Irish Road Trip 2024

IRISH ROAD TRIP 2024

9 Nights To Explore Ireland

June 2024

Rucksack Foodie Tours

June 6 Dublin

Welcome to Ireland's Capital City. Dublin is a stand alone when it comes to Ireland and there is so much to see and do and you might already have a fabulous list planned, but here are my top suggestions:

National Archaeology Museum

Day time wander Grafton Street & Temple Bar and you'll for sure hear buskers and feel the city buzz.

Take a walking tour! I highly recommend Jim with DMC Tours (tell him i sent you!) If he is unavailable he will connect you with a top guide! He's a hoot and a proud Dubliner! Pop into Sheridan's Irish Cheesemonger which is just 2 blocks from your hotel!

Places to grab a pint:

The Long Hall

Kehoes Pub

Grogan's Pub

ODonoghues Bar ... close-ish to hotel and has music.

ACCOMMODATION 2 Nights: Buswell's Hotel

A classic Georgian building with a lovely modern hotel.. Conveniently located yet quiet!

June 7 Dublin

Dublin is a very pedestrian friendly city with much to do so read up and see what interests you most!

Guinness Storehouse & Jameson Tours:

You can book these on line direct BUT you can also book a guided tour to both that also skips the lines! INFO HERE

What about a Vintage Double Decker bus ride tour around the city with a traditional tea and live music?

Or a visit to the Irish Whisky Museum to wet your whistle before a week of exploring!

Book of Kells & the Long Library are tour favorites located on the Trinity College

Campue

June 8

Glendalough

Depart early from hotel to airport to pick up rental car. Go to either Terminal's arrival hall and your'll find the rental desks

Glendaglough's lower car park opens at 8am and it will take you approximately

Glendalough itself was once a very powerful and populated site in 500ad but by 800ad the viking raids had all but destroyed this remote inland community. Now it's one of the most beautiful and visited road trip sites in Ireland!

DRIVE: Starting at Dublin Airport, putin your GoogleMaps or SatNav 2 stops.... Sally Gap AND Glendalough this will take you the most scenic route which is only about 90 minutes!

Park in the lower car park, this is right by the main monastic site. it's less than a mile walk to the the lough (lake) if you want to stretch your legs and there is usually a coffee trailer over there.

LUNCH: Wicklow Heather is nearby and a lovely cafe if you want an early lunch

DRIVE ON: Put in Rock of Cashel for your next stop.

Rock of Cashel

When you depart Glendalough for Rock of Cashel, there are 2 different routes that would be offered, with about a 15 minute difference The lower route (with no toll) is just a smaller road, but still a main road.

The Rock of Cashel has been strategically & beautifully positioned on it's hill since 500ad. It's easily accessible and usually not too busy The tickets are inexpensive and it is a self guided site. I do recommend buying the additional ticket for Cormac's Chapel and taking that brief little guided tour.

When you depart Rock of Cashel, you'll head towards Blarney. Your journey starts on M8 and then Google Maps will offer you 2 routes, the one that includes the N72 might be a little more scenic and will completely bypass Cork City

Blarney

By this point in the day you may want to just head on to your nigh't accommodation.

I recommend staying in Blarney itself for a convenient start for the next morning.

ACCOMMODATIONS1Night:

MuskerryArmsPubB&B

Blarney,Co.Cork

***You'llneedtoemailthislocationasapfor rooms.Theyonlyhaveafacebookpage& nothingavailableonBooking.com

reservations@muskerryarms.com

June 9 Blarney To Dingle

Blarney Castle... Beat the crowds and arrive at opening time, 9am. There is lots to explore here depending on your interest.

When you depart Blarney Castle and head to Dingle, i recommend taking the N22 route. This will take you via Killarney, which will be scenic. A straight Drive is 2 hrs 30 min.

On your drive to Dingle put the South Pole Inn in your Google Map (located in a village called Annascaul) and make a stop here for a pint of their craft beer and learn the fascinating history of local man/secret hero, Tom Crean! Great lunch spot!

ACCOMMODATION 2 nights: Benner's Hotel

Dingle Benners Hotel is an intimate boutique hotel in the heart of Dingle town. With a long standing history of warm welcomes and the best location!

June 10 Dingle

Depart the village by 8:30 to beat the tour buses!

DRIVE SLEA HEAD

The breathtaking Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula, on Ireland’s southwest Atlantic coast, is ringed by sandy beaches and craggy cliffs. Some favorties STOPS along the way...

Beehive Huts

Coumeenoole Beach

Blasket Center Museum

Dunquin Pier.

There are multiple cliffside pull offs for pictures.

West Kerry Brewery

BACK IN THE VILLAGE

Dingle Crystal, the most amazing hand made pieces you'll find ! Visit the Shop Pubs!(read this piece i wrote about them), Dick Macks is the whisky pub, AnDroichead seems to always have locals playing trad music or dancing, and John Curran's is my favorite for a pint with locals

Loads of shops in the village

Dingle Whisky Distillery does a nice tour and tasting.

Dingle Sea Safari, ride the rib boats for an adventure & tell

Bridgit I sent you!

Ask front desk about tonight's music

Plan on a night out to hear music and enjoy pints!

June 11 - County Clare

You'll put "Tarbert Ferry" into Google Maps or Sat Nav. This is the ferry across the Shannon Estuary that will short-cut you to Co. Clare.

ACCOMMODATION 1 Night:

I recommend staying this night at Monks in Ballyvaughan, it's a fab BnB, with a wonderful restaurant, on the water AND a short walk to one of the best little whiskey bars O'Loclainn's Irish Whiskey Bar. This village location also positions you nicely for an early start in the morning.

Sharing realities of Irish roads, the roads are bumpy and there is always traffic on the way to Cliffs of Mohr

PLACES TO STOP IN CLARE:

Lahinch for Lunch: stop for a takeaway fish & chips from Spooney's and then sit on the wall and watch the surfers.

Cliffs of Mohr

The Burren: stay on the R477 along the coast. It's vast & beautiful and there are pull offs for stopping and climbing around

Poulnabroune: one of the oldest sites in Ireland at 6000 yrs old!

Hazel Mountain Chocolate: depending on your departure time, as you head north this is a delicious local-maker just a couple of miles off the main road

June 12 & 13 County Mayo

It is a 3 hour "straight" drive from Ballyvaughn to Westport BUT there are loads of interesting stops you can make along the way.

I recommend in this order; Cong, Kylemore Abbey, then Westport in your GoogleMaps/Sat Nav for the drive up.

Cong: It will be a nice place to stop for a bathroom break & grab a coffee and a scone at McHugh's Cafe , then from here take a stroll to the abbey ruins and down to the "Monk's House" on the lake. It's a very short and picturesque walk

Kylemore Abbey: Nestled in the heart of Connemara, is a haven of history, beauty and serenity. Home to a Benedictine order of Nuns for the past 100 years, A magnificent 1,000-acre estate, spend at least 1-2 hours here exploring. If you enjoy gardens, take the shuttle and explore them too! (all part of your ticket price)

LUNCH: The Misunderstood Heron is a foodie stop for sure! a roadside food truck with fab views, serving local seafood & unique dishes, but only outdoor dining so watch your weather. (this is on the route to & from Kylemore Abbey)

Drive the N57 on towards Westport for the final destination today.

County Mayo ... continued

ACCOMMODATIONS 2 NIGHTS: The Wyatt Hotel...

This charming boutique hotel is located on the Octagon in Westport, making it a great base for exploring the town!

Things to do:

Explore Westport...a charming 18th century town that straddles the Carrowbeg River, which has a tree-lined bank on each side & charming arched stone bridges South of the river are streets loaded with shops, cafes & pubs and the square called The Octagon.

Pubs & Music... one of the best music towns in Ireland. Make sure to hit Matt Molloy's, Porterhouse & JJ O'Malley's !

Take a Boat Cruise of Clew Bay to learn about the rich history of the area and see wildlife!

Baking Class: this is a seriously fun time, informative and even the guys like it. These local women do a wonderful job teaching you about Irish Soda Bread!

Westport House.. a grand estate, with a nice house tour. This land would have been home to the famous pirate queen Grace OMalley

Drive out to Achill Island: only 45 minutes away, it's home to tall sea cliffs, peat bogs, and some of Ireland's best beaches & breathtaking views!

June 14 Howth

From Westport to Dublin it is a 3 hour drive, but another 15 minutes to Howth and you are on the seaside for your last night. And only 25 minutes from the airport the next morning.

HOWTH

With its picturesque harbour, pretty beaches and wildflowercovered sea cliffs, it feels like the kind of village you’d find on a far-flung stretch of the west coast rather than a 25-minute train ride from the city centre. This will be a relaxed quiet last evening for you before your early departure in the morning!

Enjoy a stroll along the harbour or up along the cliff path (it's an easy walk to see spectacular views!)

ACCOMODATIONS 1 Night: King Sitric Hotel

Despite this being a very popular little village it only has one hotel, but it is absolutely fabulous.

Cork (before or after

Blarney stay)

If you choose to go into Cork for a visit, here are some fun options.

JAMESON DISTILLERY

Visit where it all started and it's still made today!

ENGLISH MARKET

Located in the center of Cork City, The English Market has been continuously running since the 1780s, locals still shop here daily for the freshest meats, produce, etc, but it's a popular shopping spot for visitors as well! Grab lunch while your there or picnic supplies for the road

BUTTER MUSEUM

Learn all about one of Irelands's most famous & delicious exports, Irish Butter!