5 Night Ireland Road Trip Itinerary: Dublin, Dingle, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Donegal
After an unavoidable change of plans with my travel partner, I suddenly had a choice to make: cancel the trip that was already booked and planned… or take on the challenge of traveling solo for the first time ever.
I decided to go for it.
So from August 14–19, I set out on a 5-night Ireland Road Trip.
Ireland is exactly how you picture it—rolling green hills, dramatic coastal cliffs, winding country roads, charming towns, and historic castles around every corner.
That said, if you’re planning a similar route, I highly recommend more than 5 nights. The itinerary is doable, but it felt pretty rushed with long driving days. If I could redo it, I’d spend more time in places like Dingle, Donegal and Galway and add extra overnight stops to shorten the drives and explore more of the countryside.
Still, for a first solo adventure, it was a memorable trip.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?
Ireland is beautiful year-round, but each season offers a slightly different experience.
Summer (June – August)
- Warmest temperatures
- Long daylight hours (sunset after 9pm)
- Lush green landscapes
- Peak tourist season and higher prices
Spring & Fall (April, May, September, October)
- Mild weather
- Fewer crowds
- Lower prices
- Early fall brings beautiful autumn colors
Winter (November – February)
- Quiet and peaceful
- Lowest travel prices
- Short days (~8 hours of daylight)
- Cooler, rainy, and often windy weather
I visited in mid-August, and the weather was mostly overcast and slightly cool although Dingle was surprisingly sunny and warm. My main outfits were leggings with a puffer jacket, rain jacket, or light hoodie and sneakers.
Ireland Travel Logistics
Getting to Ireland
I flew from San Diego to Dublin with a layover in Chicago. Luckily on the long flight from Chicago to Dublin I had an entire row to myself, which made the overnight flight much more comfortable. They also served pasta meals, ice cream, and free alcohol, which definitely helped pass the time.
Renting a Car in Ireland
After landing in Dublin, I picked up my rental car at the airport and began the road trip.
A few important things to know:
- Ireland drives on the left side of the road
- You do not need an international driver’s license if you have a U.S. license
- Car insurance is required
Normally I rely on my Capital One Venture X credit card rental coverage, but Ireland is one of the few countries not covered, so I had to purchase the insurance through the rental company.
Because of that, my 5-day rental cost about $800.
Driving definitely took some adjusting:
- Left turns felt backwards
- Right turns crossed traffic
- Roundabouts were confusing at first
- I kept drifting toward the wrong side of the road
I definitely got a few honks from locals while figuring it out 😅 but after a day it started feeling much more natural.
Cell Phone & Internet
I use AT&T, which automatically activates the International Day Pass for $12 per day when arriving in Ireland.
My phone service worked great throughout the trip, including GPS navigation on rural roads.
Also make sure to buy a Type G adapter or a universal adapter.
Where I Stayed During My Ireland Road Trip
Since I was traveling solo, I mostly stayed in bed & breakfasts.
I stayed somewhere new each night:
- Night 1: McCarthy’s Bed & Breakfast – Clonmel
Basic single room with a big Irish breakfast included. - Night 2: Old Quarter Townhouse – Limerick
Great central location near restaurants and bars. - Night 3: Airbnb Bed & Breakfast – Galway
Walking distance to Galway’s lively downtown. - Night 4: Dungimmon Bed & Breakfast – Ballyconnell
Beautiful property with a large backyard and an amazing Irish breakfast. - Night 5: Holiday Inn – Dublin Airport
Convenient for my early morning flight.
One thing I’d change next time: pre-booking accommodations. I was booking places the same day which limited options and added unnecessary stress.
Highlights of My Ireland Road Trip
Some of the standout places from this trip included:
- Dublin – Grafton Street & St. Stephen’s Green
- Rock of Cashel – dramatic medieval castle ruins
- Dingle Peninsula – Connor Pass & Slea Head Drive
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Cliffs of Moher – my favorite stop
- The Burren – unique rocky coastal landscape
- Galway – lively pubs and music scene
- Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal
- Deer Park Forest hike
5 Night Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Dublin → Rock of Cashel → Clonmel
Drive time: ~2.5 hours
After landing in Dublin, I picked up my rental car and began adjusting to driving on the left side of the road.
Before leaving the city I explored a few highlights:
- Walking around Grafton Street
- Strolling through St. Stephen’s Green Park
Other attractions I did not get to check out:
- The historic Temple Bar
- Trinity College Library
Then I drove about 2 hours south to the Rock of Cashel, a dramatic medieval fortress sitting on a hilltop.
Entrance fee: €8
After exploring the ruins, I drove 30 minutes to Clonmel for the night.
Day 2: Clonmel → Dingle Peninsula → Limerick
Drive time: ~5 hours
After breakfast at the B&B, I headed toward one of the most scenic areas of the trip — the Dingle Peninsula.
On the way, I drove through Connor Pass, a narrow mountain road with incredible views. It’s definitely not for nervous drivers but the scenery is worth it.
Next I drove the famous Slea Head Drive, which offers stunning ocean cliffs, beaches, and coastal views.
I stopped in Dingle Town and ate at The Marina Inn, a charming harbor town filled with colorful buildings, shops, and restaurants.
After exploring, I drove 2 hours to Limerick and stayed in the city center where everything was within walking distance.
Day 3: Limerick → Bunratty Castle → Cliffs of Moher → Galway
Drive time: ~3 hours
I grabbed breakfast in Limerick before heading to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
This was a really fun stop because you can explore both the medieval castle and a recreated 19th-century Irish village with cottages, shops, and farm animals.
Entrance fee: €18
Next came my favorite stop of the entire trip: The Cliffs of Moher.
These massive sea cliffs rise over 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, and the views are absolutely incredible. It was super windy at certain parts of the walkways. I spent a couple hours here and cracked open a beer I had brought to drink while admiring the views. It was surprisingly not that crowded when I was here around 2 pm.
Cost: €8 to €12 per adult (depends on the time slot you choose). Book tickets ahead of time for cheapest price. Ticket pice at the gate is €15 per adult.
Summer hours for Cliffs of Moher: 8am to 9PM. Hours change depending on the season.
After that, I made a quick stop in The Burren, a fascinating rocky landscape along the coast.
Then I continued 1 hour and 30 minutes to Galway, where I stayed in an Airbnb B&B and walked into town for dinner.
Galway had such a fun atmosphere with live music, pubs, and great restaurants.
Day 4: Galway → Sligo → Slieve League Cliffs → Ballyconnell
Drive time: ~6 hours
This was the longest driving day of the trip.
After breakfast, I headed north toward Sligo and stopped at Strandhill Beach, although it was extremely foggy and windy when I visited.
Next I drove about 2 hours to the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal, which are some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
There are several hiking options:
Main Viewpoint (Bunglass)
- Parking at lower parking lot (first car park near visitors center)
- There is another smaller parking lot at the top of the narrow access road which is way closer to the main viewpoint but it is sometimes gated off and fills up quick
- There is a shuttle bus service that can bring you from the lower parking lot to the top for a fee
- 2.4 miles (4km) round trip
- Paved steep walk
- Quickest option to see the main viewpoint
Pilgrim’s Path
- Has a separate small parking lot located off the main road to Teelin
- ~4 to 5 miles (6-8 km) round trip
- ~3 hours
- Steep and strenuous hike
One Man’s Pass
- ~4 to 5 hours
- Very narrow ridge sections
- Challenging hike
- This is an extension of the Pilgrims Path
I walked from the lower parking lot to the main viewpoint, but once the mist rolled in and it started raining I headed back.
Then I drove about 2 hours to Ballyconnell and stayed at Dungimmon Bed & Breakfast, which ended up being one of my favorite stays.
Day 5: Ballyconnell → Dublin
Drive time: ~2 hours
After a big Irish breakfast at the B&B, I spent the morning driving through small countryside roads before stumbling upon a hike in Deer Park Forest.
The trail was:
- 3.4 mile loop
- Easy flat hike
- Forest and lake views
- Took about 1–2 hours
I only saw a few people the entire time and honestly got a little spooked walking through the forest alone… but I kept reminding myself Ireland is a very safe country.
After the hike, I made a random stop at TK Maxx (not TJ Maxx!) to buy a new suitcase because mine had a broken wheel.
Then I drove back to Dublin and stayed at a Holiday Inn near the airport before catching an early morning flight to Lisbon, Portugal.
My Thoughts on My First Solo Trip
I’m really glad I decided to go through with this trip even after my travel partner had to cancel.
Traveling solo through Ireland felt very safe, and aside from being slightly spooked on that forest hike, I never once felt uncomfortable.
It was also pretty empowering to realize I could:
- Explore a new country on my own
- Drive on the opposite side of the road
- Navigate an entire road trip solo
If I were to do this trip again, I would:
- Add more days to reduce driving
- Pack lighter (I way overpacked)
- Book accommodations in advance
But overall it was such a fun adventure. I was basically winging it day by day and seeing where I ended up each night, which made the whole experience feel even more memorable.
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