I sat by myself on the rocky boundary that outlined the edge of the road, staring at the green rolling hills and watching the sheep eat the grass. While the others on my tour grabbed a bite to eat from the small restaurant we were stopped at, I was in pure wonder at the beauty of Ireland. I could not get over how simple yet breathtaking the view was. As I put my phone and camera down a sense of peace rushed over me. I sat there for about 20 mintues and fell in love with Ireland. 

I have been to Ireland twice and I love it. The weather maybe cold and rainy but the people are warm and welcoming. It is a beautiful country with a fascinating history and entertaining folklore. The best way to describe it is by saying, Ireland is everything you think it is and so much more. When thinking of Ireland, images of green grassy rolling hills, covered with sheep, pubs filled with people singing classic Irish tunes and leprechaun’s playing tricks to keep their pot of gold safe may come to mind. Ireland has all of those things and more! It maybe small in size but it has a lot of things to do, beautiful nature to see and beer to drink. If you haven’t been to Ireland yet, you must go. Experiencing Ireland should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Here is my 7 day itinerary for Ireland.

Transportation:

I recommend either renting a car and driving around yourself or you can take trains and buses.

When to go:

For the best weather, go sometime from May to August. Please keep in mind that even though it is warmer this time of year, it will still be rainy and windy. (Pro tip: embrace the weather and do not let it get you down.)  However, there will be more tourist during this time and prices for hotels, tours, etc. will be higher. Budget saving tip: if you are looking to travel on the cheaper side visit Ireland from September to April.

Day 1 & 2: Hello Dublin!

Fly in to Dublin and get excited because you are about to start your Irish adventure. Pick up your rental car from the airport or hop on the bus and head to your hotel/hostel to drop of your bags and freshen up. Then spend the rest of the day and all of day two exploring the city. There are a lot of things to do in Dublin, so it is important that you make a flexible plan in order to see all that you wish. I recommend the following:

1. Hang out at Temple Bar. It is very touristy but super fun and filled with amazing pubs, shops and people. I recommend ending your day here drinking and listening to some live music.
2. Take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. Everything about the Storehouse is cool and you get a pint of beer at the top.
3. Enjoy a whisky tasting experience at the Old Jameson Distillery. You can just take the tour of the distillery if you choose to but the whisky tasting experience was very interesting and fun. You get to try 4 different whisky blends and learn about the distilling process.
4. Visit the Old Library and the Book of Kells at Trinity College. The Book of Kells is a copy of the four Gospels from The Bible. It is Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and the world’s most famous medieval manuscript, dating back to the 9th century.
5. Explore Wicklow Mountain National Park. Go for a stunning hike at Wicklow Mountain National Park and get lost in the beauty of Ireland.

Where to stay:

Luxury: The Gresham Hotel 

Budget: Barnacles Temple Bar Hostel

Day 3: Kilkenny

Head down to Kilkenny, a small medieval town with a modern flare. Kilkenny is my favourite Irish town, it has a very funky vibe and I jiggy with it. I went to a haunted bar in Kilkenny and saw a ghost! Ok, well I didn’t see a ghost while I was at the bar, but the next day while I was looking through the photos I took at the bar a found a ghost in the background of one of my selfies. How cool is that?! Kilkenny has a gorgeous, well maintain castle, stunning cathedrals as well as delicious restaurants. While you are there I recommend:

1. Go for a drink at Kyteler’s Inn. This is the haunted pub where the ghost photo bombed me. It is a medieval bar that looks super cool and was build in 1324. Many of it’s guest have seen ghosts, and you can enjoy live music on most nights.
2. Take a Tour of Kilkenny Castle. The castle and it’s property are absolutely stunning. Go on a tour and have a cup of tea in the tea room.
3. Tour of the Smithwick’s Brewery. Smithwick’s is a very popular ( and delicious) Irish Ale. The tour is very informative and you’ll learn some interesting history.
4. Visit the Medieval Mile Museum.  Take a tour and learn about 800 years of rich Irish history.

Where to stay:

Luxury: Hotel Ormonde 

Budget: Kilkenny Tourist Hostel 

Day 4: Cork

Cork is a fun little city, filled with great shops, markets and food. I loved walking around Cork a lot. Exploring every ally and street was very entertaining. It has a more modern feel then a lot of other towns in Ireland. You will definitely have a lot of things to do to fill your time. I recommend:

1. Visiting Blarney Castle. This gorgeous castle is located very close to the city of Cork. Exploring the grounds is an amazing experience. Book a guided tour and learn the history of the castle.
2. Visit the English Market. This market was created in 1788, and is still thriving with local traders and farmers.
3. Walk around the city. I had a lot of fun roaming the streets of Cork and finding live music and cool pubs.

Where to say:

Luxury: Clayton Hotel

Budget: Bru Hostel 

Day 5 : Killarney

Where are my outdoor lovers at? Killarney has a lot of amazing outdoor activities to do. It is a small town, but it is filled with rich history and lively people.If you were staying in Ireland for more then 7 days, I would recommend staying an extra night in Killarney. If you are short on time, look at all the activities that Killarney has to offer and plan out what you want to do so you do not miss anything. I recommend:

1. Take a drive along the Ring of Kerry. It is a very scenic drive that will take you through lush forests and bring you to the wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Take a hike at Torc Waterfall and Torc Mountain. See the waterfalls and go all the way up the mountain and get a 360 stunning view of Killarney and the lakes.
3. Kayak on the Lakes Killarney. Located in Killarney National Park are the Lakes of Killarney. Rent a kayak and go out on the water.

Where to stay:

Luxury: Killarney Riverside Hotel 

Budget: Black Sheep Hostel 

Day 6: Limerick

On your way from Killarney to Limerick, drive through Dingle and stop at Inch beach. It is a lovely drive and worth the extra time. Limerick is the birth place of the poetry style and a beautiful city in Ireland. It has a great mix of natural beauty as well as entertainment and attractions.

1. Take a tour of King John’s Castle. Fun fact, this is the same King John who is brothers with King Richard the Lionheart from the tales of Robin Hood.
2. Visit Saint Mary’s Cathedral.
3. Mountain Bike at Ballyhoura Mountain. Great trails with a great view.
4. Visit the Cliffs of Moher. THIS IS A MUST. You can also see it on your way to Galway.

Where to stay:

Luxury: Adare Manor

Budget: Ballyhoura Luxury Hostel

Day 7: Galway

The last stop on our 7 day tour is Galway. Galway is a very unique city, on Ireland’s west coast. It has a lot of natural attractions, rocky coastlines, and rugged mountains. You can tour museums, enjoy a cup of tea or a pint of beer, watch the sunset over the bay and listen to traditional Irish songs being sung. Galway is a gorgeous city that you will love.

1. Visit Eyre Square. Located in the heart of the city, this square has been around since 1710. It is officially named John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.
2. Water adventures. Galway offers a lot of water adventures, like surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, and diving.
3. Outdoor activities. Go for a hike, mountain bike or rock climb.
4. Explore Galway’s Market. This market has been around for centuries and offers delicious food, fruit, veggies, and unique gifts.
5. Tour the Galway City Museum. Experience three floors of history, science and archaeology. Bonus, the museum is free!

Where to stay:

Luxury: Galway Bay Hotel 

Budget: Galway City Hostel 

That’s a wrap folks! If you visit Ireland (which you definitely should) please show me your pictures. Let me know what you loved the most about Ireland in the comments below. Need more help planning your trip to Ireland? Contact me here.

Sending you lots of lucky on your Irish adventure,