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Only have 4 days in Ireland? We’ve got you!
When it comes to visiting Ireland, one may want to stay for at least a week to 10 days. I get it. It is a magnificent country full of wild and wonderful nature, epic landscapes, beautiful culture, and fun cities and towns.
However…not all of us have a lot of time. Or maybe you just want to add Ireland to a big trip through the British Isles. That was exactly the case during our 4-day Ireland trip.
We had 2 weeks to explore England, Ireland, and Scotland (plus a short 2-day trip to Paris to kick it off). So, to make the most of our journey, we spent 3 days in London (with a day trip to Highclere Castle), 5 days in Scotland, and then wrapped up our trip with four days in Ireland.
Even though exploring Ireland in 4 days doesn’t sound like much time, you can actually see and do a LOT during a quick trip like this.
We’re here to show you how! So without further ado, let’s talk about how to have the most epic 4-day Ireland itinerary!
Table of Contents
Ultimate Ireland Road Trip in 4 Days
Here is a quick guide to refer back to when it comes to planning your Ireland itinerary. For more details, including hotels, etc., keep reading below!
Day 1: Visit Dublin
- Explore Temple Bar and lunch
- Book of Kells Experience
- Walk past Dublin Castle
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Guinness Storehouse tour
- Dinner at Gallagher’s Boxty House
Day 2: Cliffs of Moher
- Drive to the Cliffs of Moher
- Drive a bit of the Wild Atlantic Way
- End at a castle hotel
Day 3: Killarney National Park
- Gap of Dunloe
- Explore Killarney National Park
- Visit the town of Killarney
- Dinner in Killarney or the local village near the castle
Day 4: Kilkenny Castle & Dublin
- Kilkenny Castle and the town
- Final evening in Dublin
4 Days in Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
You’ll notice that this is an Irish road trip itinerary. Why? Well, it is much easier to get around Ireland via car. Yes, you could spend 4 days in Ireland without a car. I’ll discuss more below!
However, overall, a car makes it so much easier to get around the countryside. And when you’re short on time, it really is just easier to have a car and go on your own.
For us, we like checking rental car prices on Skyscanner.
Okay, now that we’ve covered that, let’s dive into this amazing road trip of Ireland.
Day 1: Visit Dublin
4 days in Ireland starting in Dublin just makes sense. The biggest airport in the country is here, it is easy to rent a car from here, and you may as well spend a day exploring this iconic city.
I will say that 1 day in Dublin is kind of all you really need, especially if you’re short on time. I’ve been to Dublin before and spent like 4 days there. It was too much. Yes, there is SO much to see in Dublin and there is absolutely no way you’ll see it all in 1 day.
But I think the best part of visiting Ireland is the stunning countryside. Therefore, you don’t want to spend too much time in Dublin.
During the Ireland portion of our trip, we only spent 1 day in Dublin and we felt like we’d seen a good chunk of the city in that amount of time. So here is what you’re going to want to do.
Start out in the Temple Bar District. Yes, Irish locals will say to skip it. Yes, it is touristy. But it is FUN! Is it a bit overpriced and touristy? Sure. But it is 100% worth it.
On our first day in Dublin, after checking into our hotel, we went straight to the Temple Bar District to wander around and then popped in for lunch at the famous Temple Bar itself.
Look, was my Irish beer and toastie a little overpriced? Fine. But there was LIVE music in the middle of the week at lunchtime. The vibes were great, the beer was great, and the food hit the spot as well. I’ll take that any day.
It may not be a spot packed with locals, but the live music was amazing and so much fun. 10/10 I highly recommend grabbing lunch here.
Once you’ve had your first sips of Irish beer (I particularly enjoyed the Kilkenny Smooth Ale) and listened to some live music, you’ll quickly find yourself settling into Ireland. It is blissful.
After lunch, I recommend booking the Book of Kells Experience in advance and going there next.
They have really outdone themselves with this experience! You’ll go to Trinity College and head to the Book of Kells Experience.
First, you learn about the Book of Kells, which is a 1,200 year-old illuminated manuscript containing the 4 Gospels of the New Testament. Learn about how it was made, how they got the pigments for the book, its history, etc.
Of course, you’ll then get to see this book in person which was so cool.
After that, you’ll get to explore the Old Library and the Long Room at Trinity College which has several old books from centuries ago.
When we visited, many of the books had been cleared out of the library for cleaning and preservation, but it was still neat to see this Harry Potter-esque library in real life. Plus, in the library, you’ll find many busts of famous writers and philosophers, the Gaia, an illuminated artwork by Luke Jerram that features NASA images of Earth, and even a very old harp (called Brian Boru’s Harp).
After that, things get a bit more modern as you are taken through an immersive journey which includes a Book of Kells 360 experience with light and sound and the Long Room experience with digital projections.
It was a great way to learn more about the Book of Kells as well as Trinity College and its famous library.
Once you’ve been immersed in the Book of Kells Experience, it is time to get some fresh air and walk around Dublin a bit, passing iconic sights along the way.
I recommend walking west as you’ll actually want to end at the Guinness Storehouse. But along the way, you’ll want to pass by the Molly Malone Statue, Dublin Castle, and Christ Church Cathedral.
If you’ve got the time, you could pop into Christ Church Cathedral and see some of their treasures including a copy of the Magna Carta, Strongbow’s final resting place, and even a mummified rat and cat.
Either way, you’ll want to end at the Guinness Storehouse for your last big adventure for the day!
You can’t come to Ireland without trying a Guinness. And you can’t go to Dublin without checking out the Guinness Storehouse.
This place is massive! I recommend booking a ticket in advance for the self-guided tour. During your tour, you even get to have a wee pint/tasting of Guinness as you learn more about the aromas and flavors of this iconic Irish stout.
There are also old ads from Guinness including the toucan. I also recommend booking the experience that includes the Guinness Academy where you learn to pour the perfect pint.
That was a fun addition to our Guinness experience! Regardless, you’ll end your visit at the Gravity Bar, which is a floor-to-ceiling bar on the top floor with 360º views of Dublin!
This is where you’ll get your free pint of Guinness included in your visit. You can also opt for a Guinness 0.0% or a soft drink. And just an FYI, a Guinness clear is just water. I know. I feel silly that I asked but I didn’t know if it was their blonde Guinness or something.
Take some time to enjoy the views up here. It is honestly my favorite part of visiting the Guinness Storehouse!
Then, once you’re ready, it is time to head back toward the Temple Bar area to grab dinner at Gallagher’s Boxty House.
This place is serving up beer and boxty (an Irish potato pancake). Now, these boxties come filled with meats and other things! We ended up getting the spice bag boxty complete with crispy chicken, veggies, and curry sauce. Yum.
If boxty isn’t your thing, you can order things like fish and chips or Irish corned beef as well.
Pair it with a fun cocktail or even a Jack Smyth beer.
After that, you’ll likely walk along the River Liffey and call it a night.
Where to Stay in Dublin:
Here is where to stay in Dublin during your short visit.
Budget: The Address Connolly
This 4-star hotel is actually a really great price during your stay in Dublin. With a couple of places to eat here, a spa/fitness center, and nice rooms, this is a great place to stay. Plus, it is a walkable distance from attractions like the Temple Bar District and Trinity College.
Mid-Range: Zanzibar Locke Ha’Penny Bridge
This is where we stayed on our more recent visit and it was lovely! Located right along the river, you’re really close to many great places! Rooms here are cute and spacious, and I loved the little coffee shop attached to the hotel.
Luxury: The Shelbourne Dublin
This is a beautiful 5-star hotel perfect for those looking to splurge or honeymooners. It is located next to St Stephen’s Green near the National Museum of Ireland if you want to visit that during your stay. The hotel has stunning rooms, a spa and fitness center, a place for afternoon tea, and a lovely restaurant for your stay.
Day 2: Cliffs of Moher
Today, you’re departing Dublin in the morning to explore the countryside of Ireland for a couple of days!
So it is time to head to the airport to pick up your rental car! Just an FYI, though, have your hotel arrange your taxi ahead of time, as it can be tricky, especially if you’re staying along the River Liffey.
Dublin is slowly phasing out traffic from the city center, so it makes getting around via car a lot more challenging. In our case, as we were staying next to the river at Zanzibar Locke Ha’Penny Bridge, it was almost impossible to get an Uber.
We ended up walking to Clerys on a busy street and flagging down a taxi. Just ask your hotel to arrange this for you in advance to save yourself the trouble.
However, once you’re at the airport, you can grab your car and go!
And it is about a 3-hour drive from the airport car rental spot to the Cliffs of Moher! Enjoy views of the magnificent Irish countryside as you drive to the Cliffs of Moher, which is on the opposite side of Ireland than Dublin.
But once you’re at the Cliffs of Moher, take your time! There is plenty to check out in the area. You can go climb up O’Brien’s Tower, walk along the barrier, take photos, etc.
Just be sure to book your ticket in advance! It can and does sell out, especially during the summertime.
We particularly enjoyed walking along the path for a bit and enjoying the views. And, depending on when you visit, you can see several birds including the Magnificent 7: puffins, guillemot, razorbill, fulmar, kittiwake, chough, and peregrine.
For the best chance of seeing puffins, opt for a visit between May and June.
The Cliffs of Moher Experience also has a package that includes the Cliff Paths and Garden Trails where you can download the audio guide for a self-guided tour.
If you plan to hike around the Cliffs of Moher, note that it is fine if you’re on the trail that is behind a barrier (i.e. the Cliffs of Moher Experience). However, there is a point where the barrier stops and you’re on your own. Definitely check trail closures ahead of time, and do NOT attempt these trails if the weather is basically less than perfect.
The Cliffs of Moher are beautiful and mighty, but they can also be super dangerous and VERY windy.
Aside from walking around and admiring the Cliffs of Moher, you can also book a cruise to see the Cliffs of Moher from the water!
So spend the afternoon at the Cliffs of Moher, taking it all in at your own pace before jumping back in the car and driving just a little bit of the famous Wild Atlantic Way before ending at a castle hotel.
Note: You could also spend a couple of hours at the Cliffs of Moher and potentially check out Galway before to explore and enjoy this lovely Irish city. You could potentially grab lunch here before embarking on your journey to the Cliffs of Moher. This all depends on how much time you want to spend at the Cliffs of Moher, energy levels, etc.
If you choose to add on Galway, I’d pick up the car in Dublin, drive the 2 hours to Galway, have lunch and walk around the town, and then spend about 1.5 hours at the Cliffs of Moher before heading to your final stop (which is about 2.5 hours from the Cliffs of Moher).
Regardless, you’ll end your day at Ballyseede Castle Hotel. I think that a driving trip through Ireland isn’t complete without a stay at a castle hotel.
And Ballyseede Castle Hotel did not disappoint. We loved this stunning place! The rooms here were pristine with marble bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, and great views all around. The castle has so much great art, and there is a bar/restaurant as well as a nicer restaurant for dinner.
This place is also home to 4 adorable dogs, including 2 Irish wolfhounds!
Plus, it is one of the more affordable castle hotel stays in Ireland. When we were researching castle hotels for our trip, many were in the €300-400+ range, whereas this place starts at €238.
So check into your hotel. Now, what you do for dinner is up to you. You could make a reservation at their nicer restaurant and enjoy their tasting menu or just eat at their more casual bar/restaurant.
We did both during our visit and the food is okay. While the hotel is amazing, I’d opt to go into the local village of Tralee for dinner or the nearby area. Some restaurants to check out include Chez Christophe, The Oyster Tavern, and Kirby’s Brogue Inn. And for a pint, you can head to Seán Ógs Bar.
Day 3: Killarney National Park
Now that you’re properly in the countryside of Ireland, it is time to enjoy some of that lush, green beauty.
Today, you’ll be exploring Killarney National Park. But first, you’ll want breakfast. Ballyseede Castle has quite the breakfast spread and menu, meaning you can order a nice big Irish breakfast and be full for a day of exploring Killarney National Park.
After breakfast, you’ll drive to the Gap of Dunloe area. This part of Ireland is so stunning, and you may even be greeted by several deer as we were!
This area is a big mountain pass with glacial lakes. The views are so dramatic and gorgeous.
Park here (you can’t really drive in the Gap of Dunloe) and admire the views. You can see a stunning view from just the parking area, but if you really want to explore, you can walk it, bike it, or take a jaunting car ride (which is a horse and buggy ride).
To walk it, there is a shorter walk that is about 2 km or 40 minutes to walk or a longer walk of 10 km or a 4-5 hour walk.
Depending on how much time you have, you can do the short walk, long walk, or perhaps even book a jaunting car ride (they have them right next to the parking area).
We only saw it from the parking area because we wanted to spend extra time in Killarney National Park. But if you want to add this on before going to Killarney National Park- do it! It looks so pretty and I want to go back and see this more!
But after the Gap of Dunloe, it is time to explore Killarney National Park.
This place is also gorgeous with its beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and even old abbey ruins.
Depending on how long you spend at the Gap of Dunloe, you may want to start out at Muckross House & Gardens to eat at their cafe for lunch.
This cafe serves food cafeteria-style, but it has everything from salads and sandwiches to other dishes. So grab lunch here to fuel up for exploring Killarney National Park.
After lunch, you can explore the gardens here, which are full of beautiful flowers. We went in April and the tulips were in full bloom!
After that, you can take a little walk/hike to Muckross Abbey. This was my favorite thing in Killarney National Park. This was founded in 1448 and was a Franciscan friary.
This abbey has certainly seen its share of history, including many raids. Now in ruins, it has actually held up rather well over the years. You can walk around the abbey and even climb up the steps and explore the nooks and crannies of the place.
The cloister is well worth a visit to see the yew tree growing here.
There is also a graveyard here to wander around. Take some time to check out this abbey before getting back in the car and driving to Torc Waterfall. Now, there is a tiny parking lot near the falls, making it easy to get to, or you can hike from Muckross House parking to it or from another parking lot near the falls. The hikes take about 2.5 hours and 1 hour 50 minutes, respectively round-trip.
So if you want to get in some hiking, you can definitely do that to see Torc Waterfall! We ended up doing the shorter hike and it was basically downhill all the way to the falls and then uphill all the way back. Worth it. The waterfall is about 20 m (66 feet) high and cascades down beautifully, making it a great spot to take photos together during your hike.
After Torc Waterfall, you’ll head to your last stop in Killarney National Park to Ross Castle along the shores of Lough Leane.
This lake is stunning on its own, and you’ll even spot people kayaking on the lake during the summer months.
But the castle is perched along the lake, and it is stunning to walk through. Dating back to the 15th century, this castle was the home of the Chiefs of the O’Donoghue clan.
Wander around Ross Castle before driving over to the town of Killarney.
Killarney is a cool town to check out on its own, and you can grab a pint or enjoy the pubs here or perhaps have dinner here if it is late enough in the day.
This all depends on how long you spent exploring the Gap of Dunloe and Killarney National Park. You could easily spend a day doing both and wrapping up with dinner in Killarney before heading back to Ballyseede.
However, if there is one thing you must do in Killarney, it is to visit the Aran Sweater Market. If you’re in Ireland you must get one of Ireland’s most famous products: wool.
Here you can get an authentic wool sweater, scarf, blanket, etc.
And the best part is that if you spend over €100, then they’ll ship it back home to you for free! This works out fantastically if you’re like us and try to travel in just a carry on. I love a good wool sweater, but there is no way that was fitting in my small suitcase.
Also, reaching €100 is easy if you each buy a sweater. I love the sweaters that I bought here!
But anyway, after exploring the town of Killarney, it is time to head back to the castle or grab dinner in the town of Tralee again, depending on whether you choose to eat dinner in Killarney or not.
After that, it is time for bed at the magnificent Ballyseede Castle.
Day 4: Kilkenny Castle & Dublin
To wrap up your Ireland 4-day itinerary, it is time to head back to Dublin. Start out with another hearty breakfast at Ballyseede Castle, say goodbye to the lovely staff and adorable dogs, and it is time to get in the car.
To break up the drive, head to Kilkenny first. The town of Kilkenny is a cute town that sits along the River Nore.
There are a couple of things you could do in Kilkenny depending on how long you want to stay there. You can check out the Smithwick’s Experience, which is an interactive museum and tasting of Smithwick’s, which happens to be Ireland’s oldest brewery.
While they no longer produce beer here, you can visit the experience to learn more about its history and have a pint of this historic beer.
Another thing you can do in Kilkenny is visit Kilkenny Castle.
This place was built in 1260 and sold to the Butler family in 1391 who had the castle until 1967 when it was sold for £50 to the Castle Restoration Committee. Now it has been restored and is open for visitors.
It was nice to explore the castle and learn more about its history, including its ties to Anne Bolelyn and Elizabeth I. This is because Anne Boleyn’s grandmother was Lady Margaret Butler, the daughter of the 7th Earl of Ormond of Butler Castle (now Kilkenny Castle).
We also particularly enjoyed visiting this castle as we have ties to it too (although extremely distant!). My husband’s family is very distantly related to the Butlers of this castle. So it was neat to see something that was part of his family way back when.
The grounds of the castle are also nice to explore while you’re there.
After spending the better part of your day in Kilkenny, it is time to head back to Dublin.
Drop off your rental car now and either head into the city or to your airport hotel if you’re staying near the airport.
To wrap up your last evening in Ireland, you can head to John Kavanagh’s The Gravediggers for dinner. This is a pub dating back to 1833 with delicious food and great drinks.
This is north of the city, so if you want to go to this pub, you’ll want to take a taxi. Or, if you’re planning to stay in downtown Dublin and don’t want to take a cab, you can eat somewhere in town like the Brazen Head, known as Ireland’s oldest pub.
Either way, you’ll enjoy a historic pub for dinner and then it is time to head to your hotel for bed.
We ended up staying at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport as we had an earlier flight so it was just easier.
However, you can also stay at one of the hotels I discussed above for Dublin like:
After this, your Ireland road trip in 4 days is over. While you can’t see all of Ireland in 4 days, you’ve certainly seen a great deal including Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney National Park, and Kilkenny Castle!
Ireland 4-Day Itinerary Map
What to Do if You Have More Than 4 Days in Ireland
Have even more time in Ireland? You’re in luck! As there is an endless amount of options!
You can stay near the Killarney area at Ballyseede Castle for even longer and take the time to explore the Dingle Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry.
You can also head south to see Blarney Castle near the city of Cork. There is also the option to spend time in the Wicklow Mountains, where you can go hiking and take in the stunning views.
There is also the option to head north to Donegal and explore the nature surrounding this area and Glenveagh National Park.
You can also add on a trip to Northern Ireland and visit the city of Belfast as well as Giant’s Causeway.
You really have a ton of options when it comes to extending your road trip around Ireland.
How to Spend 4 Days in Ireland Without a Car
Look I get not wanting to rent a car in Ireland. They drive on the left side of the road, which can definitely be tricky for those of us used to driving on the right side of the road.
The roads are also TINY. Oh, and for good measure, the small country roads also have rock walls right against the road so you have to be extra careful.
It isn’t for the faint of heart.
While I’m glad we ended up renting a car (and Chris drove so I didn’t have to), I get not wanting to rent a car. However, I don’t necessarily recommend spending all your time in Dublin.
It’s a cool city, but a day or two is really all you want to spend. Ireland is known for its natural beauty- that is what you want to see!
Luckily, there are several day trips you can take from Dublin to get out and see the countryside without having to drive.
Here are a few options:
- Cliffs of Moher, Burren, and Galway
- Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, and Kilkenny
- Tour of Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel, and Cahir Castle
- Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges, and Belfast Tour
- County Kerry Tour from Dublin including Killarney National Park
You get the idea. Ireland isn’t a huge country, so you could take day trips to many places, including up to Northern Ireland!
Getting To Ireland/Getting Around Ireland
The easiest way to get to Ireland is to fly into Dublin, especially for this 4-day Ireland road trip.
This airport has many flights a day into and out of Dublin from airlines like Aer Lingus, Air Canada, British Airways, Ryanair, United Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, JetBlue, KLM, and so much more.
So fly into Dublin and you’ll be all set.
For checking the best flight prices, I love Skyscanner.
For getting around Ireland, I still think having your own car is best. You can check rental car prices here.
When to Visit Ireland
For the best weather, I’d opt for April through October. However, the summertime brings in many crowds of Irish people traveling around on their holidays as well as everyone else around the world coming in to visit.
So to avoid the crowds and get decent weather, maybe opt for April-May and September-October. We visited in April and it was great! It wasn’t crowded at all wherever we went, and the weather wasn’t too bad.
Yes, you can have chilly days and rainfall literally any time of the year, so if you’re prepared for that when you visit, you’ll be fine!
I wouldn’t come in the winter as it is typically wetter and you get less daylight, versus going in spring through fall when daylight hours are longer and it isn’t as rainy typically.
Other Tips For Visiting Ireland
Before you pack your bags for Ireland, here are some tips to know.
What to Pack
This is tough, as it could be warm and sunny or wet and chilly all within a week apart.
I would recommend packing jeans, sneakers, and sweaters or longsleeve tops year-round in Ireland. Perhaps pack a couple of short-sleeve tops if you’re coming in the summer and the weather forecast looks nice.
If you’re coming in the fall or winter, perhaps boots, jeans, and sweaters are great.
Either way, you’ll want to pack a jacket, regardless of when you visit. As I wanted a waterproof jacket for hiking, I opted to purchase a The Northface triclimate jacket that comes with an insulated layer and a rainjacket top.
And for windy spots like the Cliffs of Moher, a scarf was so helpful for staying warm.
For hiking, definitely bring hiking boots, waterproof hiking pants, and lots of layers. Leggings will not cut it on rainy days here.
Also, a thing you’ll have to pack is an umbrella. Rain can happen any day at any time even when it looks nice an hour before. I like this umbrella that held up impressively well through the wind and rain during our trip.
For charging your things, you’ll want an outlet adapter. And for your suitcase, opt for either this great rolling bag or this Ospry backpack.
Ireland is On the Euro
Ireland is on the Euro, which equals $1.10 USD per €1, £0.84 per €1, $1.50 CAD per €1, and $1.66 AUD per €1.
While many places take credit card, it helps to have some cash for smaller purchases and in more remote areas. As an FYI, if you plan to take a bus in Dublin, either have exact change or get a travel pass.
Ireland Speaks English, But Irish is Spoken Too
Yes, you’ll likely be completely fine in English as almost everyone in Ireland speaks English. But you’ll notice many signs both in cities and while driving that are both in English and Irish.
If you want to impress any local Irish people, why not learn a few key words/phrases in Irish? I recommend downloading Duolingo ahead of your trip to learn how to say some basic words and phrases.
Tips For Driving in Ireland
We actually have a whole podcast episode dedicated to driving tips for Scotland and Ireland, which I’ll post here!
This post is also helpful to familiarize yourself with driving laws, tolls, and more.
That sums up everything you need to know about spending 4 days in Ireland! Between exploring Dublin and venturing into the countryside, this is how to enjoy the most of your short Irish getaway!
Would you like to visit Ireland?
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