Many of the famous tourist attractions and sites are located in the South or West of Ireland, making
it possible to see quite a bit in a short amount of time, including:
8 Days/7 Nights - Northern Route
Day 01: Limerick - Cliffs of Moher - Galway. Leave Limerick/Shannon and travel north to the Cliffs of Moher, rising over 700 feet and reaching out the coast for five miles. Continue to Galway City for sightseeing. Overnight in Galway.
Day 02: Connemara This morning journey through the wild and rugged land of Connemara. Visit Kylemore Abbey, monastic home of the Benedictine Nuns before returning to Galway for a overnight stay.
Day 03: Galway - Knock - Sligo - Donegal. Leave this morning and travel north to Knock Shrine, Ireland's place of pilgrimage. Continue north via Sligo, birthplace of poet and writer W.B. Yeats to Donegal for overnight stay.
Day 04: Donegal Your journey today takes you to some of the most scenic areas of Ireland - beautiful coastlines can be seen as you travel up the majestic mountains overlooking deep glens. Travel through the picturesque town of Glenties by Glenveagh Castle and National Park. Return to Donegal for overnight stay.
Day 05: Donegal - Armagh - Dublin. Today travel to the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, Armagh for local sightseeing. Visit Navan Fort. Continue travelling south via County Cavan to Dublin for overnight.
Day 06: Dublin. This morning enjoy local sightseeing in the Irish capital view the statue filled O'Connell Street-the Post Office, scene of the Easter Rising of 1916, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College, home of the world famous Book of Kells. Overnight in Dublin.
Day 07: Dublin - Wicklow - Dublin. Today tour Wicklow, visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin. Local sightseeing in the Wicklow area including Powerscourt, Avondale and Avoca. Return to Dublin for overnight.
Day 08: Dublin Airport. Travel to Dublin Airport for your return flight home. Always allow ample time for duty-free shopping before boarding your flight home.
4 Days/3 Nights - Southern Route
Day 01: Shannonside - Limerick - Dingle Peninsula. Morning departure from Shannonside; travel via Limerick and along the Kerry coast to the Dingle Peninsula. Beyond Slea Head look for the Blasket Islands - the last outposts of Europe. Continue to Killarney for overnight.
Day 02: Ring of Kerry. A full day tour of the Ring of Kerry. Travel over McGillycuddy's Reeks, the scenic craggy mountains, and quaint little villages. Overnight in Killarney.
Day 03: Killarney - Blarney - Waterford. Leave Killarney and travel to Blarney Castle. Next visit the Jameson Whiskey Heritage Center and continue on to Waterford for overnight.
Day 04: Waterford - Glendalough - Dublin. Departing Waterford and travel to Avoca and scenic Glendalough, made famous in verse and song by Thomas Moore. Continue on to Dublin. Overnight in Dublin. End of tour.
8 Days/7 Nights - Southern Route
Day 01: Dublin. Half day city tour of Dublin where you can see St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College and the world famous Book of Kells. Overnight in Dublin.
Day 02: Dublin - Kilkenny - Waterford - Cork. Departure from Dublin and head for the medieval city of Kilkenny for local sightseeing. Continue on to Waterford and visit its famous crystal factory. Travel on along the southern coast to Cork City for overnight.
Day 03: Cork - Blarney - Killarney. This morning visit the Cobh Heritage Center, which documents the history of Irish emigration and the story of the ill-fated superliners; the Lusitania and the Belfast built Titanic. On to Blarney Castle. Continue on over the Cork and Kerry Mountains to Killarney for dinner and overnight.
Day 04: Ring of Kerry - Killarney. The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland's loveliest areas. A full day includes a drive along the coastline of the broad Iveragh Peninsula through the villages and towns of Killorglin, Cahirciveen, Waterville and Irish speaking Sneem. Overnight in Killarney.
Day 05: Killarney - Limerick - Galway. Travel north via Limerick to Galway for local sightseeing. See the Galway Cathedral and the Spanish Arch. Visit the Royal Tara China Factory. Continue to the picturesque town of Clifden for overnight.
Day 06: Connemara. This morning journey through the wild and rugged land of Connemara. Visit Kylemore Abbey, monastic home of the Benedictine Nuns. Continue on to Westport and Cong before returning to Clifden for overnight.
Day 07: Galway - Cliffs of Moher - Limerick. Travel south to the Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet. Continue on to the seaside town of Lahinch and the town of Ennis to Limerick for overnight. Check into the medieval castle banquet at Bunratty Castle.
Day 08: Limerick - Shannon Airport - Home. Today travel to nearby Shannon Airport for your return flight home.
I hope these sample itineraries help you with your next trip to Ireland.
Slainte
