We landed in Ireland with no set plans — just two nights booked and a sense of curiosity. Coming from our meticulously planned Iceland trip, it felt refreshing to go with the flow.
Day 1: Arrival in Dublin – Drive to Galway
- Land in Dublin
- Pick up your rental car and head straight to Galway (approx. 2.5–3 hours)
- Settle in and explore the charming city vibes
Day 2: Cliffs of Moher + Galway
- Drive out to the iconic Cliffs of Moher – absolutely worth it
- Explore the Wild Atlantic Way scenery along the route
- Return and enjoy the rest of your evening in Galway: live music, local food, and a cozy Irish pub
Day 3: Killarney National Park + Drive to Kilkenny
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Early morning drive to Killarney National Park
- Gap of Dunloe – scenic walk or horse carriage ride
- Torc Waterfall
- Muckross House & Gardens
- In the evening, drive to Kilkenny (approx. 2.5 hours)
Day 4: Kilkenny to Dublin – Scenic Drive with Stops
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Start your day in Kilkenny – check out Kilkenny Castle or explore the medieval town
Make scenic stops at:
- Vinegar Hill (historic site)
- Copper Coast (UNESCO geopark, stunning views)
- Glendalough (ancient monastic site in the Wicklow Mountains)
- Arrive in Dublin by evening
Day 5: Exploring Dublin
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Take a walking tour of the city (a great way to see the highlights)
- Trinity College & Book of Kells
- St. Stephen’s Green – a lovely green oasis in the city center
- Guinness Storehouse – very polished and touristy, but worth visiting once
- End your night with drinks and live music at a classic Irish pub
Day 6: Return Flight
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Head to the airport and fly back to India 🇮🇳
Notes
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Pack for Rain: Ireland is lush for a reason – expect rain on and off, even in summer. Bring waterproof layers and good walking shoes.
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Driving: The roads are narrow and winding, but beautifully scenic. Tree tunnels and hidden coastal gems await. Be alert, especially on country roads.
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Go Beyond Dublin: Ireland shines in its countryside and villages. Don’t just stick to cities – explore the Wild Atlantic Way and charming small towns.
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Wild Atlantic Way: We only managed to visit the Cliffs of Moher, but this coastal route has many stunning spots – definitely worth dedicating a few days to drive along it properly.
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Island Adventures:
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Skellig Islands (Star Wars fans will recognize it!) – Book months in advance and note ferries often get canceled due to weather.
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Aran Islands – Rugged beauty, great for day trips or overnight stays.
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Planning: We went with a loose itinerary, but having some structure and booked spots helps, especially for islands or seasonal sights.
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Irish Pubs: Don’t miss out on the Irish bar experience – live music, warm locals, and great vibes.
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Guinness Tour: Somewhat commercial, but fun to do once. The Gravity Bar view at the end is nice.
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St. Stephen’s Green: A perfect pause in the middle of bustling Dublin – grab a coffee and relax here if the weather is kind.
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Day 1: Arrival in Ireland & Drive to Galway
Our flight from Iceland to Dublin was short and uneventful. I caught a bit of sleep on the plane, and soon we were collecting bags and picking up our rental car. The car was… big — maybe too big — but it would do.
It was raining in Dublin, so instead of sightseeing, we decided to head straight to Galway. On the way, we made a quick stop in Athlone, where Sree noticed a bent rim on one of the tires. After a long wait and a couple of calls to roadside assistance, we arranged for a check-up at our Galway Airbnb address.
We finally reached our Airbnb cottage, and it was such a delight — charming, cozy, and very much what I imagined the Irish countryside to feel like. The warmth of the place made up for the rain.
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| Fully set beautiful table |
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| So excited to get into the cottage |
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Day 2: Cliffs of Moher & Galway City Vibes
The only fixed plan today was to visit the Cliffs of Moher. After a relaxed morning, we set off for the cliffs, hoping to fit in a bit of Galway exploration afterward.
Before the Cliff's of Mohr, we stopped at a chocolate shop along the way, to just try their chocolates.
The cliffs were incredibly windy, but their dramatic beauty still drew crowds. We followed the cliff path for a while, took in the views, and went through a mini panic when I lost my AirPods — thankfully found again after some searching! We wrapped up our visit with lunch at the on-site café and picked up a few souvenirs.
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| Cliffs of Mohr |
From there, we took a short drive to see O’Brien’s Tower and then went to Doonagore castle, and then stopped by a nearby Dunguaire castle, which was unfortunately closed, but still worth a walk around.
We ended the day in Galway city, and it charmed us almost instantly. First stop was the impressive Galway Cathedral, followed by a lively walk through the streets. Live Irish music, street performers, a bustling shopping scene, and a general air of festivity filled the air. We grabbed some Indian food to go, stopped by the Spanish Arch and took a canal-side walk back to our car — a perfect mix of energy and calm.
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| Doonagore castle |
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Dunguaire Castle |
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| Those cute Irish cottages |
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| Galway Cathedral |
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| Galway Cathedral |
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| Galway |
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| Galway girl |
Back at the cottage, we enjoyed our dinner and called it a night.
Day 3: Gap of Dunloe, Torc Waterfall & Kilkenny
After checking out of the cottage around 10 AM, we made our way toward Killarney National Park — a 3-hour scenic drive. Our main destination: the Gap of Dunloe.
We had a quick lunch at a cottage nearby and then took a horse-drawn cart ride through the gap. It rained again, adding a touch of moodiness to the landscape. The ride itself was peaceful and atmospheric, despite the weather.
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| Our cute cottage |
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| Wishing bridge |
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| Gap of Dunloe |
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| with charlie |
Next, we tried visiting Torc Waterfall, but the parking lot was packed. So we detoured to Muckross House and Gardens, strolled around, and then circled back to the falls. It was a short hike, but the waterfall was worth it.
By evening, we were back on the road to Kilkenny, where we checked into our accommodation and opted for a cozy night in with room service.
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| Torc waterfall |
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| Muckrose house |
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Day 4: Kilkenny, Copper Coast & Glendalough
We began the day with a hotel breakfast and had planned to explore Dunmore Cave, but it was closed. So we drove into Kilkenny town, and I’m glad we did.
We visited Kilkenny Castle, a stately limestone structure with lush grounds. Tara wasn’t feeling well, so she and Sree relaxed at a nearby café while I took Pranav on the Medieval Mile walking trail. Highlights included Black Abbey, St. Canice’s Cathedral, and a climb up the round tower, which was a bit scary for me but exciting for him.
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| Kilkenny castle |
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| Exploring Kilkenny doing the midieval mile |
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| Inside the black abbey |
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| Climbing the round tower via these steep stairs |
After grabbing some delicious Indian food from a local stall, we reunited with Sree and Tara, and began what felt like a meandering day. We drove south, unsure what we were looking for, and ended up at the Copper Coast, where rain caught up with us again.
We then visited Vinegar Hill, a small hill with a historic view — the climb was short and pleasant. By now, the kids were tired, and we decided to head to Glendalough. Though the more scenic Wicklow Mountains route was tempting, we took a simpler road due to time and energy.
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| Copper coast |
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| On top of Vinegar hill |
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| Glendalough |
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Day 5: A Day in Dublin — History, Parks & Pubs
We kicked off the morning with a walking tour of Dublin. It covered many highlights: Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, the castle gardens, Powder Tower, Ha’penny Bridge, and ended at Trinity College.
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| Temple bar |
After the tour, Sree felt unwell and returned to the hotel while I took the kids to the Book of Kells Experience. It was a fascinating deep dive into medieval manuscript making, and we got to walk through the iconic Long Room of the Old Library. Tara’s only complaint? That she couldn’t touch the books!
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| The long room - Trinity college |
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| Trinity college |
We then met Sree at a church-turned-café for a hearty lunch. After dropping the kids back for a rest, I headed out to St. Stephen’s Green. This peaceful park was such a joy — swans and ducks gliding in the ponds, locals feeding pigeons, and a general air of serenity.
Later, I met up with Sree, who had just finished a Guinness tasting experience. For our final night, we headed to The Dave Tavern — a classic Irish pub with live music, a vibrant crowd, and the perfect atmosphere. We sat at the bar, soaked in the music, and felt completely immersed in Irish culture.
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| Enjoying an Irish pub! - The Dave Tavern |
Back at the hotel, we ordered Indian food for the kids (from the same place — they loved it!), and packed up for the next leg of our journey.
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Final Thoughts
Ireland was a contrast to Iceland — less dramatic in landscape( especially maybe because we did not drive along the coast much) but full of warmth, history, music, and charm. With zero plans and open hearts, we discovered a country that welcomed us with cozy cottages, lively streets, and just enough rain to keep it real. While the weather played spoilsport at times, the moments we made — laughing on rainy rides, singing along to pub music, and soaking in ancient stories — made this trip unforgettable.
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