travsgirls

We are experienced travelers going to Ireland for the first time. The trip will be this October for my husband's 40th birthday. We arrive in Dublin, and 8 days later leave out of Shannon. We plan on doing 2 days in Dublin.....then it's ??
I would like to head West to see Connemara, Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, spend a night on the Aran Islands, back to Ennis/Shannon airport.
However, I am aware that the South (Cork, Kenmare, Killarney) is high on the "must do in Ireland" lists.
Looking at the map it looks like a tight squeeze to do them all.
Question 1- Is it too cold/wet in October to really enjoy a visit/stay in the Aran Islands...so skip it???
Question 2- If we opt for the South (given we take out the Aran Islands)...Is a trip from Dublin straight to Cork too crazy? It looks fine on the map, but I am aware things can look like a straight shot..but can be a slow drive through towns, etc.
Question 3- We plan on renting a car. However, would it be better/FASTER to take a train from Dublin to Cork...then rent a car in Cork, and proceed the rest of our way by car? We would eventually drop off the car at Shannon airport.
No matter which plan we choose...it looks like we will stay in Ennis or thereabouts before our flight out of Shannon.
Thank you so much in advance for any advice given!!!

flpab

Taking the train to Cork might be nice and then renting a car from there. It might be very cold to do the Aran Islands in Oct. I have done it in Sept and it was ok. A lot depends on the ferries running or not due to the water. Newgrange in county Meath is wonderful to see as well as Clonmcnoise on your way to Galway from Dublin. It is so hard to see everything. I love Doolin, Lahinch, Kinsale south of Cork. I would probably do the south since it is October but you just can't tell anymore with the weather, it might be warm and sunny!

Tony2phones

Aran in October..for the brave..its a 30 minute crossing to Inis Mor on a good day..not something I would recommend on a bad one.

If you have 2 days in Dublin under your belt then the drive to Cork via Cashel and Cahir is straight enough. October has the benefit that you can practically wing it as you go just book the first nights in Dublin and the last night either in Ennis or maybe the Oakwood Arms in Shannon.

travsgirls

Thank you flab and Tony2phones for the fast responses! I'm not brave, at all, when it comes to cold. I do not want to end up miserable and wet. I will save the Aran Islands for a return trip with the kids. T2P, I have read a lot of your threads in my search, and find them ever so helpful. Since you suggested Cashel and Cahir to get to Cork...do I take it you're not a fan of the train idea for that leg of the trip? Also, I have read that you consider the ROK not as good as other sights in the area...does that change given we are going in October (low season)?

Tony2phones

There is no harm taking the train to Cork but it's an easy drive with a couple of good stops within a few miles of the motorway.
Ring of Kerry is fine if you take the time to get off piste a little rather than stick to the bus route. Beara is my personal favourite of the main south west peninsula's All are best in good weather.

travsgirls

Great! I will work up a itinerary with all this in mind and post it for review. Thank you!

kelbo

Galway is really nice and a great spot to base yourself to see the Connemara area . It also has great nightlife. So you can explore the countryside the day and walk to the pubs every night!