Oct 2026 · Ireland · 4 days
Ireland Road Trip: Cashel to Dublin
Four days by car from Dublin Airport: the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle and Cobh's cathedral, sunset at the Kerry Cliffs, the Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher, then back to Dublin for Temple Bar and St Patrick's Cathedral.
20 stops · 710 mi · 14h 32m on the road
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1
Castles and Kerry Cliffs
9 stops · 370 mi
Rock of Cashel, Cobh, then the Kerry cliffs near Portmagee.
Dublin Airport
Swords
The trip starts here: land at Dublin Airport, pick up a rental car and drive straight to the first stop.
114 mi · 2h 14m
9:10 AM · ~10m
Diamond Hill Country House
Slieverue
A short stop at Diamond Hill Country House early in the morning, on the drive south from Dublin. It's a guesthouse, so stop here only if you're staying or have arranged it.
47 mi · 56m
11:15 AM · ~18m
Rock of Cashel
Cashel
Our first stop was the famous Rock of Cashel, a cluster of medieval buildings on a limestone outcrop. There's a public car park close to the site.
- If you want to see inside Cormac's Chapel, buy the limited guided-tour tickets on site and phone ahead for tour times.
12 mi · 22m
12:00 PM · ~10m
Cahir Castle
Cahir
We stopped at Cahir Castle, which sits on a rocky island in the River Suir and is one of the best-preserved castles in Ireland. Park in the town car park next to it and walk along the river for the best view of its walls.
53 mi · 1h 3m
1:20 PM · ~36m
St Colman’s Cathedral
Cobh
In Cobh we visited the cathedral that towers over the harbour, the Titanic's last port of call. For the famous photo, walk up to Westbourne Place: its spire rises above the colourful Deck of Cards houses on West View.
- For a tour of St Colman's Cathedral, contact the Cobh parish office ahead (+353 214 813 222, [email protected]).
116 mi · 2h 17m
5:20 PM · ~10m
Beehive Village
Portmagee
A brief stop at the Beehive Village on the road to the Kerry Cliffs. It's named after the stone beehive huts on the site, and it makes a quick break before the cliffs.
0 ft
5:25 PM · ~10m
Kerry Cliffs Viewpoint
Portmagee
A first look out over the sea cliffs near Portmagee, just before the main Kerry Cliffs lookout. Stop for a few minutes of photos on the way in.
0 ft
5:45 PM · ~1h 30m
Kerry Cliffs
Portmagee
We ended the day at the Kerry Cliffs, a privately run lookout over 300 m high sea cliffs with the Skellig islands on the horizon. There is a small entry fee and a café at the car park, and the evening light is the best time to come.
28 mi · 33m
Night 1 · Hotel
The Olde Glenbeigh Hotel
Our first night was in Glenbeigh, a handy base on the Ring of Kerry. The hotel has a cosy pub for dinner and a bright breakfast room.
2
Dingle Peninsula
6 stops · 180 mi
Coastal walks and sea views around Dún Chaoin and Slea Head.
26 mi · 31m
9:50 AM · ~10m
Inch Beach
Inch
A quick morning stop at Inch Beach, a long sand spit on the way into the Dingle Peninsula. It's worth pulling over to see the strand stretching out into Dingle Bay.
24 mi · 28m
10:40 AM · ~28m
Dunquin Pier
Dún Chaoin
We started the day at Dunquin Pier, where a steep zigzag path drops down the cliff to the boats for the Blasket Islands. Walk down only if you have good shoes; the view from the top is just as good.
1.4 mi · 6m
11:15 AM · ~19m
Coumeenoole Beach
Ventry
A small sandy cove below the cliffs on the Slea Head Drive, a few minutes from Dunquin. The sea here has strong currents, so we only walked the beach; the steps down are next to the car park.
0.2 mi · 1m
Dunmore Head
Dún Chaoin
Dunmore Head is the westernmost point of mainland Ireland, looking straight out to the Blasket Islands. A grassy path starts at the road; watch your step near the edge and mind the sheep.
108 mi · 2h 7m
4:20 PM · ~1h 15m
Cliffs of Moher
Liscannor
We ended the coast at the Cliffs of Moher, over 200 m high, with O'Brien's Tower at the top. Parking at the visitor centre includes the entry ticket; walk north to the tower for the classic view, best in the late afternoon.
47 mi · 55m
Night 2 · Hotel
Leonardo Hotel Galway
3
On to Dublin
3 stops · 0.7 mi
We drove across to Dublin, checked in, and headed out to The Temple Bar.
131 mi · 2h 34m
3:50 PM · ~10m
Father Pat Noise
A tiny, curious plaque on O'Connell Bridge in Dublin, dedicated to the fictional "Father Pat Noise". It's easy to miss, so look along the bridge's west side as you cross.
0.3 mi · 1m
3:55 PM · ~4h 30m
The Temple Bar
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening around The Temple Bar, Dublin's busiest pub district. Expect crowds and live music in the evening.
0.4 mi · 2m
Night 3 · Hotel
The Chancery Hotel
4
Dublin Sights
2 stops · 1 mi on foot · ~19m
Historic Dublin and St Patrick's Cathedral.
0.6 mi · 3m
11:15 AM · ~10m
Graduates Memorial Building
A quick stop at the Graduates Memorial Building in Trinity College Dublin's Front Square, on the walk across the city centre. It's an easy place to take a few photos of the college before heading on to St Patrick's.
0.9 mi · 19m
11:45 AM · ~10m
Saint Patrick's Cathedral
Dublin
Easy · 0.9 mi · ~19m
On our last day we walked to Saint Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, where Jonathan Swift was dean. The park beside it is free and a lovely place for a break.
- Book St Patrick's Cathedral visitor tickets online, and check the service schedule first — on Sundays there are services at 9:15, 11:15 and 15:15.
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