In June 2019, we set off on a whirlwind five-day road trip across Ireland for a friend’s wedding in Kildare. With a few spare days around the big event, we planned a self-drive itinerary packed with castles, coastlines, and cozy towns. It turned into one of our all-time favorite adventures — and if you’re looking for the perfect Ireland 5-day self-drive itinerary, this route hits all the highlights without ever feeling rushed.
This was the exact trip we did in June 2019, using a few spare days either side of a wedding near Kildare. It’s a perfect loop that mixes ancient sites, dramatic landscapes, friendly cities, and relaxed countryside.
Here’s how we structured it:
Day 1: Dublin to Belfast
Base: Premier Inn Dublin Airport (optional if arriving the night before)
Pick Up: Rental car at Dublin Airport. Caution, Ireland did not accept would-wide rental car policies OR our credit card insurance!
Stops:
Brú na Bóinne:
We started with the prehistoric passage tombs at Newgrange — a surreal reminder of just how ancient Ireland’s history really is.Belfast:
From there, we crossed into Northern Ireland and explored Belfast, with its Titanic museum, lively Cathedral Quarter, and striking political murals.
Overnight: Belfast City Centre
We stayed close to City Hall, perfect for walking to pubs and restaurants.
Day 2: Belfast to Derry via the Causeway Coast
Stops:
Giant’s Causeway:
One of Ireland’s most iconic sights — the hexagonal basalt rocks look almost too perfect to be natural.Dunluce Castle:
A quick stop, but one of the most picturesque ruins we saw the entire trip.Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple:
Beautiful grounds to stretch your legs and snap some incredible cliffside photos.Derry/Londonderry:
We arrived in Derry in the late afternoon, wandered the historic city walls, and grabbed dinner by the river.
Overnight: Derry
The city has a great blend of history and lively energy.
Day 3: Derry to Dublin
Stops:
Drive back south:
We cruised back into the Republic of Ireland, making good time to Dublin.Temple Bar:
After parking up, we spent the evening exploring the cobbled streets, live music, and pubs around Temple Bar.Fleet Street Hotel:
Our stay right in the heart of Dublin made it easy to walk everywhere.
Optional: If you’re early, you can squeeze in a visit to the Guinness Storehouse!
Overnight: Dublin City Centre
Day 4: Dublin to Galway via Kilkenny and the Cliffs of Moher
This day was special — we first celebrated our friend’s wedding in Kildare, then picked up the road trip again.
Stops:
Castle Durrow:
A brief stop for coffee and a wander around this beautiful historic hotel and visit Bob’s bar.Kilkenny:
Even though we had the wedding nearby, we still squeezed in some sightseeing — exploring the medieval streets of Kilkenny was a highlight.Cliffs of Moher:
Later that afternoon, we headed west to the Atlantic coast. The Cliffs of Moher were misty but magical in the late light.
Overnight: Galway City
We based ourselves at Travelodge Galway — easy parking and close enough to walk into town.
Day 5: Galway to Dublin via the Hill of Tara
Morning in Galway:
- Quay Street coffee and souvenir shopping
- A relaxed walk by the Spanish Arch
Stops on the drive back:
- Hill of Tara:
A peaceful, windswept site with huge historic significance — a quiet but fitting end to the journey.
Return:
Dublin Airport for flights out.
Quick Reference Itinerary
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin ➔ Brú na Bóinne ➔ Belfast | Passage tombs, Titanic Belfast | Belfast |
| 2 | Belfast ➔ Giant’s Causeway ➔ Derry | Causeway Coast, Derry Walls | Derry |
| 3 | Derry ➔ Dublin | Temple Bar, Guinness | Dublin |
| 4 | Dublin ➔ Kildare ➔ Kilkenny ➔ Cliffs of Moher ➔ Galway | Wedding, Kilkenny, Cliffs | Galway |
| 5 | Galway ➔ Hill of Tara ➔ Dublin | Galway streets, ancient Tara | Home or fly |
Road Trip Tips (from our experience)
Book rental cars early:
Especially in summer, and definitely if you want an automatic!Border crossing:
No hard checks between Northern Ireland and the Republic, but check your rental insurance.Money:
Euros in Ireland, Pounds in Northern Ireland. We found contactless payment accepted almost everywhere.Packing:
Bring rain jackets even if it’s sunny when you land! The weather can shift in minutes.Wedding Tip:
If you’re visiting for a wedding like we did, Ireland’s countryside hotels are often stunning — Castle Durrow and nearby Kildare had amazing venues.
Map of Our Ireland 5-Day Self-Drive Adventure
Our full route:
- Day 1: Dublin ➔ Brú na Bóinne ➔ Belfast
- Day 2: Belfast ➔ Giant’s Causeway ➔ Downhill ➔ Derry
- Day 3: Derry ➔ Dublin
- Day 4: Dublin ➔ Kildare ➔ Castle Durrow ➔ Kilkenny ➔ Cliffs of Moher ➔ Galway
- Day 5: Galway ➔ Hill of Tara ➔ Dublin
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