7 Day Ireland Itinerary

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If you’re looking for a 7 Day Ireland Itinerary, you’ve come to the right place! But let’s keep it real, a week is not enough time to spend in Ireland. Heck, you could spend a week in just the Dublin area and still not see everything. This itinerary hits some of the highlights that I enjoyed while in Ireland and is a great sampler for planning your Ireland trip.

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Day 1 – Dublin

Flights from the New York City area arrive in Dublin early in the day, so grab your rental car, head to your hotel, and have them hold your bags if your room isn’t ready. From there, head to Mad Yolks for brunch (the breakfast burger is particularly delicious!) With freshly renewed energy from your delicious meal, head next door to the Jameson Bow St. Distillery Tour.

The Jameson Distillery offers a variety of tours at scheduled times and you will want to book in advance because they do sell out. We didn’t and they appeared to be sold out online, but since we were right next door, we stopped in and asked and snagged the last two tickets for a tour starting in five minutes. Even if you’re not big into whiskey, the 45-minute Bow St. Experience is informative and fun and a great way to set the tone for your week in Ireland.

Once you’re maxed out on whiskey, take the 15-minute walk (or six-minute Uber, which will set you back around €10) to Temple Bar. Temple Bar isn’t just a bar, it’s a historic Dublin neighborhood of pedestrian streets featuring shopping, dining, and, of course, drinks. The neighborhood, and the actual Temple Bar Pub, are quite popular among tourists, so anticipate crowds, especially on the weekend.

Day 2-3 – Waterford

As you leave Dublin and head to Waterford, make a quick stop at Castledermot Abbey. The ruined Franciscan Friary is a brief detour off the highway and is an interesting historical landmark. There’s also a gas station directly across the road if you need fuel, snacks, or restrooms.

While in Waterford enjoy breakfast at Hook & Ladder (I thought their chicken and waffles was life-changing!), take the House of Waterford Crystal Factory Tour, and explore some of the other interesting museums in the area, like the Irish Wake Museum or the Medieval Museum. If you’re a museum junkie, the Freedom of Waterford Pass allows access to six area museums for just €18.

Spend your second day in the area enjoying your hotel as Waterford Castle Hotel is located on a private island (and requires a car ferry to and from the mainland). From tennis and nature walks to croquet and clay pigeon shooting there are plenty of unique options to keep you entertained during your stay at this luxury resort.

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Day 4 – Cork and Killarney

On today’s agenda is driving from Waterford to Killarney with a stop in Cork. While you’re in the Cork area, pay a visit to Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone to acquire the gift of gab. While the stone itself isn’t much to look at Blarney Castle and Gardens are worth exploring with everything from dungeons to a poison garden and a carnivorous plant courtyard.

Once you make it to Killarney, pay a visit to the Shire Cafe and Bar. It’s a delightful spot with delicious pastries and bar food even if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan! I use my Shire Killarney mug for my morning tea every day! If you’ve still got daylight, consider visiting Killarney Falconry for a guided walk with hawks where you can learn more about these fascinating birds of prey and you’ll even be able to handle them (under the watchful eye of an experienced falconer, of course!)

Day 5 – The Dingle Peninsula

Get an early start today and head to Dingle and spend the day exploring the peninsula via the Slea Head Drive. The drive is approximately 30 miles and can be done in roughly half a day, depending on how frequently you stop. It’s a much more attainable goal for a day trip as opposed to the 111-mile ring of Kerry that will take you a full day and possibly have you driving narrow country roads with giant tour buses after dark.

Along the scenic Slea head drive you can stop and snuggle a baby lamb (it’ll cost you €4); admire the brutal surf at Inch Beach, step inside history at stone beehive huts, look out over the Blasket Islands, and see Luke Skywalker’s Ahch-To planet from Star Wars The Last Jedi.

Day 6 – Cliffs of Moher and Galway

Get an early start from Killarney to the Cliffs Moher. The towering sea cliffs are an impressive sight to see and make for a great stop en route to Galway.

When arriving in new cities, I love to take a walking tour and the Galway walking tour was a great way to get a lay of the land and learn the city’s history. We saw the Galway Cathedral, Lynch’s Castle, the Westend (which is the less touristy, more local area), and the colorful houses featured in Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl video.

Claddagh was once a fishing village on the edge of Galway City so the iconic Claddagh ring is a popular souvenir from the area. Stroll along Quay Street, full of shops and pubs, and you’ll have your pick of Claddagh rings and Aran Irish wool sweaters. Dinner at Quay Street Kitchen was one of my favorite meals in Ireland—you can’t go wrong with their Guinness Stew!

Day 7 – Dublin

Get an early start back to Dublin and stop at Sean’s Bar—the oldest bar in Ireland—along the way. Once you’re back in the city, head to the Guinness Storehouse for your pre-booked tour. Reservations are a must, especially on weekends and in peak tourist seasons. Finish your tour with a few pints at the Gravity Bar on top of the Storehouse, then head over to Ireland’s oldest university, Trinity College, and see the Book of Kells. Walking the college grounds is free, but if you want to see the Book of Kells, tickets are required and reservations are suggested.

Grab dinner and a few pints while enjoying trad music at Brazen Head—which also claims to be Ireland’s oldest bar—before calling it an early night so you don’t oversleep for your flight home the following morning!

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