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Ireland Travel Itinerary
Ireland’s west coast delivers bucket-list road trip where Wild Atlantic Way’s 1,500 miles showcase Ireland cliffs, Ireland green hills, Ireland castles, Ireland fairy trees, and Ireland pubs with traditional music creating “home in Europe” feeling for repeat visitors. This comprehensive Ireland itinerary 2026 provides three flexible options—7 days County Mayo/Sligo cultural adventure, 10 days adding Cliffs of Moher/Burren, 14 days extending Dingle Peninsula/Ring of Kerry—built from multiple Ireland trips including Ottsworld Tours and Rachel’s Irish Adventures featuring Ballina glamping, Achill Island sea cliffs, Doolin sunset hikes, and Burren Way coastal trails. Whether first-time Ireland visitors seeking efficient Ireland highlights, active travelers prioritizing Ireland hiking and kayaking, or extended-stay explorers immersing in Ireland rural culture, this Western Ireland itinerary maximizes Ireland Wild Atlantic Way highlights while avoiding overcrowded tourist hotspots focusing authentic Ireland villages, Ireland hiking trails, and Ireland live music sessions impossible Dublin-centric itineraries.
Western Ireland’s appeal lies in rural Ireland charm where County Mayo’s Croagh Patrick pilgrimage, Sligo’s Knocknarea Queen Maeve cairn, Achill Island deserted villages, and Connemara fjords create Ireland experiences “better than Dublin” for countryside lovers. Rental car essential navigating Ireland’s narrow winding roads—”smallest rental car possible”—with Rentalcars.com offering best rates and Ireland Walk Hike Bike providing guided hikes (5% off code: OttsWorldIreland). Itineraries assume Shannon/Dublin airport arrivals, counter-clockwise Wild Atlantic Way routing maximizing Ireland scenic drives, and flexible extensions allowing weather-dependent Ireland activities like Skellig Michael boat trips or Croagh Patrick pilgrimages. Ireland weather varies dramatically—May-September milder 50-65°F (10-18°C) with longer daylight, spring/fall fewer crowds, winter cozy pub evenings—making Ireland year-round destination.
7-Day Ireland Itinerary: Mayo & Sligo Cultural Road Trip
Perfect introduction to Western Ireland’s rural beauty, hiking, and music featuring Ballina as base exploring Ceide Fields, Achill Island, and Westport pubs.
Day 1: Dublin to Ballina (River Moy Music Night)
Morning Dublin arrival, 3-4 hour public transport to Ballina (avoid Dublin driving stress), pick up rental car. Riverside stroll River Moy, dinner Rouse’s Bar (Ireland’s oldest family pub) with live Saturday music 10 PM—”favorite way meeting locals”.
Stay: Ballina Manor Hotel (3 nights, €120-160/night) or luxury Belleek Castle (€250-350/night).
Day 2: Sligo Coast (Knocknarea & Seaweed Baths)
Hike Knocknarea Hill to Queen Maeve’s Cairn (pyramid-like monument), Strandhill Shells Café treats. Afternoon Aughris Beach Bar Irish Coffee, Kilcullen’s Seaweed Baths Enniscrone (12th-century therapy). Evening Lillie’s Bar Ballina traditional music.
Day 3: Cultural Day (Falconry & Woollen Mills)
Mount Falcon Aviary birds of prey, Foxford Woollen Mills (1890s heritage, authentic Ireland wool souvenirs). Afternoon Ballina bike rental exploring Belleek Woods, Rosserk Friary. Whiskey tasting, Quay West dinner.
Day 4: Ceide Coast (Archaeology & Glamping)
Downpatrick Head vistas, Ballycastle Mary’s Bakery lunch, Ceide Fields Stone Age monument (oldest extensive world monument). Evening Ceide Glamping Pods sunset, fire pit dinner.
Stay: Ceide Glamping Pods (1 night, €150-200/night).
Day 5: Achill Island (Cliffs & Sauna)
Ballycroy National Park, Achill Island sea cliffs, Keem Beach (Ireland’s best beach). Afternoon Achill Island Sauna (ocean plunge), Bervie Guesthouse dinner.
Stay: Bervie Guesthouse Achill (1 night, €140-180/night).
Day 6: Westport Music & Croagh Patrick
Clew Bay drive, Croagh Patrick pilgrimage (or base views), Killary Sheep Farm Connemara sheepdog demo. Evening Westport pub crawl—Matt Molloy’s traditional music.
Stay: The Mariner Westport (1 night, €130-170/night).
Day 7: Departure or Extension
Killary Fjord views, return Shannon/Dublin airport.
7-Day costs: €900-1,400 ($980-1,520 USD) per person excluding flights, car.
10-Day Ireland Itinerary: Adding Cliffs of Moher & Burren
Expands 7-day trip with Doolin sunset cliffs hike, Burren Way coastal trail, Galway city.
Day 8: Galway City (Music & Sky Road)
Clifden Sky Road (scenic drive or e-bike), Galway city dinner Rúibín seafood/cocktails, buskers stroll.
Stay: Victoria Hotel Galway (€150-200/night) or budget Kinlay Hostel (€80-120/night).
Day 9: Cliffs of Moher & Doolin Sunset Hike
Doolin Burren Way hike to Cliffs of Moher (8km, 2.5-3 hours sunset timing avoiding crowds), Gus O’Connor’s Pub music, Guinness stew.
Stay: Suantrai House Doolin (2 nights, €140-180/night).
Day 10: Burren Exploration & Departure
Poulnabrone Dolmen, Aillwee Cave, Caherconnell Stone Fort, Kilfenora Cathedral—self-guided or Ireland Walk Hike Bike tour (code OttsWorldIreland 5% off). Shannon airport departure.
10-Day costs: €1,300-2,000 ($1,410-2,170 USD) per person.
14-Day Ireland Itinerary: Full Wild Atlantic Way South
Completes Southern Ireland with Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park.
Day 11: Dingle Peninsula (Slea Head Loop)
Conor Pass drive, Murphy’s Ice Cream, Little Cheese Shop, Slea Head loop (Dun Beg Fort, Dunquin Pier), Gallarus Oratory, South Pole Inn Annascaul.
Stay: Ashe Hotel Tralee (2 nights, €130-170/night).
Day 12: Ring of Kerry
Kells Bay Gardens lunch, Cahersiveen, Kerry Cliffs, Skelligs Chocolate, Waterville, Ladies View, Courtney’s Pub Killarney music.
Stay: Killarney Avenue Hotel (€140-180/night).
Day 13: Killarney National Park
Muckross House/Gardens, Torc Waterfall, Ross Castle, ancient Yew tree Abbey.
Day 14: Departure Dublin
Killarney to Dublin train/bus, Zanzibar Locke Hotel final night (€150-200/night).
14-Day costs: €1,800-2,800 ($1,950-3,040 USD) per person.
Ireland Travel Resources & Booking Tips
Essential Ireland Partners
- Ireland Walk Hike Bike: Guided hikes (5% off: OttsWorldIreland)
- Rachel’s Irish Adventures: Multi-adventure Mayo tours
- Rentalcars.com: Small cars for narrow Ireland roads
| Item | Why Essential | Approximate Price |
|---|---|---|
| Klean Kanteen Bottle | Interchangeable caps (coffee, sport, classic), durable stainless steel, keeps drinks hot/cold for hours | $35 USD / €32 EUR |
| Compression Socks | Reduces leg swelling and fatigue during long drives, flights, or extended walking | Varies – OTT15: 15% off select brands |
| Eagle Creek Packing Cubes | Keeps luggage organized, maximizes space, separates clean/dirty clothes | $59 USD / €54 EUR |
| Wallaroo Hat | UPF 50+ sun protection, packable, wide brim for face/neck coverage | Varies – OTTSWORLD20: 20% off |
| Peak Design Tech Pouch | Compact organization for cables, chargers, power bank, earbuds, memory cards | $60 USD / €55 EUR |
Ireland Driving Tips
- Smallest car possible for narrow Ireland roads
- Drive left side—practice quiet West Coast roads
- Rentalcars.com best rates
Western Ireland FAQs
Best time visiting Western Ireland?
May-September milder weather, spring/fall fewer crowds—winter cozy pubs.
Rental car necessary?
Yes—Western Ireland public transport limited.
7 vs 10 vs 14 days?
7 days Mayo/Sligo intro, 10 days + Cliffs/Burren, 14 days full Southern Wild Atlantic Way.
Solo female Ireland safety?
Western Ireland very safe—small villages, friendly locals.
Ireland costs 2026?
€900-2,800 ($980-3,040 USD) depending duration/accommodation.
Extend Northern Ireland?
Yes—Away a Wee Walk Causeway Coast hikes.
Book your Ireland adventure: Use recommended partners, small rental car, Wild Atlantic Way west coast magic awaits!
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