Will Wander for Wine
Will Wander for Wine

Here’s what our road trip itinerary for our 11 days driving around Ireland looked like. We didn’t do everything (due to weather). When creating this trip, I planned for short days that were cold and windy, and activities that were dog-friendly. As far as transportation goes, we rented a car. Enjoy - and feel free to reach out with any questions!

If you’d like to read more details about and to see more photos from this trip - check out the Wet & Wild Irish Road Trip post.


Day 1

  • Hike at Wicklow Mountains (rained out)

  • Visit Glendalough Monastic Site (rained out)

  • Visit Kilkenny - walked around the Kilkenny Castle grounds and the city

  • Stop in O’Shea’s Pub for a pint

  • Stay in Borris (Private Room in an Airbnb)


Day 2

  • Drive to Rock of Cashel (not dog friendly, so we just walked around the outside)

  • Visit Hore Abbey

  • Lunch in Cashel

  • Check in to Airbnb (The Mews) and drop off Sage

  • Visit Blarney Castle (would recommend arriving earlier than an hour before closing, would have been nice to see more of the grounds)

  • Drive to Cork for dinner


Day 3

  • Drive to Kinsale for breakfast (slept in instead)

  • Killarney National Park for a hike (rained out, walked around Ross Castle instead)

  • Drive through Gap of Dunloe

  • Check in to Airbnb (Kerry Retreat)

  • Have dinner in Killarney (stayed in Killorglin for dinner)

  • See Ross Castle at Night (already did it)


Day 4

  • Breakfast in Killarney (opted to eat the fresh eggs provided by our hosts)

  • Drive Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring - started with a hike of the Torc Waterfall, then stopped by Molls Gap and Ladies View

  • Check in to Airbnb (Skellig View Bluebell Rose)

  • Visit Kerry Cliffs (our hosts included tickets with our stay)

  • Drove to Portmagee for dinner (unplanned, best fish and chips ever)


Day 5

  • Visit Ballycarberry Castle (closed)

  • Stop by Cahergall and Leacanabuaile Ring Forts

  • Drive to Dingle Peninsula

  • Go for a walk on Inch Beach

  • Explore Dingle (rained out, found a dog-friendly pub)

  • Stargaze at Annascaul Glamping Pod (rained out)


Day 6

  • Drive around the Slea Head Peninsula and through Connor Pass (hiked the Dunmore Head trail without Sage)

  • Stop in Tralee for lunch

  • Explore Limerick (skipped this due to exhaustion)

  • Stay in Castleconnell (Private Room in a Unique, Traditional Irish Pub)


Day 7

  • Visit Bunratty Castle (added stop, grounds dog-friendly, castle is not)

  • Explore Cliffs of Moher (limited areas are dog-friendly)

  • Drive through Burren National Park with stops at Poulnabrone Dolmen and Corcomroe Abbey

  • Check in at The Twelve in Galway and order room service for dinner


Day 8

  • Explore Galway and the Galway Christmas Market

  • Dinner at West at The Twelve


Day 9

  • Go for a hike at Connemara National Park

  • Drive to Westport and pick up groceries

  • Check in to Airbnb (Cuckoo Wood Hexagon - best Airbnb EVER)


Day 10

  • Bike the Great Western Greenway (rained out)

  • Have a relaxing Christmas Eve in the Airbnb


Day 11

  • Lazy Christmas Day in our Airbnb


Day 12

  • Walk around Ashford Castle grounds (skipped, Michael wasn’t feeling well)

  • Drive back home to Dublin!