12-Day Ireland Itinerary
Day 1: Cork City
Details: Fly into Cork, Ireland’s second city. Spend the afternoon exploring this lively city, which serves as a great introduction to Ireland.
Stay: Cork City
- Options:
- Cork Food Tour (walking tour)
- Golf at Fota or visit local gardens
- Boat trip on Cork Harbour
- Train to Cobh (Titanic’s last port of call)
- Visitor Attractions: Cork Public Museum, Nano Nagle Centre, Shandon Bells, Blackrock Castle
- Instagram Spots: English Market, Blarney Castle, Daly’s Bridge




Day 2: West Cork
Details: Pick up a hire car and start your Wild Atlantic Way adventure. Visit Kinsale, Clonakilty, and Skibbereen, enjoying beaches, guided walks, and local activities.
Stay: West Cork
- Options:
- Kinsale: Visit Charles Fort and Old Head of Kinsale, explore the town
- Clonakilty: Whiskey tasting, Michael Collins Museum, beaches
- Skibbereen: Heritage & Famine Centre, Lough Hyne, ferry to an island
- Activities: Night kayak trip, boat trip around Fastnet Lighthouse
- Instagram Spots: Streets of Kinsale, Clonakilty, Mizen Head Lighthouse




Day 3: West Cork
Details: Drive to Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head, and the Beara Peninsula. Explore Bantry House and Mizen Head Lighthouse for stunning views.
Stay: West Cork
- Options:
- Drive: Schull and Mizen Head, Bantry Market
- Activities: Boat trips, island visits, guided hikes
- Visitor Attractions: Bantry House
- Instagram Spots: Fastnet Lighthouse, Sheep’s Head Lighthouse




Day 4: West Cork to Kerry
Details: Drive the Beara Peninsula and stop at Castletownbere, Allihies, and Kenmare. Explore gardens, stone circles, and ancient heritage sites.
Stay: Kerry
- Options:
- Drive: Beara Peninsula via Healy Pass
- Activities: Rib boat rides, garden visits, golf
- Visitor Attractions: Mines Museum, Ireland’s only cable car to Dursey Island
- Instagram Spots: Colourful villages, Dursey Cable Cart




Day 5: Kerry
Details: Drive the Ring of Kerry or Skellig Ring. Visit Valentia Island and enjoy beaches, boat trips, and traditional pubs.
Stay: Kerry
- Options:
- Boat trips around Skellig Islands
- Walk Bray Head or Slea Head Peninsula
- Visitor Attractions: Skellig Experience, Slate Quarry
- Instagram Spots: Portmagee village, Ring of Kerry route




Day 6: Kerry and Clare
Details: Take the car ferry to Clare and explore the Cliffs of Moher, Burren area, and colorful towns like Kilkee and Lahinch.
Stay: Co. Clare
- Options:
- Drive along Loop Head to Lahinch and Ennistymon
- Activities: Surfing, Pollock Holes natural pools, golf, boat trips under Cliffs of Moher
- Visitor Attractions: Ailwee Caves, Poulnabrone Dolmen
- Instagram Spots: Cliffs of Moher, Poulnabrone Dolmen




Day 7: Clare and Galway
Details: Drive the Galway Bay coast to Galway City. Explore the Latin Quarter and head west to Connemara villages.
Stay: Connemara
- Options:
- Drive the Clare Coast
- Activities: City walking tour, castle visits
- Visitor Attractions: Galway City Museum
- Instagram Spots: The Quiet Man Bridge, Galway Latin Quarter




Day 8: Galway and Mayo
Details: Visit Kylemore Abbey, Killary Fjord, and the Lost Valley in Co. Mayo. Explore Westport, a vibrant coastal town.
Stay: Westport, Co. Mayo
- Options:
- Drive Killary Fjord to Westport
- Activities: Walk in Connemara National Park, climb Croagh Patrick
- Visitor Attractions: Kylemore Abbey, Westport House
- Instagram Spots: Kylemore Abbey, Lost Valley views





Day 9: Mayo and Sligo
Details: Drive Clew Bay to Achill Island and take the Atlantic Drive. Visit Dún Briste and Yeats Country in Sligo.
Stay: Donegal
- Options:
- Drive Atlantic Coast
- Activities: Walk in Wild Nephin Park, seaweed bath
- Visitor Attractions: Ceide Fields, Lisadell House
- Instagram Spots: Ben Bulben Mountain, Mullaghmore Village




Day 10: Donegal
Details: Explore Donegal Bay, Sliabh League, and nearby beaches. Enjoy local whiskey or boat tours.
Stay: Donegal
- Options:
- Drive Donegal Bay, Mamore Gap, Fanad Head Lighthouse
- Activities: Climb Mount Errigal, distillery tours
- Instagram Spots: Sliabh League, Grianan an Aileach




Day 11: West Donegal
Details: Stay close to the airport in West Donegal for international connections.
- Instagram Spots: Donegal Airport as you depart



