7 Day Ireland Itinerary

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If you’re looking for a 7 Day Ireland Itinerary, you’ve come to the right place! But let’s keep it real, a week is not enough time to spend in Ireland. Heck, you could spend a week in just the Dublin area and still not see everything. This itinerary hits some of the highlights that I enjoyed while in Ireland and is a great sampler for planning your Ireland trip.

Day 1 – Dublin

Flights from the New York City area arrive in Dublin early in the day, so grab your rental car, head to your hotel, and have them hold your bags if your room isn’t ready. From there, head to Mad Yolks for brunch (the breakfast burger is particularly delicious!) With freshly renewed energy from your delicious meal, head next door to the Jameson Bow St. Distillery Tour.

The Jameson Distillery offers a variety of tours at scheduled times and you will want to book in advance because they do sell out. We didn’t and they appeared to be sold out online, but since we were right next door, we stopped in and asked and snagged the last two tickets for a tour starting in five minutes. Even if you’re not big into whiskey, the 45-minute Bow St. Experience is informative and fun and a great way to set the tone for your week in Ireland.

The Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Dublin

Once you’re maxed out on whiskey, take the 15-minute walk (or six-minute Uber, which will set you back around €10) to Temple Bar. Temple Bar isn’t just a bar, it’s a historic Dublin neighborhood of pedestrian streets featuring shopping, dining, and, of course, drinks. The neighborhood, and the actual Temple Bar Pub, are quite popular among tourists, so anticipate crowds, especially on the weekend.

Do you need an Ireland visa?

Day 2-3 – Waterford

As you leave Dublin and head to Waterford, make a quick stop at Castledermot Abbey. The ruined Franciscan Friary is a brief detour off the highway and is an interesting historical landmark. There’s also a gas station directly across the road if you need fuel, snacks, or restrooms.

While in Waterford enjoy breakfast at Hook & Ladder (I thought their chicken and waffles was life-changing!), take the House of Waterford Crystal Factory Tour, and explore some of the other interesting museums in the area, like the Irish Wake Museum or the Medieval Museum. If you’re a museum junkie, the Freedom of Waterford Pass allows access to six area museums for just €18.

Spend your second day in the area enjoying your hotel as Waterford Castle Hotel is located on a private island (and requires a car ferry to and from the mainland). From tennis and nature walks to croquet and clay pigeon shooting there are plenty of unique options to keep you entertained during your stay at this luxury resort.