I did NOT think Ireland was going to be one of the favorite trips of my life. But here we are. I am completely obsessed and I want to go back immediately.
We spent 7 days doing a road trip loop around Ireland and Northern Ireland, picking up a camper van through @roadsurfer at the Dublin airport and returning it right back there at the end. The green fields, the castles, the dramatic cliffsides, the bright blue ocean water. It was UNREAL.
I’m going to walk you through exactly what we did each day so you can pick and choose what works for your trip. Each of these stops had so much to offer, there’s honestly no way to see it all in one week. So think of this as a menu, not a mandate!
This trip works SO well as a camper van trip. We rented through @roadsurfer and it was the perfect setup for exploring Ireland on your own schedule. No hotels to book at each stop, no lugging bags in and out. You just drive, park somewhere beautiful, and wake up to incredible views.
If you want to try it, use our code UTAHFAMILYTRAVELS10 for 10% off your rental anywhere in the world. Roadsurfer has vans all over Europe so it works for way more than just Ireland!
The Route: A Loop Starting and Ending in Dublin
The beauty of this route is that it loops the whole country, starting and ending in Dublin. That means one flight in, one flight out, and no backtracking. Here’s how we broke it down:
Day 1: Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Pick up your camper van at the airport and head straight into the city. Dublin is walkable and packed with history. Here’s what to hit:
Trinity College and the Long Library — Book the Long Library in advance. It’s one of the most stunning rooms I’ve ever been in. The Book of Kells is also housed here.
Dublin Castle — Right in the heart of the city and worth a quick walk through.
St Patrick’s Cathedral — One of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Ireland.
Christchurch Cathedral — A short walk from St Patrick’s and equally impressive.
Brazen Head Pub — Ireland’s oldest pub. Get a Guinness and some traditional Irish food and soak it all in.
Inside St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
Day 2: Belfast
Head north into Northern Ireland. Belfast is a city with a LOT of history and more to do than most people realize.
Titanic Museum — This is a MUST. Belfast is where the Titanic was built and the museum is incredible. Book tickets in advance.
SS Nomadic — Right next to the Titanic Museum. It’s the last surviving White Star Line vessel.
Cathedral Quarter — Great area for food and street art.
St George’s Market — If you’re there on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning, do NOT miss this. Amazing local food and crafts.
Black Cab Tour — Hands down one of the most memorable parts of Belfast. Local drivers take you through the murals and tell you the real story of the Troubles. Powerful and worth every penny.
Crumlin Road Gaol — A Victorian-era prison with fascinating tours.
Day 3: Causeway Coast + Derry
This is one of the most scenic drives I have ever done in my life. The Causeway Coast is jaw-dropping from start to finish.
Giants Causeway — The famous hexagonal basalt columns. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s as cool in person as it looks in photos.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge — A swinging rope bridge over a 30-meter drop to the sea. Book in advance!
Dark Hedges + Game of Thrones Museum — The Dark Hedges are the iconic tree tunnel used in Game of Thrones. The nearby museum is great for fans.
Dunluce Castle — A dramatic ruined castle perched on a cliff above the ocean. One of my favorite photos from the whole trip.
The Gobbins Walk — A coastal cliff path with bridges and tunnels cut right into the rock face. Unique and really fun.
Torr Head + Ballycastle — Beautiful viewpoints along the drive.
Mussenden Temple — A tiny circular temple on the edge of a cliff. Stunning.
Day 4: Connemara + Galway
Head south and west into Connemara. This part of Ireland has a completely different feel, wilder and more remote.
Kylemore Abbey — A stunning abbey set against a mountain and a lake. One of the most photographed spots in Ireland and 100% worth it.
Connemara National Park — Great for a hike or just driving through the dramatic landscape.
Connemara Woolen Mills — If you want to take home an authentic Irish sweater, this is the place.
Galway — End the day in Galway. Walk Spanish Arch, grab dinner, and enjoy the lively street scene. Eyre Square is the main hub.
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher + Doolin
I’ve seen a lot of beautiful things. The Cliffs of Moher still took my breath away.
Cliffs of Moher — Book tickets in advance. Go early if you can. The views are incredible and they stretch for miles along the coast.
Doolin Pier + Doolin Cave — Cute little coastal village. The cave has the longest free-hanging stalactite in the northern hemisphere.
Aran Islands Ferry — If you have extra time, the ferry runs from Doolin to the Aran Islands. A really unique half-day add-on.
Doolin Cliff Walk — Walk between Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher for a stunning coastal trail.
Day 6: Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is magical and somehow even more off the beaten path than the rest of the trip.
Inch Beach — A long gorgeous stretch of sand perfect for a walk or just taking it all in.
Dingle Town — Charming, colorful, and full of great seafood. Walk around and grab lunch here.
Slea Head Drive — One of the most scenic drives on the whole trip. Stop at Dunmore Head for views all the way out to the Blasket Islands.
Hold a Baby Lamb — Yes, this is real and yes, it is as good as it sounds. Several farms along Slea Head Drive offer this and it will make your whole trip. You’re welcome.
A falconry experience along the way, because why not!
Day 7: Ring of Kerry + Blarney Castle
Your last full day on the road. Make it count.
Ring of Kerry — Drive the full loop through Killarney National Park. Stops include Gap of Dunloe, Molls Gap, Torc Waterfall, and Muckross House. Stunning scenery the entire way.
Sneem Seaweed Baths — A quirky and genuinely relaxing stop along the Ring of Kerry. You soak in warm seaweed-infused baths. Trust me on this one.
Blarney Castle — Kiss the Blarney Stone, climb the castle, and spend time in the beautiful gardens. Also, the stocks in the garden make for the best photo op of the entire trip. Don’t miss it.
The Blarney Castle stocks, best photo of the whole trip
Tips for Your Ireland Road Trip
Book ahead for the popular spots. Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, the Titanic Museum, and the Cliffs of Moher all require or strongly recommend advance tickets.
Pack layers and rain gear. Ireland is beautiful but it WILL rain. We got rained on almost every day and still had the time of our lives. Just be prepared.
Drive on the left. If you’re from the US, this takes about half a day to get used to. Narrow country roads make it extra exciting
Download offline maps before you go. Cell service gets spotty in the more remote parts of Connemara and the Dingle Peninsula.
The camper van life is PERFECT for this route. Use code UTAHFAMILYTRAVELS10 for 10% off with @roadsurfer.
Final Thoughts
Ireland surprised me in the best possible way. I went in thinking it would be pretty. I came home completely in love with it. The people are warm, the landscapes are wild and dramatic, and the history is everywhere you look. It was one of the favorite weeks of my life.
Have you been to Ireland? Drop your favorite spots in the comments! And if you’re planning a trip, save this post so you have the full itinerary ready to go.
