Dublin
  • Grampian Mountains
  • Great Orme Tramway
  • Gruz Harbor
  • Guinness Storehouse
  • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Hallgrímskirkja
  • Harlech Castle
  • Harry Potter Walking Tour
  • Harry’s Bar
  • Hebridean Smokehouse
  • Hekla Volcano
  • Heroes’ Square
  • Highland Safaris
  • Hillsborough Castle
  • Hofburg Palace
  • Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra
  • Horgabost Beach
  • Horseshoe Pass
  • Houses of Parliament
  • Husref Bay’s Mosque
  • Hvar Island
  • Inveraray Castle
  • Inverewe Gardens
  • Iron Age House
  • Isle of Benbecula
  • Isle of Bute
  • Isle of Harris Distillery
  • Isle of Lewis
  • Isle of Skye
  • Italian Chapel
  • Jacobite Steam Train
  • Jamaica Inn
  • Jaunting Car Ride
  • Jewish Ghetto
  • Johnstons of Elgin
  • Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
  • Jupiter’s Temple
  • Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
  • Kashmir Goats
  • Kensington Palace
  • Killarney National Park
  • Killarney’s Lakes
  • Killary Harbour
  • Kilmainham Gaol
  • Kilmuir Graveyard
  • Kinsale Walk
  • Knock Shrine
  • Kylemore Abbey & Gardens
  • Lake Bohinj
  • Lake District
  • Lake Windermere Cruise
  • Lanhydrock House
  • Lava Center
  • Lazienki Park & Palace
  • Leverburgh on Harris
  • Liberty Monument
  • Limerick Panoramic Tour
  • Lissadell House
  • Literary Tea with Scones
  • Little Museum of Dublin
  • Llandudno Tram
  • Loch an Duin
  • Loch Linnhe
  • Loch Lomond
  • Lochboisdale
  • London Pub Food Tour
  • London Tour
  • Lovespoon Workshop
  • Luskentyre Beach
  • Lynch’s Castle
  • Machynlleth
  • Malo Jezero
  • Matthias Church
  • Mayflower Steps
  • Medieval Castle Banquet
  • Mercato Centrale
  • Merry Ploughboy Pub
  • Mljet Island & National Park
  • Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto
  • Moscow University
  • Mount Snowdon
  • Mount Stuart House
  • Nace Homestead
  • Nant Gwrtheyrn Welsh Heritage Centre
  • National Slate Museum
  • Nelson’s Column
  • Neolithic Tombs
  • Nevsky Prospect
  • Nine Glens of Antrim
  • North Yorkshire Moors Railway
  • Northern Lights
  • Novodevichy Convent
  • Old Market Square
  • Old Royal Palace
  • Olive Oil & Wine Tasting
  • Olympic Stadium
  • Orlando’s Column
  • Our Lady of the Rocks
  • Oxford Walking Tour
  • Palace of Holyroodhouse
  • Palace of Science and Culture
  • Palace Square
  • Palaces for the People
  • Palazzo Vecchio
  • Pembroke Castle
  • Penderyn Distillery
  • Peter and Paul Cathedral
  • Peter and Paul Fortress
  • Petrodvorets
  • Piazza della Signoria
  • Piccadilly Circus
  • Pitlochry Pub Lunch
  • Plitvice Lakes
  • Politician Pub
  • Poljanska Sora
  • Postojna Cave
  • Powerscourt House
  • Prater Amusement Park
  • Provand’s Lordship
  • Rannoch Moor
  • Rector’s Palace
  • Red Deer Encounter
  • Reykjavik City Tour
  • Reynisfjara Beach
  • Riga Castle
  • Ring of Brodgar
  • River Avon Cruise
  • River Clyde
  • River Moskva
  • River Shannon
  • Robba’s Fountain
  • Roman baths
  • Roman Forum
  • Ross Castle
  • Royal and Ancient Clubhouse
  • Royal Castle
  • Royal Castle of Hradcany
  • Royal Cathedral
  • Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
  • Royal Military Tattoo
  • Royal Route
  • Russborough House
  • Russian Folklore
  • Saxon Gardens
  • Schiller Theater
  • Schloss Charlottenburg
  • Scone Palace
  • Secret Lagoon
  • Seine River Cruise
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Selska Sora
  • Semper Opera House
  • Senate Square
  • Sergiev Posad
  • Shakespeare’s Birthplace
  • Sheepdog Demonstration
  • Shepherd’s Museum
  • Shrewsbury Walking Tour
  • Skaftafell National Park
  • Skofja Loka
  • Skogafoss Waterfall
  • Skogar Folk Museum
  • Slieve League Cliffs
  • Smallest House in Britain
  • Smolny Cathedral
  • Snowdonia National Park
  • South Pole Inn
  • Spanish Steps
  • Spean Bridge
  • Speyside Distilleries
  • Sponza Palace
  • Square of the Five Wells
  • St. Anastasia
  • St. Andrews Castle
  • St. Andrews Walk
  • St. Anne’s Church
  • St. Asaph’s Cathedral
  • St. Basil’s Cathedral
  • St. Catherine’s Church
  • St. Columba’s Cathedral
  • St. David’s Cathedral
  • St. Fagans Castle
  • St. Fagans National Museum of History
  • St. George’s Basilica
  • St. Isaac’s Cathedral
  • St. Isaac’s Square
  • St. Jacobs Cathedral
  • St. John’s Cathedral
  • St. Magnus Cathedral
  • St. Mark’s Church
  • St. Mary’s Church
  • St. Michael’s Mount
  • St. Patrick’s Cathedral
  • St. Patrick’s Grave
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • St. Peter and Paul’s Church
  • St. Peter’s Church
  • St. Stephen’s Cathedral
  • Step Dancing
  • Stirling Castle
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2025 Tours: Save $400pp - Use Code EBD25400

Irish Supreme

Starting from $5,295

Experience Irish hospitality at its finest as you explore the splendor of Ireland's iconic attractions and savor local culinary delights. Luxuriate in overnight stays in five-star modern hotels,…

​Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups

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2025 Tours: Save $300pp - Use Code EBD25300

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Starting from $2,695

Discover the untamed nature and rich cultural heritage of Ireland’s western coast, with its spectacular ocean vistas, enchanting towns, and craftsmanship deeply rooted in tradition.

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2025 Tours: Save $200pp - Use Code EBD25200

Dublin Daytripper

Starting from $2,395

Unpack once and Dublin will be your home base for discovering Ireland’s fun side, including plenty of music and ventures to Ireland’s sporting world.

Cute sheep

2025 Tours: Save $100pp - Use Code EBD25100

Taste of Ireland

Starting from $1,395

This fast-paced, short-and-sweet Ireland tour is the perfect introduction to the Emerald Isle. Taste of Ireland hits all of the "greatest hits" highlights—from Blarney Castle to the Cliffs of…

​Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups, Independent Adventures

Glendalough

Irish Adventure

Starting from $1,945

Make the most of every moment of your Ireland vacation—you'll discover all the can't-miss Irish scenery and history on this fast-paced tour.

Enjoying a drink

Taste of Scotland & Ireland

Starting from $3,195

The perfect combination of two great countries in one itinerary. Start in Glasgow before exploring the Scottish Highlands with a Loch Ness cruise and whisky tasting. Visit St Andrews and Edinburgh…

The Long Room

Best of Ireland South

Starting from $1,845

Give us a week, and we'll tour the best of Ireland with you. Thrill at the amazing Cliffs of Moher and the gorgeous Dingle Peninsula on this perfect introduction to the Emerald Isle. 

Kylemore Abbey

Starting from $2,545

Take your time on this Ireland tour, which explores the most acclaimed sights in the south and west, including the mountainous beauty of Connemara.

Cliffs of Moher

Irish Odyssey

Starting from $3,395

Explore Ireland's gorgeous scenery and rich history on this comprehensive Irish tour that hits every corner of the island.

Dunmore Head

Ireland South Daytripper

Starting from $2,345

Turn your Irish vacation into a staycation. Set up your home base in the lovely village of Adare, then set out on day trips to see some of Ireland's top attractions. 

Dun Aengus

Irish Legends

Starting from $2,745

Delve into Ireland and its past on this tour, which mixes in plenty of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path sights among the tried-and-true favorites. 

Galboly The Glens of Atrim

2025 Tours: Save $500pp - Use Code EBD25500

Irish Classic

Starting from $3,445

Skirt along the entire rugged coastline to see the highlights on this Ireland tour.

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The Scots Irish Tour

Starting from $3,595

This fast-paced Scotland and Ireland tour focuses on their rich history, with plenty of castle tours and museums to help bring the past to life. It's the perfect trip for those interested in…

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The Irish Pub Tour

Starting from $2,145

Irish pubs are the hearts of their communities—a source of camaraderie, stories, and song. Raise a glass (or two!) to rich pub culture and history on this guided tour of Ireland, which offers…

Sheep

Irish Spirit

Starting from $1,995

This leisurely Irish tour covers the spectacular scenery of the countryside and seaside, with plenty of stops in the Emerald Isle's vibrant towns to stop and explore.

St Andrews Cathedral

Scottish & Irish Dream

Starting from $4,195

This great combination tour covers essential parts of Scotland with dreamy castles, mythical Isle of Skye, historic Culloden, skilled sheepdogs and the capital city of Edinburgh. Your adventure…

Old Man of Storr

Scottish & Irish Gold

Starting from $4,495

This great combination tour covers the same itinerary in Scotland as on the Scottish & Irish Dream with romantic castles, mythical Isle of Skye, historic Culloden, and Edinburgh. In Ireland…

Slieve League Cliffs

Jewels of Ireland

Starting from $3,995

Enjoy the splendor of every corner on this leisurely Ireland tour of the essential—and the unexpected.

Tower of London

Taste of Britain & Ireland

Starting from $4,445

Get a great introduction to two great countries on this lively trip to England, Ireland, and Scotland. Enjoy a generous helping of the essential must-dos, with a hint of the unexpected. 

Ring of Kerry

Irish Heritage

See all the highlights on this classic tour - and on our 8-day option, luxuriate in a stay at the elegant, five-star Dromoland Castle Hotel.

Family in a Castle

Southern Gems

Starting from $2,245

Visit many beloved highlights of Ireland: Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, the Cliffs of Moher. Experience a medieval castle banquet.  Stay in two of Ireland's most charming towns: Kinsale and…

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Mystical Ireland

Starting from $2,645

Explore the lesser-known northern half of Ireland, starting in Dublin and ending in Shannon. This itinerary hugs the coastline and visits St. Patrick country, Titanic Belfast, the walled city of…

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Evergreen Ireland North

Starting from $1,145

Scenic wonders, lively cities, and cozy firesides: this winter tour of Ireland showcases the best of the northern half of the island.

Killarney mountains and lake

Evergreen Ireland South

Starting from $1,195

This spirited tour offers many of Ireland’s must-see highlights, with plenty of time for independent exploration.

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Taste of Ireland Self-Drive

Starting from $895

This fast-paced, short-and-sweet Ireland tour offers the potential to see the top Irish highlights. Stay in Dublin, Killarney and Clare on this driving adventure.All our 2024 self-drive…

The Long Room

Best of Ireland South Self-Drive

See many of Ireland’s most amazing landscapes, including the stunningly beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Stay in Dublin, Killarney, and Newmarket-on-Fergus.   All our self-drive Classic…

Irish Gold Self-Drive

Starting from $1,695

Venture to the most acclaimed sights and scenic byways of the West and South of Ireland. Visit beautiful Connemara, stroll Kilkenny’s medieval streets, and drive the Ring of Kerry. All our…

Irish Odyssey Self-Drive

Explore gorgeous scenery and intriguing culture as you drive around the entire Ireland on this comprehensive tour. Enjoy a stay at the luxurious Cabra Castle in Dublin and a dinner with a flight…

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Irish Legends Self-Drive

Starting from $1,645

Explore hidden gems along with tried-and-true favorites on this self-drive adventure. Begin with a stay in a beautiful Georgian mansion, visit medieval Kilkenny, friendly Killarney, and buzzing…

Irish Classic Self-Drive

Drive the rugged coastlines and countryside as you explore. See Dublin’s highlights, then head to Belfast as you start your route around Ireland. 

Irish Spirit Self-Drive

Starting from $1,295

See spectacular scenery as you drive this great route, offering castles, cliffs, and coastlines.  All our 2024 self-drive Classic Itinerary tours include your hotel stays, a hop-on bus…

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Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way Self-Drive

Drive west to see some of Ireland’s most spectacular Atlantic coastline and enjoy stays in scenic Donegal, charming Westport, pretty Adare, and lively Killarney. Take in Dublin,…

Ireland at a glance

Sheep grazing in Ireland

Euro (Sterling in Northern Ireland)

Optional 10-12% on dining

Avg.Summer Temp

Avg. winter temp, peak tourist season.

July & August

English & Irish

Must-have souvenirs

Irish whiskey

Aran sweaters

Waterford crystal

Local lingo

Craic (fun)

Banjaxed (broken)

Sláinte (cheers!)

So much beauty in one country as we travel from coast to coast…I truly was not ready to leave.

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Explore your heritage

Want to visit the land of your Irish or Scottish ancestors? Enter last names from your family tree and we can guide you to tours that visit the place your family called home.

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Get more without spending more. CIE Tours includes every experience and most meals so you won't be hit with hidden expenses.

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Small Group Tours Ireland

Welcome to irish experience tours, where adventure, culture & laughter come together in a symphony of unforgettable experiences. .

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Your Irish Adventure Begins Here

Our small-group tours redefine exploring the island of Ireland , blending the freedom of independent travel with the convenience of stress-free planning. Immerse yourself in the genuine spirit of Ireland with our expert local guides, the true custodians of the Irish “craic.”

Our easygoing tours are fully flexible and immersive for people of all ages and levels of fitness. Celebrate and support Ireland’s local communities and culture; wander quaint cobble streets and taste artisanal food; experience craft demonstrations and connect with the great outdoors in a rich and meaningful way that is suited to you.

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13 Day Full Irish Experience Tour

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11 Day Ultimate Irish Experience Tour

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10 Day Wild Irish Experience Tour

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8 Day Castles & Coasts Experience Tour

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5 Day South Coast Experience Tour

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5 Day Giant Irish Experience Tour

Why choose our small group tours of ireland.

Our dedicated guiding team know Ireland and its locals so intimately, that they can build in flexibility and exclusivity based on your own interests. Our team of creators works closely with local communities and activity providers to help them tell their stories. We’re a passionate, quality driven team.

Our Vehicles

Experience the charm of Ireland in our vehicles—streamlined, polished, and incredibly comfortable. They feature large panoramic windows, reclining seats, and air conditioning as standard. With a maximum limit of 16 people per tour, you’ll enjoy ample space throughout your journey.

We prioritize family-run, locally-owned accommodations for an authentic Irish experience. Our small group sizes allow us to select high-quality establishments in untouched locations, ensuring a diverse and enjoyable stay. Each place is carefully selected to provide a unique and loved experience.

Our Flexibility

Book Any Tour Of Your Choice, Pay A €180 Deposit And Change The Dates And Tour For Free* Up To 30 Days Before Departure. Choose & Change to any available departure, an unlimited amount of times. We also accept different payment methods in different currencies.

Our Responsibility

By exploring our rural & regional areas and supporting local businesses and people, we can use travel as a force for good. We’re committed to preserving our cultural heritage and supporting our communities via indigenous experiences and responsible tourism.

Our Experiences

Our small-group tours redefine exploring the island of Ireland, blending the freedom of independent travel with the convenience of choosing your optional activities. We’ve curated a list of unmissable activities for you, and in places where fantastic choices abound, we’ve entrusted the ultimate decision to you.

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If you are planning a trip to Ireland tailored for your date, time and places, drop your details below and one of our experts will provide you with a price and details.

10% Off Spring 2024. Travel in March or April for a 10% discount off the May-Sept price.

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We create and operate tours that let travellers experience the country from a local and authentic perspective by connecting them with our place and our people. 

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Lynott Tours, Inc.

  • Self-drive Irish car rental with unlimited mileage and tax. Large cars, minibuses and automatics are available. Pick up you car rental at Shannon Airport, Cork, Dublin or elsewhere. You can prepay your car insurance. Please click here to go to the Car Information page.
  • Accommodations at your choice of Irish B&B's, farms , hotels, guesthouses, Irish castles or manors. Choose some of each for maximum flexibility. Rooms are with private bath at all properties. We will reserve them all before you go, OR you can have "open" prepaid vouchers to use wherever you roam.
  • Full hearty Irish breakfast is served each day. This may include home-baked breads, farm-fresh eggs, cereal, sausage and bacon.
  • Value-Added Tax (V.A.T.) and service charges.
  • Passport Case with "What You Need To Know Before You Go"
  • Travel Insurance is available

Bonus: Stay 7 nights : PICK YOUR UNIQUE EXPEREIENCE: See our recommendations

Bed and Breakfasts, Farmhouses and Country Homes

Family Friendly

Need an Ireland hotel with a swimming pool, or a hotel in Ireland with air conditioning? Just ask.

RED HOTELS are individually priced. Please ask for rates.

The minimum number of nights on this program is 3. Car Insurance CDW : You can prepay your car insurance. Prepay: CDW, Theft Protection, Location surcharge & Tax per day for one low price. Save up to 30% over buying the insurance at the airport when you pick up your car.

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  • Cork and Kerry Family Walking Tour
  • Dublin & Belfast
  • Irish Castle Fly and Drive
  • Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
  • Celtic Voyager Tour
  • Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way: Ireland’s Untamed Gem
  • Ten Must See Places In Northern Ireland
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Why just travel when you can immerse yourself in a truly unforgettable Irish experience?

Are you looking for a fully independent vacation in Ireland? Treat yourself to expert planning and advice helping you create the perfect itinerary to explore Ireland at your own pace.

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Benefits of using a travel advisor to plan your ireland vacation.

  • Why would you not? The services of an expert travel advisor cost you nothing and will likely SAVE you money!  Travel advisors are paid by vendors and suppliers. We work to find the best deals for you that fit within your budget.
  • Save yourself time.  Your travel advisor can take the pain and hassle out of planning and organizing your vacation.
  • Your travel advisor can let you know details that Google simply can't including access to wholesale pricing unavailable from online booking platforms.
  • Travel plans can be complex.  Your travel advisor will help you navigate the journey.
  • Travel advisors fight your corner before, during, and after your trip giving you peace of mind.
  • You can trust your travel advisor to deliver the trip you’re looking for.
  • Our fully independent vacations are designed to give you the freedom to explore Ireland on your own terms, without being tied to a tour group or set schedule. We'll work with you to create an itinerary that fits your interests and preferences, whether you want to explore Ireland's rich history, soak up the culture and scenery, or simply relax and enjoy the local hospitality.
  • Our team of experienced travel advisors will work with you to design a customized itinerary that includes accommodations, transportation, and activities. We offer a variety of accommodations to suit your preferences and budget, from charming bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels. We can also arrange car rentals, private transfers, or other transportation options to help you get around Ireland easily.t
  • Our team of experienced travel advisors will work with you to design a customized itinerary that includes accommodations, transportation, and activities. We offer a variety of accommodations to suit your preferences and budget, from charming bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels. We can also arrange car rentals, private transfers, or other transportation options to help you get around Ireland easily.

Enjoy the freedom and flexibility to explore Ireland at your own pace with fully independent Ireland vacations. Get your detailed itinerary and insider tips to help you make the most of your time in Ireland, where you'll have the freedom to choose your own activities and explore the country on your own terms.

What are you waiting for? Contact us today to start planning your dream vacation in Ireland.

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Visionquest Excursions

Imagine yourself sipping Guinness in a cozy pub, overlooking the Emerald Isle's rolling hills. Tell us your Ireland dreams, and our vacation consultants will craft a tailor-made package that brings them to life!  Our Ireland experts, brimming with local knowledge and passion, will jump on your inquiry like leprechauns chasing rainbows. With their magic touch, you'll have a dream itinerary and pricing options in your inbox within 24 hours

Private groups: Imagine your laughter echoing through ancient castles with your closest crew, savoring private picnics beside sparkling lakes.

Group and small group tours: Discover hidden gems and rich history alongside kindred spirits, sharing pints and stories in traditional pubs.

Self-drive packages: Trace your own path through windswept landscapes, stopping at charming villages and rugged coastlines at your own pace.

Make your Irish dreams a reality, contact us today and craft your perfect adventure!

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3 Days in Dublin Ireland: The Perfect Dublin Itinerary

Last updated: December 18, 2023 - Written by Jessica Norah 39 Comments

Dublin is Ireland’s capital and largest city, offering an endless number of museums, attractions, and entertainment options. We’ve put together a recommended Dublin itinerary to help you get the most out of your 3 days in Dublin. It includes all the main highlights of the city such as Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, the Temple Bar neighborhood, and Christ Church Cathedral as well as a few lesser known sites.

We suggest using this Dublin itinerary as a starting point for planning your 3 days in Dublin, and you can edit it to create your own personalized itinerary that reflects your own needs and interests. In addition to the 3 day itinerary, we also provide tips on how to get around Dublin, a map of each day’s suggested attractions, tips on where to stay in Dublin, and how to save money during your 3 days in Dublin.

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Table of Contents:

Planning for 3 Days in Dublin

Before we share our suggested day-to-day itinerary, here is some essential planning information on getting to Dublin, getting around Dublin, tips for saving money, how to find accommodation, and further resources for planning and making the most of your 3 days in Dublin.

Getting to Dublin

Dublin is easy to reach by plane and can also be reached via a combination of ferry, train, bus, or car. Dublin has one major airport, Dublin Airport with flights coming in and out from around the world.

From the airport, you can get into the city via taxi, Uber, bus, Dublin Express shuttle transfer , rental car, or by booking a private transfer .

Given that Ireland is an island with no bridge or tunnel connections, you can’t obviously reach Dublin directly by train or car if you are starting your trip outside of Ireland or Northern Ireland. If you are arriving from the UK or continental Europe, you can drive or take a bus or train to a ferry port in the UK or France, and then take a ferry to reach Ireland.

Dublin Port is the most convenient port for those wishing to visit Dublin. Stena Line and Irish Ferries both have a number of ferry routes to Dublin. The ferries take both foot passengers and cars. You can also check out the rail and sail options if your trip to Dublin will involve both train and ferry crossings.

If you traveling by train or coach to Dublin, you can check rates for tickets and schedules for both buses and trains on sites like thetrainline .

NOTE . If you plan to rent a car, please check your rental agreement as bringing a car to or from Ireland may be against your car’s rental terms (particularly if you want to take it on any ferry crossings). For instance, even cars rented in Ireland or Northern Ireland can sometimes not be brought by ferry over to Scotland or England and vice versa.

How to Get Around Dublin

Central Dublin is fairly compact and is best explored by a combination of walking and public transportation. Cabs, Uber, and bike hires are also options.

We would not recommend driving in Dublin unless you are planning to stay on the outskirts of the city or visit places outside the city as driving and finding parking in central busy locations can be difficult and parking can be expensive. If you are driving to Dublin, we’d recommend parking your car when you arrive in the city and then use public transport until you leave the city center.

Dublin has a good public transportation network which includes public buses , trams , and rail services  (for going outside the city center or outside the city). We used the bus several times on our most recent trip and found it easy to use.

There are also a few hop-on hop-off (HOHO) buses in Dublin, such as the City Sightseeing Bus and the Big Bus Open-Top Tours . If you have a Dublin Pass , you’ll get a free one day sightseeing bus ticket .

If you plan to use these buses, we recommend doing this when you first arrive in Dublin to get a good overview of the city before you start exploring. We find these tours are great ways to get a good introduction to a new city although not as practical if you are trying to get from one place to another quickly.

Dublin city sightseeing bus 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Best Time to Visit Dublin?

We love visiting Dublin at any time of year, and it really depends on your preferences. Dublin is a great year-round destination as most attractions are open year round in the city.

But we’d say spring, summer, or early autumn would be our recommended times of the year for a first time visit. Although winter is a great time to visit as well as it is less busy and you can enjoy the holidays, but it will also be darker and colder at that time of year. Halloween in October (believed to have originated in Ireland), Christmas in December, and St. Patrick’s Day in March are all accompanied by big celebrations and festivities in the city.

In terms of weather, you’ll have warmer days and more hours of sunlight in the summer. It may also rain less. However, whenever you visit, you will want to be prepared for rain so be sure to pack a rain jacket and/or umbrella. Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, and all that greenery takes plenty of watering, so rain is a possibility at any time of year!

Where to Stay in Dublin for 3 Days

There are a range of lodging options in Dublin to suit all budgets and travel styles, from hostels to apartments to B&B’s to luxury hotels . If you are looking for a comfortable good-value hotel, we’ve stayed at a number of mid-range hotels in the city like the Ireland-based  Maldron hotels . We would recommend booking lodging in or near the city center to make the most of your time in Dublin.

Our current favorite way to find the best price on hotels when traveling in the UK is Booking.com. We find they tend to have the widest choice of listings, good discounts if you use them regularly, and an excellent selection of properties from hotels to apartments. See their Dublin city center listings here  to get started.

If you’d prefer an apartment or room, then you might also want to check out Plum Guide . They usually have some lovely properties available. Another option is Vrbo , who have many listings in Dublin.

If you are not finding what you want on those sites, check out our guide to the best AirBnB alternatives for lots of other accommodation booking options for your trip.

How to Save Money in Dublin

As a capital city in Europe, Dublin is not a budget destination but it is also not the most expensive city either. Generally, you’ll find that the main costs are going to be food, entertainment, accommodation, and sightseeing.

There are loads of ways to save money. Budget accommodation include hostels, budget motels, and rooms in private homes. You can save money on food by cooking for yourself or getting take away. There are also lots of free or inexpensive things you can do from admiring the city’s architecture and city parks to having a pint in a pub to enjoying a free city concert.

There are a number of great free museums in Dublin which include the National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Hall, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Also keep an eye out for discount cards, coupons, and special deals to save money on tickets, tours, and meals.

Our favorite way to save money on sight-seeing in Dublin is to invest in a Dublin Pass which allows for free entry into over 35 of Dublin’s popular attractions (see full attraction list ). It also comes with a free hop-on, hop-off bus ticket and additional discounts on food, shopping, and tours. It also includes fast track entry to many of the included attractions.

We’ve used the Dublin Pass twice when visiting the city, and for a three day visit, the savings can really add up. You can read our review of the Dublin Pass to figure out if it is worth investing in for your trip and more about our experiences using it.

St. Patrick's Cathedral 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Other Practicalities for Traveling to Dublin

Power:  Electricity in Dublin is of the 220v standard, and power outlets use the same three pin plug that you’ll find throughout the UK and British Isles. Travelers from most countries, including continental Europe and North America will need a travel plug adapter  like these or a universal adapter like this . Be sure to leave electronics that don’t support 220v at home or you’ll need to purchase a voltage converter .

Currency: Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) is in the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro. You can get Euros from ATM’s, banks, and currency exchanges, although credit cards are of course widely accepted throughout the country. Note that if you plan to visit Northern Ireland, you’ll need to switch to GBP as the currency in the UK is pound sterling.

Internet:  Internet access is easy to find in the form of WiFi all around the city, as well as in the majority of hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our  guide to getting online when travelling  to help you figure out the best options.

Water:  The water in Dublin (and Ireland) is perfectly safe to drink unless otherwise posted. If you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available.

Safety:  We’ve never had any problems with safety when visiting Dublin, just take basic precautions with your valuables and personal safety, and you should be fine.

Further Resources for Planning your Dublin Trip

For information on events, happenings, and more ideas for what to do in Dublin, take a look at the official Visit Dublin website . If your travels are taking you elsewhere in Ireland, check out the official Ireland tourism website and our recommended two week itinerary for the UK and Ireland which includes Dublin.

There are several great day trips you can take from Dublin. For instance we’ve done a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher . Day tours also visit Belfast and the Northern Ireland Coast which has fantastic attractions like the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Museum, and the Dark Hedges .

If you are looking for a guidebook, you might want to get a copy of the Rick Steves’  Dublin Snapshot Guide  or latest Ireland guidebook . For a good street map to help you navigate Dublin’s city center, we personally love the laminated Streetwise maps by Michelin.

Jeanie Johnston tallship 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

3 Day Dublin Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Dublin

Dublin has a large number of attractions, museums, shows, and potential things to do. This can be overwhelming for first time visitors so we’ve put together our suggested 3 day itinerary that takes in Dublin’s most popular attractions, museums, and neighborhoods. We’ve also tried to arrange them in a logical order so you spend less time traveling around the city and more time sightseeing.

Use this as a guide and starting point for planning your 3 days in Dublin, not as a definitive itinerary. This itinerary is pretty jam-packed and may be too packed for someone who wants to explore the city at a more leisurely pace. It also reflects some of the most popular highlights, but you’ll want to add or substitute places that reflect your own special interests. For example, it doesn’t include attractions like the Dublin Zoo, Avia Stadium, the botanical gardens, the wax museum, or trips out to Dalkey or Malahide Castle.

Be sure to check on admission days and hours for any must-see attractions before you set out as some attractions close for one day per week, or may be closed due to a special event or renovation. Many attractions have reduced winter hours and longer summer hours.

For all attractions with an admission fee, we’ve noted there is an entry fee by writing “(fee)” next to them. Note that since many people use the  Dublin Pass , the attractions that are included on the Dublin Pass (at the time of this writing) are starred (*) denoting that passholders receive free entry so they have “(fee*)” next to them. We do our best to provide the most updated information, but things change so you may want to double-check fees and check the latest list of attractions included by the Dublin Pass before your trip.

3 Days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Dublin Itinerary Day 1

For the first day of our suggested 3 day Dublin itinerary, we have you exploring the area south of the River Liffey in the western part of central Dublin. Today you’ll learn about Dublin’s medieval and Viking past, have a chance to visit the city’s two famous cathedrals, pay a visit to one of Ireland’s most famous prisons, and end your day of sightseeing with a pint of Ireland’s most famous brew!

Dublin Castle

We’re going to start with a visit to Dublin Castle (fee*). There has been a castle on this site since 1166, although most of the current complex dates from the 18th and 19th century and doesn’t look too much like a medieval castle anymore. However parts of the medieval castle still exist and the State Rooms of the castle are still used for official state engagements. Many famous figures have visited the castle including Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, and Dublin-born author Bram Stoker worked as a civil servant at the castle for several years before moving to London.

Visitors to Dublin Castle can see the excavation site of the Viking and medieval parts of the castle, the Gothic Chapel Royal, and the State Apartments. You can purchase a ticket for either a self-guided visit of the castle or guided tour. Dublin Pass holders can take a self-guided tour for free or upgrade to a guided tour for just £3 extra. Do bear in mind that access to Dublin Castle may be restricted due to government events or activities, so check the official website before your visit to avoid disappointment.

Within the Dublin Castle complex are also the Garda Museum (Irish Police museum) and the Chester Beatty Library museum. Both of these are free and worth visiting, especially the library museum, if you have time.

Dublin Castle 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Christ Church Cathedral

Dating back to 1028, Christ Church Cathedral (fee*) is Dublin’s oldest medieval cathedral and is found in the heart of what was once medieval Dublin. Although it dates back to medieval times, the Christ Church cathedral that exists today is a mix mainly of Gothic, Romanesque, and Victorian elements. It serves as the seat of the Church of Ireland (Anglican church) in Dublin. Fans of the Showtime TV show The Tudors  will likely find it recognizable as many of the cathedral scenes from the show were filmed on site here.

There is a lot to see at Christ Church cathedral. First there is the beautiful nave and main building, which contains the organ, the Musician’s Corner, and some tombs including the disputed tomb of Strongbow , a medieval Norman-Welsh earl and warlord. There’s also the crypt which is the largest cathedral crypt in the British Isles. The crypt contains a number of items of interest, including monuments, a mummified cat and rat that were found stuck in the organ pipe, and an extensive silver collection.

The cathedral’s choir is very well known throughout Ireland and those who enjoy choir music may want to make time to listen to the choir for evensong which is normally performed several evenings a week in the cathedral.

You can visit the cathedral as part of a self-guided tour, or join a guided tour (additional fee) that are offered on most days at set times (check website for times). You can purchase tickets in advance here .

Christ Church Cathedral 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Next door to Christ Church Cathedral is Dublinia  (fee*), a fun family-friendly museum which tells the story of medieval and Viking Dublin. Along with the cathedral, this part of the city was at the center of medieval Dublin, although construction and city changes mean that not much else has survived from that time period.

At Dublinia, visitors can learn all about life in medieval Dublin on a self-guided visit, told through various mediums, which includes interactive exhibits. This being medieval times, there is naturally a large section dedicated to the Plague, or Black Death, which was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Dubliners. A part of the museum also covers how archaeologists have unearthed artifacts to help understand and bring the past to life. At the end of the visit, there is also the chance to climb the steps of the medieval St Michael’s Tower.

Most tours are self-guided; however, once per day, they do a guided tour in English of one of the sections of the museum with a costumed actor guide. These interactive tours are well worth taking, especially if you have children, and help bring a bit more life into the information. Check times before visiting if interested in the tour.

Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral are next door and connected by the Synod hall and bridge. Both attractions are included for free with the Dublin Pass, but if you are not planning to buy a Dublin Pass but still want to visit both attractions, you can purchase a discounted combined ticket for both at the Dublina’s welcome desk.

Dublinia 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

If you are interested in visiting another cathedral, you can also visit the nearby  St. Patrick’s Cathedral  (fee*). Dublin is unique for having not one, but two cathedrals and both date back to the medieval period. It is believed that St. Patrick’s Cathedral (fee*), founded in 1191, was initially intended to replace Christ Church but for whatever reason this did not happen and the two cathedrals have had to learn to co-exist together. Like Christ Church, it is part of the Anglican Church of Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the National Cathedral of the  Church of Ireland and its spire makes it the tallest church (but not cathedral) in Ireland and the largest. It is said that Saint Patrick used a well on this site to baptize people in Dublin approximately 1,500 years ago. The author of Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift , once served as dean of St. Patrick’s and is buried within the cathedral. It is an impressive cathedral and the church can be visited on a self-guided visit. An audio guide is available for an additional fee.

You can buy tickets for St. Patrick’s Cathedral here .

Interested in seeing more of Dublin’s Churches?  There are loads of churches you can visit in Dublin. If you are surprised like we were that both of the cathedrals in Dublin are part of the minority Christian faith of Ireland (Anglican), this is because both cathedrals changed from Roman Catholic to the Anglican Church of Ireland following the Protestant Reformation. If you are looking for the main Roman Catholic church in Dublin, you might want to visit St. Mary’s Church which is the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. Also if you enjoy church crypts, you might to visit St. Michan’s parish church , an Anglican church with an interesting crypt that is open on most days for public tours.

St. Patrick's Cathedral 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Kilmainham Gaol

We’re coming towards the end of the first day of our three day Dublin itinerary. Our next attraction is a little further out of the city, but worth the trek if you have the time.  Kilmainham Gaol  (fee) is a former 18th century prison which is today run as a museum by Ireland’s Office of Public Works.

Kilmainham Gaol opened  in 1796 and closed in 1924. During this period it housed convicts convicted of crimes ranging from stealing food to murder. In the early 19th century, about 4,000 prisoners were transported to Australia. In the early 20th century, it was mainly used to house rebels and military prisoners, and the leaders of the 1916 rebellion were notably held here and executed. Film fans may recognize this as the filming location for the prison that Michael Caine is held in the original Italian Job movie .

Kilmainham Gaol can only be toured as part of a guided visit, with tickets sold for specific times of the day. Tickets are usually available for walk-ins, however this is a very popular attraction and we recommend buying your ticket in advance online to avoid disappointment.

Kilmainham Gaol 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Guinness Storehouse

Our final stop on the first day of our three days in Dublin is Dublin’s most popular visitor attraction—the Guinness Storehouse  (fee*). We think this is an absolute must for most people when visiting Dublin! It is interesting even if you are not a big fan of Guinness or even beer.

The Guinness Storehouse is on the site of St James’s Gate Brewery. This is where Ireland’s legendary drink, Guinness, has been brewed since 1759. It’s quite the success story, with over 50 million barrels of Guinness being produced annually at St. James Gate brewery. The Guinness Storehouse itself is a huge seven storey visitor attraction arranged around a central atrium. The Storehouse was built in 1904 and used for fermentation until 1988, but is no longer part of the active brewery.

The tour, which is self-guided, goes across all seven floors, and you’ll learn a bit of everything including the  founder Albert Guinness’ story,  how Guinness is made, and how the brand’s iconic advertising has changed from the 18th century to now. Once you’ve learnt everything you can about Guinness, the tour culminates at the Gravity Bar on the seventh floor. Here you’ll get to sample a pint of the good stuff (included with your ticket), and admire a spectacular view of the city. Not a bad way to end your first day in Dublin, we think you’ll agree.

This is one of the most popular attractions in Dublin so we recommend that you  buy your tickets online , which will save you money compared to buying them on-site and you also have access to the fast track queue. You also get free entry and access to the fast track queue with the Dublin Pass.

Want more Guinness? After the Guinness Storehouse closes, you might want to make your way to the Open Gate Brewery  at St. James Gate to try some of the latest Guinness beers as well as experimental batches. It is a bar which is located within the Guinness active experimental brewery facility and is currently only open to the public on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. To visit, you must reserve a spot in advance online and you must be 18 years or older to enter.

Guinness Storehouse 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Dublin Itinerary Day 2

On the second day of your 3 days in Dublin, we suggest visiting more of Dublin’s classic sites,  seeing one of Ireland’s top cultural treasures, taking a break in the city’s most popular green space, visiting one or more of its free museums, and watching sunset over the River Liffey. Then after dinner, we recommend heading out to experience some of Dublin’s nightlife in the famous Temple Bar neighborhood. Today’s itinerary has you exploring the eastern area of central Dublin south of the River Liffey.

Trinity College and the Long Room

Trinity College  Dublin, officially the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, is the only college of the University of Dublin. It was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 and is widely regarded as the finest university in the country. The college has a rich history and is an impressive place to wander around and visit.

One of the most popular attractions in Trinity College is the Old Library (fee), also known as the Long Room. This dates from the 18th century, and houses over 200,000 books which are kept across two  floors. The library is over 200 ft long, and is a sight you have to see when you visit Dublin! When you visit Trinity Library, you can also see a section of the Book of Kells . This 9th century decorated copy of the four gospels is the world’s most famous medieval manuscript and is regarded as Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure.

Entry to both the Book of Kells and the Long Room are included in the same ticket, which you can buy directly from the Trinity College Dublin website , or in person when you arrive. You can also take a walking tour which includes the Book of Kells as well as Dublin Castle.

Long Room 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Molly Malone Statue

No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to one of the city’s most famous inhabitants —Molly Malone. Or at least, her statue. Molly Malone, as you are likely aware, is a fictional character who features in one of Ireland’s most well-known songs , which tells the story of a fishmonger plying her wares in Dublin. As you can probably tell from the photo below, many tourists like to touch her statue, particularly her breasts, and unfortunately this has caused some of the bronze to be worn off.

The statue of Molly Malone was historically located on Grafton Street, but due to construction work on Grafton Street at the time of writing, she can currently be found just outside the Irish tourist information office on Suffolk Street.

Molly Malone statue 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Grafton Street

On your walk from the Molly Malone statue to the next site, the Little Museum of Dublin, we recommend walking along Grafton Street. This is one of the best known streets in Dublin and one of the city’s main shopping streets. It’s a lively place with lots of stores, restaurants, cafés, and street buskers (street performers). The majority of the street is pedestrian-only making it a friendly place for walkers and tourists.

Little Museum of Dublin

If you are interested in life in Dublin through the 20th century and up to the present day, then you should consider a visit to the Little Museum of Dublin (fee*). This museum of the people will take you on a journey through life in 20th century Dublin. It has over 5,000 artifacts on display across three floors, including a room devoted to Ireland’s most famous musical exports: the rock band U2.

It’s worth noting that the Little Museum of Dublin, as the name suggests, is a relatively small museum. As a result, visitor numbers are carefully managed, and the main exhibition has to be seen as part of a guided tour which lasts about an hour and begins at the top of every hour. Slots on these tours can fill up quickly at busier times of year, so to avoid disappointment we would recommend booking in advance, which you can do here . If you don’t want to do the tour, the temporary exhibitions can be seen on a self-guided visit.

3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

St. Stephen’s Green

Once a marshy common grazing area, St. Stephen’s Green is one of the Dublin’s most popular green spaces and a nice place to take a short break from sightseeing. It includes trees, a lake, a playground, a number of labeled plants (including some in Braille), fountains, statues, and memorials. This city center park is located just across from the Little Dublin Museum.

Those who enjoy gardens and green spaces might want to also visit the nearby Iveagh Gardens , a Victorian era garden featuring a rose garden, cascades, and yew maze. The garden is free to visit.

St. Stephen's Green 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Dublin’s Free Art Museums & History Museums

We recommend using the afternoon for time to visit a museum or two. Dublin offers a number of free museums which include three locations of the National Museum of Ireland, the National Gallery of Ireland, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. You can’t visit all of these museums so I’d based your choice on your interests, time, and location.

In terms of today’s itinerary the nearest museums to St. Stephen’s Green (10 to 20 minute walk) are the National Gallery of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, and Dublin City Hall. But you can adjust the itinerary to fit as needed.

All the museums mentioned offer free general entry at the time of writing. Temporary and special exhibitions usually require a ticket and fee, and these are normally free for those with Dublin Passes.

History & Science Lovers:

  • National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology – This museum tells the history of Ireland through archaeology, presenting a wide range of objects from metalwork to weapons to religious objects to  preserved Iron Age “bog bodies”. Includes objects from Ireland as well as those found in other parts of the world.
  • National Museum of Ireland – Natural History – This museum houses a large collection (around 2 million specimens) of zoological and geological artifacts and exhibits collected from around the world.
  • National Museum of Decorative Arts & History – A museum that will appeal to both art and history lovers. It is filled with decorative arts, jewelry, furniture, costumes, weapons, Asian art, & history exhibits.
  • Dublin City Hall  exhibition – An interesting exhibit that tells the story of the city of Dublin from the first Viking invasion to the fights for Irish independence to modern Dublin. Notable artifacts on display during our visit included the Seal of Dublin City, the Great Mace of Dublin, The Sword of the City, and one of the original Proclamations from the 1916 Easter Rising. Note the City Hall suspended its entry fee in 2016 and was still free when we visited last in 2017 but the entry fee may be reinstated in the future (free for Dublin Pass holders).

wax seal 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Art Lovers:

  • National Gallery of Ireland  – This is Ireland’s national collection of Irish & European art, including works by Burton, Turner, Monet, and Caravaggio. This would be my choice if I was only going to visit one art museum in Dublin (although modern art lovers would probably prefer one of the other museums).
  • Irish Museum of Modern Art – Ireland’s largest collection of modern and contemporary art by both Irish and international artists located in a 17th century hospital building arranged around a large central courtyard. A good bet for modern art lovers.
  • Hugh Lane Art Gallery – A contemporary and modern art museum housed in a 18th century former home that includes the Francis Bacon studio. Founded in 1908, it is believed to be the first public gallery of modern art in the world.

National Gallery of Ireland 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Sunset over the River Liffey & Ha’Penny Bridge

We’re coming to the end of the second day of our three day Dublin itinerary, and what better way to finish off than by watching the sun set over the River Liffey, which runs right through the center of the city. If the weather is good, we can highly recommend taking a moment to enjoy the sunset view of Dublin. Most of the city center bridges along the River Liffey will offer you a good view. The most famous bridge is the Ha’Penny Bridge , a cast iron pedestrian bridge built in 1816.

You might also want to take a boat tour of the river during your trip to Dublin. If you are interested in taking a boat tour of the River Liffey or exploring the beautiful Dublin Bay (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), there are a number of boat tour options in Dublin, including dinner cruises. Just be sure to book in advance.

River Liffey sunset 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Temple Bar District

If you are not too tired and want to experience some of the Dublin nightlife, we recommend exploring the popular Temple Bar District. It is a good place discover the “craic”, the all-encompassing Irish word for having a good time. This is the party capital of Dublin, and if you’re seeking out pints of Guinness, live music, and lots of the aforementioned “craic”, this is definitely the place to come.

Yes, the prices are higher than everywhere else in town, and it’s also going to be full of tourists. But there are plenty of locals out here too, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a good time.

The most visited bar is The Temple Bar , but there are loads of bars in this area to grab a pint and many also offer food. A few others to consider are The Palace Bar , a traditional Victorian-era pub, The Brazen Head which is believed to be Ireland’s oldest pub dating back to 1198, and Buskers which offers a more contemporary bar atmosphere with modern cocktails.

If you prefer, you can also take an evening pub crawl tour with a guide, like this one . This can be a fun way to experience some new venues and meet different people from around the world.

Temple bar 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Dublin Itinerary Day 3

On the final day of our Dublin itinerary, we recommend crossing the river to explore the area of central Dublin north of the River Liffey. In the morning, we recommend learning a bit more about Dublin’s history by visiting a few of the recommend museums to learn about Ireland’s emigration history, the 1916 Easter Uprising, and Dublin’s rich literary history. It is a busy morning/afternoon if you want to visit them all so if you want a more relaxed day, I’d choose the attractions that are of most interest rather than trying to visit them all. Then later in the afternoon we recommend sampling some Irish whiskey and then going out for a night of traditional Irish food, drink, and entertainment. 

Jeanie Johnston Tallship & Famine Experience

The Jeanie Johnston tallship (fee*) is a remake of the original Jeanie Johnston, a three-masted sailing ship that was originally built in Quebec, Canada, in 1847. It was one of the so-called “famine ships”, which was used to transport emigrants between Ireland and North America. During the Great Famine in Ireland from 1845 to 1849, about one million people died in the country and a million more people left Ireland to seek a new life, primarily to the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Liverpool was a particularly popular city for emigrants and it is estimated that today about three-quarters of the population has Irish roots.

Today you can take a guided tour of this replica ship built in the 1980’s, and learn about life on board for both the emigrants and crew. The Jeanie Johnston made 16 voyages carrying emigrants across the Atlantic to North America, and she was particularly noteworthy as she didn’t lose a single passenger or crew member on any of her voyages. It can be quite a moving experience, particularly if you had family who would have undertaken a similar voyage. On our tour, one of our fellow tour participants became quite emotional when he revealed that his ancestors had actually sailed on one of the original famine ships from Ireland.

Visits are given as part of a guided tour which lasts about 50 minutes. Be sure to check on tour times before you visit.

Jeanie Johnston Tallship 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Ireland has experienced a number of periods of mass emigration, not just during the Great Famine, and many Irish people continue to emigrate. If you want to learn more about the Irish emigration experience, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum  (fee*) is a museum that tells the story of Irish emigration around the world. I reland is a country that has had its fair share of troubled times and this has led to an estimated 9 to 10 million people having emigrated since 1700! 

Through a self-guided interactive experience, the museum guides you through the personal stories of many people who have emigrated and their journeys. You’ll learn what caused them to emigrate, what that process was like, and what their new lives were like in their new home country. If you’ve ever visited Ellis Island in New York and learnt about immigration into the USA, this is a great counterpart to that experience. We both enjoyed the museum, and learned a great deal.

The museum is located in the CHQ building which is also home to several restaurants and cafes if you are looking for a convenient coffee, meal, or snack after your visit.

You can buy your entry ticket in advance online here .

Trying to find out more about your own Irish heritage? If you are specifically trying to find out more about your own Irish heritage, you might want to stop in at the Irish Family History Centre afterwards (located near the EPIC gift shop) to look up genealogy information. You can also book a private consultation with a on-site genealogist for more assistance.

EPIC Irish Emigration Museum 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

GPO Witness History Exhibition

If you’re interested in learning a little bit more about 20th century history in Ireland, particularly the 1916 Easter Rising , a visit to the GPO Witness History Museum  (fee*) should be high on your list. This is found in Dublin’s General Post Office (GPO) on O’Connell Street, a beautiful Georgian building built in 1814 and one of Ireland’s most famous buildings.

In the self-guided exhibition you’ll learn all about the events of the 1916 Easter Rising as well as the events leading up to the uprising and the subsequent effects. On Easter Monday 1916, a group of Irish republican rebels who wanted Irish independence from Great Britain stormed the GPO and seized control of the building. This forced occupation lead to a bloody 6 day affair, which lead to the death of over 450 people which included civilians, British military officers, police, and rebels. The exhibition uses direct witness accounts, documents, and interactive exhibits to tell the story. There’s also a memorial to those who were killed in the rebellion, including an outdoor sculpture for the children killed.

It’s an informative and interesting experience, and definitely worth a visit for those interested in this period of Irish history. There is also a cafe on the ground floor, and we enjoyed coffee and pastries here after our visit.

GPO 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Dublin Writers Museum

Time for some literary themed attractions. Ireland is famous as being a nation of storytellers and Dublin is a UNESCO designated City of Literature. One of the best places to learn about the literary heritage of Dublin is at the Dublin Writers Museum (fee).

This museum has displays dedicated to some of the most notable writers in Irish history, including James Joyce, Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and William Yeats to name but a few. It is housed in a beautiful 18th century mansion on Parnell Square, and is next door to the present-day Irish Writers Union.

For anyone with an interest in writing and Ireland’s literary heritage, this is definitely a museum not to be missed. Visits are self-guided and tickets can be purchased on-site.

Dublin Writers Museum 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

James Joyce Centre

If you want to learn more about Irish writers, you might want to seek out information on specific writers. One of the most famous Dublin born writers is James Joyce who wrote the 20th century classic Ulysses ( free on Kindle ), and the James Joyce Centre (fee) is dedicated to the author and his writings.

Here you can learn all about both the life of James Joyce, as well as his famous novel, told via film and exhibits. The museum also has the front door from No. 7 Eccles Street on display, which readers of Ulysses will know as being the home of protagonist Leopold Bloom.

Other Dublin Literary Spots? If you are looking for more literary spots consider visiting the  National Print Museum , doing a  Dublin Literary Pub Crawl , seeing some of Dublin’s beautiful libraries (Trinity’s Long Room, Marsh’s Library, Chester Beatty Library), or browsing for books at some of Dublin’s many popular book shops. The birthplace museum of George Bernard Shaw (33 Synge Street) was closed several years ago but there are hopes that it will re-open. But even if closed, you can see the plaque outside as well as many others literature related plaques in Dublin such as the one on Bram Stoker’s birthplace at 15 Marino Crescent (private home) and the plaque at Oscar Wilde’s childhood home at Number 1 Merrion Square (owned by the American College Dublin).

James Joyce Centre 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Jameson Distillery

Time to learn about (and drink!) another famous Irish beverage: whiskey! One of the most well-known Irish whiskeys is Jameson’s Whiskey, which you can learn about and sample at the Jameson Distillery on Bow St.

This is a fully guided tour through the former Jameson Distillery at which you’re going to learn all about the history of Ireland’s most famous whiskey, which was distilled at this site from 1780 until 1971. The tour is a lot of fun, and you get to try Jameson’s whiskey, as well as compare its flavor to other leading whiskeys to see if you can tell the difference. At the end of the tour you also get a whiskey to enjoy at the bar at your leisure.

Tours can be booked online , which is the best option to avoid disappointment as this is a popular attraction. Although you can also buy tickets and book a tour on arrival. Holders of the Dublin Pass have a free tour included .

Want more Irish Whiskey? If you are interested in Irish whiskey, there are several other whiskey experiences and tours you can take in Dublin in addition or as an alternative to the Jameson Distillery tour. If you are interested in visiting an active whiskey distillery, you might try the distillery tour and tasting at the Teeling Whiskey Distillery  (fee*) which opened in 2015 and is the first new distillery in Dublin in 125 years. A free Teeling distillery tour and tasting is available for Dublin Pass holders. Other Irish whiskey experience options include the Irish Whiskey Museum Experience  (fee) and taking a whiskey tasting tour  (fee) with a local around Dublin’s pubs. Book any of the whiskey experiences or tours in advance if you can as they are all popular.

Not interested in Whiskey? If whiskey is not of interest, I’d skip this visit. You can spend more time at the prior attractions or alternatively consider sitting down to relax for an afternoon tea or a coffee nearby, visiting Dublin Zoo  (fee*) within Phoenix Park, visiting the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland (fee*), or exploring one of the city’s many free museums (see Day 2 list).

Jameson Distillery 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Traditional Irish Night Out

Ok, we’re coming to the end of our three days in Dublin! How about going out with a bang, and celebrating all that is fun in Dublin, with a night of Irish food, drink, and some traditional Irish entertainment?

There are a number of locations offering various types of traditional Irish evening entertainment whether you just want to find a pub with some live music or you want to go to an entertainment show. We’ve attended the  Traditional Irish Night show at Dublin’s Belvedere Hotel and you can read about our experience . We also heard good things about Taylor’s Irish Night , although this is located a little south of the city center. Other options include the Irish House Party  dinner and show, a dinner cruise on a canal barge , or an evening pub crawl with traditional Irish music.

Irish Night 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Save Money in Dublin with the Dublin Pass

We think a great way to save money is on sightseeing with discount passes and cards. Our recommended way to save money on sight-seeing in Dublin is to invest in a Dublin Pass .

We’ve used these on a couple of occasions when visiting the city, and for a 3 day trip that includes visiting a number of attractions, the savings can really add up. You can read our Dublin Pass review for more information.

As noted before, the Dublin Pass is popular among travelers to Dublin and one we recommend for active sightseers to the city. We wanted to give you an example of the cost savings over 3 days in Dublin if you have a Dublin Pass.

The following is based on the above itinerary for 2 adults:

if you used the sightseeing bus and visited all of the main attractions listed on the suggested 3 day Dublin itinerary included in the Dublin Pass, it would cost you €198.5 at normal adult admission prices (April 2023 prices). A 3-day Dublin pass currently costs €109. This means you would save €89.5 per person or €179.00 for 2 adults!

Obviously you might not want to visit all the sites listed, but you can see from the above that even if you visited fewer sites, you would still save money with the pass if you plan to visit a number of attractions in Dublin.

The pass can also save you time by allowing you to skip the ticket lines and join fast-track lanes at many sites. Definitely a discount pass worth checking out before your trip to Dublin.

Dublin pass 3 days in Dublin itinerary Ireland

Walking Tours of Dublin

If you’d like to take a guided walking tour of Dublin, which can be a great way to learn about the city from an expert guide, then there are a few options to choose from. Different walking tours focus on different subjects, with some being more broad, whilst others might narrow down on a specific subject. Here are a few to give you some ideas of what is available.

  • This full day tour of Dublin with one of our favourite walking tour companies, Take Walks, includes Trinity College, the Book of Kells, the Guinness Brewery, Dublin Castle, and a whisky distillery.
  • This personalizable private walking tour with a local can be adjusted to meet your interests and availability
  • This 2.5 hour guided bike tour lets you cover many of the highlights of the city
  • This 1.5 hour guided walking tour focuses on the spooky history of Dublin, from ghosts to cults!
  • This 2-3 hour walking tour covers the main highlights of the city as well as a few hidden gems. A good general introduction to the city.
  • This 3.5 hour food tour will have you sampling many of the city’s famous dishes and drinks
  • This 3 hour food tour with Devour Tours (we love their food tours!) has you sampling some of the best of the Dublin food scene

As you can see, there are plenty of tour options to choose from!

And that’s the end of our 3 day Dublin itinerary! Hopefully this Dublin guide and itinerary has given you a good idea for what you can do with 72 hours in Dublin.

Our Dublin itinerary gives you day-by-day suggestions on how to spend 3 days in Dublin Ireland. Our Dublin itinerary includes all the main highlights of the city such as Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse as well as a few lesser known sites. We also provide tips on how to get around Dublin, a map of each day’s suggested attractions, tips on where to stay in Dublin, and how to save money during your 3 days in Dublin. #Dublin #DublinItinerary #Ireland #travel

What would you do with 3 days in Dublin? Have you been do Dublin? If so, what were your favorite things to do? If you are planning a trip to Dublin, feel free to reach out with any questions as you plan your trip. Just type any comments or questions in the Comments section below and we’ll be happy to answer them.

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Alex Post author

October 2, 2023 at 10:16 am

I am currently planing on visiting Dublin for the first time and this is exactly what I needed! Great descriptions of the many places to visit and plenty of options. I will definitely use your Google Maps itinerary and adapt it to my personal preferences.

Thanks a lot!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

October 2, 2023 at 6:24 pm

So glad you are finding our Dublin itinerary suggestions helpful in planning your upcoming trip. Yes, we try to give a lot of suggestions so people can tailor an itinerary to their own interests, budget, and speed. If you have any questions as you plan your trip to Dublin just shout!

Best, Jessica

Tony Post author

August 20, 2023 at 9:16 pm

G’day guys, from the land Aus,

Great Blog and really insightful information on Dublin.

We are in the early stages of planning an extensive trip Sep/Oct 2024, with intentions of touring Ireland/Scotland primarily, and then spending some in London.

We are looking at spending around 14 days touring each location(Ireland/Scotland), which seems to be the recommended duration. We have looked at Touring companies and they can become quite expensive. We are looking to self drive, organise our own accommodation etc. giving us flexibility in what we see and where we go.

Thus, do you have any suggested itineraries for both Ireland and Scotland. Any advice would be extremely helpful

We have read your Blog London Itinerary: 6 Days in London which will suit what we are looking for from London.

Many Thanks Tony

August 23, 2023 at 12:35 pm

Glad you enjoyed our blogs on Dublin and London, you should be able to put together your own personalized itinerary based on those posts. Also I would consider if the city passes would be worth it for your trip, if spending 6 days in London I would definitely recommend it there.

So if you were considering a touring company, I would recommend taking a look at Rabbie’s, they are an Edinburgh based company and lead tours all over the UK and Ireland. You can see their Ireland tours here and their Scotland tours here . They offer a big range of tour options, from short day trips to longer (10-14 day) trips.

What I might recommend if you like the idea of tours but also want some independence is to consider something like basing yourself in places and taking tours from there. You can easily independently tours places like Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, etc. and many places you can easily get to via train (or bus or ferry). Then for seeing more countryside, islands, and smaller places, most can be reached via tours (such as day tours or longer 2-5 night tours) from the larger cities. That would give you a nice mix of tours and independent travel without needing to worry about driving and there would be less to plan/book, and might be a happy medium between booking a tour and planning everything yourself.

Happy to help you plan an itinerary but would need to know an idea of the sort of places you definitely want to go, activities you like to do, budget, hobbies, general plan of travel (starting/ending point), etc. A couple who loves castles, museums, & shopping is going to want a very different itinerary who someone who is focused on golf, whisky distillery tours, birdwatching, and beaches.

You can see our Scotland content across our two blogs and here . We don’t have nearly as much Ireland content but you can see what we have here and here . We have guides on all the major cities in Scotland as well as Dublin and Belfast and day trip ideas for lots of places and that should give you a good idea of the kinds of places you are likely going to want to visit. But of course we have been to many places we haven’t written about, especially in Scotland, where we’ve traveled pretty extensively over the 5 years we lived there. The other thing that might help you have an idea of what kind of places you want to visit is the Rabbie’s tours (and other tours) as they often cover the highlights and things travelers are most interested in seeing.

Are you planning to fly between Ireland and Scotland, and then train from Edinburgh to London?

Anyway, hope that helps get you started, and happy to help with more questions and an itinerary as you get further into your planning!

Leonie Cornell Post author

October 17, 2021 at 7:35 am

Hi. I love your 3 day itinerary. We aim to be in Dublin for 4 nights and so 3 and a bit days. Love HOHO buses, and so will probably do the Dublin pass. We then have an 11 day tour booked ( or it will be once we organise.) This tour was meant to be in 2020, and so our dream is already 3 years old. We are in our late sixties, so a little reluctant to hurry around. But really interested in Guinness storehouse, the Gaol, EPIC and I might want to to see Trinity college again ( had a half day in Dublin in 2013 as part of a whistle stop tour of UK and Ireland) Your advice is timely and very recent so gives me a lot of hope. Do you know how early you need to book things like the Guinness storehouse? I am worried that using the pass we will only be able to book once we arrive and pick up the pass and may miss out.

October 17, 2021 at 2:06 pm

I am happy to hear that you are working on rebooking your trip to Ireland! And glad that you are enjoying our Dublin itinerary and yes, I think if you are planning 3-4 days in Dublin, you’ll probably save money with a Dublin Pass as long a you plan to visit several of the attractions which it is sounds like you plan to do.

Our itinerary is pretty busy, so I think since you want a more leisurely visit, I’d do less than what we suggest each day so you are not in a huge rush. It should help you choose the places and attractions that are of the most interest to you. You can also stretch out these attractions over an extra day or two as well if you do want to do/see a lot.

If you get the Dublin Pass, depending on the number of days you have in Dublin, I’d make sure you do all the things included on the Pass on consecutive days. So if you have 4 days total and a 3 day Pass, you might use the first day to sightsee and visit any places that are free or not included on the pass (e.g., the Gaol, Trinity College) and then do the rest on the other three days (HOHO bus, EPIC, Guinness Storehouse, museums, Saint Patrick’s, etc.) to make the most of your pass.

Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed things quite a bit in terms of the Dublin Pass. The Dublin Pass is now an online only product, so you can order it at home. As of 2021, there’s no longer a physical pass to pick up. Instead, the pass is a QR code that you can show on your smartphone, or you can print it out at home before you travel. We recommend having it both on your phone and to print the QR code as well as back-up (just in case there is an issue with your phone, such as it runs out of battery, etc.).

When you buy the pass, you will be sent the pass code (a number), your QR code, and instructions. You can then use this to book any attractions that require reservations, you’ll just need to put in your Dublin Pass details. There’s a list of those you can see here , along with instructions on how to book.

Most attractions did not require reservations before the pandemic, but a number of attractions to require reservations now so it is good to pre-book attractions at least a couple of days before you plan to visit. Some attractions also have more limited hours and opening times so I’d recommend checking on all the places you plan to visit to ensure they are open and to see if they require reservations. For the Guinness Storehouse, they recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance, but we’d suggest booking as soon as you have your pass and know your exact dates.

Using your pass number to book does not activate the pass. The pass only activates the first time an attraction scans the code. So you can start making reservations for attractions as you soon as you purchase your passes.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions.

Wishing you a great trip to Dublin! Jessica

October 17, 2021 at 4:07 pm

thank you Jessica. That solves many of my questions. I have used a city pass before, so I should have realised the activation only happens at the first attraction. But I can book attractions ahead without paying upfront, so that is good. We hope to spend 3 weeks all up in Ireland and including Northern Ireland, so getting excited now. regards

October 19, 2021 at 5:41 am

Happy to help!

Yes, so you do have to purchase the Dublin Pass upfront to book attractions, of course, but you can do that before you leave for your trip (as soon as you make the purchase). But you don’t have to pay for the individual attractions that are included with the pass to make the bookings, you just need to give them your pass information to secure the bookings.

3 weeks is a great amount of time to spend in Ireland and Northern Ireland – so much to see and do and wishing you a wonderful trip!

Jenny Post author

July 26, 2020 at 3:11 pm

Hi! How much woul it take to travel to Dublin, Ireland?..I am from Phils. I am looking forward for an answer. Thanks?

July 27, 2020 at 10:48 am

It really depends on what you plan to do, where you plan to stay, and how long you plan to stay in Dublin. You can stay on a lower budget if you want to stay say in a hostel, eat at lower priced eateries or cook your own food, take public transit, and buy an attraction pass to save money on attraction fees.

I’d check out prices to get to Ireland, lodging you are interested in, and attractions you really want to visit to get an idea of how much your trip may cost. Once you are a bit further in your planning and know what you want to do and can tell me more about your budget, I would be happy to help you decide if your budget is reasonable or not for what you want to do.

Just note that now, as in most countries, there are travel restrictions for anyone traveling to Ireland from overseas. Travelers from most countries are currently are subject to a 14 day quarantine on arrival.

Janet Hindman Post author

November 2, 2019 at 7:44 am

This is very helpful. Some girlfriends and I are planning a trip to Ireland. We plan on staying in Dublin and doing a few day trips out but primarily just staying in the Dublin area. Thanks for sharing all this wonderful information.

November 2, 2019 at 8:08 am

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and glad you found our information helpful!

Yes, there is plenty to do and if you have more than 3 days in Dublin there you can take your time and explore at a more leisurely pace. We give lots of suggestions in our itinerary and those suggestions can be spread out over several days. If you plan to visit several attractions (especially higher priced ones like Guinness Storehouse), you might want to consider the Dublin Pass to save money.

Also plenty of day trips you can take from Dublin to nearby places when you want a break from the city! Just let us know if you have any questions.

November 2, 2019 at 8:48 am

Thanks. Yes we are planning on about an 8-9 day stay

Borislava Apostolova Post author

April 26, 2019 at 6:45 am

Very helpfull and usefull!!!Thank you!

April 27, 2019 at 10:33 am

Glad you found our Dublin itinerary helpful! Best, Jessica

Patty O'Brien Post author

January 17, 2019 at 11:08 am

Your article is very helpful. I will be visiting in February for 6 1/2 days- along with my daughter and her friend (18 year old). I have printed out the map and 3 day itinerary. We are just doing one big day trip up to Belfast and Giant’s Causeway and I booked a day/time for the Goal. Other than that we are just going to wing it.

[in October 2017 I took the two of them to Ireland and we did the Southwest – Lahinch to Dingle to Kerry to Tipperary – back up to Ennis – and they loved it – driving was frightful for me – but fun. This time I want to relax and soak it all up. no driving!]

January 17, 2019 at 12:40 pm

Great, glad to hear that you are planning another trip to Ireland, sounds like you had such a great experience back in 2017. There is plenty to do and see in Dublin and surrounds without a car. Laurence also recently wrote a Dublin Pass review which may be useful in saving money since you will be in the city for several days.

We also have a post on things to do in Belfast and a guide to highlights of the Causeway Coastal Route that may be of interest for your day trip to Northern Ireland.

Have a wonderful trip! Jessica

Frances Scheele Post author

January 16, 2019 at 10:27 am

this information seems to fit the bill for me. I will be 80, still active, and do not want to play mountain goat and climb mountains or explore very large castles. I do use tours as they provide transportation for me. I would also like information on seeing Belfast and Waterford. these are the cities that interest me the most and I know I would be able to see. thanks for all that you can provide. Fran Scheele

January 16, 2019 at 11:52 am

Glad you are finding our Dublin itinerary helpful for planning your time in Dublin. You can reach both Belfast and Waterford easily by train from Dublin, or you can join a guided tour from Dublin.

We have a guide to the top things to do in Belfast as well as a suggested 2 day itinerary that you can check out.

If you’d like to do a day tour to Belfast or 2 day tour, we’d check out these options on GetyourGuide and Viator . Some also visit other destinations in Northern Ireland like the Giant’s Causeway, Castle Ward, and the St. Patricks Centre.

We don’t have any posts on Waterford Ireland although we did get some Waterford crystal when we were last in Ireland 😉 You can get to Waterford by train on your own or you can take a guided day tour from Dublin, such as this one (by train) or this one (by coach) .

Hope that helps, and let us know if you have further questions. Wishing you a wonderful trip to Ireland.

Bill Post author

January 7, 2019 at 5:17 pm

Thank you so much for this! It is so helpful in our planning! I can’t seem to find your write up for the day trip to the cliffs of Moher. I’d love to learn how you chose to do that.

January 7, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Hi Bill, Glad you are finding our Dublin itinerary helpful! Oh, yes, I mention a day trip to the Cliff of Moher but didn’t include the link as it is on our other travel blog (Finding the Universe) and you can read about the day trip here . I will also add it to the article. Just let us know if you have any other questions. Best, Jessica

sally sullivan Post author

July 21, 2018 at 10:19 am

Hello, We love visiting Dublin Ireland and this post lists some of our favourite places! We also made time to go on a wonderful pub tour in the wicklow mountains with Rural Pub Tours. Its a small group tour which enables you to see unique pubs that would otherwise be difficult to get to. Shane is the owner and driver and he is so much fun. If you decide to check it out, you won’t be sorry!

July 22, 2018 at 12:53 pm

Hi Sally, Glad you enjoyed our Dublin itinerary and thanks for the pub tour tip! Maybe we’ll check it out the next time we are in Dublin and want to do something outside the city. Best, Jessica

Rob+Ann Post author

May 4, 2018 at 11:02 am

This is an awesome itinerary! Although, we could be entirely happy just stumbling around Dublin for a few days. It’s such a great city, at once charming and exciting, historic and modern. What we didn’t do – but will next time – is invest in the Dublin Pass! Besides the savings, we find the passes often get us to go places we might otherwise pass by. Pinning this one for later – Thanks guys!

May 6, 2018 at 12:38 am

Hi Rob & Ann, Yes, we definitely agree about the passes. We find that city passes like the Dublin Pass often encourage us to stop by museums or attractions we probably would not have visited otherwise because of the entry fees. Hope you get back to Dublin soon! Best, Jessica

andrew Post author

May 2, 2018 at 1:07 am

Amazing, Dublin is a must visit the place, from the beautiful historical monuments to museums, picturesque landscapes to the trendy flea market. Visiting Dublin is a treasure, I have been there and fall in love with the astonishing city.

May 2, 2018 at 12:02 pm

Hi Andrew, Thanks for taking the time to comment – yes we love Dublin too 😉 We haven’t been to the flea market there, perhaps on our next trip if it is happening! Best, Jessica

Jessica Post author

May 1, 2018 at 6:38 am

What a treasure trove of incredible information! I visited Dublin a few years back, but would love to go again. I especially loved the experience at the Guinness Storehouse! I pinned this for my next trip there, thanks!

May 1, 2018 at 1:33 pm

Hi Jessica, Yes, the Guinness Storehouse is definitely a crowd pleaser and they seem to keep just adding new parts to it 😉 Glad you enjoyed our Dublin itinerary and hope you get a chance to return to Dublin to see more! Best, Jessica

Anna Post author

May 1, 2018 at 1:40 am

Hopefully, I´ll get a chance to visit Dublin any time soon. You’ve put together such a great itinerary! I love cities where you can walk a lot! The Old Library in the Trinity College has been on my travel bucket list for a while! I get super excited every time I see that many books

May 1, 2018 at 1:27 pm

Hi Anna, If you love books and literature, you’ll probably really love Dublin as it some great literary spots. If you like libraries, there is obviously the beautiful Trinity College Long Room but you would probably also like Marsh’s Library and Chester Beatty Library. There are also a few good literature related museums as well as some great book shops 😉 Hope you get a chance to visit Dublin soon! Jessica

Nath. Post author

April 30, 2018 at 7:09 am

Thanks for creating this great guide to Dublin Jessica and Laurence :).

I also recommend going to see a play (often with fantastic actors) at the Abbey Theatre or at the Gate Theatre. Temple bar can be fun but drinking there is expensive.

A couple of good pubs with live Irish music: O’Donoghues Bar or The Cobblestone. Two great traditional pubs: The Brazen Head or Mulligan’s.

My first impression on discovering Dublin: grey buildings, grey sea, grey sky. But don’t let that put you off, Dublin is an old city with a young population and lots on offer.

You’ll leave with a warm fuzzy feeling.

April 30, 2018 at 7:25 am

Hi Nath, Glad you enjoyed our Dublin itinerary and thanks so much for those great recommendations! We’ve been to The Brazen Head but not the other pubs you recommend, only so many pubs you can visit each time 😉 We’d love to see a play or other performance in Dublin at one of the theatres – and will try to do that on our next trip.

Oh, yes, the weather can have such a major factor in first impression when traveling. We had OK weather in Dublin on our last trip but I remember my very first visit to London (similar experiences in Edinburgh and Aberdeen) – it was cold, raining, hailing, and windy! Not a good first impression but seeing it in the sunlight the next day and exploring some of the attractions helped change that 😉

Anda Post author

April 29, 2018 at 2:09 pm

Great guide for visiting Dublin. A lot of useful information in it, like always. It’s good to know what the Dublin pass covers. I didn’t realize you would need to a voltage converter in Ireland.

April 30, 2018 at 2:45 am

Hi Anda, Yes, Dublin has a lot to offer and the Dublin Pass can be a good investment if you plan to visit a number of the covered attractions. We’ll probably use it again on our next trip to Dublin as there are still several sites we haven’t visited that are included on the Pass.

Yes, like all of Europe (and most of the world), Ireland uses 220v but some countries (particularly the USA) do not and the USA uses 110v. You don’t want to plug a 110v applicance into a 220v outlet or vice versa without a converter. You could damage the device and/or the electrical system (I’ve accidentally ruined a handheld water heater and flat iron this way over the years). Now the good news is that most newer electronics are dual voltage these days meaning that work with both 110v and 220v (e.g., laptops, tablets, phones) but most other things (e.g., curling irons, flat irons, hair dryers, DVD players, some phone chargers) are not. It should be labeled on the device or in the manufacturer’s book. We buy dual voltage appliances or have two of things (e.g., flat irons) for the things we travel with a lot.

Anisa Post author

April 29, 2018 at 12:41 pm

Wow such a comprehensive list of attractions in Dublin, one of my favorite cities. I have been a few times but did not know about some of the museums you mentioned. I will have to check them out on my next trip.

April 30, 2018 at 2:37 am

Hi Anisa, Glad you enjoyed our post, and glad we could mentioned a few additional places to visit on your next trip to Dublin! Best, Jessica

Lolo Post author

April 29, 2018 at 12:16 pm

I am a full on believer now of these city passes! They definitely save a lot of money, especially when transportation is included! I just said to my husband a few minutes ago, we should look into other city passes! I think this was a sign haha

Hi Lolo, Yes, we often use discount city or region passes, as they save us a lot of money since we go to so many places. Although you do have to watch out as some are not the best deals especially if you are not visiting a ton of attractions. But I’ve used them in the USA, Europe, Korea, etc. and have found them a really good way to save money without skipping places we want to visit. The Dublin Pass is one we’d definitely recommend as it is easy to save money if you plan to visit several more pricey attractions! Best, Jessica

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This fabulous tour of Ireland includes the most scenic and interesting parts of this truly beautiful island. Stay in some of Ireland’s most charming hotels and enjoy delicious meals and the warm and friendly hospitality that is country-wide. Visit the Rock of Cashel, Youghal, Cork, Blarney Castle, the Beara Peninsula, the famed Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher & the Burren, the captivating west coast region of Connemara, and, of course, the wonderful city of Dublin. Finish the tour via the Wicklow Mountains, Co Kildare and Co Wexford. The trip will be at a leisurely pace giving you plenty of time to explore and relax.

Ireland is a place to explore slowly, roaming through agricultural landscapes scattered with farmhouses, or enjoying a spirited drive across the mountain roads, or along the endlessly indented coastline. Discover traces of culture established long before Christianity, alongside the cosmopolitan energy of the towns and cities.

Tour Highlights

  • Visit some of Ireland’s famous landmarks, such as the Rock of Cashel
  • Drive some of the country’s best scenic drives, such as the Ring of Kerry, Beara & Dingle Peninsulas, & Wicklow Mountains
  • Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle
  • Explore charming cities, such as Cork and Dublin
  • See the magnificent Cliffs of Moher
  • Marvel at the ‘moonscape’ of the Burren
  • Visit the Irish National Stud, where some of the world’s best racehorses are bred

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Take the Stena Line ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare, departing at 14.30 (check timings). The crossing takes just 3 1/2 hours. A short drive of about 75 minutes to our first hotel and stay overnight in a stunning Georgian manor. This country house hotel is also home to one of Ireland’s best chefs, so dinner is a real treat in the Michelin-starred restaurant.

independent travel ireland

Drive to Kilkenny, Ireland’s only inland city, and also one of its finest, brimming with medieval treasures. Head to the Rock of Cashel – Ireland’s most fascinating ecclesiastical site, a lofty citadel that soars above the surrounding vale. Then it’s south to Cahir with its eponymous castle and the Swiss Cottage. Drive over The Vee, a fabulous road over the hills to Lismore. From there drive alongside the River Blackwater to Youghal, on the south coast. There is an optional lunch stop at the famed hotel and cookery school at Ballymaloe. Continue to Cork and visit the renowned Blarney Castle. Stay overnight in a beautiful hotel in Cork.

independent travel ireland

A wonderful drive down to Kinsale and then along the coast to Timoleague and Clonakilty. Visit the Drombeg Stone Circle and continue to Skibbereen, Ireland’s most southerly town, and see the Heritage Centre with its exhibition commemorating the tragic Great Famine. Continue to Ballydehob and Bantry and tour the magnificent Bantry House and Museum. Drive around Bantry Bay to Glengarrif and then drive the spectacular Healy Pass and on to Kenmare. Then it’s over Moll’s Gap and Ladies View to Killarney. Stay in a beautiful five-star hotel for two nights.

independent travel ireland

Drive the stunning and famed Ring of Kerry. This is an very scenic route around the Iveragh peninsula with wonderful coastal and mountain scenery, as well as a warm Gulf Stream climate. Visit the lovely town of Kenmare, a colourful, friendly place and perfect place to while away some time. There is an optional circle to drive to Glengarriff and then over the Healy Pass and back to Kenmare. Continue down to Cahersiveen, and return over the mountains of Macgilycuddy’s Reeks. Take a tour of the splendid Muckross House. Return to the hotel in Killarney.

independent travel ireland

Head down to the Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is a lovely town to spend a while. Explore the Dingle Peninsula and the exceptionally scenic route to Slea Head. Head back over the Connor Pass and then travel north to Tralee. Drive over the mountains to Co Limerick and stay in a beautiful old coaching inn/hotel in one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, Adare.

independent travel ireland

Leave Adare and head onto Limerick, an attractive and lively city, also renowned as a cultural centre. Visit Bunratty Castle, and then drive to the sea at Miltown Malbay and then north, hugging the coastline to see the Cliffs of Moher, rising 213 metres from the sea below and stretching for five miles along the Clare coast. Further north is the Burren National Park, a vast plateau of limestone, which supports the vast majority of Ireland native flora and fauna. Stay in a beautiful manor house hotel for the next three nights, located on the coast near Letterfrack in Connemara.

independent travel ireland

Enjoy a circular drive of Connemara and Co Galway with its beautiful coastal roads. It’s a land of panoramic views, rivers, lakes, endless stone walls, myths and legends. Sparsely populated, Connemara has been by-passed by mass tourism, yet it is much-loved by poets, artists and writers. There is an optional lunch stop at the lovely Ballnahinch Castle, and a chance to stroll around the lovely small town of Clifden.

independent travel ireland

Another day to explore the north of Co Galway. The route takes you past Doo Lough, with its memorial to those who perished in the Famine, and on to Louisburgh. Then skirt along the coast to the beautiful town of Westport, with its octagonal central area and lime tree-lined central canal. Visit the wonderful Westport House, just to the west of the town. Then head back to the manor hotel.

independent travel ireland

Leave Connemara and Galway and head across the centre of Ireland. Visit the Lodge Park House, Garden & Steam Museum at Straffan on the way to Dublin. Spend the next two nights in Dublin’s finest hotel in the centre of the city on the beautiful St Stephen’s Green. Stroll along the banks of the Liffey and indulge in a pint or two of the black stuff (Guinness). Dinner is not included on either evening as there are so many wonderful places to eat in Dublin and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

independent travel ireland

Spend the day exploring the delights of Dublin – magnificent architecture, excellent shopping, lively entertainment and cultural events, superb museums and galleries and a strong sense of history. There’s much to see, including the castle, National Gallery, Temple Bar and Trinity College. But no visit to Dublin would be complete with a visit to the Guinness Hop Store, birthplace of Dublin’s (and Ireland’s) most famous product.

independent travel ireland

Leave Dublin and drive south to Powerscourt House and Gardens, one of the most superb gardens in Europe. Drive through the secluded Wicklow Mountains to the Sally Gap and visit Glendalough, a monastic settlement founded in the 6th century. There is also a visit to the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens near Kildare. Stay overnight at a beautiful country house hotel on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains.

independent travel ireland

Enjoy a lovely day meandering over the Wicklow Mountains again to Avoca and Arklow. Head south to Wexford and visit the Irish National Heritage Park. Spend the final night at a delightful hotel on the water near Wexford.

It’s an early start to drive the 20 minutes to Rosslare to catch the ferry back to Wales at 09.00. Arrive in Fishguard at 12.30 and depart for home.

Where we'll stay

All the accommodation is in individual, unique hotels that are of a very high standard, and often five-star. Due to the nature and age of these hotels the rooms vary from charmingly comfortable to utter luxury. We have hand-picked the accommodation for their unique atmosphere and style. Suitable parking is available each night. “Thank you for all the hard work that went into planning the trip – and the lovely hotels.” C.C., East Sussex

independent travel ireland

What's included

  • An extensively researched and carefully designed itinerary to optimise your trip
  • Tour book – includes a brief history of Ireland, emergency details, maps and directions, accommodation information, and a very detailed account of sights and visits for each day. The book eliminates the need for any guide books

Requirements

Travel to Ireland: Return ferry crossing from Fishguard, Wales to Rosslare, Ireland can be booked with Stena Line .

  • Each person must have a passport (and any necessary visas for non-EU passport holders) valid for Ireland. All passports must be valid for six months after the end of the tour.
  • You will also need your vehicle registration documents, driving licence (a photo-card licence or international permit is best), and an international insurance green card.
  • Please check with your travel and motor insurers that you are covered for travel in Ireland.
  • You are also required to carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, two fluorescent jackets, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.
  • The most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, and relish individual, character hotels.

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ALL OUR TOURS are fully customizable We offer 24/7 customer care on arrival in Ireland

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Where the Love for Ireland Begins

Love irish tours, what we believe, our experience.

Love Irish Tours is a leading Irish tour company specializing in customized tours of Ireland. We offer self-drive tours , private escorted tours and bus tours throughout Ireland. All our tours are fully customizable. We provide a wide range of tours to suit any budget. We will not be beaten on price. Book with us and we will ensure you have the most memorable vacation! We put our passion into making your trip the dream vacation you have been planning for years.

We are here for you and we will take great care of you.

We are a young vibrant company based in County Meath in the heart of Ireland. County Meath is one of the most historic parts of Ireland and was the seat of power of the ancient High Kings of Ireland who ruled Ireland from the famous Hill of Tara. Newgrange, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a passage tomb that is older than the Pyramids of Egypt and is on our doorstep. Only a stone’s throw away from us is the famous Trim Castle, site of filming of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. With all this history local to us, it is little wonder we became inspired to showcase all of what Ireland has to offer to the world!

We believe Ireland will be your most memorable vacation. Through us you will experience everything that Ireland has to offer. We genuinely believe you will have the experience of a lifetime and that once you arrive you won’t want to leave. At Love Irish Tours we believe we have everything you need to make your dream Irish trip a reality. We believe our model of doing business will ensure you have the best possible trip to Ireland. We build a personal relationship with all our customers and we have often been told that it is our personal touch that makes Love Irish Tours the success it has become.

We have over ten years experience in the tourism industry. We have extensive experience in the Irish tours business. We have created thousands of customised tours of Ireland over the years and our knowledge of Irish tourism is second to none. We have worked with group sizes ranging from one to 180 people and we have catered for every type of budget. We have travelled the length and breadth of Ireland and we have experienced everything for ourselves so that we know that our customers will have the best experience possible.

Available Tours

Self drive tours.

Love Irish Tours - Self Drive Tours

Our self-drive tours allow you the freedom to enjoy Ireland independently. We will provide an itinerary which can be customised to your needs. You will collect your car at your chosen location and your tour will begin!

  • PRIVATE ESCORTED TOURS

Love Irish Tours - Private Escorted Tours

Our private escorted tours allow you to explore Ireland with your own personal driver/guide. You will be collected upon arrival at your chosen airport by your driver/guide who will remain with you throughout your tour.

COACH TOURS

Love Irish Tours - Coach Tours transfers

Our coach tours allow you to be part of a group with your driver/guide to tour throughout Ireland. A great way to discover Ireland! Not only will you see Ireland’s main attractions but you will discover Ireland’s hidden gems.

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  • Self-guided Tours

Self-guided tours of Ireland 2024/2025

Ireland with its compact size and wealth of stunning historic and cultural sites makes Ireland a dream destination for independent travelers. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the country by embarking on self-guided walking tours of Ireland to iconic locations like the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park . Explore the fascinating history of Clonegal, an old wool and iron working village, at your own pace. Or you can also opt for self-guided driving tours of Ireland with pre-planned accommodations, allowing freedom to navigate the charming Irish countryside, visit the charming village of Ballydavid and explore Annascaul Lake. Whether you hike or drive, Ireland offers an abundance of experiences for independent travelers to uncover the wonders of the beautiful Irish landscape.

Here are the best self-guided tours of Ireland.

Showing  17 Trips in Ireland  with 16 Reviews

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The Wicklow Way - 9 Days

The Wicklow Way - 9 Days

The Wicklow Way - 7 Days

The Wicklow Way - 7 Days

Dingle Peninsula Walk

Dingle Peninsula Walk

Walking the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park

Walking the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park

Ring of Kerry Walk

Ring of Kerry Walk

Unspoilt Ring of Kerry Cycling

Unspoilt Ring of Kerry Cycling

Walking and Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way

Walking and Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way

Ireland Express By Rail

Ireland Express By Rail

The Grand Ireland Wild Atlantic Way

The Grand Ireland Wild Atlantic Way

The Best Of Ireland

The Best Of Ireland

Best of Ireland and Scotland

Best of Ireland and Scotland

The Antrim Coast and Glens Walking

The Antrim Coast and Glens Walking

Live Like A Lord

Live Like A Lord

Game of Thrones in Ireland Self Drive

Game of Thrones in Ireland Self Drive

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Rachel’s Blog

More about Ireland, Travel & Adventures

The best way to travel Ireland

  • December 20, 2021

Q&A to help you find the best way to travel around Ireland in 2022

A lot of people ask me: What is the best way to travel around Ireland? As an Irish tour guide and enthusiastic explorer, I can tell you: There is no one way fits all! You could drive yourself, hire a local guide or join a tour on a set date. Your way of travelling around Ireland in 2022 will depend on your character, interests and budget.

Ireland might be a small island in size but it’s certainly not short on adventures, experiences or places of interest. The good news is you can travel Ireland in any way you can think of. You just have to decide what style of travelling will suit you best.

The following Q&A can help you to decide what style of travel you like or what type of tour to choose. Once that decision is made, it’s easy to put together the perfect route and itinerary for an unforgettable Ireland adventure.

Looking to travel Ireland ‘off the beaten path’? Check out some recommendation on places to visit in my blog The ultimate Ireland bucket list (for all who hate bucket lists)

What’s the best way to get around in Ireland?

Ireland is renowned for its natural beauty; therefore, most visitors want to explore areas outside of Irish cities. Since a lot of these places are not accessible by public transport, motorised vehicle is still the best way to travel around Ireland.

At the same time this doesn’t mean you have to drive yourself. You can hop onto a tour bus, hire your own driver or guide for a private tour.

Which is the best Ireland tour?

Irish tour companies offer anything from self-drive tours to fully guided private tours. Which is the best Ireland tour for you will depend on your interests and budget. 

Should I book a guided tour around Ireland?

Do you want to take the hassle out of booking accommodation and planning out your itinerary on your own? Are you anxious about driving in a foreign country and have a fear of missing out and getting lost? If so, then a guided tour is for you! Now what is important is deciding what type of guided tour suits you.

Are coach tours around Ireland happening in 2022?

If you have very limited time, a tight budget and you want to cross Ireland’s biggest tourist attractions off your bucket list, a coach tour around Ireland might suit you. Although you shouldn’t mind sharing a small space with lots of other tourists and sticking to a strict time schedule. Since the pandemic coach tours have experienced less demand and a lot of companies have tried to divert to offering tours for smaller groups. It’s difficult to say what exactly the Covid19 restrictions will look like in the summer season 2022, but be aware that tour cancellations are possible because of restrictions or low numbers.

Where do coach tours around Ireland start from?

Bus tours usually leave serval times a day from the cities whether that be for a day trip or multi-day journey. Coach tour packages can easily be picked out and bought on the internet. They are usually specialised in ticking as many boxes as possible in the shortest time frame possible. I’ve talked to people who’ve been to Dublin, Belfast, the cliffs of Moher and the ring of Kerry in under 2 days. This means though you spend 90% of the day stuck in a 52 seater bus.

What are small group tours?

Another option is purchasing a small group tour that leaves on a set date. In this case you usually join a group of up to 16 people. This is a good option if you have found an itinerary that fits your needs. The theme of a tour might fit a certain interest of yours for example photography, hiking or trail running. It is ideal for solo travellers who want to meet more people and share the experience with others.

Why should I book a private tour of Ireland?

Are you looking for personalised & flexible adventure? Then a private tour of Ireland might be for you. To create your own Ireland itinerary, you get in touch with a local reputable guide or tour company. Firstly, you communicate with them about what you would like to see and do, tell them about you travel style and talk about your budget. The experts then put together a travel itinerary that meets your need. As a result, all you must do is show up at the airport, your guide will be waiting for you, and everything will be organised.

What’s the advantage of a private Ireland tour?

The huge advantage of a private tour is that you create a trip that suits your personal pace and interests. Plus, you don’t have to worry about a thing once you arrive in Ireland – your guide will take care of the logistics. From the moment you arrive at the airport until you are dropped off at the airport, you can relax and enjoy your adventure!

Should I hire a local tour guide?

The best deals (value and money) can usually be found with smaller local tour companies. As a local Irish guide I can highly recommend to try getting in contact with the person who will be guiding you directly. After all you will be spending a lot of time with them. This way, you can make sure you like you guide, and you can prevent misunderstandings. Ultimately, this will add immense value to your experience and you can save money by cutting out the middleman.

Is a private tour the best way to travel Ireland?

If you choose to go on a private tour with a local guide you will have a truly immersive experience. This means getting a locals insight into the Irish lifestyle and passion for their country. Since your guide knows the area inside out, you will be getting the chance to be spontaneous and have a new discovery around every corner. The goal is to not feel like a tourist but rather a part of the local communities. Your guide will become your friend and this is how you really get off the beaten track. Let your local guide show you to their favourite Irish coffee places and help you find the countries hidden gems. In many cases you will end up meeting their family and friends.

The part that I personally love most about guiding is to bring groups back to my Mam’s Bed & Breakfast, showing them where I grew up and having my new friends join Mam in the kitchen to learn how to bake Irish soda bread and hear about the old Irish baking traditions.

Can I plan a trip to Ireland myself?

If you want to plan, organise & navigate your Ireland vacation yourself, without the help of a tour company or local guide, you firstly must decide how you want to get around. Do you want to drive yourself? Or do you want to use public transport? Many tourists choose a mixed travel style like self-driving but joining guided day-tours. Ultimately, planning your Ireland trip yourself requires time for research before, and an independent and adventurous mindset once you are in Ireland.

Is a road trip the best way to travel Ireland?

One option to travel Ireland is to book a flight, rent a car from the airport (or take your own over on the ferry) and figure out the rest once you are there. You can go on a freestyle trip, with only a rough route idea, for example just following the Wild Atlantic Way, or book your accommodation and draw out a daily route itinerary. Road tripping in Ireland is popular amongst adventurous people of all ages. You just want to follow the roads looking for adventures? On the emerald isle you can find amazing surprises while getting lost on little backroads. Hence, this style of travel is ideal for people who are independent and have lots of time to explore.

Things to know before planning a road trip around Ireland

There are a few things you should be aware of before you start planning a road trip around Ireland.

Ireland is bigger than you think!

At the first glance the island of Ireland might seem small but traveling on the beautiful Irish country roads can take a lot longer than you think. Mizen & Malin, Ireland’s most southerly & northerly points, are both discovery points along the Wild Atlantic Way. As the crow flies they are only 466km apart, but because the Irish west coast is rugged and has lots of peninsulas, the Wild Atlantic Way is more than 2,500km long.

Irish roads are seldomly a motorway

Therefore, you can expect to be driving slowly. Along the Wild Atlantic Way an average of 50km/h. Also remember that you will want to stop a lot. Sometimes to take a picture from the roadside, but often you’ll want to get out of the car and walk to the point of interest and the beautiful view etc. One of the most common mistakes people make when planning their Ireland road trip is trying to cover too much distance. Do you really want to spend most of your vacation in a car?

Planning time is needed

Do some research to know what you want to see and do. You won’t be able to see it all – there is simply too much. Pick less to have more time to enjoy it. Stay in places for more than 1 night and plan in car-free days too. Ireland truly has stunning natural wonders and historically important sights around every corner, still it’s not that easy to find the way sometimes. If you cruise around without an itinerary, you might miss some cool local highlights.

Accommodation fills up fast

It is advisable to book accommodation in advance, especially in the summer months, otherwise you could end up sleeping in your car (no problem in a camper van) or you will only have the option of a hotel over your budget etc.. Years ago, Ireland was full of Bed & Breakfasts and it was easy to drive along and stop at a house with a ‘vacancy’ sign. Things have changed! Most B&Bs are on booking platforms these days and their rooms are booked up weeks in advance. Since the Pandemic it has become even more difficult since a lot of B&B owners retired or switched to rent out the whole house as a self-catering.

Irish roads can be adventurous

If you are renting a car its 100% worth it to pay the extra bit for an insurance that covers everything that could possibly go wrong. You might be a good driver, but Irish roads are narrow, and sheep tend to appear out of nowhere. Small roads are mostly used by farmers, expect tractors, cattle or sheep traffic, or tourists that might not be used to driving on the left side of the road.

Is a road trip the right thing for me?

To sum it up: A self-planned road trip suits people with little time constraints, who don’t mind getting lost while driving on the Irish country roads. It’s perfect if you have time to do a lot of research or if you don’t have specific expectations. You can either take the time beforehand to plan your itinerary or you can just go with the flow and be amazed by randomness. The latter, it’s ideal for people traveling in a camper van since that sorts out your need for accommodation. Otherwise, pre-booking accommodation is strongly recommended, especially if you travel on a budget, even if that means less flexibility.

What’s the best road trip itinerary for Ireland?

If you are up for a road trip around Ireland without doing all the research and booking yourself, a self-drive tour might be what you are looking for.

What is a self-drive tour of Ireland?

To book a self-drive tour you get in touch with a reputable local Irish tour company and communicate with them to purchase a road-trip tour itinerary from their website. This might still involve renting a car but having the tour company co-ordinate the accommodation bookings, suggested activities, restaurants and giving you a list of hidden gems to discover.

A self-drive tour is a nice way to travel if you wish to be independent and like driving on the left side of the road on sometimes very narrow roads with lots of sheep. The tour company will take the hassle out of making bookings, will provide you with route details and ensure you don’t miss out on ticking off your bucket list.

Is a self-drive tour the best way to travel Ireland?

For many people the 2 main reasons for choosing a self-drive tour are independence and budget. Self-guided tours are a great way of exploring as a private group while enjoying the advantage of a professionally planned & organised itinerary.

Although in many cases it’s worth considering booking a private tour and a local guide instead of a self-drive tour. Especially if you are a group of 4 people or more, a private tour around Ireland can work out at a similar price as driving yourself, but you’ll enjoy a lot of additional advantages. For example, you can skip the hassle of driving in a foreign country and gain a fun travel companion with a lot off local knowledge.

What are alternatives to driving to get around Ireland?

Can you travel ireland by bike.

Yes yes yes! In my opinion, a cycling tour is a great way to travel. Cycling tours can be the ultimate way of ‘slow tourism’. In this case, ‘slow’ doesn’t solely refer to your moving pace. This alternative traveling style is also about changing your attitude towards travel and realising your impact on the environment, communities and economy of your holiday destination.

Firstly, a cycling trip around Ireland is a more sustainable way of travelling. Additionally, you can get off the beaten path and experience the wild Irish landscape and local communities up close and personal.

Why should I book a self-guided cycling tour?

A self-guided cycling tour is a great option if you want to explore Ireland on the bike. A professionally planned itinerary can spare you a lot of research time and worries. This means a tour company takes care of bookings, provides you with maps – both digital and physical – and gives you all the tips where to stop off. Usually, you can choose between bringing your belongings with you in panniers or have your luggage moved.

Can I cycle along the Wild Atlantic Way?

With Rachel’s Irish Adventures I have specialised in tailor-made cycling tours along the Wild Atlantic Way and beyond. In my opinion, the Irish west coast is one of the most beautiful places for a cycling tour you can imagine. I know the Wild Atlantic Way like the back of my hand since I cycled it in 2016 as part of the WAWA Audax and in 2020 during the TransAtlanticWay event. Besides that, I’ve spent lots of time training and touring along this spectacular route. Now, I’m delighted to use my knowledge and experience to tailor personalised itineraries for cyclists who want to explore the Wild Atlantic Way.

Do you have any other questions about traveling in Ireland?

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Ready Made Trip to Ireland 

Ready made trip.

Planning a Trip to Ireland this year, are you feeling a little overwhelmed with all of the options or stressing out about accommodation choices? Have you a Bucket List of things you would like to see and do in Ireland but can’t quite figure out how to fit it all into your time frame? Would you like a fool proof guide to booking flights, hiring and driving a rental car in Ireland, plus a carefully curated selection of the very best bed and breakfasts, small hotels, country manors and castles in superb locations that offer genuine Irish hospitality at reasonable prices, I thought so! What about a hand picked list of restaurant recommendations and / or information on where to find the best pubs with firesides, free traditional music and scenic photo opportunities? Well, I am glad you asked, as I might just have the answer to all of those questions for you....

Susan Byron, Irish Travel Writer, Photographer & Tour Guide

Apart from having been born and reared here, I have spent the last 10 years travelling around Ireland, revisiting places and getting to know my own country really, really well. During that time, I have had the most fantastic adventures, seen scenery that would make you cry, met the nicest people, eaten wonderful Irish food and stayed in some truly amazing places, that I am more than happy to share with you. The packages that I have created below are exactly the kind of vacation that I would go on myself and Lord knows I am fussy! I don’t do crowds, tourist traps, basic accommodation (but it's not all expensive or high end either) or mediocre food, which is totally unnecessary in Ireland, trust me!  But, unless you know where to go and I have made my fair share of mistakes, believe me, there is every likelihood you will get ripped off or worse still, have a disappointing experience of Ireland.

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Package Details

To avoid that happening to you, I have put together a couple of  Ready Made Itineraries  for those of you who would rather have the flexibility of planning your own Trip to Ireland .  Or you could join me on one of my special Guided Tours of Ireland  which might be another option for you, if you don't fancy going it alone? These packages are broadly based on my own personal experience and many of the  Tailor Made Itineraries that I have created for private clients over the years. The 7-10 day packages cover all the basics, touring routes, accommodation recommendations, and sightseeing suggestions in Dublin, Galway (including Connemara & Clare) Killarney, Waterford and / or Kilkenny. It also includes 2 different options for extending your vacation in either Sligo/Mayo or West Cork/Kinsale if you wish and are lucky enough to have the time to spare! And the best part is that it is all laid out in a logical sequence which keeps travelling time to a minimum and enjoyment of the scenery, culture, tradition and craic to a maximum!

Bed & Breakfast Guide

The  Bed & Breakfast Guide  includes my recommendations for touring Ireland while staying in bed and breakfast accommodation. This is a great way to experience Ireland and integrate with Irish families and our culture, not only will you get a cosy bed for the night (with your own private bathroom) and a generous breakfast, you will also be pointed in the right direction as regards the best walks, pubs, scenic drives, special things to do and see etc at each location. All of the bed and breakfasts recommended have been carefully chosen by me for their genuine Irish hospitality, unique character, friendliness and value for money, not to mention their superb locations.... 

What's included?

So what’s included ?

  • A day by day itinerary for the first 7 days in Ireland which includes all the best things to do and see in Dublin, Galway, Connemara (Kylemore Abbey), Clare (Cliffs of Moher), Killarney (the Ring of Kerry) with an option on Dingle, Waterford or Kilkenny City. 
  • A day by day itinerary for 10 days which includes an extra 2 days in either Sligo (Yeat's Country) and Mayo (Achill Island) and (Westport) or West Cork (Beara Peninsula, Bantry House, Mizen Head) and (Kinsale) with a night each in Waterford and Kilkenny. 
  • A personal selection of the best quality accommodation at each location for you to choose from at your leisure which includes pricing and special offers.
  • A flexible daily itinerary to include the most scenic routes, historical cultural / traditional visitor attractions in each area including castles, stately homes, gardens, sacred places, museums, galleries as well as some extra special Hidden Gems such as holy wells, fairy forts, dolmens, secret beaches and woodland walks.
  • Daily recommendations on the best places to have for lunch, pints of Guinness, bowls of chowder, tea and scones or coffee and cake stops.
  • Evening restaurants and traditional music pubs and nightly entertainment.

Also included is a free information pack which includes a ll you need to know before you go  re booking flights, car rental, driving in Ireland, the weather (what to pack) currency (atms and credit cards) advice on tipping, voltage, mobile phone usage / wifi coverage/  (chargers) as well as all the latest tips, tricks and shortcuts that you might find useful while travelling in Ireland.

And the price, just €149 which is a fraction of the cost of having a tailor made itinerary created especially for you. You can pay via the Paypal at the links below and once payment is completed you will then be redirected back to Ireland's Hidden Gems, where a pdf file will automatically be made available for you to download. It's a fairly hefty file so please be patient, it will be worth the short wait, I assure you! 

Classic Package

The  Classic Package  is similar to the Bed & Breakfast package as regards the touring itineraries, places to see things to do etc but contains a more varied selection of accommodation to choose from at each location. Again these have been hand picked from personal experience and include the more up market bed and breakfasts, small country inns / manor house, a couple of really great castles that are reasonably priced as well as the best city hotels that are well located and safe and not your usual tourist or business type accommodation. Staying in a broad range of accommodation really makes for a very different kind of vacation and a much more interesting experience of Ireland, all the best Susan 

To purchase the Classic Package , please click on the button below

Or if you would like to purchase the Bed & Breakfast Guide  instead please click on the next button.

Also as part of the package, I am happy to provide you with any extra help you may require re planning your own Trip to Ireland. You can email me here anytime, if you have any further questions in the meantime here is some feedback from customers around the world who have purchased the above packages....

Testimonials 

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Good Day from Australia folks, we spent a month touring Ireland last summer staying at many of the wonderful bed and breakfasts that Susan recommended in her brochure and had a fabulous time celebrating my husband's 60th birthday. He's Swedish and I was born in Lisburn, so truly a combination of Viking Irish! A definite highlight was meeting Susan herself in Kinvara, in fact we are hoping to get her over here for a visit, if she can tear herself away from beautiful Ireland!

Lynn & Roger, Sydney, Australia. 

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Hello Susan,

Thank you for this wonderful itinerary!  I've just had a chance to read through it once and my cheeks are already aglow with excitement!  As I dig into it deeper I'm sure I'll have questions but at the moment it looks like you've given me MORE than my money's worth--thank you so much!  I'm so delighted that I found you!

Michelle Jackson, Burbank, California, USA

Hi Susan, after our fabulous trip to Ireland, I'm now settled back in at home and want to thank you for a trip that has been our best trip ever.  Your suggestions for the grands kids were spot on: they thoroughly enjoyed Powerscourt and Glendalough. My daughter fell in love with Ireland and she too is going to make it back. We are so grateful for your expertise  and  thank  you for the coffee & cake and for taking the time to stop and chat...

Marsha & Ken McKinney Day, Seattle, Washington, USA

Hi Susan, t hank you hardly seems appropriate for what you've done for me.  I found myself woefully unprepared and floundering, to the point of panic. Your understanding and kindness (and obvious expertise) has focused me, and really pulled everything together for us, into an easy to follow route and itinerary.  I can't thank you enough for your time and advice. We are already on our way straight west towards Connemara, looking forward to a spectacular day. 

Lori Jean Murphy New York City.

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I am a planner.  My friends look to me to plan itineraries for our trips.  My hubby and I were heading to Ireland and due to a series of personal and work events, it was two weeks before our trip with no real plan other than flights!  I came across Susan's website and purchased her ready made itinerary.  Everything was so right on!  Everything!  Great accommodation recommendations!  Great eatery recommendations!  Great site visit and travel recommendations!  The guide saved our trip and helped us make the most of our short time in Ireland.  What a bonus to meet Susan while we were there!

Sherri & Kevin Morgan, California on the Cliffs of Moher Cruise.

And remember if you have any reservations at all or further queries re your proposed trip to Ireland, please send me an  email  and I will get back to you as soon as possible, all the best and happy planning, Susan Byron

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Today’s traveler is not yesterday’s tourist . you can book a trip with a click of a button, and soon after be on your way, check off all the major tourist attractions that destination has to offer, and come back with another country “explored” on your world map. but did you really see it, experience it, feel it… did you gain a better understanding of the local culture , did you make any meaningful interactions with its people, did you actually see their true way of life, we, here at independent ireland, want to help you create experiences that let you open yourself up to a broad range of cultural interactions., we strive to design itineraries that entice all your senses, after all..., the most precious memories in life are captured and later triggered by something we see, hear, taste, touch, or smell., happiness project, considered the irish friendly, hospitable people, felt safe and secure while in ireland, cosidered the landscape to be a natural, unspoiled environment, felt that there was a good range of natural attractions, catch your breath, chat up the locals, get inspired, travel through time, taste the difference, learn a new skill, shatter your comfort zone, take the road less travelled, some of the challenges facing the modern traveler:, wasted time.

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Aer Lingus industrial action – what could it mean for your flight?

Pilots at the irish airline voted 99% in favour of action in support of a 24% pay claim, article bookmarked.

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Departing Dublin: Aer Lingus Airbus A330 prepares to fly to the US

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Pilots working for Aer Lingus are going on strike and working to rule in their pursuit of a pay claim.

The flight crew will walk out from 5am to 1pm on Saturday 29 June, aiming to disrupt the start of of the school holiday exodus for many families. More than 100 flights will be grounded.

In addition the pilots will begin an indefinite “strict work to rule” at one minute past midnight on Wednesday 26 June. More than 100 additional flight cancellations have ensued.

Millions of passengers are booked to fly on the Irish airline over the summer – including from the UK via Dublin to North America.

Aer Lingus says it told the union that “industrial action at this time of year would cause very significant disruption and have a devastating impact on customers and their families going into the summer holiday season”.

In addition to the effects of the strike, the airline has decided to cancel up to one in five flights during the first week of the work to rule as it seeks to minimise the risk of flights being grounded on the day.

Direct Aer Lingus UK services from Manchester across the Atlantic, and the Aer Lingus Regional operation – which is provided by a separate carrier, Emerald Airlines – are unaffected.

These are the key questions and answers.

What is the dispute about?

In a ballot in pursuit of better pay, pilots voted 99 per cent in favour of over industrial action on an 89 per cent turnout.

Captain Mark Tighe, president of Ialpa, says: “Our pay claim is for 24 per cent, which equates to inflation since our last pay rise in 2019. Aer Lingus have increased their profits by 400 per cent to €255m [£216m] last year.

“Our pay claim is entirely affordable, and Aer Lingus management need to quickly change position if they want to avoid this dispute escalating.

“We are in this position because management have failed to provide us with a meaningful offer on pay that accounts for inflation and the sacrifices made by pilots to save Aer Lingus during the pandemic.”

He accuses Aer Lingus management of insisting pilots “sell their working conditions in exchange for any increase in pay”.

Captain Tighe says: “We are absolutely not prepared to do that, especially when Aer Lingus is making enormous profits.”

The airline says it hoped to “continue to engage in meaningful direct discussions on productivity and flexibility proposals to enable increased pay” but Ialpa refused it.

“Profitability levels in Aer Lingus are the lowest in the IAG group with operating margin significantly lower than pre-Covid levels, making continued investment in the business by IAG challenging,” the airline says.

“Investment of such profits in paying exorbitant increases to already very well-paid pilots is simplistic in the extreme.

“Ialpa demanded an unsustainable level of increase in pilot pay that was not supported by any increases in productivity or flexibility. Our pilots are highly regarded colleagues, and they are rightfully well paid for the work that they do.

“Aer Lingus pilots are more than fairly compensated compared to the market.

The airline also says the union’s “failure to engage in the various independent processes in a responsible manner jeopardises our growth plans including our plans to fly to more destinations”. And it is criticising Ialpa for announcing the action at just one week’s notice, as required by law – rather than 15 days, which would give it more time to prepare for disruption.

What effect will the strike have?

More than 50 outbound Aer Lingus flights are scheduled to depart from Dublin between 5am and 1pm on Saturday 29 June. All are likely to be grounded, along with the inbound flights.

They include transatlantic departures to New York JFK, Washington Dulles and San Francisco.

Aer Lingus says it will inform passengers booked on 29 June about their options on Saturday 22 June.

The strike was called later than the work to rule. Ialpa’s Captain Tighe said: “We have been forced to escalate this dispute following a campaign of antagonism by Aer Lingus management directed toward our members.

“Aer Lingus has not sought any meetings since the notice of work-to-rule was served earlier this week. The company has made no effort to negotiate a settlement to avert action commencing on Wednesday,” he said.

Captain Tighe added: “The scale of next week’s anticipated flight cancellations, as described by Aer Lingus, illustrates the extent to which the company relies on the flexibility and goodwill of pilots.”

What does a “strict work to rule” mean?

Pilots will refuse any flexibility with their work. The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) says the action will result in its members:

  • “Not working overtime, or any other out of hours duties requested by management
  • “Only working the published rosters and not accepting or working any amendments to published rosters
  • “Not logging into the Aer Lingus portal or ‘e-crew’ [an online rostering system] outside of work hours.
  • “Not answering phone calls outside of work hours.”

In a perfect world, the Aer Lingus operation would continue absolutely as normal. But aviation is a very dynamic industry and much can go wrong with the best-laid plans – including, for example:

  • Mechanical problems
  • Air-traffic control restrictions
  • Bad weather
  • Disruptive or ill passengers

Normally in any airline there is a degree of flexibility and goodwill among staff to adapt the operation in order to get people where they need to be. If that is removed by the pilots, disruption can swiftly ensue.

What sort of problems could arise?

Fridays in summer are extremely busy for air-traffic control across Europe, with pressure added by the closure of a large slice of airspace in eastern Europe. “Slot delays” of an hour or more are not unusual. Airlines will typically shuffle their fleets and crews to minimise the disruption for everyone, but Ialpa indicates this will not be possible.

Across the Atlantic – an extremely important market for Aer Lingus from Dublin and Shannon – summer storms are common. An unexpected delay at, say, Chicago, could mean that the pilots go beyond the normal basic flight duty period. The captain is allowed to extend the flight duty period by two hours “in the event of unforeseen circumstances” at his or her discretion – which will often mean the difference between completing a flight or leaving passengers stranded. The indication from the Irish pilots’ union is that this would not be granted.

A scenario in which bad weather or a mechanical problem meant a long delay on the ground in the US could mean passengers stranded overnight, with the aircraft being stuck at an American airport rather than back in Dublin ready for its next mission.

What is the effect of the work to rule so far?

Ahead of the first week of the action, Aer Lingus said it would cancel between 10 and 20 per cent of flights.

On 26, 27, 28 and 30 June, 26 flights (13 round trips) are grounded. Most of them are links from Dublin and Cork to the UK and Continental Europe. Four round-trips from Dublin to New York JFK are also grounded.

Aer Lingus says it “will alert customers directly through the contact details provided upon booking to alert them if their flight is cancelled”.

The airline says: “If we have been able to rebook you on another flight, we will send you an email confirming this and your new itinerary. Please be advised that teams in Aer Lingus are doing their best to accommodate customers whose flights have been cancelled. However, as we are in peak summer, there is limited capacity.

“If the new flight is not suitable you can still choose to rebook, request a voucher, or avail of a refund to your original form of payment.

“If your booking was made with a travel agent, or through another airline, you will have to contact them to manage your options.“

If my flight is disrupted, what are my rights?

You could decide not to travel and request a refund voucher for future travel – but there is no point in doing so because you are entitled for a full cash refund.

The airline says you can “change your flight online” and that if the new one is cheaper – which frankly is extremely unlikely – any fare difference will be refunded.

But the vast majority of passengers will want to fly as close to their orignal plans as possible.

As an EU airline, Aer Lingus must comply with European air passengers’ rights rules. These stipulate a duty of care in the event of delays and cancellatioons.

Regardless of the cause of disruption, the airline must get passengers to their destination as soon as possible. For European destinations, that could mean Aer Lingus buying you a ticket on Ryanair.

In the event of a transatlantic cancellation, Aer Lingus could have to buy seats on Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, United or WestJet. Given that so many flights are very heavily booked, though, it may take time to find spare seats.

For overnight delays, Aer Lingus must provide hotels and meals.

In addition, passengers are likely to be entitled to cash compensation of between €250 (£220) and €600 (£520).

How badly will UK passengers be affected?

During the school summer holidays in Northern Ireland, many families travel south to Dublin to fly to Mediterranean destinations. They are entitled to be found alternative flights if seats are available.

The Aer Lingus Manchester-North America operation is unaffected, as are Aer Lingus Regional flights from various UK airports to Dublin. But those regional flights often carry passengers who are heading for the US and Canada – using the excellent pre-clearance facility for US Customs and Border Protection, which means you arrive in an American airport as a domestic passenger.

Someone with a booking from, say, Birmingham via Dublin to Boston, could insist on being rebooked on Air France, KLM or another airline if seats are available.

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Top 10 Things to Do in Ireland (For All Travel Types)

Updated September 17, 2023

Since Ireland boasts so many amazing things to do, it can be tricky to know which ones to put on your itinerary. That’s why we’ve hand-picked the top 10 things to do in Ireland, organized by traveler type. Now you’re one step closer to your personalized Irish adventure—you’re welcome.

For the adventurer: The Cliffs of Moher

For a guaranteed adrenaline rush, get up close and personal with the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher . While visiting this beloved Ireland tourist attraction, keep in mind that it’s super dangerous to sit right on the edge (don’t say we didn’t warn you), but the view from even a dozen feet away from the edge is unmatched. With miles upon miles of crashing Atlantic waves and verdant sandstone cliffs, it’s little wonder that this essential Ireland must-do captures the hearts of adventurers worldwide. 

Pro tip: Featured in The Princess Bride as “The Cliffs of Insanity,” the Cliffs of Moher are one of many IRL movie locations throughout Ireland.

For the road trip guru: The Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way features over 1,500 miles of highway and stunning ocean views, complete with incredible Ireland landmarks like the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry. This bucket-list road trip begins in Greencastle, near Northern Ireland, and sweeps along Ireland’s west coast, ending in southern Cork. This incredible must-do in western Ireland takes about 3 weeks to complete, but you can also rent a car for a few days to explore the route’s major highlights, such as Galway City and the Dingle Peninsula. 

For the artistic soul: The Giant’s Causeway

Giant's Causeway is one of the top 10 things to do in Ireland

Break out the cameras (or canvases if you’re a hipster)—the iconic Giant’s Causeway is about to take your breath away. One of the most popular things to do in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is made up of thousands of hexagonal basalt columns, clocking in at 82 feet tall and 50-60 million years old. Ireland travel experts recommend getting to the Giant’s Causeway as soon as it opens at 9 AM since the tourist crowds arrive in the late morning. 

For the rebel at heart: Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin

Ireland’s tumultuous history is immortalized at the Kilmainham Gaol Museum , a jail built in 1796 to house Dublin’s rebels, vagrants, and other prisoners. A true must-do in Dublin, Kilmainham Gaol’s immersive tours take you through the eerie East Wing’s iconic main hall and spiral stairs, the West Wing’s narrow walkways, and the sobering Stonebreakers’ Yard. It’s heavy stuff, but you’ll come out of this must-do with a new understanding of Ireland’s independent spirit. 

Pro tip: The tickets for Kilmainham are super limited and always in high demand, and often sold out 2-3 weeks in advance—plan accordingly! 

For the literature lover: Trinity College

Seeing Trinity College Library is one of the top 10 things to do in Ireland

Did you drool over Belle’s library in Beauty in the Beast ? Are a few hours at the Hogwarts library all you ever wanted? Then a tour of Trinity College is about to blow your mind. This Ireland point of interest is home to the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and 200,000 ancient and modern manuscripts—AKA a bookworm’s dream come true. If you're hoping to see all things literary in Dublin, have a Dublin travel guru design an itinerary that hits the city's best bookish spots. 

For the history buff: Titanic Belfast

As far as the top things to do in Ireland go, the Titanic Belfast Museum belongs at the top of your itinerary. The museum’s majestic boat-shaped exterior is only the tip of the iceberg (too soon?). History lovers, film buffs, and, well, everyone , will adore the Grand Staircase and dining room, as well as the ship’s nine recreated decks. Only a 10-minute drive from downtown Belfast, a visit to the Titanic Museum brings you close to more awesome things to do in Belfast, like St. George’s Market and the Peace Lines. 

For the foodie: Guinness Storehouse

One does not simply travel to Ireland and not go to Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse. Actively producing Guinness beer since 1759, the Guinness Storehouse is 7-stories tall and features a hands-on, immersive tour of Guinness’ history, brew process, and tasting techniques. But what really makes the Guinness Storehouse one of Ireland’s best places to visit is the free pint after the tour, enjoyed with a birds-eye view of Dublin from the 360° Storehouse Gravity Bar .  

For the beach bum: Mullaghmore Beach

The very definition of beachside paradise, Mullaghmore Beach is world-renowned for its mountainous skyline, crashing Atlantic waves, and boundless white sands. Since Mullaghmore is located on Ireland’s far northern coast, the beach is ideal for surfing and swimming, two things you absolutely must do in Ireland. Mullaghmore is also within driving distance of some of Ireland’s best towns, so you’ll have no shortage of great places to stay. 

Pro tip: If you want to get off the beaten path in Ireland, Mullaghmore is a 30-minute drive from Strandhill, an Irish town known for its strangely relaxing seaweed baths.

For the sports fanatic: Croke Park

Catching a match at Croke Park is one of the top 10 things to do in Ireland

Even the most experienced sports fans will be blown away by the roaring crowds in Croke Park , home of the Gaelic Games. As Ireland’s largest stadium, Croke Park hosts Ireland’s Gaelic football games (not to be confused with soccer, rugby, or American football). Even if you’re only traveling Ireland for a few days, witnessing just one game at Croke Park is a total must, especially if you live for wild crowds and intensely competitive games. 

For the hopeless romantic: Powerscourt Estate

Rated as National Geographic’s #3 garden in the world, the 1700s-era Powerscourt Estate practically oozes romance, from the house *cough*MANSION*cough* to the 49,000-acre gardens and forests. A must-do in Ireland for love birds, the Powerscourt Estate is nestled near the Wicklow Mountains, where you can find Ireland’s tallest waterfall, the unusual Pepperpot Tower, and a serene Japanese garden—the perfect romantic equation.

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Limerick among Fáilte Ireland’s Taylor Swift inspired tour spots

F áilte Ireland is celebrating Taylor Swift’s visit to Dublin and her love for the country with a bespoke cardigan, while encouraging her fans to follow her steps across Ireland, including Limerick.

Fáilte Ireland has created a bespoke cardigan for Taylor – knitted by internationally acclaimed, young Irish-designer, Gabrielle Malone – which represents the locations in Ireland that Taylor has already visited.

Emma Woods, Head of Marketing Communications at Fáilte Ireland said: “We are delighted to welcome Taylor Swift back to Ireland. Over the years, she has been a frequent visitor here - her love for Ireland translates into her music with subtle nods to places she's visited woven through her lyrics.

“This inspired us to work with Gabrielle Malone, an incredible young designer, to create this cardigan for Taylor that is representative of Ireland. For all the Swifties out there, we have curated a list of Taylor-inspired stays around Ireland for you to visit – not only that, but we have also released the knitting pattern for anyone who wants to try their hand at creating their own version of our Taylor cardie – visit DiscoverIreland.ie”.

Limerick is among the 'Taylor-inspired' locations as it is well-known she spent a Christmas with her then-boyfriend in the historic town of Glin, in West Limerick, where she even purchased a Glin GAA Lotto ticket in a local pub.

The other destinations include Donegal’s Ballymastocker Bay in Portsalon, Cavan, Offaly, as well as a number of locations in County Wicklow, and Dublin, where she stayed in a charming old coach house in Dublin 6, near Ranelagh.

Taking inspiration from Taylor’s Irish short-break stays, the cardigan created for Taylor in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, represents the places she has visited through Gabrielle’s bespoke hand-stitching:

The Wild Atlantic Way is represented with a Honeycomb stitch, a traditional Aran stitch inspired by beekeepers in Donegal, and beautiful West Limerick where the Shannon meets the Atlantic is represented by the wave stitch.

Ireland’s Ancient East is symbolized by a brick stitch, emblematic of the historic stone buildings that lie within this region, set against a backdrop of lush green landscapes.

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is represented by a seed stitch reminiscent of the rich rural landscapes of this region, surrounded by tranquil paths, trails and waterways to paddle, stroll or pedal.

Dublin is symbolized by the Hurdle stitch, evoking the cobblestones of the city.

And if you look closely, you’ll notice that this handknit is adorned with hidden ‘Easter Eggs’: her birth year and album title, '1989,' are subtly stitched into the collar, her lucky number '13' graces one sleeve cuff, and her initials 'T.S.' embellish the other.

Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan's exclusive take on the day's news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.

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  • Local & State

Celebrate Juneteenth at these Maine events

The holiday is Wednesday, but events start this weekend and run through the end of the month.

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Westbrook Middle School students Bella Zollarcoffer, Priscila Nzolameso and Sarikong Oak held tables educating and informing the community on Black hair history at Westbrook’s Juneteenth celebration last year. Cullen McIntyre/Staff Photographer

Juneteenth, which became both a federal and state holiday in 2021 , celebrates the anniversary of federal troops’ arrival in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to ensure all enslaved people had been freed. This year, the holiday falls on Wednesday, but celebrations are happening over the next two weeks.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. –  Indigo Arts Alliance presents The Welcome Table, an intergenerational symposium celebrating global cultural and culinary histories. Activities include art, movement and meditation workshops led by activists and cultural workers. 60 Cove St., Portland.  indigoartsalliance.me

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. –  Victoria Mansion is hosting a community day with free admission and a recitation of the Emancipation Proclamation by local actors. 109 Danforth St. Portland.  victoriamansion.org

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. –  Space and the Tate House Museum are putting on a Juneteenth community day with free admission and tours of Ashley Page’s “Imagining Freedom” exhibit at the museum. The historical art piece puts viewers into the shoes of an enslaved woman named Bet. 1267 Westbrook St., Portland.  space538.org Advertisement

1-6:30 p.m. –  The first event of “The City that Carries Us: Pain, Streets, and Heartbeats” will take place at the Public Theatre in Lewiston. The celebration will have a parade and a block party with performances, as well as scheduled activities and rituals throughout the day. It is hosted by the organization Maine Inside Out. 31 Maple St., Lewiston, maineinsideout.org

2-3 p.m. –  Through “Poems of Reckoning and Resilience,” the Portland Museum of Art and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance seek to honor the legacy of Black Americans. Featured poet Nathan McClain will join local poets in the Great Hall at the museum to celebrate Black liberation and creativity. The museum is also offering free admission Saturday through Monday, in celebration of both Juneteenth and Pride Month. 7 Congress Square, Portland.  mainewriters.org

11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. –  The fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration on House Island in Casco Bay will focus on Black joy, as well as nature, health and economic opportunity. Guests can stay for one or two days, and partake in activities like camping, hiking, yoga and games, all led by BIPOC leaders. Fortland, House Island, Portland.  eventbrite.com

4:30-7 p.m. –  The Community Organizing Alliance is putting on an event with speakers, live performances, poetry readings, a voter registration drive and catering by Bab’s Table. There will also be opportunities to get involved in the racial justice movement. The Atrium at Bates Mill, 36 Chestnut St., Lewiston.  eventbrite.com

1-3 p.m. –  Riverbank Park in Westbrook will host a community event with art, poetry, music and guest speakers. There will also be a barbecue picnic, a student fashion show, hair braiding, pick-up soccer and more activities sponsored by the city. 667 Main St., Westbrook.  On Facebook.

7-8 p.m. –  The Portland Yoga Project is putting on a class called “Liberated Breath: A Juneteenth Yoga Experience” that seeks to reflect on the holiday through yoga. The class is free for BIPOC community members and is sponsored by the Portland Public Library. 7 Bedford St., Portland, allevents.in

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