We wanted to explore all of Southern Ireland but as there is so much to do we didn’t quite make it to the County of Donegal so we will have to return.
This post is a summary of our route, starting in Dublin and going clockwise. We will share separate blog posts for more detail around the places to visit and the hikes.
It is also worth noting that Ireland isn’t very dog friendly, restaurants and walks were hard to find! Interestingly only until November 2017, café and restaurant owners were prohibited from allowing pets indoors.
Day 1: Arrive to Dublin
Arrive in Dublin port from ferry at 6pm.
Stay – Johnnie Fox pub overflow carpark > FREE if you buy a drink in the pub
Day 2: County Wicklow
Visit – Guinness Lake
Hike – Lough Ouler ❤️
Stay – Glenmalure Lodge > FREE if you buy a drink in the pub & has showers in toilet €1 = 4 mins
Day 3: Travelling Day
Visit – Cobh
Visit – Kinsale
Visit – Clonakilty
Stay – Desert House Camping > €26, would not recommend very overpriced, sloping and not clean
Day 4: Killarney National Park
Hike – Torc Mountain
Visit – Killarney
Stay – carpark by lake > FREE
Day 5: County Kerry
Hike: Devils Punchbowl
Visit – Dingle
Stay – Dingle Harbour carpark > FREE
Day 6: Travelling Day
Visit – Limmerick – do not recommend
Suggestion – take Tabart to Killimer ferry from to save time
Visit – Kilkee & hike along the cliffs
Stay – Kilkee carparks > FREE
Day 7: County Clare
Hike – Cliffs of Moher
Visit – Doolin
Visit – Galway
Stay – Spideal Camping > €30 – LOVED this campsite!
Day 8: Connemara National Park
Hike – Diamond Hill > very touristy!
Visit – Misunderstood Heron > incredible food!
Visit – Gaynors In The Field Pub
Stay – Leenaun carpark > FREE
Day 9: County Mayo
Hike – Clough Patrick (dogs not allowed!)
Visit – Westport
Stay – Westport Leisure Centre Carpark > FREE
Day 10: County Mayo
Visit – Achill Island
Hike – Keem Bay to Cliff of Croaghaun
Stay – Keem Bay > FREE
Day 11: Wild Nephin National Park & County Sligo
Visit & Hike – Wild Nephin National Park
Visit – Dunmoran Strand (beach)
Stay – Dunmoran Strand carpark > FREE
Day 11: County Sligo
Travel to Sligo
If time allows it’s time to visit County Donegal.
