Ireland.
A 12-day trip through Ireland’s west coast with a mix of charming villages,
stunning landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
And, a shorter “quick trip” option to Doolin, Galway and the Cliffs of Moher
from Dublin in 4 days.
Notes from Dana.
Number of Nights - 12
Time of Year - August 2024
Type of Trip -
Road Trip / Family Travel
Itinerary
Adare - 2 nights (includes night in flight)
Dingle - 3 nights
Galway - 3 nights
Sligo - 3 nights
Dromoland Castle, Fergus - 1 night
“It “rained” almost every day we were in Ireland, but the showers were quick, followed by sunshine that lights up the landscape. Pack a wind-resistant raincoat, a sturdy umbrella, and waterproof walking shoes—you’ll need them!.”
— Dana
Hot Tips.
- Weather Reality: It “rained” almost every day we were in Ireland, but the showers were quick, followed by sunshine that lights up the landscape. Pack a wind-resistant raincoat, a sturdy umbrella, and waterproof walking shoes—you’ll need them!
- Authentic Stay: I can’t recommend staying in a traditional Bed & Breakfast enough. We stayed at one found on Airbnb (sorry, keeping this gem a secret!), and it was pure magic—one of the highlights of our trip.
- Underrated Sligo: Sligo might not be on every tourist’s radar, and the town itself didn’t blow us away, but the surrounding countryside is some of the most beautiful we saw in Ireland. Don’t skip it!
Day 1 (Sunday Evening): The Journey Begins
- Departure: We flew direct from Boston to Shannon with Aer Lingus—super easy and stress-free.
Day 2 (Monday Morning): Arrive in Adare
- Arrival: Shannon Airport was a breeze—small, efficient, and no fuss.
- Accommodation: We stayed at The Dunraven Arms in Adare. Booking a room for Sunday night meant we could check in as soon as we arrived Monday morning, and that early nap was a lifesaver!
- Food Note: The food at The Dunraven is exceptional—don’t miss the brown bread at breakfast; it’s addictive.
Day 2 (Monday Afternoon/Evening): Falling in Love with Adare
- Exploration: Adare is as charming as they come, with its thatched cottages and medieval sites. We took a guided tour of Desmond Castle—if you’re into history, it’s well worth the hour.
- Café Find: We grabbed a snack at The Good Room across from our hotel—delicious sandwichs and coffee, the perfect spot to refuel.
- Dinner: Dinner at The Dunraven Arms was a treat. Despite the white tablecloths, it’s family-friendly, with everything from chicken fingers to more refined dishes.
Day 3 (Tuesday): Onward to Dingle
- Road Trip: The drive to Dingle took us about 2.5 hours, but we made it a point to stop and enjoy the journey:
- Listowel Castle: This 15th-century castle was a fascinating detour. The tour offered great insights, and the town itself was so quaint.
- Ballybunion Beach: A slight detour brought us to this breathtaking beach. We stretched our legs and took in the incredible views.
- Arrival: We stayed in a cozy self-catering Airbnb in Dingle. After settling in, we headed to Murphy’s Pub for dinner. The seafood chowder and fish & chips were everything we adults hoped for – and the chicken goujons (aka chicken fingers) didn’t disappoint either.
Day 4 (Wednesday): Discovering the Dingle Peninsula
- Slea Head Drive: This coastal road is narrow and winding but worth every nerve-wracking turn. Here are some memorable stops:
- Fairy Fort Ring: Yes, there’s a fairy fort, but we stopped for the animals. Feeding the alpacas, sheep, and goats was a blast.
- Dunquin Pier: The walk down to the pier is steep but so worth it. We rewarded ourselves with coffee and brownies from the charming guys in the trailer at the top—don’t miss this treat!
- Krogers Pub: The most western pub in Europe did not disappoint. A couple of pints of Guinness and a hearty lunch were just what we needed.
- Star Wars "Last Jedi" Meditation Rock: If you know, you know! A peaceful hike up to the cliff where they filmed—no crowds, just stunning ocean views and a moment of serenity.
Day 5 (Thursday): A Day with Horses in Dingle
- Riding Adventure: If you love horses, this is a must. We rode through Dingle’s hills with jaw-dropping views and friendly guides. The ride ended with tea, scones, and a visit with their pack of adorable dogs.
- Lunch: We refueled at James Long Pub in Dingle—giant chicken sandwiches and Guinness. It hit the spot.
- Evening: Dingle’s pub scene is something special with plenty of options. Foxy Johns, a pub and hardware store, was a cool spot with intimate live music. The Dingle Pub was packed and lively—perfect for a fun night out.
Day 6 (Friday): On to County Galway
- Ferry Fun: To break up the drive, we took the Shannon Ferry at Tagbert (about 1 hour from Dingle) for a quick 20-minute crossing that let us stretch our legs.
- Stops Along the Way:
- Cliffs of Moher: Yes, it’s touristy, but you can’t visit Ireland without seeing these cliffs—they’re breathtaking.
- Hazel Mountain Chocolate Shop: This place is a hidden gem. The hot chocolate was divine, and the artisanal chocolates are next-level.
- Arrival: We stayed at a B&B in Headford, just 20 minutes outside Galway. The perfect base for exploring. A fire and whiskey were waiting for us when we arrived.
Day 7 (Saturday): Relaxing in Headford & Galway
- Morning Stroll: Ross Errilly Friary is a beautiful medieval site just a short drive from our B&B. We even got a surprise private history lesson from a local historian waiting for a tour group.
- Galway: Galway was bustling with tourists, especially in the Latin Quarter. We had an early dinner at Monroe’s Tavern—great music, family-friendly, and football on TV.
Day 8 (Sunday): Connemara’s Rugged Beauty
- Scenic Drive: The drive through Connemara to Kylemore Abbey was one of the most beautiful stretches of road we encountered.
- Kylemore Abbey: It’s a tourist destination, no doubt, but the estate is stunning, and the history is rich. We explored the Victorian Walled Garden, Gothic Church, and woodland trails—worth the visit.
Day 9 (Monday): Heading to Sligo
- Detour: We made a quick stop in Westport on our way to Sligo—a picturesque town with plenty of shops and pubs to explore.
- Arrival: Our Airbnb was just 10 minutes from Strandhill Beach. We spent the evening walking the dunes and enjoying dinner at The Strand Bar—a great spot with a laid-back vibe.
- Strandhill Tip: You can’t swim at Strandhill Beach, but it’s a surfing hotspot. We loved watching the surfers and taking in the stunning views.
Day 10 (Tuesday): Golf & Relaxation in Sligo
- Golf: My dad and husband golfed at County Sligo Country Club and couldn’t stop raving about the incredible views of Benbulben, Knocknarea, and the Atlantic.
- Dinner: We enjoyed another meal at The Strand Bar and stopped by Mammy Johnston’s for ice cream and coffee before another walk on the beach.
Day 11 (Wednesday): Exploring Mullaghmore
- Mullaghmore Head: This small peninsula offered some of the most spectacular ocean views we saw. While the big waves weren’t in, we had fun making friends with a few horses grazing along the cliffs.
- Castle Spotting: We admired the beautiful castle on the cliffs (Classiebawn Castle), once owned by Lord Mountbatten. It’s a private residence now, so no touring, but the setting is incredible.
- Dinner: The Fish and Bean at Rosses Point had great food and views, though the atmosphere was a bit lacking. We capped the night with our last Mammy Johnston’s ice cream—bittersweet!
Day 12 (Thursday): A Night at Dromoland Castle
- Splurge Night: We went all out for our last night in Ireland and stayed at Dromoland Castle. It was worth every penny—my mom had dreamed of staying in a real castle, and this one delivered.
- Activities: My mom and I went riding at Castlefergus Stables—beautiful countryside and just minutes from the castle. Meanwhile, the rest of the family enjoyed falconry, archery, and exploring the stunning grounds of Dromoland.
- Dinner: Shannigans at the Inn at Dromoland was our dinner spot—a bit more commercialized, but the food was excellent.
- Evening: We wrapped up the night with live music back at the castle, and even a surprise a cappella performance by one of the waitstaff—a perfect ending to our trip.
Day 13 (Friday): Heading Home
- Departure: Staying at Dromoland made our departure easy—a quick 15-minute drive to Shannon Airport, and we were on our way back to Boston.
Unmissable Experience.
Horseback riding in Dingle, driving the Slea Head, and exploring Mullaghmore are just a few of the highlights that made this trip unforgettable.
Packing Essentials.
Don’t underestimate the Irish weather—bring that rain gear and layers. Comfortable shoes are a must for all the walking and exploring..
Notes from Stefania.
Number of Nights - 4
Time of Year - June 2025
Type of Trip -
Road Trip / Quick Trip
Itinerary -
Doolin - 3 nights
(From Doolin, Galway & Cliffs of Moher)
Dublin - 1 night
Day 1:
We landed in Dublin at 9:30 AM, picked up our rental car, and started the 3-3.5 hour drive to Doolin. On the way we passed through the small village of Kilfenora and stopped for lunch at Vaughan’s Pub. The food here was delicious; we shared a Caesar salad and the stew.
After lunch, we checked into our Airbnb which was about a five minute drive from the center of Doolin, and about 10-15 minutes from the Cliffs of Moher. The Airbnb was a really cute white and yellow cottage with views of Doolin and the Cliffs, and a very secluded/private vibe.
We spent a few hours resting and freshening up after travel and then went into Doolin for dinner and drinks, and to walk around the town. Doolin has about four pubs, a few restaurants, shops, and hotels. We were able to park our car in a lot and then walk the whole town. The first night we ate pizza at the Stonewall and then had drinks and listened to Irish music at Fit’z Pub. Monday night is Fit’z big night for music and it did not disappoint.
Day 2:
We woke up to a foggy morning on the Cliffs, so decided to drive to Galway for the day. The drive to Galway is only 1.5 hours with breathtaking views through farmland, the coast, and the Burren National Park. We tried our best to pull off as much as we could to take in the views and even parked our car and walked through the Burren a little bit. You’re driving through small, zig zag roads that are also used by large tour buses so it can be scary at times, but worth the experience. We spent a few hours walking through downtown Galway and by the waterfront, went into shops, and had lunch before heading back to Doolin.
That night we went back to Doolin for dinner and drinks. We had a few appetizers at Russell’s Seafood Bar, which was amazing. And ended the night at McGann’s Pub for drinks and music.
Day 3:
Day 3 was all about exploring the Cliffs of Moher. We woke up, got coffee and a pastry from Russells Coffee Shop in Doolin (attached to the seafood bar), and headed straight to the Cliffs of Moher Experience. There’s plenty of parking, but I recommend getting there as soon as they open to get a few hours of peace before the tour buses arrive. We walked all the open trails, but sadly a lot of the trails were blocked off.
After the experience we took a small break at the Airbnb and then headed into Doolin for lunch. We had fish and chips and a burger from Fit’z pub which were really good, and then started walking to the ferry pick up spot for our Ferry tour of the Cliffs. The walk is about 15-20 minutes, but there’s a few shops along the way and the views of the cliffs and coast are worth it. The ferry ride was only about an hour and took you right next to the Cliffs and then back. This was one of my favorite things we did and if I had to choose between a boat experience or the walking experience, I would definitely do the boat. Get in line early to get a good seat!
We spent that afternoon and night pub hopping in Doolin; we walked to the end of town and started at McDermott’s and made our way back to Fit’z to end the night. (I think Fit’z was our favorite in Doolin).
Day 4:
We checked out of our Airbnb and started driving back to Dublin. We went right to the Guinness Storehouse (purchased the tour in advance) and walked around Downtown. We walked through St Stephens Green, Trinity College, Grafton Street, and walked by Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and the Dublin Castle. We had drinks and appetizers at Hawksmoor Dublin, which was recommended to us by a bar tender in Doolin and it did not disappoint. I’m not going to lie, we were exhausted by this point of our trip and just wanted to get back to the Hotel and go to bed haha. So we didn’t even make it to the Temple Bar area - our Uber driver told us to skip it anyways and have the best Guinness in the City at Bowe’s Lounge Bar. Which is what we did before heading back to the hotel.
Day 5:
Right to the airport for our flight home at 10:30 AM
