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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
Ireland poster collage
Ireland route map

Travel Plan

  1. ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ Outbound Travel ยท May 3 - May 5 ยท Portland, parking, flight chain, long layover in Philadelphia.
  2. ๐Ÿ“ Dublin, Ireland ยท May 5 - May 7 ยท First stay.
  3. ๐Ÿ“ Waterford, Ireland ยท May 7 - May 8 ยท One night.
  4. ๐Ÿ“ Cork, Ireland ยท May 8 - May 11 ยท Three nights.
  5. ๐Ÿ“ Dingle, Ireland ยท May 11 - May 14 ยท Three nights.
  6. ๐Ÿ“ Galway, Ireland ยท May 14 - May 16 ยท Two nights.
  7. ๐Ÿ“ Derry, Northern Ireland ยท May 16 - May 18 ยท Two nights.
  8. ๐Ÿ“ Dublin, Ireland ยท May 18 - May 21 ยท Final stay.
  9. ๐Ÿจ Return Travel ยท May 21 - May 23 ยท 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.

Outbound photo
Travel logistics

Outbound sequence

๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธParkingCandlewood Suites Portland - Uncovered Self Park, 11250 Northeast Holman Street, Portland
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Parking TimeSun, May 3, 9:00 PM PDT
โœˆ๏ธFlight 1Southwest WN 3708, PDX to MDW
Depart: Sun, May 3, 11:55 PM PDT
Arrive: Mon, May 4, 5:50 AM CDT
๐Ÿ•’MDW Layover1 hr 50 min
โœˆ๏ธFlight 2Southwest WN 3336, MDW to PHL
Depart: 7:40 AM CDT
Arrive: 10:35 AM EDT, Terminal E
๐Ÿ•’PHL Layover9 hr 55 min
โœˆ๏ธFlight 3Aer 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
๐Ÿš—Car PickupEuropcar, Tue, May 5, 12:00 PM GMT+1
Terminal 1 and 2, Dublin Airport
Phone: 35318122800
Google Maps
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsReading Terminal Market
Liberty Bell
Independence Hall
โœˆ๏ธ
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.

Dublin card photo
Stay block

First Dublin stay

๐ŸจHotelTravelodge PLUS Dublin City Centre
๐Ÿ“AddressTownsend Street, Dublin
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Check-inTue, May 5, 3:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ•’Check-outThu, May 7, 11:00 AM GMT+1
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsDublin 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.
๐Ÿš—
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.

Waterford card photo
Stay block

One-night stop

๐ŸจHotelThe Fitzwilton Hotel
๐Ÿ“AddressBridge Street, Waterford
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Check-inThu, May 7, 4:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ•’Check-outFri, May 8, 12:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsViking 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.
๐Ÿš—
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.

Cork card photo
Stay block

Three-night stay

๐ŸจHotelThe Metropole Hotel Cork
๐Ÿ“AddressMac Curtain St, Cork
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Check-inFri, May 8, 3:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ•’Check-outMon, May 11, 12:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsEnglish 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.
๐Ÿš—
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.

Dingle card photo
Stay block

Three-night stay

๐ŸจHotelDingle Harbour Nights - Room Only
๐Ÿ“AddressThe Wood, Dingle
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Check-inMon, May 11, 3:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ•’Check-outThu, May 14, 10:30 AM GMT+1
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsConnor 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.
๐Ÿš—
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.

Galway card photo
Stay block

Two-night stay

๐ŸจHotelNox Hotel Galway
๐Ÿ“AddressHeadford Rd, Galway
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Check-inThu, May 14, 3:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ•’Check-outSat, May 16, 12:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsGalway 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.
๐Ÿš—
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.

Derry card photo
Stay block

Two-night stay

๐ŸจHotelHoliday Inn Express - Derry - Londonderry by IHG
๐Ÿ“Address31 Strand Road, Derry BT48 7BL
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Check-inSat, May 16, 3:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ•’Check-outMon, May 18, 11:00 AM GMT+1
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsBogside
Derry Walls
Giant\'s Causeway
Dunluce Castle
๐Ÿš—
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.

Final Dublin card photo
Stay block

Final Dublin stay

๐ŸจHotelPembroke Guest Suite
๐Ÿ“Address6 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Check-inMon, May 18, 3:00 PM GMT+1
๐Ÿ•’Check-outThu, May 21, 11:00 AM GMT+1
๐Ÿš—Car ReturnThu, May 21, 12:00 PM GMT+1
Europcar Dublin Airport
Google Maps
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsJameson 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.
๐Ÿ›ซ
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.

Return card photo
Return logistics

Return sequence

โœˆ๏ธFlight 1Aer 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
๐ŸจHotelCambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - City Center
๐Ÿ“Address219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
Google Maps
๐Ÿ•’Check-inThu, May 21, 8:55 PM EDT
๐Ÿ•’Check-outSat, May 23, 11:00 AM EDT
๐Ÿ“Possible DestinationsReading 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.
โœˆ๏ธFlight 2Southwest WN 472, PHL to DEN
Terminal: E
Depart: Sat, May 23, 5:00 PM EDT
Arrive: 7:10 PM MDT
๐Ÿ•’DEN Layover1 hr 15 min
โœˆ๏ธFlight 3CT 685, DEN to PDX
Depart: 8:25 PM MDT
Arrive: 10:05 PM PDT
๐Ÿ
Return travel summaryDublin to Philadelphia, overnight downtown hotel stay, central Philadelphia sightseeing options, then flights through Denver back to Portland.