Please rate my itinerary for my upcoming trip this August
Hi all, can you please review my travel itinerary for my upcoming trip to Ireland this August with my buddies (mid-20s). The only real concern I have with it is feeling too packed and I think that feeling comes with the Northern Ireland portion. I’ve put several hours of research into this and am curious about what you all think.
Thank you!!
Day 1 – Aug 14: Travel
Overnight flight to Ireland
Sleep / recover on arrival day
Day 2 – Aug 15: Shannon → Killarney (easy day)
Arrive at Shannon
Pick up rental car
Stop: Bunratty Castle
Optional quick stop: Limerick / King John’s Castle
Drive to Killarney
Chill pub night (light drinking, early night)
Day 3 – Aug 16: Ring of Kerry
Full day driving the Ring of Kerry
Stops:
Killarney National Park
Ladies View
Evening: relaxed drinks in Killarney (moderate night)
Day 4 – Aug 17: Killarney → Galway (scenic travel day)
Drive to Galway
Ferry via Shannon Ferry
Stop: Cliffs of Moher
Arrive Galway
Walk:
Spanish Arch
Tigh Neachtain
Chill night (rest for big night tomorrow)
Day 5 – Aug 18: Galway (BIG NIGHT #1)
Optional day trips (light version):
Connemara National Park
Kylemore Abbey
Afternoon recovery / nap
Night: BIG nightlife night in Galway
Latin Quarter pubs
Live music crawl
Day 6 – Aug 19: Galway → Belfast (travel + reset)
Late morning departure (10–11 AM)
Optional single stop ONLY:
Sean’s Bar OR
Clonmacnoise
Drive to Belfast
Check in
Explore city at night
Day 7 – Aug 20: North Coast (relaxed scenic day)
Drive Belfast → coast loop
Stops:
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Giant’s Causeway
Dunluce Castle
Optional stop: Bushmills for food/beer
Return to Belfast
Chill night
Day 8 – Aug 21: Belfast → Dublin
Drive to Dublin (~2 hours)
Check in
Afternoon:
Guinness Storehouse (book 2:30–5:00 PM slot)
Evening:
Drinking night hitting pubs
Day 9 – Aug 22: Dublin (final full day – calm)
Sleep in
Optional:
Trinity College Dublin
Walking city day (Grafton Street, St. Stephen’s Green)
Early dinner
Pack
Early night (VERY important for 6 AM flight)
Day 10 – Aug 23: Fly Home
6:00 AM flight
Leave hotel ~3:30–4:00 AM