The Perfect Route for a Week-Long Road Trip Through Ireland

Ireland is made for road trips. With its dramatic coastlines, busy cities, ancient castles, friendly locals, and ever-changing weather, the country offers so much diversity that you’ll want to see it all. And what better way to do so than on the stunning roads through the hillside or on the coastal routes offering unique views over the ocean? While you’d need several weeks to see most of the island, there are some great routes for shorter road trips as well. In this post, we’ll present you with itineraries to inspire your route for a week-long road trip through Ireland.

My Personal Road Trip Route: Dublin – Belfast – Giants Causeway – Donegal – Galway – Cork – Dublin

Let’s start with a route I tried out myself. Take the capital, Dublin, as a starting point and spend some days here before you rent a car. In the capital you can easily get around on foot, by bus, or by Luas and won’t need a car yet. Explore the sights the city has to offer, meet new people, listen to buskers, and of course, visit a pub or two. 

Stop 1: Belfast

Then you can start your trip. On my road trip through Ireland, I first headed up north right into the next big city. Actually, right into the next country, as the first stop was Belfast in Northern Ireland. Here, you’ll find highlights like the Titanic Museum, and you can learn a lot more about the history of Northern Ireland and the Troubles during a Black Cab Tour.

Stop 2: Giants Causeway Coastal Route

Now, from the cities to the beautiful nature the island has to offer. When heading from Belfast to Donegal, you are in for a treat! You can take the Giant’s Causeway Coastal Route and enjoy the most stunning views of the coast, endless white beaches, ancient castles that have also been used as filming locations, and, of course, unique natural wonders like the Giant’s Causeway. 

Stop 3: Donegal

Donegal is not only a convenient stop on your way to Galway. The region is also known for its remote wildness. Stop at Binevenagh on your way for views over Donegal county and a hike. Or head over to the Slieve League Cliffs which are only 45 minutes from Donegal. They are even higher than the Cliffs of Moher, but with a fraction of the crowds visiting.

Stop 4: Connemara National Park to Galway

On your way to Galway you can take a detour through Connemara National Park. The road takes you along fjords and loughs, hills and countless sheep and was certainly a highlight of the trip. Stop at the beautiful Kylemore Abbey or use your time for a hike, for example on Diamond Hill.

Galway, the next stop, is of course a must when visiting Ireland. It’s popular for students and is known for its creative and young energy. Colorful houses, buskers, and great seafood await you here.

Stop 5: Cliffs of Moher 

One of the highlights and the most popular sights in Ireland is certainly the Cliffs of Moher. About 14 kilometres wide and 120 meters high, they are a unique view to experience. The Cliffs and the Burren next to them are also part of a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Stop 6: Cork

For the next stop we chose Cork, another beautiful city with its own charm, trendy restaurants, parks, and museums. While the city is absolutely worth a stop, in retrospect I would have exchanged it for the Ring of Kerry - or just added another day to the road trip.

Stop 7: Back to Dublin

Now it’s time to travel back to Dublin, but there are a few more gems on the way to discover. For example, stop by Blarney Castle near Cork, visit Cahir Castle and the Rock of Cashel on your way through Tipperary, or take the detour over Kilkenny.

Our Routes for a Week-Long Road Trip Through Ireland

Road Trip Route 1 (My Optimised Route): The Wild Atlantic Loop

• Dublin – 1 day
• Belfast – 1 day
• Giants Causeway Coastal Route - 1 day
• Donegal & Connemara – 1 day
• Galway & Cliffs of Moher - 1 day
• Ring of Kerry – 1 day
• Cork – 1 day
• back to Dublin

This route blends vibrant cities with stunning natural beauty and keeps you circling Ireland in only a week. Of course, the stops are quite short, but this trip is great to get an overall image of the island.

Suggested Route 2: The Southern Scenic Route

Ideal if you prefer warmer weather (relatively speaking!), coastal views and some longer stops.

• Dublin – 1 day
• Kilkenny – 1 day 
• Cork – 1 day
• Killarney & Ring of Kerry – 2 days
• Doolin, Cliffs of Moher & Galway – 2 days
• back to Dublin

This version skips the north and focuses on the south and west. It’s perfect if you’re flying into Dublin and want a loop that’s more compact but still packed with beauty.

Suggested Route 3: Northern Ireland & Wild Donegal

Basically the contrast to Route 2 Here, you’ll (generally) meet fewer crowds and concentrate on the nature of Northern Ireland.

• Dublin – 1 day
• Belfast – 2 days
• Causeway Coast (Portrush, Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede) – 1 day
• Derry & Donegal – 2 days
• Sligo or Mayo – 1 day
• back to Dublin

This one’s great for fans of Game of Thrones, ancient history, and off-the-beaten-path gems. Of course, you always have the option to adjust the length of your stay at one spot.

Road Trip Route 4: Wild West & Connemara Adventure

If you rather want to experience Ireland’s raw, poetic side and maybe go for some hikes, this one's for you:

• Dublin – 1 day
• Galway – 2 days (use one day to explore the city and one for Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, and Sky Road near Clifden)
• Westport – 1 day (town at the foot of Croagh Patrick, and gateway to Achill Island)
• Doolin & Cliffs of Moher – 1 day
• Killarney & the Ring of Kerry – 2 days
• back to Dublin

As you can see, there’s plenty of adventure that you can pack into your weeklong road trip through Ireland. Whether you’d like to see the whole island or concentrate on specific regions. Just a few tips before you start your road trip:

• pack for every possible weather
• don’t overpack the schedule and leave room for spontaneous detours
• don’t rent a big car - roads in Ireland can be quite narrow

And now have fun on your travels!