We are planning a 7 night trip to Ireland in the beginning of July. This is a family trip with 7 adults, ranging in age from 30ish to 65. For most of us, this is our first trip to Ireland. We’ve been reading the guidebooks and checking with friends to get some kind of plan together. Here’s what we know so far:
* We will most likely fly into and out of Dublin. Looks like the option to fly out of Shannon is cost prohibitive for us.
* We are planning to hire a driver for the trip. I’ve driven in Ireland before and it was OK, but the rest of my family is not at all excited about driving! We are thinking of going through CIE tours, since they have an option to hire a driver and can support a pretty flexible itinerary.
* As for our itinerary, we’re thinking 1 night in Dublin, drive to Cobb and stay at Ashford Castle for one night, then 2 nights in Galway, 2 nights in Kilarney/Dingle area, and 1 night in Kilkenny before driving back to Dublin for the flight home.
Does this look reasonable? Thanks in advance for the advice!
Help with itinerary for 7 nights in Ireland
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Hope your driver/guide hasn't suggested going via Cobh to Ashford Castle that is running the meter!! I would go via Galway up to Cong, I wouldn't actually but CIE get a good deal on the place. I would have only one night 1/2 hour down the road in Galway then after the Burren and Cliffs of Moher a night in or between Ennis/Adare. That way you have a full day to drive round Dingle on the way to Killarney for 2 nights, Kilkenny much as I love the place is doing a dog leg when you could better use the day for the National Park, Muckross or the Gap before heading back to Dublin via Cashel/Cahir.
You have a lot of ground to cover sticking to that itinerary.
Oops... I meant one night in Cong at Ashford Castle, not Cobb.
For the Galway / Ashford section have a look at --
…activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/
http://goo.gl/maps/L5ihu