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10-Day Ireland Itinerary

Ten days is the sweet spot for exploring Ireland without rushing. You have enough time to pace yourself through Dublin’s Georgian streets, roll along the Wild Atlantic Way, stand on the Cliffs of Moher, and still squeeze in a night or two in Kerry before looping back. This 10 day ireland itinerary is designed for travellers arriving at Dublin Airport who prefer a circular route — no backtracking, no dead-ends.

When to book: Accommodation fills fast between June and August, especially in Killarney, Dingle and Galway. If you’re travelling in peak season, book at least 8–10 weeks ahead. Shoulder months (April–May and September–October) offer better availability and noticeably quieter roads.

Days 1–2: Dublin

Fly in, drop your bags, and resist the urge to do everything at once. Two nights in Dublin lets you settle in properly. On day one, walk from Trinity College to the Guinness Storehouse via the Liberties. Day two: Dublin Castle, Merrion Square, and an evening in a Temple Bar pub that isn’t too touristy (try Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street).

Where to stay in Dublin ranges from budget hostels in the city centre to luxury hotels on St Stephen’s Green. Book a place within walking distance of the Liffey to save on taxis.

Day 3: Dublin to Kilkenny

Pick up your hire car on the morning of day three — driving in Ireland on the left takes about 20 minutes to feel natural. The M9 gets you to Kilkenny in under two hours. Spend the afternoon at Kilkenny Castle and wander the Medieval Mile before dinner. Kilkenny has some of the best craft beer in Ireland; Smithwick’s is brewed here and the brewery tour is worth an hour of your time.

Kilkenny sits firmly in Ireland’s Ancient East, a heritage corridor running from the Boyne Valley down to Waterford.

Day 4: Kilkenny to Kinsale via Cobh

Head south through Tipperary, stop briefly at the Rock of Cashel (the views from the car park alone are worth it), then continue to Cobh — the last port of call for the Titanic and an oddly moving place for it. From Cobh it’s a 45-minute drive to Kinsale, one of Ireland’s prettiest harbour towns. Stay here tonight: the food scene punches well above the town’s size.

Day 5: Kinsale to Killarney via the Wild Atlantic Way

This is one of the most scenic driving days on the route. Take the R600 west out of Kinsale, hug the coast through Clonakilty, Skibbereen and Bantry, then cut north to Killarney. The drive takes around three and a half hours without stops, but you’ll want to stop. Allow five hours comfortably.

Killarney is the natural base for County Kerry. The town itself is busy in summer, but Kenmare — 34 km south — is quieter and equally well-placed.

Day 6: Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park

A full day based in Kerry. Drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise in the morning (coaches go anticlockwise, so you’ll pass them head-on and reach the viewpoints before the crowds). In the afternoon, walk or cycle through Killarney National Park to Muckross House. If the weather is clear, the view across Lough Leane is genuinely extraordinary.

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Day 7: Dingle Peninsula

Dingle is 80 km north of Killarney across the Connor Pass — Ireland’s highest mountain road and one of the most dramatic drives on the island. Spend the morning on the Slea Head Drive (a 50 km loop past Iron Age beehive huts, sea cliffs and the Blasket Island viewpoint). Lunch in Dingle town, then consider an evening boat trip to see Fungie’s territory (the dolphin disappeared in 2020 but the bay is still spectacular). If you want to skip the drive back to Killarney, stay overnight in Dingle — see Dingle accommodation for options.

Day 8: Killarney to Galway via the Cliffs of Moher

Cross into County Clare on the car ferry from Killimer to Tarbert (25 minutes, runs hourly, saves 80 km of driving). Continue to the Cliffs of Moher — arrive before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the thickest coach-tour crowds. The 8 km cliff walk south to Hag’s Head is quieter than the visitor centre end.

Push on to Galway for the night. Galway’s Latin Quarter is best experienced on foot; leave the car at your accommodation. County Clare accommodation is worth considering if you’d rather break the drive and explore the Burren the following morning.

Day 9: Galway & Connemara

Galway is compact enough to walk end-to-end in a morning. Spend the first half of the day on Shop Street, the Spanish Arch and the Fisheries Watchtower before driving west into Connemara in the afternoon. Kylemore Abbey, the Twelve Bens mountain range and the bog roads around Clifden are all within an hour of Galway city.

If you want a side trip to the Aran Islands, ferries leave from Rossaveal (40 minutes) or Doolin (90 minutes). A single day on Inis Mór — renting a bicycle and cycling to Dún Aonghasa — is one of the best things you can do in Ireland.

Day 10: Galway back to Dublin

The direct route on the M6 takes about two hours. If you have a late afternoon flight, add a stop at Athlone Castle or the Clonmacnoise monastery ruins near Athlone, which sit on the River Shannon and date to 544 AD. Return the hire car at Dublin Airport and allow 45 minutes to get through the terminal.

For everything you need to arrange before you fly, see our getting to Ireland guide, including ferry routes, travel tips, and travel insurance and car hire advice.

Accommodation Along the Route

Every stop on this itinerary has a wide range of places to stay. For a more characterful experience than a chain hotel, look at Irish bed and breakfasts, self-catering cottages (particularly useful if you’re travelling as a family or group), or castle hotels for at least one night. Our accommodation overview covers every type across every region.

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FAQ

Is 10 days enough time to see Ireland? Ten days is enough to cover the main highlights — Dublin, Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and Connemara — at a comfortable pace. You won’t see everything, but you’ll see the best of it. For a longer trip, see our 14-day Ireland itinerary.

Do I need a car for a 10-day Ireland itinerary? For this particular route, yes. Public transport between rural Kerry, Dingle and Connemara is limited and infrequent. Hiring a car from Dublin Airport on day three (after two nights in Dublin, which needs no car) is the most practical approach. See our driving in Ireland and getting around Ireland guides for specifics on left-hand driving, toll roads and parking.

What is the best time of year for a 10-day Ireland trip? Late May to early September offers the longest daylight hours and the most reliable (if never guaranteed) weather. July and August are peak season with higher accommodation prices and busy attractions. April–May and September–October are popular with experienced travellers for the balance of mild weather and thinner crowds. See our full best time to visit Ireland guide.