Drive along Ireland’s west coast, start or end in Kinsale, and see some of the most dramatic and beautiful coastline in the world!

The route passes through many Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) regions, offering traditional music, local cuisine, and historic sites like the 6th-century monastic settlement on Skellig Michael.

Some highlights on the route:

Killarney - A cute town with lots of bars and restaurants. Things worth visiting are Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, Killarney National Park. Killarney is an easy drive (maybe 40 minutes - 1 hour from Cork). There is also a train from Cork to Killarney.

Dingle - A town and peninsula located on the southwest coast of Ireland in County Kerry. It is a prominent, Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area on the Wild Atlantic Way, famous for its dramatic coastal scenery, traditional music, and vibrant culture. I liked this blog on what to with 24 hours in Dingle - https://www.waywardblog.com/travel-guide-dingle-ireland/

Cliffs of Moher - This is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions. It gets busy, and you would need a car (or bus tour) to visit, but they are cool to see (they also were featured in Harry Potter). You can also visit by boat from Doolin Ferry (Doolin is a small town in Clare that would be a fun place to stay).

Westport - Westport is a charming town in County Mayo. Located about 1 hour 30 minutes from Galway, this remote area of Ireland retains its rugged beauty. Here are some blogs and things to do.

Galway - Galway has lots of music and a great buzz! You can also get to Aran Island (where Banshees of Inisherin was filmed). If you have a car you can check out Kylemore Abbey

Like any capital city, Dublin has a lot of going on, but here are some recommendations:

Guinness Storehouse - It's a very cool museum that allows kids, but they won’t be able to participate in some of the activities (specifically the Guinness tasting with an incredible view of Dublin).

Immigrant museum - We haven't had the chance to visit this yet, but we've heard it's good!

Book of Kells - This has been on Maebh's list for a while, so while we haven't seen it, we do recommend checking it out and letting us know!

Howth Cliff Walk - This is a little bit, but not too far, out of the city. Maebh's recommended it to a few people who were visiting Dublin, and they said it was one of their highlights, so if you have a few days in Dublin might be worth checking out.

Temple Bar - This is a busy area with lots of cobblestone streets, bars and restaurants. Its a little touristy, and prices can be high, but it is worth a visit, even during the day. There should be a good vibe and street music etc. Kids will be allowed in bars until 9pm

Navigating Dublin

For Dublin, you are probably better off using public transport instead of renting a car. Parking can be tough and pricey. You can get a leap card to get around. This will also work in Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford.

The drive from Dublin to Belfast is pretty easy - it's mostly motorway and takes about 2 hours. Belfast is also worth a visit if you have time, especially the Titanic Museum and the Giants Causeway. If you aren't feeling driving, there are a lot of tour buses that do day trips from Dublin to Belfast.

If you have a car, Ireland has lots of mobile saunas / cold plunges. It's a popular activity with locals and a nice chance to take a dip in the ocean! If you want recommendations near Cork - let Maebh know!!!

Ireland’s Ancient East - A collection of towns and cities with 5000 years of local history and not too far from Dublin! Some highlights include:

Tipperary - Lonely Planet named Tipperary (aka Tipp) one of its top 25 must-visit destinations for 2026, highlighting it as a premier spot for hiking, history, and food. We recommend a car to get around. Some highlights are Cahir (the lovely town Maebh's mum is from) and Rock of Cashel. There are lots of good hikes and walks. We can find more recommendations if you plan to stay in or visit Tipp!

Waterford City - Waterford was founded by the Vikings in 914! It's a cool little city with lots to see. Let Maebh know if you're planning a visit and need recs!

Kilkenny City - Kilkenny City is filled with cultural and medieval wonders, not to mention the always delicious Smithwicks Brewery!