The 10-Day Sweet Spot: How to See Ireland Without the Burnout

Ireland is deceptive. On a map, it looks small—roughly the size of Indiana. But anyone who has tried to rush from the Giant’s Causeway in the north to the Ring of Kerry in the south in a single week will tell you the same thing: Don't do it.

The roads here are winding, narrow, and infinitely distracting. A "two-hour drive" often becomes four once you factor in sheep blockages, photo stops, and the inevitable tractor slowing you down on an N-road.

That is why the 10-day itinerary is the "Goldilocks" of Irish road trips. It gives you enough time to leave Dublin, hit the culinary south, explore the wild west, and loop back without spending your entire vacation staring at a windshield.

Whether you are a couple seeking romance or a family seeking adventure, this route hits the "Big Three": Culture (Dublin/Galway), Scenery (Kerry/Cliffs of Moher), and Food (Cork).

The "DIY" Trap: Why Planning This Yourself is Risky

Before we look at the map, we need to talk about the logistics. A 10-day road trip involves roughly 4-5 hotel changes and about 1,000 kilometers of driving.

If you book this "DIY" style (Expedia, Booking.com, direct car rental), you face two major stressors:

1. The Rental Car "Hold": Most standard car rental agencies in Ireland will place a massive hold on your credit card—often €2,000 to €3,000—as security against damage.
2. The "Map Deception": You might book a charming B&B that looks close to Killarney, only to find out it's actually 20 minutes down a dark, single-lane boreen (lane) with no streetlights.

The Celtic Vacations Difference: When you book a self-drive package with us, we remove the friction. Our Peace of Mind Package means the car comes with Zero Deductible and Zero Credit Card Hold. Plus, we curate your accommodation. We don't just book "a hotel"; we book the places we know personally—the ones with the best breakfasts, the easiest parking, and the warmest welcomes.

Days 1-2: Dublin – Settling In

Your journey begins in the capital. Depending on your flight arrival time, you might be jet-lagged.

Expert Tip: Do not pick up your rental car yet. Dublin is a walking city, and parking is expensive and stressful. If you book with Celtic Vacations, we often arrange your car collection for the morning you actually leave the city, saving you two days of rental fees and parking headaches.

Highlights:

• Trinity College & The Book of Kells: Essential history.
• Guinness Storehouse: Yes, it’s touristy, but the view from the Gravity Bar is unbeatable.
• Temple Bar: Walk through it for the atmosphere, but grab your pint on a side street (like Wicklow Street) for a better price and more locals.

Day 3: The Drive South (Dublin to Cork)

Drive Time: Approx. 3 hours

Collect your car. If you are from the US or Canada, we highly recommend requesting an Automatic Transmission (standard in our packages) to make adapting to the left side of the road easier.

Take the M8 motorway south. It’s a smooth, easy drive to get you accustomed to the vehicle.

Stop: The Rock of Cashel

Halfway to Cork rises the Rock of Cashel, a spectacular collection of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone. It looks like something out of a fantasy novel. It breaks up the drive perfectly.

Overnight: Cork City or nearby Kinsale.

Day 4: The Foodie Coast (Kinsale & West Cork)

Skip the main highway today. You are heading for Kinsale, the "Gourmet Capital of Ireland." This harbor town is famous for its brightly colored shops and incredible seafood.

The Route:

From Kinsale, drive part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Visit Charles Fort, a star-shaped fortress with commanding ocean views. If you have time, drive out to the Old Head of Kinsale for dramatic cliff views that rival the Cliffs of Moher but with half the crowds.

Why curated booking matters here: Kinsale is small and incredibly popular. The best guesthouses sell out 6 months in advance. We hold allocations at the best spots, ensuring you’re walking distance from the restaurants.

Days 5-6: The Kingdom of Kerry

Drive Time: 1.5 hours (Cork to Killarney)

You are crossing into County Kerry, arguably the most scenic county in Ireland. Base yourself in Killarney for two nights to avoid constant packing and unpacking.

The Ring of Kerry

This is the big one. A 179km circular route.

• The Direction: We recommend driving counter-clockwise (Killarney -> Killorglin -> Glenbeigh). This is the direction tour buses take. If you go the other way, you will constantly be squeezing past massive buses on narrow roads.
• Key Stops: Ladies View, Moll’s Gap, and the Skellig Ring (a secondary loop that buses can't fit on—highly recommended).

Alternative: The Dingle Peninsula

If you prefer something shorter but equally dramatic, swap the Ring of Kerry for Dingle. The Slea Head Drive offers intense, rugged beauty and Dingle town is famous for its traditional music pubs.

Day 7: Cliffs of Moher & The Burren

Drive Time: 2.5 hours

Drive north from Kerry to County Clare. You have a choice: the tunnel (fast) or the Tarbert Ferry (scenic). We recommend the ferry across the Shannon Estuary—it saves driving time and is a nice break.

The Cliffs of Moher

Yes, they are busy. But they are iconic for a reason. Pro Tip: Go after 4:00 PM. The day trippers from Dublin have left, the light is better for photography, and the parking is easier.

After the cliffs, drive through The Burren—a limestone lunar landscape that feels otherworldly. Visit the Poulnabrone Dolmen, an ancient tomb older than the Pyramids.

Overnight: A cozy B&B in Doolin or Ballyvaughan.

Days 8-9: Galway City & Connemara

Drive Time: 1.5 hours

Galway is the "Bohemian Heart" of Ireland. Street buskers, vibrant pubs, and a youthful energy.

Day 8: Explore Galway City

Walk the Latin Quarter. Listen to trad music at The Crane Bar. Buy a Claddagh ring where it was invented.

Day 9: Connemara Loop

Drive west into the savage beauty of Connemara.

• Kylemore Abbey: A Benedictine monastery reflecting in a dark lake.
• Sky Road: A short but terrifyingly beautiful drive near Clifden.

The "Peace of Mind" Factor: Connemara roads are beautiful but sheep-filled. This is where our Zero Deductible insurance shines. If a loose rock scratches your bumper on a back road, you walk away with zero stress and zero cost.

Day 10: Return to Dublin

Drive Time: 2.5 hours

The M6 motorway takes you straight back to Dublin across the midlands. It’s an easy, dual-carriageway drive.

Depending on your flight time, you can head straight to the airport, drop the car, and fly home. Or, spend one last night in a castle hotel just outside Dublin to end the trip on a high note.

Why Choose a Self-Drive Package?

You could spend weeks researching this route, cross-referencing reviews, worrying about rental car insurance fine print, and hoping your B&B has parking.

Or, you could let Celtic Vacations handle it.

• We Map It: You get a detailed day-by-day itinerary with GPS codes for the hidden gems.
• We Book It: Premium guesthouses and hotels, vetted by us.
• We Insure It: The car is fully covered. No deductible. No scary credit card holds.
• We Support You: Flat tire in Connemara? Confused by a roundabout in Cork? We are a local phone call away, 24/7.

Ready to hit the road? Browse our Self-Drive Itineraries or contact us today to customize your 10-day loop.