K2M

I'm looking for input on a trip we've planned for Ireland this May. Is this route do-able or are we taking on too much driving? We had such fun driving the small back roads in England (following parts of the Romantic Road), but we didn't cover as much of the country as we hope to see in Ireland.
Day 1 (Friday): Arriving in Dublin early, go to hotel (Brooks), start walking (book of Kells, St Stephens, churchs, pubs)
Day 2 (Sat): Guiness tour, more walking and pubs.
Day 3 (Sun): Kilkenny - get up early and get rental car (Hertz, booked with World Mastercard), drive to Kilkenny, go to hotel (Zuni), start walking and going to pubs.
Day 4 (Mon): up early, drive to Rock of Cashel and tour, drive to Waterford and tour, drive to Blarney, go to hotel (suggestions?)
Day 5 (Tues): up early to kiss the stone, then head to Dingle. Any suggestions on where to stop along the way? Where to stay and what to do in Dingle?
Day 6 (Wed): up early and drive to Doolin (via ferry). Any suggestions on where to stop along the way? Where to stay?
Day 7 (Thurs): trip out to Aran Islands
Day 8 (Fri): drive to the Burren and walk a while on our way to Shannon airport for the night. Any out of the way suggestion for lunch?
Day 9 (Sat): early flight back home

Tony2phones

Day 4 why Waterford if its for a one hour Crystal tour don't bother, either Middleton or Cobh might be a better choice. The Blarney woolen mills or Blarney castle hotels would be good.
Day 5 head for Killarney and see some of the national park and Muckross estate, Sunnybank B&B is handy for town, O'Connors or Tattler Jacks have a good mix.
Day 6 drive round the Dingle peninsula, Slea Head drive and out over the Connor Pass, drive the Limerick and end in Adare for the night,
Day 7 Have a look at loop Head peninsula and the cliffs by Kilkee maybe take a Dolphin watching trip out to the island end in Ballyvaughan
Day 8 Inis Oirr and Cliffs of Moher combi Trip on the way down to The Oakwood Arms in Shannon for your last night.

K2M

Thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely check them out. I wasn't sure if we could do Inis Oirr and the Cliffs in the same day. You suggest Ballyvaughan over Doolin - why is that?

Tourism_Ireland

Hi K2M,
Cobh is an interesting port town, where the Titanic last docked before sinking into the Atlantic, and from where many millions of Irish people emigrated. The heritage centre is very well done, poignant and interesting as well as the Titanic Experience. Cobh Cathedral has the 2nd highest church spire in Ireland and was important for the many ships approaching the harbour.
Fota wildlife park is fun, where you can come face to face with free roaming animals and birds from all parts of the world.

Cork City is a nice place to discover. Climb to the top of St Anne's Church and ring the Shandon Bells for the whole city to hear. Cork City Gaol(the old jail) does a fantastic tour, with wax models of real prisoners! Visit the butter museum, and enjoy the pubs which play live music 7 nights a week.
Blarney Castle has excellent gardens too. For suggestions of what to do in Dingle, I would recommend you eat! Dingle is the Gourmet Capital of Ireland.

Then, it is a tough call between yours and Tony2phones' itineraries for the last few days!
Adare is beautiful, and a must see on your way towards Shannon, though don't blink, it is just a small village!
Some castles in the area do Medieval banquets, if you wish for some alternative night time experience at this stage. Check out Dunguaire, Bunratty and Knappogue Castles.

caitboy1

Day 4 why not stay in Cork? Really fun, compact, pretty city.
Day 5: They say the locals go and pee on the stone at night-be warned! You can take the Connor Pass into Dingle. It is a beautiful and nail biting drive!
Day 6: Why a ferry to Doolin? The drive would be lovely! Adare is a quiet town, but I don't know I'd spend more then an hour or two there to see the manor and buy a sweater... IN doolin you could stay at Hotel Doolin, a nice polished hotel right in town. I wouldn't skip out on Doolin it has great live music every night at the pubs and puts your front and center for a trip out to the Aran Islands.
In the Burren stop by Lisdoonvarna's Road Side Tavern for lunch. They brew their own beer, bake bread with the bear (both are amazing!) and smoke their own fish. Fantastic!!!
I don't think it's too much driving. You will spend a lot of time on the road but pull over often and enjoy the view, it's the best way to take the country in and you are hitting all the great spots.
Enjoy!

Itallian_Chauffer

If the object is to reduce drive times, visit Cashel on the way TO Kilkenney. That will save significant drive time on day #4.

It will also allow your Day#4 drive to include a bit more than just Waterford -- perhaps Cobh or Middelton, as Tony suggested ...

If you really MUST snog the stone, early morning or late evening is usually best, crowd-wise. The grounds really are terrific and the view from the top can yield some stunning pix.

Unlike Tony, I am fond of Dingle -- but, I also LOVE Killarney and believe that his rec is best -- given YOUR time table. I actually spent 6 days based in Adare (about two years ago)and think it would be fine for an over-night -- unless you plan to take the ferry over to Clare.

The Killimer-Tarbert ferry is a fun experience, but the 'New' Limmerick Tunnel / Bypass makes it more expensive and no longer saves much time or trouble.

The Doolin ferry is VERY weather dependant. If the Arans are a 'MUST', consider visiting them from Galway, instead.

Bob