23 days in Ireland Itinerary

The country's smallest city in terms of population, Kilkenny boasts a rich cultural heritage and diverse tourist attractions that include well-preserved medieval architecture, exciting nightlife, a vibrant culinary scene, and abundant shopping opportunities.

Get some cultural insight at Huntington Castle and St. Patrick's Well. Visiting Curracloe Beach and Go With The Flow - River Adventures will get you outdoors. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kilkenny: Leap Castle (in Roscrea), Ferns Castle (in Ferns) and Cashel Folk Village (in Cashel). There's more to do: take in the architecture and atmosphere at St Marys Cathedral and get engrossed in the history at Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum.

To see more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Kilkenny trip itinerary planner.

Vancouver, Canada to Kilkenny is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is 8 hours. In September in Kilkenny, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 12°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Cork.

One of the country's major artistic and cultural centers, famed for its many annual festivals, Cork straddles the Lee River and boasts over 30 bridges.

Your inner history buff will appreciate St Declan's Well and Oratory and James Fort. St. Mary's Collegiate Church and St Multose Church are good opportunities to explore the local culture. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Cork: Michael Collins Centre (in Clonakilty), Old Head Signal Tower and Lusitania Museum (in Kinsale) and Owenahincha Beach (in Rosscarbery). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Camden Fort Meagher, look for all kinds of wild species at Birds of Prey Educational Centre, make a trip to Crawford Art Gallery, and pause for some serene contemplation at Kilfaughnabeg Christ Church.

For other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Cork travel planner.

You can drive from Kilkenny to Cork in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In October in Cork, expect temperatures between 16°C during the day and 9°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Fri) 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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Kerry Cliffs and St. Mary's Cathedral. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Old Boathouse Trail and Aghadoe Church and Round Tower. Get out of town with these interesting Killarney side-trips: Old Kenmare Road (in Kenmare), Staigue Fort (in Castlecove) and Rossbeigh Beach (in Glenbeigh). Next up on the itinerary: hike along The Kerry Way and stroll through Torc Mountain Walk.

To find where to stay, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Killarney attractions planning app.

Traveling by car from Cork to Killarney takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 17°C in October, and nighttime lows around 10°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Mon) so you can go by car to Dingle.

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

Explore hidden gems such as Minard Castle and Dooks Golf Club. Get in touch with nature at Skelligs Rock and Bridges of Ross. Change things up with these side-trips from Dingle: Leacanabuaile Fort (in Cahersiveen) and Dursey Island (in Crookhaven). On the 11th (Fri), hike the day away at The Dingle Way. There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Harry Clarke Stained Glass Windows and view the masterpieces at Dingle Artworks.

To see more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Dingle day trip tool.

You can drive from Killarney to Dingle in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 17°C, and evening lows to 10°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Fri) so you can drive to Galway.

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.

Popular historic sites such as St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church and Poulnabrone Dolmen are in your itinerary. Take a break from the city and head to Burren Birds of Prey Centre and Burren National Park. Step out of Galway to go to Portumna and see The Irish Workhouse Centre, which is approximately 56 minutes away. Spend the 13th (Sun) among the memorable landscape of The Burren. It doesn't end there: walk around South Park.

For maps, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Galway online tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Dingle to Galway in 3.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In October in Galway, expect temperatures between 14°C during the day and 7°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Mon) so you can go by car to Westport.

Renowned for its Georgian architecture, Westport sits in the shadows of Croagh Patrick, considered the holiest mountain in Ireland.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Gothic Chapel and Enniscrone Golf Club. Your inner history buff will appreciate Murrisk Abbey and Ballintubber Abbey. Venture out of the city with trips to Renvyle Beach (in Renvyle), Cong (The Cong Heritage Trail & Monk's Fishing House) and Ballina (Jackie Clarke Collection & Connacht Whiskey Company). There's more to do: make a trip to The Coffin Ship and examine the collection at The Sheep and Wool Centre.

To find traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read our Westport road trip planning tool.

Drive from Galway to Westport in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Westport can reach 15°C, while at night they dip to 8°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Dublin.

A history spanning over a thousand years, vibrant nightlife, and a mix of Georgian and modern architecture make Dublin a popular European tourist destination.

Glendalough Cathedral and Trim Castle are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Malahide Castle and The Mill at Avoca Village will appeal to history buffs. Explore Dublin's surroundings by going to Wicklow Mountains National Park (in Glendalough Village) and St Mary's Abbey (in Trim). There's more to do: admire the landmark architecture of St. Michan's Church and take an in-depth tour of The Jeanie Johnston: An Irish Famine Story.

For where to stay, photos, maps, and tourist information, read Dublin driving holiday planning website.

Getting from Westport to Dublin by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 16°C, and evening lows to 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.