9-Night Ireland Road Trip: Dublin, Belfast, Giants Causeway, Belleek, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Cork & Waterford

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Day 1: Arrive Dublin

Dublin, Ireland on November 22, 2025

9:30am

Trinity College & Book of Kells

See Ireland’s oldest university campus and the Book of Kells medieval manuscript; a must for first-time visitors. Check opening times (typically 9:30am–5pm) and book timed tickets online to avoid lines.
EUR18, 1h30m

11:30am

Lunch — Bewley's Grafton Street

Classic Dublin coffeehouse near Trinity serving soups, sandwiches and Irish fare in a historic setting; great people-watching after the library. Usually open from mid-morning.
EUR18, 1h

1:00pm

Grafton Street & Temple Bar stroll

Walk the lively shopping and cultural quarters; good for street music, shops and photos of the River Liffey. Open-air activity, free to wander.
EUR0, 1h

3:00pm

Hotel check-in / relax

Check into your Dublin hotel, drop bags and rest or explore nearby neighborhoods at a relaxed pace.
EUR0, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner — The Woollen Mills

Comfortable riverside restaurant serving modern Irish cuisine with local ingredients; good first-night vibe and views. Reservations recommended for evenings.
EUR35, 1h30m

Day 2: Dublin highlights & transfer

Dublin → Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 23, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — hotel or Queen of Tarts

Fuel up with a hearty Irish breakfast or pastries at a popular local café; Queen of Tarts is a favorite near Grafton Street (check opening times).
EUR12, 45m

9:30am

Guinness Storehouse

Interactive exhibition about Ireland’s iconic stout with a rooftop pint-viewing room; hugely popular so prebook a timeslot. Typical hours ~9:30am–7pm, last entry earlier.
EUR30, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch — The Brazen Head (or near Connolly station)

Historic pub food before you take the train north; hearty dishes and quick service make it convenient prior to departure.
EUR20, 1h

2:00pm

Train to Belfast (Dublin Connolly → Belfast Lanyon)

Comfortable intercity train takes roughly 2h–2h30m; scenic route and the fastest public transport option. Book tickets ahead for best fares.
EUR30, 2h15m

4:30pm

Check-in & Cathedral Quarter walk

Settle into your Belfast hotel and stroll the creative Cathedral Quarter with pubs and street art; a good early-evening exploration spot.
EUR0, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner — The Muddlers Club (or similar)

Choose modern Irish tasting or a relaxed gastropub in the Cathedral Quarter; Belfast dining is lively so book ahead.
EUR40, 1h30m

Day 3: Causeway Coast

Belfast → Giants Causeway / Dunluce, Northern Ireland on November 24, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — hotel

Quick hotel breakfast before your Coastal drive; allow time for coffee and packing for the day.
EUR10, 45m

9:30am

Dunluce Castle (stop)

Dramatic medieval castle ruins perched on cliffs; great photo stop and short exploration — check winter opening hours (often 10am–4pm).
GBP0, 45m

11:30am

Giants Causeway Visitor Centre

UNESCO-listed basalt columns with a modern visitor centre explaining the geology and legends; visitor centre typically open 9am–5pm—book parking/times in high season.
GBP13.50, 2h

2:00pm

Lunch — Bushmills Inn or local café

Charming local gastro-pub fare near the Causeway; a good place to sample locally-sourced ingredients after the walk.
GBP20, 1h

4:00pm

Optional Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Famed rope bridge with sea views; seasonal hours and weather-dependent—check ahead as it may close in winter or high winds.
GBP8, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner — Portrush or Ballycastle

Seafood and pub options in the coastal towns; relaxing evening after a day of scenic walking.
GBP30, 1h30m

Day 4: West to Belleek

Causeway Coast → Belleek (County Fermanagh), Northern Ireland on November 25, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — hotel

Early start for today’s westward drive; grab a takeaway coffee if you prefer to maximize daylight.
GBP8, 45m

10:30am

Short stop — Derry/Londonderry walk

Walk the historic walled city and Peace Bridge for quick photos and local history; always open but guided tours follow schedules.
EUR0, 1h

1:00pm

Lunch — Derry town centre

Pubs and cafés around the walled city serving traditional and modern plates; a pleasant mid-journey stop.
EUR18, 1h

3:30pm

Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre

Historic Irish porcelain factory with display, shop and often a short demonstration; usual hours approx 9am–5pm—check for tours and factory demo schedules.
EUR8, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner — Enniskillen

Dine in Enniskillen on locally-sourced Irish food; small-town pubs offer a friendly atmosphere.
EUR25, 1h30m

Day 5: To Galway

Belleek → Galway, Ireland on November 26, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — hotel

Breakfast and a final look at Lough Erne scenery before driving south toward Galway; allow for fuel and rest stops.
EUR10, 45m

9:30am

Scenic drive (optional Sligo stop)

Drive through scenic countryside with option to pause in Sligo for a coffee and short walk; keeps the day varied and scenic.
EUR0, 2h30m

1:30pm

Lunch — Sligo or arrive Galway

Casual lunch en route or on arrival in Galway; Galway has a lively café scene ideal for a relaxed midday meal.
EUR20, 1h

4:00pm

Explore Galway City — Latin Quarter & Spanish Arch

Wander the compact city centre with colorful shops, music and waterfront views; perfect for late-afternoon wandering as shops and galleries remain open.
EUR0, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner — Ard Bia at Nimmos

Popular, atmospheric spot near the Spanish Arch offering fresh regional cuisine — reservations recommended for evenings.
EUR35, 1h30m

Day 6: Cliffs & Sheep Herding

Galway → Cliffs of Moher & Burren (County Clare) → Galway on November 27, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Galway

Quick breakfast in town before heading to the west coast; good cafés open early for coffee and scones.
EUR12, 45m

9:00am

Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre

One of Ireland’s signature natural sites with dramatic cliff-top walks; visitor centre hours typically ~9am–5pm—allow 2–3 hours for walking and photos.
EUR10, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch — Doolin

Coastal village famed for seafood and traditional music; easy lunch before an afternoon countryside experience.
EUR18, 1h

2:00pm

Sheepdog demonstration / sheep herding farm visit (Burren/Doolin area)

Hands-on sheep-herding or demonstration with local shepherds—great insight into rural Irish life and working dogs; booking in advance is recommended and some operators run scheduled sessions in afternoons.
EUR25, 2h

6:00pm

Return to Galway & Dinner

Return to the city for dinner — try local seafood or modern Irish plates at a well-regarded bistro.
EUR30, 1h30m

Day 7: West to South — Cork

Galway → Bunratty (optional) → Cork, Ireland on November 28, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Galway

Breakfast and pack for the drive south; check-out and depart after a leisurely start.
EUR10, 45m

10:30am

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park (stop)

Living-history folk park and castle near Shannon—good for a cultural pit stop on the route to Cork; usually open ~10am–5pm but check seasonal hours.
EUR18, 1h30m

1:30pm

Arrive Cork & Lunch — English Market

Explore the famous English Market and grab lunch from local stalls offering cheeses, seafood and artisanal foods; market hours typically morning to late afternoon.
EUR20, 1h

3:30pm

Stroll Cork city centre / Shandon

Visit St. Anne's Church (Shandon Bells) for a city view and wander the lively streets and bakeries.
EUR0, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner — Market Lane or Fishwife

Enjoy top-quality local produce in a relaxed setting; Cork has a strong food scene so book ahead for better tables.
EUR40, 1h30m

Day 8: Cork to Waterford

Cork → Rock of Cashel → Waterford, Ireland on November 29, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — hotel

Enjoy a hotel breakfast and prepare for a scenic drive crossing County Tipperary towards Waterford with an iconic stop at the Rock of Cashel.
EUR10, 45m

10:00am

Rock of Cashel (stop)

Spectacular medieval complex set on a limestone outcrop; typical visiting hours ~9am–5pm—check seasonal closures and guided-tour times.
EUR8, 1h

1:00pm

Lunch en route

Casual country pub or café for midday sustenance before arriving in Waterford; many good options on the N24/N25 routes.
EUR18, 1h

3:00pm

Waterford Crystal & Viking Triangle

Watch glass-blowing demonstrations and explore the Viking Triangle’s museums; Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre typically open ~9:30am–5pm—book demos if you want a guided experience.
EUR15, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner — Waterford

Riverside dining and cozy pubs serve excellent seafood and Irish classics — ideal to relax after a day of sightseeing.
EUR30, 1h30m

Day 9: Return to Dublin

Waterford → Dublin, Ireland on November 30, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Waterford

Final Irish breakfast in Waterford with time to check out and head back toward Dublin at a leisurely pace.
EUR10, 45m

9:30am

Drive to Dublin (approx 2h20m)

Return drive to the capital with optional stops en route depending on time and interest; plan for traffic approaching Dublin.
EUR0, 2h20m

12:30pm

Lunch — Dublin (FX Buckley or Temple Bar area)

Enjoy a final Dublin lunch with quality steaks or contemporary Irish cuisine in a central location for easy access to sights.
EUR25, 1h

2:00pm

Dublin Castle or last shopping on Grafton Street

Choose a cultural stop like Dublin Castle or enjoy souvenir shopping and street performers along Grafton Street; check castle tour hours (often 9:45am–5pm).
EUR8, 1h30m

7:30pm

Farewell dinner — The Church or The Woollen Mills (if missed)

Spend your last night enjoying Irish hospitality in a memorable setting; booking recommended for weekend evenings.
EUR35, 1h30m

Day 10: Departure

Dublin, Ireland on December 1, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & final stroll

Early breakfast and a quick morning walk in Phoenix Park or along the River Liffey if time allows; good for last photos and a relaxed end to the trip.
EUR10, 1h

9:00am

Transfer to Dublin Airport

Allow 45–90 minutes depending on traffic and your airline’s check-in requirements; plan to arrive 2 hours before EU flights, 3 hours for long-haul.
EUR0, 1h
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