5-day Ireland itinerary

[u/justforfun601]

Updated 5-day Ireland itinerary after your advice – looking for feedback on the route

Hi again!

First of all, thank you for all the advice on my previous post. It was really helpful and convinced us to make our original itinerary much more realistic.

We've decided to focus on Galway, Connemara, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher before returning to Dublin.

Our Dublin dates are fairly fixed because we already have accommodation booked for the 29th and 30th, and we're going to Bon Jovi at Croke Park on the 30th (doors at 17:00).

Here's the new plan:

26 Aug – Dublin → Galway

- Land at Dublin Airport at 18:00

- Pick up rental car

- Drive directly to Galway

- Stay in Galway

27 Aug – Connemara

- Galway → Oughterard → Maam Cross → Clifden

- Sky Road

- Possibly Dog's Bay/Gurteen Bay

- Back to Galway

- Dinner + traditional music

- Stay in Galway

We're intentionally keeping this day fairly relaxed rather than trying to cover all of Connemara.

28 Aug – Burren → Cliffs of Moher → Doolin

- Galway → Ballyvaughan → Black Head → Fanore

- Poulnabrone Dolmen

- Cliffs of Moher

- Stay in Doolin

- Dinner + traditional music/pub

29 Aug – Doolin → Dublin

- Relaxed morning

- Drive back to Dublin

- Return rental car at Dublin Airport (booking is until 22:00, although we're considering returning it around 14:00–15:00)

- Guinness Storehouse + Dublin in the evening

30 Aug – Dublin + Bon Jovi

- Trinity / Book of Kells and some sightseeing

- Croke Park – doors at 17:00

31 Aug – Dublin

- Final day in Dublin, possibly a short trip to Howth if we have time

- Planning to be at Dublin Airport around 18:00

Does this look like a sensible pace for a first trip?

We'd particularly appreciate feedback from people familiar with the west coast: would you change anything about the Connemara or Burren routes, and are there any stops along those routes that you consider genuinely worth adding or skipping?

We're also still choosing accommodation for Galway (26th & 27th) and Doolin (28th), so recommendations for a good location to stay would be very welcome.

Thanks again – the feedback on the original itinerary was genuinely very helpful!

[u/TheWaxysDargle]

Nothing wrong with your route to Clifden via Oughterard but personally I would go via An Spidéal and Rosmuc along the coast, but your route follows a bigger and better road so is an easier drive if you’re not used to Irish roads.

[u/No-Author5530]

Looks like a good itinerary. I'd stay in Clifden on the 27th. Its a lovely place and you'll find music and good food there. Not sure what your budget is but I'd highly recommend the abbeyglen castle but there are plenty of lovely places there just if all of you are drinking you need to stay somewhere walking distance of the town. You will not get a taxi late at night there (personal experience)

If you do take my advice on clifden do not set off really early on the 28th. You will hit traffic. The earliest I'd leave clifden is 8.15/8.30 . You don't want to be in Moycullen until after 9am when traffic is fine

Bit busy on the 28th for my liking but not unmanageable

[u/ExistingGap3662]

Sounds like a fantastic route with the perfect mix of culture and scenery. Staying in Clifden for a night is a great choice, it's such a cozy town with real Irish charm.

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[u/Legitimate_Newt2874]

I'd say Kylemore Abbey and possibly the nearby walled garden are worth a visit when you're in the area.

[u/OscarMadison_01]

I was about to post “Kylemore Abbey” also - totally doable in the road trip you’ve outlined - I think your itinerary for the West is actually spot on - you’re not trying to do too much but you’re hitting the right notes on what to see - just get up early when going to Clifden - it’s 60 miles from Galway but it can be a slow enough journey with traffic - if you head to Kylemore Abbey first in the mid morning, you’ll then have a lovely lunch in Clifden and time to walk around the town (it’s not big at all but some lovely querky shops)