10 day Ireland trip
 

Have a ten day Fall trip to Ireland planned. Some golfing for some of us, sightseeing for all. Would you rent a place for a week or just do B&B's every few days?
Shannon airport.

It would really depend to me on how far out you are going to roam. If you stay in that general 'quarter' of Ireland, (southwest), I would stay pick a base and travel back and forth every day. If you plan on ranging farther out, say to Dublin or Glendalough, or into the north, I'd say B&B as you go -- driving back can take a lot of time out of your day, and can tire you out.

We have no plans at this time, would relish some ideas. In and out of Shannon, but have not a clue where to go from there. Anyone willing to help with an itinerary?

Have you been to Ireland before? Do the golfers have specific courses they'd like to play?

None of us has ever been before,they have no specifics re: golf courses. We don't even know where to start as to an itinerary....any suggestions?

Since you haven't been before, I'd probably advise you not to stay in one place for a week. You don't have to move every night, but I'd guess you'll want to see some different areas.
There are lots of itinerary possibilities. Here's one:
Day 1-3: Dingle
Day 4 & 5: Lahinch area of west Clare
Day 6 & 7: Galway
Day 8 & 9: Clifden or Westport
Day 10: Ennis or Killaloe
I chose Dingle because the peninsula is beautiful; it's a great little town; there are 2 golf courses on the peninsula. I chose Lahinch area because of the famous Lahinch course. I chose Galway in case you want a taste of city life. I chose Clifden/Westport because you'll drive through Connemara area which is gorgeous, and there are courses near both towns. I chose Ennis/Killaloe because both are near Shannon for your last day.
This may involve moving more than you'd like, so you might consider consolidating.

gbs
Mary has given some great suggestions! Please don't go to Ireland and not visit Dingle Peninsula including Slea Head Drive. Beautiful scenery! Also, I would suggest your last night be spent in Dromoland Castle. A real castle with what looked like a great golf course (we don't golf, so can't give first hand advice there) But we loved staying there. Check out: http://www.dromoland.ie/

Forgot to add that Dromoland is close to Shannon Airport.

I'd add Dublin to any Irish itinerary,unless you're big city phobic. It's much different than I expected. I thought it would be dark and medieval looking; instead it's a beautiful, largely 18th century city with occasional earlier buildings. Lot's to see and do.

Thanks you so much. Mary, some great ideas. I will start my research by checking out your suggestions. Any more ideas?

Take a look at my http://groups.msn.com/gate5
I've got a couple of 9-hole and one 18-hole (all 'links' courses) there and a suggested itinerary.
BTW
Be careful where you go in west Clare (Lahinch and Spanish Point) around the first of October. There's a matchmaking festival centered around Lisdoonvarna - I was hitch-hiking there in late Sep '01 and got picked up by two ladies. But that's a whole nuther story ....