Alright everyone! Here is another attempt at an itinerary. Please let me know if this is doable and please make any suggestions you feel important. The definites are that we must fly into and out of Dublin. The flight is already booked. Also, we have already booked a 1 night stay at Ashford Castle in Cong on Day 8, so that is a must. Here it is:
Day 1: Flight lands early morning. Rest up and explore Dublin.
Day 2: Dublin to Rock of Cashel, then to Cahir to explore. Stay in Cahir overnight.
Day 3: Cahir to Blarney to visit Blarney Castle. Then Blarney to Kenmare. Stay overnight.
Day 4: Leave Kenmare- drive Ring of Kerry, then drive to Dingle. Stay overnight.
Day 5: Explore Dingle.
Day 6: Explore Dingle.
Day 7: Leave Dingle and drive to see Cliffs of Moher. Stay in Doolin overnight.
Day 8: Doolin to Gort to see Kilmacduagh ruins, then drive to Cong for stay in Ashford Castle.
Day 9: Leave Cong and drive to Clonmacnoise, then on the Dublin. Stay overnight.
Day 10: Fly out next day.
Everyone's thoughts??
Ireland Itinerary Attempt
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I also forgot to mention that we have this planned for the last week of April, into the beginning of May. Hopefully the crowds won't be too bad!
Great time to go; the days are getting longer and the gorse will be in full bloom!
This looks like a doable intinerary.
Just a note, while in Cahir, you might want to walk out to the Swiss Cottage if the weather is decent. The walk is about a mile and a helf along the river. You can also drive out.
In Cahir the old linen factory has been converted into a craft place where you can buy all sorts of Irish crafts--pottery, knit, art work, etc.
(I suspect that you already know this and it is why you have chosen an overnight stop there, but just in case....)
Thank you so much for your input! Actually, I didn't know about the old linen factory, and that sounds like something fabulous...thanks for the info about the Swiss Cottage as well
We did the walk out to the Swiss Cottage one April day a couple years ago even though the cottage had not yet opened for the season. The walk, which originates at the Cahir Castle car park, was so pleasant and scenic and we were the only folks walking. I would definitely recommend doing it and since you are overnighting in Cahir, you could do it anytime before dark.
Ditto on Cahir and the beautiful walk along River Suir.
If you are determined to visit Swiss Cottage, it would not hurt to call ahead to double check opening hours. Last time I was there, they had an unscheduled extended lunch break and I had to wait a bit longer than expected to get inside..
Nearby Mitchelstown Caves are quite nice. But since you probably have seen some caves elsewhere, I doubt that they will overwhelm you.
From Doolin head around the coast to Ballyvaghan before taking the road to Corofin (via the Dolmen)and Kilmacduagh (get the Keys from the cottage across the lane). Depending how early you have set off take a stroll in Coole Park before you leave Gort.
You are going to be moving a lot, and I would (personally) do the following changes.
Skip Blarney, not really something I'm interested in. Too touristy for my tastes. Don't get me wrong, some touristy things are so worth it - like the Cliffs of Moher. But mossy lips are nothing I have desired.
I'd take a day off Dingle and add it to Kenmare. Kenmare is a good base for Killarney National Park attractions, Ring of Kerry, Ring of Beara - any one of which could take a full day.
Don't miss exploring the Burren from Doolin out to Ashford. That makes it a VERY full day, though!
It would make it a much less frenetic trip to cut out Ashford, but I understand the appeal of a castle stay
Good luck!
Michele at www.irelandyes.com might have more advice, as well.
Wow everyone! Thank you SO much for the information..really looking forward to the walk along the river to the Swiss Cottage and thank you Tony2phones for the info about Ballyvaghan and Kilmacduagh..what valuable information!
That is some great information GreenDragon..I was wondering if maybe we should do more time around Kenmare. I will think about that some more...as you do make a good point. Thank you so much!