gdouglasw12

Thinking about my trip and after reading the new 2014 Fodor's travel book I'm thinking I'd like to see Kilkenny, Dublin, Downpatrick, Belfast/Antrim Coast, and Limerick. What should I see if I was planning a 9 day trip? I'd most likely be renting a car when I'm over there for part of the time.

crckwc1

IMO you can't/shouldn't try to do this itinerary -- too many locations and too many slow miles between. With only 9 days (full days?) three locations would be max. Unless you're on the motorway, driving time in Ireland is slow, as in 35-40 mph average. I recommend picking no more than 3 locations in the same general location.

sarge56

I loved Limerick. Don't miss King John's Castle! Awesome!

Robert2533

9 days is hardly enough time to enjoy yourself if you are constantly on the go. Remember, you can always return, unless you are far too old to be traveling.

longhorn55

We had 8 days in Ireland on our fist trip and wisely only chose three major destinations: Dublin, Kilkenny and Belfast/Antrim Coast. I also recommend that you choose no more than 3 major destinations. You can still see a lot by taking day trips from those places--we sure did!

Tony2phones

It can be done.. and without assuming you will be able to come back again you should see what you want to see if you can.

I would question the reasons for Limerick and Downpatrick which are not generally high on tourist lists?

Have you considered open Jaw, flying into Shannon would have Limerick at hand and make for easier logistics.

What time of year?

gdouglasw12

We have 9 full days and leave on the 10th day early in the morning. Reason for the trip is my fiancé battled breast cancer and was finally declared in remission so this is our celebratory trip and also our honeymoon as will are planning to get married Jan. 30. We're flying in and out if Shannon.
Chose Limerick and Downpatrick for exactly those reasons. They weren't high on tourists lists. Wife to be wants to find things left undiscovered.
King John's Castle does look amazing. I just picked some of the areas that looked like it had lots to do, as well as some areas that looked like it might be a glanced over area.

Tony2phones

Starting in Limerick (I would prefer Ennis but its not my trip) perhaps to Kilkenny from there calling at Cashel on the way. Kilkenny to the outskirts of Dublin (you don't want to be in Dublin with a car) Round and up into the North (£ Sterling up there not €uro) Downpatrick for a couple of nights or just a night then up to Portrush? There to Sligo aiming back towards Shannon with another couple of nights needed before your flight.

Makes it a roadtrip with a move every night, maybe a couple of two night stays? The other option might be something like this 2 page map which is a Dublin start finish northern loop http://goo.gl/maps/gl8uv avoids the main tourist haunts a little.

sarge56

Don't miss the Blarney Woolen Mills and Blarney Castle. You can't go all the way to Ireland without kissing the Blarney Stone!

I hope you do choose Limerick, too. It was my favorite spot in Ireland. (Well, ok, the Cliffs of Moher and Glendalough were also pretty cool But I still give Limerick my #1.)

Awesome about your fiancé. Please extend our best wishes and congrats to you both! Happy travels!

gdouglasw12

I want to thank everyone for being willing to reply to this thread. I know reading the same requests from people about itineraries can become very cumbersome. @tony-your suggestions are great. I think the only thing I worry about though with a road trip with a move every night is that I don't want to tire my my fiancé out. I know I need to bite the bullet and decide. I think I can say that if I had to chose, I'd say Limerick, Kilkenny, Dublin (Newgrange and Glendalough) and seeing the Antrim Coast. That takes Downpatrick out but I think I need to focus on cutting things out and being ok with that.
I just want to give my new wife a relaxing trip in a country that was on her bucket list when she was down in the dumps and ready to give up on her fight.

gdouglasw12

What about if I changed my flight plans and maybe flew into Shannon and flew out of Dublin? My fare conditions allow for a change in tickets at no charge but the cost difference if there is one. Just a thought. Didn't know if the airport location is the issue though.

Tony2phones

Thing is that Downpatrick is between Dublin and the Antrim Coast so fits logistically. You could land DUB and get the Bus to Belfast taking trips of the Antrim coast from there. Then back to Dublin to start the Republic section.

Limerick being the West is the odd one out, what is the aim from here as a base?

Newgrange and Glendalough are regular day trips running from Dublin, Kilkenny is an easy reach from there as well.

The planning, especially the cutting out the want from the must is the hard part, Just one reason why many folk return time and again.

gdouglasw12

@Tony...I appreciate your statements and how you incorporate questions into them because they pose good ways of things to ponder. So I can change our flight into Dublin and out of Shannon (to have that open jaw) or not do an open jaw?

Regarding the insertion of Limerick was because I was trying to think of creating a loop to incorporate something like:

Limerick (see Adare Manor, Castletroy, and King John's Island), head towards Kilkenny traveling through the Rock of Cahir/Cashel, then stay in Dublin (or Malahide) for Newgrange, and Glendalough, and then travel towards Belfast/Antrim (mostly interested in the Antrim though) stopping through Downpatrick on the way.

Tony2phones

I would stick with flying into Shannon as the starting point, good introduction to Irish roads and driving.

Castletroy? and Adare Manor are Hotels.. King Johns is now open all year since last years restoration/revamp.

Cahir castle and the Rock of Cashel are all year, consider staying the night in Kilkenny?

January can be a funny month and Glendalough being high in the Wicklow mountains might be a wait and see (no idea on January weather for next year)

Then Dublin. decide whether you are keeping the car for the North or taking tours from Dublin onwards. This might influence the accommodation/location, and the days spent north of the border.