Welcome to Ireland, a land where Bronze Age tombs, Viking streets, and Georgian elegance share space with modern galleries and salt-sprayed coastal trails. In one week you’ll taste its folklore and flavors, hike dramatic landscapes, and get hands-on with the country’s storied textile tradition—from Aran sweaters to tweed.

This 7-day itinerary focuses on two quintessential destinations: Dublin and Galway. You’ll unpack less, see more, and use them as springboards to the Wicklow Mountains, the Burren, and the Cliffs of Moher. Expect a mix of curated tours and free time, with plenty of local cafes, pubs, and craft shops to keep things wonderfully Irish.

Practical notes: budget mid-range (€€) with wallet-friendly eats and a few splurges. Pack layers for changeable weather and sturdy shoes for cliff and mountain paths. Book train/bus tickets in advance during summer and weekends, and remember pubs are family-friendly by day with live trad music most nights.

Dublin

Dublin is a compact capital of poets and rebels, where 1,000 years of history sits above a network of pub snugs. Walkable neighborhoods—Georgian squares, the Liberties, Smithfield—hide third-wave coffee, artisan bakeries, and indie design shops alongside world-class museums.

• Don’t miss: Trinity College and the Book of Kells, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Museum at Collins Barracks, and riverside walks along the Liffey.
• For your textile wishlist: Avoca (Suffolk Street), Aran Sweater Market (Nassau Street), Irish Design Shop (Drury Street), and The Constant Knitter (Francis Street) for yarn and Irish wools.
• Local flavor: Traditional music at The Cobblestone, sea-air day hikes in Howth, and hearty Irish fare with seasonal twists.

Getting to Dublin: For flights to or within Europe, compare fares on Omio (Flights). Traveling from outside Europe? Check Kiwi.com and Trip.com (Flights).

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO):

• Generator Dublin — stylish budget hostel in Smithfield, ideal for walkers and tram access.
• Clayton Hotel Burlington Road — dependable mid-range near leafy Ballsbridge; frequent buses to the center.
• The Merrion Hotel or The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection — refined stays by the museums and St. Stephen’s Green.
• Browse more Dublin stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin, settle in, and a riverside first taste

Afternoon: Land in Dublin and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll down Grafton Street to St. Stephen’s Green, then duck into Bewley’s for a classic coffee and pastry. Pop into Avoca on Suffolk Street for Irish-made blankets and knitwear to start your textile hunt.

Evening: Dinner at The Winding Stair (book in advance) for Irish seafood chowder, spiced beef, and brown bread overlooking the Ha’penny Bridge. For a pint and trad tunes, head to The Cobblestone in Smithfield—arrive early for a seat. Nightcap at Bar 1661 for a poitín cocktail if you’ve energy.

Day 2: Historic Dublin, Book of Kells, and textile treasures

Morning: Fuel up at Bread 41 (sourdough, morning buns) or 3fe on Grand Canal Street. Join this priority-access city tour to cover the essentials—Trinity College, Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral:

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

Afternoon: Lunch at Tang (Middle Eastern-leaning, great for vegetarians). Then dive into textiles at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History (Collins Barracks): see lace, clothing, and craft collections tracing Ireland’s material culture. Shop Irish Design Shop (Drury Street) for small-batch makers and The Constant Knitter (Francis Street) for Irish yarns.

Evening: Explore the Liberties—stop at Rascal’s for craft beer—or dine at L. Mulligan Grocer in Stoneybatter (modern Irish comfort plates). Optional sunset spin on the green double-decker to pick up extra sights and Little Museum entry:

Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Guide and Little Museum Entry

Day 3: Coastal hike and a taste of Guinness

Morning: Take the DART train to Howth (30–35 minutes). Hike the Howth Cliff Path Loop (easy-to-moderate; 6–10 km options). Watch for seabirds and Baily Lighthouse views. Reward yourself with fish and chips at Beshoffs or a sit-down seafood platter at Aqua (panoramic windows).

Afternoon: Back in town, head to the country’s most-visited attraction with timed tickets and a gravity bar view:

Guinness Storehouse Experience

Whiskey fan? Swap or add a 45-minute Bow St. tasting:

Dublin Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour and Tasting 45 mins

Evening: Dinner near Smithfield at Fish Shop (crispy hake and natural wines) or at The Winding Stair if you missed it. For a quieter trad session, try Hughes or Darkey Kelly’s. Rest—tomorrow you roll west.

Galway

Galway is Ireland’s bohemian west—colorful shopfronts, buskers on Shop Street, and Atlantic breezes. It’s the gateway to the Burren, the Aran Islands, and Connemara’s mountains, with pubs that pack nightly for reels and jigs.

• Top hits: Latin Quarter, Spanish Arch, Salthill Prom, and day trips to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.
• For textiles: Aran Sweater Market (Quay Street), Standún (Spiddal) for Aran knits and tweed, and the Connemara Sheep & Wool Centre (Leenane) for demos and history.
• Eat & drink: Kai (inventive Irish), Ard Bia at Nimmos (by the river), and late-night trad at The Crane Bar or Tigh Neachtain.

Getting from Dublin to Galway: Morning train from Dublin Heuston to Galway Ceannt, ~2 hr 20 min; advance fares often €15–€30. Compare trains and buses on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses). Buses are ~2 hr 45 min and can be slightly cheaper.

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO):

• Kinlay Hostel Galway or Snoozles Hostel Galway City — excellent budget bases by Eyre Square.
• Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway or The Connacht Hotel — mid-range, family-friendly, easy parking.
• The g Hotel & Spa — design-forward spa hotel for a treat.
• Browse more Galway stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Day 4: Train to Galway, Latin Quarter stroll, and trad music

Morning: Depart Dublin for Galway by train (aim for the ~9:25 a.m.; ~2 hr 20 min). Book on Omio (Trains). Grab takeaway from Coffeeangel or Vice Coffee before you go.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch. Coffee at Coffeewerk + Press (Scandi-Irish design meets specialty beans). For your craft list: Aran Sweater Market on Quay Street and Judy Greene Pottery & Crafts near the river.

Evening: Dinner at Ard Bia at Nimmos (slow-roasted lamb, seasonal veg) or Dough Bros for award-winning wood-fired pizza. For music, Tigh Neachtain or Tigh Coili—both classic, both lively.

Day 5: Full-day Cliffs of Moher, Burren karst, and Doolin

Set out to Ireland’s most famous cliffs, with limestone pavements, caves, and castle views en route. Expect scenic stops and a few hours walking the cliff paths (mind the wind!).

Galway to Cliffs of Moher, Aillwee Cave & Dunguaire Castle Tour

Lunch tip: Doolin is known for hearty soups, fresh brown bread, and seafood—perfect on a blustery day. Back in Galway, toast the Atlantic with a pint at The Crane Bar.

Day 6: Connemara hiking and wool heritage

Morning: Head to Connemara National Park (Letterfrack). Hike Diamond Hill (lower loop ~3 km; upper loop ~7 km) for tidal inlets and Twelve Bens panoramas. If you prefer a lighter day, visit Spiddal Craft and Design Studios along Galway Bay and stroll the beach.

Afternoon: Textile deep-dive at the Connemara Sheep & Wool Centre (Leenane) for weaving and spinning demos, plus a small museum on the history of wool in the west of Ireland. En route back, consider Standún in Spiddal for classic Aran knits and tweed accessories.

Evening: Dinner at Kai (book ahead; local veg and West Coast seafood) or Dela (brunch favorite that shines at dinner too). Sunset walk on the Salthill Prom—kick the wall like the locals for luck.

Day 7: Market morning and departure

Morning: If it’s Saturday, browse Galway’s St. Nicholas’ Market for cheeses, crafts, and baked goods—often with local knitwear stalls. Pick up any last-minute gifts on Shop Street.

Afternoon: Depart for Dublin Airport. The direct coach from Galway to DUB takes ~2.5–3 hours; compare departures on Omio (Buses). If returning by rail to Dublin first, the train is ~2 hr 20 min to Heuston; plan an additional 45–60 minutes to reach the airport.

Evening: Fly home with a suitcase that smells faintly of sea air and wool, and a camera full of cliffs, hills, and pub sessions.

Optional Dublin day-trips if you add time or swap Day 3

• Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough for monastic ruins and lakes: Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour

  

• Giants Causeway and Belfast from Dublin if Northern Ireland calls: Dublin to Belfast Titanic, Dunluce Castle & Giant's Causeway Tour

  

Budget tips for a “50/100” spend profile: Aim €80–€150/night for lodging (hostel private or mid-range hotels via Hotels.com), €10–€15 breakfasts (or bakery), €12–€20 lunches, €20–€35 dinners. Free hikes (Howth, Salthill, Connemara trails), paid museum/tour days sprinkled in. Book trains/buses early on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses) for best fares.

This week marries Ireland’s big sights—Book of Kells, Cliffs of Moher—with local rituals: cliff walks, pub sessions, and chats with makers in wool and tweed. You’ll leave with a deeper feel for Ireland’s landscapes, stories, and the craft that still binds them.