Ireland 21 Day Self Drive Itinerary

Posted by shelli on 06/04/25 10:06 PM

Hello Everyone,

I have searched the forum and have found several shorter itineraries but not much for around 21 days. Would love your advice and recommendations on the following 21-day itinerary:

2 nights Dublin, 2 nights Kilkenny, 2 nights Kinsale, 2 nights Kenmare, 2 nights Dingle, 2 nights Doolin, 1 night Aran Islands, 2 nights Westport, 2 nights Donegal, 2 nights Portrush, 1 night in Belfast. Our last night will be in Trim and will fly home the next day via Dublin airport.

We prefer small towns over large cities, and we are renting a car. We appreciate your suggestions of restaurants, accommodations (3 adults), and any other tips.

Thanks so much!!!

Posted by TexasTravelMom

TX, USA

06/05/25 02:46 AM

5358 posts

Here is mine from last year:
Mulingar: 1 night
Clifden: 3 nights
Ennis: 4 nights
Dingle: 3 nights
Cobh: 4 nights
Kilkenny: 1 night
Larraugh: 2 nights
Dublin: 3 nights

You are going places I did not and I don’t like to move quickly. I would have wished to move one of my Cobh nights to Kilkenny (and I have been to Killarney twice).

This is a link to my trip report.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/3-weeks-in-ireland-2024

Posted by Ruth

Ithaca, NY, USA

06/05/25 06:46 PM

830 posts

We just returned from an 18 night stay. We traveled by train so didn’t have the flexibility you do. We only stayed in a few of the places you mention, so I can’t weigh in on every place. But we were really glad we booked longer stays (4 nights Dublin; 4 nights Killarney; 3 nights Belfast) in addition to several 2 night stays.

I don’t know what you might cut out but I’d recommend a minimum of 3 nights in Dublin and a minimum of 2 nights in Belfast. We barely scratched the surface in Belfast with 3 nights there, although one of our days was a day trip to the Antrim Coast, which you’ll visit en route.

We found Kinsale pleasant and had our best dinner of the trip there (Max’s), but if I were cutting something out I might cut out Kinsale.

I’m so glad you’re planning to spend the night on the Aran Islands. We took the morning ferry from Galway with scenic afternoon return via Cliffs of Moher, which was wonderful…..but I really wanted more time on Inis Mor and would definitely spend a night there if we did it again. We also loved Galway (2 nights; one of the days was our island day).

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

06/05/25 09:45 PM

1019 posts

Here is Rick's recommended three-week self-drive itinerary:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/ireland/itinerary
Since it overlaps so much with your itinerary, I suggest buying the guidebook, which will have recommendations for those locations.

Posted by jjgurley

Mountains of S. Oregon

06/10/25 12:43 PM

910 posts

We've done three 21 day trips to Ireland (along with two 14 day trips), and we also like to move every day or two. You don't mention what you "like" (museums, botanical gardens, elaborate castles, ruins, Neolithic things, trad music etc.) and if it's your first trip. Also, the time of year makes a big difference in weather and daylight hours.

None of our trips covered the entire island, as you seem to be doing. I'd do three nights each in Dublin and Belfast, even though you do say you enjoy smaller towns. Ireland is chock full of beautiful places and small towns, so seeing everything in 21 days is a rush.