5 days in Ireland - itinerary suggestions?

[trebbeldubbel]

First time visiting Ireland this summer, for 5 days. We'll have a car, arriving in Dublin by ferry. We haven't booked accommodation yet, but happy to either base ourselves somewhere central or stay in different places. We will probably spend a day in Dublin itself. Where would be your top picks to visit? Please send me your must sees! We love beautiful scenery, with walks. We also have some friends in Belfast, so might either visit or arrange to meet them out somewhere.

Oh wow, I don't know if there is a single night accommodation available in anywhere holiday suitable! I hope I'm wrong but myself and a friend were trying to find somewhere to take our kids for a night or 2 and nothing, and we weren't even looking for a weekend

Accommodation is a nightmare this year. It’s either all booked up (many hotels in rural areas are housing people from Ukraine) or outrageously expensive. You may already be aware and be happy to suck it up but if not I would be tempted to head straight for NI as you’ll get better value there.

Cant help on accommodation problems but a few years ago we did the Wild Atlantic Way along the West Coast. It's so beautiful. We based ourselves around Galway although we went up as far as Sligo and down to the Cliffs of Moher, but there are lots of places you could stay. www.thewildatlanticway.com/highlights/discover/

I recommend the lakes in Fermanagh. Lots of boat/ cruiser hire places. Only 90 mins from Belfast so a couple of days on your way up to there. Donegal is also fabulous with amazing countryside, beaches and pubs. Be prepared for rain!

I'd go Dublin , then carlingford for a night, then visit the mourne mountains, then up to Belfast, then you could either go further up north towards the Antrim coast or make your way down south again. Ireland is very small!

I'd go straight to Galway. (Lots of beautiful scenery around connemara but the small city centre is great for a night out. Then a night in clare. Lots of cliff walks and beautiful scenery. Kerry is beautiful (Dingle and kenmare have a lot to offer l) then finish in west Cork.
Or galway and clare for a night. Then to Waterford to cycle the greenway which is fab. Then back to Dublin.
Definitely make a plan and book accommodation before you go.
Enjoy 😊

You could easily travel up the entire length of the east coast from Dublin to Belfast before taking in the Causeway Coast. The Mournes, Tollymore Forest and Newcastle you will meet on your way up well before Belfast as well.

Strangford Lough area of outstanding natural beauty is another.

Near Lisburn, there's an ancient ring of standing stones.

In Armagh, there's the ancient Navan Fort as well as the Tayto factory.

Lough Neagh is well worth a cruise on a sunny day.

A lot can be packed in, really.

loughkey.ie/

My favourite destinations in Ireland are on the south-west and west coasts - west Cork, Clare and Galway. Breathtaking scenery.

But if you only have 5 days and you want to take in Dublin and Belfast, I'd stick to the east and north-east coast.

Since you like beautiful walks, I'd start in Wicklow (south of Dublin). Wicklow is known as the garden of Ireland and is incredibly scenic. You could spend a day in Glendalough glendalough.ie/ and another day in Powerscourt powerscourt.com/. Powerscourt has some beautiful gardens and a waterfall.

If you're spending a day in Dublin, that gives you two days to make your way to Belfast. Maybe a stop off at Newgrange on the way www.newgrange.com/

As pps have said, finding affordable accommodation might be a problem. But you've saved yourself a fortune by bringing your own car.

Also, I don't know if it's all adults going or if you've kids as well?

Thanks everyone. I'm adding all of your suggestions to a map, so I can plan a route.

Taytocrisps, we will have our two boys with us, age 18 and 15, who are good walkers, though having older teens certainly does increase the accommodation costs, wherever we go. But it may be our last holiday all together, so will be worth it.

can I suggest basing yourself in Westport rather than. Galway ?
it's such a lovely town in Mayo on the wild atlantic way
great restaurants live music
easy access to fabulous beaches
there's the greenway you can cycle off road to Achill
Yes you will get rain but also sunshine and lots of fun!!

Agree with @carrotsnotsticks Westport is gorgeous, great for hiking and swimming.

Also excellent dining opportunities but book ahead if you're planning on visiting some of the more celebrated restaurants.