So you’ve finally decided to do the great Irish road trip. You’ve packed the car and the rain gear and marked out the route. You know where you’re going, but what do you do when you get there, and more importantly, what do you eat and drink, and where do you stay? Relax; I’ve got you covered with my ultimate Ireland road trip companion guide.
Start your Ireland road trip in Dublin
Do: Guinness Storehouse – yes, every tourist in the country will be there, but for good reason: Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse has been named Europe’s leading tourist attraction. Enjoy Irish history, culture, food, and shopping, and sink as many pints of the black stuff as you can stomach and take in superb panoramic views of the city. Click here for more blog posts about things to do in Dublin including places to eat and stay.
Eat: Afternoon tea at the five-star Merrion Hotel. The ‘art tea’, as it is known, is based on 19th and 20th-century art. It is served on fine china with miniature sweet creations inspired by the work of J.B. Yeats, William Scott, Louis Le Brocquy, and others.
Stay: The Dean Hotel is in the middle of Dublin. It has a super roof-top terrace, a restaurant with gorgeous views, and an uber-cool high-tech penthouse suite. I also really love staying in Stauntons on the Green.
Wander over to Wicklow
Do: Glendalough Valley – located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, this is an accessible way to enjoy the countryside and history. There is a monastic settlement here dating back to the 6th century. Click here tor a more detailed post on things to do in Wicklow.
Eat: Enjoy the local tradition of licking a 99 ice cream (with a flake and strawberry syrup) while strolling around the lakes.
Stay: Brooklodge (one of my favourite hotels in Ireland). This boutique hotel has its own pub, village, spa, golf course, and Ireland’s only certified wild and organic restaurant. I also really love staying in Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort.
Take a trip to Tipperary
Do: Visit the Rock of Cashel, take a tour, and enjoy the spectacular views of this verdant part of the country. I also recommend spending some time in the town of Cahir, exploring the sites and old town walls, and visiting the Fethard Horse Country Experience Museum. Click here for my guide to Cahir and a write-up of my experience at the Fethard Horse Country Experience Museum. I also have a Fethard Town Walls Heritage Trail Guide.
Eat: You must try a cheese and crisp sambo (local slang for a sandwich) made with the best local ingredients: Cashel Blue Cheese and O’Donnell’s Crisps. Cheese and onion-flavoured crisps are the most popular, but I adore the tang of Irish Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt – controversial, I know! Try a packet of King Crisps and Tayto and see which you prefer. It is a great old Irish debate. Are you team King or Tayto?
Stay: Lisheen Castle – This hotel dates back to the 18th century and has been restored from total ruin. You can even dine in the traditional old Irish kitchen.
Carry on over to Cork
Do: Pay a visit to the Skibbereen Heritage Centre in the award-winning Old Gasworks Building, which overlooks the River Ilen. Here, you can learn about the Famine of the 1840s. I have loads of guides on Cork City, West Cork, and County Cork. As you might be able to tell, I love Cork and spend a lot of time there.
Eat: Head to the English Market in Cork City and stock up on fresh local produce for a picnic along the banks of the River Lee.
Stay: The Metropole Hotel. Stay in the heart of Cork City at this historic hotel, known for its elegant charm and warm hospitality. While you’re there, unwind in the stylish lounge, enjoy afternoon tea, and explore the city’s diverse food scene just steps from your door. I also adore staying in Longueville House in Mallow, Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in West Cork, and the Cork International Hotel right by the airport.
Keep going over to Kerry
Do: The Ring of Kerry is an iconic route on any Ireland road trip. Take the car (but be warned, the roads are very narrow) or a horse-and-cart ride and enjoy the peace, quiet and unspoilt beauty of the place. Try to spot the Star Wars sets on Skellig Michael and then go swimming with Fungie the Dolphin. Eh, sad update: after 37 years of living in the waters around DIngle, Fungie vanished without a trace in 2020. But his legend lives on! Click here for a more in-depth guide to Kerry.
Eat: Murphys Ice Cream, an artisan ice cream company located in Dingle, produces some of the best ice cream in the country. Try the brown bread-flavoured ice cream; you’ll be addicted after one scoop.
Stay: Ard na Sidhe, located on the ‘Hill of Fairies’, is a 1913 hotel that overlooks Caragh Lake in Killorglin on the Ring of Kerry and offers, as you would expect, amazing views, especially when dining on the terrace at sunset.
Next, call over to County Clare
Do: County Clare is famous for its outdoor activities. Don rubber and learn how to surf some of the best waves in the world. Experience the underground landscape of the Burren by caving. Go rock climbing, sea kayaking, and cliff walking.
Eat: Head to the Burren Smoke House and try the most flavoursome, freshly smoked organic salmon you will ever eat. You can even buy some to take home with you.
Stay: On the ground! Co. Clare offers plenty of places to pitch a tent and sleep under the stars. Just make sure you’ve packed the thermal undies, even in summer.
Gavalvant over to Galway
Do: Have the craic. Find a cosy pub, listen to some traditional music, drink stout, and make a fool of yourself trying to do some Irish dancing. Sure, it’s what being on the road in Ireland is all about. Speaking of roads, the Sky Road in Clifden, Galway, is a lovely short route with stunning views over the Wild Atlantic Way. Clifden is in the breathtaking region of Connemara. If you are visiting during December, be sure to enjoy the festive festivities at the epic Galway Christmas Market.
Eat: Everything! Galway is a mecca for great food, chefs and restaurants. Enjoy Jess Murphy’s food in Kai and JP McMahon’s creative Irish food in Aniar. Head to the excellent Secret Garden Galway old-fashioned tea rooms and have a nice cuppa and slice of cake. If you know me, you know I cannot resist a good scone; the blueberry scones here are delicious. You should also try the world-famous Galway Bay oysters washed down with a bottle of Galway Hooker craft beer.
Stay: At the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, a genuine proper Irish welcome awaits you, as does Gilbert, the resident talking parrot. Make sure you settle into the bar in the evenings for a good old-fashioned sing-song and lots and lots of laughs. For a luxurious stay, book a night or two at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel and Estate and have dinner in the Pullman Restaurant inside one of the original Orient Express carriages.
Don’t miss Donegal
Do: The Slieve League Cliffs are three times higher than the more famous and crowded Cliffs of Mohar. Battle the winds, walk along the cliffs amongst the colourful heather, and be rewarded with some of the most rugged, wild and fascinating scenery and views in all of Ireland. Click here for my guide to Donegal. Donegal is my favourite county and the one stop on an Ireland road trip that I would urge people not to miss.
Eat: Seafood! Fabulous fresh seafood off the boats. Enjoy fish and chips at Killybegs Harbour, or try Castlemartyr House for a great local seasonal seafood dinner overlooking St. John’s Point.
Stay: Harey’s Point. Enjoy some luxury in this hotel nestled on the shoreline of Lake Eske. Relax by the open turf fire after a long day driving. Bliss.
Onwards to Antrim
Do: The Giant’s Causeway – get out and get windswept. Walk the marked routes or marvel at the naturally created interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. I also recommend a night or two in Belfast, one of my favourite cities. Here’s my guide to things to do in Belfast. If you are driving, here are my top picks of the 7 restaurants worth the drive from Belfast.
Eat: Try a traditional Ulster Fry – fried eggs, rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, potato bread, soda farls, tomato and buckets of tea – start your day right! (beans and toast optional).
Stay: Bushmills Inn. The bar in this hotel is still illuminated by gaslight, and it serves some wonderful whiskey from its own private casks. For a five-star stay, you can’t beat the gorgeous Culloden Estate and Spa: click here for my review.
And those are my top recommendations for an epic Ireland road trip.
I hope you have fun! Let me know where you would recommend for people looking for the ultimate Irish road trip. And if you want any more suggestions for a more personal Ireland road trip, send me an email! I’d love to help you plan your own itinerary.
If you are hungry for more blog posts on Ireland, here you go…
Firstly, if you are heading to Connemara, read my guide to my favourite things to do in Connemara.
I highly recommend adding Mayo to your Ireland road trip. And yes, of course, I have a guide to County Mayo.
If you want somewhere to stay in West Cork, read my review of Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa.
Additionally, if you are going to Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, please read my blog on Things To Do in Lough Derg.
Here is my blog post on the best things to do in Waterford and my Waterford Travel Guide.
Click here to read my guide on things to do in Wicklow and also my guide on things to do in Kilkenny.
If you are visiting Ireland, look at my many blog posts, for example, things to do in Ireland.
Furthermore, if you are looking for a place to stay in Galway, I highly recommend Glenlo Abbey.
One of my favourite places to stay in Cork is Longueville House.
I’ve also written a review of the Culloden Estate and Spa, which is perfect if you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Antrim, Northern Ireland.
For some pre-trip research, click here to learn about the traditional Irish foods we use to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
Click here if you want to learn about Christmas dinner in Ireland.
Finally, click here to learn about Easter in Ireland: Traditions, food, and festivities.
