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

Two weeks in Ireland can open in Dublin, with Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol, then move west to Galway and its Spanish Arch.

At a glance

• Recommended length: 14 days
• Cities in this plan: Dublin, then Galway
• Main transport: buses and coaches
• Route planning: National Journey Planner, covering the whole island
• Accommodation listings: Fáilte Ireland registers

Is 14 days enough in Ireland?

Dublin has enough to fill four full days, from Trinity College to the National Museum of Ireland, and Galway adds two more around the cathedral, the Latin Quarter and Salthill Beach.

That leaves about eight days open. With a few more days, add stops further along the coach network. With fewer days, drop the second Dublin museum day, the National Museum of Ireland, and keep Trinity, Kilmainham Gaol and the Guinness Storehouse.

The National Journey Planner compares bus, train, tram, ferry and taxi journeys across the island. Use it to fill the open days once you know where you want to go.

When to plan 14 days in Ireland

Dublin in winter is mild but damp. Daylight is short too, with sunshine averaging 1.9 hours a day in January. By March the high reaches 50°F (10°C) and sunshine averages 3.7 hours a day. April warms to 54°F (12°C). Museums and cathedrals suit the wetter weeks, and the Galway seafront walks suit the drier ones.

Where to stay in Ireland for 14 days

Fáilte Ireland publishes registers of approved and registered accommodation across the country. They list hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, historic houses, hostels, camping, self-catering apartments and holiday cottages. Check them for a base in Dublin and another in Galway.

One option in County Kildare is Maynooth Campus Conference & Accommodation, on a university campus, with rooms from student style to superior suites.

Getting around Ireland in 14 days

Buses and coaches are one of the main ways to get around the island, and the bus is the main form of transport in rural Ireland. Bus Éireann runs coaches in the Republic of Ireland, and Translink does the same in Northern Ireland. All public transport on the island runs above ground, so views come with the ride.

The National Journey Planner covers the whole island. Use it to compare bus, train, tram, ferry and taxi options for the long leg between Dublin and Galway.

14 Days in Ireland, day by day

Day 1: Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Start at Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592 and the oldest university in Ireland. The Book of Kells is displayed in Trinity’s Old Library, so it makes a good first stop.

Trinity runs its own visitor site, so check opening hours there before you go.

Day 2: Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol

Spend the day on two of Dublin’s visits. The Guinness Storehouse is at St. James’s Gate Brewery, and Kilmainham Gaol is one of Dublin’s most popular visitor attractions.

Pick the Gaol for the morning and the Storehouse for the afternoon, and check each site’s hours and booking before you go.

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 is at St Patrick’s Close, Dublin, D08 H6X3.

Enter the cathedral’s postcode in your map app.

Day 4: EPIC and the National Museum

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

Choose one museum branch if you want a slower day. Use the postcodes above to plan the walk or bus ride between stops.

Day 5: Galway Cathedral and the Latin Quarter

Travel west to Galway by coach. Galway Cathedral stands on the west bank of the River Corrib, a little north and west of the city centre. The Latin Quarter is less than five minutes walk from Galway Market.

To reach the Latin Quarter, head south down Lombard Street, on the right. Check Bus Éireann times for the transfer from Dublin.

Day 6: Spanish Arch, City Museum and Salthill

The Spanish Arch is one of two remaining arches on the Ceann na Bhalla (The Head of the Wall), and it is home to the Galway City Museum. The museum has three floors of galleries, the original statue of writer Pádraic Ó Conaire and a Galway Hooker, the Máirtín Oliver.

The museum is at Spanish Parade, on the banks of the River Corrib, close to The Claddagh and Galway Bay. The Galway Tourist Information Centre is inside it, at H91 CX5P.

Finish at Salthill Beach, which is made up of several small beaches separated by rocky outcrops.