8-Day Roadtrip across Ireland & Northern Ireland

If Ireland isn’t already on your bucket list, consider this your sign that it should be! With stunning, dramatic coast lines, ancient castle ruins, sheep grazing on the rolling, green hills, and everything in between, this country is a must-visit on your next European tour. Many people just visit Dublin on a leg of their larger European trip, but I’d highly recommend spending at least a few days in the country if you can. Our trip was ten days total, two being travel, and we felt like this was the perfect amount of time to visit the iconic spots. Of course, there is still so much we did not do, but this timeline was perfect for us! Below is a detailed 8-day itinerary of our trip!

OUR ROUTE

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DAY 1: DUBLIN

My sister and I arrived in Dublin mid-morning, giving us just the afternoon to explore. Our first stop was the Guinness Storehouse, and it did not disappoint! Admission is €20 (about $22), but we opted to pay a little extra (+$8) to have our photo printed on the beer’s foam—a fun and unique touch. Watching the machine print directly onto the stout was fascinating and, in my opinion, well worth the splurge. The self-guided museum features interactive exhibits and includes a complimentary Guinness tasting. Even if you’re not a stout lover, the experience itself makes it a must-visit. The top floor is a casual lounge area where you can grab more drinks and enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Dublin!

Afterward, we headed to Murray’s for a classic Irish pub experience, complete with live music and traditional dishes. I ordered the beef stew, and it was absolutely incredible!

Accommodations: Clayton Hotel – Ballsbridge

DAY 2: KILKENNY & CORK

Our road trip from Dublin to Cork was anything but ordinary! We set off in the morning, making our first stop in Kilkenny (about 1.5 hours from Dublin), where we took a guided tour of Kilkenny Castle. Tickets were only €12 and well worth it. The castle was absolutely stunning and it was fascinating to learn about the history of the iconic landmark. We strolled through the charming medieval streets of Kilkenny after and could have spent more time there, but we had more to see! From there, things took an unexpected turn—literally. We missed our exit, and our GPS rerouted us down a narrow, winding backroad that was technically a two-lane road but barely had space for one car. To top it off, we ran into a classic Irish traffic jam: a herd of cows! As we waited, the farmer strolled over and asked how we had ended up there. He was incredibly kind, and while it was a bit stressful in the moment, it’s now one of our favorite memories from the trip. After that stressful drive (about an hour if you take the right route), we arrived at the Rock of Cashel, a breathtaking historic site of medieval buildings perched on a hill, offering stunning views of the Irish countryside.

After a final hour of driving, we finally made it to Cork and wrapped up the night with an amazing dinner at Greene’s. The cozy atmosphere paired perfectly with a delicious Irish steak—such a great way to end the day!

Accommodations: The Imperial Hotel. We absolutely loved our stay here! It’s located in the heart of Cork and has a charming and elegant interior.

DAY 3: CORK & COBH

In the morning, we wandered along Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork’s vibrant shopping district, conveniently located just behind our hotel. After picking up some souvenirs, we took a short drive to Cobh, a picturesque seaside town steeped in history. We explored St. Colman’s Cathedral, a neo-Gothic masterpiece perched high above the harbor, before heading to Point de Vue, where we took in breathtaking views of Cobh’s iconic colorful townhouses with the cathedral towering behind them. Strolling along the coast was one of my favorite moments of the trip—the town felt like the quintessential Irish experience, with its charming, vibrant buildings standing out beautifully against the moody skies. We ended the evening with an incredible Italian dinner at Il Padrino—the perfect way to wrap up the day!

DAY 4: CLIFFS OF MOHER

We set out in the morning from Cork, making a stop at Cahir Castle, one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval fortresses, about an hour’s drive away. For just €5, we explored its impressive stone walls, climbed up its towers, and even ventured into the dungeon—such a cool experience for learning about medieval architecture and history. From there, we continued our journey to the Cliffs of Moher, located in County Clare, about a 2.5-hour drive away. Admission was only €15 and you have to select a window of time within the day you’re visiting. You must enter the park within those hours so it’s important to plan your day out ahead of time.

The cliffs were absolutely breathtaking, but the weather was foggy, rainy, and incredibly windy, making it tough to stay as long as we had hoped. Even so, the views we did get were absolutely epic, and we were grateful to experience such an iconic place. After a long day of driving and exploring, we turned in early at our hotel which was just a 30-minute drive from the cliffs. It was the perfect cozy retreat, with a beautiful ocean view—a much-needed chance to relax after such an eventful few days.

Accommodations: Bellbridge House Hotel. This was probably our favorite spot! It was so charming and cozy and felt more like a bed and breakfast.

DAY 5: TRAVEL DAY TO BELFAST

We began our day driving from Spanish Point, Dough in County Clare, to Dublin, a journey of approximately 3 and a half hours. After dropping off our rental car, we took a shuttle to Dublin Airport to catch our pre-booked Dublin Express bus to Belfast’s Glengall Street, with tickets costing around €25 each. The bus ride lasted approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. It’s important to note that upon crossing into Northern Ireland, you’re entering a different country—the United Kingdom. This means currency changes from euros to pounds sterling, and road distances are measured in miles instead of kilometers. There is no physical border due to the Good Friday Agreement, so you won’t need to present your passport, but it’s important to be aware of these differences!

Accommodations: We stayed with my friend who lives in Lisburn, a small suburb outside of Belfast.

DAY 6: NORTHERN COAST

We started the morning with an Ulster fry, a traditional Irish breakfast ( and a must-try!), at a local spot, which was the perfect way to fuel up before hitting the road. Our first stop was Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, about an hour’s drive from Belfast. Walking across the bridge was a little nerve-wracking at first, but the views were incredible. Tickets were around £15, and we had to book in advance since entry is managed through timed slots. After that, we made a quick stop at Ballintoy Harbour, which was so peaceful and picturesque—definitely a hidden gem.

From there, we drove about 15 minutes to Giant’s Causeway, one of the most famous spots in Northern Ireland. The crazy hexagonal rock formations were formed by volcanic activity, but of course, I prefer the Irish legend that says a giant built them. It was pretty windy, but still, an unreal place to see in person. And, it’s free! (Unless you want to go to the Visitor’s Center).

A short drive down the road, we checked out the ruins of Dunluce Castle, which sit dramatically on the edge of a cliff. It was so neat to explore and even crazier to think that people actually lived there centuries ago. Tickets were only £6 and we just purchased them when we arrived. But one of my absolute favorite stops of the day was Magheracross Viewpoint—seriously, the views were breathtaking, and some of my best photos from the whole trip came from here. We took a break in Portstewart, where we walked around the town, grabbed fish and chips, and, of course, had to get ice cream (even though we were freezing). Our final stop of the day was Downhill Beach and Mussenden Temple, about 20 minutes from Portstewart. The beach was beautiful and offered a view of the circular Mussenden Temple perched on the cliffs above. It was originally built as a library, and the whole area was just stunning.

One popular stop we skipped was the Dark Hedges, which is often paired with the other sights. If you have time, it’s worth adding to your itinerary, but honestly, I wasn’t too disappointed to miss it—it seemed like the least exciting spot on the list.

DAY 7: BELFAST

Exploring Belfast was such a fun experience—everywhere we went, there were little hidden gems and charming spots to stumble upon. We started by wandering through Commercial Court, where the iconic colorful umbrellas made for the perfect photo op. From there, we walked around Queen’s University, which looked like something straight out of a Harry Potter movie. We also passed by the Titanic Quarter, where the famous ship was built and set sail—pretty surreal to think about. One of the best views of the city was from the Dome Viewpoint, tucked inside a shopping mall, offering a panoramic look at Belfast from above. While wandering downtown, we walked past the Albert Clock, a historic landmark with a noticeable tilt (kind of like Belfast’s own version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa). We visited City Hall, admiring its beautifully intricate design both inside and out. We had planned to check out the Botanic Gardens, but unfortunately, they were closed. For dinner, we had some incredible Italian food at Chubby Cherub, an elegant spot with the beautiful decor. After we ended the night at The Dirty Onion, a lively Irish pub with such a fun atmosphere—live music, great energy, and the perfect way to wrap up our time in Belfast!

DAY 8: DUBLIN

Before departing for Dublin, we visited Stormont, Northern Ireland’s Parliament Buildings, taking in its impressive architecture and historical significance. Once back in the city, we walked through Temple Bar, the iconic riverside shop area. It’s fun just to walk around and take in all of the architecture – the buildings are so beautiful and intentionally designed. We also visited Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. The self-guided experience costs £25 for entry. The Long Room Library was absolutely breathtaking, with its towering bookshelves, rich wooden interiors, and fascinating displays, including an antique globe and satellite imagery that showcased the evolution of cartography. For dinner, we enjoyed a delicious meal at the Woolen Mills with a view of River Liffey before ending the night on a sweet note with bubble waffles and ice cream from Cloud 9—highly recommend!

OTHER TIDBITS!

• Choose to pay in Euros if your CC doesn’t accumulate transaction fees, because if you choose US dollars you’ll end up paying more. (I use Chase Sapphire Preferred, which doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees!)
• There are a lot of tolls so be prepared for that! 
• The weather can change in seconds. Even if it’s sunny when you leave, always have a raincoat. It’s best to dress in layers, because most buildings don’t have A/C so it can get stuffy inside. For reference, we went in late August.