Three Days in Ireland: Making the Most Out of a Short Stay

We had only three days in Ireland. This turned out to be a huge error on our part because we fell in love with Ireland! We knew we wouldn’t want to leave from the very moment we landed. The air was cool, and the landscape was shades of green that we hadn’t seen in forever. Initially, Ireland was a prolonged layover on our way home from Greece, but it soon felt like the main destination. Our time here was brief, yet this magical country left an enormous impression on all of us. My kids called Ireland their favorite part of our entire journey.

Surprisingly, we were able to fit a lot into only four nights. We managed to experience the countryside, hiking, falconry, city and small-town adventures, and even a night in a castle. Our brief stay was appealing and packed—we spent most of it in County Kilkenny and concluded with a filling evening in Dublin. What follows is the breakdown of our three days/ four nights in Ireland.

To optimize our limited time, we made the daring choice to rent a car. It took a while to get used to driving on the left side of the road, but it was worth it… especially since my husband did all of the driving. This gave us the freedom and flexibility to make the most of our three days in Ireland. We picked it up from the airport after our flight from Athens arrived late the night before.  We spent our first night at the conveniently located Premier Inn near the Dublin airport. We had a good night’s sleep and were able to hit the road early and start our three-day Ireland adventure the following day.

Our first stop was Glendalough, a 6th-century monastic settlement in a glacial valley in the heart of the Wicklow mountains. We spent several hours exploring the ancient settlement and hiking to the upper and lower lakes. I didn’t anticipate spending as long as we did here, but we all fell in love with the area and were enchanted by its serenity and beauty.

From Glendalough, we leisurely made our way to the Mount Juliet Estate in Thomastown. The drive was slow but scenic, passing through some of the most beautiful countryside I’ve ever seen. It’s worth repeating—rent a car. Ireland is an absolute delight for road trip enthusiasts.

After Mount Juliet served us a hearty breakfast we were off to explore County Kilkenny. Our first stop was Jerpoint Abbey. You are bound to come across many exciting old castles and buildings driving through Ireland, of which Jerpoint Abbey was our first. A 12th-century Cistercian Abbey—it was a remarkable spot to spend the morning.  Right up the road from the Abbey was the quaint little town of Thomastown.  We stopped for a haircut for my son and a quick bite to eat before heading to our next adventure.

Today’s next stop was the Hawkeye School of Falconry on the beautiful Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny. This falconry experience was a highlight for the entire family. We learned a great deal about the sport of falconry and enjoyed seeing and interacting with the birds up close. We got up close and personal with an owl, fed and witnessed the power of a hawk, and watched an awe-inspiring falcon luring demonstration.  Falconry is an experience none of us will ever forget.

Our eventful day wound down in the colorful and lively town of Kilkenny. The city, peppered with lively pubs, adorable shops, and a 12th-century medieval castle, offers a vibrant cultural experience. We had dinner at the Kyteler’s Inn, which is worth recommending. Established in the 13th century, it’s known for delicious, traditional Irish delicacies. It’s also notorious for its original owner, Alice Kyteler, Ireland’s first documented convicted Witch.

On our final day, we started leisurely as we basked in the remaining hours at Mount Juliet. Later, we made our way up to Dublin’s outskirts to spend our final night at the majestic Clontarf Castle—an ideal location for the last leg of our journey.

Our three-day Ireland visit may have been brief, but it was brimming with fantastic adventures and picturesque landscapes. Ireland, with its splendid countryside and historical sites, offered the perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.  Three days was not enough time to see all Ireland has to offer, but it did give us a taste of what we’d one day like to return to Ireland experience even more.