Multigen Ireland in a Week: A Self-Drive Itinerary

If you have more than four people, it might be best to opt for an additional car instead of a van. Luggage alone can take up a seat, as we learned! Request a car with GPS, which is a huge upgrade from our visit 20 years ago! You typically arrive into Ireland in the morning hours from the US. You might need to kill some time before you can check into your hotel. Driving on the left side can take some getting used to. Give yourself time to get acquainted with driving on the left! We opted to go into Ennis, Co Clare, grab lunch, and walk around the old town area and the Ennis Friary on Abbey Street. Check into the stunning Dromoland Castle, and enjoy dinner at the golf clubhouse restaurant Fig Tree. Reservations suggested.

Approximately a one-hour drive from Dromoland Castle, Galway is a city on the west coast of Ireland, which is referred to as The Wild Atlantic Way.

AM: Historic walking tour of the city with a private guide to discover its rich culture, food, artistry, and the connection to a US president (2.5 hours).

Grab lunch at Ard Bia at Nimmos or Brasserie On The Corner.

PM: If everyone is feeling up for it—take an additional one-hour drive to Kylemore Abbey or Connemara National Park.

Keep in mind the seasonality of your visit. If you are visiting Ireland in the winter and the sun sets at 4:30 pm, you will want to factor that in for your drive back to the hotel. Additionally, Galway is the spot to catch boat tours to the Aran Islands. These are not typically in service in the late fall or winter and are weather-dependent.

Day trip to Loop Head Peninsula with a stop in Kilkee for coffee.

Optional: Stop into Church of the Little Arc for a historic look back at Catholic history in the area.

Loop Head Light House: An iconic Clare landmark since 1670. (1 hr 30 min drive from Dromoaland Castle)

Loop Head Light House warning: As there are cliffs nearby, children must be supervised at all times. You should also be aware that there can be very strong winds in the area. Please stay away from the edges of the cliffs during your visit, particularly with children.

Stop by the Kilbaha Art Gallery. Tell them the McGuires sent you!

Optional: Lunch at Keatings of Kilbaha (seasonal)

Next, drive to the Cliffs of Moher (1 hr 20 min from Loop Head). Of note on the way: Lahinch Golf Club.

Tickets to the cliffs and parking can be purchased in advance.

Have dinner in Doolin. I recommend Fiddle & Bow, or McDermott’s Pub.

Today, take a break from driving and enjoy the many family-friendly activities at your castle estate. It is highly recommended to book these in advance. My family enjoyed discovering the grounds on our own by walking or on a golf cart.

Other activities:

• Golf

• Boat rides/SUP

• Archery

• Clay shooting

• Hiking

• Walking history or garden tour

• Mrs. White’s Afternoon Tea

• Genealogy

For a special dinner on your last night at Dromoland, consider reservations at the acclaimed Earl of Thomond, followed by live music in the lounge outside of the Cocktail Bar.

A direct route to Dublin would be a 2.5-hour drive. We stopped at Rock of Cashel for a guided tour and lunch in town.

Here are some suggestions for other stops along the way depending on your route.

• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Co Clare

• Kilkenny Castle, Co Kilkenny

• Rock of Cashel, Co Tipperary

• Russborough House & Park, Co Wicklow

• Athenry Heritage Centre, Co Galway

• Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, Co Westmeath

• Dún Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, Co Westmeath

Check into your Dublin hotel.

For the last days of your trip, discover Dublin via an in-depth walking tour with a private guide (3 hrs). This will help you get a sense of the layout and history of the city.

Other attractions to consider:

• Book of Kells at Trinity College

• Guinness Storehouse

• Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour

• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

• Little Museum of Dublin

• Hop-on hop-off bus tour

• National Gallery of Ireland

• Temple Bar

Dinner reservations: FX Buckley Steakhouse or WILDE Restaurant.

Return your rental cars at Dublin Airport.

Pro tip: Dublin Airport is a pre-clearance facility. This means if you are flying directly to the US, you will complete your immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections before leaving Dublin, essentially clearing US Customs before you even arrive in the US.