Dublin loop covers Kilkenny, Kerry, Galway and north coast in 11 days

A self-drive loop around Ireland's coast, starting and finishing in Dublin, packs cities, countryside and dramatic shoreline into 11 days, according to a first-timer's itinerary for the country. The route runs through Kilkenny, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry and Galway before crossing into Northern Ireland and returning to the capital.

Key facts

• Duration: 11 days, beginning and ending in Dublin
• Route: Dublin – Kilkenny – Killarney – Ring of Kerry – Dromoland – Galway – Portrush – Belfast – Dublin
• Driving: on the left; automatic cars should be reserved well in advance because manuals dominate
• Ring of Kerry: a loop of about 110 miles, best started early to beat tour buses
• Longest drive: Galway to Portrush, about five to six hours depending on stops
• Book ahead: Kilmainham Gaol weeks in advance, plus Guinness Storehouse and Skellig Islands boat tours

What does the route cover?

The first two days are spent on foot in Dublin, taking in Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the 300-year-old Marsh's Library, followed by Trinity College's Book of Kells and Long Room, Kilmainham Gaol and the Guinness Storehouse. The rental car is collected on day three for the drive to Kilkenny, with the Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle on the way to Killarney.

From Killarney the route loops the Ring of Kerry, with stops including the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee, Kenmare and Waterville, before a visit to Muckross House and a night at Dromoland Castle. The final leg covers Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, then two days on Northern Ireland's coast and a stop in Belfast.

What should drivers know?

Vehicles drive on the left in Ireland, and the itinerary recommends reserving an automatic car early, as manuals make up most of the market. A small car suits the narrow roads, though larger vehicles are manageable. Roads can be tight, with blind corners and one-lane country stretches, so the author suggests hiring a private driver or joining a tour for the Ring of Kerry day.

Which sights need booking in advance?

Kilmainham Gaol tickets should be booked weeks ahead because they often sell out, and the Guinness Storehouse tour is also best reserved in advance, particularly for afternoon slots. Visits to the Skellig Islands require a boat tour booked well ahead, and sailings are extremely weather-dependent — the author's trip was cancelled because of rough seas.

On the Northern Ireland coast, the plan calls for reaching the Giant's Causeway well before sunset and walking a couple of miles for the best views, an early start at the Dark Hedges to avoid mid-morning crowds, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce Castle, followed by the Titanic Museum in Belfast. Slieve League and Trim Castle are offered as optional detours.

What this means for travellers

Travellers following this route should arrange a rental car early — specifying an automatic if needed — and pre-book the attractions that sell out. Allowing slack in the schedule matters: the author's own plans shifted because of illness and a cancelled boat tour, and some planned stops were skipped entirely. Gearing up for rain and strong wind at exposed coastal sites is also part of the planning.

The trip ends with the car returned in Dublin and a flight home the following day; no further dates or decisions about the itinerary are pending.