2 Weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland: 2 Itineraries

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Ireland is the second largest island of the British Isles. It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean and is separated from Great Britain by the North Channel, St George’s Channel, and the Irish Sea.

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Ireland is divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK. Ireland is known for constructing Titanic, St Patrick’s Day, four-leaf clovers, bagpipes, and more.

In this 2 weeks in Ireland itinerary, it will include cities in Northern Ireland. But don’t worry, Ireland and the UK have an open border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is fine for visitors.

If you want to see the entire UK, we have an itinerary for 2 weeks in the UK. We also recommend this 3 weeks in the UK and Ireland itinerary if you have the time.

TABLE OF CONTENTS show

BASIC TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

4 images - top left cliff's of moher, top right Queen's University in Belfast, bottom right is rocks at Giant Causeway, bottom left is Cathedral of Dublin - 2 Weeks in Ireland Itinerary

Before we get right into the itineraries, here are some helpful tips to make your trip easier and less hassle-free. Travelling to Ireland, if it’s your first time,, can feel confusing and intimidating, but this basic yet important information will help ease your mind.

When is the best time to travel to Ireland

Ireland has 4 seasons. The summer season is from June until the end of August. The peak season is from June to September. Winter starts during the first week of December until the end of February.

Are 2 weeks enough for Ireland

14 days are plenty of time for Ireland, including Northern Ireland. But it’s still important that you have some sort of idea of which cities you want to see and activities you want to do. In this way, you don’t miss anything.

This also ensure that you’re not spending too little or too much time in one place or listing too many places and ended up making the itinerary too busy.

How to get around

The first rule of public transport here is to buy a Leap card because that way, you can get substantial discounts on train, tram, and bus fares across the country. Travelling by train is the best option for inter-city trips.

Ferry services or boat hires are available for island trips. If you prefer privacy and a flexible schedule, you could rent a car or ride a taxi, but they are costly.

Language and currency

Ireland and Northern Ireland’s main language is Irish (Gaeilge), but it is spoken daily by a minority. English, however, is the predominant language and is spoken fluently throughout the country. Tourists can easily get around using English, as it’s universally understood and communicated in both urban and rural areas.

Ireland uses the Euro (€) as its currency, while Northern Ireland uses the British Pound Sterling (£) given its status within the UK. Paying in USD is not commonly accepted in either region. Both cash and card are accepted, but bank card payments are increasingly prevalent, especially in urban areas.

In most establishments, including restaurants, shops, and hotels, credit and debit cards are widely accepted. However, carrying some cash is advisable for smaller purchases or in rural areas.

Visa

Ireland Northern Ireland has different visa policies. Ireland is a member of the EU but doesn’t implement Schengen State border rules regarding Schengen visa holders (not EU citizens). On the other hand, Northern Ireland is part of the UK. This means that its visa policy aligns with the UK.

If you have a passport from the US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Botswana, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea, you can enter and travel around Ireland for up to 90 days in a 180-day calendar. EU citizens have freedom of movement in Ireland.

If you plan to enter and travel around Northern Ireland and you travel with a passport from most places in North and Latin America, Botswana, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and the EU, you can travel here for up to 6 months.

But for those not mentioned, you must secure a visa for both countries in advance. Schengen visa for Ireland and UK tourist visa for Northern Ireland.

Cost of 2 weeks in Ireland trip

Travelling in Ireland and Northern Ireland can cater to various budgets. On average, a single person’s cost for 14 days in Ireland is around €1,600, covering accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. Here’s a rough breakdown for a two-week trip:

  • Affordable:
    • Accommodation: Hostels or budget B&Bs can cost between €20-€50 per night.
    • Food: Local pubs and self-catering; expect to spend €10-€20 per meal.
    • Activities: Focus on free attractions, walking tours, and nature sites. Budget around €10-€20 daily.
    • Estimated Total: €560-€1,260.
  • Mid-Range:
    • Accommodation: Mid-tier hotels or guesthouses range from €60-€120 per night.
    • Food: Dine in mid-range restaurants, spending €20-€40 per meal.
    • Activities: Entry to some attractions and occasional guided tours; allocate €20-€50 daily.
    • Estimated Total: €1,400-€3,080.
  • Luxury:
    • Accommodation: Luxury hotels or castles can be €200-€500+ per night.
    • Food: Fine dining experiences may cost €50-€100+ per meal.
    • Activities: Private tours, spa treatments, and premium attractions. Budget €100+ daily.
    • Estimated Total: €4,200-€9,800+.

Remember, these are rough estimates, and expenses can vary based on personal choices and availability. These numbers also doesn’t cover flights to Ireland and back, travel insurance, and travel items such as luggage and clothes if you need new ones for this trip.

Travel arrangement tips

HOTELS
VISA
CAR RENT
TOURS
FLIGHTS
BUS (EU/US/CA)
TRAINS (EUROPE)
TRAIN/BUS (ASIA)
BOOKED TOURS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
TOURS (ASIA)
HOSTELS
AIRPORT PICK UP
ESIM
BIKE RENTAL

MAP OF TOP SITES AND ACTIVITIES IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN IRELAND AND NOTHERN IRELAND ITINERARY

Ireland is a wonderful country with historical sites, natural scenery, good food, and wonderful people. It was a filming site for many world-famous movies and TV series such as Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.

I created 2 options for your 2-week vacation itinerary, and you can choose which one you prefer. The itineraries are different because they are created for people with varied preferences, like if you prefer slow or adrenaline travel.

One final tip is if you’re planning to rent a car throughout your travel, it would be best to do it in Dublin as it has an airport that caters to international flights, so you can start in this place.

You could modify these travel itineraries however you want. It only guides you on what you could expect from various places in Ireland.

Itinerary #1: First-timer (Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Limerick, Cork)

This first itinerary is suitable for first-timers as it perfectly balances everything. Dublin, Belfast, Derry, and Limerick have rich histories, with well-preserved establishments and museums, while you could attend as many festivals as you want in Galway. Cork, on the other hand, is filled with incredible natural resources.

Dublin for 3 days

Dublin is the capital of Ireland, a perfect place to start your travel as it is the largest city in Ireland. Hence, you’ll find most of what you need here, food stocks, equipment, money exchange, and even transportation.

Dublin is known for its history, which stretches a thousand years, Georgian architecture, the General Post Office, a symbol of the Irish Revolution, and Grafton Street, an iconic street. This place is even referenced in Ed SHeeran’s song, Galway Girl.

Some other places to visit include Phoenix Park, Trinity College, and Croke Park, among others.

2 images - left is Dublin Castle and right is The Guidhall in Derry

Belfast for 2 days

Your next stop is Belfast, the capital and largest city in Northern Ireland. It is a port with industrial and commercial docks and a major aerospace industry. It is famous for its murals, music scene, ginger ale, Game of Thrones, and footballer George Best.

Some places you could visit here are Giant Causeway, Queen’s University, St George’s Market, and for nature lovers, the Black and Divis Mountains and Cavehill.

Belfast is pretty close to Dublin. There are three modes of transportation to go here, and the most recommended is by train, which has a travel duration of around 2 hours and 15 minutes. Other options include riding the bus or driving.

Derry for 2 days

Derry is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and is famous for having a completely intact walled city. The city walls amazingly date back to 1613. One of the highly-known British sitcoms titled Derry Girls was also filmed here and inspired by this remarkable city.

As you walk into this place, you’ll find out how rich its history is. Some must-visit places include Free Derry Corner, Peace Bridge, Hunger Strike Monument, Siege Museum, and more.

Derry is a three-hour drive from Dublin and under a two-hour drive from Belfast. You can also ride the bus, which I highly recommend, or board the train. But if you want to save time, you can simply plan a day trip to Derry from Belfast.

Galway for 2 days

Galway is a city in West Ireland in Connacht province. It is well-known as Ireland’s festival capital, hosting an average of 122 festivals annually. With that being said, the city is filled with history, culture, exceptional music, and food. It is also a popular seaside destination.

Some of the must-visit attractions here include Dunguaire Castle, Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, Galway City Museum, Eyre Square, and more. They also offer day tours such as Aran Islands Day Trip & Cliffs Cruise.

There are two ways to reach Galway if you’re coming from Derry. The most recommended is via bus, which has a travel duration of more than five hours as it is cheaper than the other option, which is by driving. From Belfast to Galway, it’s a 4-hour drive.

Limerick for 3 days

Limerick is a city lying on the River Shannon. It is the third largest city and one of the oldest and is famous for various historic landmarks, including St Mary’s Cathedral and King John’s Castle.

The iconic Milk Market, Hunt Museum, Thomond Park, and Treaty City are located in Limerick. You’ll also find where the first Irish coffee was made, as well as the longest footbridge and longest-serving newspaper in Ireland – The Irish Times. From Limerick, there are also day tours to the Cliffs of Moher.

There are 3 ways to reach Limerick if you’re from Galway, and the most recommended is via train. The distance is 73.4 km and has a travel time of almost 2 hours. The ticket cost is anywhere between $12-$18. Other options include by bus or driving.

Cork for 3 days

Last but not least, is the city of Cork. Cork is such an enchanting city famous for its wildflower-studded mountains, stunning coastline, and being branded as Rebel County because of the role it played in the wars of Ireland. It is also referred to as Ireland’s food capital.

Other places to visit in Cork include Mizen Head, Cobh, Blarney Castle, and Kinsale Village.

The distance from Limerick to Cork is 98.7 km. There are 3 ways to reach Cork if you’re from Limerick. The most recommended is by train, which has a travel time of almost 2 hours. Other options are by bus or by driving.

It is ideal to end your trip here because you could experience a bit of everything. It is perfect for foodies, artwork enthusiasts, those fond of classic architecture, and those who love activities and adventure.

If you rent a car in Dublin or catch a flight home from there, the drive from here to there will take almost 3 hours, with a distance of 258.6 km.

Itinerary #2: Balanced and Slow (Dublin, Derry, Limerick, Killarney, Cork)

This second itinerary for 2 weeks in Ireland that I curated is most suitable for those who like slow but balanced travel. I included busy and less crowded cities so you could go to whichever city you prefer, depending on whether you’re in the mood for crowds.

Dublin and Limerick are the busiest cities in the bunch, but they have their charms. They have castles and parks but also have a vibrant nightlife.

Derry is filled with historical sites and has many events year-round. At the same time, Killarney and Cork, on the other hand, are famous for their natural sceneries and the adventurous activities you could do there, such as hiking, boat tours, biking, and more.

Dublin for 3 days

Dublin is the perfect place to start your travel because it has the country’s main airport. Some must-visit areas include Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, and Phoenix Park. Dublin also never disappoints when it comes to nightlife. There are many excellent restaurants to choose from, and then you can chill at Temple Bar.

A few things to do include the world-famous Guinness Brewery tour, picnic at St Stephen’s Green, do a pub crawl, and listen to live music at the Button Factory or Whelan’s.

2 images - left is Titanic Museum in Belfast. On the right is Dunguaire Castle in Galway

Derry for 3 days

Derry is a staple cultural hub in Northern Ireland, full of murals, and history, and packed with events. One of which is the family-oriented Halloween festival.

Its surrounding villages also have spectacular sights, including Roe Valley Country Park nature reserve, where you can go glamping, and Nature Park, which hosts music festivals. Other places to visit include The Guildhall, St Columb’s Cathedral, and Tower Museum.

The distance between Dublin to Derry is 277.4 km, and the most recommended option is by bus. The travel time is more than 4 hours. Tickets cost anywhere between $27 to $35. Other options include by train and driving.

On your way to Derry, you can take a lunch break in Belfast or have a day trip and see Titanic Belfast, especially if you’re driving since it’s not a long drive from Dublin to Derry and would only take almost 3 hours before you reach your destination.

Limerick for 3 days

Limerick is known as a vibrant and exciting city from which the famed Limerick lace originated. It is known for its bacon and fishing industry and houses the largest Georgian quarter outside Dublin. Some activities here include biking, watching a rugby match, or listening to live music at Dolan’s.

What’s great about Limerick is that it’s near Rock Cashel, which resembles Minas Tirith for those fond of the Lord of the Rings franchise. You could take a day trip here as the travel time from Limerick to Rock Cashel is more than an hour.

There are a couple of ways to reach Limerick if you’re from Derry, and the most recommended option is by bus as it’s the cheapest. However, the travel time is between 7 and 8 hours, so if you want to reach Limerick faster, you could drive instead.

Killarney for 3 days

Killarney is a town in County Kerry, located in Southwestern Ireland. It is famous for its national park, filled with mountains you can hike, waterfalls, lakes, humongous trees, stone bridges, ruins, and wildlife.

Ross Castle is a must-see here, especially at night. Other sights to see here are The Ring of Kerry, Muckross House Gardens, The Dingle Peninsula, and more.

The distance between Killarney and Limerick is 110.4 km. There are 3 ways to reach Killarney if you’re from Limerick, and the most affordable option is by bus.

Dublin Coach is a bus line from Killarney to Limerick that operates every 4 hours. It has a travel time of almost 2 hours, and the tickets cost anywhere between $12-$22. Other options are by train and driving.

2 images - left is King John's Castle in Limerick, on the right is Cork City Gaol

Cork for 2 days

Cork is the largest county in Ireland. Some must-visit places include The Beara Peninsula, Bantry House, Gougane Barra, The Ballycotton Cliff Walk, Lough Hyne, and more. Aside from sightseeing and day tours, whale watching, road trips, and wine tours are some things to do here.

I highly recommend taking the train if you’re going to Cork from Killarney. The travel time lasts more than an hour, and tickets cost anywhere between $11 – $16. Other options include by bus or driving.

Speaking of driving, if you rent a car from Dublin, Cork is the perfect place to end your tour because it is not that far from Dublin. Aside from that, you’ll be amazed by the numerous castles, parks, wildlife, museums, and quaint villages you’ll get to see here.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN IRELAND AND NOTHERN IRELAND (per city)

It’s not time to show you a list of things you can do and enjoy during your 2 weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland. For this part of your itinerary planning, I recommend you open a map for this trip and add pins on each attraction. From there, you will have visuals which places are near one another.

2 images - left is Cliff's of Moher, right is Giant Causeway

Dublin

Belfast

Derry

  • Walk the Derry City Walls – book a tour
  • Visit Guildhall
  • Discover the city via a private walking tour
  • Explore the Bogside Artists’ Murals – compare this tour and this one
  • Cross the Peace Bridge
  • Tour the Museum of Free Derry
  • Derry’s Girl Filming Location – listen to the behind-the-scenes stories through this guided tour
  • Enjoy a full-day trip into the world of ‘Game of Thrones’

Galway

Limerick

Cork

Killarney

LOCAL IRISH DISHES AND DRINKS TO TRY

3 images - on the left is Irish Stew, in the middle is Boxty, on the right is Irish apple cake - 2 weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland

Irish cuisine might not be the most popular, but we all know how famous their drinks are. Regardless, make sure to try out 3-4 dishes during your trip, and don’t miss a pint of Guinness. See which food you like the best:

  • Irish Stew – a hearty dish with mutton, potatoes, and onions.
  • Ulster Fry – a traditional Northern Irish breakfast with sausages, bacon, eggs, potato farl, and soda bread.
  • Boxty – potato pancake, often served with a creamy sauce.
  • Coddle – Dublin speciality made of sausage, bacon, onions, and potatoes.
  • Colcannon – mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage or kale.
  • Barmbrack – fruity bread traditionally associated with Halloween.
  • Champ – creamy mashed potatoes with chopped spring onions.
  • Seafood Chowder – a rich soup filled with locally sourced seafood.
  • Irish Apple Cake – moist cake with juicy apple chunks.
  • Carrageen Moss Pudding – dessert made from seaweed, often flavoured with vanilla and served with blackberry sauce.
  • Fifteens – Northern Irish treat made of digestive biscuits, marshmallows, cherries, and coconut.
  • Irish Whiskey -brands like Jameson or Bushmills are famous worldwide.
  • Irish Coffee – mix of coffee, whiskey, sugar, and topped with cream.
  • Guinness – the iconic Irish stout, best enjoyed in a local pub.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Planning the 2 weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland can be a massive task especially if it’s your first time here. So, I also included a list of recommended accommodations per city to help you make the planning a lot easier.

Dublin

Belfast

Derry

Galway

Limerick

Cork

Killarney

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Ireland is a small country, but it is filled to the brim with historical sites and tons of natural scenery that are captivating and memorable.

Because there are so many places to visit and things to do here, choosing which places to visit can be overwhelming. That’s why I put together this itinerary to serve as a guide. I hope you’ll enjoy your 14 days in Ireland as much as I enjoyed putting together this list.

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Planning a solo trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland? Explore Dublin's lively streets, the scenic Cliffs of Moher, and Belfast's historic charm. Enjoy rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality for an unforgettable solo travel adventure. via @Twoweektraveller