10 Days in Ireland: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Ten days in Ireland can start in Dublin, with Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol, then move west to Galway for the Spanish Arch and Salthill Beach. Buses and coaches are one of the main ways to get around the island, so the route follows coach lines between the two bases.

At a glance

• Recommended length: 10 days
• Bases: Dublin, then Galway
• Main transport: buses and coaches
• Coach operators: Bus Éireann in the Republic of Ireland, Translink in Northern Ireland
• Route planning: the National Journey Planner

Is 10 days enough in Ireland?

Ten days is enough for Dublin and Galway at an easy pace. Dublin alone fills several days: Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, EPIC and two sites of the National Museum of Ireland. Galway adds its cathedral, the Latin Quarter, the City Museum and Salthill Beach.

With one more day, the extra time suits the Galway City Museum, which has three floors of galleries. With one less day, drop one of the two National Museum sites (Kildare Street or Collins Barracks) and keep the rest.

The seven named days leave three days open. Use them for a day trip or a slower pace, and check coach and train options in the National Journey Planner, which compares bus, train, tram, ferry and taxi journeys across the whole island.

When to plan 10 days in Ireland

Dublin’s winter and early spring are cool and damp. By April the high reaches 54°F (12°C).

Where to stay in Ireland for 10 days

Fáilte Ireland publishes registers of approved accommodation: hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, historic houses, hostels, camping, self-catering apartments and cottages.

Maynooth Campus in County Kildare offers rooms on a university campus, from student style to superior suites. It’s an option for travelers who want a campus stay.

Getting around Ireland in 10 days

The bus is the main form of transport in rural Ireland. Bus Éireann in the Republic and Translink in Northern Ireland run coaches all around the island, and all public transport runs above ground. Check the National Journey Planner before each move between bases.

In Galway, the Latin Quarter is less than five minutes’ walk from Galway Market.

10 Days in Ireland, day by day

Day 1: Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Trinity College Dublin was founded in 1592 and is Ireland’s oldest university. The Book of Kells is displayed in Trinity’s Old Library, so start here.

Trinity’s own visitor site has the current visit details. Check it before you go.

Day 2: Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol

The Guinness Storehouse is at St. James’s Gate Brewery. Kilmainham Gaol is one of Dublin’s most popular visitor attractions.

Both are among the city’s well-known stops, so book ahead where the official sites allow it.

Day 3: Dublin Castle and St Patrick’s Cathedral

Dublin Castle is a major government complex and a key tourist attraction. St Patrick’s Cathedral stands at St Patrick’s Close, Dublin, D08 H6X3.

Enter the cathedral’s postcode in the Journey Planner to compare routes between the two.

Day 4: EPIC and the National Museum of Ireland

EPIC is in the chq Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y0. The National Museum of Ireland has two sites: Kildare Street (Dublin 2, D02 FH48) and Collins Barracks on Benburb Street (Dublin 7, D07 XKV4).

Pick one museum site if the day feels full, and save the other for a rainy day.

Day 5: Galway Cathedral and the Latin Quarter

Galway Cathedral stands on the west bank of the River Corrib, a little north and west of the city center. The Latin Quarter is reached by heading south down Lombard Street, on the right.

Day 6: Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum

The Spanish Arch is one of two remaining arches on the Ceann na Bhalla (The Head of the Wall). Galway City Museum sits behind it, at Spanish Parade, on the banks of the River Corrib, close to The Claddagh and Galway Bay.

The museum has three floors of galleries. It holds the original statue of writer Pádraic Ó Conaire and a Galway Hooker, the Máirtín Oliver. The Galway Tourist Information Centre is inside the museum (H91 CX5P), a handy place to ask about the next days.

Day 7: Salthill Beach

Salthill Beach is made up of several small beaches separated by rocky outcrops.