imokru

Ireland itin... too much? enough? too little?

We are attending a family function in Doolin (Sep 08). We will have a car and enjoy quaint villages. Of course, we want to see lots, but don't want to feel rushed either. Is this itinerary reasonable? Any suggestions for alternate towns to stay that would be more suitable? Any "must sees" near our overnight destinations (in caps)?

Day 1 DOOLIN -Arrive Shannon late morning. Drive to Doolin, see the Burren, Cliffs of Moher.
Day 2 DOOLIN -Boat to Aran Islands for day excursion
Day 3 DOOLIN -Day free for family function
Day 4 DOOLIN -Full day touring Connemara (including Ashford Castle). Dinner in Galway?
Day 5 DINGLE -Drive from Doolin to Dingle via car ferry at Killimer
Day 6 KENMARE -Morning in Dingle then drive to Kenmare, stopping at Muckross enroute
Day 7 KENMARE -Full day touring Ring of Kerry
Day 8 KENMARE -Day free for walks in Ntl Park or other sightseeing
Day 9 KINSALE -Drive to Kinsale. Option of sidetrip to Blarney or else seaside towns
Day 10 KILKENNY -Drive to Kilkenny, optional stop in Waterford or Cashel
Day 11 DUBLIN -Drive to Dublin, stopping in Glendalough & Powerscourt Gardens. Afternoon/ eve in Dublin
Day 12 DUBLIN -Full day exploring Dublin
Day 13 Depart Dublin for home

EMA73

If you can manage it, I would definitely squeeze in Westport! The town is great, the music there is great, we had a great time (and I was there mid September of 2007, and mid November of 2003, and loved it both times). In addition, I would highly suggest to do bus tours of the Ring of Kerry and Connemara- instead of driving it yourselves. I've done both (driven/bus tour), and although you can stop at more unique places while driving yourselves- you will save the sanity of the driver (and backseat drivers) if you do the bus tour. I just noticed you are going to Dublin- I highly recommend the tour of the Kilmainham Gaol. I have been to many museums and on many tours.... and this was amazing. I was in Dublin for about 27 hours in September- and I purchased a 24 hour hop on hop off tour bus pass. I will check to see which one I was on (because I would recommend the OTHER company!)... but it was a great way to see the sights, and stop at what you wanted to see closer.
Have fun!

Padraig

EMA734 wrote: "If you can manage it, I would definitely squeeze in Westport!"

I suggest that you don't, and don't add anything else to the programme either. What you have, and the happenstance that is inevitable, is quite enough.

I think Cashel is the better (and more convenient) stop on the way to Kilkenny.

JOHNOD

You might want to take one of the Kenmare days and spend an extra night in Dingle. The drive along the Slea Head is on everyones favorite list and you don't want to be rushed. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit Blarney and I would choose Cashel over Waterford. Your day 4 could be a bit long. Dinner in Galway and then drive back to Doolin at night is not a long drive but you might consider a late lunch and make sure you do the drive in daylight. You can make reservations for the ferry out to the Aran Island on line and you might try the Cliffs of Moher cruise that leaves from the same location. Have fun

yesiree100

Definitely stick to what you have and save any "adding" for things you decide to do while you're traveling.

Day 1 will be full, so expect to only get a peek at the Burren...while touring there I would suggest a little walk at some point... nothing major, just enough to get an experience of the Burren you can't get from the car.

Day4 - After a full day of touring, you might just feel like grabbing something along the way... you can make that call on that day. (If you follow Johnod's suggestion and add another day in Dingle, you could consider staying in Cong or near Galway this night and head to Dingle the next morning - probably taking the bypass around Limerick instead of the ferry).

You've got a nice pace going... I'd forgo Blarney and Waterford, but that's up to you.

Good luck & safe travels,
Corey

chip

I wouldn't do dinner in Galway...Connemara will be a long day of driving..enjoy.

I agree with above to add a day to Dingle to enjoy the slea head loop...don't rush...give yourself time to get out and explore.

The next day you can stop at Muckross House and enjoy the park, ladies' view and the scenic drive thru moll's gap to kenmare. this is my favorite part of ROK. Ross castle is another interesting sight.

I would then spend your next day touring Beara Peninsula...be sure to drive Healy Pass. We were also able to fit a trip out to Garnish Island on the same day we drove beara.

I would skip Blarney and enjoy the beautiful coastal road and towns on way to Kinsale. We enjoyed touring Charles Fort in Kinsale...really nice views of the bay.

Definatley stop at Rock of Cashel vs Waterford. You could also check out Cahir Castle if you think you would have time on the way.

We really liked Jerpoint Abbey just outside of Kilkenny...Glendalough is interesting also...Powerscourt was beautiful in June (would pick Glendalough and Jerpoint Abbey over Powerscourt if you are prioritizing).

azzure

Thank you for posting...be sure and let us know how this works out for you; I am putting together a similar route.