Regal Rambles: A Wickedly Whimsical Ireland Itinerary That Includes Ashford Castle

Your 10-Day Ireland Itinerary That Includes Ashford Castle: From Pubs to Palace Living

This carefully crafted Irish adventure balances urban exploration, cultural immersion, and aristocratic luxury in a 10-day journey that builds to a crescendo at Ashford Castle, incorporating some of the most rewarding things to do in Ireland along the way. Each day has been designed to showcase a different facet of Ireland’s personality – from literary Dublin to bohemian Galway to regal Connemara. Pack your rain jacket, your sense of humor, and your castle-worthy selfie expressions. You’ll need all three.

Days 1-3: Dublin’s Literary Soul (With a Side of Guinness)

Begin your Ireland itinerary in Dublin, where books outnumber sobriety and every third building seems to have hosted either a revolutionary meeting or a literary giant’s drinking session – often simultaneously. Start at Trinity College’s Long Room Library, where 200,000 ancient books create the closest thing to time travel available without violating the laws of physics. The Book of Kells exhibition costs $18, which breaks down to about 2 cents per century of history.

Wander through Temple Bar, where American accents somehow get thicker with each pint consumed. For an insider tip that will save both money and sanity: skip the Guinness Storehouse tour on weekends when it resembles Disney World with more slurring. Tuesday mornings offer the same experience with 70% fewer selfie sticks and zero bachelor parties.

When choosing accommodation in Ireland, Dublin options span from the gloriously posh Merrion Hotel ($450/night) where you can sleep near priceless art, to the boutique Brooks Hotel ($250/night) for mid-range budgets, to the Abbey Court Hostel ($30/dorm bed) where sleep is optional but storytelling is guaranteed. Weather-wise, expect summer temperatures of 60-65°F and winter hovering between 40-45°F, with Dublin’s famous “fifty shades of rain” making appearances year-round.

Days 4-5: Westward to Galway, Ireland’s Bohemian Rhapsody

Journey west to Galway, Ireland’s artsiest enclave – essentially Portland, Oregon’s cheerful, music-obsessed Irish cousin. Transport options include the train (2.5 hours/$50) or rental car (2.5 hours plus getting lost at least twice while adjusting to roundabouts that feel personally designed to confuse Americans). The former offers scenic views and drinking opportunities; the latter provides control over your destiny but requires navigating roads narrower than political discourse.

Galway’s street scene vibrates with buskers, artists, and people whose job descriptions remain delightfully unclear. The city center packs more pubs per square foot than a college town during homecoming weekend. For accommodations, The G Hotel offers modernist luxury ($275/night), Jury’s Inn provides comfortable mid-range options ($150/night), and Snoozles Hostel delivers budget-friendly beds ($25/dorm) with free breakfast and endless opportunities to hear someone practice the tin whistle at 2 AM.

Timing tip: If your Ireland itinerary that includes Ashford Castle happens to align with Galway International Arts Festival (July) or Oyster Festival (September), you’re in for a treat – though be warned that Galway during festival season makes Times Square on New Year’s Eve look positively monastic. Book accommodations months in advance or prepare to sleep in your rental car while questioning your planning abilities.

Days 6-8: The Crown Jewel—Ashford Castle

Now for the pièce de résistance of your Ireland itinerary – Ashford Castle. The 1.5-hour drive from Galway winds through countryside where sheep traffic jams are legitimate excuses for tardiness and stone walls date back to times when America wasn’t even a concept. As the castle appears on the horizon, even the most cynical travelers have been known to gasp audibly while trying to capture it on their phones (a futile effort – some experiences simply transcend the capabilities of iPhone cameras).

Accommodation options at Ashford Castle range from merely exquisite to borderline ridiculous. Deluxe rooms start around $600/night, while suites breach the $1,200 mark. Each features antique furniture that probably has more historical significance than most American museums. Dining at the George V Restaurant requires jacket and tie – and the momentary ability to distinguish between seven types of forks. The falconry school ($120/person) offers the rare opportunity to have a predatory bird land on your arm without requiring medical attention afterward, while lake cruises ($80/person) provide views that make Lake Tahoe look like a puddle.

For those not staying at the castle (or as the staff might privately refer to you, “the unanointed”), nearby BandBs in Cong village offer rooms for $100-150/night. Non-guests can still experience castle magic through afternoon tea ($60/person) or dinner reservations. Money-saving tip that castle management would prefer not be publicized: booking Ashford Castle 6+ months in advance can secure seasonal promotions saving up to 25% – the difference between dining on lobster versus sending your children to college.

The castle’s royal history dates back to 1228 when the de Burgo family decided regular houses were for peasants. Later owned by the Guinness family (yes, that Guinness), it has hosted celebrities from Brad Pitt to John Lennon to Ronald Reagan – all of whom presumably practiced their regal wave in the mirror before arrival, just as you will.

Day 9: Connemara’s Wild Beauty

After castle living, venture into Connemara National Park – one of the best places to go in Ireland – essentially what would happen if Big Sur and Scotland had a geographical love child with superior lighting directors. This rugged landscape offers hiking trails for all fitness levels, from “I climb mountains for breakfast” to “I consider reaching for the remote exercise.” Kylemore Abbey, a gothic castle built by a wealthy businessman for his wife in 1868, proves that extravagant displays of affection predate social media by centuries.

For photography enthusiasts, morning light at Kylemore Abbey (before 11 AM) creates reflections on the lake that would make Ansel Adams weep with jealousy. The Twelve Bens mountains are best captured in late afternoon when the light gives their craggy peaks a golden hue worth at least 500 Instagram likes. Just be prepared for narrow roads that would make a New York taxi driver contemplate a career change.

Weather in Connemara deserves special mention for its commitment to unpredictability. Summer hiking temperatures average 55-65°F, but the region’s infamous “horizontal rain” can appear without warning, transforming a pleasant walk into an impromptu shower fully clothed. Pack layers, waterproof everything, and embrace the Irish philosophy that there’s no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing and insufficient whiskey reserves.

Day 10: The Journey Back East

As your Ireland itinerary that includes Ashford Castle nears its conclusion, the return journey offers one last chance to absorb Ireland’s diverse landscape. Route options include a trip to the Cliffs of Moher, one of the best things to do in Ireland, where your Instagram followers will finally forgive you for all those castle selfies. These 700-foot sea cliffs make the Grand Canyon look like it needs to try harder.

The 5-hour drive back to Dublin crosses half the country – comparable to crossing half of New Jersey, except with more sheep and fewer shopping malls. Alternatively, overnight in Limerick or drop the rental car in Shannon and fly out directly ($150-200 for one-way flight). This option saves driving time but deprives you of one last day of Irish radio, where even traffic reports sound poetic.

For budgeting purposes, this entire 10-day Ireland itinerary falls into three tiers: Luxury ($8,000-10,000 per person), Mid-range ($3,000-5,000), or Budget ($1,500-2,500). The difference lies primarily in accommodation choices and whether your meals include white tablecloths or come wrapped in newspaper. All three versions deliver the same essential Ireland, just with varying thread counts and minibar access.

Practical Considerations for Your Royal Irish Adventure

When planning a trip to Ireland, packing requires acknowledging that “four seasons in one day” isn’t hyperbole but a meteorological promise. Even summer days can feature sunshine, rain, wind, and temperatures that fluctuate more dramatically than stock markets. Layers are essential, as is waterproof footwear – Dublin puddles have been known to reach depths suitable for Olympic diving.

Currency in Ireland is the Euro, with coins that feel like carrying around a pocketful of presidential medallions compared to American change. Credit cards are widely accepted, though some rural pubs still operate on the revolutionary concept of cash transactions. ATMs dispense Euros with the same cheerful efficiency with which they subtract funds from your account.

For Americans facing left-side driving challenges on their Ireland itinerary that includes Ashford Castle, consider it a real-life video game where the consequences are slightly more permanent than losing a digital life. The first hour feels like an elaborate practical joke; by day three, you’ll be navigating roundabouts with the smug confidence of someone who’s forgotten how to drive correctly.

Best times to visit Ashford Castle are May and September, when the weather cooperates and crowds thin. August should be avoided unless you enjoy experiences busier than a Boston bar on St. Patrick’s Day. Winter visits offer dramatically lower rates but require comfort with early sunsets (around 4 PM in December) and the distinct possibility of having your Castle-to-Dublin drive extended by weather delays. The upside: Christmas at Ashford Castle looks like every holiday movie ever made, minus the contrived romantic plot.