5 Night Ireland Road Trip Itinerary: Dublin, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher, Galway & Donegal
After an unavoidable change of plans with my travel partner, I suddenly had a choice to make: cancel the Ireland 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.
From August 14–19, I set out on a 5-night Ireland road trip, renting a car in Dublin and driving through some of the country’s most scenic areas, including Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and Donegal.
Ireland was pretty much exactly what I imagined it would be—rolling green hills, dramatic coastal cliffs, winding country roads, colorful towns, historic castles and sheep seemingly everywhere.
But there is one thing I would absolutely change about this itinerary: I would give myself more time.
This route is technically doable in five nights, but it was rushed. I spent a lot of time driving, and there were several places where I wished I could stay another night instead of getting back in the car.
If you’re planning a similar trip, I’d recommend at least 7 nights, and preferably 9–10 nights if you want to slow down and actually explore the areas you’re visiting.
Still, this ended up being one of my most memorable trips because it was also my first time traveling completely solo. I had never driven on the opposite side of the road, navigated an entire international road trip alone, or simply figured out where I was going day by day. And somehow, I survived all of it!
My Ireland Road Trip at a Glance
Trip length: 5 nights / 6 days
Dates: August 14–19
Transportation: Rental car
Starting point: Dublin
Ending point: Dublin
Travel style: Solo road trip
Route
Dublin → Rock of Cashel → Clonmel → Dingle Peninsula → Limerick → Bunratty → Cliffs of Moher → The Burren → Galway → Sligo → Slieve League → Ballyconnell → Dublin
This is a pretty ambitious route for only five nights. If you’re looking at the map and thinking, “That doesn’t look too bad,” don’t let the distances fool you.
Many of the roads outside the larger cities are narrow, winding country roads, and scenic routes are meant to be enjoyed slowly. A two-hour drive can easily become much longer once you start stopping for viewpoints, beaches, towns and random photo opportunities.
That was my biggest mistake: trying to cover too much ground in too little time.
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.
Renting a Car in Ireland
Renting a car gave me the freedom to explore places that would have been much harder to reach by public transportation.
But driving in Ireland definitely took some getting used to.
Ireland drives on the left side of the road, which means everything feels backwards at first.
- Left turns felt wrong.
- Right turns meant crossing traffic.
- Roundabouts were confusing.
- I kept drifting toward the wrong side of the road.
- Narrow country roads were intimidating.
I definitely got a few honks from locals while I was figuring things out. After about a day, though, it started feeling much more natural.
Rental Car Insurance
I normally rely on my Capital One Venture X credit card for rental-car coverage, but Ireland was one of the countries where that coverage didn’t apply.
Because of that, I purchased the rental company’s insurance, which made my five-day rental about $800.
That was much more expensive than I expected, so make sure you check your credit-card coverage and insurance requirements before booking your rental car.
Cell Phone Service & Internet
I use AT&T, which automatically activated its International Day Pass for me when I arrived in Ireland. My phone service worked great throughout the trip, including GPS navigation on rural roads.
You’ll also want to bring a Type G power adapter or a universal travel adapter since Ireland uses the British-style three-prong plug.
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
Driving time: approximately 2.5 hours, not including stops
After landing in Dublin, I picked up my rental car and immediately began learning how to drive on the left side of the road.
Before leaving Dublin, I explored:
- Grafton Street
- St. Stephen’s Green
There were also several places I didn’t have time to visit, including Trinity College and the famous Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, Temple Bar and the Guinness Storehouse. The Guinness Storehouse alone recommends allowing about 2–3 hours, so Dublin really deserves more than the few hours I gave it on this trip.
Rock of Cashel
I then drove south toward the Rock of Cashel. This dramatic medieval site sits high on a limestone outcrop and is one of the most recognizable historic landmarks in Ireland. I spent some time exploring the ruins before continuing about 30 minutes to Clonmel for the night.
If You Have More Time
I’d spend at least one full night in Dublin before picking up the rental car.
That would give you time for Trinity College, the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, St. Patrick’s Cathedral or the Guinness Storehouse.
Day 2: Clonmel → Dingle Peninsula → Limerick
Driving time: approximately 5 hours
This was one of my favorite days because the scenery completely changed as I made my way toward the Dingle Peninsula.
Connor Pass
I drove through Connor Pass, a narrow mountain road with incredible views over the surrounding landscape. The road is definitely not for nervous drivers, especially when you’re still getting used to driving on the left, but the views were worth it. Connor Pass crosses the Dingle Peninsula between Dingle and the north coast and offers views across the dramatic glaciated landscape.
Slea Head Drive
Next was Slea Head Drive, one of the most scenic parts of the Dingle Peninsula.
The circular route is filled with:
- Atlantic Ocean views
- Dramatic cliffs
- Beaches
- Historic ruins
- Stone walls
- Tiny villages
- Scenic pull-offs
The route is roughly 48 km, but don’t think of it as a quick drive. This is one of those places where the driving is the attraction. I also stopped in Dingle Town for lunch at The Marina Inn. Dingle is colorful, lively and exactly the kind of town where I wish I had stayed another night.
Things I Didn’t Have Time For in Dingle
If you have more time, I’d add:
- Dunquin Pier
- The Blasket Centre
- A boat tour around Dingle Bay
- Dingle Distillery
- More time exploring Dingle Town
- Inch Beach
- A boat trip to the Blasket Islands
- A longer hike along the Dingle Peninsula
The area also has kayaking, horseback riding and boat tours.
If I could redo this trip, Dingle would get its own overnight.
After exploring the peninsula, I drove about two hours to Limerick.
Day 3: Limerick → Bunratty Castle → Cliffs of Moher → Galway
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
This was a really fun stop because you aren’t just visiting a castle. Bunratty includes the medieval castle as well as a recreated village with cottages, shops, farm buildings and other examples of what life looked like in Ireland in the 19th and early 20th centuries. I paid €18 for admission at the time of my visit.
The Cliffs of Moher
These enormous sea cliffs rise more than 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, and seeing them in person was even more impressive than I expected.
It was extremely windy along parts of the walking paths, but I spent a couple of hours exploring the area and eventually cracked open a beer I’d brought with me while sitting and taking in the views. Surprisingly, it wasn’t overly crowded when I visited around 2 PM.
This is one place I’d give yourself plenty of time for.
Ticket prices and opening hours can change, so check the official Cliffs of Moher website.
The Burren
After the cliffs, I made a quick stop in the Burren. The landscape here looks completely different from the green rolling hills you’d expect from Ireland. The exposed limestone pavement creates a rugged, almost otherworldly landscape along the coast. Then it was another 1.5 hours to Galway.
Galway
Galway ended up being one of my favorite cities on the trip. I walked into town for dinner and spent the evening enjoying the pubs, live music and lively atmosphere.
Things I Didn’t Have Time For Around Galway
This is another place where I really needed another day.
If you have extra time, I’d explore:
- Connemara National Park
- Kylemore Abbey
- Sky Road
- Clifden
- Diamond Hill
- Salthill
- Dog’s Bay
- Gurteen Bay
- Aran Islands
Kylemore Abbey alone is worth allowing several hours for, while Connemara National Park has several trails and covers a huge area of mountains, bogs, grasslands and woodland. The Sky Road near Clifden is another great addition. It’s a 16-km coastal loop with panoramic views over Clifden Bay and the surrounding islands.
If I could redo my trip, I’d spend two nights in Galway.
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 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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