7-Day Ireland Road Trip: Our Route from Bundoran to Dublin

I had wanted to visit Ireland for years. When Mitch and I finally started comparing flights, dates, and possible routes for an October getaway, I knew I didn’t want to spend the entire trip in one city. I wanted the coast, the smaller towns, and enough time to experience Dublin without making it the focus of our vacation. Mitch wanted opportunities to check out Ireland’s surf breaks, so that helped shape the route, too.

What followed was a fast-moving road trip from Dublin Airport to Bundoran, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, and finally Dublin. We saw some incredible scenery, ate far better than I ever expected, and met people whose friendliness was just as memorable as the places we visited.

It wasn’t a perfectly executed itinerary. High winds canceled a boat tour, some ambitious detours fell away, and we had one day that may have involved more driving than I would choose again. But I came home happy with how much we experienced—and with a better idea of where I’d spend extra time on a return trip.

One important timing note: Our seven-day Ireland itinerary includes the day we left the United States on an overnight flight. We arrived in Dublin on October 11 and departed Ireland on October 16, so this is not seven full sightseeing days on the ground. We spent five nights in Ireland and used parts of six calendar days there.

Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book or purchase through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only share accommodations, experiences and services that I believe are useful for planning this trip.

Want the booking details? I’ve put together a separate guide covering the hotels we chose, our National rental car, advance reservations, and which experiences felt worth the money. Read the Ireland Road Trip Booking Guide for the practical details behind this route.

Our Ireland Road Trip Route

Why we chose to drive instead of staying in one place

Our wish list was spread across western Ireland. We could have stayed in Dublin or Galway and booked excursions, but that would have meant more backtracking and less freedom to stop when a beach or viewpoint caught our attention.

The rental car was worth it for our itinerary. It also came with a real cost in driver concentration. Mitch drove every mile in Ireland, including narrow country roads, blind bends, roundabouts, and busy city traffic. I’ll come back to that—because the freedom a car gives you is only part of the calculation.

We booked hotels ahead of time. That gave us confidence we had somewhere to sleep, but it also meant we couldn’t rearrange entire days when the coastal weather changed. My strategy was to research more options than we could reasonably fit in at each location and then decide which ones to drop as we went. In hindsight, that was much more helpful than trying to execute every item on a rigid schedule.

Day 1: Overnight Flight to Dublin

Our trip began with American Airlines at Raleigh–Durham International Airport on Saturday, October 10, with a connection in Philadelphia before the overnight flight to Dublin.

We had paid extra for seats on the short Raleigh-to-Philadelphia flight partly to get off the plane quickly and keep our carry-on luggage close. That particular upgrade didn’t pay off. The regional aircraft couldn’t accommodate roller bags in the overhead bins, so mine had to be gate-checked anyway. We then had to wait for it after landing.

Our connection did give us a chance to visit the Chase Sapphire Lounge at Philadelphia, which we enjoyed. We paid extra for Premium Economy seats on the overnight transatlantic flight. We still only slept roughly an hour and a half each, but I appreciated the additional comfort and would consider that expense worthwhile again on an overnight trip when I wanted to arrive ready to explore.

Our return itinerary happened to include an almost 24-hour connection in London, which we used for some sightseeing after leaving Ireland. We didn’t deliberately purchase an extended stopover. I’ll touch on that briefly at the end.

Planning your flights? We flew American Airlines through Philadelphia, but there are other ways to reach Dublin. You can compare flights to Dublin to explore routes and fares from your departure airport.

Day 2: Dublin Airport to Bundoran

We arrived at Dublin Airport on Sunday morning, picked up our rental car from National, and headed toward Bundoran. Our drive took us through Northern Ireland before bringing us to the Donegal coast.

Driving on the left immediately demanded attention. There were roundabouts everywhere, and stretches of road that were surprisingly narrow compared with what we’re used to at home. Mitch took on the driving while I handled navigation and watched for the places we’d researched.

Our first look at the water came at The Peak in Bundoran. We explored around town, stopped in surf shops, and headed to Tullan Strand and the Fairy Bridges. The surf was a major reason Bundoran made the itinerary. Although Mitch never actually got to surf during this trip, checking conditions and discovering these coastal spots together was still one of our favorite parts of the first day.

For lunch, we stopped at Madden’s for Sunday roast. I had turkey and ham; Mitch had beef. Both were tender, and the vegetables were delicious. That meal set the tone for one of the biggest surprises of the trip: we genuinely looked forward to the food every day, not just the sightseeing.

Food ended up being one of our favorite surprises of the trip. I’ve shared more about the restaurants, pub meals, and memorable dishes we enjoyed in What We Ate in Ireland, including a few experiences that didn’t quite meet our expectations.

After checking into the Allingham Arms, we showered and slept for a couple of hours. It’s possible we missed a good surf window during that break, but with so little sleep on the flight, rest was the right choice for us.

Later, we walked back toward the coast and had dinner at Stoked. We’d deliberately avoided making a firm first-night reservation because we couldn’t know how tired we would be. We were fortunate to get a table, but I would normally recommend making a reservation at Stoked.

Would I do this again? Yes. Bundoran gave us coastal scenery right away and a very different introduction to Ireland than spending the arrival day in Dublin. The tradeoff was a long drive immediately after an overnight flight, and in our case one person had to be sufficiently alert to drive it.

Day 3: Bundoran to Galway, With the Coastal Stops We Couldn’t Resist

After breakfast at the Allingham Arms, we checked the surf around Bundoran and Tullan Strand again before heading toward Mullaghmore Head and Streedagh Beach. We stopped for coastal views and walked on the beach.

The original plan for this day was more ambitious. I had researched Kylemore Abbey, Killary Fjord, and the Sky Road near Clifden as possibilities on our way to Galway. But by the time we finished our beach stops, the extra driving no longer made sense. We decided to cut those destinations rather than spend the remainder of the day racing between them.

I still would have liked to see Kylemore Abbey and the Sky Road. But I don’t regret choosing the stops we did make and arriving in Galway with enough time to enjoy the city.

We checked into The Western Hotel, which I’d selected in large part for its parking and walkable location near Eyre Square. We spent the afternoon and evening exploring: browsing shops, walking near the Long Walk, stopping for drinks at O’Connell’s Pub, and having dinner at The Quays. We finished with Murphy’s Ice Cream, where we tried chocolate and Dingle sea salt, and picked up some Keogh’s chips for later.

Something else became clear around this point: Ireland’s smaller cities and towns were every bit as enjoyable as the big scenic attractions. We found ourselves chatting with people in shops and pubs, and the conversations felt genuinely welcoming rather than forced.

Day 4: Galway to Dingle via the Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch, and a Ferry

This was one of the fullest—and most memorable—days of the road trip.

We spent a little more time in Galway that morning, including a visit to Galway Cathedral, before driving south toward the Cliffs of Moher. Along the way, we made a few brief stops, including photographs at Corkscrew Hill and near Doonagore Castle.

The Cliffs of Moher were worth the stop—even without our boat tour

We’d booked a cruise to see the cliffs from the water, but high winds prompted a cancellation and refund. I was disappointed. That perspective was on my wish list, and it’s still something I’d like to experience on another trip.

Fortunately, the weather was relatively clear for our visit on land. We spent about two hours walking the viewpoints and photographing the cliffs, including the path toward O’Brien’s Tower and the viewpoints on the opposite side of the visitor area. It was windy enough to make photography interesting, but the views were spectacular. We skipped most of the indoor exhibits because we wanted to keep moving. Two hours felt like a reasonable amount of time for our visit, though someone who wants to explore the exhibits may want more.

Why we went to Lahinch instead of Doolin

Doolin had originally been part of the plan for the canceled cruise, but we did not visit the town. Once the boat trip was gone and we realized how much farther we still needed to drive, we chose to continue south rather than make another detour.

Instead we stopped in Lahinch, visited the beach and a surf shop, stopped at the post office to buy stamps, and ate sandwiches at Joe’s. It gave us a pleasant, unhurried break. I’m still interested in seeing Doolin on another visit, but Lahinch was the right substitute that afternoon.

The Shannon ferry was worth it for us

We took the Killimer–Tarbert car ferry across the Shannon Estuary on the way toward Kerry. Our ticket cost €22.50 for the car and passengers in October 2026. The ferry reduced the amount of road driving and gave Mitch a chance to rest. That alone made it feel worthwhile.

Ferry schedules vary seasonally, so I would check the official Shannon Ferries timetable before building a driving day around it.

From there, our approach to Dingle unexpectedly took us over Conor Pass. We stopped for the waterfall and viewpoints. The scenery was beautiful, and I was pleasantly surprised that the winding road didn’t make me carsick.

We also stopped at Ballinknockane Bay Beach between Conor Pass and Arden House. The waves looked nearly perfect for Mitch to surf, but it was almost dark. If we’d arrived a couple of hours earlier, he might have had time to get in the water. We considered returning the next morning, but the strong winds made good surfing conditions unlikely.

We arrived in Dingle in time to settle into Arden House and head to our reservation at Fenton’s. Dinner was excellent, and our waitress’s connection to South Carolina gave us another of those fun, unexpected conversations that stayed with me.

Day 5: Slea Head Drive, Inch Beach, and the Long Drive to Dublin

If I could give ourselves one extra night anywhere along this route, Dingle would be a serious contender.

We started the morning with breakfast at Arden House and headed out on a clockwise Slea Head Drive. The coastline was gorgeous. Under calmer conditions, I could have spent far longer making short walks and stopping at viewpoints.

Unfortunately, the wind was exceptionally strong that day. At some stops, even opening the car door was difficult. We skipped or shortened places I’d been excited about, including walking around Dunmore Head and going down to Coumeenoole Beach. We did spend time around Dunquin Pier, but I wasn’t willing to venture into exposed areas just to get a particular photograph.

We returned to Dingle for lunch at James Long Gastro Pub. Mitch had another stew, I had a toastie and vegetables, and we were once again impressed with the food. Then it was time to point the car east.

We briefly stopped at Inch Beach to look at the surf, but the wind had the water looking more like a washing machine. Unfortunately, the surfboard we’d brought along never touched the water on this trip.

The remainder of the day was a long drive to Dublin. We arrived at the Hyatt Centric The Liberties in the evening, then managed to fit in a spontaneous couples massage and dinner at Porters of Camden Street.

Looking back, combining Slea Head with the entire Dingle-to-Dublin drive may have been our most demanding choice. I wouldn’t say the day was a failure—we still saw wonderful places—but I would strongly consider adding a night in Dingle or breaking up the eastbound drive next time.

Day 6: A Full Day in Dublin

Our two-night Dublin stay gave us one full day in the city without changing hotels again. That was a good decision for this first visit, even though I’d probably put more emphasis on areas outside the city on a return trip.

We began with breakfast at Keogh’s Cafe and a practical errand: dropping off a small load of laundry. We then visited Trinity College’s Book of Kells experience and Long Room. I’m glad we saw them, but for me it was probably a one-time experience. The crowds and lines were a bit much, especially with limited sightseeing time.

We stopped at Grogan’s for lunch and enjoyed the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub.

The Guinness Connoisseur Experience surprised me

Mitch had chosen the Guinness Storehouse Connoisseur Experience, and I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy it. I’m not normally much of a beer drinker.

I ended up loving it.

Our host, Cat, made the small-group tasting welcoming and interesting, including for guests who didn’t normally drink Guinness. She asked what people thought of each sample rather than assuming everyone would already love it. Afterward, she even offered me a practical tip about using a drink ticket for Rockshore Apple Cider at Arthur’s Bar.

For me, this was one of the worthwhile splurges of the trip. We then visited the bars in the Storehouse, including the Gravity Bar.

For a closer look at what the Connoisseur Experience includes, how much time to allow, and whether I’d book it again, read my Guinness Connoisseur Experience review.

Later, we caught lovely evening light around Ha’penny Bridge and finished the day with dinner at Bull & Castle, another standout meal.

What did we miss? We never managed a proper evening listening to traditional Irish live music. We’d had opportunities to consider it, but by nightfall we were often tired. That is something I’d leave room for next time—not necessarily by booking it into the schedule, but by leaving ourselves enough energy to enjoy an evening out.

Day 7: Leaving Dublin

On Friday, October 16, we returned our rental car and flew out of Dublin. With an 11:10 a.m. flight, we didn’t have time for additional sightseeing in Dublin on our final day in Ireland. The rental-car return was at a depot outside the airport, and we took a short shuttle to the terminal. Allow time for that extra step when planning your departure.

Our original return-flight search had produced a reasonably priced itinerary with an almost 24-hour connection in London. Rather than sit near the airport, we decided to use the stopover to explore. That gave us a taste of London—and a long list of things we’d like to return for—without changing the structure of the Ireland portion of our trip.

Where We Stayed on Our Ireland Road Trip

We used four hotels across five nights. Each was selected for a particular reason: its location along our route, parking, arrival timing, or the points we could use.

Allingham Arms, Bundoran — one night

Our room was spacious, with a waterfront view and room to manage our surfboard. The bathroom had useful counter space, and opening the window helped with ventilation. Its location worked well for our first day on the coast. We used the restaurant for buffet breakfast rather than dinner.

The Western Hotel, Galway — one night

I chose The Western largely because it offered parking and access to central Galway. The underground parking was useful, and we could explore on foot after checking in. The room and bathroom had some space limitations, but I’d consider staying there again on a similar visit.

Arden House, Dingle — one night

Arden House was a more budget-conscious choice than some alternatives I’d researched for a short stay. We received a warm welcome—the receptionist even walked us to our room—and had no major complaints. The room was cozy, and the wet-room-style bathroom had minimal counter space. If I were planning a longer Dingle stay, I might look at a broader range of properties.

Hyatt Centric The Liberties, Dublin — two nights

This was probably my favorite hotel of the Ireland portion. I particularly appreciated the bathroom and air-conditioning, and the front-desk team was welcoming. One receptionist even jokingly adopted a Southern accent while asking about our day. We used Hyatt awards for the rooms, which helped make two nights in Dublin especially appealing.

For more details about why we chose each hotel, how we handled the rental car, and the reservations we made before leaving home, see our Ireland Road Trip Booking Guide.

What We Learned About Driving in Ireland

I would rent a car again for a road trip like this. But I would be prepared for the driving challenges.

The narrow roads were the biggest adjustment. There were blind curves, stone walls close to the roadway, very little margin for error in some places, and tight parking. Mitch needed to pay particular attention to judging the left side of the vehicle and entering the correct lane after a turn. Years of muscle memory from driving on the right required real concentration to overcome.

Roundabouts were less intimidating than expected. We encountered many of them, and after some initial adjustment they felt fairly straightforward. I also felt traffic moved efficiently through them.

No turning on red. Unlike in much of the United States, you cannot simply turn at a red light in Ireland. Wait for the appropriate signal; a green directional arrow may permit your turn.

The car was worth it because of our stops. Without it, we couldn’t have followed the same sequence of surf checks, small towns, viewpoints, and spontaneous breaks. But if your main goal is Dublin, or you’re unhappy with long drives on narrow roads, I would weigh other transportation options seriously.

Wind can change your driving day as much as rain. We expected some rain in October. The strongest disruption to our actual plans was wind: it canceled the Cliffs cruise, shortened several Slea Head stops, and ruled out surfing.

Crossing into Northern Ireland: The speed-limit signs switch from kilometers per hour to miles per hour. Also check your rental agreement for Northern Ireland driving coverage and any cross-border fees.

Booking a rental car? We rented through National for our Ireland road trip. You can compare rental cars at Dublin Airport to check available companies, vehicle options, and prices for your travel dates.

Mobile data: We used a seven-day Airalo Europe unlimited-data eSIM during our Ireland road trip and London stopover. At $27, it was an affordable way to stay connected, and coverage was reliable even in rural areas. We had two brief connectivity issues that were easy to resolve, but otherwise it worked very well.

I share our full experience, setup tips, and a discount code for first-time Airalo customers in our Ireland Road Trip Booking Guide.

For a closer look at what driving this route was actually like—including our rental SUV, narrow roads, Northern Ireland crossing, Shannon ferry, and the lessons we learned along the way—read Driving Ireland’s West Coast: Our Rental Car Experience & Lessons Learned.

Before You Plan Your Own Trip: What We’d Change and What Helped

We loved this route and don’t regret covering so much ground. Here’s what we’d change—and what I’d suggest to anyone planning something similar.

Was Seven Days Enough for Our Ireland Road Trip?

For what we wanted from a first trip, yes—with an important caveat. Seven calendar days including an overnight flight did not give us seven full days in Ireland. We accepted long drives and multiple hotel changes in exchange for seeing a much wider section of the country.

I’m grateful we did. We got the coastal scenery I’d hoped for, experienced the Cliffs of Moher, drove Slea Head, visited Dublin, and learned that the food, smaller towns, and friendliness of the people were some of the best parts of Ireland for us.

If I were planning a second Ireland trip, I might fly through Shannon, spend more time along the western coast, and leave Dublin for another visit. That’s not because Dublin wasn’t worthwhile—it was exactly right to spend two nights there this time. It’s because now I know which experiences I want more of.

And if your return flight happens to include an unusually long London connection, there may be an opportunity for another adventure. Ours became a short but memorable visit, giving us an unexpected bonus destination before heading home.