If you're planning your trip to Ireland, we got you covered: in this article, we want to show you a well-thought and tested 15 Day Ireland Itinerary you wanna start planning immediately. It includes local advice on what to do, what to visit, where to sleep and where to eat: it's our special itinerary, the one we recommend to every person coming to Ireland and the one we've carefully carved out of nothing for ourselves. We also recommend tours and activities you can book directly by clicking on the links, so to enjoy your time in Ireland without worrying too much.
So sit back, relax and enjoy: this 15 Day Ireland Itinerary will bring you to the south of Ireland where you will be meeting amazing people, lovely sheep, and incredible landscapes.
Planning 15 days in Ireland
15 days in Ireland: you're wondering, what are the best things to do and see in Ireland in 15 days? Is it possible to visit Ireland in 15 days? Have you booked your 15-day vacation in Ireland and you're now looking for information and a 15-day ultimate road trip in Ireland? Want to know what to see in Ireland in 15 days, before booking your next trip? This guide is for you: being locals, we can suggest you what to see in Ireland in 15 days and a 15-day itinerary covering the whole of the South of Ireland.
This itinerary starts in Dublin and goes back to Dublin. It's a fairly slow itinerary to be done by car, which will allow you to discover the country from the best perspective.
The various stops are divided by days and for each stop, you will find at least one recommended accommodation where to sleep (note: we do not suggest cheap accommodations but nice ones. In some cases, they may be cheap but in principle, these are high-level places) and, if possible, also a place to eat; at the end of the itinerary, the complete map to understand what to do and how to organize.
Local Advice for your 15 Day Ireland Itinerary
Before starting, we want to clarify something extremely important: we know how to give you these tips on Ireland, as real experts of the place, and of which we write often (more here) because we have moved to Dublin a long time ago and we work in the tourism industry, helping tourists who want to organize a trip to Ireland.
So, these guides on Ireland are not based on a holiday but on knowledge and experience. If you need more information please contact us by email and we will be happy to answer your questions and help you if you want to come to Ireland and are looking for personalized tours, travel ideas or just tips. You can also find us on social media: on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
And now, off with our mega travel itinerary in Ireland in 15 days!
Planning a trip to Ireland: when is the best time to go?
Given the bizarre climate of Ireland, summer is the best time to visit; summer doesn't necessarily mean August when usually the temperatures drop and the rain begins to fall incessantly without counting the many tourists.
We're more inclined to advise on June and mid-July when the days are long, the temperatures are good and it rains less frequently.
In reality, this is a trip that can be done all year round, taking into account that from September to March/April (if not later), rain and gray skies could accompany you, making some of the activities that we suggest hard to be done.
Renting a car in Ireland
Car hire in Ireland is a common practice and for this reason, it is good to organize on time, avoiding to find little choice and high prices.
Find more information on car hire in Ireland by clicking here.
What to see in Ireland in 15 days: a complete itinerary
Day 1: Dublin
If you land in Dublin, you can decide how much to stop but we suggest you spend at least one day in the city before venturing into the rest of the island and at least one day on the way back, as a detour and also to greet Ireland at best. All the advice on what to do in Dublin if you visit it for the first time are available by clicking .
In the evening do not miss a pint of Guinness at the pub, the first of many, and eventually choosing one of the many free activities around the city.
We strongly recommend you get a Dublin Pass to get access to all of the top sites and experiences around Dublin: buy the Dublin Pas s for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days.
If you're looking for the best accommodation for your stay in Dublin, recommend Booking.com for finding the best hotel: you can click here and see the availability and the prices for your given dates. Usually, Booking doesn't charge you at the time of book ing and you'll pay directly at the property; if you want to save, choose the Non-Refundable Options, and you'll surely be in for a treat.
Where to eat and have a pint of beer in Dublin: The best advice for you
Day 2: Dublin to a Kilkenny
Pick up the car and head towards Kilkenny, a pretty little town that is just over 110km from Dublin and will take you back in time. Discover more about Kilkenny by clicking .
When in town, do not miss a pint of Smithwick's, the local beer, to be tasted in one of Parliament Street's many pubs. If you have time, we recommend a visit to the Dunmore Caves, among the largest caves in Ireland with interesting limestone formations.
Where to eat in Kilkenny: Langton's | Hound Restaurant | Vintage Tea Rooms
Best pubs in Kilkenny: The hole in the wall | Matt the Millers | Kyteler's Inn
Recommended Activity: Smithwick's Beer Experience
Day 3: Kilkenny to Cork
Leave Kilkenny early in the morning and head to Tipperary where you can visit the famous Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick would have set out the comparison between the Trinity and the shamrock, a symbol of Ireland: it takes a couple of hours to visit the whole fortress and deviation is about 1 hour from the main road so we advise you to plan your visit well.
At lunch stop in Waterford to taste a , a white bread roll that is stuffed with local products and is in any bakery or local in the city; from here you will shortly reach the marina of Dunmore East from which to start following the South East Coastal Drive that will take you to Tramore, a fantastic stretch of beach on the dunes. From Tramore, the next stop is Dungarvan that you can reach in a short time thanks to Cliff Road, the road overlooking the sea.
Where to sleep in Dungarvan: Dún Ard Bed and Breakfast
Day 4: Cork and the surrounding areas
From Dungarvan, it will take 1 hour to arrive in Cork but before stopping in the city we recommend two detours: the first is in the Dungarvan area and it is called Helvick Head, a promontory where the official language is Gaelic. The second is Cobh, with its colorful houses and a relaxed and relaxing atmosphere.
Once in Cork, enjoy Ireland's third largest city by walking around and planning a stop at the English Market, a must-see for those who enjoy cooking.
Little gem: the Shandon district develops all uphill and on the summit, you'll find St. Ann's Shandon where visitors can ring the bells after climbing to the top of the "liar from 4 faces", the bell tower whose hands, with the wind, they move and mark 4 different hours.
In Cork, you can visit the Beamish Brewery, the oldest brewery in Ireland dating back to 1600.
Where to eat in Cork: Market Lane | Quinlans Seafood Bar | Gallaghers Gastro Pub
Best pubs in Cork: Larry Tompkins Pub | Welcome Inn | Jim Cashmans Pub
Recommended Activity: Hop On Hop Off Tour
Day 5: Cork to Glengarrif
Take a leisurely drive from Cork and walk the coastal road to Glengarrif. The coast is particularly beautiful and it is worth taking the trip lightly and calmly: you can take a detour to Baltimore, or the beautiful Crookhaven before heading back to Bantry and then stop at Glengarrif for the night.
Day 6: Glengarrif to Killarney
From Glengarriff, you will soon reach Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, a 179km loop that you can do in one day starting from Kenmare, to the South, and avoiding all the coaches that start from the North.
From Kenmare go to Sneem, along with the Staigue Fort, and give yourself a little detour on the R567 to get to Portmagee and admire the beautiful view of the Skellig Islands, Portmagee, Valencia Island and the Dingle peninsula. The Ring of Kerry continues passing through Cahersiveen, Kells and Lough Carragh in the valley where the blackface sheep are found, the Irish sheep with a black snout. The Glencar Valley and Killorglin are the last stops before Killarney.
Everything can be done in 4 to 7 hours by car, stopping and resting before going to Killarney.
Where to eat in Killarney: Cronins Restaurant | Quinlans Seafood Bar | Cellar One at The Ross
Best pubs in Killarney: John M Reidy | Dan Linehan's Bar | Murphy's | The Shire Bar
Day 7: Killarney
Killarney is best enjoyed because it's located on the shore of Lough Leane and offers plenty of opportunities to stay in contact with nature. The Killarney National Park covers over 10000 hectares and houses 3 lakes and 4 mountains within it, which can be visited following two different routes, or both.
The first route is on the N71 and will take you to Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, Muckross House, and the picturesque Torc Waterfall, a waterfall that descends from Mount Tork with a jump of over 18 meters in the middle of the woods. A mandatory stop is Ladie's View, the most famous view of the Killarney valley.
The second itinerary winds on the lakes that can be crossed by cruise: there are different types and some provide that you walk from one lake to another through the Meeting of the Water that connects Lough Lane and Middle Lake.
Where to eat in Killarney: Cronins Restaurant | Quinlans Seafood Bar | Cellar One at The Ross
Best pubs in Killarney: John M Reidy | Dan Linehan's Bar | Murphy's | The Shire Bar
Day 8: Killarney to Dingle
Dingle will amaze you with its location and its beauty, which you will notice immediately as soon as you will start driving. The village is located on the slopes of Mount Ballysitteragh and today preserves Ireland's richest archaeological heritage.
Dingle is ideal for listening to some Irish music, relaxing and having fun at the same time. From this little village, you can explore the peninsula by driving in the Slea Head Drive where you can admire the Blasket Islands.
Where to eat in Dingle: The Chart House | Out of the Blue Seafood | Fenton's
Best pubs in Dingle: Dick Mack's | Foxy John's | John Benny's | Lord Baker's | MacCarthy's Pub
Day 9: Dingle to the Cliffs of Moher
Depart from Dingle via the Connor Pass, Ireland's highest pass from where to admire the lakes to the north, the Skellig Islands and Dingle Bay.
From here you get to Tralee and then take the motorway towards Limerick continuing to Ennis, a delightful village to visit quickly.
From Ennis, the N85 will take you directly to the Cliffs of Moher passing through the coast from Lahinch to the north. The Cliffs of Moher, stormed by tourists, are 8km long and over 200 meters high.
Day 10: Galway
Set off early from the Cliffs and head straight to Galway, one of Ireland's most beautiful towns. town of the West of Ireland that enchants all those who visit it also because of its vitality.
Galway will impress you with its nightlife, food and good music as well as the relaxed atmosphere that does not look like a city.
Where to eat in Galway: Aniar | Oscar's Seafood Bistro | Dock 1 | McDonagh's
Best pubs in Galway: O'Connor's Famous Pub | Kings Head | The Crane
Recommended Activity: Hop On Hop Off Bus
Day 11: Aran Islands
From Galway, plan a day at the Aran Islands but remember to choose just one of the three.
Inisheer is the smallest and is 8 km from the coast, Inishmaan is the middle one and Inishmore is 18km from the coast and this means that when the weather is bad it is completely isolated.
You can take the boat to the Aran in Doolin ( here the website to book and check schedules) and in Rossaveal ( here the website to book and check schedules), a few kilometers from Galway but remember that if the weather is bad you may not leave.
For the first visit, we recommend Inishmore, 13 km crossed by a single road where you can admire Dun Aengus, a dry-stone walled fort that overlooks an unprotected cliff. You can stop to sleep on the Aran or return to Galway to enjoy some real Irish life.
Where to sleep in Inishmore: All the accommodations on the Island
Day 12: Galway to Clifden
Depart from Galway or return to the mainland and treat yourself to a day in Connemara, a west area bordered by the Twelve Bens, rounded hills where it is not difficult to see Connemara ponies.
Clifden is the capital of Connemara and just a few miles from here is Connemara National Park; a few kilometers from the famous Kylemore Abbey, a neo-Gothic church overlooking the shore of a lake.
Before arriving at Kylemore Abbey, deviate to the Rinvyle Peninsula, a tongue of barren and wild land that separates Leenane from Letterfrack, still deviates to Tully Cross to arrive Lough Fee and Lough Muck and reach the beach of Glassilaun and the dunes of Lettergesh.
If you can, do not miss the village of Cong. You can sleep in Connemara, in Clifden or even in Galway.
Day 13: Clifden to Newgrange
If you sleep in Clifden, return to Galway and take the M6 towards Dublin to get to Newgrange. On the way stop at Clonmacnoise, a monastic site where you can admire the ruins of a cathedral, 8 churches, an unknown number of tombstones, Celtic crosses and Irish round towers.
Newgrange is the most spectacular and ancient funeral complex in Ireland that is located in the middle of the Boyne valley and in the area you can visit the Trim Castle and the Hill of Tara. I advise you to sleep in Drogheda or in the valley instead of moving to Dublin, which is less than an hour from here.
Day 13 is a crucial day based on your departure day, and you can now choose 3 different solutions:
Solution number 1:
If you have 15 full days and you'll leave Ireland the 16th we recommend
Day 14: Dublin and surrounding areas (North)
Going down to Dublin, stop at Skerries, where the sea laps the road. From Skerries a necessary stop in Malahide, a rich and unique port of its kind; if you need to stretch your legs, plan a walk from Malahide to Portmarnock and its surroundings to admire the coastline. Last stop before arriving in Dublin is Howth, a delightful seaside village where you can walk on the sea, see the sea lions and treat yourself to at least one piece of the promenade on the promontory.
If you have time and desire, you can spend some time in Howth: find out more about Howth by clicking here.
We advise you to sleep in Dublin, to return the car and enjoy the last day in freedom to discover some unmissable goodies.
Day 15: Dublin
Do not miss a visit to the Guinness Storehouse visit (more here); if you sleep close to the city center, we suggest you walk to arrive first at Christ Church Cathedral and then at St. Patrick's Cathedral before taking a walk in the Liberties area, which will lead you directly to the Guinness Storehouse.
At this point, you can go back to the center and relax or get to Phoenix Park and visit the Kilmainham Gaol, the most famous prison in Dublin.
Day 16: Bye bye Dublin
Say bye to Dublin and Ireland and leave.
Solution number 2
If you have 14 days and you'll leave Ireland the 15th day:
Day 14: Dublin
Do not miss a visit to the Guinness Storehouse visit (more here); if you sleep close to the city center, we suggest you walk to arrive first at Christ Church Cathedral and then at St. Patrick's Cathedral before taking a walk in the Liberties area, which will lead you directly to the Guinness Storehouse.
At this point, you can go back to the center and relax or get to Phoenix Park and visit the Kilmainham Gaol, the most famous prison in Dublin.
Day 15: By bye Dublin
Say bye to Dublin and Ireland and leave.
Solution number 3
If you have 15 full days and you'll leave Ireland the 16th:
Day 14: Dublin
Do not miss a visit to the Guinness Storehouse visit (more here); if you sleep close to the city center, we suggest you walk to arrive first at Christ Church Cathedral and then at St. Patrick's Cathedral before taking a walk in the Liberties area, which will lead you directly to the Guinness Storehouse.
At this point, you can go back to the center and relax or get to Phoenix Park and visit the Kilmainham Gaol, the most famous prison in Dublin.
Day 15: Dublin Southern Coast
Leave early in the morning and head to the south of Dublin along the R115, also called Military Road, which will take you to the Sally Gap, and with a small detour on Lough Tay, also known as the Guinness Lake as it has the shape of a pint of Guinness and also the colors thanks to the fine sand imported from Florida in contrast with the dark color of the water.
The bad weather of 2018 has brought landslides and collapses and today the shape has almost disappeared. Stop at Glendalough one of the most tourist attractions in absolute but extremely interesting and free. It is known to have been the residence area of the hermit San Kevin and the monastic site was hosted between Lower and Upper Lake; today the remains are almost all around the Lower Lake.
From Glendalough in a few km, you can get to Powerscourt, an estate at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains famous for its gardens; in the area also the Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland that fall from 121 meters and at the base of which you can stop to eat or stroll.
On the way back to Dublin plan a stop in Bray to enjoy the waterfront and if you still have time and strength, walk the coastal Bray-Greystones that will leave you speechless (once in Greystones take the DART to return to Bray and take back the car).
Day 16: By bye Dublin
Say bye to Dublin and Ireland and leave.
15 days in Ireland: time to start organizing!
If you've taken the time to read all this guide, you're now ready to book your flight and start organizing your trip. This 15 day in Ireland itinerary is so detailed that you won't have any problem, but if you're looking for other useful information do not hesitate to contact us!
15 days in Ireland: map and itinerary
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About the author
Veruska Anconitano
Veruska is a food and wine travel journalist awarded as Best Food Travel Journalist. Sommelier, in addition to cooking and traveling, she is often called upon to tell his experience during events and seminars.
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