Ten days is the sweet spot for a first proper Ireland road trip — enough time to cover both the north and south without feeling rushed, and to settle into the rhythm of Irish driving rather than sprinting between highlights.
The classic 10-day circuit runs Dublin → Belfast → Causeway Coast → Galway → Cliffs of Moher → Kerry → Cork. It covers approximately 1,100 km of driving — an average of 110 km per day, which is very manageable on Irish roads. The key decision is whether to include Northern Ireland. Ten days just about allows a complete loop including Belfast and the Giant's Causeway without sacrificing Kerry or Galway. If you skip Northern Ireland, you gain two extra days in the west — ideal for a second night in Connemara, the full Dingle Peninsula, or time in Donegal.
The itinerary below includes Northern Ireland because the Titanic Belfast and Causeway Coast combination is too good to miss on a first visit. Two nights in Galway and two in Kerry give you proper mornings in each region rather than arriving late and leaving early.
Day-by-day itinerary
Dublin — arrival
Arrive at Dublin Airport. The city centre is 30–45 minutes away by Airlink bus or taxi. Walk along the Liffey in the evening — into the Liberties or Temple Bar for dinner.
Dublin city
Kilmainham Gaol or Guinness Storehouse in the morning. Trinity College and the Book of Kells in the afternoon. Both are within walking distance of each other.
Dublin → Belfast
2 hrsDrive north on the M1. Titanic Belfast opens at 9am — arrive early for the nine immersive galleries. Afternoon in Belfast's city centre. Stay in the Cathedral Quarter for the best access to pubs and restaurants.
Causeway Coast day trip
Full day on the A2 coastal road: Giant's Causeway in the morning (arrive before 10am), Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (pre-book the timed entry), Dunluce Castle and Old Bushmills Distillery. Return to Belfast by evening.
Belfast → Galway
3.5–4.5 hrsDrive direct on the M1/A1 south (3.5 hrs) or take the scenic N17 via Sligo (4.5 hrs) — the longer route passes Benbulben and gives time for a stop at Carrowmore megalithic cemetery. Arrive Galway for the evening in the Latin Quarter.
Aran Islands or Connemara
Option A: Ferry from Rossaveel to Aran Islands — book in advance in summer. Option B: Connemara National Park walk, Kylemore Abbey and Clifden circuit via the N59.
Cliffs of Moher + Burren → Killarney
~4 hrs totalDrive south from Galway to Cliffs of Moher (90 min). Walk the cliff path west from the visitor centre. Continue south through The Burren to Ennis, then southwest to Killarney (2 hrs from Doolin). Book into your Kerry base for the next two nights.
Killarney National Park
Gap of Dunloe in the morning by jaunting car or on foot. Ross Castle boat trip across the lakes. Muckross House and Torc Waterfall in the afternoon.
Ring of Kerry
179 km loopFull day clockwise on the Ring of Kerry (the coaches run anti-clockwise). Ladies' View, Moll's Gap, Sneem, Waterville, Caherciveen. Allow 5–6 hours of driving. Return to Killarney for a last Kerry evening.
Dingle Peninsula → Cork/Airport
2.5 hrs to Cork AirportDrive over the Connor Pass to Dingle Peninsula. Slea Head Drive loop — Iron Age forts, beehive huts and the Blasket Islands view at Dunmore Head. Allow 2–3 hours. Drive to Cork Airport for an evening departure, or overnight in Cork city.
Highlights
- Covers both the Republic and Northern Ireland — Titanic Belfast and the Giant's Causeway included without sacrificing Kerry or Galway
- ~1,100 km total at an average of 110 km per day — comfortable with a few longer driving days balanced by shorter ones
- Three overnight bases (Belfast, Galway, Killarney) mean real time in each region, not just passing through
- Dingle Peninsula on the final morning often stands out for first-time Kerry visitors — it has a different, quieter character to the Ring of Kerry
- Flexible: skip Northern Ireland and gain two extra western days for Donegal, a slower Connemara or a second Kerry night
Attractions in this guide
Titanic Belfast
Antrim
Giant's Causeway
Antrim
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Antrim
Aran Islands
Galway
Cliffs of Moher
Clare
Killarney National Park
Kerry
Ring of Kerry
Kerry
Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head Drive
Kerry
Local tips
- →Book Kilmainham Gaol, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and Aran Islands ferries well in advance — all three sell out weeks ahead in summer
- →The Belfast to Galway drive via the scenic N17 through Sligo is longer (4.5 hrs) but passes Benbulben and Carrowmore — worth it if you have the time
- →Drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise — tour coaches run anti-clockwise, so going the other way keeps you from getting stuck behind a convoy, and the pull-outs are on your side of the road
- →Dingle to Cork Airport takes 2.5 hours on a good run — leave Dingle by 1pm for a comfortable evening departure
- →If flying Dublin return, reverse the order: Belfast first (Day 3–4), then west and south, looping back via the Rock of Cashel (a perfect motorway stop on the M8)
- →Two nights in each base (Belfast, Galway, Killarney) is worth the cost of an extra night — you'll actually experience each place rather than just passing through
Ready to go?
Plan your Ireland trip
Best time to visit
May – September
Getting there
Fly into Dublin (DUB) and out of Cork (ORK) for the classic one-way circuit with no backtracking. Flying Dublin return works just as well — loop counter-clockwise (north first, then west and south) and you'll never retrace your route. Car hire is essential. Book in advance; availability drops sharply for peak summer weekends.
Region
Ireland · Itinerary
Attractions covered
8 in this guide
