Visiting the Emerald Isle is like stepping into a storybook filled with stunning landscapes, rich history, a lively culture, and warm welcoming people. The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland features everything from windswept cliffs to emerald-green hills to dramatic coastlines.
Everywhere you look, you’ll see jaw-dropping beauty. If you love history, these islands offer plenty of it – ancient stone circles, medieval castles, Iron Age ruins, and so much more! And there’s no shortage of opportunities to soak in the local culture and interact with friendly locals. Here’s an itinerary for spending 8 incredible days in the Emerald Isle.
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8 Day Itinerary
If you have 8 days to spend in the Emerald Isle, here’s the itinerary I recommend:
1st Day – Dublin
Plan to depart from the U.S. and fly into Dublin, located in the Republic of Ireland. Most flights originating in the U.S. will arrive in Dublin in the morning giving you a full day to spend touring. I know it may be tempting to request an early check in to your hotel and take a nap. But don’t do it! You need to stay up ALL day so that you can beat the inevitable jet lag you will feel. Get outside and start touring!
The Book of Kells
Visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, an illuminated medieval manuscript. It contains the four Gospels and dates from 800 AD. Vellum created from the skin of 150 calves creates the paper for the pages of the book. While you are there, visit the Old Library and the 90-minute digital Book of Kells Experience.
Castles & Churches
Dublin Castle dates to the 13th century when the area was a Viking settlement. You can take a self-guided tour of the stunning State Apartments, or opt for a guided tour you can book on the day of your visit. There’s also a Viking Excavation site in the Medieval Undercroft and the Chapel Royal on site. You will need to book a guided tour to see these extra sites.
Christ Church Cathedral is Dublin’s oldest building. Originally a Viking church, the structure is almost 1,000 years old! The vaulted ceilings and beautiful tiled floor of the cathedral are amazing. But what’s even better is the crypt, the largest and oldest surviving structure in Ireland. It’s filled with treasures, such as Ireland’s first copy of the Magna Carta, costumes from “The Tudors” TV series which was filmed there, and even a mummified cat and rat found trapped in an organ pipe.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Ireland. The Gothic Revival cathedral has everything – an impressive Nave, soaring arches, brilliant stained glass windows, intricate mosaic floors, statues, memorials, and amazing wood carvings along the aisles. Outside you will find St. Patrick’s Well. St. Patrick himself is said to have baptized followers here. Adjacent to the cathedral lies St. Patrick’s Park. Here you can see a statue of St. Patrick and wander through a literary garden celebrating Irish writers.
All of these sites are close to Trinity College and each other, but you probably won’t have time for all three. I recommend Christ Church Cathedral, then Dublin Castle, and then St. Patrick’s Cathedral if you have time.
Visit a Museum
If you love museums, skip the historic buildings and explore the National Museum of Ireland. There are three buildings holding the collection, but I recommend you focus on the Kildare Street building. This building has a gorgeous interior, worth visiting even if the exhibits are boring. But they are far from boring! You will see artifacts from the Viking age of Ireland, and learn about prehistoric Ireland and medieval Ireland. There are also treasures like the Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch, Ireland’s collection of gold items, and an impressive ancient Egypt collection. There are also amazingly preserved bodies who were scarified in Irish bogs along with artifacts buried with them.
Another great option is the EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. This museum takes a deep dive into Irish emigration stories. It has 20 themed galleries featuring digital touchscreens, videos, projects, and other sensory experience to immerse you in the story. From describing the reasons for emigration to the Irish impact on practically everything around the globe, the museum’s immersive exhibits allow you to walk in the steps of actual Irish emigrants.
Dinner & Drinks
The Guinness Storehouse tells the story behind Ireland’s most famous beer. The basic self-guided tour offers exhibits on the history of the iconic brew, how it is made, and how it has been advertised over the years. Then you enter the tasting room for a sip of the beer, which people claim tastes best in Ireland. Afterwards, indulge in a pint at the Gravity Bar which offers 360 degree views of Dublin.
Afterwards head to the Temple Bar District for dinner, drinks, and some live traditional Irish music. Some great places to try are the legendary bright red Temple Bar, Oliver St. John Gogarty, The Porterhouse, or Auld Dubliner.
Another great option for your first day on the Emerald Isle is Taylor’s Three Rock. This dinner show offers traditional Irish song and dance along with a delicious four course dinner.
2nd Day – Dublin to Belfast
Today, you will drive about two hours from Dublin to Belfast located in Northern Ireland. You will marvel at the gorgeous Mourne Mountains as you pass. If you have extra time, there are some great hikes in this area, or you can detour for a drive on the Mourne Coastal Route.
About 45 minutes from Belfast is Down Cathedral. This historic church is believed to be the burial place of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This Gothic Revival cathedral dates to the 12th century and still retains preserved medieval elements.
After arriving in Belfast, you definitely should take a tour to learn more about the time of the Troubles, seeing political murals, and visiting the Peace Walls.
Then spend the rest of your day at the Titanic Belfast Museum where the legendary ship was built and launched on its fateful journey. Exhibits tell you not only the familiar story of those who sailed on the ship, but those who built it.
In the evening, visit Cathedral Quarter for cozy pubs, live music, great restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.
3rd Day – Causeway Coastal Route to Derry
Today you will drive towards Derry on the Causeway Coastal Route. It hugs the coastline and is known as one of the most beautiful road trips in the world. The journey is just over 100 miles, and there are several great places to stop along the way.
Just north of Belfast lies the 12th century Norman Carrickfergus Castle. If you are a castle lover, it’s worth a stop. If you like adventure, drive a little further to the Gobbins Cliff Path. Here you can walk along the cliffs on a challenging path that includes tunnels and bridges over crashing waves. Continuing north you will find the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The bridge is 100 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and connects the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede island.
The most famous place in Northern Ireland is Giant’s Causeway. Formed by ancient lava flows, the area features 40,000+ hexagonal basalt columns jutting up from the ground. Legend has it that this UNESCO World Heritage Site was created by the mythical Irish giant, Finn McCool. Start your visit at the Visitor Centre to learn about the scientific explanation for the terrain as well as more about the legend of its creation. Then take an easy Blue Trail or hop on a shuttle bus to go down to the coastline. If you like to hike, there’s a moderate Red Trail cliff-top walk offering panoramic sea views. While you are there, make sure to keep an eye open for wildlife such as seabirds and dolphins.
Once arriving in Derry, make sure to explore the wonderfully preserved medieval walls. You can walk around the 400 year old walls from moat level or at the top of the ramparts. Afterwards, check out one of Derry’s great bars, pubs, bistros and restaurants for dinner.
4th Day – Connemara Loop to Galway
Before departing Derry, take one of the many walking tours available. As you explore town, you will see iconic landmarks like the Guildhall, the Peace Bridge, and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Then get in the car and make your way to Galway via Connemara National Park. We have a 5.5 hour drive today, but don’t worry. There’s plenty of gorgeous scenery to keep you entertained.
Sligo
Stop in Sligo for lunch. This picturesque town was immortalized in many poems written by William Butler Yeats. Standing as a beautiful background for the city is Bengulben, a mini Table Mountain (like the famous one in Cape Town, South Africa).
If you have a bit of time to linger, visit the Glencar Waterfall cascading 50 feet into a lush glen. The Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery has more than 30 tombs dating back 6,000 years. The 13th century Sligo Abbey is a Dominican friary featuring gorgeous ruins and carved tombs. And fans of the poet Yeats will want to visit his grave at Drumcliff Churchyard.
Connemara National Park
Connemara National Park has rugged mountains, boglands, and fantastic ocean views. The park was once the part of the Kylemore Abbey Estate. Built in the 1860s, the Abbey was once a manor house and is now home to Ireland’s only community of Benedictine nuns. Stop to take a photo of the gorgeous house reflected in the water. But if you still have plenty of time, it’s worth touring the estate. Another fantastic thing to do if you have time is taking a boat tour to the only glacial fjord in Ireland, Killary Fjord.
Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for the famous Connemara ponies roaming through the area. You also often see red deer, otters, rabbits, and birds.
Galway
Once you finally reach Galway, you will be ready for its lively nightlife! Go to the Latin Quarter for cobbled streets, colorful pubs, and great shops full of Irish wares. Look for a pub that hosts traditional Irish music. If you are lucky, it will turn into a full-blown ceilidh (Irish dance party).
5th Day – Galway to Limerick
Today, drive just under 3 hours between Galway and Limerick, seeing some phenomenal scenery. You’ll make several stops along the way.
The Burren
The route you take travels through The Burren. This area is quite a contrast to the rest of the Emerald Isle – it looks like you are driving through the surface of the moon! What you are seeing is a landscape of cracked karst limestone covering a vast surface area. The limestone formed under tropical seas 330 million years ago. Today it features a unique mix of flora with plants from the Alpine, Artic, and Mediterranean growing side-by-side. The biodiversity is amazing – 70% of Ireland’s native plant species can be found here.
It’s likely you will just drive through the Burren due to time constraints. But if you have some extra time, you can visit Poulnabrone Dolmen, a tomb dating back to 3,000 BCE. There’s some great hiking trails in Burren National Park. At the Aillwee Burren Experience, you can visit one of the oldest caves in the country and see a show at the Birds of Prey Centre. Along the way, you will discover farms and artisan shops such as the Aillwee Farmshop for Burren gold cheese and the Burren Perfumery.
Cliffs of Moher
Perhaps the most striking site on the Emerald Isle is the Cliffs of Moher, Standing 755 feet above the ground at their highest point and almost 5 miles long, the cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara.
The Visitor’s Centre looks like Frodo Baggins home in the Lord of the Rings. This award-winning, eco-friendly building has wonderful interactive exhibits about the area’s geology, wildlife, and history. From the Visitor’s Centre, you can take the paved path to the Cliff Trail where you can see spectacular views in both directions. Most guides tell you to view the cliffs from the left path, but I highly recommend exploring both paths for the best views.
Another viewing opportunity is from O’Brien’s Tower. This 19th-century building was erected in 1835 and provides incredible panoramic views. Keep an eye out for seabirds, including puffins from April to July, and dolphins.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park has a 15th century castle and 30 buildings showcasing life at all levels of society. The castle is fully restored and furnished, giving you insight on the Late Middle Age in Ireland. In contrast, the Folk Park has buildings such as thatched cottages, old houses, schoolhouses, village stores, etc., showing you how people in 19th century Ireland lived, from the poorest to the richest.
For dinner, experience the Bunratty Medieval Banquet. Dine on a four course meal and enjoy entertainment from the Bunratty Castle Singers. You’ll sip mead while feasting on spiced parsnip soup, Irish soda bread, spare ribs, pan-fried chicken, baby roasted potatoes, and rastin (apple cinnamon crunch with Chantilly cream).
Then take the brief 20 minute drive into Limerick and check into your hotel. It’s been a long but terrific day on the Emerald Isle!
6th Day – Dingle Peninsula
Today our Emerald Isle exploration takes us from Limerick to the Dingle Peninsula and then to Killarney. The driving time is a bit less than 4 hours leaving plenty of time to make stops to see the jaw-dropping scenery and visit sites along the way.
Dingle
Drive about two hours to the town of Dingle, a charming harbor village. Wander around the Dingle harbor and admire the cute statue of Fungie the dolphin. For 38 years, Fungie made his home in the Dingle harbor and interacted with locals.
Dingle’s assortment of galleries and artisan shops also make it a great place to buy souvenirs. For lunch, feast on fresh seafood or enjoy some traditional Irish food at one of the pubs. Interestingly, several of the pubs are also hardware stores! No matter what you eat for your meal, dessert must be Murphy’s Ice Cream.
Slea Head Drive
Start your exploration of the peninsula by driving clockwise on Slea Head Drive from Dingle. This 24 mile circular route is part of the Wild Atlantic Way and is one of Ireland’s most scenic drives. Every minute of the journey has awe-inspiring scenery, and you will want to make a few stops to see glorious views, Iron Age stone structures, and ancient churches.
Definitely stop to visit the Blasket Center, an award winning cultural center describes the lives of the Blasket Islanders. These people lived on the remote Blasket Islands from the late 16th century until the last citizens left in 1953. You will walk away with a greater understanding of their work, what their homes looked like, and how they lived day-to-day.
Killarney
After exploring the Dingle Peninsula, drive another hour to reach Killarney. Here you will stay for a two nights to explore the area. It will be nice not having to pack up your suitcase and check out in the morning!
The town is chockful of cute boutiques, cafes, and pubs. You’ll definitely find some great places to eat and buy souvenirs here.
7th Day – Ring of Kerry
Today, you will explore the Ring of Kerry. This scenic 111-mile circular route offers incredible scenic views of cliffs, beaches, mountains, lakes, the ocean, and charming villages. In a nutshell, the Ring of Kerry offers travelers what they came to Ireland to see. There is stunning emerald landscapes, seaside vistas, adorable little villages, fields dotted with wooly sheep, pubs filled with friendly locals, ancient ruins, and so much more.
On our journey, you will pass through Killarney National Park and will see the scenic mountain pass called Moll’s Gap and the famous viewpoint Ladies View. You will also see an assortment of charming towns, ancient stone structures, castle ruins, natural wonders, and much much more. There are also plenty of other great places to stop.
When you arrive back in Killarney, enjoy a jaunting car ride to Ross Castle. This century old tradition is a staple of tourism in the city. A jaunting car is a horse-drawn carriage typically with side facing seats. The carriage driver, AKA jarvey, is a friendly local. As you trot down the streets of Killarney and into Killarney National Park, your jarvey will regale you with entertaining stories, jokes, the names of plants and animals you see, and local history.
8th Day – Killarney to Dublin
We’ve reach the final day of your 8 day journey on the Emerald Isle. Today you have a bit of a journey to return to Dublin. It will take a little longer than 4 hours. But along the way you will make some fun stops!
Blarney Castle & Gardens
Stop to kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. The castle is in ruins, but it’s still fun to climb the narrow circular staircases and explore the old rooms. Interpretive signs are in the various castle rooms to give you an idea of what the castle might have looked like before falling into ruin. There’s a chapel, banqueting hall, family room, great hall, kitchen, young ladies’ bedroom, priest’s room, and even a dungeon. And Blarney Gardens are extensive and gorgeous, no matter what season you visit.
Blarney Woolen Mills
Stop at the nearby Blarney Woolen Mills to enjoy a quick lunch and shopping. Established in 1823, Blarney Woolen Mill was Mahony’s Mills. It produced tweeds and woolens using a water-powered mill. It closed in the early 1970s. In 1975, an entrepreneur transformed it into the store it is today. You’ll find all kinds of Irish products there, like sweaters, scarves, throws, crystal, china, Celtic jewelry, souvenirs, and a whole lot more.
Rock of Cashal
Your final stop is the Rock of Cashel. This stunning castle in ruin was the location where in the 5th century, St. Patrick met and converted to Christianity Aenghus the King of Munster. You will enjoy exploring the medieval ruins of a chapel, tower, cathedral, and choral. The graveyard surrounding the ruins is filled with Ancient Celtic crosses.
How to Get Around the Emerald Isle
Rental Car
This itinerary takes you all around the Emerald Isle and visits sites in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The easiest, most flexible way to approach this itinerary is to rent a car. You can drive between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland freely.
Your regular driver’s license is all you need to drive in Ireland. You will have to drive on the left side of the road. And some of the areas on this itinerary have narrow winding roads that can reduce to one lane at times. So you will want to drive slowly and be attentive at all times.
Driver/Guide
If driving isn’t for you, you can hire a driver/guide. This will be pretty expensive, but it’s probably the ideal way to tackle this itinerary.
Public Transportation
Taking public transportation is possible for this itinerary, but you’ll miss some sites along the way and need to book group tours for some things. And you will likely have to add a few days to fit everything in, or cut some of the places you visit. Here’s how it could work:
- Day 1: Arrive in Dublin.
- Day 2: Take a train or bus from Dublin to Belfast and explore the city.
- Day 3: Take a day trip to see Giant’s Causeway and other sites, then take the train from Belfast to Derry.
- Day 4: Explore Derry, then take a bus from Derry to Galway.
- Day 5: Take a day trip to Connemara National Park or a day trip to Cliffs of Moher (or stay in Galway two nights and do both).
- Day 6: Take a bus or train from Galway to Killarney.
- Day 7: Take a day trip to Dingle Peninsula or a day trip around the Ring of Kerry (or stay in Killarney two nights and do both).
- Day 8: Take a train back to Dublin. You will need to stay an extra day if you want to fit in a day trip to Blarney Castle and other nearby sites.
Travel with Us!
The absolute best way to tackle this itinerary is let us do all the work! The Extravelgance team is visiting the Emerald Isle September 27-October 5, 2026! This small-group tour (capped at 18) will include the best Ireland and Northern Ireland sites and activities. Check out our website for full details, and complete this form to register.
How will you spend 8 days on the Emerald Isle?
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