Ireland Express

My trip to Ireland was short but unforgettable — a little taste of green hills, lively pubs, and dramatic coastlines, all packed into just a few days.

cows at dooling

The Route

I only had a handful of days in Ireland, but I wanted to make the most of them. It was quick, a little whirlwind, but filled with small adventures, music, and some of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen.

Day 1 – Arrival in Dublin ✈️ (August 11)

I landed in Dublin pretty early because we caught a 6 a.m. flight — which meant waking up around 3 a.m. to get to the airport (never again!). The silver lining was that it gave us a full day to explore the city.

We grabbed a taxi from the airport to our stay, dropped our bags, and set out on foot. First stop: brunch at Bibi’s, the perfect fuel after such an early start. From there, we walked over to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Instead of going inside, we chose to visit Marsh’s Library next door — a hidden gem filled with historic books and, to my delight, some incredible old maps.

Afterward, we relaxed in St. Patrick’s Park, soaking up some much-needed vitamin D (yes, the sun was actually out in Dublin!). The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering through the city’s streets, eventually ducking into a Viking Age museum for a dose of history before calling it a day.

Day 2 – Dublin Wandering 🚶 (August 12)

We started the day with something a little different — walking over to a morning exercise class to shake off the travel fatigue. Afterwards, we grabbed a quick bite at Perch Café, a cozy spot perfect for a post-workout snack.

With some energy restored, we hopped on one of those classic Hop-On Hop-Off buses, the easiest way to cover a lot of ground in Dublin without too much planning. At some point, we ducked into a random Greek restaurant for lunch — generous portions that ended up lasting us all the way through the next day (travel win!).

In the afternoon, we got off the bus at Phoenix Park hoping to spot some deer. Unfortunately, we arrived too late in the day and they were nowhere to be seen. Still, the stroll through the park was a nice break from the bustle of the city.

Day 3 – Chasing Deer & Pub Nights 🍻 (August 13)

In the morning we hopped back on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, taking in a few more of Dublin’s classic sights along the way — the Guinness Storehouse, old cathedrals, and city corners we hadn’t noticed before. Our mission, though, was clear: a second attempt at spotting deer in Phoenix Park.

At the entrance, we rented bikes and pedaled our way through the massive park. After what felt like forever (and a lot of biking), we finally spotted them — a herd of deer resting under the trees. It was such a peaceful moment and one of my favorite memories of Dublin.

By the afternoon, it was time to trade nature for music. We found a cozy pub with live traditional Irish music, the kind where you can feel the energy of the city packed into one little room. It was the perfect last evening in Dublin before heading west.

Day 4 – Road Trip West 🚗 (August 14)

We kicked off the day by picking up our rental car at the airport. Since it was my very first time driving on the left side of the road, I did a few cautious laps around the parking lot before hitting the highway. And then… off to the west of Ireland we went!

The drive itself was an adventure — long, winding roads, endless greenery, and me constantly reminding myself to stay on the correct side. Along the way, we made a spontaneous booking for the Sheep Shearing and Sheep Dog Demonstration at Skye Collies. Watching the dogs work and the farmers shear sheep felt like a true taste of rural Ireland.

From there, we continued to the stunning Kylemore Abbey, an absolute must-see. The abbey itself is beautiful, but the real highlight is the Victorian Walled Garden, which looks like it belongs in a fairytale.

After a very long day of driving (around seven hours total — wild for my first time on the “wrong” side of the road), we finally arrived in Doolin, our home for the next two nights. Exhausted but happy, I felt like the real Irish countryside adventure had begun.

Day 5 – Cliffs & Coastal Charm 🌊 (August 15)

We woke up in our little bed & breakfast in Doolin, greeted by breathtaking views right outside the window. Breakfast was simple but perfect — homemade granola and yogurt that felt like such a treat after the long drive the day before.

From there, it was just a quick 10-minute drive to the Cliffs of Moher. Standing at the edge of those cliffs, with the Atlantic stretching endlessly beyond, was surreal. We took a short hike along the cliffside paths, stopping often just to take it all in — the wind, the sea spray, the sheer drop.

On the way back, we couldn’t resist pulling over to snap a few photos of the cows grazing in the fields — a very “Ireland” moment that felt straight out of a postcard.

For lunch, we stopped at Ivy Cottage Restaurant, a charming little spot that hit the spot after the morning’s adventure. Afterwards, we headed back to the B&B for some much-needed rest, letting the peaceful countryside be our entertainment for the afternoon.

Day 6 – Farewell, Ireland 🌅 (August 16)

Our last morning in Ireland started early — really early. We had to make the long drive back to Dublin to catch our flight in the afternoon. As tired as we were, the reward was catching the sunrise on the road, painting the fields and hills in soft golden light. It was one of those quiet, unforgettable moments that made the long journey worth it.

After about four and a half hours of driving, we finally rolled into Dublin, dropped off the car keys at the rental, and walked straight into the airport. Just like that, our whirlwind Ireland trip came to an end — short, sweet, and packed with memories.