How to Plan the Perfect 3-Day Adventure in Ireland
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Have you ever asked…
- Is it worth traveling to Ireland?
- What’s the #1 thing to see in Ireland?
- What to know before going to Ireland?
- What are the things to do in Ireland?
This Ireland trip planner will help answer some of those key questions!
From the Claddagh Ring’s timeless symbols of ❤️ love, loyalty, and friendship to the haunting tales of the Great Hunger, every corner of Ireland tells a story.
On my way home from Tenerife, we added on three days in Ireland, where my ancestors are from. Can you see it all in three days, you ask? Well, I gave it a shot!
Why Group Tours in Ireland?
I’m not a huge fan of group tours. I prefer wandering on my own and exploring sites at my own pace. However, when you only have three days, are driving on the opposite side of the road, and want to see as much as possible, group tours are the way to go! I’ll include links to the ones we did —both were amazing. I definitely recommend leveraging them to build your perfect Ireland trip itinerary.
This trip was my last vacation in my 40s, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’ve long had a fascination with Ireland, where my family comes from. They immigrated during what is known as the ‘Potato Famine’—which I came to learn the Irish call the ‘Great Hunger.’
Irish history is incredible. The people are so resilient.
The Great Hunger (1845-1852) was a devastating period in Irish history, caused by a potato blight that wiped out the primary food source for millions of Irish people. While the famine itself was due to natural causes, British policies exacerbated the crisis. Exports of grain and livestock continued while the Irish population starved, leading to mass emigration. Over a million people perished, and another million fled the country, many to America and Canada.
My great-great-great-grandparents left Ireland during this time, seeking a better life. They eventually settled in Bovill, Idaho, where they built a new future but never forgot their homeland.
Where We Stayed in Dublin
We stayed in downtown Dublin at the Point A Hotel on Parnell Street—a reasonably priced and safe hotel that was centrally located. The rooms were small but modern, and the location made it easy to explore Dublin on foot.
What I will say is that Dublin isn’t cheap. We had just come from a week in Tenerife where prices were very reasonable and had a bit of sticker shock. It’s definitely going to be more expensive if you stay in the city. But I can also assure you that it is well worth it! Dublin is a BIG city! It is technically walkable but having a centrally located hotel is going to help with that. We did walk, a LOT!
Point A made it a short walk to one of the buses for the group tour, there are a few restaurants near it, and it’s close to Trinity College. The rooms are very small and tight, but we were there only to sleep. It’s a very clean hotel with a bar and food, and we felt safe as they had good security there.
Day 1: Exploring Dublin
Dublin is a big city with so much to see! While we only had one day in the city itself, I think two would be ideal. Because we were short on time, we had to be selective on where we went. We also booked all of our tickets ahead of time, which I recommend. Here are the highlights of our first day in Ireland and our itinerary/plan:
🏛 Book of Kells at Trinity College
First stop! A masterpiece of early medieval art, housed in Trinity College Dublin, featuring intricate illustrations of the Gospels. We loved the new visual tour, which brought the history of the Book of Kells to life with interactive displays. The stunning Long Room Library, with its towering bookshelves and ancient texts, was a highlight of the visit. Note that they are in the process though of moving all of the books out of the great hall to help protect them. Replacing it are these amazing digital images and videos.
- Pro tip: The Book of Kells display changes daily.
- Tickets: Purchase in advance (get tickets here).
- Preservation efforts: They are actively moving books to preserve them.
🍺 Guinness Storehouse Tour
Second stop! A seven-story experience of Ireland’s iconic beer, culminating in panoramic city views at the Gravity Bar. I highly recommend this tour! It’s well worth it. They walk you through all of the details for how they get to the perfect Guinness. It’s a pretty long tour and there are multiple stories in the building that walk you through how Guiness is made. They do an excellent job of incorporating in all of your sensory elements. You even get to do a small Irish toast and smell different hops, and finally, the tour ends up at the very top with a pint of Guiness! There was no way I was going to be able to finish it all, but I gave it a good shot! It does get very busy at the top so pack your patience.
- Pro tip: Schedule an afternoon tour in advance (link here).
- Experience: The tour walks through multiple floors showcasing the making of Guinness, from the brewing process to advertising history.
- Fun fact: The tour ends with a large Guinness pint—too big for us to finish!
🍽️ Best Meal in Dublin: St. James Irish Pub
Definitely recommend that you grab lunch before heading in to taste the beer! On the way to Guinness Storehouse, we found a stop at St. James Irish Pub—by far the BEST meal we had in all of Ireland! We enjoyed traditional Irish stew, fresh soda bread, and a delicious hamburger and fries. Great wine selection, too.
🎶 Temple Bar
Make sure and include in your Ireland itinerary a stop at Temple Bar. Dublin’s cultural hub, alive with music, pubs, and a lively atmosphere. It’s a great place to visit and grab some photos, and so some shopping. We did this during the day in the Christmas season and it was beautiful. However, be warned, most locals will tell you to avoid it in the evenings. In fact, whether it was a bus or cab driver, they all shared this warning. It’s not the safest place to be in the city at night. It’s also VERY expensive to get a drink here!
- Pro tip: After 9 p.m., drink prices rise hourly to target tourists.
- Shopping & sightseeing: Great for souvenirs and daytime exploring.
Day 2: Cliffs of Moher & The Burren
Click here for the tour we did. Through Viator Tours.
This was an incredible tour and you should definitely have it in your 3-day Ireland tour itinerary! The guides shared so much history as we traveled.
🌿 Cliffs of Moher
The towering cliffs offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. We even had a wedding proposal! And she said, ‘yes.’ When you get there, they do have nice bathrooms to gear up just outside. There are plenty of walking trails to wander and get great sea views. However, they are nearly all uphill to be prepared for a bit of a hike. For those who need assistance, they do offer a golf cart that takes you up to make it easier.
This is such a beautiful area, especially for photographers. I took my Nikon Z5 with me and was hoping to capture some amazing landscape images. But that was not to be. The weather wasn’t great with wind and rain, in addition, the tours run during the day so you miss the great early morning or evening lighting. I was able to capture a few images but had to use a lot of editing to brighten them and add some clarity.
- Weather warning: We visited in November—wet and windy! Locals advised not to bring an umbrella due to strong winds.
- Walking options: Easy trails, plus golf carts for those who need assistance.
- Visitor’s Center: Great shopping and food. Bring your own poncho—they are expensive here!
- Photography tip: The weather changes quickly, so be patient for the best shots.
🌊 The Burren
A unique, rocky landscape filled with history. This area quickly captured my attention and interest. To some it might seem like a road that just wanders along the sea with big walls of rock to the right. But there is SO much more than that here. Walking through the Burren was an emotional experience, knowing my ancestors left this area due to starvation and hardship.
The Burren is known for its vast limestone pavements and historical remnants. But what makes it truly special is the history. During the famine, desperate families built penny walls (walls constructed for minimal wages) that went nowhere, all to earn a daily meal. a stark reminder of the suffering endured here.
🌆 Great Stop in Galway for our ireland trip plan
A vibrant city known for its colorful streets, festivals, and Christmas markets. When we showed up, there was a huge Christmas celebration happening with food, vendors, and great hot spiced cider. We enjoyed wandering around and seeing all of the holiday lights and tasting some of the local food. The stop here isn’t too long so if you rent a car, you can spend more time here. If you haven’t heard Ed Sheeran’s song Galway Girl, you will when you go on this tour! It’s a catchy tune that sticks with you!
- Shopping tip: Restrooms are at the mall and require change, so bring some coins!
- Drink of the day: A hot ginger wine clove cordial as we explored.
Day 3: Blarney Castle & Cork
Exact Tour We did: Link to our tour here. Viator Tours
Another early day, another fantastic tour! We KNEW we had to kiss the Blarney Stone and I really wanted to see Cork as it was close to where my family had lived. This tour gave us several stops along the way. It’s a VERY long day so come prepared.
🏰 Rock of Cashel
A stunning 6th-century site with seven distinct structures, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock. When we arrived, it was raining sideways. Our umbrellas did not stand a chance. We weren’t here for very long. I had wished for no rain though because the castle and the grounds were beautiful and I would have wanted to explore it more. I recall there was a restroom nearby, but again, it is a quick stop.
- History: A former seat of the Kings of Munster and later a religious site.
- Weather warning: Rainy and windy, but still worth visiting!
🍽️ Cork City & English Market
We weren’t here long—just enough time for food! This was a little disappointing. I had wanted to wander around the city. But because Blarney is so far away from Dublin, the other stops are shorter. The bus driver also gave us the option to spend less time in Cork for more time in Blarney. If they offer that to you, definitely take them up on it! I’m so thankful that we did. We had just enough time to grab an awesome lunch, walk a few blocks, grab the selfie, and go.
- Where to eat: St. Anne’s, Shannon – Roe & Co
- Recommendation: Reuben sandwich & a big glass of wine—absolutely incredible!
🏰 Blarney Castle & Kissing the Blarney Stone
A must-do experience! To start with, we needed more time here because they were concerned about the line queues to get in. We were so fortunate though. Since we went in November, we found that we practically had the whole place to ourself! But during the summer and cruise season, you can wait hours.
Blarney is more than just a Castle. You should absolutely add Blarney to our Ireland trip planner. Beyond the castle are the amazing gardens and grounds to visit. Very beautiful with multiple walking paths. The castle itself is incredible and very tall. Climbing up to kiss the stone is a bit precarious. I do not recommend it if you are not feeling solid on your feet. The stairways are tight and wet and slippery. But if you do get to the top, you will be rewarded with some amazing views!
When you go to kiss the stone, take everything out of your pockets. You have to lay on your back nearly upside down to do it and with the ground visible below. It was a bit scary! They will take your picture and then you can purchase it at the bottom when you are done.
Be sure and spend some time at the local store just outside the castle. They have a lot of Irish wool clothing, gifts, and more.
I wish we had more time to explore the town. It looked so quaint! Rent a car and come back and stay here.
- Pro tip: In summer, cruise ship crowds cause several-hour wait times.
- Grounds: Beautiful park with scenic walking trails.
- The Kiss: You have to lay on your back, grip the bars, and kiss the stone upside-down!
- Photo tip: You can purchase your official Blarney Stone photo at the end.
- Safety warning: Narrow, slick stairs—watch your step.
Did you enjoy this 3-day Ireland Trip Planner?
I know, it’s a lot of group tours! But with a short about of time, it really is the easiest way to go. And I can tell you that the buses were very clean, drivers were so informative, and overall we had a great time. Here are some links to the tours that we did.
Be sure and check out my Tenerife travel itinerary and guide!
May the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind be always at your back. ☘️
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