Well, my 7 day road trip around Ireland is over but I still look through my album of photos with a great big smile. The beauty of the country is well known but sometimes everyone needs a little bit of a jolt of wanderlust.
Well don’t take my word for it, see in these nine photos why I’ve come to love Ireland.
Read more about Ireland
- Ultimate Ireland planning guide
- 6 of the best things to do in Galway
- Ireland road trip travel guide – everything you need to know
- What to see in a week in Ireland
- 88 of the best wanderlust quotes with pictures
How to get the best deals in travel
- Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page.
- Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes.
- Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
- Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature?
- Insurance – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance.
Table of Contents
In This Article
Why A Road Trip Around Ireland Is Incredible
When it comes to deciding how to explore the Emerald Isle, I can with confidence say that a road trip around Ireland is the best way to see the country. Here’s why!
Castle On A Hill
As if lifted straight out of Game of Thrones, legends come alive at a place like the Rock of Cashel where you learn of St. Patrick and the kings of Munster.
Freshest of Seafood
You can tell a great deal about a country by its cuisine and by the look of how fresh this catch was and how good it tasted, the seafood in Dingle certainly didn’t disappoint. This is a must-do in your own road trip around Ireland.
Cliffs That Go On Forever
Instead of the traditional shot of the Cliffs of Moher, I thought I’d show you a different look that gives you a glimpse into just how far the cliffs go on in perpetuity. This is where fear of heights meets lands end.
This is one of the many things I list in the top 10 things to do on any Ireland roadtrip.
Irish Hospitality
Throughout the entire 7 day road trip in southern Ireland, I was most warmed by just how friendly everyone was everywhere we went. I particularly enjoyed our chats with the B&B owners such as this family from Slieve Elva.
Pints and Jams
Okay I know the locals will grumble but seriously you can’t go to Dublin and not do The Temple Bar, am I right? On this rainy day, we ducked inside to a packed house. With a pint of Guinness in hand, we listened to the Irish band fill the room and it was the best part of the night.
Puffin Cuteness Overload
I went to Skellig Michael to see the set of Star Wars but I got more than I bargained for with the tens of thousands of puffins that are truly a rare sight. I still cannot believe I got to witness moments like these where puffins stood all lined up at the edge.
Alien Landscapes
In a bizarre plot twist, we ended up in Burren National Park where we were transported to another planet.
Islands, Peninsulas, and Jagged Rocks
Where Ireland comes alive is at its coast and this view of the Blasket Islands from Dunquin Harbour is one of my favourites. The only thing that is missing from this scene are a flock of sheep being ferried back to the mainland from the islands.
Monastery Fit For Star Wars
I’d be remiss to not talk about Skellig Island some more. No matter your religious beliefs, you can’t help but be amazed by the courage, strength, faith, and ingenuity of the monks that lived at the top of this island in the Atlantic Ocean.
This is where you see Luke Skywalker make his long awaited appearance but having been here myself, it’s the story of this monastery and everything they built here that makes this a must-see in your road trip around Ireland.
Want More Ireland?
There’s a lot of useful content for Ireland on Going Awesome Places that you don’t want to miss to help plan your very own road trip adventure.
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.
Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.
Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.
Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.
eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.
- AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
- Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
- KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
- AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
- Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
- Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.
- HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 15% discount (from June 19-29)!
- RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
- SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
- Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
- InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
This place is astounding! I noticed a lot of shots from Game of Thrones here! How cool! :)
It’s a beautiful country! Any plans to go?
I did a 2 week escorted trip using Back Roads Touring. The country and people were fantastic. Everywhere we went we were not disappointed. Castles, mansions, history, B&B’s and don’t forget the pubs. Not many pubs had Irish music but that was expected. Well worth the money you would spend to visit the green isle.
Thanks for dropping by the blog!