When you think of Ireland you may think of cliffs, green hedges, and sheep. Or perhaps you may also think of Guinness, pubs, and fiddles. All of those things are truly a part of this northern European island with a complex history, rich culture, and beautiful landscapes. Look at the 7 cities I recommend on a visit to Ireland, many of which you could even do as a day trip from Dublin.
For even more in-depth information, visit my full itinerary for this trip here.
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is about an hour southwest of Dublin so it makes a perfect day or half-day trip. Your first stop should be Kilkenny Castle. This medieval castle has been standing for over 800 years and is full of history so it is worth visiting inside. The town center is walkable from the castle, and you will be in awe at the curvy, cobblestoned streets lined with pubs. It feels like a storybook with flowers hanging from the window sills and live music playing all around. If the pub scene isn’t your thing, consider going to the St. Canice’s Cathedral and climb the round tower for a bit of exercise.
Recommended Time Spent: 2 hours
Cahir
Past Kilkenny, continue for another hour southwest (2.5 hours total from Dublin) and you will want to make a stop in Cahir for the castle alone. The Cahir Castle is perched along a riverbank and has been the filming location for shows like Excalibur and The Tudors. With admission for adults of five euros, it is also a more affordable entry fee. Inside the main castle is a while stoned room with a large dining table and chandelier where you can image yourself in medieval times or one of your favorite shows.
Recommended Time Spent: 1 hour
Kinsale
Kinsale is just over 3 hours from Dublin, so it is doable as a day trip. Although it is near Cork (famous for the Blarney Stone), I wanted to steer clear of that tourist attraction. Kinsale is a still a tourist destination, but for Irish locals looking for a beach getaway. Sure, the beaches aren’t like what you will see in the Caribbean, but you take what you can get! Sit out at one of the public beaches or even at the port to watch the sailboats. There are cute restaurants and bookstores scattered through the tiny town and it is a great relaxing spot.
Recommended Time Spent: 4 hours
Dingle
On the far western side of the island is the town of Dingle, shy of a 4-hour drive from Dublin. This town is famed for the multiple scenic drives along the peninsula. Not only is the natural landscape awe-inspiring, but there are also several markers of ancient history scattered throughout the countryside. Once in the town, you will enjoy a slow-paced environment mixing locals and tourists. Dingle is famous for its hardware pubs where you can pick up a pint of paint and then a pint of beer to go with it. Fun fact: in the recent decade, Dingle was home to several of Star Wars: The Last Jedi filming locations and you can find odes and markers to that throughout.
Recommended Time Spent: 1 – 2 days
Galway
Just over 2 hours straight west of Dublin is Galway, a coastal town that has a great mix of culture and history making it a perfect stop for tourists. The town feels young, with the University of Galway as an anchor, drawing young people from near and far. Grab yourself a pint and enjoy the music playing in the streets or in the pubs. The other great thing about this city, and if you choose to stay overnight, is that is close to top destinations like the Cliffs of Moher.
Recommended Time Spent: 1 day
Belfast
Belfast is in Northern Ireland and is a part of the United Kingdom and you can get there from Dublin in under two hours. Before visiting, you should learn about Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland’s complicated history. The Titanic was famously built in Belfast in the Harland & Woolf shipyard making the Titanic Belfast museum an impressive and educational stop. Take the extra hour venture to Giant’s Causeway, a natural geological site featuring 40,000 interlocking hexagonal columns.
Note: though there is no physical border between Northern Ireland, and you won’t get to add a British stamp to your passport, it is important to stay up to date on any border policy changes as you are still travelling between two different countries.
Recommended Time Spent: 2 days
Dublin
Obviously, no trip to Ireland is complete without stopping in the Republic of Ireland’s capital. Flying internationally, you are likely to fly in and out of Dublin. This city straddles the River Liffey and was named after the Celtic phrase for “black pool” because of where the Poddle stream met the river Liffey. Nowadays, you can walk some of the old cobblestone streets and explore some historic sites over a pint of Guinness. Some of my favorite places included the Book of Kells and the Old Library at Trinity College and the Guinness Factory Tour.
Recommended Time Spent: 2 -3 days