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Ireland Travel Guide: Dublin, Wild Atlantic Way, Golf, Hotels & Best Things to Do

Dear Ireland traveler,

Ireland has always felt special to me. Over the years, I have visited the country many times and made many Irish friends, and every return has reminded me how naturally Ireland combines beautiful landscapes, history, conversation, humor and genuine hospitality.

As an international travel professional and passionate golfer, I also see Ireland from another perspective. Few countries bring together world-class golf, dramatic coastal scenery, historic cities, excellent hotels, lively pubs and warm human encounters as naturally as Ireland does.

Drawing on more than three decades of international destination management experience, this guide brings together practical planning advice, carefully selected recommendations and personal destination insight in one place. Whether you are planning a Dublin city break, a luxury road trip, a golf journey or a longer exploration of the Emerald Isle, the aim is to help you use your time well and experience Ireland with confidence.

Start Planning Your Ireland Trip

Map of Dublin, Ireland

Current Weather in Dublin

DUBLIN WEATHER

Which Part of Ireland Should You Visit?

Ireland is compact on a map, but traveling well takes more time than many first-time visitors expect. The most enjoyable trips usually focus on two or three regions instead of trying to cover the entire country in a few days.

Dublin

Dublin is the natural starting point for many international visitors. The city combines Georgian architecture, literary history, museums, historic churches, Trinity College, traditional pubs and an energetic restaurant scene in a center that is relatively easy to explore on foot.

For a first visit, two or three nights usually works well. Stay longer if you want to use Dublin as a base for excursions to Wicklow, Kilkenny or other parts of eastern Ireland.

Galway, Connemara & the West

Galway offers a completely different atmosphere from Dublin. It is smaller, more intimate and an excellent gateway to Connemara, the Burren, the Aran Islands and the western coast.

The combination of Galway city and the surrounding countryside is particularly attractive if you want traditional music, Atlantic scenery and a slower rhythm.

Killarney, Kerry & the Southwest

Killarney is one of Ireland’s classic touring bases. Killarney National Park, the Ring of Kerry, lakes, mountains and coastal roads make this region ideal for travelers who want landscapes, good hotels, golf and scenic driving.

The southwest is also one of the most rewarding areas for a longer luxury stay. Rather than changing hotels every night, consider using Killarney or another well-located base and exploring the region on day trips.

Cork, Kinsale & Cobh

Cork and the surrounding south offer an appealing combination of food, history, coastline and smaller towns. Kinsale is especially attractive for dining and maritime atmosphere, while Cobh has a strong transatlantic and emigration history.

The Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way runs along Ireland’s western seaboard and is less a single attraction than a framework for experiencing the country. The pleasure comes from combining dramatic coastlines, smaller roads, fishing villages, historic sites and spontaneous stops.

Do not plan it like a motorway journey. The distances can look short, but narrow roads, viewpoints and villages make the journey part of the experience.

Ireland’s Essential Experiences

A good Ireland itinerary mixes cities, landscapes and local culture. These are the experiences I would prioritize rather than treating the country as a checklist of attractions.

• Walk central Dublin and explore its literary, Georgian and political history.
• Spend time in an Irish pub where conversation and live music are part of the experience rather than simply nightlife.
• See the Atlantic coast around Clare, Galway, Kerry or Donegal.
• Visit the Cliffs of Moher, but combine them with the Burren or another nearby destination rather than making the cliffs your only western stop.
• Explore Connemara for mountains, lakes, coastal scenery and a sense of western Ireland.
• Drive part of the Ring of Kerry or another scenic route slowly enough to stop along the way.
• Spend time in Galway for music, food and a compact city atmosphere.
• Discover Cork and Kinsale if food and southern Ireland appeal to you.
• Stay in a countryside or resort hotel for at least part of the trip.
• Play golf if you enjoy the game. Ireland belongs among the world’s great golf travel destinations.

Ireland for Golfers

Golf is one of the reasons Ireland has such enduring appeal for me personally. I am a passionate golfer, and Ireland offers something that is difficult to reproduce elsewhere: historic links golf beside the Atlantic, parkland courses in beautiful estates, strong golf traditions and the possibility of combining serious golf with excellent food, hotels and sightseeing.

For international golfers, the main challenge is deciding where to base the trip. Dublin works well for eastern courses and a city stay. The southwest gives access to some of the country’s most celebrated links and resort golf, while the northwest offers a wilder and often less hurried golf experience.

Well-known names across Ireland include Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, The K Club, Ballyliffin, Mount Juliet, Dromoland Castle, Fota Island and numerous links courses around the Atlantic coast. The best choice depends on how much driving you want to do and whether golf is the main reason for the trip or part of a broader Ireland itinerary.

Where to Stay in Ireland: 4–5-Star Hotels & Resorts

Ireland is particularly well suited to travelers who prefer distinctive 4–5-star hotels, country houses and resorts rather than changing accommodation every night. A strong itinerary might combine a luxury city hotel in Dublin with a resort or country property in Kerry, Galway or another regional base.

Luxury Hotels in Dublin

For a premium Dublin stay, look first at the central Georgian and city-center districts. Established luxury choices include The Merrion, The Westbury, The Shelbourne and Conrad Dublin. These hotels place you close to restaurants, shopping, major cultural sights and the walkable core of the city.

Killarney & Kerry Resorts

Killarney is one of the strongest bases for combining scenery, golf and resort-style accommodation. The Europe Hotel & Resort, Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa and Great Southern Killarney are among the established higher-end names in the area.

Galway & the West

Galway works well for travelers who want city atmosphere together with day trips into Connemara and the Atlantic coast. The G Hotel & Spa is one of the better-known upscale options in the city, while countryside properties outside Galway can work well if you have a car.

Golf & Country Resorts

If golf is central to the trip, consider staying at or near a golf resort rather than commuting from a city every day. The K Club, Mount Juliet Estate, Dromoland Castle and Fota Island are examples of properties where golf can be integrated naturally into a broader luxury Ireland itinerary.

Dublin: How Many Days Do You Need?

For most first-time visitors, two full days in Dublin is a good minimum. Three nights gives you more flexibility and allows time for both major sights and the informal side of the city.

On the first day, concentrate on the historic center, Trinity College area, Georgian Dublin and the city’s major landmarks. On the second day, explore neighborhoods, pubs, museums and food experiences. A third day can be used for a day trip or for a slower exploration of Dublin itself.

Cliffs of Moher: Dublin Day Trip or Stay in the West?

The Cliffs of Moher can be visited on a long day trip from Dublin, and this works for travelers with limited time. However, if your itinerary allows it, staying in Galway or elsewhere in western Ireland gives you a more balanced experience.

The advantage of staying in the west is that you can combine the cliffs with the Burren, Connemara, the Aran Islands or smaller coastal towns. You also avoid spending such a large portion of one day traveling across the country and back.

Should You Rent a Car in Ireland?

You do not need a car for Dublin, and I would generally avoid keeping one while staying in the city center. For a wider Ireland itinerary, however, a rental car gives you much more freedom.

Ireland drives on the left. Rural roads can be narrow, and distances often take longer than expected. If you are unfamiliar with left-side driving, give yourself time to adapt and avoid planning excessively long driving days immediately after an overnight flight.

Best Time to Visit Ireland

Ireland is a year-round destination, but the experience changes considerably by season.

• May and June: long daylight hours, fresh landscapes and a good balance between weather and visitor numbers.
• July and August: peak travel season, longer days and the greatest demand for hotels, rental cars and popular attractions.
• September: one of my favorite periods for a touring trip, with somewhat lower visitor pressure and still reasonable daylight.
• October to April: suitable for Dublin and cultural trips, but expect shorter days, more variable weather and reduced seasonal services in some rural destinations.

Irish weather is famously changeable. Rather than trying to find a completely dry period, plan for layers, a light waterproof jacket and flexibility.

How Many Days Do You Need in Ireland?

4–5 Days

Concentrate on Dublin plus one additional region. Dublin and Galway is a good combination if you want a city-and-west-coast introduction.

7 Days

A week allows a more satisfying first journey. Consider Dublin, Galway and Kerry, or Dublin followed by a focused road trip through the southwest.

10 Days

Ten days gives you enough time to slow down and experience several regions without constantly moving. Dublin, Galway, Killarney/Kerry and Cork can work well if the itinerary is planned efficiently.

12–14 Days

Two weeks allows a proper road trip with more time for the Wild Atlantic Way, golf, smaller towns and multi-night stays. This is where Ireland becomes less about sightseeing and more about experiencing the country.

A Practical 7-Day Ireland Itinerary

1. Day 1 – Dublin: arrive, settle in and explore central Dublin on foot.
2. Day 2 – Dublin: historic sights, museums, Georgian streets and an evening pub or music experience.
3. Day 3 – Dublin to Galway: travel west and spend the afternoon and evening in Galway.
4. Day 4 – Western Ireland: explore Connemara, the Burren or the Cliffs of Moher.
5. Day 5 – Galway to Killarney: travel south with stops along the way.
6. Day 6 – Kerry: Killarney National Park, Ring of Kerry, golf or a slower countryside day.
7. Day 7 – Return: travel toward Dublin or Shannon depending on your flight arrangements.

A More Relaxed 10-Day Ireland Itinerary

1. Days 1–2: Dublin.
2. Days 3–4: Galway and western Ireland.
3. Days 5–7: Killarney, Kerry and southwest Ireland.
4. Days 8–9: Cork, Kinsale and the south.
5. Day 10: return journey or final night near your departure airport.

Golfers should add extra nights rather than trying to squeeze a round into sightseeing days. A good championship course can easily become the centerpiece of the day, particularly when travel, lunch and post-round time are included.

Irish Food, Pubs & Drinks

Food has become an increasingly important part of traveling in Ireland. Traditional dishes remain part of the experience, but contemporary Irish cooking also benefits from excellent local beef, lamb, dairy products, seafood and Atlantic ingredients.

• Irish stew – a traditional, warming dish that varies by region and kitchen.
• Seafood – especially worthwhile along the Atlantic coast.
• Brown bread – simple but very characteristic of everyday Irish food.
• Oysters and shellfish – particularly strong in western coastal regions.
• Irish whiskey – increasingly diverse, with distilleries across the country.
• Stout – deeply connected with pub culture, particularly in Dublin.

The pub is more than a place to drink. At its best, it is part of Ireland’s social culture — conversation, music, local knowledge and spontaneous encounters. Some of my strongest impressions of Ireland have come from exactly these ordinary human moments.

Dublin or Galway?

Choose Dublin if your priorities are major museums, urban history, literary culture, restaurants and a broader range of luxury city hotels. Choose Galway if you want a smaller city, stronger access to western landscapes, traditional music and day trips into Connemara and the Atlantic coast.

For a first Ireland trip of one week or longer, I would usually combine both rather than choose between them.

Ireland Travel Tips

• Book popular hotels and golf tee times early if you are traveling in summer.
• Do not underestimate driving times on rural roads.
• Avoid keeping a rental car unnecessarily while staying in central Dublin.
• Leave some unscheduled time for villages, pubs and scenic stops.
• Carry a light waterproof layer even when the forecast looks favorable.
• For a road trip, two or three nights in each base is often better than changing hotels every day.
• If golf is important, organize the trip around course locations rather than adding courses after the itinerary is finished.
• Remember that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, while the Republic of Ireland is a separate country and uses the euro.

Ireland for First-Time Visitors

If this is your first journey to Ireland, my preferred approach is simple: begin with Dublin, cross to the west, spend several nights in Galway or Kerry, and resist the temptation to see everything. Ireland rewards travelers who allow time for conversations, landscapes and places they did not originally plan to stop.

For many travelers, the memorable part of Ireland is not one famous landmark. It is the combination of the Atlantic light, a road through green countryside, a good hotel, a round of golf, a meal, music in a pub and the ease with which a conversation can begin.

About This Ireland Travel Guide

This guide is written and curated by Lassi Pensikkala, economist, international travel professional, destination expert and passionate golfer. With decades of experience in international tourism and destination management across Europe and other world regions, I approach travel from both sides of the journey: as a traveler deciding where I genuinely want to spend my own time and as a professional who understands what makes a destination work.

Warm regards,

Lassi Pensikkala
Economist · International travel professional · Destination expert · Passionate golfer

Updated continuously · © Lassi Pensikkala

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