Start your day with a relaxed coastal breakfast at Worthing Pier Café, enjoying sea views before loading the car for the drive; aim to depart mid-morning to avoid rush-hour and make steady progress toward the southern ferry port. Break the journey with a stretch and a riverside walk at Arundel Castle's gardens, then refuel (both car and driver) with a hearty lunch at The County Cafe in Arundel, setting a comfortable pace for the onward drive to the ferry terminal later in the afternoon.
Continue your drive toward the southern ferry port with a scenic late-afternoon stop at South Downs National Park - Devil's Dyke for a quick cliffside stroll and views over the Weald; the short walk will stretch your legs and clear your head before the crossing. Arrive at Portsmouth International Ferry Terminal in time for check-in, grab a coffee and sandwiches from The Terminal Café, then board the overnight ferry where you can relax in your cabin or watch sunset over the Solent from the deck before the Irish Sea crossing.
After settling into your cabin and freshening up, head to the ferry's lounge or open deck to watch the night crossing and enjoy a casual dinner at The Lido Bar & Bistro on board, where you can sample a warm shepherd's pie or fish chowder while listening to the sea. Later, unwind with a short stroll to the quieter observation deck to spot passing lights and relax with a nightcap from The Harbor View Lounge, then retire early to rest up for the arrival in Belfast the next morning.
Wake up in Belfast and start with a full Irish breakfast at St. George's Market Café, then stroll through the restored stalls of St. George's Market to sample local foods and crafts. Continue on a guided walking tour of the Cathedral Quarter, pausing to admire street art and visit the atmospheric Belfast Cathedral (St. Anne's) before a mid-morning stop at the interactive Ulster Museum to get a compact, fascinating overview of Northern Ireland's history and natural sciences.
Walk or take a short taxi to the waterfront and spend the afternoon in the Titanic Quarter, touring the immersive galleries at the Titanic Belfast visitor attraction and learning about the shipyards' history through interactive exhibits. Follow this with a riverside stroll to SS Nomadic for a close-up of White Star Line history, then relax with a craft beer and small plates at The Dock Café & Taproom, watching the cranes and waterfront activity as the light softens into early evening.
As twilight falls, take a short taxi to the lively Cathedral Quarter's pubs, beginning with live traditional music and craft whiskeys at The Duke of York before moving on to contemporary gig vibes at Black Box for an evening gig or late-night performance. Finish with a relaxed riverside walk along Lagan Weir to see the city lights reflected on the water, pausing for a nightcap or dessert at The Spaniard, where you can soak in local atmosphere and plan tomorrow's coastal drive to Dublin.
Leave Belfast after a quick coffee and head south along the scenic A2 for a sunrise stop at Mourne Mountains Viewpoint to stretch your legs with short panoramic walks and dramatic coastal vistas, then continue to Downpatrick Head for rugged cliffs and a brisk sea breeze while visiting the atmospheric lighthouse. Drive on toward the historic seaside village of Carlingford, where you can wander the medieval streets, explore the exterior of Carlingford Castle, and enjoy a mid-morning seafood snack at The Ghan House before resuming the journey to Dublin.
After a leisurely medieval stop in Carlingford, continue south via the coastal route and pause for lunch and clifftop views at The Strand at Clogherhead, where fresh seafood and seaside walks refresh you before the drive. Later, detour inland to explore the serene gardens and walled grounds of Bellinter House Garden for a gentle stroll among ornamental plantings, then resume toward Dublin with a comfort stop and coffee at the picturesque riverside village of Skerries Harbour, watching fishing boats and kite surfers as the afternoon light softens.
Arrive in Dublin with time to unwind at Howth Harbour, where you can stroll the pier, sample fresh seafood at A Taste of Howth or a fish-and-chips stall, and watch local anglers as the sun dips. Afterward, head into the city for a relaxed evening at Davy Byrne's in the city centre for hearty Irish fare and a classic pint, then finish with a riverside amble along the Grand Canal Dock to see modern lights and reflections before turning in.
Begin with a leisurely full Irish breakfast at The Pepper Pot in the cobbled Powerscourt Townhouse before joining a specialist literary walking tour that traces the haunts of Joyce, Beckett and Yeats through the atmospheric streets around Grafton Street and St. Stephen's Green. Pause mid-morning for a calming stroll and boat-watch by the ornamental ponds in Merrion Square, where you can admire Georgian doors and pop into the nearby National Gallery of Ireland for a compact collection of European and Irish art.
Spend a relaxed afternoon wandering the leafy lanes of Georgian Merrion Square Park (pause at the Oscar Wilde memorial) before joining an expert-led tour of the elegant rooms and literary exhibits at The Little Museum of Dublin to deepen your sense of the city's social history. From there, stroll south to the vibrant Temple Bar Food Market (weekend hours permitting) to sample artisanal cheeses and oysters, then take a guided tasting and storytelling session at Teeling Whiskey Distillery for a contemporary take on Dublin's spirit-making heritage.
As dusk falls, take a guided storytelling twilight tour of Kilmainham Gaol to hear moving tales of Ireland's past, then stroll the nearby green space of Phoenix Park to catch sunset light across the lawns and deer. Afterward, enjoy a convivial dinner of modern Irish cuisine at Chapter One (reservations advised) followed by craft cocktails and live jazz at The Vintage Cocktail Club, rounding the evening with a relaxed walk back through the softly lit streets of the Georgian quarter.
Set off early from Dublin with a coastal detour to Malahide Castle and Gardens for a brisk walk through the walled gardens and a quick visit to the tearoom before hitting the road; the manicured grounds are a peaceful counterpoint to the drive ahead. Continue south with a coffee stop and clifftop stretch at Bray Promenade, where a short stroll on the seafront cliff path refreshes you before joining the motorway toward the ferry port for your crossing.
Leave Dublin mid-afternoon and pause for a scenic lunch and harbour-side stroll at Dun Laoghaire Pier, sampling fish tacos or chowder at The Coal Pot before watching the vintage ferries come and go. Continue southwest with a restorative stop at Glendalough Visitor Centre for a short walk among the monastic ruins and twin lakes to stretch your legs and reset for the longer drive to the ferry port, timing your arrival for evening check-in.
After your Glendalough stop and ferry check-in, unwind with a gentle coastal detour to Wicklow Head Lighthouse for golden-hour views and a bracing cliff-top walk, then enjoy fresh seafood and a warming bowl of chowder at the cozy harbour-side The Harbour Bar, Wicklow. Continue to the ferry terminal with time to spare for a relaxed pre-boarding dinner at The Ferry House (seafood-focused) before boarding, where you can toast the road trip with a nightcap on deck and watch the coastline recede under the stars.