Your Ireland 10 Day Itinerary

There is so much to see and do in Ireland. You could never manage to see everything in 10 days so we have compiled a list of some of the best things to pack in to your Ireland 10 Day itinerary. This is based on a visitor flying in to and out of Dublin Airport or arriving by ferry to Dublin.

These are the attractions you’ll visit during the 10 days:

• Dublin: Guinness Storehouse, Book of Kells, Dublin Castle/Chester Beatty, Kilmainham Gaol
• Northern Ireland: Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway
• Rest of Ireland: Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park, Cliffs of Moher

Day‑by‑day Ireland 10 Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Dublin: Trinity & Guinness

Focus: Get oriented and see two major sights within walking distance.

• Morning / arrival
  • Check into central Dublin accommodation. (if you want to find accommodation in Dublin check here)
  • Stroll around Trinity College and see the Book of Kells exhibition and Old Library / Long Room.
    • Pre‑book a time slot if possible; it often sells out.
• Afternoon
  • Walk Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green, wander the city centre. (You can get a Guided walking tour here)
• Late afternoon / evening
  • Visit the Guinness Storehouse.
    • Leave at least 2 hours; end with a pint (or soft drink) in the Gravity Bar at sunset if timing works.
• Evening
  • Dinner in the Temple Bar / city centre area (busy and touristy) or in a quieter neighbourhood (e.g. Camden Street).

Overnight: Dublin (2–3 nights total in Dublin on your Ireland 10 Day itinerary.).

Day 2 – Dublin history: Kilmainham Gaol & Dublin Castle

Focus: Irish political history and cultural treasures.

• Morning
  • Visit Kilmainham Gaol (must be pre‑booked; guided tours sell out).
  • Allow 1.5–2 hours including museum.
• Afternoon
  • Head to Dublin Castle. (You can get numerous tours including Dublin Castle here)
  • Tour the State Apartments & medieval undercroft, then visit the Chester Beatty museum in the same complex (excellent, often free).
• Late afternoon
  • Options:
    • Walk along the River Liffey, see the Ha’penny Bridge.
    • Visit another museum (e.g. National Museum of Archaeology or National Gallery).
• Evening
  • Traditional music pub (e.g. around Smithfield / Capel Street / Temple Bar) or an early night before tomorrow’s travel.

Overnight: Dublin.

Day 3 – Dublin → Belfast: Titanic Belfast & city walk

Drive / train:

• By car: about 2 hours from Dublin to Belfast.
• By train: about 2 hours 10 minutes from Dublin Connolly to Belfast Lanyon Place.

Morning

• Travel to Belfast and check in. (if you want to find accommodation in Belfast check here)

Afternoon

• Visit Titanic Belfast in the Titanic Quarter.
  • Allow 2–3 hours: museum, SS Nomadic (if open), and surrounding slipways.
• Optional short walk around the Titanic Quarter or head into the city centre (City Hall, Cathedral Quarter).
• Suggested: Short walking tour with a local guide

Evening

• Dinner in the Cathedral Quarter and explore pubs or street art.

Overnight: Belfast (1–2 nights; this plan uses 1 night, but you can extend and adjust your Ireland 10 Day itinerary).

Day 4 – Belfast → Giant’s Causeway → Dublin

Drive:

• Belfast → Giant’s Causeway: about 1.5 hours
• Giant’s Causeway → Dublin: about 3.5–4 hours (via motorway)

Morning

• Drive from Belfast to the Giant’s Causeway.
• Visit the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, then walk down to the basalt columns on the coast.
  • Allow at least 2–3 hours to enjoy the trails and views.
• Optional quick stops nearby if time: Dunluce Castle (ruins), Carrick‑a‑Rede rope bridge (needs more time).
• Suggested: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour.

Afternoon / evening

• Drive back to Dublin (or break the journey with dinner along the way).
• Late arrival in Dublin; just rest.

Overnight: Dublin (or, if you prefer less backtracking, you could continue on towards Kilkenny but Dublin is simplest).

Day 5 – Dublin → Rock of Cashel → Cork

Drive:

• Dublin → Rock of Cashel: about 2 hours
• Rock of Cashel → Cork: about 1.25 hours

Morning

• Depart Dublin early, drive to Rock of Cashel (County Tipperary).
• Tour the complex: cathedral, round tower, Cormac’s Chapel, and grounds.
  • Allow 1.5–2 hours minimum.
• Recommended: Rock of Cashel, Folklore Museum and Town Tour

Afternoon

• Continue to Cork City.
• Check in and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Cork:
  • English Market, Shandon bells, walk by the River Lee.
• Suggested: Guided Historical Walk of Cork City

Evening

• Dinner in Cork; there’s a good food scene with plenty of pubs and restaurants.

Overnight: Cork.

You have now completed half of your Ireland 10 day Itinerary and if your energy levels are up to it we’ll continue on the second half.

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Day 6 – Blarney Castle → Killarney

Drive:

• Cork → Blarney Castle: about 20–30 minutes
• Blarney → Killarney: about 1.5 hours

Morning

• Head to Blarney Castle & Gardens.
• Tour the castle, climb to the top to kiss the Blarney Stone if you like.
• Explore the gardens (Rock Close, Poison Garden, woodland walks).
  • Plan at least 2–3 hours; it can get busy later in the day, so going early helps.

Afternoon

• Drive on to Killarney.
• Check into your accommodation.
• If you still have energy:
  • Short visit to Killarney National Park:
    • Walk or cycle around the lakes or to Ross Castle.
    • Or take a jaunting car ride for a more relaxed introduction.

Evening

• Dinner in Killarney; there’s usually live music.

Overnight: Killarney (2 nights recommended).

Day 7 – Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park

Focus: Full day dedicated to Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park. Full day

• Drive the Ring of Kerry loop (often anti‑clockwise; check local advice and bus directions).
  • Highlights: Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Coomakista Pass views, Caherdaniel, Cahersiveen, and viewpoints over Dingle Bay.
• Integrate parts of Killarney National Park:
  • Stop at Muckross House & Gardens and Torc Waterfall (short hike).
  • Consider a boat trip on the lakes if time and weather allow.
• This is a long but spectacular day; start early and build in rest/photo stops.
• If you would like to take a rest from driving there are lots of guided coach tours of The Ring of Kerry including this one: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Ring Full-Day Tour

Overnight: Killarney again.

Day 8 – Killarney → Cliffs of Moher → Galway or Doolin

Drive:

• Killarney → Cliffs of Moher: about 3 hours
• Cliffs of Moher → Galway: about 1.5 – 2 hours

or Cliffs of Moher → Doolin: 15 – 20 minutesMorning

• Drive north to the Cliffs of Moher.
• Visit the visitor centre, walk along the cliff paths, and enjoy the viewpoints. (Spectacular photo opportunities)
  • Allow at least 2–3 hours; more if you like hiking.

Afternoon

• Continue to either:
  • Galway (bigger, lively city with nightlife and food), or
  • Doolin (small village, great for traditional music, very close to the cliffs and ferries to the Aran Islands if you add extra days).
• Late afternoon and evening: explore your chosen base:
  • In Galway: Latin Quarter, Spanish Arch, Salthill promenade.
  • Recommended: Food and Culture Walking Tour with Tastings
  • In Doolin: coastal walk, music in the pubs.

Overnight: Galway or Doolin.

Day 9 – Return to Dublin & fly out

Drive / bus / train:

• Galway → Dublin: about 2.5 hours by car, 2.5–3 hours by train or bus.
• From Doolin: drive to Dublin about 3.5 hours.

Morning

• Travel back to Dublin.
• Depending on flight time:
  • Last‑minute shopping in the city centre, or
  • Visit any sight you missed on Day 1–2 (for example, if you skipped a museum).

Departure

• Fly out from Dublin. Hoping you enjoyed your Ireland 10 Day Itinerary.

If you don’t want to drive

This Ireland 10 day itinerary is designed proimarily for driving by car. But with a little ingenuity you can take in most of it by using public transport and tours.

• Use trains/buses and day tours:
  • From Dublin:
    • Organized day tours to Cliffs of Moher, Belfast & Giant’s Causeway, and Kilkenny/Cashel.
  • From Cork:
    • Buses/taxis to Blarney.
  • From Killarney:
    • Local tour operators run the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula tours.
• It’s still doable, but you’ll have less flexibility and may need to trim destinations to fit schedules.

Whichever way you decide to travel, Ireland has loads to see and do for all ages. This Ireland 10 day itinerary is just a starting point. Come back to globalresco.com for more exciting adventures in Ireland!