One week is enough to see the very best of Ireland on a classic self-drive loop from Dublin — the historic east, the medieval south, the wild peninsulas of Kerry, the great Cliffs of Moher and the buzz of Galway, before crossing the midlands back to the capital. Here's a day-by-day plan that balances driving with time to actually stop and look.
The trip at a glance
A quick word before you set off: you'll want a hire car, you'll be driving on the left, and you should book your beds ahead in summer. Download your MacÉireann tours before you go, too — they run offline on GPS, exactly where the coast loses signal.
Day 1 — Dublin
Day 1Explore the capital
Ease in with a day in Dublin: Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, the Guinness Storehouse and a wander through Temple Bar. No car needed today — the city is best on foot — so pick yours up tomorrow morning.
Day 2Dublin to Cork, via the Rock of Cashel
Head south on the M8 and break the drive at the Rock of Cashel, a dramatic clifftop cluster of medieval cathedral, round tower and chapel rising straight out of the Tipperary plain. Carry on to Cork city, or the pretty harbour town of Kinsale, for the night.
Day 3Cork to Killarney
Drive west into County Kerry — with an optional stop to kiss the Blarney Stone — and settle in Killarney, the gateway to the peninsulas, for two nights. Spend the afternoon in Killarney National Park among lakes, woods and Muckross House.
Day 4The Ring of Kerry
Give the day to the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's most famous loop — mountains, ancient forts, colourful villages and island views. Set off early to stay ahead of the tour coaches.
Day 5The Dingle Peninsula
North to the Dingle Peninsula for the Slea Head Drive — beehive huts, golden strands, the Gallarus Oratory and the Blasket Islands — before an evening of music in Dingle town. (Torn between the two peninsulas? Our Ring of Kerry vs Dingle guide helps you choose.)
Day 6Kerry to Galway, via the Cliffs of Moher
Take the Tarbert–Killimer car ferry across the Shannon into County Clare, then drive the coast with the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren the highlight of the day — the Cliffs of Moher and the lunar Burren — finishing in Galway city.
Day 7Galway to Dublin
Cross the country back to Dublin with the Dublin to Galway tour in reverse, the midlands telling their story of Vikings, castles and the mighty Shannon. Drop the car and fly home, full of it.
Don't just drive it — discover it
MacÉireann narrates the legends and history of the road as you reach each place, automatically and offline. Download on the App Store →
Tweak the trip to your time
Skip the south
Run Dublin → Galway → the Cliffs of Moher → Kerry and back, dropping the Cork leg to focus on the west coast.
Slow it down
Add Connemara west of Galway and a second night on the Dingle Peninsula, and linger longer at every stop.
Go the whole way
Add the northwest — Donegal, Sligo and the full Wild Atlantic Way — for the complete coast.
Make the most of the driving days
The west-coast portion of this loop — Kerry, Clare and Galway — is the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way, so see that guide for the coastal stretch in depth. And whenever you go, the weather and daylight shape what's possible: our guide to the best time to visit Ireland will help you pick your week.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough to see Ireland?
Yes, for the highlights. A week is enough to loop from Dublin through the medieval south, the Kerry peninsulas, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. You won't see everything, but you'll see the best of it without rushing every day.
Can you drive around Ireland in a week?
You can comfortably drive a southern loop of Ireland in a week — Dublin to Cork, Kerry, Clare and Galway and back. Driving the entire coast, including the north, needs closer to two weeks.
What is the best 7-day road trip route in Ireland?
The classic loop runs Dublin → Cork (via the Rock of Cashel) → Killarney and the Ring of Kerry → the Dingle Peninsula → the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren → Galway → back to Dublin.
Do you need a car for an Ireland road trip?
Yes. A car gives you the freedom to follow the coast roads and stop where you like; public transport is limited on the scenic rural routes. Remember that Ireland drives on the left.
How much driving is a week in Ireland?
This loop is around 900 km (roughly 560 miles) in total, spread across the week, with the longest single days being the Dublin–Cork and Galway–Dublin legs.
Do the MacÉireann tours work offline?
Yes. Download each tour before you set off and it plays automatically using your phone's GPS, so it works even on the remote stretches with no mobile coverage.
Make every driving day a guided tour
MacÉireann narrates the legends and history of each leg as you drive it — from the midlands crossing to the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher — automatically and offline. Download the routes and let a storyteller ride shotgun all week.
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