Are you planning an Ireland by car holiday for two weeks? With limited time, you must be torn between which of Irelands’ must-see attractions you are going to visit. Don’t forget you still have to consider the hidden gems and the best hotels to rest your head.
Well, fear not! Let us guide you through Ireland’s top destinations, give you insider tips, and inform you about the best accommodation, so you will have a stress-free and unforgettable trip to Ireland.
We have taken all the cities and best attractions in Ireland that you must visit and packed it all in a 14-day Ireland road trip that brings you around the entire island of Ireland in chronological order.
Not like some Ireland Itineraries that take you from Point A to Point D, and then back to Point B…….
Historical sites, breathtaking landscapes, Irish hospitality, and pretty much the best of Ireland attractions await you as you embark on an unforgettable adventure discovering Ireland by car by following our Ireland itinerary.
And why should you listen to what we have to say? Because we are two Irish people who know Ireland’s best attractions and things to do, like the back of our hand! Not only that, but we have personally visited all of these fantastic places ourselves.
Who would you rather take advice from when visiting Australia, someone from Kenya or someone from Australia? Exactly!
This is the short version of our 14-day Ireland itinerary with a quick overview of the essential points and best places to visit in Ireland. At the bottom of this Ireland travel article, we have a link to a more detailed article on the same 2-week Ireland road trip, it goes into a lot more attention to detail in regards to Ireland’s best attractions and our recommended places to stay.
If you like this article at the end, make sure to click the link! Or to be sure, you can open it up now and read it afterward in a new tab – The detailed 2-week Ireland itinerary edition.
The Best 2-Week Ireland Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
In this 2-week Ireland itinerary, you will be completing a full lap of Ireland, including Northern Ireland, with Shannon Airport serving as the starting and finish point for your Ireland road trip.
Along the way, you will explore Ireland by car and visit the best Ireland attractions such as the stunning Cliffs of Moher, the mysterious Giants Causeway, ancient megalithic sites such as Newgrange, drive the famous Ring of Kerry, and much much more.
If you choose to fly into Dublin Airport or Cork Airport, you can simply pick up the 14-day Ireland itinerary from your arrival destination.
We highly recommend that your flight to Ireland arrives in the morning, allowing you to get the most out of your first day.
Additionally, We must warn you that this 2-week Ireland itinerary will be busy and requires early starts most days to allow you to get to the next attraction with plenty of time to explore.
We’ll provide detailed driving times and distances to give you a heads-up on what to expect each day for your Ireland road trip.
Finally, please note that this is a self-driving tour, requiring either your own vehicle or a rented car for the duration of your Ireland by car holiday.
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As this is a 2-week Ireland itinerary by car, you will need to have… A car!
Want to know the cost of renting a car for your Ireland by car holiday? Simply click the link below to get an estimate of the rental costs for your chosen vehicle, and start planning your self-driving tour with ease!
Experience the best 14-Day Ireland Road Trip.
This 2-week Ireland road trip of the entire island of Ireland has it all, just wait until you see how much we have packed into this 14-day Ireland itinerary. We are very confident that you will get to tick off loads on your Ireland bucket list!
Let’s find out what a complete circuit of discovering Ireland by car entails.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive at Shannon Airport. Pick up your rental car and head to the Cliffs of Moher. Afterwards explore the nearby Burren, a landscape that looks more like the moon. | Doolin |
| Day 2 | Explore Galway City. | Galway City |
| Day 3 | Step back in time at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, and marvel at the striking silhouette of Ben Bulben and Gleniff Horseshoe. | Sligo Town |
| Day 4 | Visit Slieve League. Cross the border into Northern Ireland to explore Derry’s murals and historic sites such as the Derry Walls. | Derry |
| Day 5 | Cross back into the Republic of Ireland with a visit to the UNESCO site Newgrange, followed by a visit to the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle. | Belfast |
| Day 6 | Start the day with a Black Taxi Mural Tour, followed by a visit to the Irish Republican History Museum. With an afternoon visit to Northern Ireland’s most visited attraction the Titanic Museum. | Belfast |
| Day 7 | Cross back into the Republic of Ireland with a visit to the UNESCO site Newgrange, followed by a visit to the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle | Dublin |
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 8 | Learn about the 1916 rising in Kilmainham Gaol, in the afternoon explore Trinty Colege and the Book of Kells. Before finishing your day in Ireland’s most visited attraction – the Guinness Storehouse. | Dublin |
| Day 9 | Drive through the stunning Wicklow Mountains and visit iconic sites such as Glendalough and the Rock of Cashel. | Fota – County Cork |
| Day 10 | Day trip to the nearby gorgeous seaside town of Cobh with attractions such as the Heritage Center and the Titanic trail, followed by an afternoon visit to the Jameson Distillery in Middleton. | Fota – County Cork |
| Day 11 | Visit the iconic towns of Kinsale and Clonakilty in County Cork. | Clonakilty |
| Day 12 | Drive the Ring of Kerry and finish in Killarney, with nearby stops at Muckross Abbey and Ross Castle. | Killarney |
| Day 13 | Save the best until last when exploring Ireland by car, and drive the Slea Head Drive in the gorgeous Dingle Penisula with stop offs such as Gallarus Oratory, a view of the Blasket islands, ancient beehive stone huts and ring forts, and the famous Dunquin Pier. | Dingle |
| Day 14 | Sadly this is the end of your Ireland road-trip holiday. Head from Dingle to Shannon Airport for your afternoon flight back home! |
2-week Ireland Itinerary in Summary
Now that we have an outline of the 14-day Ireland itinerary, let’s delve into the specifics of each day, including driving times/distances, and places to stay to ensure a well-planned and enjoyable journey.
Day 1: Arrive at Shannon Airport
Arrive at Shannon Airport, and Welcome to Ireland – or in Irish “Tá fáilte romhat”.
Travel summary for Day 1 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Arrive at Shannon Airport, and pick up a rental car.
- Drive 1 hour to the Cliffs of Moher, A must-visit in Ireland Attraction – 66 kilometers (41 miles) from Shannon Airport.
- Explore the Burren, Irelands’ most unique landscape, and visit Poulnabrone Dolmen an ancient Megalithic site, and include a visit to the Aillwee Cave.
- Stay overnight in Doolin.
Day 2: Lahinch to Galway
Travel summary for Day 2 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Drive one hour and thirty minutes to Galway City from Doolin- 75 kilometers (46 miles).
- Stop-offs include Kinvara, Dunguaire Castle ruins, and Kilmacduagh Monastery.
- Spend the day exploring Galway City.
- Stay overnight in The Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway.
Day 3: Galway to Sligo
Travel summary for Day 3 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Drive two hours to Sligo Town from Galway – 138 kilometers (85 miles).
- Before you arrive in Sligo, visit The Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery.
- Visit Ben Bulben and Gleniff Horseshoe (in our opinion Ireland’s greatest natural landmark)(other highlights near Ben Bulben are – the Devils Chimney, Glencar Waterfall, Rosses Point, and Mullaghmore)
- Explore Sligo Town.
- Stay overnight in the Clayton Hotel & Leisure Club Sligo in Sligo Town.
Day 4: Sligo to Derry
Travel summary for Day 4 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Optional visit to Slieve League Cliffs. Less famous than the Cliffs of Moher, but arguably even better (This will add an extra 2 hours to your drive) – 140 kilometers (87 miles).
- Alternatively – drive to Derry from Sligo directly – 2 hours driving, 140 kilometers (87 miles).
- Welcome to Northern Ireland!
- Explore Derry’s famous murals and historic sites.
- Stay overnight in the Lawrence in Derry.
During the Troubles, a period of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to the late 1990s, the Bogside neighborhood was a hotbed of resistance against British rule and the Protestant majority government. The murals were created by local artists and residents as a form of protest and to express their solidarity with the Irish Republican movement. And is a MUST visit in Derry.
Click below to find out the very affordable price for a walking tour through the Bogside to see Derry’s best attraction. Make sure to include the oldest city walls in Europe.
Day 5: Derry to Belfast
Travel summary for Day 5 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Drive to Belfast via the Giant’s Causeway and the Causeway Coastal Route, one of the best road trips in the world.
- Starting in Derry, follow this route: Mussenden Temple, Dunluce Castle, (there will be no time to visit Bushmills Distillery), The Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, The Dark Hedges, The Black Arch and Chaine Memorial Tower in Larne, Carrick Fergus Castle.
- Continue to Belfast from Derry via the Causeway Coastal Route, total driving distance is 210 kilometers (130 miles).
- Stay in The Hilton in Belfast for two nights.
Day 6: Belfast
Travel summary for Day 6 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Take a black taxi mural tour.
- Visit the free to visit Irish Republican History Museum.
- Spend your afternoon in the Titanic Museum.
The best way to learn about Belfast’s bloody history is by taking a Black Taxi tour. This is without a doubt one of Irelands’ best attractions and a MUST when in Belfast. The guided tour takes you to the best Belfast murals, important historical points, and will make you understand all about the history of Belfast and the Troubles.
Day 7: Belfast to Dublin
Travel summary for Day 7 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Drive to Newgrange. One of two UNESCO heritage sites in Ireland, a Megalithic site that is older than the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge.
- Explore the Hill of Tara. An Irish historic site related to Irish Mythology.
- Visit Trim Castle, a 12th-century stronghold that played a starring role in the epic film Braveheart, directed by and starring Mel Gibson.
- The total driving distance is 215 kilometers (135 miles).
- Continue to Dublin and stay for two nights. Visit some of the best pubs in Ireland in the evening and don’t forget to take a picture with the Molly Malone Statue.
Booking tickets before your visit to Newgrange is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as tickets are often booked months in advance due to the high demand.
Day 8: Dublin
Travel summary for Day 8 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Visit Kilmainham Jail first thing in the morning. A historical site where many of Irelands’ leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed.
- Afterward, visit Trinity College and the famous Book of Kells.
- Finish the day exploring the Guinness Storehouse, and have a well deserved pint of Guinness.
- Stay overnight in Dublin.
Day 9: Dublin to Cork
Travel summary for Day 9 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Tour through the Wicklow Mountains via Lough Tay Viewpoint.
- Known as one of the best attractions in Ireland, Glendalough Monastery and round tower is ideally located in the Wicklow Mountains.
- Drive to Cork from Glendalough, via the Rock of Cashel. a very popular landmark in Ireland
- Stay overnight at Fota Island Resort.
- Total driving distance of 310 kilometers (195 Miles).
Day 10: Cork
Travel summary for Day 10 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Visit Cobh in the morning.
- Tour The Jameson Distillery Experience in nearby Middleton.
- Alternatively, explore Cork City.
- Stay another night at the five-star resort of Fota Island Resort. Located perfectly between Cobh and Middleton.
Day 11: Cobh to Clonakilty
Travel summary for Day 11 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Visit Kinsale, another one of Corks’ most beautiful towns, with options to visit Charles Fort and the Old Head of Kinsale.
- Visit the Drombeg Stone Circle, Ireland’s own version of Stonehenge.
- Explore Clonakilty, and stay in the Dunmore House Hotel
- Total driving time – 115 kilometers (71 miles).
If you don’t fancy driving around Ireland yourself then an incredible alternative is to book an Ireland Tour with Brendan Vacations. Sit back, relax and experience a uniquely tailored trip that is planned, managed and personally delivered by a passionate team of Celtic Experts.
Day 12: Clonakilty to Killarney
Travel summary for Day 12 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Drive the Ring of Kerry starting in Kenmare, and finishing in Killarney
- The total driving time of the Ring of Kerry ranges from 3 hours to 6 hours.
- From Kenmare, explore the following highlights – Sneem, Derryname Beach, Com an Chise Viewpoint, Kerry Cliffs, Cahergal Stone Fort, Dingle Viewpoint, The Gap of Dunloe, Ladies View, Torc Waterfall, Muckross Abbey (not Muckross house), and lastly Ross Castle.
- Stay overnight in The Gleneagle Hotel & Apartments, Killarney’s best hotel.
Day 13: Killarney to Dingle
Travel summary for Day 13 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Drive the Slea Head Drive. One of Irelands’ best road trips.
- Continue your Ireland road trip, and explore the nearby Conor Pass. The surrounding area makes this one of the best things to do in Ireland.
- Have a pint in the historical South Pole Inn.
- Stay overnight in An Capall Dubh B&B in Dingle.
Day 14: Departure
Travel summary for Day 14 of your 2-week Ireland itinerary:
- Day 14 marks the end of your 14-day Ireland itinerary. Drive two hours and 15 minutes to Shannon Airport, via Adare Village and Bunratty Castle.
- Alternatively, stay in Shannon or Limerick City, and depart on the 15th day back home.
On Day 15, you will conclude your unforgettable Ireland road trip by returning home.
To explore this 2-week Ireland itinerary, you will need your own car. Simply click the link and filter down your needs to find your perfect vehicle to discover Ireland by car!
14-day Ireland Itinerary: Final Tips
There you have it, a perfect 2-week Ireland itinerary that takes you on a complete lap of Ireland, visiting all the best attractions in Ireland along the way. What do you think? Sounds pretty awesome right, and most importantly, very achievable.
Remember we mentioned at the start we have another article of the same 14-day Ireland road trip. This article is bit of a longer read but has A LOT MORE attention to detail. Click the link to read a more detailed version of our 14-day complete Ireland Road Trip.
Before we give you our final tips for your Ireland Road Trip, please take a moment to explore the fantastic offers below and find out in one easy click how much a flight to Ireland will cost you.
- This 2-week Ireland Itinerary requires your own car.
- In the summer, days will be longer due to extended daylight hours, giving you plenty of time to explore all of the best things to do in Ireland, and still have time to relax in the evening.
- Your Ireland road trip will be active, but it is the only way to visit all of the best Ireland attractions.
- Try to leave as early as possible every day when driving long distances.
- Remember, you will be starting early every day on your 14-day Ireland by car holiday, so take it easy in those delicious pints of Guinness!
- There are plenty of local shops such as Spar, and Centra, that sell sandwiches, snacks, and coffee along the way.
- Enjoy your perfect Ireland road trip. We know you will!
We would love to answer any questions you may have, or tell us what you visited in Ireland. Please feel free to leave us a message below or contact us through our socials.
Slán go fóil
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