Three Perfect Days: A trip to Ireland

Wild Atlantic Way

1,600 miles. One of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. The Wild Atlantic Way takes tourists along the Irish west coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north to the picturesque town of Kinsale, County Cork, in the south. You can’t see it all in one day, but we can let you in the top sites and hidden gems.

Things to do and see

Blackrock Diving Tower

A popular Galway swimming spot, Blackrock is identifiable by its metal diving tower. Don’t be surprised to see people diving into the icy Atlantic in every kind of weather. If you’re courageous, take a dip yourself.

Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are a fairly remote Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) area with only about 1,200 inhabitants. A true step back in time. Upon arrival, the ghostly silhouettes of Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer sit guarding the mouth of Galway Bay.

From hiking and glamping to Celtic churches and quaint bed and breakfasts, visitors can lean into an authentic Irish experience here. And see the UNESCO World-Heritage Site Dun Aonghasa, a large prehistoric stone fort built on the edge of 300-foot-tall cliffs.

Joyce Country Sheepdogs

Ever wondered what an active sheep farm is like? Located on a family-run farm in Connemara, Joyce Country Sheepdogs is your answer. Showtimes happen every Monday through Friday with no reservation needed. Just drop in and watch Border Collies run straight into the herd with wild smiles, scattering the sheep like bowling pins.

Roundstone

Roundstone is one of Ireland's most picturesque towns, a fishing village with colorful cottages lining the small harbor. It's a popular vacation destination for nature enthusiasts and artists because of the striking mountains and seascapes surrounding the small town. On a road trip, it's the perfect stop to be reminded of Ireland's lush and prominent natural beauty.

Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Bay

Weather permitting, stop to enjoy these two hidden public beaches just off the road. Stretch your legs, soak up the sun and take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic.

Where to eat and drink

Veldons Seafarer

Tucked away in Letterfrack Village in the heart of Connemara, this award-winning restaurant and bar is praised for its fresh seafood and delicious chowders. As the fireplace blazes, join locals deep in conversation over pints.

Kai

Located in Galway’s Westend neighborhood, this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant is all stone walls and dark wood furniture. Once seated, expect what’s in season to arrive on your plate. Kai prides itself on locally sourced ingredients and high-quality produce, with a seasonally changing menu.

Tig Cóilí

One of Galway’s most-known traditional music pubs. Located in the heart of Galway’s Latin Quarter, come here to try a pint of “Galway’s Nan Frank,” an IPA brewed specially for the bar’s patrons.

Things to do and see

Dunguaire Castle

Take a 30-to-45-minute tour of this 16th-century tower house known for hosting poets such as W.B. Yeats and George Bernard Shaw.

The Burren

Back on the road, sandy beaches and grassy patches soon give way to stark limestone fields. Shaped by geological forces, some of these rocks date back 359 million years. This is the only place in the world where Arctic-Alpine and Mediterranean plants grow side by side. Feel refreshed by the silence and solitude.

The Cliffs of Moher

A true natural wonder, this is one of Ireland’s most iconic sites. These magnificent cliffs reach a breathtaking 702 feet high and extend nearly nine miles along the sea. The view from the cliff walk is almost indescribable: jagged, water-stained rocks towering above the dark, violent sea below, like beauty and danger in a dance.

Where to eat

Gus O’Connor’s Pub

This Doolin hotspot for locals and tourists is only a 10-minute drive from the Cliffs of Moher, a hub for music, folklore and traditional Irish fare.

Hugo’s Bakery

Lahinch is Ireland’s surfing capital, and Hugo, the owner, is a big-wave surfer. However, when he’s not weaving through waves, he works with friends at the organic Moy Hill Farm to sell eggs and sourdough. The focaccia sandwich and a fresh chocolate croissant at his bakery make the perfect midday lunch.

Ballyfin Demense

Inside the stunning 5-star countryside estate, the hotel restaurant also offers non-guests its premier luxury dinner. Michelin-starred chef Richard Picard-Edwards’s creations are melt-in-your-mouth good from ingredients grown right on the grounds. Year-round, a team of gardeners cultivates fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs. This is a true farm-to-table experience.

Dublin is a warm, welcoming city shaped by literature and strewn with cobblestone streets filled with lively pubs. Drink a pint, see the sights and enjoy Ireland’s capital. You can’t see it all in one day, but here’s where to start.

Things to do and see

Tours

Visiting a city so historically rich, sometimes a tour is the best way to appreciate its past. Here’s what we recommend:

• After Hours Tour at The Little Museum of Dublin: Set inside a Georgian townhouse, the museum is filled with oddball memorabilia and historical artifacts. There is a letter from Samuel Beckett to the boy who lived in his childhood home, a copy of James Joyce’s death mask and an unopened bottle of lemonade from 1918.
• Guinness Storehouse: The home of Ireland’s most famous beer. Experience all the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of this iconic stout. Stop into the café, dining hall and the Gravity Bar, a venue perched atop the storehouse with stunning 360-degree city views. Did you really think you could come without having a pint? (Even if it’s a Guinness 0, the brand’s non-alcoholic brew.)
• Dublin Castle: Built on a Viking settlement in the 13th century, this castle was once the headquarters of British rule in Ireland. Today, it's an essential government building and popular tourist attraction. Its daily guided tours take visitors back to medieval Dublin, through the Gothic Chapel Royal and the old State Apartments of the viceregal court.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Over 10 million people have emigrated from Ireland. Discover why at this museum and see how these people have impacted the world through interactive exhibits showcasing the far-reaching influence of the Irish people.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum

From 1796 to 1924, this infamous jail housed revolutionaries who participated in several armed rebellions and a civil war that eventually won Ireland’s independence from Britian in 1921. Today, the museum is a memorial for the intertwined history of the prison and Ireland’s political struggles.

Trinity College Dublin

Founded in 1592, Trinity remains one of Dublin’s crown jewels with culturally notable alumni like Oscar Wilde and Edmund Burke. The campus includes historic landmarks like the stunning Long Library Room, home to the illuminated medieval manuscript, the Book of Kells.

St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin

Step inside the heart of Dublin’s culture for the last 800 years. As the largest cathedral in Ireland, St. Patrick’s remains an important pilgrimage site and an active religious space today. Learn about the cathedral’s centuries-long history with a free guided tour.

Where to eat and drink

Frank’s

On Camden Street, this natural wine bar radiates with infectious laughter while a flurry of small plates and glasses of vinho verde rush past you.

The Long Hall

One of the oldest pubs in Dublin, providing guests with an enchanting look into the city’s Victorian past. Decorating the walls are engravings of the dealings between Russian Emperor Paul I and Polish patriot Kosiusko alongside prints of Gainsborough ladies.

ETTO

An intimate spot tucked away on Merrion Row, ETTO serves a seasonally rotating menu of locally sourced ingredients. Relax at wooden tables surrounded by clean white walls as gorgeous modern dishes begin to fill the table. Best of all? The food tastes better than it looks.

Ireland’s warm hospitality bleeds into every part of this beautiful country, so it’s no surprise that the traditional Irish greeting, “Céad Míle Fáilte,” literally translates to “a hundred thousand welcomes.” Whether winding down rugged countryside roads or tucked away in some dimly lit pub, you’re bound to make an unforgettable memory or two.