Dublin to Dublin

Dublin is Europe's most literary capital, home to four Nobel laureates in literature, the extraordinary Book of Kells, and Georgian architecture rivaling any on the continent. Visit May through September via Holland America Line or Windstar for Trinity College's Long Room, the definitive Guinness pint at St. James's Gate, and the spontaneous pub conversations that make this city one of the world's most immediately welcoming.

Cobh is a historic harbour town in Cork, Ireland, famed as the Titanic's last port of call and the departure point for 2.5 million Irish emigrants. Must-dos include visiting the Cobh Heritage Centre and Titanic Experience, admiring St. Colman's Cathedral and its 49-bell carillon, and exploring the English Market in nearby Cork. May through September offers the longest days and best weather for this emotionally rich port.

Bantry is a charming west Cork market town at the head of one of Ireland's most beautiful bays, home to the art-filled Bantry House and gardens and surrounded by the scenic Beara and Sheep's Head peninsulas. Must-do experiences include touring Bantry House's European art collections, sampling famous Bantry Bay mussels at the Friday market, and hiking the Sheep's Head Way. May through September offers the most pleasant weather, with June-July providing spectacular sunset views over the bay.

Dingle is a tiny harbour town on the westernmost tip of Ireland's Kerry coast, where 2,000 archaeological sites, traditional music sessions in 52 pubs, and some of Ireland's finest seafood create the quintessential Atlantic Irish experience. Must-dos include Slea Head Drive's coastal scenery, the 1,300-year-old Gallarus Oratory, and an evening of traditional music in a Dingle pub. Visit June for longest days, wildflowers, and the best weather on the Atlantic coast.

Galway is Ireland's vibrant cultural capital on the Atlantic coast, where medieval streets pulse with traditional music, festivals, and the Irish language, overlooking a bay that leads to the legendary Aran Islands. Visit from May through September for the International Arts Festival, Connemara exploration, and the most authentic traditional music sessions in Ireland.

Killybegs is Ireland's premier fishing port on the wild Atlantic coast of County Donegal, gateway to the magnificent Slieve League sea cliffs and pristine Gaeltacht landscapes. Visit from May through September for dramatic coastal walks, traditional Irish music, and some of the finest seafood on the island.

Greencastle is a fishing village on Ireland's Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, overlooked by a fourteenth-century castle ruin and serving as a gateway to Malin Head — Ireland's most northerly point. Must-do experiences include visiting the ancient hillfort of Grianán of Aileach, sampling freshly caught Donegal crab and lobster, and driving the Wild Atlantic Way coastal roads. July and August offer the warmest weather and liveliest traditional music sessions.

Dublin is Europe's most literary capital, home to four Nobel laureates in literature, the extraordinary Book of Kells, and Georgian architecture rivaling any on the continent. Visit May through September via Holland America Line or Windstar for Trinity College's Long Room, the definitive Guinness pint at St. James's Gate, and the spontaneous pub conversations that make this city one of the world's most immediately welcoming.