15 days in Ireland's West Coast Itinerary

A major hub for visitors exploring Ireland's western regions, Galway serves as a city of art and culture, renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals.

Get in touch with nature at Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre and Ireland's School of Falconry. Your inner history buff will appreciate Ashford Castle and Salthill Promenade. Step out of Galway with an excursion to The Quiet Man Museum in Cong--about 42 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: stop by Micil Distillery, paddle through the water with Kayakmor, and kick back and relax at Salthill Beaches.

For ratings, photos, maps, and tourist information, read Galway online travel planner.

New York City, USA to Galway is an approximately 13-hour combination of flight and bus. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is usually a 5 hour difference. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from New York City in October: high temperatures in Galway hover around 54°F and lows are around 44°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) early enough to drive to Clifden.

The town of Clifden represents a beloved Victorian style and is known for its position along County Galway's coast.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Mon): glide peacefully along the water with Real Adventures Connemara, then take in nature's colorful creations at Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, then kick back and relax at Silver Strand, and finally look for gifts at Cottage Handcrafts. Here are some ideas for day two: catch the contagious excitement of The Point Equestrian Centre and Pony Trekking, tour the pleasant surroundings at Dog's Bay Beach, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Coral Strand (Tra an Doilin).

To find reviews, maps, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Clifden sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Galway to Clifden in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Tue) so you can drive to Lahinch.

Home to a renowned gulf club, Lahinch has become better known as a surfing spot in recent years.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Wed): look for all kinds of wild species at Burren Birds of Prey Centre, Head underground at Aillwee Cave, then play a few rounds at Doolin Pitch & Putt, and finally get great views at Cliffs of Moher. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a leisurely stroll along Doolin Pier, kick back and relax at Fanore Beach, then hike along Clare Coastal Walk Project, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Lahinch Beach.

To see where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Lahinch vacation planning tool.

Traveling by car from Clifden to Lahinch takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 58°F in October, and nighttime lows around 47°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) early enough to travel to Dingle.

Located on Ireland's western coastline, Dingle sits between scenic mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Fri): get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, stroll through Inch Beach, and then steep yourself in history at Kilmalkedar Church. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: sample the fine beverages at Dingle Distillery, don't miss a visit to Fahan BeeHive Huts, enjoy the sand and surf at Coumeenoole Beach, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Gallarus Oratory, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Eask Tower.

To find other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Dingle trip builder tool.

Do a combination of car and ferry from Lahinch to Dingle in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. October in Dingle sees daily highs of 58°F and lows of 48°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Killarney.

Continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period, Killarney draws visitors with its picturesque natural scenery, fine restaurants, and traditional pubs.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Blarney Castle & Gardens and Muckross Abbey. Do some cultural sightseeing at Muckross House and St. Mary's Church of Ireland. Change things up with these side-trips from Killarney: Kenmare Golf Club (in Kenmare), Kinsale (Charles Fort, Kinsale Mead Co, &more) and Ring of Kerry Golf Club (in Templenoe). Spend the 12th (Mon) exploring nature at Killarney National Park. There's lots more to do: explore the historical opulence of Ross Castle, appreciate the views at Gap of Dunloe, admire the sheer force of Torc Waterfall, and sample the fine beverages at Irish Whiskey Experience.

For more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Killarney road trip tool.

You can drive from Dingle to Killarney in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In October in Killarney, expect temperatures between 58°F during the day and 48°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) so you can travel back home.