Planning a trip to Ireland, but no idea where to begin? I’ve got you covered. A few years back, my friend and I embarked on an adventure to check off a major bucket list item: a southern Ireland roadtrip. This guide covers the main logistics of traveling to Ireland, and provides some suggestions of activities to add to your itinerary!

Happy planning!

Notes on Navigating Ireland

What airport should I fly into?

The easiest way in and out of Ireland is by flying into Dublin. Dublin has the largest international airport in the country, and it is the city where you can find the cheapest and largest number of flight options. 

What is the best way to travel around Ireland?

The best way to explore Ireland is, without question, by car. 

Once you land in Ireland, I recommend renting a car for the remainder of your trip. Driving is the easiest way to get around the island, and it will give you the most amount of flexibility in your itinerary – which is a must. You can rent cars directly at the airport.

Is it difficult to drive in Ireland?

Driving in Ireland is incredibly safe, once you get the hang of it. Since I am from the United States, there was a bit of a learning curve driving on the opposite side of the road. And let me tell you – there is not a lot of room for error on the narrow Irish roads. But after a day or so, driving becomes routine.

The terrain is mainly flat, and the traffic is pretty light outside of the Dublin area. Just pay attention for all of those roundabouts, and make sure you know which exit is yours! There are so many.

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Planning your Southern Ireland roadtrip

For some perspective: Ireland is roughly the size of the U.S. state of Indiana. A drive from Dublin on the east to Galway on the west takes only 2 hours and 30 minutes. A drive from Galway in the middle of the country to Blarney in the south takes roughly the same amount of time.

I would say total drive time for the entire road trip around Southern Ireland would take anywhere around 10-15 hours depending on the stops you opt to bake into your trip.

How many days should I plan for a southern Ireland roadtrip?

I would recommend a minimum of seven days to visit Southern Ireland. 

My friend and I completed our Southern Ireland road trip in just five days. That said, certain parts of the trip felt a bit rushed for time, and there were areas of the country that we did not spend nearly enough time in – like Dublin. Furthermore, my friend and I love to pull off the road randomly when we see a site that might be cool. I’m sure we would have discovered a lot more if we had additional days.

7 days will provide you enough time to see everything without feeling overly rushed. If you want to spend even more time exploring the various towns and sites in Southern Ireland, then I recommend baking in 10 days for your roadtrip.

When is the best time to travel to Ireland?

Ireland has a fairly temperate climate all year round so, in that regard, there no ‘bad time’ to visit. That said, Ireland’s tourism kicks up in the summer months, and the winters will likely be darker and rainier.

For those reasons, I recommend spring (late March through early June) and autumn (late August through early November) as the best times to plan a visit. Because these are “off months”, flights will typically be cheaper.

Note that March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. This is the peak season for travel in Ireland, and is the time when you will experience the largest crowds and most expensive flights.

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A 7-Day Southern Ireland Itinerary

The following itinerary is directly pulled from my own southern Ireland roadtrip! These were some of my favorite stops and sites along the way.

Pro Tip! Do not overbook your itinerary. Rural Ireland is all about the adventure and the scenery. We found so many hidden gems just pulling off the road when we saw a pretty landscape!

1. Galway

Upon landing in Dublin, immediately drive across the country to Galway to begin your trip. Galway is a small, yet well-known, town on the west side of the country. 

Spend some time exploring and wandering through the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter. Quay Street is home to some of the best pubs and live music in the area. So grab yourself a pint!

Galway is also home to the famous Claddagh rings. The origin of these rings is said to be a small fishing village located in Galway Bay. While you’re in the area, try one on for size. It makes a lovely souvenir.

2. Barna Woods

For a quick, cute hiking experience, hop on over to Barna Woods – just a 10-minute drive from Galway. Barna Woods absolutely look as though they were pulled directly from The Lord of the Rings. Unleash your inner hobbit, and wander along. 

The entire hike takes about an hour or so. From there, you can return to Galway to spend a night or two.

3. Cliffs of Moher

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Ireland are the stunning Cliffs of Moher. After leaving Galway, embark on a short, hour and a half drive along the coast to the entrance to the cliffs – and spend some time hiking far above the sea.

The cost of parking a car at the Cliffs of Moher includes the price of admission to the visitor experience. 

The Cliffs of Moher were certainly one of the highlights of our trip! An absolute must-see. For any Harry Potter fans, parts of The Half-Blood Prince were shot in this very location. Just make sure to bring a jacket. It gets windy up there!

4. Doolin

After wandering along the cliffs, take a quick, 15-minute drive over to the town of Doolin to spend the night. 

There are endless charming shops to explore in the town. Doolin is also home to a bunch of wonderful pubs – each filled with live music and chatter. We heard some of the best fiddle music right in this area.

The area surrounding Doolin is full of activities. While you’re here, check out Doolin Cave, the Aran Islands, or journey over to the Burren for an otherworldly experience.

On your way out of Doolin, grab a quick bite to eat in Limerick, Ireland. There is much to do in this town, so spend a few hours exploring before continuing on!

5. The Ring of Kerry

If you have time to head all the way south, The Ring of Kerry is the way to go. Just over a three-hour drive from Doolin, the Ring of Kerry draws visitors from all over the world. 

The Ring of Kerry is a beautiful, scenic drive around the south-western peninsula of Ireland. In total, the full drive takes 3.5 hours. Killarney and Kenmare are two of the most notable stops – but the route will take you through many quaint coastal and fishing villages. 

I recommend taking your time along the route, and pulling off anytime you spy something that might be worth checking out!

6. Blarney

After the Ring of Kerry, drive two hours to County Cork to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone.

“Kissing the Blarney Stone” is a well-known tradition that involves kissing a very old slab on limestone in Blarney Castle. Plan a full day to explore Blarney Castle, and spend the afternoon exploring the grounds. Be sure to hit up the Poison Garden while you’re there!

Spend the evening grabbing some good food and bouncing into the pubs in the area. We had the best time meeting locals in the area here – and even had a Bohemian Rhapsody sing-off!

As one local told my friend and I enthusiastically: “Blarney rules Cork, Cork rules Ireland, Ireland rules the World”. I haven’t forgotten that phrase years later!

Check out my full itinerary for Blarney Castle here!

7. Dublin

Wrap up your trip with a three hour drive from Blarney to Dublin.

Check out the Guinness Storehouse or the Irish Whisky Museum and learn how to pour “the Irish way”. For more of a party and lively scene, check out Temple Bar – or one of the other endless pubs in the area.

Looking for museums in the area? The Irish Emigration Museum is also a fantastic way to spend the day – or, if you are more into archeology, check out the National Museum of Ireland.

Finally, take a stroll along the Trinity College lawns. 

That’s all, folks!

Ireland was truly one of the most lively places I have ever had the privilege of exploring! We met some amazing people, and the greenery of the country is truly breathtaking. An Ireland road trip is the perfect bucket list item!

Hopefully this guide gives you some ideas of activities to plan for your Southern Ireland road trip! 

Have you visited Ireland? What are some of your favorite stops and sights in the country?