Your Next Great Ireland Road Trip
Ireland by Road: A Week of Castles, Coastlines, and Good Company
Traveling with people you love changes the rhythm of a trip. It slows you down in the best way. You linger longer at meals, take scenic detours without checking the time, and notice things you’d miss if you were rushing. Our road trip through Ireland wasn’t about hitting the biggest cities or ticking off every attraction. It was about sharing moments—between winding roads and historic ruins, seafood platters and surprise sunsets.
Here’s the route, the highlights, and the little details that made all the difference.
Kilkenny
2.5 hours from Dublin
After picking up our rental car in Dublin and adjusting to driving on the left (narrow roads, hidden driveways, sudden sheep—go slow), we arrived in Kilkenny. The town feels like a well-preserved secret: cobbled alleys, stone bridges, and shopfronts with hand-painted signs.
Our first stop was Petronella, hidden up a narrow staircase off Butterslip Lane—a moody, tucked-away restaurant that delivered a cozy lunch with local flair. From there, we strolled along the canal to Kilkenny Castle, where ivy-draped turrets give way to wide lawns and formal interiors filled with portraits and ornate ceilings.
That night, we drove out to Mount Juliet Estate, just past the edge of town. It took us a few loops to find the entrance, but once inside, it felt like another world—rolling green, grazing horses, and quiet. We sipped pre-dinner drinks in the manor’s small sitting room and ate at the onsite restaurant before turning in.
Pro Tip: Book dinner early at Mount Juliet, and allow time to explore the grounds—sunset over the paddocks is something you’ll remember.
Rock of Cashel → Kinsale
2.5 hours total with a stop
On the road to Kinsale, we pulled over to see the Rock of Cashel, towering above the fields like something from another century. Wind whipped through crumbled stone walls and ancient grave markers as we explored the cathedral ruins and imagined life here centuries ago.
By afternoon, we reached Kinsale, a harbor town with painted storefronts, boats bobbing in the marina, and streets that twist like a maze. We checked into Tierney’s Guest House—simple, central, and all you need when everything’s outside your door.
We started dinner early with drinks and a towering seafood platter at Fishy Fishy, where everything is caught locally and plated with care. Too early to call it a night, we walked the town at sunset—past colorful homes, flower boxes in full bloom, and the glint of the harbor catching the last light. We ended the night with cheese and fish tacos at the Blue Haven Hotel restaurant, just a few doors down.
Pro Tip: Head uphill for a full view of the harbor at sunset—you’ll pass the locals’ favorite pubs and have the best vantage point in town.
The next morning: breakfast at Lemon Leaf Café, full of locals, great coffee, and baked goods worth bringing in the car.
Killarney → Tralee
3-hour drive with a lunch stop
The road west took us through winding countryside and tiny towns with names we couldn’t pronounce but loved all the same. In Killarney, we stopped for lunch at Salvador’s, where I ordered creamy seafood chowder and a Greek salad—oddly perfect on a rainy afternoon. We browsed small shops, ducked into the quiet of St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, and continued on.
Our base that night was The Rose Hotel in Tralee—a bright, contemporary space with polished service. Dinner at The Rose Room was one of the best of the trip: I had roasted chicken topped with goat cheese and served with a flaky tomato tart. It was a quiet meal, unhurried, exactly right.
Pro Tip: The Rose Room is a local go-to for celebrations. It’s windowless but intimate—great for slow dinners and special occasions.
Dingle Peninsula
Full-day loop
We set off early to drive the Dingle Peninsula, 40 km of ocean views, cliffs, sheep-dotted hillsides, and roadside shrines. The wild beauty is breathtaking—especially near Dunmore Head, Europe’s westernmost point, where you can stand at the edge and watch waves crash beneath you.
We stopped at the Irish Famine Cottages, a short but meaningful experience that brought texture to Ireland’s past. In Dingle, we had lunch at Murphy’s Pub—vegetable stir fry and fries (yes, you will be offered potatoes with everything). We explored the harbor, popped into bookstores and knit shops, and headed back to Tralee for one last night at The Rose.
Pro Tip: Start the Dingle loop early and bring layers—the weather shifts by the hour.
Galway
3.5 hours of rolling countryside
We drove north to Galway, where the Salthill promenade meets ocean spray and the city buzzes with energy. We stayed at Salthill Hotel, just outside the city, and were surprised with a large suite—four beds, two rooms, more space than we knew what to do with.
Lunch at Quay Street Kitchen in the Latin Quarter offered comforting Irish classics and plant-based options. Then we wandered through Eyre Square, bought souvenirs (linen tea towels, of course), and ended with pints and small plates at The Front Door and 1520—classic pubs with real charm.
Pro Tip: In Galway, don’t overplan. Let the street musicians and shopfronts guide you—you’ll end up exactly where you need to be.
Dublin (Return)
Final stop: full circle
Back in Dublin, we checked into Trinity City Hotel and had lunch at The Bank on College Green, a grand, vaulted former bank turned brasserie. Then we walked through George’s Street Arcade, browsed for gifts, and toured both St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle.
Dinner was at KuRaudo, a modern Japanese spot tucked into a quiet street near the hotel—quick, fresh, and a welcome break from pub fare. That night, we met friends at The Norseman in Temple Bar for a final toast.
The next morning was slow: coffee, a walk through Grafton Street, brunch at Busyfeet & Coco Café, and one last pint at The Brazen Head—Ireland’s oldest pub. Just as we were about to give up on finding a table, someone stood up. We slid right in.
Pro Tip: At The Brazen Head, patience pays off. It’s always crowded, but you won’t want to miss it.
The Wrap-Up
This wasn’t a trip about rushing. It was about traveling well—with people who turn a rental car into a moving home, and quiet lunches into core memories.
Ireland rewards that kind of travel. And when you share it with people you love, every turn on the road feels like the right one.