Northern Ireland & Northwest Loop
Head north from Dublin to Belfast and the Giant's Causeway, then loop back to Galway via Donegal and Mayo.
Ideal for travelers who have already visited the south or want to avoid the crowds of Kerry, this route loops Northern Ireland and the northwest coast together. The first half focuses on urban history and the Causeway Coast, while the second half highlights cliffs, valleys, and Connemara, bypassing the south. This is a self-drive trip; you must inform your car rental company of the cross-border travel and confirm insurance coverage when picking up the car.
Daylight hours are short in winter, and coastal attractions and ferry schedules may be limited.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival in Dublin
Dublin（Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells、Grafton Street、Temple Bar）
The airport bus takes about 40 minutes to the city center. Do not pick up your car today; explore the city center on foot.
Stay: St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street
Day 2 · Boyne Valley to Belfast
Dublin（Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne)） → Belfast & Causeway Coast（Belfast City Hall）
Drive to the Boyne Valley (approx. 1 hour), then take the M1 to Belfast (approx. 1.5 hours).
Newgrange can only be visited via guided tours from the visitor center; tickets must be booked in advance.
Stay: City Centre around City Hall
Day 3 · Titanic Belfast & Mural Districts
Belfast & Causeway Coast（Titanic Belfast、Belfast Murals & Peace Walls、Crumlin Road Gaol、St George's Market）
Combine walking and public transport. The mural districts can be explored via a Black Cab tour. Spend the full day in the city.
St. George's Market is mainly open from Friday to Sunday.
Stay: City Centre around City Hall
Day 4 · Causeway Coast Day Trip
Belfast & Causeway Coast（The Dark Hedges、Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge、Giant's Causeway、Dunluce Castle）
Drive from Belfast to the Dark Hedges (approx. 1.25 hours), then follow the coast to Portrush (approx. 1 hour).
The rope bridge requires booking a time slot and may close in high winds.
Stay: Portrush
Day 5 · Mussenden Temple to Historic Derry
Belfast & Causeway Coast（Mussenden Temple & Downhill Demesne） → Derry~Londonderry（Derry's Walls、Bogside Murals (People's Gallery)、Peace Bridge）
Drive from Portrush to Mussenden (approx. 30 minutes), then continue to Derry (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Walled City
Day 6 · Glenveagh & Horn Head
Northwest Donegal（Glenveagh National Park & Castle、Horn Head）
Drive from Derry to Glenveagh (approx. 1.25 hours), then continue to Dunfanaghy and Horn Head (approx. 45 minutes).
Glenveagh Castle is closed on Mondays and Fridays in autumn and winter.
Stay: Dunfanaghy
Day 7 · Errigal to Slieve League
Northwest Donegal（Errigal、Poisoned Glen & Dunlewey Church） → Southwest Donegal（Glengesh Pass、Slieve League Cliffs）
Drive from Dunfanaghy via Errigal and Glengesh Pass to the cliffs (approx. 2.5 hours), then continue to Killybegs (approx. 30 minutes).
The upper car park at the cliffs has restricted access during peak season, with shuttle buses running from July to September.
Stay: Killybegs
Day 8 · Donegal Town to Sligo
Southwest Donegal（Donegal Castle） → Sligo（Mullaghmore Head & Classiebawn Castle、Drumcliffe Churchyard (Yeats's Grave)、Sligo Abbey）
Drive from Killybegs to Donegal Town (approx. 30 minutes), then continue to Sligo (approx. 1.25 hours).
Stay: Sligo Town Centre
Day 9 · Megalithic Tombs to Westport
Sligo（Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery） → Westport & Achill Island（Westport Town、National Famine Memorial & Murrisk Abbey）
Drive from Sligo town center to Carrowmore (approx. 15 minutes), then continue to Westport (approx. 1.75 hours).
Stay: Westport Town Centre
Day 10 · Doolough Valley & Connemara
Westport & Achill Island（Doolough Valley） → Galway（Killary Harbour、Kylemore Abbey、Connemara National Park）
Drive from Westport through Doolough Valley to Kylemore (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue to Galway (approx. 1.75 hours).
Stay: Latin Quarter
Day 11 · Galway Old Town, then Return to Dublin
Galway（Galway Latin Quarter、Spanish Arch & The Long Walk） → Athlone & Clonmacnoise（Clonmacnoise）
Explore the Old Town on foot in the morning, then drive to Clonmacnoise (approx. 1.25 hours), and continue to the airport (approx. 1.75 hours).