Interested in doing a road trip around Ireland, but don't know where to start with creating a 7-day Ireland road trip itinerary? You're in the right place. We share our itinerary, as well as all the details and recommendations on things to do, where to eat, and places to wander from our 7-day road trip in Ireland.

Day by day, we give the complete Ireland itinerary that took us all the way around the circumference of the island. We also share recommendations of places to linger, eat, grab a pint, and stay overnight, and we point out places or activities we would have added to our road trip had we more time.

Admittedly, we covered a lot of ground in just one week and in retrospect we moved a bit too quickly for our taste. One of the most important parts of building an Ireland itinerary is properly estimating the amount of time it actually takes between Ireland destinations, and incorporating time to get lost and make random stops. It often is more than you think.

If you use Google Maps to estimate driving times, consider almost doubling their driving time suggestion for Ireland, especially if you'll be spending most of your time on country roads and rural areas.

Our recommendation is to take a similar itinerary as ours and spread it out over ten days to two weeks. Alternatively, if you have a week or less, consider focusing on only one segment or region in the itinerary.

We’d like to thank everyone from our blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram communities who provided us with recommendations along our Ireland road trip, many of which we wouldn't have found on our own.

Map of our Road Trip Route Around Ireland

Our Ireland 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary, Day by Day

Day 1: Dublin -> Newgrange /Bru na Boinne -> Mornington Beach -> Dundalk

Dublin Recommendations

Before you begin to ask for Dublin advice, we have to admit that we sadly cannot give much. We were in Dublin to speak at TBEX, a travel blogging conference, and unfortunately didn’t have much time to explore outside of the conference events. However, we can recommend:

• The Guinness Storehouse: A cool, interactive museum that will answer any question you might possibly have about Guinness. You can even take a class in how to pull the perfect Guinness. Absolutely essential to understanding one of the reasons why Guinness in Ireland is terrific. Buy your Guinness Storehouse ticket in advance to skip the line and get a free pint.
• Cliff Townhouse: If you’re a fan of oysters, Cliff Townhouse offers a selection of different types of oysters from around Ireland. Our favorites included the native and Galway oysters. Big thanks to Mariellen for sharing her oyster feast with us!

Newgrange / Bru na Boinne

Of the two ancient burial sites found in the area, Newgrange and Knowth, we only visited Newgrange. It was surprisingly impressive! An estimated 200 tons of stones, some carried from 40-50 km away, were used to construct this 5,000 year-old ritual and burial site.

Even more impressive is the corbelled staggered stone roof and sun entrance, perfectly placed on a rise above the main door to allow a stream of light to shine through the tunnel all the way to the ritual chamber — only at sunrise on the Winter Solstice.

During the tour, our guide performed a simulation of this and it was still remarkable.  Must be incredible to see the real deal on December 21.

Newgrange practical details: Tickets are on a first come, first served basis at the Bru na Boinne Visitors Center (€6 for Newgrange transport and tour, plus visitor center exhibit).

Plan for additional time in your itinerary in case the tour times are booked when you first arrive. Brambles Cafe at the Visitor’s Center actually serves quite good chicken mushroom and Guinness beef cottage pies if you arrive around lunchtime.

If you don't have your own vehicle, you can also visit Newgrange (plus nearby Monasterboice and the Hill of Tara) as a day trip from Dublin.

Recommended spots near Newgrange:

• St Mary’s Abbey in Duleek: About 10 kilometers from Newgrange near the town of Duleek is St. Mary’s Abbey, a rubbled medieval church and cemetery. The original church is estimated to date back to the 13^th century, while some of the Celtic cross tombstones may go back even further. Cemetery lovers delight: a pleasant and atmosphere to linger and get a feel for Ireland’s religious history. Worth a quick stop if you have the time.
• Mornington Beach: As the weather was absolutely spectacular on the day we visited, a Dublin-based friend suggested a picnic out by the coast and we ended up on Mornington Beach near Drogheda town. Wide open beach, waves, stone walls to stroll along, fishermen, and families walking their dogs. If the weather is good, this is a beautiful stretch of beach to breathe in your share of Irish Sea air. Although we didn’t have time to stop in Drogheda, it looked like it might be a fun place overnight, perhaps more personal than Dundalk.

Day 2: Dundalk -> Belfast -> Giant’s Causeway -> Donegal

Northern Ireland and Belfast

There’s no border crossing to enter Northern Ireland, but you’ll know you’ve crossed once you begin seeing Union Jack signs and flags flying. That, and all prices have turned to British pounds. We had limited time to stop in Belfast. 

So upon return, we’ll book a Black Taxi Tour (recommended by a friend in Dublin) for a closer and grittier look at Belfast past and present.

Giant’s Causeway

We drove north through inland Northern Ireland until we hit Ballycastle (where there’s a cute little church and cemetery), then west along the Coastal Causeway route, stopping at lookout spots and villages along the way until we hit Giant’s Causeway. 

While we only walked along the upper route to look down on Giant’s Causeway from above, but we would recommend beginning with the lower route and also paying a visit to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.  Giant’s Causeway Entrance Tickets: £8.50 (including parking fees).

Dunluce Castle (near Bushmills):

This is an almost too perfectly placed rubbled seaside castle from the 15^th-16^th centuries.  Definitely worth at least a photo stop and to walk through the fields for another gander at the island’s rugged northern coast.

If we had more time:

• Port Rush: Recommended to get a drink or coffee by the harbor
• Derry: Walk the walled medieval town

Donegal, Harvey’s Point Hotel: Our stopping point for the night along Lough Eske outside of Donegal town. 

Get away from it all and enjoy local big bottle Kinnegar microbrews (try the Scraggy Bay IPA!) in front of the fire. Then tuck into a meal that will wind you down for good. We enjoyed an artfully prepared venison loin and some local monkfish fillet. Finish your evening leather chair-bound in front of the fire with a Connemara or Bushmills Irish whiskey sip.

BOOK A HOTEL: Donegal

Day 3: Donegal -> Westport

Donegal Town recommendations:

• The Blueberry Tea Room: Cute little café with fresh salads and sandwiches. Goat cheese salad is highly recommended. Cash only.
• Donegal Abbey: Just past the Tourist Information office is the Donegal Abbey, a rubbled abbey and cemetery that is worth a quick explore.

On the drive between Donegal and Westport our suggestion is to turn down a few of the side roads that don’t appear anywhere on your map. Head to the coast and take a walk. This was where we began our journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, a driving route that follows the Atlantic coast from North to South.

Also, the stretch of road through Sligo County is filled with stone farm houses – some still active and many abandoned lush fields and landscape.  If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a rainbow like we did.

Westport Recommendations:

• J.J. O’Malley’s Pub and Restaurant: Westport has a lot of pubs and a lot of restaurants, but there were not many options for pubs that have their own restaurant. J.J. O’Malley’s fit that need. Recommend getting the local salmon — fresh and nicely cooked — along with a bowl of mussels in white wine cream. All goes perfectly with — you guessed it — a pint of Guinness.
• The Porter House: Cosy pub with a good selection of microbrews on tap, as well as the requisite Guinness. Staff are friendly and live music plays most nights. We began our night here with a few pints and the first set of music and popped next door to finish off the evening.
• Matt Malloy’s: Recommended to us by a few of our Facebook fans. We were so glad we listened. The owner is a musician himself and there is live music every night of the week. Grab a pint on your way in, and find a spot in the back room where the music magic happens.  Fun!

BOOK A HOTEL: Westport

Day 4: Westport -> Louisburgh -> Clifden -> Connemara -> Galway -> Ballyvaughan

Louisburgh

Following advice from the bartender at The Porter House in Westport, we took a few turns outside Louisburgh aiming to get lost along the coast. Louisburgh itself is worth as stop. It’s a cute little town — a tidy town perhaps — with its share of coffee houses, butchers, surf shops and pubs.

Kylemore Benedictine Abbey

Somewhere between Louisburgh and Clifden, you’ll see this incredible building – like something out of a Harry Potter movie – across a lake. Resist the urge to pull over into the forest to take photos as there will be a proper parking lot a few hundred meters away.

We admired the Benedictine Abbey and its gardens from afar, but if you have time, friends tell us it’s worth paying the entrance fee to get up close.

Clifden

Stop by Guy’s Bar for lunch or dinner. Doesn’t have all the decor trappings of a classic Irish pub, but this is a genuine local joint featuring a steady stream of regulars.

Fantastic (and huge) fish and chips. And very good Guinness. Clifden is a cute Irish town and a great stopping off point in Connemara. If you have more time, consider spending the night here.

Connemara

It’s a beautiful drive between Clifden and Galway through Ireland’s Connemara region. This area features moody weather, green hills, wooly sheep dotting those same green hills, lakes, and more. Time permitting, head into Connemara National Park for a hike.

Galway

Our visit to Galway was far too short, just for dinner. In our very brief time in Galway, we enjoyed the feeling of the city, one of a lively university town. If we had to do it again we would have spent a night or two here. We also heard from several Irish folks we met that the music scene in Galway is great and it’s hopping every night of the week.

Aniar Restaurant in Galway: If food is important to you and you have a little room to splurge on a Michelin-starred restaurant, this is the place.  Terrific, thoughtful flavors, outdone only by the presentation and further outdone by careful culinary explanations. 

The menu is all based around what is fresh that day at the market, sometimes changing within the day. We each enjoyed the tasting menu and shared a wine pairing for taste (65€ for 5 course tasting menu, €95 with wine pairing).

BOOK A HOTEL: Galway

Day 5: Ballyvaughan -> The Burren Coastal Drive -> Doolin -> Cliffs of Moher -> Ferry from Shannon -> Killarney

We spent the night at Gregan’s Castle Hotel just outside of Ballyvaughan and in the heart of The Burren. A really warm and pleasant property. We have to admit that it was difficult to leave in the morning.

After a late evening arrival, we awoke to a beautiful view over the gardens and fields that reach to the coast. Breakfast is also lovely here, as the menu gives the name of the farmers from whom all the food is locally sourced. Some nearby farmers also offer walking tours so you can learn more about the living and natural history of the area.

If you are looking to splurge on accommodation for a night, this would be a great place to do so.  Be sure to check out their “Things to do nearby” menu. A terrific list if you want to sample The Burren experience.

BOOK A HOTEL: Book a room at Gregan's Castle Hotel | Find a hotel in Ballyvaughan

The Burren Coast Drive

The drive along the coast from Ballyvaughan to Doolin through The Burren was one of our favorite drives in the country. Harsh, rocky landscapes shaped by brisk winds from the coast.

Doolin

Stop off in Doolin for lunch. If the weather cooperates, consider taking a boat ride out to the Aran Islands or to see the Cliffs of Moher from below. 

Boat departure times depend on tides, weather and how rough the seas are so call ahead to be sure that there is indeed a boat departing when you want to go. We’d planned to take a boat ride to see the Cliffs of Moher with Moher Cruises, but the winds and seas were quite rough. The owners were very honest about conditions and how they could affect the enjoyment of the trip. You can book in advance a 1-hour Cliffs of Moher cruise from Doolin.

If you are coming from Galway, you book a day trip that takes you by boat to both the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher.

Cliffs of Moher

This is one of the most visited sites in Ireland, so expect to see the big tour buses and groups here. Don’t let the crowds put you off. Enjoy the view of the cliffs and appreciate the remarkably strong gusts of wind.

If you are a photographer (or photography is important to you), consider timing your visit to the Cliffs of Moher in the morning. When we arrived mid-afternoon we were shooting into the sun, which was a bit tough. Entrance fee: €6/person

Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk: A new walking path has just been built that connects Doolin with the Cliffs of Moher and goes all the way down to Liscannor. If you are a trekker, this would be the best way to enjoy the coastline as you’ll have most of the path to yourself. Check public bus times so you catch the bus back to your car at the end of the hike. Alternatively, hitchhike back to your car.

If you are short on time, or don't want to drive yourself, you can also visit the Cliffs of Moher as a day trip from Dublin.

Shannon Ferry, Killimer to Tarbert

From the Cliffs of Moher to Killarney, you have two options. Take the ferry from Killimer to Tarbert (what we did) or take the highway through Limerick. We didn’t intend for our ferry ride to be a sunset trip, but timing made it so. And it was really pleasant to get out of the car and enjoy the 30-45 minute ride as the sun set over the Atlantic ocean. Shannon Ferry Cost: €18/car

Killarney Recommendations:

Killarney is clearly and firmly on the traditional Ireland trail, so the center of town is quite touristy. A pretty town with no shortage of shopping and live music at night.

• Courtney’s Bar (Plunkett Street): Another pub recommendation from our community.  Thank you! Killarney is full of pubs and live music, but some of the options feel a tad less than local.  Although Courtney’s also had its share of tourists (like us), it felt more personal.  Live music was good, too. Courtney’s also features one of the most extensive beer menus we’d seen in all of Ireland. Not a bad whiskey list, either.
• Lane Cafe Bar at Ross Hotel: Technically, Lane Cafe is bar food, but the quality and creativity of the dishes we tasted here go beyond standard pub fare. Really excellent Dingle Bay Mussels with chorizo and chickpea tomato broth and the fish of the day. Both were great, and the prices are very reasonable given the quality and quantity of the food. Highly recommended.  The Cellar One Restaurant (closed the day we were there) is supposed to be even better. 
• The Ross Hotel: This is where we stayed, very nice and right in the city center. Awesomely accommodating staff with tons of information about the region.

BOOK A HOTEL: Book a room at Ross Hotel | Find a hotel in Killarney

Day 6: Killarney -> Dingle Peninsula -> Ring of Kerry (West) -> Cliffs of Kerry -> Portmagee

Dingle Peninsula

On your way from Killarney to Dingle you’ll want to pull over repeatedly to take photos of the almost too perfect sheep farms overlooking the coast. There aren’t as many pull-offs as there ought to be, so it is best to drive slowly and enjoy.  Break up your drive at Inch and take a walk along the beach (Inch Beach is two miles long, by the way!).

If you go in summer and you’re brave, you can take surf lessons. At the end of the peninsula, Dingle town is absurdly cute, loaded with colorfully painted shopfronts and pubs. If you have time, we’d recommend spending the night in Dingle.

Ring of Kerry (West)

Killarney to Portmagee is yet another fabulous Ireland drive. We found ourselves pulling off into villages and taking side roads across this route. There are some exceptionally picturesque farms and old farm houses along the route. Take a stop in Cahersiveen and enjoy the view across the bridge and at the marina.

Cliffs of Kerry

As you approach Portmagee, you’ll begin seeing small brown signs on the side of the road for “The most spectacular cliffs in Kerry.” We admit that the marketing worked. We followed the signs all the way past Portmagee to a small driveway with a cafe.

Go inside and buy a ticket (€4/person) and walk out to the cliffs. You won’t be disappointed.  And we had the cliffs all to ourselves – we were the only people there. Spectacularly beautiful. We can recommend visiting around sunset.

Portmagee

Whether you’re staying at The Moorings (recommended, where we stayed) or staying elsewhere in Portmagee, get yourself down to the pub at The Moorings for dinner. 

The pub has a great feel, sweet staff, a nice fire, fine Guinness and a blend of travelers and locals. But the real star here is the seafood chowder with homemade soda bread. The best of both we’d found in Ireland. Also recommended is the fish & chips, but beware that the serving will feed a small extended family. Sharing is wise.

BOOK A HOTEL: Book a room at The Moorings | Find a hotel in Portmagee

Day 7: Portmagee -> Skellig Rocks (boat trip) -> Ring of Kerry (East) -> Cork

Skellig Rocks

If the weather is good and the seas aren’t too rough, book a boat trip out to the Skellig Rocks. This was one of the highlights of our entire trip.

Off the southwestern corner of Ireland, pitched west of the coast of County Kerry, sit two little islands, one of which has a 600-step stone staircase that appears to wind straight into the sky. Those stairs, it is told, were built by monks who long, long time ago cast themselves away from civilization in order to meditate, study and pray.

This is the island of Skellig Michael.

In the sixth century, monks retreated to this island eight miles (13km) from what is now the mainland fishing village of Portmagee in order to meditate and devote themselves — unfettered by societal distractions — to their faith. Using the island stone and their own manpower, they built shelters of meticulously stacked rock — in drystone architecture, free of binding agents — into beehive-shaped huts in which they would live and pray, protected from the oft-visiting elements of wind and rain. With larger slabs of rock, they built a steep staircase up and across, from the water's edge to the island's highest point.

What makes Skellig Michael particularly exceptional to consider: how monks made this otherwise inhospitable and usually inclement spot their home of faith for more than six hundred years.

How to get to Skellig Michael: Boats leave from the pier at Portmagee at 10 AM when the weather is good and will get you back around 2:15 PM. You’ll be dropped off at Skellig Michael and have around 2- 2.5 hours explore the island and the medieval monastery. That might sound like a lot of time, but it will go by very quickly, particularly if the weather is nice. Take a picnic or snacks with you to eat on the island. 

We went with Pat Joe Murphy’s Sea Cruise (087 6762983/087 2342168) and had a great time. Call ahead to be sure there’s still a spot for you. We can also highly recommend following the boat ride with another bowl of seafood chowder and a pint of Guinness from The Moorings while sitting by the fire. Cost: €50/person

Ring of Kerry (East)

We wish we had more time for this section of the trip as there are several small towns (Sneem, Templenoe, etc.) along the way between Portmagee and Kenmare that looked like fun places to roam, get lost and have a pint. If you’re going to take the boat ride out to Skellig Rocks in the morning, consider spending the night in one of these towns that evening, instead of going all the way to Cork.

Cork at night

• Concert at Triskel Christchurch: We arrived in Cork just in time to see an Irish folk music concert by Paddy Casey at Christchurch. Both experiences are highly recommended. Paddy Casey is not only a great singer and songwriter, but he’s also hilarious. And, Christchurch is a very cool concert venue.  It’s a converted church so that you’ll be sitting in pews while soaking up the acoustics.  You can even drink a beer while seated in the pews. Drinking in the pews — there’s something fitting and ironic about that in Ireland.
• Long Valley Bar (Winthrop Street): If you’re looking for a laid back pub with live music on weekends this is a great choice. We thank Katrina Stovoid who lives in Cork for inviting us out with her friends and sharing this pub with us.

BOOK A HOTEL: Cork

Day 8: Cork -> Dublin

Cork English Market

I have to admit that I had my doubts about the English Market. We figured it to be really touristy and full of overpriced gourmet foods as it appears at the top of every “What to do in Cork” list.

But to our surprise, the English Market on a Saturday morning was filled mainly with locals going about their weekend shopping at the butcher, fishmonger, vegetable stands and other local and international food shops.  Some of the butcher shops go back over a hundred years and get passed down through the family. If our experience is any measure, the Irish certainly know their meat and value a good butcher.

It was impossible to cover everything in Ireland in the course of a week, but this itinerary gave us a good overview of the island and an idea of where we’d like to go deeper. We look forward to a return trip.

Where do you recommend we go next visit to Ireland?

The post Ireland Road Trip: 7-Day Itinerary appeared first on Uncornered Market.

I set my watch 15 minutes fast. That way, when I die I’ll sneak into heaven before the devil figures out I’m dead.

– words of wisdom from the local dispensary, a spry gentleman one Guinness down in Westport, County Mayo

In almost every country we’ve visited around the world, with perhaps the exception of Bangladesh and Iran, we seem to stumble across an Irish pub. The problem with many of them: there’s usually something dubious, something un-Irish about them.

Possibly the food. Maybe the owners. Definitely the accent.

There’s even supposedly a do-it-yourself (DIY) Irish pub industry, whereby companies in Ireland offer an “Irish pub in a box” – so when you open one of your own, you’ll have all the requisite Guinness bar mirrors, typical Irish pub name signs (Murphy’s or Mulligan’s) and kitschy faux-finished knickknacks to tuck in the windows.

It tarnishes the Irish pub industry so unnecessarily cliché.

One of my lasting “Irish” pub memories was of a brawl that broke out while a friend's band performed. As chairs sailed across the bar, the band soldiered on, slowing things down with a rendition of All You Need Is Love until tempers eventually cooled.

After all of life’s misdirection, we had the good fortune to visit Ireland this year. And I’m not just talking Dublin, but the Ireland outside of the capital city, what some Irish friends dare to call “the real Ireland.”

While there, we found ourselves in a few Irish pubs.

Well, maybe more than a few.

At least once a day.

OK, more like twice a day.

And through our visits, we learned something of the ebb and flow of Irish life — and what it means to be a real Irish pub.

The Public House, The Local Living Room

Outside of a neighborhood speakeasy growing up where one could get 5 cent drafts in the town next door (don’t ask me how, or how old I am), I’ve never been anyplace where the drinking establishments felt more consistently like living rooms than they did in Ireland.

We related an incident to our friend John from Galway: “We ate at a pub in Clifden for lunch, but it didn’t look to us like a typical Irish pub. There was a steady stream of people coming in to sit at the bar, some to eat. The bartender offered help to a woman struggling with the latest update on her iPhone, people greeted one another by asking about how the family was doing. From moms to granddads, they were all there together.”

“Oh, that means you found a real Irish pub,” John clarified.

Pub is short for Public House. Many pubs in Ireland remain a gathering hub where people of all ages and lots in life come not only to drink, but also to take in the latest news about town.

As we sipped a Guinness and pecked away at a plate of fish and chips, we observed a stream of local humanity in a hum of news about family and friends.

On special days, say a Sunday afternoon, you might even find several older men lined up tables side-by-side enjoying their Sunday dinner. You can imagine that they are there every Sunday afternoon, in the same spot: their spot.

And don’t worry if you arrive alone. You’ll be part of the conversation, some conversation, before you depart.

Guinness: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

The wheels of those conversations, they are greased in great part by Guinness.

During our first night in Dublin, a cab driver advised us on all we needed to know for a first trip to Ireland: “You must wait for Guinness to settle. It tastes better that way, trust me.”

I’ve enjoyed several Guinness in my life, but in this one much-too-short visit to Ireland I believe I may have quintupled the count.

The texture smooth and subtle, and the taste – surprisingly variable across pubs yet always satisfying – seemed complementary to just about every meal from oysters to beef cottage pie. (And yes, we tried Guinness’ competitors Beamish and Murphy’s – preferred in that order — but it was Guinness that kept us coming back.)

I’ve always considered Guinness as it technically is, a stout. But a visit to Ireland, pubs and all, convinced me that Guinness in fact belongs to a beverage class all its own.

A real Irish pub knows a true Guinness pour, a five-step: 1) Tilt the glass, pull the tap forward for a carbonated beer blend; 2) Fill just below the harp symbol near the top of the glass; 3) Wait for stage one to settle; 4) Tap back, stage two, top it off with pure beer just below or at the rim of the glass; 5) Wait for the rising stream of bubbles to settle to the top. The head should settle just right, perhaps a millimeter or so above the rim.

Then it’s time to enjoy.

Note: We have since tried Guinness in London and most recently in the United States, where – GASP — steps #1, #3, and #4 are sadly ignored. A real Irish pub will learn you better.

Music: Intimate and Collective

To grease the wheels further, we need sound above and beyond the din of conversation, the sort of sound that resonates in the head and heart.

Live performances in Ireland were intimate. Musicians would sit in a corner booth or table, alongside the rest of us. They were part of the crowd as much as they were what the crowd had come to enjoy. At Porter House, we enjoyed at quick-pick banjo and guitar. Music as meditation.

Matt Malloy’s in the town of Westport, too, captures the music scene in an Irish pub. Towards the end of the night the lead musician, a fiddler, asked one of the regulars in the crowd what they ought to play.

“Let’s play something for the Americans.”

We, among the few Americans in the crowd, were taken aback by the request delivered warmly and tenderly by a graying man in a green sweater vest and wool trousers.

He went on to sing a tear-jerking rendition of “I left my heart in San Francisco.” Tony Bennett would be proud. San Franciscans, too.

It didn’t matter whether one was a tourist or a local. We were all there together, welcome.

As goes touristy things to do in Ireland, the live pub music we experienced transcended contrivance. Music and community – from the heart – tends to do that.

Bartender: Master of Ceremony (& Unofficial Tourist Information Office)

Bartenders in Irish pubs, as in many stations around the world, hold position as unofficial masters of ceremony. They set the pace, not only controlling the flow of drinks by masterfully pulling each Guinness and lining it up to settle but also the stream of conversation and people around those pours through an almost imperceptible orchestration.

“Do you have your own car? Do you like to explore?” asked the bartender at Porter House in Westport. It had taken him a nanosecond after we’d opened our mouths to realize that we were visitors.

We nodded.

“Ok, let me suggest a few places for you to get lost tomorrow. Back roads you should turn down towards the coast, a coffee shop with strong coffee.”

As he reeled off the name of one village after another, Audrey struggled to keep up, thumbing the transliterated Irish English into her iPhone. That getting lost was synonymous with exploration was endearing, fitting.

The following day we managed to match a few of the phonetically spelled names with what we’d found on our map.

In one of those “get lost” areas, we turned off on a dirt road, landing at the edge of a harbor pointed to the Atlantic Ocean – like land’s end, the middle of nowhere. Some fishermen stood on the pier trying their luck. As we walked to a more open view of the water, one of the casters strolled past us and smiled: “You were at the pub last night, weren’t you? I sat near you.”

It’s a small, small world.

So too in Ireland. So too in an Irish pub.

You can find Irish pub recommendations in our Ireland road trip article.

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