8-Day Ireland Road Trip from Cork to Dublin & 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 8-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!

On day 3 of your road trip, you’ll explore the area around the region of Cork. You’ll be able to visit amazing attractions, like the incredible Charles Fort, Jameson Distillery Midleton, Leahy's Open Farm, and many more.

One of the best travel destinations in the region of Cork is Charles Fort. This incredible attraction is a fort and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,735 visitors.

Jameson Distillery Midleton is another popular attraction you'll visit in the region of Cork. This spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,735 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the region of Cork is Leahy's Open Farm. This amazing attraction and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,836 visitors.

Beyond the above-mentioned attractions, you also have the opportunity to visit the outstanding Fota Wildlife Park. This zoo and place of interest is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 10,820 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 Muskerry Arms Bar and B&B Blarney. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,575 customers.

Quinlans Seafood Bar Cork 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 1,527 customers.

Locals enjoy The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega, one of the most popular restaurants in the city of Cork. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,534 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in the city of Cork, Barry's of Douglas Restaurant & Bar. 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 that locals recommend, like The Anglers Bar & Restaurant. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,160 customers.

The White Horse is another of the best bars 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 and relax after another big day of your road trip adventure through Ireland!

Day 4 of your road trip through Ireland gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day.

One of the best places to visit in the region of Munster is the amazing Cahir Castle. This attraction is a castle and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,013 visitors.

You could also do sightseeing at the incredible Rock of Cashel. This castle and travel destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 10,598 visitors.

You could then travel to the amazing Kilkenny Castle Park in the region of Kilkenny for some sightseeing. This popular attraction is a castle and has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 8,744 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the region of Kilkenny is the outstanding Smithwick's Experience. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 947 visitors, this top sight deserves a spot on travelers' bucket lists.

You’ll also have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Dublin.

One of the best hotel options in the city of Dublin is the 4-star hotel 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. 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!

On day 5 of your road trip, you’ll explore the area around the city of Dublin. You’ll be able to visit amazing attractions, like the incredible St Patrick's Cathedral, National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, The Book of Kells, and many more.

One of the best travel destinations in the city of Dublin is St Patrick's Cathedral. This incredible attraction is an anglican or episcopal cathedral and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 15,857 visitors.

National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology is another popular attraction you'll visit in the city of Dublin. This spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 15,857 visitors. National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology attracts about 370,965 travelers annually.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the city of Dublin is The Book of Kells. This amazing attraction is a codex and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 9,738 visitors.

Beyond the above-mentioned attractions, you also have the opportunity to visit the outstanding Ha'penny Bridge. This footbridge and place of interest is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 11,250 visitors.

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

We recommend eating at one of the best restaurants in the city of Dublin, like Chapter One Restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 849 customers.

Mr Fox is another of the best restaurant options in the city of Dublin. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 690 customers.

Locals enjoy The Temple Bar Pub, one of the most popular restaurants in the city of Dublin. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 25,491 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in the city of Dublin, The Church Café, Late Bar & Restaurant. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 10,779 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar that locals recommend, like Porterhouse Temple Bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,884 customers.

The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant is another of the best bars in the city of Dublin. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,719 customers.

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

On day 6 of your road trip, you’ll explore the area around the city of Dublin. You’ll be able to visit amazing attractions, like the incredible National Botanic Gardens, Dublin Zoo, Guinness Storehouse, and many more.

One of the best travel destinations in the city of Dublin is National Botanic Gardens. This incredible attraction is a botanical garden and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 13,206 visitors.

Dublin Zoo is another popular attraction you'll visit in the city of Dublin. This spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 13,206 visitors. Dublin Zoo attracts about 1,105,005 travelers annually.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the city of Dublin is Guinness Storehouse. This amazing attraction is a tourist attraction and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 14,337 visitors.

Beyond the above-mentioned attractions, you also have the opportunity to visit the outstanding Phoenix Park. This park and place of interest is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 32,979 visitors.

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

We recommend eating at one of the best restaurants in the city of Dublin, like The Brazen Head. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 11,980 customers.

The Church Café, Late Bar & Restaurant is another of the best restaurant options in the city of Dublin. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 10,779 customers.

Locals enjoy Porterhouse Temple Bar, one of the most popular restaurants in the city of Dublin. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,884 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in the city of Dublin, The Stags Head. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,691 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar that locals recommend, like The Celt. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,507 customers.

O'Donoghues Bar is another of the best bars in the city of Dublin. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,110 customers.

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

Day 7 of your road trip through Ireland gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day.

One of the best places to visit in the city of County Clare is the amazing Cliffs of Moher. This attraction is a cliff and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 32,238 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible park, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 9,995 visitors, it's easy to understand why so many people visit this famous attraction.

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 Cornstore Cork, one of the best restaurants in the city of Cork. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,516 customers.

Locals also recommend Silver Key Bar and Restaurant as one of the best restaurants in the city of Cork. Silver Key Bar and Restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,491 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Cork is Barry's of Douglas Restaurant & Bar. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,290 customers.

After dinner, visit The Shelbourne Bar, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Cork. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,024 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like The Roundy. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 974 customers.

Alternatively, South County Bar & Café, Douglas is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Cork. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 856 customers.

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

Day 8 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!