We offer Budget, Standard and Luxury level roadtrips so you can always find something that suits your budget. For this roadtrip, here are the hotels you might typically stay at and hire car class for each roadtrip level:
Irish folk music in Galway
Georgian architecture of Cork
Meet the friendly locals
duration
8 days
2 HRS Average
driving per day
Fly into the Republic of Ireland’s energised capital to tour the Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol, then make a beeline west to the spirited harbour city of Galway. Enjoy the spectacular Shannon scenery as you drive south to Limerick, with a stop to explore the folk village at Bunratty Castle.
Go hiking through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Killarney National Park, then travel east to admire the Georgian architecture of charismatic Cork. Get lost in the medieval lanes of Kilkenny before mingling with the locals in Dublin’s Temple Bar strip.
Our highlights
- UNESCO-listed landscapes of Killarney
- The English Market, Cork
- The beautiful Old library, Trinity College Dublin
Average driving time 2 hours per day
Go hiking through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Killarney National Park, then travel east to admire the Georgian architecture of charismatic Cork. Get lost in the medieval lanes of Kilkenny before mingling with the locals in Dublin’s Temple Bar strip.
Our highlights
- UNESCO-listed landscapes of Killarney
- The English Market, Cork
- The beautiful Old library, Trinity College Dublin
Average driving time 2 hours per day
TRIP highlights
Killarney National Park
The English Market, Cork
Old Library, Trinity College Dublin
Lough Tay (Guinness Lake), Wicklow Mountains
Standard Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1: arrive in Dublin
Night 1:
Galway
Nicknamed the “City of the Tribes”, Galway is a spirited harbour city that boasts a fascinating history of merchant family rule. Explore the unique boutiques and art galleries that occupy the stone buildings of the Latin Quarter and listen to live Irish folk music in the traditional pubs of Eyre Square. You can soak up the historic cityscape during a River Corrib cruise, then delve into Galway’s legendary nightlife after dark.
Night 2:
Limerick and Bunratty
Blending historic architecture with a thriving contemporary arts scene, Limerick lies at the heart of the beautiful Shannon region. It’s dominated by the 13th-century King John’s Castle and Ireland’s tallest spire that soars above St. John's Cathedral. Shop for vintage wares and fresh produce at the Limerick Milk Market, experience the city’s legendary rugby culture at Thomond Park, then take a step back in time while wandering through the recreated folk village at Bunratty Castle.
Blending historic architecture with a thriving contemporary arts scene, Limerick lies at the heart of the beautiful Shannon region. It’s dominated by the 13th-century King John’s Castle and Ireland’s tallest spire that soars above St. John's Cathedral. Shop for vintage wares and fresh produce at the Limerick Milk Market, experience the city’s legendary rugby culture at Thomond Park, then take a step back in time while wandering through the recreated folk village at Bunratty Castle.
Nights 2 - 2:
Killarney
Positioned on the shores of Lough Leane, Killarney is a colourful town and home to the lakeside mansion of Muckross House. It serves as the gateway to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Killarney National Park where you can hike through its densely forested mountains and valleys to the impressive Torc Waterfall. Rent a rowboat to explore the monastery ruins of Innisfallen Island and experience a lively game of Gaelic football at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Night 3:
Cork city
Boasting a unique setting in the middle of the River Lee, Cork is a vibrant university city that’s clustered with Georgian mansions. Tour the castle-like Cork City Gaol where convicts were held before being shipped to Australia and soak up the city panoramas from the 17th-century Elizabeth Fort. Sample the local artisan produce at the lively English Market, then venture to the atmospheric ruins of Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone.
Boasting a unique setting in the middle of the River Lee, Cork is a vibrant university city that’s clustered with Georgian mansions. Tour the castle-like Cork City Gaol where convicts were held before being shipped to Australia and soak up the city panoramas from the 17th-century Elizabeth Fort. Sample the local artisan produce at the lively English Market, then venture to the atmospheric ruins of Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone.
Night 2:
Kilkenny
Dominated by an impressive Norman castle, Kilkenny clusters around a labyrinth of medieval lane ways and beautifully preserved churches and monasteries. Admire the stunning stained glass windows of the Black Abbey and take in the city views from the Round Towers of St. Canice's Cathedral. You can experience an energy-infused game of hurling at Nowlan Park, then discover how Kilkenny’s favourite ale is created during a brewery tour at the Smithwicks Experience.
Dominated by an impressive Norman castle, Kilkenny clusters around a labyrinth of medieval lane ways and beautifully preserved churches and monasteries. Admire the stunning stained glass windows of the Black Abbey and take in the city views from the Round Towers of St. Canice's Cathedral. You can experience an energy-infused game of hurling at Nowlan Park, then discover how Kilkenny’s favourite ale is created during a brewery tour at the Smithwicks Experience.
Night 2:
Dublin
The Republic of Ireland’s magnetic capital, Dublin is packed with outstanding museums, innovative eateries and a legendary pub scene. Tour the iconic Guinness Storehouse to see how Ireland’s most famous brew is created and explore the revolutionary history at the Kilmainham Gaol, then relax on the grassy lawns of St. Stephen’s Green. Get your shopping fix amidst the buskers and boutiques of Grafton Street and mingle with the locals in the riverside strip of Temple Bar.
Day 2 : Leave Dublin
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| Adults | 2 | ||
| Children | 0 |
x
| Double room | 1 | ||
| Twin room | 0 | ||
| Family room | 0 |
What's included?
Budget
A TYPICAL HOTEL YOU MAY STAY AT
The Courtyard B&B
Your car
Mini or larger
Standard
A TYPICAL HOTEL YOU MAY STAY AT
Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway
Your car
Midsize or larger
Premium
A TYPICAL HOTEL YOU MAY STAY AT
Muckross Park Hotel & Spa
Your car
Standard or larger
Standard Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1: arrive in Dublin
Night 1:
Galway
Nicknamed the “City of the Tribes”, Galway is a spirited harbour city that boasts a fascinating history of merchant family rule. Explore the unique boutiques and art galleries that occupy the stone buildings of the Latin Quarter and listen to live Irish folk music in the traditional pubs of Eyre Square. You can soak up the historic cityscape during a River Corrib cruise, then delve into Galway’s legendary nightlife after dark.
Night 2:
Limerick and Bunratty
Blending historic architecture with a thriving contemporary arts scene, Limerick lies at the heart of the beautiful Shannon region. It’s dominated by the 13th-century King John’s Castle and Ireland’s tallest spire that soars above St. John's Cathedral. Shop for vintage wares and fresh produce at the Limerick Milk Market, experience the city’s legendary rugby culture at Thomond Park, then take a step back in time while wandering through the recreated folk village at Bunratty Castle.
Blending historic architecture with a thriving contemporary arts scene, Limerick lies at the heart of the beautiful Shannon region. It’s dominated by the 13th-century King John’s Castle and Ireland’s tallest spire that soars above St. John's Cathedral. Shop for vintage wares and fresh produce at the Limerick Milk Market, experience the city’s legendary rugby culture at Thomond Park, then take a step back in time while wandering through the recreated folk village at Bunratty Castle.
Nights 3 - 4:
Killarney
Positioned on the shores of Lough Leane, Killarney is a colourful town and home to the lakeside mansion of Muckross House. It serves as the gateway to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Killarney National Park where you can hike through its densely forested mountains and valleys to the impressive Torc Waterfall. Rent a rowboat to explore the monastery ruins of Innisfallen Island and experience a lively game of Gaelic football at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Night 5:
Cork city
Boasting a unique setting in the middle of the River Lee, Cork is a vibrant university city that’s clustered with Georgian mansions. Tour the castle-like Cork City Gaol where convicts were held before being shipped to Australia and soak up the city panoramas from the 17th-century Elizabeth Fort. Sample the local artisan produce at the lively English Market, then venture to the atmospheric ruins of Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone.
Boasting a unique setting in the middle of the River Lee, Cork is a vibrant university city that’s clustered with Georgian mansions. Tour the castle-like Cork City Gaol where convicts were held before being shipped to Australia and soak up the city panoramas from the 17th-century Elizabeth Fort. Sample the local artisan produce at the lively English Market, then venture to the atmospheric ruins of Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone.
Night 6:
Kilkenny
Dominated by an impressive Norman castle, Kilkenny clusters around a labyrinth of medieval lane ways and beautifully preserved churches and monasteries. Admire the stunning stained glass windows of the Black Abbey and take in the city views from the Round Towers of St. Canice's Cathedral. You can experience an energy-infused game of hurling at Nowlan Park, then discover how Kilkenny’s favourite ale is created during a brewery tour at the Smithwicks Experience.
Dominated by an impressive Norman castle, Kilkenny clusters around a labyrinth of medieval lane ways and beautifully preserved churches and monasteries. Admire the stunning stained glass windows of the Black Abbey and take in the city views from the Round Towers of St. Canice's Cathedral. You can experience an energy-infused game of hurling at Nowlan Park, then discover how Kilkenny’s favourite ale is created during a brewery tour at the Smithwicks Experience.
Night 7:
Dublin
The Republic of Ireland’s magnetic capital, Dublin is packed with outstanding museums, innovative eateries and a legendary pub scene. Tour the iconic Guinness Storehouse to see how Ireland’s most famous brew is created and explore the revolutionary history at the Kilmainham Gaol, then relax on the grassy lawns of St. Stephen’s Green. Get your shopping fix amidst the buskers and boutiques of Grafton Street and mingle with the locals in the riverside strip of Temple Bar.
Day 8 : Leave Dublin
