Dublin, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Kerry: 10-day Ireland itinerary

Most Irish trips start and end in Dublin, leaving the country's strongest side, the west coast, unseen. However, the cliffs, peninsulas and stony plateaus on the Atlantic coast offer a unique view in Europe. The only efficient way to reach this coast is by vehicle; Public transportation is either infrequent or non-existent on coastal roads.

This route is based on 10 days: you start in Dublin, cross west, go south along the coast and return to Dublin. Since the island is small, the ring route makes more sense here than one way.

Day distribution: how many nights where?

three days in Dublin

• Trinity College & Book of Kells A 9th-century manuscript Bible is exhibited in the library of the university founded in 1592; The decorations of the pages are considered the most complex workmanship of that period. What's really impressive is the Long Room upstairs: 200,000 old books on two floors of wooden shelves for 65 meters. Tickets are scheduled, the first session in the morning is the quietest.
• Guinness Storehouse is a seven-story museum in the former factory building; The glass bar at the top gives a 360-degree panorama of the city and a glass of drink is included in the ticket. It's touristy but the building and city view deserve a visit, allow two hours.
• Dublin Castle The administrative center used since the 13th century; Its current form is more of Georgian period palace architecture. Viking era walls can be seen in the excavation area on the lower floor.
• St. Patrick's Cathedral Ireland's largest church and Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver's Travels, served as dean here, and his tomb is inside. The choir at evening services is the best time to visit.
• Temple Bar is the center of the evening program; live traditional music is in almost every venue and is free. Prices are significantly higher than in the rest of the city, it is better to see one or two places and move on to the surrounding streets.

West coast: Galway and the cliffs

• Galway Latin Quarter is a small center with stone streets and full of street musicians; It is considered Ireland's liveliest music city, and the traditional sit-down music sessions in bars are not a planned show, but a real tradition where musicians play among themselves.
• Cliffs of Moher The cliff line rises 214 meters from the Atlantic and extends for 14 kilometers; 1.5 hours to Galway. The path leading from the visitor center extends in two directions and the crowd gathers in the first 500 meters, a little walking is enough. The wind can be very strong and there are no guardrails everywhere.
• The Burren is just north of the cliffs: the surface is a completely fractured limestone plateau, and within these cracks Mediterranean and arctic plants grow side by side. Poulnabrone dolmen is 5,800 years old.
• The Aran Islands can be reached by ferry from Galway harbour; Fields divided by stone walls and the prehistoric castle on the edge of the cliff, Dún Aonghasa, make a special day out. Ferries are subject to weather conditions.

South: Kerry and Cork

• Ring of Kerry is a 179 kilometer circular coastal route and takes one day to complete the tour. Tour buses travel counterclockwise; If you go in the same direction, you will be left behind; if you go in the opposite direction, you will constantly meet them on narrow roads. The best solution is to leave early and stay in front of the buses.
• Killarney National Park lakes, waterfalls and Ireland's oldest oak forest all in one place; Horse carriage tours within the park are traditional and the area around Muckross House can be visited without a vehicle. One full day is filled comfortably.
• Blarney Castle near Cork; There is a legend that kissing the stone on top of the castle gives you the ability to speak eloquently, and for this you need to lie on your back and lean back. The castle gardens are worth visiting regardless of the stone.
• The Dingle Peninsula is an alternative to the Ring of Kerry: shorter, less crowded and, according to many travellers, more beautiful. Slea Head Drive is completed in two to three hours.

Vehicle, distance and practical notes

• Road signs are in both Irish and English, and in some areas only Irish; It is safer to set up navigation with coordinates instead of address.
• In rural areas, gas stations close early; Fill the tank before it reaches half way.
• The weather changes several times a day; A raincoat is a must in every season, an umbrella is useless in the wind.
• If you are going to Northern Ireland, different currency (sterling) and different rental rules apply; Notify the rental company in advance.

When to go?

May-June and September are the best periods: the days are long, the rain is relatively low and the coastal roads are not crowded. July-August is the busiest and most expensive period; Tour bus traffic is felt on the Ring of Kerry during these months. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated across the country in March and Dublin is packed to capacity, so accommodation for that week should be booked months in advance. November to February is cheap and quiet, but daylight ends at four in the afternoon and some rural facilities close.