Norman Strongholds and Irish Pubs: The Perfect Ireland Itinerary That Includes Carrickfergus Castle

Day-By-Day: Your Perfect Ireland Itinerary That Includes Carrickfergus Castle

The perfect Ireland itinerary balances efficiency with enjoyment, covering approximately 650 miles of stunning landscapes while still allowing time to savor each location and explore the incredible things to do in Ireland beyond the typical tourist trail. This carefully calibrated plan eliminates wasteful backtracking while ensuring Carrickfergus Castle takes its rightful place among Ireland’s premier attractions. Each day builds logically on the previous one, creating a journey that feels organic rather than rushed.

Days 1-2: Dublin’s Greatest Hits (Without Hitting Tourist Traps)

Begin in Dublin, where most transatlantic flights arrive. Skip the overpriced airport taxis ($45-60) and take the Airlink Express bus ($8) to central Dublin. For accommodations, the Abbey Court Hostel offers clean dorm beds from $25 per night, while mid-range travelers should consider the Arthaus Hotel ($140-180) in the vibrant Smithfield area. Luxury seekers will find The Merrion ($350+) worth every penny for its Georgian elegance and proximity to major attractions.

Focus your first full day on Trinity College Library, home to the astonishing Long Room and the 9th-century Book of Kells. Arrive at opening (9:30 AM) to beat the crowds and justify the $18 admission fee. Afterward, skip the overpriced and underwhelming Temple Bar pubs in favor of the historic Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street, where a perfectly poured Guinness costs $6 instead of $9. The Little Museum of Dublin delivers a delightfully quirky overview of the city’s history for just $15, proving that the best attractions often come in smaller packages.

On day two, visit the Guinness Storehouse in the morning when lines are shorter. The $29 admission includes a pint in the Gravity Bar with panoramic city views—essentially paying for a beer and getting a museum for free. The afternoon leaves time for Dublin Castle or, for literary pilgrims, the excellent Writers Museum. Finish with dinner at The Winding Stair, where traditional Irish ingredients get contemporary treatment without the usual tourist markup.

Days 3-4: Northbound to Belfast and Carrickfergus Castle

On day three, head north. The Enterprise train service connects Dublin to Belfast in 2 hours for $20-35, though renting a car ($40-60 daily) provides more flexibility for the coming days. First-time visitors to Ireland often approach driving with the trepidation of someone volunteering for experimental surgery, but the adjustment to left-side driving becomes manageable after the first hour—provided you constantly mutter “stay left, stay left” like a transportation mantra.

Arriving in Belfast, check into budget-friendly Vagabonds Hostel ($28-35), mid-range Ten Square Hotel ($145-180), or the luxurious Merchant Hotel ($300+). Spend the afternoon at the Titanic Belfast museum ($25), an architectural marvel shaped like the ill-fated ship’s prow. The interactive exhibits chronicle Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage with surprising depth. For dinner, sample modern Northern Irish cuisine at Home Restaurant, where entrees hover around $20-25.

Day four centers on Carrickfergus Castle, the crown jewel of this Ireland itinerary. Located just 12 miles from Belfast (30 minutes by car or 20 minutes via the frequent #563 bus), the castle opens daily from 10 AM to 5 PM for a reasonable $7 admission. Built in 1177 by Anglo-Norman conqueror John de Courcy, its massive 60-foot curtain walls and strategic position made it Northern Ireland’s most significant military fortress for centuries. While Blarney Castle gets all the travel brochure love, Carrickfergus offers a more authentic medieval experience with just a fraction of the crowds.

Inside, explore the perfectly preserved keep, portcullis gate, and murder holes (medieval architectural features for pouring scalding liquids on unfortunate attackers). For photography enthusiasts, morning light on the eastern walls creates dramatic shadows, while sunset bathes the western facade in golden hues. Remember that Carrickfergus Castle predates Jamestown by 430 years—making it almost twice as old as the United States itself.

After exploring the castle, walk to Dobbins Inn for lunch, a 13th-century building rumored to have its own ghost. Their Ulster Fry ($15-18) delivers a hearty platter of bacon, sausage, black pudding, eggs, and soda bread that fuels afternoon adventures. Spend the remainder of the day exploring The Gobbins cliff path at nearby Islandmagee, where a thrilling walkway clings to basalt cliffs 100 feet above the churning Irish Sea.

Days 5-7: Westward to Galway via Giant’s Causeway

Day five takes you northwest from Belfast to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, a 1.5-hour drive through picturesque countryside. The Causeway’s 40,000 interlocking basalt columns create what looks like a massive geometric puzzle descending into the sea. While access to the stones themselves is free, the visitor center’s informative exhibits justify the $15 entry fee. Photographers should arrive before 10 AM or after 4 PM to avoid tour groups and capture the site’s otherworldly quality without hundreds of people in frame.

Continue west through Derry/Londonderry, where the 17th-century city walls remain completely intact—a rarity in Europe. A guided walking tour ($12) provides crucial context for understanding Northern Ireland’s complex history. The drive to Galway takes approximately 3.5 hours, so consider breaking the journey with an overnight in either Sligo or Westport, two charming towns that offer a glimpse of authentic Irish life without contrivance.

Days six and seven center on Galway, Ireland’s cultural heart. The Galmont Hotel ($160-190) offers harbor views, though budget travelers should consider Kinlay Hostel ($30-40) for its central location. Avoid international hotel chains, which charge premium rates for rooms indistinguishable from their counterparts in Cincinnati or Sacramento. Instead, locally-owned guesthouses like The Stop ($120-150) provide more character and typically include home-cooked Irish breakfasts substantial enough to fuel an entire day of exploration.

Galway’s pedestrian-friendly center demands unhurried wandering through streets where traditional music spills from pubs at all hours. For dinner, Ard Bia at Nimmo’s serves locally-caught seafood with global influences, while McDonagh’s offers no-nonsense fish and chips for about $14. Using Galway as a base, take a day trip to either the stark limestone landscapes of the Aran Islands (accessible by ferry from Rossaveal, 45 minutes from Galway) or the breathtaking mountain scenery of Connemara National Park, home to the only fjord in Ireland.

Days 8-10: The Return Loop via Cliffs of Moher and Limerick

Any Ireland itinerary that includes Carrickfergus Castle must balance that northern treasure with Ireland’s western wonders, ensuring you experience the best things to do in Ireland across the entire island. Day eight features the Cliffs of Moher, vertical rock faces rising 700 feet from the Atlantic. The $8 admission seems reasonable until you realize you’re essentially paying to look at nature, but the visitor center’s exhibits on local geology and wildlife add value. Visit before 11 AM or after 4 PM to avoid the armada of tour buses that descend mid-day, delivering approximately 5,000 people daily during summer months.

Continue to Limerick for the night, a city that’s shed its former rough reputation to emerge as a cultural hotspot. The Angela’s Ashes walking tour ($18) provides a ground-level view of Frank McCourt’s bestselling memoir locations, while the Hunt Museum houses an impressive collection in a former customs house. For accommodations, The George Hotel offers boutique comfort from $140, while budget travelers should consider Sheep Street Hostel at $28-35 per night.

Day nine completes the eastern leg of the journey back toward Dublin. Breaking the return with an overnight in medieval Kilkenny allows exploration of its imposing castle and the Smithwick’s Experience ($15), which chronicles Ireland’s oldest beer brand, along with discovering all the fascinating things to do in Kilkenny that most visitors overlook. The Hibernian Hotel offers central lodging from $125-160, providing a comfortable base for exploring the compact city center on foot.

For your final day, return to Dublin (just over 1.5 hours from Kilkenny) for any missed attractions and last-minute shopping. Skip the overpriced Celtic jewelry stores on Grafton Street and instead visit the Design Tower in Temple Bar, where Irish craftspeople sell directly from their studios. For your farewell dinner, L. Mulligan Grocer in Stoneybatter serves elevated Irish classics paired with local microbrews rather than the ubiquitous Guinness—though no one would fault you for a final pint of the black stuff before departure.

Transportation Logistics: Getting Around Without Getting Lost

While public transportation connects major cities effectively, a rental car provides essential flexibility for this Ireland itinerary that includes Carrickfergus Castle. Compact automatics start around $40 daily, but manual transmission vehicles cost about 30% less for those comfortable with stick shifts. Factor approximately $150-200 for fuel for the entire circuit, with diesel slightly cheaper than gasoline but typically available only in manual cars.

Navigation proves straightforward with Google Maps, though downloading offline maps before departure prevents data roaming charges. Irish road signs deserve special mention—distances appear in kilometers while speed limits can sometimes still show in miles, creating a mathematical challenge for jet-lagged travelers. Parking presents the biggest headache in Dublin and Belfast, where daily rates reach $30 in central areas. Consider returning your rental before the final night in Dublin to avoid this expense.

Seasonal Considerations: When to Go

This itinerary functions year-round, though seasonal adjustments affect the experience, which is why proper planning a trip to Ireland requires careful consideration of timing and logistics. May and June offer 16+ hours of daylight and comfortable temperatures (55-65°F) with reasonably dry conditions by Irish standards (which still means rain every third day instead of every second). September provides similar advantages with the added bonus of smaller crowds. July and August bring peak tourism but only marginally better weather.

Winter travel (November-February) requires preparation for shorter days (as little as 7-8 hours of daylight) and temperatures hovering around 40-45°F. However, the compensation comes in significantly lower accommodation rates (often 40% below summer prices) and attractions free from crowds. Carrickfergus Castle looks particularly dramatic against winter skies, though some smaller attractions in rural areas reduce hours or close entirely during off-season.

Money-Saving Tips Without Sacrificing Experience

The Heritage Card ($47) delivers exceptional value for history enthusiasts, covering admission to dozens of sites throughout the Republic of Ireland, though notably not Northern Ireland attractions like Carrickfergus Castle. The Belfast Visitor Pass ($45 for 3 days) includes public transportation and discounts to major attractions, quickly paying for itself.

For meals, embrace the “big lunch, small dinner” approach. Many restaurants offer lunch specials at 30-40% below dinner prices for identical dishes. The full Irish breakfast included with most accommodations often sustains travelers until mid-afternoon with its protein-heavy combination of eggs, meats, and breads.

Non-EU visitors spending over $75 at participating retailers can claim VAT refunds (approximately 23%) at the airport before departure. Keep receipts and request VAT refund forms when purchasing. While seemingly minor, this refund adds up substantially for souvenir hunters.

Free attractions often deliver experiences matching or exceeding their paid counterparts. The Ulster Museum in Belfast rivals many European institutions without any admission fee, while the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin houses world-class manuscript collections and charges nothing beyond optional donations. These cultural treasures remain inexplicably overlooked in standard guidebooks, meaning you’ll enjoy them without fighting through tour groups.