5-Day Ireland Road Trip from Cork to Kilkenny

Your amazing road trip adventure in Ireland begins when you reach the incredible city of Cork. There, you'll have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay.

One of the best luxury places you could stay in the city of Cork is the Maldron Hotel Southmall. This 4-star hotel is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 655 guests.

We also recommend the best 3-star hotels, like the Hotel Isaacs Cork. This hotel has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 635 guests.

If these hotels are not available during your trip to the city of Cork, our system will automatically help you find the best hotel for your stay.

Cork has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Regional Park Ballincollig. This attraction is a park and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,920 visitors.

Cork City Gaol is another popular attraction in the city of Cork. This unforgettable attraction is a prison and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,225 visitors.

Another favorite attraction in the city of Cork is Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral. This outstanding travel destination has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,942 visitors.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Cork, Sin é. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,654 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Cork is Liberty Grill. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,609 customers.

Locals recommend Elbow Lane Brew and Smoke House as one of the best restaurants in the city of Cork. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 792 customers.

Cork also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Cork is Sin é. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,654 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Cork is The Oliver Plunkett. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 5,192 customers.

Locals also enjoy Muskerry Arms Bar and B&B Blarney. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,575 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-day vacation in Ireland!

On day 2 of your road trip, you’ll explore the area around the city of Cork. You’ll be able to visit amazing attractions, like the incredible Cork Opera House, Blarney Castle & Gardens, Blarney Stone, and many more.

One of the best travel destinations in the city of Cork is Cork Opera House. This incredible attraction is an opera house and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,325 visitors.

Blarney Castle & Gardens is another popular attraction you'll visit in the city of Cork. This spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,325 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the city of Cork is Blarney Stone. This amazing attraction is a stone and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,465 visitors.

Beyond the above-mentioned attractions, you also have the opportunity to visit the outstanding Fitzgerald's Park. This park and place of interest is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,527 visitors.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic Blackrock Castle Observatory. This technological university is a popular attraction with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,794 visitors.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll drive to your accommodation in the city of Cork.

We recommend eating at one of the best restaurants in the city of Cork, like The Oliver Plunkett. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 5,192 customers.

Market Lane is another of the best restaurant options in the city of Cork. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,609 customers.

Locals enjoy The SpitJack Cork, one of the most popular restaurants in the city of Cork. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,934 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in the city of Cork, The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,534 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar that locals recommend, like Cornstore Cork. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,516 customers.

Silver Key Bar and Restaurant is another of the best bars in the city of Cork. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,491 customers.

Raise your glass and relax after another big day of your road trip adventure through Ireland!

Day 3 of your road trip through Ireland gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You’ll be able to choose how much time you want to spend in each area, where you’ll have the chance to visit attractions like the unforgettable Phoenix Park, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin Zoo, and many more.

One of the best places to visit in the city of Dublin is the amazing Phoenix Park. This attraction is a park and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 32,979 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible botanical garden, National Botanic Gardens. With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 13,206 visitors, it's easy to understand why so many people visit this famous attraction.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the city of Dublin is the outstanding Dublin Zoo. This zoo has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 22,485 visitors.

Guinness Storehouse is another popular attraction you can visit in the city of Dublin. This spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 14,337 visitors.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic St Patrick's Cathedral. This anglican or episcopal cathedral is a popular attraction with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 15,857 visitors.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Dublin, where will have access to the best hotels and places to stay.

One of the best hotel options in the city of Dublin is the 4-star The Croke Park Hotel. This hotel has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,650 guests.

You can also stay at one of the best 5-star hotel. The hotel The Merrion Hotel is a luxurious place to stay in the city of Dublin. This hotel is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,151 guests.

If you’re looking for the best cheap apartment, we recommend staying at the 3-star Ha'Penny Bridge. This 3-star apartment has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 9,854 guests.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try FX Buckley Steakhouse Temple Bar, one of the best restaurants in the city of Dublin. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,660 customers.

Locals also recommend Shouk as one of the best restaurants in the city of Dublin. Shouk is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,608 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Dublin is The Vintage Kitchen. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 911 customers.

After dinner, visit Shouk, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Dublin. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,608 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like The Temple Bar Pub. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 25,491 customers.

Alternatively, The Brazen Head is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Dublin. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 11,980 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Ireland!

Day 4 of your road trip through Ireland gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You’ll be able to choose how much time you want to spend in each area, where you’ll have the chance to visit attractions like the unforgettable National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, The Book of Kells, Ha'penny Bridge, and many more.

One of the best places to visit in the city of Dublin is the amazing National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology. As such, over 370,965 people visit National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology yearly. This attraction is a national museum and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 9,568 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible codex, The Book of Kells. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 9,738 visitors, it's easy to understand why so many people visit this famous attraction.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the city of Dublin is the outstanding Ha'penny Bridge. This footbridge has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 11,250 visitors. Approximately 370,965 travelers come to Dublin every year to see the stunning National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology with their own eyes.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Cork, where will have access to the best hotels and places to stay.

One of the best hotel options in the city of Cork is the 3-star Hotel Isaacs Cork. This hotel has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 635 guests.

You can also stay at one of the best 4-star hotel. The hotel Maldron Hotel Southmall is a luxurious place to stay in the city of Cork. This hotel is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 655 guests.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Muskerry Arms Bar and B&B Blarney, one of the best restaurants in the city of Cork. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,575 customers.

Locals also recommend Quinlans Seafood Bar Cork as one of the best restaurants in the city of Cork. Quinlans Seafood Bar Cork is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,527 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Cork is The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,534 customers.

After dinner, visit Barry's of Douglas Restaurant & Bar, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Cork. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,290 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like The Anglers Bar & Restaurant. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,160 customers.

Alternatively, The White Horse is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Cork. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,096 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Ireland!

Day 5 of your road trip in Ireland is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Cork before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Elizabeth Fort is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Cork. This fort and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,300.

If you're interested in seeing something else, the Crawford Art Gallery art museum is another great option. According to 1,108 reviews, adding up to an average score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, this attraction certainly lives up to its reputation.

You can also stop at Shandon Bells & Tower St Anne's Church church to capture the beauty and wonder of Cork one last time. This outstanding attraction is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 923.

Your accommodation will also be strategically located for some last-minute shopping in the city of Cork before you conclude your short European break.

You’ll then say farewell to Ireland and begin your journey home, now filled with memories of unforgettable experiences in Ireland!