Ireland’s story hums through ancient monasteries, Georgian squares, and music-filled pubs. In Dublin, you’ll meet the Book of Kells, sip a perfect pint, and wander storied streets where writers sharpened their wit. In Galway, the Atlantic wind carries songs from the Aran Islands and the burren’s limestone tells tales older than memory.

Across eight days, this itinerary stitches together history, foodie experiences, coffee culture, and unique activities—from cathedral vaults to cliff-edge views. Expect gallery mornings, market lunches, brewery tastings, and trad sessions that linger late into the night.

Practical notes: Irish weather changes quickly; pack a rain layer and comfortable shoes. Cards are widely accepted; tipping is appreciated but modest. Drive only if you’re confident with left-side roads; otherwise, Ireland’s trains and buses are reliable and scenic.

Dublin

Capital and cultural engine, Dublin is compact, walkable, and witty. Trinity College safeguards the illuminated Book of Kells; nearby, Grafton Street buskers soundtrack your stroll. The River Liffey splits the city: literary haunts to the south, rebel history and traditional music to the north and west.

Top draws include Trinity’s Long Room, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, the National Museum of Ireland—Archaeology (Viking gold!), and the Guinness campus. Coffee culture thrives (try 3fe or Bewley’s), and dining swings from contemporary Irish to unfussy excellent burgers and fish & chips.

Fun fact: O’Connell Street’s Spire is 120 meters tall and affectionately dubbed “the Stiletto in the Ghetto.” Dubliners have a nickname for everything—including visitors who become locals by day three.

Where to stay (Dublin):

• Search apartments and homes on VRBO Dublin or hotels on Hotels.com Dublin.
• Classic luxury opposite St. Stephen’s Green: The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection.
• Stylish budget with social vibe in Smithfield: Generator Dublin.
• Well-priced, well-located 4-star: Clayton Hotel Burlington Road.
• Refined Georgian splurge: The Merrion Hotel.

Getting to Dublin: Fly into Dublin Airport (DUB). Compare fares on Omio (flights Europe and beyond) and Trip.com (global flights). Typical nonstop times: 1–3 hours from European hubs; ~6–8 hours overnight from the US East Coast.

Day 1: Arrival, Trinity and the Liffey

Morning: Fly in. If you land early, refresh with a light bite at the airport or keep appetite for the city.

Afternoon: Check in, then orient with a gentle walk: Merrion Square’s Georgian doors, Leinster House, and Trinity College’s quad. Coffee and a sweet at Bewley’s Grafton Street—ornate stained glass, strong tea, and scones that fight jet lag.

Evening: Riverfront dinner at The Winding Stair—oysters, smoked haddock chowder, and Irish beef with Bordelaise—overlooking the Ha’penny Bridge. Nightcap in The Long Hall (Victorian interior) or a Galway Bay Brewery pub like The Black Sheep for Irish craft taps.

Day 2: Book of Kells, St. Patrick’s, Dublin Castle

Morning: Power breakfast at Brother Hubbard North (Middle Eastern–accented eggs, cardamom buns). Then deep-dive Dublin’s spine with this guided combo:

St Patrick's Cathedral, Book of Kells and Dublin Castle Tour

Timed access unlocks Trinity’s Long Room and the medieval heart around Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s—an ideal history primer.

Afternoon: Lunch at Tang (fresh pitas, zesty salads) near Dawson Street. Browse Powerscourt Townhouse for Irish designers and George’s Street Arcade for vintage records and prints.

Evening: Dinner at Etto (small plates—veal and pork meatballs, silky house-made pastas). For trad music, slip to The Cobblestone in Smithfield; arrive early for a stool and let the session wash over you.

Day 3: Whiskey, stout, and stories

Morning: Kilmainham Gaol (reserve ahead) for revolutionary history—somber, essential. Coffee at 3fe Grand Canal (precision brews) en route back into town.

Afternoon: Celebrate Ireland’s liquid lore on a guided duo:

Dublin Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse Guided Tour

Compare whiskey styles at Bow St. and finish with a pint at Gravity Bar’s panoramic perch. Snack at 1837 Bar & Brasserie (perfect oysters-and-stout pairing).

Evening: Casual dinner at PI (top-tier Neapolitan pizza) or Bunsen (short, brilliant burger menu). Pint at Porterhouse Temple Bar for Irish-brewed stouts and ales; live music most nights.

Day 4: Coast, markets, and a foodie walk

Morning: Take the DART to Howth (≈30 minutes; return fare ~€7–9). Walk the cliff loop for sea air and gannet-dotted views. Espresso and a cronut at Howth Market on weekends or grab a chowder at Beshoff’s by the pier.

Afternoon: Back in town, join a small-group tasting walk that threads through the historic core:

Dublin Historical Centre Food Tour with 8 Food Tastings & Drinks

Expect artisanal cheeses, brown bread, and a proper Irish stew—ideal for curious eaters and culture lovers.

Evening: If you’ve room, book a late table at The Winding Stair (upstairs) or try The Woollen Mills (hearty Irish comfort). For a last Dublin toast, The Long Hall’s mirrored bar glows like a jewel box.

Galway

On Galway Bay, color-washed shopfronts and stone lanes host buskers by day and fiddles by night. The Latin Quarter leads to the Spanish Arch and the City Museum; beyond, Salthill’s promenade faces the Atlantic, inviting bracing swims and sunset walks.

Galway is your springboard to the Aran Islands, Connemara’s bogs and mountains, and the limestone moonscape of the Burren. Food is fierce and local: Atlantic oysters, sourdoughs, and smart, seasonal restaurants.

Fun fact: The Claddagh ring—hands, heart, crown—originated here. Wear it point-in if your heart is taken; out if you’re open to serendipity.

Where to stay (Galway):

• Browse apartments and stays on VRBO Galway or hotels on Hotels.com Galway.
• Design-forward luxe: The g Hotel & Spa.
• Great value 4-star with parking: Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway.
• Central, good for families: The Connacht Hotel.
• Top hostels for budgets: Kinlay Hostel Galway or Snoozles Hostel Galway City.

Getting from Dublin to Galway: Morning trains from Heuston Station take ≈2 hr 20 min (advance fares ~€20–35). Buses are ≈2 hr 30 min (fares ~€15–25). Compare times/prices on Omio Trains (Europe) and Omio Buses (Europe).

Day 5: Transfer west, Latin Quarter, trad night

Morning: Depart Dublin on the 9–10 a.m. train to Galway (aim for a seat on the left for river views leaving Dublin). Grab a coffee and pastry at the station; arrive around lunchtime.

Afternoon: Check in; then explore Shop Street and the Latin Quarter. Pop into Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop (maze of used and new) and the Galway City Museum (free, compact, and insightful). Espresso at Coffeewerk + Press—Scandi design meets specialty coffee.

Evening: Dinner at Ard Bia at Nimmos by the Spanish Arch—seasonal Irish with Middle Eastern touches. For music, Tigh Neachtain’s snug rooms or The Crane Bar for late trad sessions. If you’re into craft beer, The Salt House (Galway Bay Brewery) pours excellent IPAs and seasonal stouts.

Day 6: Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher (full-day tour)

Galway to Inisheer Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher and Boat Trip

Ferry to Inisheer (Inis Oírr) for stone walls, beach glass, and quiet lanes, then cruise beneath the Cliffs of Moher (weather permitting) before a land visit up top. Expect 10–11 hours; bring a windproof layer and cash for island cafés and pony-and-trap rides.

Food tips: Grab a morning pastry at Riordan’s, a toasty and soup on the island, and celebrate back in Galway with fish & chips at McDonagh’s or stellar pies at The Pie Maker.

Day 7: Salthill, oysters, and Connemara taster

Morning: Brunch at Dela (house sourdough, local eggs). Stroll the Salthill Prom and “kick the wall” at Blackrock for luck; coffee at Oslo Bar (Galway Bay’s original brewpub) or Little Lane Coffee Company back in town.

Afternoon: Consider a DIY Connemara taster: bus or drive to Spiddal for craft village studios and sea views. Back in Galway, shop for a Claddagh ring at Thomas Dillon—holders of the original hallmark—and sample Irish cheeses at Sheridan’s.

Evening: Dinner at Kai (local, inventive, reservations advised) or The Dough Bros for award-winning wood-fired pies. Cap the night with trad at Tigh Chóilí—packed, joyous, utterly Galway.

Day 8: Farewell Galway, depart via Dublin

Morning: Easy breakfast at Tartare (coffee, excellent pastries) or Ard Bia if you missed it. Last stroll along the Corrib to the Salmon Weir Bridge.

Afternoon: Bus or train to Dublin Airport area (total ≈2.5–3 hours: Galway to Dublin city by train/bus, then airport coach). Check schedules and book on Omio Trains or Omio Buses. Fly out in the afternoon; if time allows, grab a final Barry’s tea at the terminal and start plotting your return.

Optional add-ons if you have extra energy

• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (Docklands) in Dublin—interactive and moving.
• National Gallery of Ireland—free collection spanning Caravaggio to contemporary.
• Sea swim at the Forty Foot in Sandycove; warm up with hot chocolate after.

Budget notes (50/100 target)

• Mix sit-down dinners (mid-range mains €18–28) with casual gems (pizza/burgers €10–16; fish & chips €12–16).
• Coffee and pastry breakfasts keep costs down, freeing budget for one special meal (Kai, Etto, Ard Bia) or a guided tour.
• Rail/bus between cities is cost-effective—book early on Omio for cheaper advance fares.

One more great Dublin experience (foodie-friendly walking intro)

If you prefer a hop-on overview with commentary before diving deep into neighborhoods, you can also consider the live-guide bus circuit:

Big Bus Dublin Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour with Live Guide

(Use this as a swap for Day 1 or Day 4 if you like breezy city highlights.)