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Ireland by Rail and Road: A Two-Week Couple’s Journey

This source-based route combines rail travel with rental-car road stages: begin in Dublin, take the train to Cork, explore the southwest by car, return to Dublin, then take the train to Belfast and rent a car for the Gi…

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Travel inspiration for Ireland by Rail and Road: A Two-Week Couple’s Journey

Source videos

Travel inspiration behind this plan

2 Week Ireland Road and Train Journey! | Come Along with Us! Watch on YouTube

Plan notes

Useful context before you go

This source-based route combines rail travel with rental-car road stages: begin in Dublin, take the train to Cork, explore the southwest by car, return to Dublin, then take the train to Belfast and rent a car for the Giant’s Causeway outing. The creator describes the journey as two weeks. The itinerary below includes only places and travel details named in the supplied material.

Itinerary highlights

What is in this plan

Days 1–2: Dublin Arrival and Guinness

Start in Dublin, the journey’s stated arrival point, and allow time for the Guinness Storehouse visit before continuing by rail.

  1. DublinDublin, Ireland

    Use Dublin as the starting base for the journey. The route then continues by Irish Rail to Cork.

  2. Guinness StorehouseGuinness Storehouse, St. James's Gate, Dublin 8, Ireland

    Visit the Guinness Storehouse, identified as Dublin’s leading attraction in the journey. Allow time for the full visitor experience.

Days 3–4: Cork by Rail

Take Irish Rail from Dublin to Cork and spend two nights there, leaving a full day to explore the city before collecting a rental car for the next leg.

  1. Cork Old TownCork Old Town, Cork, Ireland

    Cork is the rail stop and two-night base for this part of the route. The journey described leaves a full day for exploring the city.

Days 5–8: Southwest Road Journey to Athlone

Collect a rental car after Cork and follow the described sequence westward: Blarney Castle, Limerick, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, then Athlone for the night. The creator notes that the small roads can make driving a challenge.

  1. Blarney CastleBlarney Castle, Blarney, Ireland

    Visit the castle and climb to the Blarney Stone. The stone is at the top of the castle; the local tradition says kissing it brings eloquence and persuasion.

  2. LimerickLimerick, Ireland

    The journey stops in Limerick after leaving Cork. The creator describes the drive as rainy, so keep this stop flexible if conditions slow the road leg.

  3. LimerickLimerick, Ireland

    Stop at Bobby Burns for lunch in Limerick. The creators enjoyed writing limericks over lunch; it is a pub stop on the drive.

  4. Cliffs of MoherCliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland

    Make time for the Cliffs of Moher on the western coast. The creators recommend the stop and describe the coastal scenery as a highlight.

  5. GalwayGalway, Ireland

    Continue to Galway after the Cliffs of Moher, following the west-coast road leg.

  6. AthloneAthlone, Ireland

    The road route continues to Athlone, where the creators spent the night.

  7. AthloneAthlone, Ireland

    Visit Sean’s Bar in Athlone for a pint. The creators describe it as the oldest pub in Europe, thought to have been established around 900 AD.

Day 9: Dublin Folktales and Fairies

Return to Dublin for the folktale and fairies talk at The Stag’s Head Pub before taking the train north the following day.

  1. The Stag's HeadThe Stag's Head, Dublin, Ireland

    Attend the folktale and fairies talk at The Stag’s Head Pub. The talk covers Irish superstitions and the place of fairies in traditional explanations of everyday events.

Days 10–14: Belfast and the North Coast

Take the train to Northern Ireland and use Belfast as the base for several days of city exploring. For the Giant’s Causeway outing, rent a car and stop in Bushmills before reaching the coast.

  1. BelfastBelfast, Northern Ireland

    Use Belfast as the Northern Ireland base after the train journey. The creators spent several days exploring the city.

  2. Titanic BelfastTitanic Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    Allow time for Titanic Belfast, a museum tracing the RMS Titanic’s conception, construction, launch, and final voyage. The creators also noted the memorial wall listing those who perished.

  3. St George's MarketSt George's Market, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    Visit St George’s Market for food and trinkets; the creators also enjoyed meeting people there.

  4. BushmillsBushmills, Northern Ireland

    Make Bushmills a stop on the rental-car drive to the Giant’s Causeway. The creators called in at a small cheese shop here before continuing.

  5. BushmillsBushmills, Northern Ireland

    Stop at Magdon in Bushmills for the grilled cheese sandwiches made with local farmhouse cheeses and meats. The creators mentioned that the shop usually offers four varieties.

  6. Giant's CausewayGiant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

    Finish the north-coast outing at the Giant’s Causeway. The creators describe the hexagonal basalt columns, local myths, and a shoreline hike with time to climb or sit on the columns and watch the waves.