Ultimate 10 Day Ireland Itinerary: An Epic Irish Adventure

This detailed 10 day Ireland itinerary balances city and nature, with stops at Dublin, Galway (day trips to Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands) and Killarney (day trips to Gap of Dunloe and Muckross Abbey)

In this post I provide an overview of the best things to do in each city, as well as the nitty-gritty details about how to get there, where to stay and how much it costs!

For more details about each city and sight, read my individual Dublin, Galway, and Killarney itineraries.

*Some of the links included in this post may be affiliate. I may receive a small commission from purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Please know that I only recommend products and services that I 100% trust and believe in*

DUBLIN

How to Get to Dublin

There are only two ways to get to Dublin from abroad.

The first and far more popular option is to fly. Pre-book your flight early and shop around to get the best price.

If you have an aversion to flying or just like an adventure, there is a ferry from Holyhead, Wales to Dublin which takes about 3.5 hours.

Prices are actually pretty affordable; book via Irish Ferries.

Where to Stay in Dublin

Try to book accommodation around the Temple Bar area, because that will be walking distance to most of the sights you would want to see. I recommend booking early to get good accommodation as Dublin is a very popular city! 

$ Hostel $

Abbey Court Hostel
29 Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1, Dublin, Ireland
This hostel is located just across the river from Temple Bar and in walking distance of all of Dublins best sights. With over 13,000 reviews it is (admittedly self-proclaimed) ‘Dublins most popular hostel in 2024.’ I stayed here in 2023 and had a great time. Check availability or see other options.

$$ Hotel $$

Celtic Lodge Guesthouse
81 – 82 Talbot Street, D1 Dublin, Ireland 
This guesthouse is also located just across the River Liffey. With clean furnishings, Irish breakfasts, affordable pricing, free cancellation and live music in the bar below, this hotel has everything you could want. The only downside is there is no lift and guests will need to climb the stairs to their room. Check availability or see other options.

How to get around Dublin

Using public transport while in the city centre is generally unnecessary. I would avoid using public transport if you can help it because they only accept Leap Cards or EXACT cash (no change given). There is a tourist Leap Card, but it is tedious to get. 

If you do want to take public transport within the city, make sure you plan with the Transport for Ireland or Google Maps before taking your trip. 

What to Pack for Dublin

If you are not sure what to bring to Dublin, my UK packing list for backpackers gives a good overview of what clothes and items you’ll need.

TIP: It is absolutely crucial that you pack a rain-jacket and/or an umbrella! It is most likely that it will rain at least once during your visit, so best to be prepared. 

DAY 1: Arrival

The easiest and most affordable way to get into the city from the airport is by bus.

There are two bus services from the airport. They follow different routes, so use Dublin Airport’s journey planner to find out which you should use.

• The Dublin Express takes about 30 minutes and costs €8.26.

• The Aircoach takes about 50 minutes and costs €10 (prices as of July 2024).

If you arrive at your accommodation early in the morning, continue on with this itinerary. If not, just relax, have dinner, and find some live music (not a hard task in Dublin)!

DAY 2: Dublin’s Museums

Morning

Book of Kells at Trinity College (£25 for 90 minutes access)

The Book of Kells is a religious book containing the 4 gospels of the New Testament, thought to have been created in 800AD. It’s housed in the Old Library of Trinity College, Dublin’s oldest university, and it’s the lavish illustrations found throughout the manuscript that make it so distinctive.

National Gallery (free)

Dublin’s National Gallery is housed in a gorgeously grand and luxurious building and strongly focuses on paintings by Irish artists.

Oscar Wilde Statue and Home (€12)

This stop is optional, but if you have an interest in poetry, you might want to visit Oscar Wilde’s restored childhood home.

National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology and Natural History (both free)

The Archaeology and Natural History museums are next door to each other. The Archaeology Museum is home to an interesting exhibition on bog bodies.

Afternoon

Picnic Lunch at St Stephen’s Green

St Stephens Green is the perfect place for a picnic. There are various statues and monuments scattered throughout the park, as well as ducks in the central pond.

Window Shopping in Grafton Street

On Grafton Street you’ll find cafes, restaurants, bookshops, retail stores, gift shops, and plenty of buskers creating a lively ‘Irish’ atmosphere. This is where you want to go if you’re looking for souvenirs to bring back home. 

Drinks around Temple Bar

Live music is not hard to find in Ireland, and the Temple Bar area is the best place to go to find it. A few venues that I enjoyed were The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant, Dublin Citi Hotel and Trinity Bar and Venue, and Bad Bobs. 

If you’re under the age of 30 and wanting to meet people, join the Generation Pub Crawl. For €14 you can get a bunch of free drinks and entry into a nightclub.

DAY 3: West Side of Dublin

Morning

Dublin Castle (€8)

Dublin Castle has just reopened after extensive renovations. Explore what was the residence of the British monarch’s Irish representative before Ireland gained independence.

Chester Beatty Museum (free)

This underrated museum is located inside Dublin Castle.

St Patrick’s Cathedral (€10, or attend a service for free)

This cathedral that dates back to the 1200’s. There is a cute little park out in front of the cathedral with a fountain, gardens, and grassy areas for you to sit and relax. 

Dublinia €15

This museum explores Dublin’s Viking history by recreating what life would have been like using interactive displays, props and mannquins, from what clothes they wore, food they ate, medicinal remedies they used and what their houses would have been like.

Christ Church Cathedral (€11.50)

This church is next to Dublinia, so they can be visited together.

Afternoon

Option 1: Guinness Storehouse Tour (price determined by time and date)

Learn about the history of Guinness and how it is produced. The tour ticket includes a free drink.

Option 2: Walk to Phoenix Park (free)

Stroll along the River Liffey to this 1750 acre park. Admire the flower gardens, avenues of trees, and large areas of grassland and perhaps spot a deer. The park is also home to Dublin Zoo (€24).

Need more detail? Read my 2 day Dublin Itinerary!

GALWAY

The second destination in this 10 day Ireland itinerary is Galway. Galway, located on the Wild Atlantic Way, provides a great base for day trips in the area.

How to Get to Galway

There are about 6 daily trains from Dublin Heuston Station to Galway (Ceannt) Station. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.

Buses depart far more frequently, about 2 every hour. The journey also takes 2.5 hours.

The prices are fairly comparable, so the mode of transport you should choose depends on where your accommodation is located. Dublin’s train station is further west, close to Phoenix Park.

Where to Stay in Galway

$ Hostel $

Woodquay Hostel
3/24 Woodquay, Galway, H91 P8RP, Ireland
This hostel is the best and cheapest in Galway. Housed in a cosy and quirky building, Woodquay Hostel offers free cancellation and easy access to Dublin’s nightlife and train station. Check availability or see other options.

$$ Hotel $$

Urban Nest Townhouse
25 College Rd, Galway, H91 P688, Ireland
Check availability or see other options.

How to get around Galway

Galway is a very compact city. All the sights in town are in walking distance, while those out of town such as the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands can be accessed via bus or tour.

DAY 4: Bus to Galway

Morning

You will probably arrive in Galway around mid-morning, and by the time you get checked into your accommodation, you’re probably a little hungry. Have lunch in one of the many pubs on Galway High Street.

Afternoon

Galway Market

Galway Market can be found in an alley next to the Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. There were stalls selling handmade crafts, flowers, fresh vegetables, baked goods, cheeses, jewellery and more.

Galway Cathedral (free, but ask for €3 donation)

This is a fairly new church, completed in 1965 although you wouldn’t guess that by its appearance. It was built where the old prison used to be. Behind the cathedral is Nun’s Islands, home to the still active Poor Clare Monastery.

Nimmo’s Pier

Stroll along the pier for a great view across to the Long Walk, a street of colourful houses on the other side of the river.

Grattan Beach

You could continue walking around the peninsula to see what Galway considers to be a beach.

Spanish Arch

The Spanish Arch dates back to the 12th century. More many centuries soldiers lived here, defended the city and accepted merchant cargo.

Galway City Museum (free)

This small museum outlines the history of Galway city and the surrounding county.

The Long Walk and Dock

The Long Walk is a historic road of brightly painted townhouses. If you continue around the bend, you will reach Dock Street. Dock Street is exactly what you think, it’s where the fishermen dock their boats!

Eyre Park

Spend the afternoon relaxing in Eyre Park, or shopping in Eyre Square Centre, before heading off for dinner in High Street.

Need more detail? Read my 3 Day Galway Itinerary!

DAY 5: Cliffs of Moher

How to Get to the Cliffs of Moher

Ireland’s bus service, Bus Éireann, operates a route (350) from Galway to Ennis which stops at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.

I recommend taking the first available bus from Galway at 8am, so you arrive at the Cliffs of Moher parking lot around 10:12am.

You’ll find the buses just in front of Galway Train Station. You can buy your ticket on board with cash. If you need to use card, purchase your ticket at the machine inside the train station. Be sure to purchase a RETURN ticket.

What to See and Do at the Cliffs of Moher

At the Cliffs of Moher you can walk along the cliffside trail of Burren Way, visit O’Briens Tower, take the picture at Pollboy Lookout and explore the cafes and gift shops at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.

Read Cliffs of Moher: How to Plan an Independent Day Trip from Galway for more details!

DAY 6: Aran Islands

How to Get to the Aran Islands

Option 1: Galway City Docks to Inishmore, return via Cliffs of Moher

This ferry departs from the Galway City Docks at 9:30am every day, arrives on Inishmore at 11am. You have until 3:30pm to explore the island, after which the ferry sails past (doesn’t stop at) the Cliffs of Moher and arrives back in Galway at 6pm.

Tickets cost €49 for adults.

This tour is seasonal, so it’s only available during the summer.

Option 2: Shuttle to Rossaveel, return ferry to Inishmore, shuttle back to Galway

This ferry departs from Rossaveel Pier 4 times each day: 10:30am, 11:45am, 1pm and 6:30pm. A shuttle will take you from Victoria Place in Galway city to the pier. Departures from Inishmore take place at: 8:15am, 12pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6:30pm

Tickets (including shuttle bus) cost €40 for adults.

This ferry takes place all year round.

Best choice?

I chose option 2 because I visited the Cliffs of Moher the day before. I wanted to maximise my time on the island and I don’t think that 4 hours is enough.

What to See and Do on the Aran Islands

On Inishmore you can rent a bike and cycle around the island, visiting Kilronan Village, the seal colony, Kilmurvey Beach and Village, the medieval ruins of the Seven Churches, the prehistoric fort of Dun Aonghasa and the natural phenomenon of the Wormhole.

Read Ultimate Aran Islands Day Trip: How to Visit Inishmore from Galway for my cycling route around the island!

KILLARNEY

The third and final stop on this 10 day Ireland itinerary is the village of Killarney, in the famous Ring of Kerry.

Where to Stay in Killarney

$ Hostel $

Black Sheep Hostel
68 New Street, Killarney, Ireland.
This is hands-down the best hostel I’ve ever stayed in. The beds are so comfy, and they have curtains and big lockers. You get a free breakfast and the hostel owners have two cute little dachshunds. Check availability or see other options.

$$ Hotel $$

Foley’s Townhouse Killarney
This guesthouse is perfectly located right on High Street. The rooms are simple but elegant, and you get free breakfast which guests confirm is delicious. Check availability or see other options.

How to get around Killarney

Public transport in Killarney and around the Ring of Kerry is not great. Killarney itself is easy enough to walk around, but if you are wanting to get out of town, then you will need a car or bike.

• Renting a car is expensive, and as a budget traveller, it’s not something I can provide a lot of detail about.

• Rent a bike from O’Sullivans Rent a Bike. They have pretty reasonable prices and are helping in showing what route you should take and what sights there are to see.

DAY 7: Killarney and Ross Castle

Morning

To get from Galway to Killarney, take the train to Limerick (2 hours).

Then catch the bus from Arthurs Quay bus stop (in front of Arthurs Quay Park) to Killarney (1 hour 40 mins).

Lunch in Killarney High Street

Killarney’s High Street is joy to explore. In my Killarney itinerary I outline a heap of different souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes that stood out to me.

Afternoon

St Mary’s Cathedral (free)

This impressive church was constructed over several decades, with work halting due to the Great Famine. Weirdly, the altar and pulpit are made of Tasmanian oak.

Killarney House and Gardens (free)

Killarney House is a gorgeous big house on the southern end of town, that was originally the stable block for a now demolished mansion.

It’a surrounded by extensive gardens and grass, making it the perfect place to stroll and picnic if the weather is nice.

You can enter the building for free to visit the exhibition on the surrounding Killarney National Park.

Ross Castle

It takes about 40 minutes to walk from St Mary’s Cathedral to Ross Castle.

Ross Castle is thought to have been built in the 15th century by Chieftain O’Donoghue Mór. The castle is thought to be one of the last to surrender to Oliver Cromwell’s invasion during the Eleven Year’s War. For €5 entry you can explore the interior.

On the jetty in front of Ross Castle, you’ll find boat companies offering tours of the lake.

If you don’t want to walk and you’ve got the budget, there are many jaunting car companies in town that offer a ride to the castle.

I wrote a whole post about Ross Castle!

DAY 8: Muckross House

Hire a bike to cycle around Muckross Lake. I hired mine from O’Sullivan’s Killarney Rent a Bike and they were great.

Muckross Abbey (free)

First stop is is the ruins of a monastery that was active from about 1448 to 1650.

The building is fairly well-preserved (except lacking a roof) and there is also a surrounding cemetery that has fallen into disrepair.

The most notable feature of Muckross Abbey is the great Yew tree growing inside the courtyard of one of the buildings.

Muckross House

This nineteenth century Victorian mansion has been furnished in period style to portray what life would have been like for elegant upper-class.

The surrounding grounds are worth a visit too, as well as the Traditional Farms, which shows what daily life was like for the ordinary folk who served the residents of Muckross House.

Entry to Muckross House is €9 for adults and €6 for children. Entry to the Traditional Farm costs €9 for adults and €6 for children.

Brickeen Bridge

There is a great bike path that weaves through the forest around Muckross Lake. The path is one-way, so make sure you head in an anti-clockwise direction.

Brickeen Bridge marks the point where Muckross Lake and the bigger Lough Leane connect, and theres a nice view across the lake.

Dinis Cottage

This traditional cottage turned cafe serves hot drinks and snack foods. There are outdoor tables and public restrooms available if needed.

Torc Waterfall

Torc Waterfall is only a short 200 metre walk from the road. The waterfall is rather small, but there are many legends associated with it.

I wrote a whole post about cycling Muckross Lake!

DAY 9: Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow 2km long pass between the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range and the Purple Mountain Group range. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, making it one of the best things to do in County Kerry.

How to Get to the Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe is about 12 kilometres from Killarney.

To get there, I took the Gap of Dunloe Outdoor Day Tour with Wild Kerry Tours.

I chose this tour because it was the cheapest at €36 for adults and €27 for students (July 2024). There are other ones around town such as the Gap of Dunloe Tours, but the Wild Kerry Tours office is located a little out of town, just beyond Killarney House, which might explain why it’s slightly cheaper.

The tour includes transport to and from the Gap of Dunloe, including a boat ride across Lough Leane.

Walking the Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe starts at Kate Kearney’s Cottage. Your tour bus will drop you off here at 10:45. There are toilets and a cafe for you to freshen up, as well as people advertising jaunting cars if you decide not to walk.

The walk from Kate Kearney’s Cottage to Lord Brandon’s Cottage is 11km and took me about 3 hours.

The Gap of Dunloe ends at Lord Brandon’s Cottage, where there is a cafe for you to have lunch and wait for the boats to depart.

Boats start departing around 2pm, and the driver will take you across Lough Leane to Ross Castle. From there, your tour bus will take you back to Killarney.

I wrote a whole post about walking the Gap of Dunloe if you want to know what it was like, what I saw, and how I felt doing it as a solo woman.

DAY 10: Getting Home

To get back home, you can catch a train to Dublin (3 hours), or fly from Kerry Airport (1 hour).

I flew from Kerry Airport to London Stansted.

A note about taking the bus to the airport

The bus is run by Expressway and is Route 40. It is VERY irregular and there are only a two each day that will actually go all the way to the airport (both in the morning). Most of the time, the bus will stop at Farranfore, the little village at the intersection to the airport. This means you will have to walk 1.6 kilometres along this road.

I did this (because I didn’t realise until it was too late) and I survived, but I will say it wasn’t fun. The road from Farranfore to Kerry Airport is literally a highway through farmland. There is a sidewalk, which was a relief, but I felt uncomfortable and vulnerable.

If you can, I’d recommend taking a taxi to Kerry Airport or the train to Dublin.

Final Thoughts

That’s the end of your 10 day Ireland itinerary!

I tried squeeze as much variety into this itinerary as possible, and I think I’ve achieved a good balance of city and nature.

Please let me know if this 10 day Ireland itinerary inspired you to visit Ireland, or other cities or sights you’d recommend people to visit!

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