Ireland Itineraries
Ireland is an enchanting island with castles and cliffs, countryside and coastlines. It is a land of fairies and banshees, of traditional music and lively pubs. Physician-poet William Drennan coined the term Emerald Isle in 1795 because of Ireland’s lush, vivid greenery. But Ireland is really a green gem because it is filled with warm and friendly people.
Yes, Ireland is small in size compared to some states and provinces. But do not think you can see everything in a week. There are more things to see per square kilometre in Ireland.
Are you planning a trip but are overwhelmed by the conflicting recommendations of various people and websites? How do you choose where to go? What sets us apart is our approach to travel. We do not go to places just because of Instagram, Facebook, or name recognition. We focus on what makes a country or region unique.
Author & Photographer: George Mitchell
Our content and advice are derived from our personal experience and knowledge, gained from living in Europe for seven years and studying its art and architecture. Our recommendations are not influenced by affiliate links – we do not have any. Ireland is one of our favourite destinations.
All of our recommendations are top-rated by Google Maps Ratings, which is based on everyone, not just tourists. Each place recommended in our posts and custom maps is appended with a Google Maps Rating (G0 to G5).
How do I choose where to go in Ireland?
First, read about the features that will give you a Quintessential Ireland experience. Second, define your main interests or criteria. Are you looking for a city-based trip? Are you interested in the countryside and nature? Are you looking for less-visited places? Read Are There Hidden Gems in Ireland?
Third, read Exploring Ireland: Tips and decide on logistics: Are you renting a car? How many weeks will you spend on your trip? What month(s) is the best time to go?
Itinerary Synopsis
We have created five regional itineraries and maps for you: East, South, West, North, and Dublin. Each regional guide takes about one week to do.
Read the synopsis, then click one or more of the links in the Itinerary Guides section below that best match your interests and your timeframe. Each guide features a detailed, custom Google Map that highlights all the points of interest.
Ireland East Itinerary
The Ireland East Itinerary includes lush Powerscourt Gardens, intact Kilkenny Castle, ancient Glendalough and Rock of Cashel monasteries, and colourful Kinsale fishing village (it’s a town now). The route is mainly inland rather than coastal, with more history than scenery.
Ireland South Itinerary
The Ireland South Itinerary is a must-see for Quintessential Ireland — dramatic Healy Pass, the “Real” Ring of Kerry, tourist Krazy Killarney, Victorian Garinish Gardens, and the must-see Dingle to Slea Head Drive with the best drop-dead coastal views.
Ireland West Itinerary
The Ireland West Itinerary is another must-see for Quintessential Ireland — dramatic Cliffs of Moher; other-worldly Burren limestone landscapes; spectacular back-to-back crescent Gurteen Bay beaches; genial Galway; elegant Kylemore mansion and gardens; rhododendron-lined Connemara roads and mountains, Killary Fjord, Doo Lough Valley, spectacular Keem Beach and rugged coastline of Achill Island.
Ireland North Itinerary
The Ireland North Itinerary covers the area from less-touristed Sligo in the Republic of Ireland to ultra-touristy Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. It is a worthwhile alternative to Ireland South — it offers Portacloy Beach, peat farms, Neolithic Ceide cliffs, walled city of Derry, Horn Head hikes, turquoise beaches, some of the best castle ruins at Dunluce, view-encrusted Giant’s Causeway coastal hike, the Norman era Trim Castle, and ancient Neolithic Newgrange burial mound older than the Pyramids.
Dublin Itinerary
The Dublin Itinerary provides two self-guided walks for those who like urban pursuits.
Itinerary Guides
Final Comments
Ireland is a beautiful and safe country to visit. It is also a modern country, so just relax and enjoy.
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What things fascinate you? How long is your trip? What questions do you have? If you have been to Ireland, share your experiences with us.
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Google Maps Ratings
Google Maps provides a rating from 0 to 5 for all sights, hotels and restaurants (but not cities). All of our recommendations are appended with the rating (prefixed with a G) from Google Maps. As it is based on feedback from tourists and locals, it is much more reliable than travel booking websites. We consider a score of 4 to 4.39 to be Very Good; 4.4 to 5 to be Excellent.
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