Itinerary
- Day 1
Dublin to Meath
You'll arrive in Dublin and drive south to the Meath region, which takes about an hour and a half covering roughly 75 km. Depending on when you land, there's a chance to check out the Brú na Bóinne information center and learn about the ancient burial mounds in the area. If timing works out, you can visit Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth to see these prehistoric sites. You'll stay one night in the Meath region.
Optional Activities
- Visit Brú na Bóinne information center
- Visit prehistoric burial mounds of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth (limited availability)
Landmarks/POIs Newgrange Knowth Dowth Brú na Bóinne - Day 2
Slieve League - Glencolumbkille - Donegal/Letterkenny
Head north to Killybegs, a working harbor town where you'll see the fishing industry and sailmaking operations. From there, drive to Slieve League to see cliffs that rise over 600 meters above the ocean, some of Europe's highest. You'll pass through Glencolumbkille village, which sits in a valley and has a sandy beach nearby. After that, continue to either Donegal or Letterkenny for two nights. The full drive covers about 330 km and takes roughly 5.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Killybegs harbor town
- Visit Slieve League cliffs viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Explore Glencolumbkille village
Landmarks/POIs Killybegs Slieve League Glencolumbkille - Day 3
Glenveagh National Park
This day focuses on Glenveagh National Park, Ireland's second largest at about 16,540 hectares, where you'll find mountain and lake scenery throughout. Look for Mount Errigal and Slieve Snacht, which are Donegal's highest peaks. There's a good chance to spot one of Ireland's largest red deer herds in the park. If you're interested, you can also visit Glenveagh Castle, a Scottish-style mansion set in Victorian gardens on Lough Veagh's shore. You'll cover roughly 140 km and spend about 2.5 hours driving.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Glenveagh National Park
Optional Activities
- Visit Glenveagh Castle
Landmarks/POIs Glenveagh National Park Mount Errigal Slieve Snacht Glenveagh Castle Lough Veagh - Day 4
Drumcliff - Sligo - Ben Bulben - Céide Fields
Start by driving to Mullagmore Head where the ocean meets the land dramatically. Then visit Drumcliff, where you'll find an old monastic settlement and the grave of William Butler Yeats, the Nobel Prize-winning poet. Head into Sligo afterward, a lively Viking-era town where you can hike Ben Bulben Table Mountain on a looped walk of about 4 km if you want. Later, drive to Céide Fields, which is Europe's largest Stone Age site with stone walls and megalithic tombs overlooking the Atlantic that date back over 5,000 years. You'll stay two nights in the Mayo area. The total drive is about 200 km and takes 3.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Mullagmore Head
- Visit Drumcliff monastic settlement
- Visit Sligo town
- Visit Céide Fields
Optional Activities
- Hike Ben Bulben Table Mountain Looped Walk (approximately 4 km)
- Visit Céide Fields visitor center
Landmarks/POIs Mullagmore Head Drumcliff Sligo Ben Bulben Céide Fields - Day 5
Achill Island
Explore Wild Nephin National Park, Ireland's youngest protected area set up in 1998 and covering around 11,000 hectares. The landscape here is mostly moorland and raised bogs, with the Nephin Beg mountain range dominating the terrain. You can see one of Ireland's last intact raised bogs. After that, head to Achill Island, Ireland's largest island and accessible by bridge. It has dramatic cliffs, steep mountains, and secluded beaches throughout. If interested, there's an optional stop at Dugort's cottage where author Heinrich Böll spent his summers. You'll drive about 185 km in roughly 3 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wild Nephin National Park
- Visit Achill Island
Optional Activities
- Visit Heinrich Böll's cottage in Dugort
Landmarks/POIs Wild Nephin National Park Nephin Beg Achill Island Dugort - Day 6
Connemara National Park - Kylemore Abbey - Clare/Limerick
Travel through Westport, which many consider one of Ireland's prettiest towns and a sea fishing center, then into Connemara National Park with its imposing mountains, dark bogs, and clear lakes. From Clifden, you can book a sea kayak tour along the coast if you'd like. Wander through Gleann Mór valley with the River Polladirk. There's also an optional visit to Kylemore Abbey, a 19th-century Benedictine monastery originally built as a country residence with gardens on Lough Pollacapall. You'll stay two nights in the Clare/Limerick area. The drive is about 240 km and takes around 4 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Connemara National Park
Optional Activities
- Book sea kayak tour from Clifden along the coast
- Visit Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian gardens
Landmarks/POIs Westport Connemara National Park Clifden Gleann Mór Kylemore Abbey Lough Pollacapall - Day 7
Burren National Park
Visit the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland's most famous coastline, rising to about 200 meters with seagulls and guillemots throughout. You can walk along the cliffs or take a boat tour for a different view from the water. Then explore Burren National Park, which has a unique rocky limestone landscape with underground streams, caves, and swirl holes. You'll find Mediterranean and alpine plants here, along with prehistoric sites like dolmens and ring forts. Optional stops include Miltown Malbay to visit The Music Makers museum, Spanish Point and White Strand beaches, or Kilkee's Pollock Holes, natural rock pools that are accessible at low tide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cliffs of Moher
- Visit Burren National Park
Optional Activities
- Boat tour of the Cliffs of Moher
- Visit The Music Makers traditional Irish music museum in Miltown Malbay
- Visit Spanish Point and White Strand beaches
- Visit Kilkee and the Pollock Holes natural rock pools
- Explore Burren Food Trail (chocolate, cheese, and smoked salmon producers)
Landmarks/POIs Cliffs of Moher Burren National Park Miltown Malbay Spanish Point White Strand Kilkee Pollock Holes - Day 8
Killarney National Park
Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry at Killimer, which takes about half an hour and is optional. Head to County Kerry and Killarney, then check out Killarney National Park with its mountains, glacial lakes, waterfalls, oak forests, and wild Irish deer. You can visit Muckross House & Gardens, a former manor with well-known gardens if interested. E-bikes are available to rent for exploring the park. By evening, head into Killarney's pubs for live Irish music. You'll stay two nights in the Kerry area. The drive is roughly 105 km and takes about 2 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Killarney National Park
Optional Activities
- Cross Shannon Estuary by ferry via Killimer
- Visit Muckross House & Gardens
- Hire e-bike to explore Killarney National Park and Muckross House gardens
- Enjoy live Irish music in Killarney pubs
Landmarks/POIs Shannon Estuary Killimer Killarney National Park Muckross House Killarney - Day 9
Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula
Today you have choices. Take the Ring of Kerry coastal road, considered one of Europe's most scenic drives with lush plants, cliffs, and mountains. Alternatively, explore the Dingle Peninsula with varied landscapes and views of Carrantuohill, Ireland's highest mountain. Another option is Kerry Seas National Park, established in 2024, with sand dunes at Inch Beach, the Conor Pass offering sweeping views, and coastal areas where seabirds gather. You'll cover roughly 230 km and spend about 4 hours driving.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Drive the Ring of Kerry coastal road
- Explore Dingle Peninsula
- Visit Inch Beach sand dunes
- Traverse Conor Pass
- Explore Kerry Seas National Park
Landmarks/POIs Ring of Kerry Dingle Bay Carrantuohill Dingle Peninsula Kerry Seas National Park Inch Beach Conor Pass - Day 10
Kilkenny - Wicklow
On your way to Kilkenny, there's an optional stop at the Rock of Cashel, a roughly 65-meter-high site known as the 'Irish Acropolis' and one of Ireland's most significant cultural monuments. When you reach Kilkenny, one of Ireland's most charming towns, you can visit Kilkenny Castle built in 1190 with impressive park grounds, or check out Smithwick's Experience to learn about Irish ale. You'll stay two nights in the Wicklow area. The drive is about 335 km and takes 4.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Rock of Cashel
- Visit Kilkenny Castle and park
- Visit Smithwick's Experience
Landmarks/POIs Rock of Cashel Kilkenny Castle Kilkenny - Day 11
Glendalough Abbey - Powerscourt House & Gardens
Spend the day in Wicklow Mountains National Park, nicknamed the 'Garden of Ireland', where you'll see a mix of moorland, heath, and forests with both deciduous and coniferous trees. Visit the ruins of Glendalough Abbey in a romantic valley between two lakes. If you're interested, Powerscourt House & Gardens has some of Ireland's most beautiful gardens with Italian, rose, and Japanese sections featuring hidden grottos. You'll drive about 70 km and spend roughly 1.5 hours traveling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Visit Glendalough Abbey ruins
Optional Activities
- Visit Powerscourt House & Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Wicklow Mountains National Park Glendalough Abbey Powerscourt House - Day 12
Return to Dublin
Head back to Dublin for your individual departure. The drive is about 70 km and takes around 1 hour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
