19 days in Ireland Itinerary

A history spanning over a thousand years, vibrant nightlife, and a mix of Georgian and modern architecture make Dublin a popular European tourist destination.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Wicklow Mountains National Park and Glendalough Monastic Settlement. Museum-lovers will appreciate Croke Park Stadium Tour & GAA Museum and Dublinia: Experience Viking and Medieval Dublin. The adventure continues: examine the collection at GPO & GPO Witness History Visitor Centre, wander the streets of Grafton Street, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Christ Church Cathedral, and explore the world behind art at Chester Beatty Library.

To find other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Dublin trip planning site .

Cape Town, South Africa to Dublin is an approximately 17-hour flight. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from Cape Town to Dublin due to the time zone difference. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Cape Town in December, with highs in Dublin at 10°C and lows at 3°C. You'll have a few hours on the 22nd (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling to Carlow.

Carlow is the county town of County Carlow, Ireland, in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, then take a stroll around Visual Carlow, and then admire the landmark architecture of Milford Mills.

For ratings, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Carlow trip planner.

You can drive from Dublin to Carlow in 1.5 hours. In December, daily temperatures in Carlow can reach 10°C, while at night they dip to 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Waterford.

Ireland's oldest city, Waterford maintains its small-town charm and attracts a growing number of travelers with its rich history, lively nightlife, and thriving festival scene.

On the 23rd (Sun), identify plant and animal life at Mayfield Birds of Prey, then see the interesting displays at King of the Vikings VR, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Christ Church Cathedral, and finally stop by Hibernian Gifts.

For photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Waterford vacation planner .

You can drive from Carlow to Waterford in an hour. In December, plan for daily highs up to 11°C, and evening lows to 5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can drive to Kinsale.

Located at the estuary of the Brandon River, the historical fishing town of Kinsale nestles against hills that act as a natural shield against the open sea.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Mon): admire the masterpieces at Crawford Art Gallery, take an in-depth tour of Nano Nagle Place, and then contemplate the long history of Camden Fort Meagher. On the next day, get engrossed in the history at Kinsale Regional Museum, view the masterpieces at Rohan Reilly Photography, contemplate the long history of James Fort, then get engrossed in the history at Old Head Signal Tower and Lusitania Museum, and finally get a taste of the local shopping with Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre.

To see more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Kinsale trip itinerary planning app .

Getting from Waterford to Kinsale by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 10°C, and evening lows to 4°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) so you can go by car to Limerick.

Founded by Vikings over a thousand years ago, Limerick sits at the head of the Shannon River's broadening estuary.

On the 26th (Wed), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. John's Cathedral, see the interesting displays at Old Irish Ways, then pause for some serene contemplation at Holy Trinity Abbey Church, and finally contemplate the long history of Desmond Castle. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: hike along Ballyhoura Walking Trails, then contemplate the long history of Askeaton Friary, then stop by The Lawrence Collection Costume Photography, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Flannan's Cathedral.

To see ratings, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Limerick holiday planner .

You can drive from Kinsale to Limerick in 2 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 11°C in December, and nighttime lows around 5°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can go by car to Galway.

A major hub for visitors exploring Ireland's western regions, Galway serves as a city of art and culture, renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals.

Take a break from the city and head to Lahinch Beach and Salthill Beaches. Get a sense of the local culture at Tyrone House and Monk's Fishing House. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Galway: Gort (Kilmacduagh Tower & Coole Park), Royal Abbey of Cong (in Cong) and Burren Perfumery (in Carran). The adventure continues: look for gifts at Standun, appreciate the extensive heritage of Riverside Walk, shop like a local with Spiddal Craft & Design Studios, and step into the grandiose world of Athenry Castle.

To find ratings, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Galway trip itinerary builder tool .

Traveling by car from Limerick to Galway takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. When traveling from Limerick in December, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Galway: temperatures range from 8°C by day to 3°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to travel to Carrick-on-Shannon.

Carrick-on-Shannon is the county town of County Leitrim in the Republic of Ireland. On the 31st (Mon), don't miss a visit to Costello Memorial Chapel, view the masterpieces at King House, then cruise along The Lough Gill Drive, and finally get a taste of the local shopping with Hazelwood House. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 1st (Tue): steep yourself in history at Elphin Windmill, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sacred Heart Church, then explore the ancient world of Dun Eochla, and finally look for gifts at Bear Essentials/Silver Bear Centre.

For reviews, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Carrick-on-Shannon route site .

Traveling by car from Galway to Carrick-on-Shannon takes 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 8°C in December, and nighttime lows around 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) to allow time to travel to Drogheda.

Drogheda is one of the oldest towns in Ireland, known for its tourism and as a centre of industry and medical care. Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Wed): take in the dramatic natural features at Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb, take an in-depth tour of Drogheda Museum Millmount, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Augustinian Church. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: look for gifts at The Courtyard Kells, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kells Monastic Site, then stop by Marshes Shopping Centre, and finally look for gifts at Carlingford Design House.

To find more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Drogheda trip itinerary builder website .

You can drive from Carrick-on-Shannon to Drogheda in 2.5 hours. In January in Drogheda, expect temperatures between 9°C during the day and 2°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu) early enough to travel back home.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Fri): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Michan's Church, then stop by Sheridans, then stop by DesignYard, and finally stop by Lucy's Lounge.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, use the Dublin vacation maker site .

You can drive from Drogheda to Dublin in an hour. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.