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9-10 day southern loop of Ireland proposed itinerary

We are two active adults going to Ireland the beginning of October starting in Dublin. Any suggestions on the proposed plan? Anything we missed - add or delete? Much thanks!

Early Oct

Day 1 — Dublin Arrival
• Walk the Liffey Loop (8km)
• Ha’penny Bridge

Sleep: Dublin

Oct 2 — Dublin History
• 09:30 Trinity College & Book of Kells
• 12:00 Dublin Castle & Christ Church
• 15:00 Kilmainham Gaol

Sleep: Dublin

Day 3 — Wicklow Ridge → Trim
• Pick up Avis car at 09:00
• Spinc Hike (9km, ~3 hrs)
• Drive to Trim (1 hr 15)

Day 4 — Boyne Valley
• Trim Castle (AM)
• Newgrange (PM)
• Drive to Slane (15 min)
Sleep: Slane

Day 5 — Slane → Athlone → Galway
Drive times:
Slane → Athlone: 1h 40
Athlone → Galway: 1h
• Stop in Athlone: Sean’s Bar + Shannon Banks Walk
• Arrive Galway by ~15:00
• Explore Latin Quarter
Sleep: Galway

Day 6 — Connemara
• Upper Diamond Hill Hike (7km, 2–2.5 hrs)
• Evening music at The Crane Bar
Sleep: Galway

Day 7 — Galway → Burren Coast → Doolin
Drive times:
Galway → Black Head: 1h
Black Head → Fanore Beach: 10 min
Fanore → Doolin Cave: 20 min
Doolin Cave → Doolin: 10 min
• 10:00 Depart Galway
• Drive the R477 (best late‑morning light)
• Fanore Beach walk
• Doolin Cave
• Arrive Doolin ~15:30
Sleep: Doolin

Day 8 (Sun) — The Big Walk (Pat Sweeney)
• 10:00 Pat Sweeney Guided Cliffs of Moher Walk (3.5 hrs)
• Afternoon: Doolin village, pier, or rest
Sleep: Doolin

/Day9 — Doolin → Rock of Cashel → Malahide
Drive times:
Doolin → Cashel: 2h 15
Cashel → Malahide: 2h
• 08:30 Depart Doolin
• Rock of Cashel (2 hrs)
• Arrive Malahide ~16:00

Sleep: Malahide

Day 10 (Tue) — Departure
• Malahide Marina walk
• 11:30 Return car
• Flight

Posted by
1955 posts

I can only comment on Oct. 6. I'm not sure you'll be able to do the hike in Wicklow and then drive to Trim in the time you allotted. Both the drive to Wicklow and the drive to Trim will likely be longer than you think. The M50 in particular can be a mess. Where are you picking up the car? If the airport you'll really be pushing the time since it's north of Dublin and Wicklow is south. If you think you'd be comfortable driving a short distance in Dublin rent a car from the South Circular road if you intend to head south first. One other thing, what time do you arrive in Dublin on the 4th? Will you be awake enough for dinner at The Merrion? It's a lovely hotel and you don't want to fall asleep in your soup.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you, will double check that day... Picking up the car in Southern Dublin, so good there.

Posted by
2873 posts

I’m not sure about Day 3 either.

You don’t seem to have allowed time to drive from Dublin to Spinc for the hilke. Also your time of 1hr 15 minutes to drive to Trim seems very optimistic. I would allow at least 90 minutes for this. Have you factored in time to get parked up, kitted up for the walk and lunch.

Rather than heading for Trim for an overnight, have you thought about going back to Dublin instead? (That would givee more time to see a bit more of Glendalough area.)

Day 4 - make Newgrange your fisryt stop (Make sure you have this booked well in advance) and when finished there, head to Trim tio do the castle and then head to Slane for the night.