Dublin

Aircoach from Dublin Airport to city centre(35 minutes)

The Aircoach (route 700) runs every 15 min to St. Stephen's Green/O'Connell Street for about €7-8 single; alternatively the Airlink 747 takes a Leap Card. Buy a Leap Visitor Card at the airport (3-day ~€16) for the rest of your trip.

Hotel check-in around St. Stephen's Green or Temple Bar(45 minutes)

Base yourself south of the Liffey near Grafton Street or Dame Street — central, walkable, and away from the edgier north inner city after dark.

Walk Grafton Street & St. Stephen's Green(1.5 hours)

Stroll Dublin's pedestrian shopping spine, listen to the buskers, and rest in the Victorian gardens of St. Stephen's Green (free, closes at dusk).

First pint and dinner at Kehoe's, South Anne Street(2 hours)

A snug Victorian pub off Grafton Street — a pint of Guinness here runs about €6 versus €8-10 in Temple Bar. Order the seafood chowder or settle for pub toasties.

Trinity College & the Book of Kells(1.5 hours)

Book the earliest online slot (~€18.50-25) to beat the crowds. See the 9th-century illuminated manuscript and the barrel-vaulted Long Room library, then take the free student-led campus tour.

National Museum of Ireland — Archaeology, Kildare Street(1.5 hours)

Free entry. See the bog bodies, the Tara Brooch, and Celtic gold hoards — a five-minute walk from Trinity.

Lunch at Avoca Café, Suffolk Street(1 hour)

Bright self-service café above the Avoca shop; good salads and bakes, mains around €12-15.

Wander Georgian Dublin — Merrion Square & Fitzwilliam Street(1.5 hours)

Photograph the famous coloured Georgian doors, see the reclining Oscar Wilde statue in Merrion Square park, and admire the most complete Georgian streetscape in Europe (free).

Evening trad session at The Cobblestone, Smithfield(2.5 hours)

Take the Luas red line to Smithfield. This is the real-deal trad pub — music from around 7PM, no cover, arrive early for a seat near the musicians; a pint of Guinness is about €6.50.

Guinness Storehouse, St. James's Gate(2 hours)

Book a timed slot online for a discount (~€26-30). Seven storeys ending in the 360° Gravity Bar where your included pint comes with the best free view in Dublin. Reach it via Luas red line to James's, or the 13/40 bus.

Lunch at The Fumbally, Fumbally Lane(1 hour)

A beloved Liberties café in a converted warehouse — sourdough, soups, and good coffee, mains around €10-14. A short walk east of the brewery.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery tour, Newmarket(1 hour)

Dublin's first new distillery in over 125 years. The standard tour with tastings is about €20 — a fine counterpoint to the stout.

St. Patrick's Cathedral(45 minutes)

Ireland's largest church (founded 1191), where Jonathan Swift was dean and is buried. Entry ~€9; sit in the adjoining park afterward for a calm green pause.

Dinner & pints at The Long Hall, South Great George's Street(2 hours)

A gorgeous Victorian pub with chandeliers and dark wood, well away from Temple Bar prices. Eat nearby on George's Street, then settle in for an evening pint.

Kilmainham Gaol guided tour(1.5 hours)

Tickets (~€8) sell out days ahead — book online early. A haunting 18th-century prison where the 1916 Rising leaders were executed; one of Ireland's most moving sites. Take the 69/79 bus or Luas red line to Suir Road.

Lunch back in the centre at Queen of Tarts, Cork Hill(1 hour)

Beside Dublin Castle — homemade savoury tarts, quiches, and famous cakes, around €10-14.

Dublin Castle State Apartments(1 hour)

An 800-year seat of power blending medieval, Georgian, and modern halls. Self-guided or guided tour ~€8.

Chester Beatty Library(1 hour)

Free entry, in the castle grounds. One of Europe's finest collections of world manuscripts, sacred texts, and miniatures — quiet and dazzling.

Christ Church Cathedral & dinner in the area(2 hours)

Dublin's oldest cathedral (entry ~€8) with a vast medieval crypt. Afterward eat nearby — try the Brazen Head, Ireland's oldest pub (est. 1198), for hearty stew and a pint.

DART north to Howth(25 minutes)

From Connolly or Tara Street station, ~€3 each way with Leap Card. A scenic coastal run to the fishing village at the end of the line.

Howth Cliff Walk loop(2.5 hours)

Take the green/purple looped clifftop trail over the bay (free) — sweeping views to Ireland's Eye and the Baily Lighthouse. Wear proper shoes; the path is exposed and breezy.

Seafood lunch at the pier(1.5 hours)

Fresh fish at Octopussy's Tapas or fish and chips from Beshoff Bros on the West Pier (~€12-18). Watch the seals beg below the harbour wall.

Return DART & free evening in the city(Afternoon)

Head back and take it easy — a rest period after the walking. Browse the bookshops on Dawson Street (Hodges Figgis) or relax before dinner.

Dinner at a Camden Street spot(2 hours)

Camden/Wexford Street is where Dubliners actually eat and drink — try Pickle for Indian, or grab a pint at the no-frills Anseo.

Phoenix Park by bike(2.5 hours)

One of Europe's largest enclosed parks (707 hectares). Rent a bike at the Parkgate Street entrance (Phoenix Park Bikes, ~€20/half-day) to reach the wild fallow deer near the Papal Cross, the Wellington Monument, and Áras an Uachtaráin. Take Luas red line to Heuston.

Lunch at the Phoenix Café or back in Stoneybatter(1 hour)

Grab a bite in the park, or cross to Stoneybatter — Dublin's hippest village — for brunch at L. Mulligan Grocer.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, CHQ Building(1.5 hours)

An award-winning interactive museum on the Irish diaspora down at the docklands (~€21). Engaging even if Ireland isn't in your family tree.

Temple Bar district & weekend food market(1.5 hours)

Wander the cobbled cultural quarter and galleries (free). On a Saturday, the Temple Bar Food Market on Meeting House Square is great. Soak the atmosphere here, but drink a few streets over to save money.

Trad and pints at The Stag's Head, Dame Court(2.5 hours)

A stunning Victorian pub down a laneway off Dame Street — Guinness around €6.50 and a proper Dublin crowd. A characterful last-but-one evening.

Breakfast at Brother Hubbard, Capel Street(1 hour)

A bright Middle-Eastern-leaning brunch spot just north of the river; the eggs and house breads are excellent (~€12-15).

Last-minute shopping on Grafton Street & Powerscourt Centre(1.5 hours)

Pick up Irish wool, Avoca goods, or Butlers chocolates. The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is a lovely Georgian mall for crafts and gifts.

Final coffee & people-watching(45 minutes)

Sit at Bewley's Grafton Street, the historic café with stained-glass windows, for a last cup before you go.

Aircoach to Dublin Airport(40 minutes)

Allow plenty of buffer — the Aircoach (~€7-8) departs frequently from the centre. Get to DUB at least 2 hours before a short-haul flight, 3 for transatlantic.

Aircoach from Dublin Airport to city centre(35 minutes)

The Aircoach (route 700) runs every 15 min to St. Stephen's Green/O'Connell Street for about €7-8 single. Buy a Leap Visitor Card at the airport (7-day ~€32) for unlimited bus, Luas, and DART travel the whole trip.

Hotel check-in around St. Stephen's Green or Temple Bar(45 minutes)

Base yourself south of the Liffey near Grafton Street or Dame Street — central, walkable, and away from the edgier north inner city after dark.

Walk Grafton Street & St. Stephen's Green(1.5 hours)

Stroll Dublin's pedestrian shopping spine, listen to the buskers, and rest in the Victorian gardens of St. Stephen's Green (free, closes at dusk).

First pint and dinner at Kehoe's, South Anne Street(2 hours)

A snug Victorian pub off Grafton Street — a pint of Guinness here runs about €6 versus €8-10 in Temple Bar. Order the seafood chowder or settle for pub toasties.

Trinity College & the Book of Kells(1.5 hours)

Book the earliest online slot (~€18.50-25) to beat the crowds. See the 9th-century illuminated manuscript and the barrel-vaulted Long Room library, then take the free student-led campus tour.

National Museum of Ireland — Archaeology, Kildare Street(1.5 hours)

Free entry. See the bog bodies, the Tara Brooch, and Celtic gold hoards — a five-minute walk from Trinity.

Lunch at Avoca Café, Suffolk Street(1 hour)

Bright self-service café above the Avoca shop; good salads and bakes, mains around €12-15.

Wander Georgian Dublin — Merrion Square & Fitzwilliam Street(1.5 hours)

Photograph the famous coloured Georgian doors, see the reclining Oscar Wilde statue in Merrion Square park, and admire the most complete Georgian streetscape in Europe (free).

Evening trad session at The Cobblestone, Smithfield(2.5 hours)

Take the Luas red line to Smithfield. This is the real-deal trad pub — music from around 7PM, no cover, arrive early for a seat near the musicians; a pint of Guinness is about €6.50.

Guinness Storehouse, St. James's Gate(2 hours)

Book a timed slot online for a discount (~€26-30). Seven storeys ending in the 360° Gravity Bar where your included pint comes with the best free view in Dublin. Reach it via Luas red line to James's, or the 13/40 bus.

Lunch at The Fumbally, Fumbally Lane(1 hour)

A beloved Liberties café in a converted warehouse — sourdough, soups, and good coffee, mains around €10-14. A short walk east of the brewery.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery tour, Newmarket(1 hour)

Dublin's first new distillery in over 125 years. The standard tour with tastings is about €20 — a fine counterpoint to the stout.

St. Patrick's Cathedral(45 minutes)

Ireland's largest church (founded 1191), where Jonathan Swift was dean and is buried. Entry ~€9; sit in the adjoining park afterward for a calm green pause.

Dinner & pints at The Long Hall, South Great George's Street(2 hours)

A gorgeous Victorian pub with chandeliers and dark wood, well away from Temple Bar prices. Eat nearby on George's Street, then settle in for an evening pint.

Kilmainham Gaol guided tour(1.5 hours)

Tickets (~€8) sell out days ahead — book online early. A haunting 18th-century prison where the 1916 Rising leaders were executed; one of Ireland's most moving sites. Take the 69/79 bus or Luas red line to Suir Road.

Lunch back in the centre at Queen of Tarts, Cork Hill(1 hour)

Beside Dublin Castle — homemade savoury tarts, quiches, and famous cakes, around €10-14.

Dublin Castle State Apartments(1 hour)

An 800-year seat of power blending medieval, Georgian, and modern halls. Self-guided or guided tour ~€8.

Chester Beatty Library(1 hour)

Free entry, in the castle grounds. One of Europe's finest collections of world manuscripts, sacred texts, and miniatures — quiet and dazzling.

Christ Church Cathedral & dinner at the Brazen Head(2 hours)

Dublin's oldest cathedral (entry ~€8) with a vast medieval crypt. Then dine at the Brazen Head, Ireland's oldest pub (est. 1198), for hearty Irish stew and a pint.

DART north to Howth(25 minutes)

From Connolly or Tara Street station, ~€3 each way with Leap Card. A scenic coastal run to the fishing village at the end of the line.

Howth Cliff Walk loop(2.5 hours)

Take the green/purple looped clifftop trail over the bay (free) — sweeping views to Ireland's Eye and the Baily Lighthouse. Wear proper shoes; the path is exposed and breezy.

Seafood lunch at the pier(1.5 hours)

Fresh fish at Octopussy's Tapas or fish and chips from Beshoff Bros on the West Pier (~€12-18). Watch the seals beg below the harbour wall.

Return DART & free evening in the city(Afternoon)

Head back and take it easy — a rest period after the walking. Browse the bookshops on Dawson Street (Hodges Figgis) or relax before dinner.

Dinner at a Camden Street spot(2 hours)

Camden/Wexford Street is where Dubliners actually eat and drink — try Pickle for Indian, or grab a pint at the no-frills Anseo.

Phoenix Park by bike(2.5 hours)

One of Europe's largest enclosed parks (707 hectares). Rent a bike at the Parkgate Street entrance (Phoenix Park Bikes, ~€20/half-day) to reach the wild fallow deer near the Papal Cross, the Wellington Monument, and Áras an Uachtaráin. Take Luas red line to Heuston.

Lunch in Stoneybatter(1 hour)

Cross to Stoneybatter — Dublin's hippest village — for brunch at L. Mulligan Grocer or a flat white at Two Pups Coffee.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, CHQ Building(1.5 hours)

An award-winning interactive museum on the Irish diaspora down at the docklands (~€21). Engaging even if Ireland isn't in your family tree.

Dublinia & a Liffey boardwalk walk(1 hour)

If you have energy, Dublinia (~€12) recreates Viking and medieval Dublin beside Christ Church; otherwise walk the riverside boardwalk back toward the centre.

Trad and pints at The Stag's Head, Dame Court(2.5 hours)

A stunning Victorian pub down a laneway off Dame Street — Guinness around €6.50 and a proper Dublin crowd.

National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square(1.5 hours)

Free entry. A superb collection including Caravaggio's 'The Taking of Christ' and a fine Jack B. Yeats room.

Lunch at the Avoca rooftop or George's Street Arcade(1 hour)

Browse George's Street Arcade, a Victorian covered market with vintage stalls and food, and grab a bite there.

Temple Bar district & galleries(1.5 hours)

Wander the cobbled cultural quarter, the Irish Film Institute, and the Gallery of Photography (free). On a Saturday, hit the Temple Bar Food Market on Meeting House Square.

Free afternoon / spa or rest(Afternoon)

Rest period — nap, browse the Winding Stair bookshop by the Ha'penny Bridge, or relax with coffee before another active week of day trips.

Dinner at Klaw or a Dame Lane spot(2 hours)

Casual crab shack Klaw does excellent seafood; or eat along Dame Lane and Drury Street where Dublin's better restaurants cluster.

Coach tour to Glendalough(1.5 hours each way)

Day tours (e.g. from the city centre, ~€30-40) head over the Wicklow Gap. Sit on the left for the best views. Alternatively, the St. Kevin's Bus from St. Stephen's Green runs twice daily (~€20 return).

Glendalough monastic site & round tower(1.5 hours)

A 6th-century monastery founded by St. Kevin, with its iconic round tower and ruined cathedral (free to wander). The visitor centre is ~€5.

Walk to the Upper Lake(1.5 hours)

Follow the lakeside trail to the dramatic Upper Lake; the Spinc and Glenealo Valley loops climb higher for those with energy and good shoes.

Stop in Wicklow village or Sally Gap(1 hour)

Many tours stop at a scenic mountain viewpoint or for tea in a Wicklow village — film fans will recognise the 'PS I Love You' and 'Braveheart' landscapes.

Return to Dublin & quiet dinner(2 hours)

Back in the city by early evening. Keep it low-key — try a curry on Camden Street or comfort food at The Hairy Lemon near Dame Street.

DART south to Dún Laoghaire(20 minutes)

~€3 with Leap Card. Walk the East and West Piers of this elegant Victorian harbour town; grab a Teddy's 99 ice cream by tradition.

DART on to Dalkey village(10 minutes)

A pretty 'Heritage Town' once home to writers and rock stars. Visit Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre (~€11) with its living-history actors.

Lunch in Dalkey(1 hour)

Eat at the cosy Corner Note Café or grab fish and chips; mains €12-16. Coliemore Harbour nearby looks across to Dalkey Island.

Climb Killiney Hill(1.5 hours)

A short walk up to the obelisk for a panorama some call 'Ireland's Bay of Naples', sweeping over Killiney Bay and the Wicklow coast (free).

Sunset pint and DART home(2 hours)

Have a pint at Finnegan's of Dalkey (a Bono local) before catching the DART back. Dinner in the city when you return.

Train from Heuston to Kilkenny(1.5 hours each way)

Irish Rail runs direct trains from Dublin Heuston (~€20-30 return; cheaper if booked ahead online). A comfortable run through the midlands.

Kilkenny Castle & gardens(1.5 hours)

A magnificent 12th-century Norman castle with restored Victorian interiors (~€8) and free public parkland behind it.

Lunch & the Kilkenny Design Centre(1.5 hours)

Eat at the Design Centre café opposite the castle and browse top Irish crafts in the old castle stables.

Walk the Medieval Mile to St. Canice's Cathedral(1.5 hours)

Wander narrow medieval lanes ('slips') to St. Canice's Cathedral; climb its 9th-century round tower (~€4 cathedral, +€4 tower) for rooftop views.

Pint at Kytelers Inn, then train home(1 hour)

A pint at the 14th-century Kytelers Inn (linked to a famous witch trial) before catching the evening train back to Dublin.

National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin(1.5 hours)

Free entry. Restored Victorian glasshouses and beautiful grounds along the Tolka. Take the 4/9 bus or Luas green line to the area.

Glasnevin Cemetery & Museum tour(1.5 hours)

Linked to the gardens by a back gate. Ireland's national cemetery holds Daniel O'Connell, Michael Collins, and Parnell; the guided tour (~€16) is genuinely gripping storytelling.

Lunch at the Gravediggers (John Kavanagh's)(1 hour)

A legendary 1833 pub by the cemetery wall — no music, no TV, just great pints and a small tapas-style food menu.

Return to the centre — Hugh Lane Gallery & Garden of Remembrance(1.5 hours)

Back south to Parnell Square: the free Hugh Lane Gallery houses Francis Bacon's reconstructed studio and Impressionist works, beside the Garden of Remembrance.

Dinner on Capel Street(2 hours)

Capel Street, now pedestrianised, is Dublin's most diverse food strip — try Lucky Tortoise dumplings or Hilan for Korean.

Coach tour to Brú na Bóinne(1 hour each way)

Day tours from the centre (~€35-50) handle the logistics. Newgrange can only be entered via the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre — independent visitors must book the centre shuttle (~€18) well ahead.

Newgrange passage tomb(1.5 hours)

A 5,200-year-old passage tomb famed for its winter-solstice light alignment, entered with a guide. Stoop into the chamber for the demonstration of the roof-box beam.

Lunch at the visitor centre or a Boyne Valley village(1 hour)

The centre café or a stop in Slane/Trim depending on the tour route; light meals €10-14.

Hill of Tara(1 hour)

The ancient inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland — grassy mounds with vast views over the Meath plains (free). A quietly powerful place.

Return to Dublin & relaxed evening(2 hours)

Back by early evening. A calmer night — perhaps the Irish House Party for music and dinner, or just a quiet local pint.

Late breakfast at Brother Hubbard, Capel Street(1 hour)

A leisurely brunch of eggs and house breads (~€12-15) to start a slow day.

Optional sea swim at the Forty Foot, Sandycove(1.5 hours)

DART to Sandycove for the bracing bathing spot below the James Joyce Tower (free). Or skip it for a spa treatment in the city — your rest, your call.

Revisit a favourite or browse the Iveagh Gardens(1.5 hours)

Return to a museum or pub you loved, or laze in the hidden Iveagh Gardens behind the National Concert Hall — Dublin's 'secret garden' (free).

Afternoon tea or coffee break(1 hour)

Treat yourself to afternoon tea at The Shelbourne or a quiet flat white somewhere on Drury Street.

Farewell dinner at Etto or The Pig's Ear(2.5 hours)

A standout final meal — Etto (Merrion Row) for modern Italian-Irish small plates, or The Pig's Ear overlooking Trinity for refined Irish cooking.

Breakfast near your hotel(1 hour)

A final Irish breakfast — Bewley's on Grafton Street or your neighbourhood café (~€12).

Last-minute shopping on Grafton Street & Powerscourt Centre(1.5 hours)

Pick up Irish wool, Avoca goods, or Butlers chocolates. The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is a lovely Georgian mall for crafts and gifts.

Final coffee & people-watching(45 minutes)

Sit at Bewley's Grafton Street, the historic café with stained-glass windows, for a last cup before you go.

Aircoach to Dublin Airport(40 minutes)

Allow plenty of buffer — the Aircoach (~€7-8) departs frequently from the centre. Get to DUB at least 2 hours before a short-haul flight, 3 for transatlantic.

Aircoach from Dublin Airport to city centre(35 minutes)

The Aircoach (route 700) runs every 15 min to St. Stephen's Green/O'Connell Street for about €7-8 single. Buy a Leap Visitor Card at the airport (top up as needed) for unlimited bus, Luas, and DART travel.

Hotel check-in around St. Stephen's Green or Temple Bar(45 minutes)

Base yourself south of the Liffey near Grafton Street or Dame Street — central, walkable, and away from the edgier north inner city after dark.

Walk Grafton Street & St. Stephen's Green(1.5 hours)

Stroll Dublin's pedestrian shopping spine, listen to the buskers, and rest in the Victorian gardens of St. Stephen's Green (free, closes at dusk).

First pint and dinner at Kehoe's, South Anne Street(2 hours)

A snug Victorian pub off Grafton Street — a pint of Guinness here runs about €6 versus €8-10 in Temple Bar. Order the seafood chowder or settle for pub toasties.

Trinity College & the Book of Kells(1.5 hours)

Book the earliest online slot (~€18.50-25) to beat the crowds. See the 9th-century illuminated manuscript and the barrel-vaulted Long Room library, then take the free student-led campus tour.

National Museum of Ireland — Archaeology, Kildare Street(1.5 hours)

Free entry. See the bog bodies, the Tara Brooch, and Celtic gold hoards — a five-minute walk from Trinity.

Lunch at Avoca Café, Suffolk Street(1 hour)

Bright self-service café above the Avoca shop; good salads and bakes, mains around €12-15.

Wander Georgian Dublin — Merrion Square & Fitzwilliam Street(1.5 hours)

Photograph the famous coloured Georgian doors, see the reclining Oscar Wilde statue in Merrion Square park, and admire the most complete Georgian streetscape in Europe (free).

Evening trad session at The Cobblestone, Smithfield(2.5 hours)

Take the Luas red line to Smithfield. This is the real-deal trad pub — music from around 7PM, no cover, arrive early for a seat near the musicians; a pint of Guinness is about €6.50.

Guinness Storehouse, St. James's Gate(2 hours)

Book a timed slot online for a discount (~€26-30). Seven storeys ending in the 360° Gravity Bar where your included pint comes with the best free view in Dublin. Reach it via Luas red line to James's, or the 13/40 bus.

Lunch at The Fumbally, Fumbally Lane(1 hour)

A beloved Liberties café in a converted warehouse — sourdough, soups, and good coffee, mains around €10-14. A short walk east of the brewery.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery tour, Newmarket(1 hour)

Dublin's first new distillery in over 125 years. The standard tour with tastings is about €20 — a fine counterpoint to the stout.

St. Patrick's Cathedral(45 minutes)

Ireland's largest church (founded 1191), where Jonathan Swift was dean and is buried. Entry ~€9; sit in the adjoining park afterward for a calm green pause.

Dinner & pints at The Long Hall, South Great George's Street(2 hours)

A gorgeous Victorian pub with chandeliers and dark wood, well away from Temple Bar prices. Eat nearby on George's Street, then settle in for an evening pint.

Kilmainham Gaol guided tour(1.5 hours)

Tickets (~€8) sell out days ahead — book online early. A haunting 18th-century prison where the 1916 Rising leaders were executed; one of Ireland's most moving sites. Take the 69/79 bus or Luas red line to Suir Road.

Lunch back in the centre at Queen of Tarts, Cork Hill(1 hour)

Beside Dublin Castle — homemade savoury tarts, quiches, and famous cakes, around €10-14.

Dublin Castle State Apartments(1 hour)

An 800-year seat of power blending medieval, Georgian, and modern halls. Self-guided or guided tour ~€8.

Chester Beatty Library(1 hour)

Free entry, in the castle grounds. One of Europe's finest collections of world manuscripts, sacred texts, and miniatures — quiet and dazzling.

Christ Church Cathedral & dinner at the Brazen Head(2 hours)

Dublin's oldest cathedral (entry ~€8) with a vast medieval crypt. Then dine at the Brazen Head, Ireland's oldest pub (est. 1198), for hearty Irish stew and a pint.

DART north to Howth(25 minutes)

From Connolly or Tara Street station, ~€3 each way with Leap Card. A scenic coastal run to the fishing village at the end of the line.

Howth Cliff Walk loop(2.5 hours)

Take the green/purple looped clifftop trail over the bay (free) — sweeping views to Ireland's Eye and the Baily Lighthouse. Wear proper shoes; the path is exposed and breezy.

Seafood lunch at the pier(1.5 hours)

Fresh fish at Octopussy's Tapas or fish and chips from Beshoff Bros on the West Pier (~€12-18). Watch the seals beg below the harbour wall.

Return DART & free evening in the city(Afternoon)

Head back and take it easy — a rest period after the walking. Browse the bookshops on Dawson Street (Hodges Figgis) or relax before dinner.

Dinner at a Camden Street spot(2 hours)

Camden/Wexford Street is where Dubliners actually eat and drink — try Pickle for Indian, or grab a pint at the no-frills Anseo.

Phoenix Park by bike(2.5 hours)

One of Europe's largest enclosed parks (707 hectares). Rent a bike at the Parkgate Street entrance (Phoenix Park Bikes, ~€20/half-day) to reach the wild fallow deer near the Papal Cross, the Wellington Monument, and Áras an Uachtaráin. Take Luas red line to Heuston.

Lunch in Stoneybatter(1 hour)

Cross to Stoneybatter — Dublin's hippest village — for brunch at L. Mulligan Grocer or a flat white at Two Pups Coffee.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, CHQ Building(1.5 hours)

An award-winning interactive museum on the Irish diaspora down at the docklands (~€21). Engaging even if Ireland isn't in your family tree.

Dublin Writers Museum / MoLI literary stroll(1 hour)

Visit MoLI (the Museum of Literature Ireland, ~€10) on St. Stephen's Green to see the first copy of Joyce's Ulysses, then walk the Georgian streets Joyce wrote about.

Trad and pints at The Stag's Head, Dame Court(2.5 hours)

A stunning Victorian pub down a laneway off Dame Street — Guinness around €6.50 and a proper Dublin crowd.

National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square(1.5 hours)

Free entry. A superb collection including Caravaggio's 'The Taking of Christ' and a fine Jack B. Yeats room.

Lunch at George's Street Arcade(1 hour)

Browse George's Street Arcade, a Victorian covered market with vintage stalls and food, and grab a bite there.

Temple Bar district & galleries(1.5 hours)

Wander the cobbled cultural quarter, the Irish Film Institute, and the Gallery of Photography (free). On a Saturday, hit the Temple Bar Food Market on Meeting House Square.

Free afternoon / rest(Afternoon)

Rest period — nap, browse the Winding Stair bookshop by the Ha'penny Bridge, or relax with coffee before the road trips.

Dinner at Klaw or a Drury Street spot(2 hours)

Casual crab shack Klaw does excellent seafood; or eat along Drury Street where Dublin's better restaurants cluster.

Coach tour to Glendalough(1.5 hours each way)

Day tours from the city centre (~€30-40) head over the Wicklow Gap. Sit on the left for the best views. Alternatively, the St. Kevin's Bus from St. Stephen's Green runs twice daily (~€20 return).

Glendalough monastic site & round tower(1.5 hours)

A 6th-century monastery founded by St. Kevin, with its iconic round tower and ruined cathedral (free to wander). The visitor centre is ~€5.

Walk to the Upper Lake(1.5 hours)

Follow the lakeside trail to the dramatic Upper Lake; the Spinc and Glenealo Valley loops climb higher for those with energy and good shoes.

Stop at Sally Gap or a Wicklow village(1 hour)

Many tours stop at a scenic mountain viewpoint or for tea — film fans will recognise the 'PS I Love You' and 'Braveheart' landscapes.

Return to Dublin & quiet dinner(2 hours)

Back in the city by early evening. Keep it low-key — a curry on Camden Street or comfort food at The Hairy Lemon near Dame Street.

DART south to Dún Laoghaire(20 minutes)

~€3 with Leap Card. Walk the East and West Piers of this elegant Victorian harbour town; grab a Teddy's 99 ice cream by tradition.

DART on to Dalkey village(10 minutes)

A pretty 'Heritage Town' once home to writers and rock stars. Visit Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre (~€11) with its living-history actors.

Lunch in Dalkey(1 hour)

Eat at the cosy Corner Note Café or grab fish and chips; mains €12-16. Coliemore Harbour nearby looks across to Dalkey Island.

Climb Killiney Hill(1.5 hours)

A short walk up to the obelisk for a panorama some call 'Ireland's Bay of Naples', sweeping over Killiney Bay and the Wicklow coast (free).

Sunset pint and DART home(2 hours)

Have a pint at Finnegan's of Dalkey (a Bono local) before catching the DART back. Dinner in the city when you return.

Train from Heuston to Galway(2.5 hours)

Irish Rail runs direct trains (~€25-40 return; cheaper booked ahead). A scenic ride west across the midlands; check into a Galway guesthouse near Eyre Square or the Latin Quarter.

Walk the Latin Quarter & Quay Street(1.5 hours)

Wander the colourful pedestrian streets, the Spanish Arch, and the Long Walk along the Corrib. Buskers everywhere — Galway feels like a permanent festival.

Seafood lunch at McDonagh's, Quay Street(1 hour)

An institution for fish and chips and fresh Galway Bay oysters (~€15-25).

Galway City Museum & Salthill promenade(1.5 hours)

The free city museum sits by the Spanish Arch; then take the bus or walk to Salthill for the seaside prom and the tradition of 'kicking the wall' at the end.

Trad session at Tig Cóilí or The Crane Bar(2.5 hours)

Galway's trad is among Ireland's best — Tig Cóilí has two sessions a day; The Crane Bar is a beloved music pub. Arrive early, pint ~€6.

Coach down the Wild Atlantic Way(1.5 hours)

Galway-based day tours (~€30-40) run along the coast through Kinvara and Ballyvaughan; the driver-guide narrates the way.

Cliffs of Moher(2 hours)

Ireland's iconic 214m sea cliffs (visitor centre ~€12, often included in tours). Walk to O'Brien's Tower and along the clifftop trail — hold onto hats, it's relentlessly windy.

Lunch & Doolin village(1.5 hours)

Many tours stop in Doolin, the trad-music village; lunch at Gus O'Connor's pub (~€14-18).

The Burren & Poulnabrone Dolmen(1.5 hours)

Drive through the surreal karst landscape of the Burren to the 5,000-year-old Poulnabrone portal tomb (free), one of Ireland's most photographed ancient sites.

Return to Galway & evening pint(2 hours)

Back in Galway by early evening. Dinner in the Latin Quarter, then a last quiet pint before tomorrow's journey.

Morning Connemara loop (optional half-day tour)(3 hours)

If time allows before your train, a short Connemara excursion takes in Kylemore Abbey's lakeside setting and the bog-and-mountain scenery (abbey ~€16). Or simply enjoy a slow Galway morning by the Corrib.

Lunch in Galway(1 hour)

A final Galway bite — Kai or Ard Bia for something special, or a quick toastie at a Latin Quarter café before the station.

Train from Galway back to Heuston(2.5 hours)

Relax on the eastbound train. Re-check into your Dublin hotel on arrival.

Easy Dublin evening(2 hours)

A low-key night after travel — a quiet pint at Grogan's (Castle Market), known for its toasted sandwiches and arty regulars, and an early dinner nearby.

Late brunch at Brother Hubbard, Capel Street(1.5 hours)

Eggs, house breads, and excellent coffee (~€12-15) to start a slow day.

Iveagh Gardens or a museum revisit(1.5 hours)

Laze in the hidden Iveagh Gardens behind the National Concert Hall (free), or return to a favourite free museum at your own pace.

Afternoon tea or spa(1.5 hours)

Treat yourself — afternoon tea at The Shelbourne or The Westbury, or a spa session to ease travel-weary legs.

Stroll the docklands & Grand Canal(1 hour)

Walk the regenerated Grand Canal Dock and Samuel Beckett Bridge for modern Dublin and waterside calm.

Relaxed dinner & pint(2 hours)

Keep it simple — pizza at Pi on South Great George's Street and a nightcap at The Swan, a classic Victorian pub.

Train from Heuston to Cork (Kent Station)(2.5 hours)

Frequent direct Irish Rail trains (~€25-45 return; cheaper booked ahead). Check into a hotel near St. Patrick's Street or Washington Street.

English Market(1.5 hours)

A glorious covered Victorian food market (free to browse, open Mon-Sat) — try the buttered eggs, spiced beef, and a coffee at the upstairs Farmgate Café.

Lunch at the Farmgate Café(1 hour)

Overlooking the market floor — Cork specialities like tripe and drisheen for the brave, or fresh fish (~€14-18).

Walk Shandon & ring the Bells of St. Anne's(1.5 hours)

Climb to the historic Shandon district and St. Anne's Church (~€6) where you can actually ring the famous bells and enjoy rooftop views.

Pints on Cork's pub trail(2.5 hours)

Cork takes its stout seriously — try a Murphy's or Beamish (the local stouts) at the Mutton Lane Inn or Sin É, which has great trad sessions.

Train or drive to Cobh(25 minutes)

A short hop from Cork (~€7 return by train). Cobh was the Titanic's last port of call and a major emigration harbour, with a postcard row of coloured houses ('Deck of Cards').

Cobh Heritage Centre & St. Colman's Cathedral(1.5 hours)

The Queenstown Story museum (~€10) tells the emigration and Titanic story; the towering neo-Gothic cathedral above the harbour is free and stunning.

Lunch in Kinsale(1.5 hours)

Drive or join a tour on to Kinsale, Ireland's foodie harbour town — lunch at Fishy Fishy or a quayside café (~€16-25).

Charles Fort, Kinsale(1.5 hours)

A vast 17th-century star-shaped fort guarding the harbour (~€5), with cliff-top views and a windswept walk.

Return to Cork & dinner(2 hours)

Back to Cork for the evening. Dinner at the Market Lane or a casual spot on Princes Street, then a final Cork pint.

Blarney Castle & Gardens(2 hours)

Just outside Cork (bus 215 or short drive, ~€20). Climb the medieval keep to kiss the Blarney Stone (for the 'gift of the gab') and wander the lovely gardens and Poison Garden.

Lunch back in Cork(1 hour)

A final Cork meal near Kent Station — grab something from the English Market deli or a café on MacCurtain Street.

Train from Cork back to Heuston(2.5 hours)

Relax on the journey north and re-check into your Dublin hotel on arrival.

Quiet Dublin evening(2 hours)

An easy night after travel — dinner near your hotel and a pint at The Bankers or another local, no late session needed.

Late breakfast & coffee crawl(1.5 hours)

A slow start — brunch then a coffee at 3FE or Vice Coffee Inc, both Dublin specialty roasters.

Explore Stoneybatter or Portobello(1.5 hours)

Wander an off-the-tourist-trail village — Portobello's canal banks and indie shops, or Stoneybatter's red-brick streets and cafés.

Optional sea swim at the Forty Foot, Sandycove(1.5 hours)

DART to Sandycove for a bracing dip below the James Joyce Tower (free), or skip it and read by the Grand Canal — your rest, your call.

Afternoon downtime(Afternoon)

Genuine rest — nap, spa, or browse Chapters or the Winding Stair bookshops.

Dinner at Etto or Fade Street Social(2.5 hours)

A standout meal — Etto (Merrion Row) for modern small plates, or Fade Street Social for tapas-style Irish cooking and a buzzy room.

Enterprise train from Dublin Connolly to Belfast(2 hours 15 min)

Direct cross-border train (~£25-40 return, prices in sterling for the day). Note Northern Ireland uses pounds, not euros — cards work everywhere though.

Titanic Belfast(2 hours)

A world-class museum on the slipway where Titanic was built (~£24.95). Allow the full visit; book online ahead in summer.

Lunch in the Cathedral Quarter(1 hour)

Eat in the lively Cathedral Quarter — the Duke of York laneway or a café on Hill Street (~£10-15).

Black Cab political tour(1.5 hours)

A local-guided black-taxi tour of the Falls and Shankill murals and the Peace Walls (~£40 per cab, split between passengers) — frank, moving, and essential context.

Return Enterprise to Dublin(2 hours 15 min)

Catch an evening train back. Late dinner in Dublin near Connolly — perhaps the Italian Quarter on Ormond Quay.

Coach tour to Brú na Bóinne(1 hour each way)

Day tours from the centre (~€35-50) handle the logistics. Newgrange can only be entered via the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre — independent visitors must book the centre shuttle (~€18) well ahead.

Newgrange passage tomb(1.5 hours)

A 5,200-year-old passage tomb famed for its winter-solstice light alignment, entered with a guide. Stoop into the chamber for the demonstration of the roof-box beam.

Lunch at the visitor centre or a Boyne Valley village(1 hour)

The centre café or a stop in Slane/Trim depending on the tour route; light meals €10-14.

Hill of Tara(1 hour)

The ancient inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland — grassy mounds with vast views over the Meath plains (free). A quietly powerful place.

Return to Dublin & relaxed evening(2 hours)

Back by early evening. A calmer night — the Irish House Party for music and dinner, or a quiet local pint.

National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin(1.5 hours)

Free entry. Restored Victorian glasshouses and beautiful grounds along the Tolka. Take the 4/9 bus or Luas green line nearby.

Glasnevin Cemetery & Museum tour(1.5 hours)

Linked to the gardens by a back gate. Ireland's national cemetery holds Daniel O'Connell, Michael Collins, and Parnell; the guided tour (~€16) is genuinely gripping storytelling.

Lunch at the Gravediggers (John Kavanagh's)(1 hour)

A legendary 1833 pub by the cemetery wall — no music, no TV, just great pints and a small tapas-style food menu.

Hugh Lane Gallery & Garden of Remembrance(1.5 hours)

Back south to Parnell Square: the free Hugh Lane Gallery houses Francis Bacon's reconstructed studio and Impressionist works, beside the Garden of Remembrance.

Farewell dinner & last great session(2.5 hours)

Your last full evening — dinner on Capel Street (Lucky Tortoise dumplings) then a final trad session back at The Cobblestone in Smithfield.

Final Irish breakfast on Grafton Street(1 hour)

A last full breakfast at Bewley's on Grafton Street, the historic café with stained-glass windows (~€12).

Last-minute shopping — Grafton Street & Powerscourt Centre(1.5 hours)

Pick up Irish wool, Avoca goods, or Butlers chocolates. The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is a lovely Georgian mall for crafts and gifts.

Final stroll along the Liffey & Ha'penny Bridge(45 minutes)

One last walk across the iconic Ha'penny Bridge and along the boardwalk for a goodbye to the river that defines the city.

Aircoach to Dublin Airport(40 minutes)

Allow plenty of buffer — the Aircoach (~€7-8) departs frequently from the centre. Get to DUB at least 2 hours before a short-haul flight, 3 for transatlantic.