Acanela Expeditions

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A Roadtrip Around Ireland

Sophie Coderre

My happy place is the intersection between adventure and organization. As an avid traveler with a keen sense of FOMO, I tend to thrive on well-planned, detailed itineraries that ensure I maximize my time in any location. So when my husband found a great airfare deal to Dublin for our winter vacation -- a deal that was only valid if we spent a full 11 days on the Emerald Isle -- I knew that my skills were about to be uniquely tested. This was my Superbowl. I geared up to plan the ultimate Ireland road trip and I’m here to help you do the same! 

Ireland/Northern Ireland is a small and super-driveable island! The rolling green hills, beautiful coastline, and short distances between many major cities makes it a perfect road-trip location. Many of the most popular sites can be done as a day trip from Dublin, but the trip we planned was a full loop with many nights in a new location. 

Some food for thought as you plan: 

It’s gonna be a bumpy ride! 

Many country roads you’ll be on are extremely narrow and winding. The Irish drive on the left which can be a difficult adjustment if that isn’t your norm. Be prepared to take it slow and navigate carefully! 

Mix and match 

One of the best aspects of Ireland is the variety of experiences it offers. Stunning scenery, historic sights, bustling cities, rowdy bars, or a quiet pub with some live music. To get the best out of your road trip, try to mix and match a bit of everything! 

Plan for your border cross 

If you plan to include Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway in your roadtrip (which I strongly recommend!), you’ll be crossing the border into Northern Ireland which is part of the UK. Your rental car company will likely charge a border cross fee and your currency will change from Euros to Pounds. There is a tense history between Ireland/Northern Ireland so do your research and be respectful. 

Don’t skip the smaller towns!

Our itinerary (below) brought us to some of the most charming, colorful towns like Kinsale, Kenmare, and Dingle. While bigger cities may have a draw, some of the best experiences can be found in the smaller towns. 

Get up early 

On nearly all my trips (okay, maybe a beach vacation is the exception) I’m an early riser. There’s too much to see and do to spend time in bed! Some of these sites are better off done early before the crowds set in and the traffic picks up. 

Reserve in advance 

For most of the paid activities, you can reserve tickets online with a specific entry time. I strongly recommend it for popular sites like the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham’s Gaol, the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge/Giant’s Causeway, and the Cliffs of Moher. This will help you plan what time you need to hit the road and how much you can fit in each day. 

Praise the pub

The most common advice we heard as we planned our trip involved pubs. An Irish way of life. When you arrive in each new town, ask around for where you can find the best live music that evening. Then settle into the local pub with your pint.

Our Ireland itinerary:

This itinerary is just one version of a trip you could plan, but there are lots of ways you can customize it to meet your own needs. Since we were there over Christmas, some spots were closed. That just means something to look forward to when we return! Now, what are you waiting for? Hit the road and join us on our Ireland expedition!

Post written by Naomi Fainchtein