“Let the Emerald Isle inspire your soul’s adventure and your heart’s dreams.” -Unknown
Ireland has long been at the top of my travel wish list, so I set my sights on making 2024 the year for my next big adventure abroad after visiting England and Scotland in 2022. I’m thrilled to say I made it happen, officially checking the Emerald Isle off my list!
I planned the trip for early to mid-October, my favorite time to visit Europe. Crowds are lighter, the weather’s still pleasant, and as a bonus, I got to experience Ireland in the fall—absolutely beautiful and unexpectedly warm. In fact, before leaving, I checked the forecast and saw rain predicted for every day of my trip (classic Ireland!), but to my surprise, most days were sunny and warm. Apart from one windy, rainy day, it felt like a perfect fall adventure. So if you’re considering a trip, I’d highly recommend October.
During my journey, I kept track of each stop on my route and I’m excited to share all the highlights with you here on the blog!
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Here’s a full itinerary of each day I spent exploring Ireland:
Day 1: Fly into Dublin and check into hotel
I arrived in Dublin on an overnight flight, landing around 8 a.m., and headed to my hotel for the night in Dún Laoghaire, a charming coastal town about 20 minutes from Dublin’s city center. Although I’d hoped to explore more of Dublin on that first day, jet lag hit me hard, as it always does! So, I opted for a low-key day, wandering around Dún Laoghaire and soaking in its seaside charm while fighting to keep my eyes open. Inevitably, I turned in early, eager for the adventures to begin in full the next day.
Places of Interest:
- People’s Park (*)
- The Oratory
- The Purty Kitchen
Hotel: Royal Marine Hotel
But don’t worry—I’ll have plenty of Dublin recommendations later on, as I spent a day and a half there before flying back to the States.
Day 2: Off to Galway
Fun Fact: Ireland is about the size of Maine or South Carolina. It’s 175 miles wide and 300 miles long.
I started the day early with breakfast at the hotel before setting out at 8 a.m. for the drive to Galway. One of the things I love about Ireland is how compact it is—though “cross-country” may sound like an epic journey, driving from Dublin to Galway only takes about 2.5 hours! To put it in perspective, driving the entire length of Ireland, from Malin Head in the north to Mizen Head in the south, would only take around 8 hours.
About an hour and 20 minutes from Dublin, I stopped in the riverside town of Athlone to visit Sean’s Bar, Ireland’s oldest pub, dating all the way back to 900 AD. I ordered an Irish Coffee and listened as the bartender shared fascinating stories about the bar’s history, its legacy of whiskey-making, and upcoming documentaries aiming to establish Sean’s Bar as not just Ireland’s oldest, but possibly the world’s oldest pub. I can’t wait to see the documentary when it’s released!
Fun Fact: Back in medieval times, Sean’s Bar would flood whenever the River Shannon rose with the tide. To manage this, they cleverly slanted the floor to help drain the water, then spread sawdust and woodchips to soak up the remaining moisture. Amazingly, the floor is still slanted today, and they continue to cover it with sawdust—just as in centuries past (as you can see in the photos!).
Next, I stopped in Ballinasloe for lunch and a chance to stretch my legs. I ate at the cozy pub attached to the Gullane Hotel—a spot I’d highly recommend. After lunch, I wandered through the village, browsing a few local shops before setting off on the final stretch to Galway.
During my stay in Galway, I discovered two must-do experiences. First, take a guided walking tour—mine was led by an archaeologist who shared fascinating insights about the city’s history. Second, be sure to visit a traditional Irish music pub. I went to Tig Coili, but if it’s packed, The Quays across the street is a great alternative. While music was set to start at 7 p.m., it didn’t kick off until around 8:30 p.m.—my introduction to the relaxed pace of “Irish Time”!
Places of Interest:
- Stroll along Shop Street and Quay Street for plenty of shops and restaurants.
- Grab dinner at Murty Rabbitt’s, a cozy local favorite.
- For another pub option, check out Darcy’s Bar—a charming stone pub on the corner of Forster Street and Frenchville Lane.
- If the sun’s out, treat yourself to some ice cream from Murphy’s.
- Need a break from Irish fare? Try IL Vicolo, a charming Italian spot set in a riverside mill.
Hotel: The Galmont Hotel + Spa
Day 3: Exploring Connemara National Park
Day three brought rain and wind—the only truly dreary day of the trip, but somehow perfectly fitting for an Irish adventure. I set out for Connemara National Park, where the misty, overcast skies added a moody charm to the landscape.
Naturally, on the one rainy day, I found myself on a catamaran cruising through Killary Fjord. Braving the wind and rain, I stayed out on deck most of the trip to capture some photos (all for the ’gram, of course!). By the time we docked, I was windswept and chilled but happy with the shots I managed to get.
After leaving the harbor, I made my way to Kylemore Abbey, a breathtaking Benedictine monastery nestled beside the water. Founded in 1920, it spans 1,000 serene acres on the grounds of the historic Kylemore Castle in Connemara.
The setting felt peaceful and enchanting, with lush mountainsides framing the landscape.
While wandering the grounds, I stopped by a fence to capture photos of a gentle pony grazing against the rolling hills. To my delight, the pony strolled over to greet me, creating an unforgettable moment and the perfect photo op.
After a chilly but incredible day, I returned to Galway for a quiet evening in—complete with a hot bath and a cozy night under the covers, recharging for another unforgettable day ahead (spoiler alert: it included the Cliffs of Moher!).
That wraps up the first leg of my Irish adventure! In the next post (Part 2), I’ll take you through the final stretch of the trip, featuring highlights like exploring Killarney National Park, visiting the iconic Cliffs of Moher, a stop at Blarney Castle for the famous kiss, and much more.
I hope this post has inspired you to add Ireland to your travel wish list—it’s a country filled with rugged beauty and peaceful charm that I absolutely loved.
Let’s go places,
Sarah
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What are some other unique Ireland destinations to add to the list? Share them in the comments section below.
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