Do I need to book entry tickets for attractions in advance?

Yes, it's recommended to reserve timed entry tickets for popular sites like Trinity College Library (Book of Kells) and Kilmainham Gaol well ahead of your visit. For the Cliffs of Moher, confirm current ticketing or shuttle details before your stop.

What's the driving like on the west coast?

You'll be driving on the left side of the road once you pick up your rental car in Dublin. Expect scenic but sometimes narrow rural roads, especially in the Burren and Connemara; allow extra time and watch for farm traffic. Confirm rental rules, insurance, and toll/parking charges with your provider before you go.

Where can I experience traditional Irish music?

In Doolin, Gus O'Connor's Pub is a great spot for live traditional music on Day 3. In Galway, An Púcán and The Crane Bar are excellent choices for authentic trad sessions, particularly on Day 6. Check their schedules for start times.

Where are the best places for local food?

In Dublin, The Woollen Mills offers Irish produce. In Doolin, Gus O'Connor's Pub serves simple Irish plates. In Galway, Ard Bia at Nimmos and KAI Restaurant focus on local, seasonal dishes, including seafood. McCambridge's of Galway is great for morning pastries.

What if I arrive early at my hotel on Day 1?

If you arrive at The Dean Dublin before standard check-in hours, you can request an early check-in or store your bags at the hotel while you begin sightseeing. Your itinerary includes time to relax and unpack later in the afternoon.

O'Brien's Tower on the green clifftop above the Atlantic at the Cliffs of Moher

Photo: Berthold Werner / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sample itinerary · 7 days

Ireland for Couples: 7-Day Dublin and West Coast Drive Itinerary

Explore Ireland's vibrant capital and stunning west coast on an unforgettable journey.

Going to: Dublin and the west coast, Ireland
Length: 7 days
Travelers: Couples
Trip total: $3,036–$5,706

$3,036–$5,706

The total covers flights from Boston, Massachusetts, lodging, getting around and tickets and tours for the whole party, plus food, gas and parking estimated in the breakdown below.

Things to do

Trinity College Library (Book of Kells) (Day 1)
Short walk along the Ha'penny Bridge and Temple Bar area (Day 1)
Kilmainham Gaol (Day 2)
Dublin Castle (Day 2)
Walk back to hotel · City centre → your hotel (Day 2)
Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience (Day 3)
Doolin Cliff Walk (coastal stretch) (Day 3)
Walk through Doolin village (Day 4)
Burren National Park · Mullaghmore / karst landscape walk (Day 4)
Explore Galway Latin Quarter (self-guided stroll) (Day 4)
Connemara National Park · Visitor Centre & Diamond Hill short walk (Day 5)
Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden (Day 5)
Killary Fjord viewpoint (Scenic drive stop) (Day 5)
Evening · Optional trad music in the Latin Quarter (Day 5)
Salthill Promenade (Day 6)
Galway City Museum (Day 6)
Leisure time · shop & stroll the Latin Quarter (Day 6)
The Crane Bar · traditional music session (Day 6)

Want this for your dates?

Make this yours — free, no account, no card.

Plan a trip like this

Why this plan works

Arrive early, settle into a central boutique hotel, then see the Book of Kells and wander the lively Grafton Street / St. Stephen's Green area at an easy pace.

6:30 PM
Aer Lingus · BOS → DUB
6:30 PM
This is the sensible direct carrier for Boston–Dublin and anchors your arrival time in Dublin.
Book ahead · Fares typically open ~11 months out and are usually cheapest 2–4 months ahead
Your overnight transatlantic flight from Boston Logan to Dublin Airport; arrive at the airport before departure and prepare for passport control on arrival.
6:30 AM
Taxi / rideshare · Dublin Airport → city center
6:30 AM
Direct door-to-door transfer is fastest after an overnight flight and keeps the day flexible.
Taxi or rideshare from Dublin Airport to a central Dublin boutique hotel (Temple Bar / Grafton area); travel time varies with traffic, allow time for passport control and baggage.
7:30 AM
The Dean Dublin
7:30 AM
Central boutique location gives walkable access to Trinity and Grafton while fitting a quality-focused, romantic city break.
Boutique hotel in Harcourt Street, walkable to Grafton Street and Trinity College; request early check-in if you arrive before standard hours and store bags otherwise.
9:30 AM
Grab breakfast en route · Marqette at Terminal 1 Dublin Airport
9:30 AM
Stopping for a warm, restorative bite right after clearing arrivals gives you a comfortable recharge before heading into the city center.
A bustling food hall in Terminal 1 focused on freshly prepared Irish fare, serving hot breakfasts, fresh bakery goods, and barista-pulled espresso drinks.
10:30 AM
Trinity College Library (Book of Kells)
10:30 AM
Iconic Dublin history highlight and compact enough for your first-day energy level.
Visit the Old Library and Book of Kells exhibition at Trinity College — buy timed-entry tickets ahead where possible and allow time to enjoy the long 18th-century Long Room.
12:00 PM
Lunch · Hatch & Sons (Grafton Street)
12:00 PM
Local-gem bistro close to Trinity and Grafton that suits a leisurely first-day lunch.
Classic Irish bistro near Grafton Street offering seasonal dishes and a relaxed start to your Dublin meals program.
2:00 PM
Grafton Street stroll + St. Stephen's Green pause
2:00 PM
Clustered, walkable area perfect for stretching legs and soaking up Dublin's street-life without rushing.
Leisurely walk Grafton Street's shops and buskers, then sit or stroll around St. Stephen's Green for a relaxed early-afternoon break.
4:15 PM
The Dean Dublin Centre
4:15 PM
A mid-afternoon rest keeps the day unhurried and preserves energy for dinner and an evening walk.
Return to the hotel to relax, shower and recover from travel so you feel fresh for an evening out.
6:30 PM
Dinner · The Woollen Mills
6:30 PM
Balances iconic Irish food with a central location and a welcoming atmosphere for a first-night dinner.
Riverside restaurant focusing on Irish produce and traditional dishes with a modern touch, an iconic meal to start your culinary run.
8:30 PM
Short walk along the Ha'penny Bridge and Temple Bar area
8:30 PM
A short, romantic evening walk keeps the night relaxed and places you back near the hotel.
Post-dinner stroll across the Ha'penny Bridge into the atmospheric Temple Bar quarter; soak up nightlife without committing to a late pub session.

If you fall behind

What to cut if you fall behind: Grafton Street stroll

Plan a trip like this

Bookings & costs

$3,036–$5,706

No stay price yet for 1 night (after day 3), so they aren't in this figure.

0 of 7 bookable items booked

Food not included: about $840, listed below

0 of 7 bookable items booked

Locked in

paid or reserved

Still to book

$4,180

est. $2,904–$5,456 · 7 items

Gas & parking

$190

est. $132–$250

Booked prices are exact. Everything else is an estimate.

Know before you go

Practical notes for this trip — the things worth sorting before you leave.

Booking windows & timing

Reserve timed entry for Trinity College Library (Book of Kells) and Kilmainham Gaol well ahead; check each venue’s official booking page before you go.
Time-sensitiveTrinity College Library (Book of Kells)
Cliffs of Moher parking and visitor-centre access can be busy; confirm current ticketing or shuttle details before your planned stop.
Time-sensitiveCliffs of Moher

Getting around & driving

When you collect the rental car in Dublin you will drive on the left; confirm insurance, any young-driver or automatic-car surcharges, and local toll/parking rules with the provider.

Weather & packing

May is changeable—pack a rainproof layer, a warm midlayer and sturdy walking shoes for coastal cliffs and Connemara bog paths.

Crowds & timing

Aim for the Cliffs of Moher visit early or late in the day to avoid peak coach arrivals; check the visitor centre’s guidance when you book.
Time-sensitiveCliffs of Moher

Money

Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Ireland but carry a small amount of euros for rural cafés, parking machines and small purchases.

Health & safety

Check the CDC travel page and a travel clinic for personalized advice before you leave; carry basic meds and any prescriptions in their original containers.

Local etiquette & language

Pubs in Doolin and Galway welcome music sessions—arrive respectfully, tip at the bar, and ask before taking photos of performers.
The Crane Bar

Set up before you go

Link any purchased attraction tickets to your phone and download offline maps for rural stretches before you depart Galway for Connemara.
Connemara National Park

Getting around

On Day 4, before lunch at The Seafood Bar in Ballyvaughan, choose one adult as the designated driver. They skip all alcoholic drinks and drive the onward leg; everyone else may choose whether to drink.

Embassy & emergency

U.S. Embassy DublinIreland
See the official U.S. Embassy in Ireland site for the current address and contact page: https://ie.usembassy.gov/ — confirm current details before travel.
See the embassy website emergency contact page to confirm current numbers; do not rely on printed copies.
Confirm current details

Want this trip on your dates?

Make this yours — free, no account, no card.

Plan a trip like this

Questions about this plan

Do I need to book entry tickets for attractions in advance?: Yes, it's recommended to reserve timed entry tickets for popular sites like Trinity College Library (Book of Kells) and Kilmainham Gaol well ahead of your visit. For the Cliffs of Moher, confirm current ticketing or shuttle details before your stop.
What's the driving like on the west coast?: You'll be driving on the left side of the road once you pick up your rental car in Dublin. Expect scenic but sometimes narrow rural roads, especially in the Burren and Connemara; allow extra time and watch for farm traffic. Confirm rental rules, insurance, and toll/parking charges with your provider before you go.
Where can I experience traditional Irish music?: In Doolin, Gus O'Connor's Pub is a great spot for live traditional music on Day 3. In Galway, An Púcán and The Crane Bar are excellent choices for authentic trad sessions, particularly on Day 6. Check their schedules for start times.
Where are the best places for local food?: In Dublin, The Woollen Mills offers Irish produce. In Doolin, Gus O'Connor's Pub serves simple Irish plates. In Galway, Ard Bia at Nimmos and KAI Restaurant focus on local, seasonal dishes, including seafood. McCambridge's of Galway is great for morning pastries.
What if I arrive early at my hotel on Day 1?: If you arrive at The Dean Dublin before standard check-in hours, you can request an early check-in or store your bags at the hotel while you begin sightseeing. Your itinerary includes time to relax and unpack later in the afternoon.