A Week in the Emerald Isle: A 6-Day Itinerary of Ireland

• Day 1: Dublin - Begin the trip in the lively city of Dublin, explore the historic Dublin Castle, take a stroll in the beautiful St Stephen’s Green Park and marvel at the exquisite architecture of Trinity College. Spend an evening in the famous Temple Bar area for traditional Irish food and pub hopping.
• Day 2: Kilkenny and Waterford - Head south to Kilkenny and visit the imposing Kilkenny Castle, wander through the medieval streets of the city and discover its history in the Rothe House Museum. Then move on to Waterford to witness the intricate glass-blowing at the Waterford Crystal Factory.
• Day 3: Ring of Kerry and Killarney - Drive on the Ring of Kerry and see the breathtaking views of the Dingle Peninsula and Lakes of Killarney. Explore Killarney National Park, hike through the mountains and discover the traditional Irish music in the pubs of the town.
• Day 4: Cliffs of Moher and Galway - Journey north to the majestic Cliffs of Moher and experience the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way. Continue to the bohemian city of Galway, discover its narrow winding streets filled with street performers, traditional music and local cuisine.
• Day 5: Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey - Spend a day in Connemara National Park, hike through the natural beauty and visit the restored 19th century abbey of Kylemore, located in the heart of the park.
• Day 6: County Sligo and Donegal - Drive to County Sligo's wild and rugged landscapes, seek inspiration from poet W.B. Yeats at the epitaph that marks his final resting place, "Under bare Ben Bulben's head...". Then drive further north to Donegal, visit Glenveagh National Park and Castle.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Dublin Castle (2-3 hours, €10.00)
• St. Stephen's Green Park (1-2 hours, Free)
• Trinity College (2-3 hours, €14.00)
• Kilkenny Castle (1-2 hours, €8.00)
• Rothe House Museum (1-2 hours, €7.00)
• Waterford Crystal Factory (2 hours, €14.00)
• Ring of Kerry (4-5 hours, Free)
• Killarney National Park (3-4 hours, €10.00)
• Cliffs of Moher (2-3 hours, €6.00)
• Kylemore Abbey (2-3 hours, €12.00)
• Glenveagh National Park and Castle (3-4 hours, €5.00)
• Total Estimated Costs: €86.00

Transportation:

It is recommended to rent a car to move around as public transportation is not convenient for many of the locations worth visiting. The approximate cost of renting a car from Dublin Airport is €30.00 per day, fuel and tolls not included. It takes approximately 3-4 hours drive from Dublin to either side of the country.

Useful Tips:

If you have more time, add a day trip to explore the Aran Islands. If you have less time, skip County Sligo and Donegal, and allocate another day for Dublin and another day for the Ring of Kerry. It is important to keep in mind that many attractions close early or do not operate during certain months, so double-check opening and closing times before visiting.

Airports:

Ireland has three international airports; Dublin Airport (DUB) is located 10 km north of Dublin city center, Shannon Airport (SNN) is located 24 km west of Limerick City, and Cork Airport (ORK) is located 8 km southwest of Cork city center. The distance from Dublin Airport to the city center is approximately 40 minutes by car or taxi.