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Dave & Lilli's Trip to Ireland 2026

Portland to Dublin road trip itinerary with confirmed flights, parking, hotels, drive legs, map links, and a Philadelphia stop on the way home.

16days

7Ireland stays

2US travel blocks

9timeline stops

Sun, May 3, 2026 - Sat, May 23, 2026

Dave and Lilli Ireland Trip 2026 Flight, hotel, and route reference

Open route map

Travel Plan

🅿️ Outbound Travel · May 3 - May 5 · Portland, parking, flight chain, long layover in Philadelphia.
📍 Dublin, Ireland · May 5 - May 7 · First stay.
📍 Waterford, Ireland · May 7 - May 8 · One night.
📍 Cork, Ireland · May 8 - May 11 · Three nights.
📍 Dingle, Ireland · May 11 - May 14 · Three nights.
📍 Galway, Ireland · May 14 - May 16 · Two nights.
📍 Derry, Northern Ireland · May 16 - May 18 · Two nights.
📍 Dublin, Ireland · May 18 - May 21 · Final stay.
🏨 Return Travel · May 21 - May 23 · Dublin, Philadelphia hotel, onward flights home.

Route order: Portland departure, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Dingle, Galway, Derry, final Dublin stay, then Philadelphia and Portland return.

Outbound

US travel block

Sun, May 3 - Tue, May 5

Portland, parking, and the 10-hour Philadelphia layover

Portland gives you an easy launch point for this trip, with PDX close enough to keep departure night simple and a long Philadelphia layover that can double as a first small city stop instead of dead airport time.

Up to route map Down to Dublin

Travel logistics

Outbound sequence

🅿️Parking	Candlewood Suites Portland - Uncovered Self Park, 11250 Northeast Holman Street, Portland Google Maps
🕒Parking Time	Sun, May 3, 9:00 PM PDT
✈️Flight 1	Southwest WN 3708, PDX to MDW Depart: Sun, May 3, 11:55 PM PDT Arrive: Mon, May 4, 5:50 AM CDT
🕒MDW Layover	1 hr 50 min
✈️Flight 2	Southwest WN 3336, MDW to PHL Depart: 7:40 AM CDT Arrive: 10:35 AM EDT, Terminal E
🕒PHL Layover	9 hr 55 min
✈️Flight 3	Aer Lingus EI 114, PHL to DUB Terminal: A East Depart: 8:30 PM EDT Arrive: Tue, May 5, 8:10 AM GMT+1, Terminal 2
🚗Car Pickup	Europcar, Tue, May 5, 12:00 PM GMT+1 Terminal 1 and 2, Dublin Airport Phone: 35318122800 Google Maps
📍Possible Destinations	Reading Terminal Market Liberty Bell Independence Hall

✈️

Outbound travel summaryPortland parking, overnight Southwest flights, long Philadelphia layover, Aer Lingus flight to Dublin, and Europcar pickup at Dublin Airport.

Days 1-3

2 nights

May 5 - May 7

Dublin

Dublin is a strong first stop because it is compact, walkable, and full of historic landmarks, so you can ease into Ireland without needing a long first-day drive after landing.

Up to outbound Down to Waterford

Stay block

First Dublin stay

🏨Hotel	Travelodge PLUS Dublin City Centre
📍Address	Townsend Street, Dublin Google Maps
🕒Check-in	Tue, May 5, 3:00 PM GMT+1
🕒Check-out	Thu, May 7, 11:00 AM GMT+1
📍Possible Destinations	Dublin Castle - historic civic core and an easy first stop. Grafton Street - lively pedestrian shopping street in the center. Trinity College - iconic campus with classic Dublin atmosphere. St. Patrick's Cathedral - one of Dublin's strongest historic landmarks. Temple Bar - famous pub district, best for a quick pass not an all-night commitment.

🚗

Next legDrive to Waterford, about 1 hr 57 min.

Days 3-4

1 night

May 7 - May 8

Waterford

Waterford is Ireland's oldest city and works well as a short transition stop, with a compact center, Viking history, and a lighter pace before the longer Cork stay.

Up to Dublin Down to Cork

Stay block

One-night stop

🏨Hotel	The Fitzwilton Hotel
📍Address	Bridge Street, Waterford Google Maps
🕒Check-in	Thu, May 7, 4:00 PM GMT+1
🕒Check-out	Fri, May 8, 12:00 PM GMT+1
📍Possible Destinations	Viking Triangle - compact historic core, easy to cover on foot. House of Waterford Crystal - the signature stop if you want the classic Waterford experience. Medieval Museum - strong history stop that fits the short stay well.

🚗

Next legDrive to Cork, about 1 hr 35 min.

Days 4-7

3 nights

May 8 - May 11

Cork

Cork gives you a lively city base with strong food options, easy historic stops, and flexible reach into nearby villages and countryside before the route turns more scenic.

Up to Waterford Down to Dingle

Stay block

Three-night stay

🏨Hotel	The Metropole Hotel Cork
📍Address	Mac Curtain St, Cork Google Maps
🕒Check-in	Fri, May 8, 3:00 PM GMT+1
🕒Check-out	Mon, May 11, 12:00 PM GMT+1
📍Possible Destinations	English Market - the best easy food-and-browse stop in the city center. Blarney Castle - the big-ticket day trip if you want the classic tourist stop. St. Fin Barre's Cathedral - dramatic architecture and an easy city landmark. Cork City Gaol - strong history stop with a more atmospheric feel.

🚗

Next legDrive to Dingle, about 1 hr 57 min.

Days 7-10

3 nights

May 11 - May 14

Dingle

Dingle is one of the most scenic stretches of the trip, with a small harbor town feel, dramatic coastal roads, and some of the best landscape views on the full route.

Up to Cork Down to Galway

Stay block

Three-night stay

🏨Hotel	Dingle Harbour Nights - Room Only
📍Address	The Wood, Dingle Google Maps
🕒Check-in	Mon, May 11, 3:00 PM GMT+1
🕒Check-out	Thu, May 14, 10:30 AM GMT+1
📍Possible Destinations	Connor Pass - one of the most dramatic drives on the trip. Slea Head - pure coastal scenery and a must-do Dingle route. Gallarus Oratory - compact historic stop on the peninsula loop. Blasket Islands tour - the best way to add wildlife and open-water views.

🚗

Next legDrive to Galway, about 3 hr 16 min.

Days 10-12

2 nights

May 14 - May 16

Galway

Galway brings a more relaxed west coast energy, with a compact center, strong music and food culture, and easy access to the bay and promenade.

Up to Dingle Down to Derry

Stay block

Two-night stay

🏨Hotel	Nox Hotel Galway
📍Address	Headford Rd, Galway Google Maps
🕒Check-in	Thu, May 14, 3:00 PM GMT+1
🕒Check-out	Sat, May 16, 12:00 PM GMT+1
📍Possible Destinations	Galway Bay - broad coastal views and a good reset after driving. Salthill Promenade - easy walk with sea air and classic Galway energy. Spanish Arch - quick historic stop near the lively core. Galway Cathedral - a worthwhile architectural stop if you're already nearby.

🚗

Next legDrive to Derry, about 3 hr 19 min.

Days 12-14

2 nights

May 16 - May 18

Derry

Derry adds a different layer to the trip, with intact city walls, modern political history, and a useful base for reaching the Causeway Coast.

Up to Galway Down to Dublin

Stay block

Two-night stay

🏨Hotel	Holiday Inn Express - Derry - Londonderry by IHG
📍Address	31 Strand Road, Derry BT48 7BL Google Maps
🕒Check-in	Sat, May 16, 3:00 PM GMT+1
🕒Check-out	Mon, May 18, 11:00 AM GMT+1
📍Possible Destinations	Bogside Derry Walls Giant\'s Causeway Dunluce Castle

🚗

Next legDrive back to Dublin, about 2 hr 36 min.

Days 14-17

3 nights

May 18 - May 21

Dublin

The final Dublin stay gives you a clean finish, with time for last city stops, a manageable airport run, and a familiar urban base before the return flight.

Up to Derry Down to return travel

Stay block

Final Dublin stay

🏨Hotel	Pembroke Guest Suite
📍Address	6 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin Google Maps
🕒Check-in	Mon, May 18, 3:00 PM GMT+1
🕒Check-out	Thu, May 21, 11:00 AM GMT+1
🚗Car Return	Thu, May 21, 12:00 PM GMT+1 Europcar Dublin Airport Google Maps
📍Possible Destinations	Jameson Distillery - a good last full-day stop if you want one polished Dublin experience. Temple Bar - still worth a walk-through for the atmosphere, even if brief. Irish Museum of Modern Art - a quieter option if you want a break from pub and street energy.

🛫

Next legAer Lingus EI 115 from Dublin to Philadelphia, Thu, May 21 at 4:10 PM GMT+1.

Return

US travel block

Thu, May 21 - Sat, May 23

Philadelphia hotel, return layover, and flights home

Philadelphia works well as a return stop because the center city area is dense with classic sights, good food, and enough activity to make the U.S. layover feel like part of the trip instead of just transit.

Up to final Dublin Back to top

Return logistics

Return sequence

✈️Flight 1	Aer Lingus EI 115, DUB to PHL Terminal: 2 Depart: Thu, May 21, 4:10 PM GMT+1 Arrive: 6:55 PM EDT, Terminal A East
🏨Hotel	Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - City Center
📍Address	219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia Google Maps
🕒Check-in	Thu, May 21, 8:55 PM EDT
🕒Check-out	Sat, May 23, 11:00 AM EDT
📍Possible Destinations	Reading Terminal Market - the easiest high-value food stop in the city center. Liberty Bell - classic and easy if you want the headline sight. Independence Hall - pairs naturally with the Liberty Bell area. Philadelphia Museum of Art - best if you want one iconic final-city stop before heading home.
✈️Flight 2	Southwest WN 472, PHL to DEN Terminal: E Depart: Sat, May 23, 5:00 PM EDT Arrive: 7:10 PM MDT
🕒DEN Layover	1 hr 15 min
✈️Flight 3	CT 685, DEN to PDX Depart: 8:25 PM MDT Arrive: 10:05 PM PDT

🏁

Return travel summaryDublin to Philadelphia, overnight downtown hotel stay, central Philadelphia sightseeing options, then flights through Denver back to Portland.