RChandler1118

This is my 3rd post and I am more confused than ever. I know six days is so short for all of the fantastic sights in Ireland, I have tried to narrow down certain things that are a must for me but I am confused. Can anyone help. My first choice is to spend 1 1/2 days in Dublin then fly into Kerry airport, rent a car and head to Dingle for two days. Then take the ferry and head to Cliffs of Moher and the Burren staying in Doolin and the next day see the Aran Islands (ferry from Doolin). I would then proceed to Ennis to stay the night before leaving for Shannon airport.
My second option is to spend a bit more time in Dublin and then head to the Wicklow mountains, Kilkenney and the Rock of Cashel. My last option is to skip Dublin all together and fly in and out of Shannon possibly trying to get to Cork airport and exploring Cork county with Dingle. AGGGGHHHH please help!!!

clueless

What time of year are you going as weather will be a factor at the Cliffs as well as the Aran Islands. Do you prefer cities or countryside? Need more info to help you.

xxxx

I've been reading your posts but have yet to reply. As already asked, it would help if you'd clarify a bit more what you were looking for in your trip.

If you decide to stick to your western itinerary, I'd suggest flying in and out of Shannon.

We were in Ireland last month and stuck to the southern part of the country. Of the areas you mention, we were also in Dublin, Glendalough in the Wicklow Mts., Kilkenny, Rock of Cashel and the Cliffs of Moher. If I had to choose a favorite area, it would be Dingle Peninsula. We spent 3 nights in Killarney and used it as a base for a one-day drive around Beara, a one-day drive around Dingle and one day for Muckross House, Ross Castle, Ladies' View, etc.

Is your interest in the Wicklow Mtn. area for Glendalough? If it is monastic ruins you want to see and you choose your western route, you could consider Clonmacnoise.

If I had it to do over, I'd spend more time in the Dingle area and skip the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.

RChandler1118

Sorry I did not give more info. We (2 women) are traveling the end of June. We have to leave on the sixth day. I am mostly excited about the dingle pen. but would also love to see Dublin. Many fodorites are telling me to choose one but given the short stay it would be a long journey to go from Dublin to the dingle (eating up valuable time) I guess there is just so much counrtyside I do want to see that I am having problems filtering through much of it. In a perfect world I would love to spend a day and a half in Dublin head to Kilarney up to DIngle then over to Cliffs of Moher and the Burren departing Shannon. Is that realistic?

Thanks for all of your help once again.

LCBoniti

Topping because I will be facing a similar quandary soon - so much to see and not enough time!

BRITAZ

I know how you feel not wanting to 'miss out'. I had to condense my itinerary for May. With all the great advice you STILL want to fit it all in. Sounds look you're really keen on Dingle & Southwest. Why not invest your valuable time enjoying and experiencing? I had to drop a one-nighter which was a little out of the way, much as it pained me. But what if the weather is not so perfect or driving time isn't as planned? You'll be disappointed. Check your map and plan reasonable drives from A-B-C and include interesting stops. In & Out of SNN would make sense for all the areas you want to see with exception of Dublin.

rosetravels

Hello,
I also have seen your posts but not replied - I didn't know where to start.

Couple of thoughts:
Spend a couple of days in Dublin, rent a car and drive to Dingle. Fly out of Shannon.

Fly in and out of Shannon. That way you can spend the first night in Doolin, see the Burren and Cliffs, nights 2 & 3 in Dingle, Nights 4&5 in Kenmare or Killarny, back to Ennis.

Don't feel there's some list of must-sees for Ireland, as there isn't. There it's all about finding a great place to experience Ireland. It sounds like for you, focusing on the SW would be great. With your first option you may spend so much time moving from place to place that you never see what Ireland's like.

But if seeing Dublin is important to you perhaps you should spend night 1 & 2 in Dublin, then nights 3 & 4 in Kenmare or Killarny, 5 in Dingle, 6 near Shannon. Skip Burren and Cliffs.

wilees

It is a hard decision. In the end you can't see everything. I think that you have been given some very good advice from the posters above.

I recent came back from Ireland. Here is the link to my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34892189

We flew into Cork and out of Shannon. 8 nights and it felt quite rushed. The Kilarney National Park and Beara Penninsula were my favourites. But it was all great.

IrishEyes

You asked what I would do. I would fly into Shannon and out of Shannon. Dublin would be out because there is not time for it. I would stick to Co. Clare and Co. Kerry. I would go directly to Killarney for two nights, then two nights in Dingle. My last would be near Shannon. Do I have the count right or is there another night involved?

NEDSIRELAND

If you're traveling from the U.S. you may have to write off your (early AM) arrival day unless you:
1. are able to sleep on the flight; or
2. can adjust well to JetLag.

We did a Thu-Tue trip last year: arr. SNN Friday AM; Dep. SNN Tuesday @ 11 AM. Our B&B in Ennis had our room available at 9:30 AM, so we checked in and took a nap until about 1:00 PM. Then we were able to 'hit the ground running.'

Some Dublin hotels (depending on how full they are) may not allow checkin until after 1:00 PM. B&B's are better about that, and also about making you an early breakfast.

I would try to find a B&B in or near Dublin and book ahead for your arrival day. Then take Irish Rail to Limerick City or Cork (both pretty well served from Dublin). You could pick up a rental car in Limerick City and drive the N-21 to Tralee (passing thru Adare and Rathkeale). On the way back you could take the Tarbert-Killimer Ferry, then drive up the coast road in Clare to Lahnich, the Cliffs of Moher, and Doolin. On the way back to Ennis you could go thru the Burren.

yesiree100

Definitley save Dublin for another visit.

If it was me, I'd follow Irisheyes' Kerry-focused suggestion OR stick to the Dingle Peninsula and County Clare...with an in and out of Shannon with two nights in Doolin (or elsewhere in Clare), two in Dingle and one in Buratty or Ennis. Let me assure you, you won't regret cutting things back.

RChandler1118

Sounds like a plan. I will save Dublin for another time and focus on Dingle and county Clare. I really appreciate all of the input. One thing I can say though, I have travelled to Europe almost 2 times per year for the past 5 years and I NEVER sleep when I arrive, I feel it really makes is all the harder to acclimate to the new time zone. I take an Amiben with a glass of wine on the flight over and Voila (somewhat rested.) Thanks for everything

tune

If you fly into Dublin and spend the first day and part of day 2 and then take the train to Galway.Spend two nights.Rent a car and drive to Dingle via the Burren and cliffs of Mohr.Spend 2 nights in Dingle and fly home from Shannon.I think Dingle is the best of Ireland and Galway is also very nice.You could tour the Connemera also while in Galway.best regards jack

glindaglenna

I flew into Dublin, toured the city, left next day drove east coast spent night in Ardmore (lovely town, beautiful scenery and so much to see.) Next day we drove to Dingle, passed through Waterford (advice is to get through there quickly) then on to the Jameson Distillery outside Cork. Spent night in Dingle, great fun. Spent next day driving Dingle P. and then to Cliffs of Moher, then through to Galway. Two nights in Galway then back to Dublin. I would give up Dublin, so much more to see on west coast but if you must see Dublin you can do it all as we did, lots of driving yes but so much to see. Advice given to us was give up Aran Islands and Wicklow mountains, you can't see it all but the Dingle Penninsula was the most intesting place we have seen and don't miss the Conor Pass.
Glinda