1st trip-in sept
 

i just found this wonderful site and am asking for any and all advice-even brutally honest-2 couples arriving in glasgow in the am of 9/12 and leaving from dublin in the am of the 21st-planning on renting a car-that's all that's for sure at this point-initial itinerary
day 1 -drive to inverness-up west coast?? or through edinburgh-overnite in inverness
day 2-tour highlands or go to isle of skye-
day 3-to edinburgh
day 4 -edinburgh
day 5-fly to cork
day 6-kerry/cork area
day 7-travel to kilkenny
day 8 to dublin
day 9-dublin
day 10-leave for suburban mom reality

tt for cjvasileff

You will likely have to make some compromises/changes. You basically are trying to see two fabulous countries in 9+ days.

Assuming you are arriving after flying transatlantic your first day will be a killer -- especially if you decide to go by way of Edinburgh. (If you are coming in from the Continent you won't be jet lagged - but it would still be a tough day)

In 2 1/2 days you are going north to Inverness (which is not that wonderful a place), SW to Skye, then across the country to Edinburgh. You will not have any time to see anything much - excepy lovely countryside through the car windows.

2 days in Edinburgh is fine - except that you won't be arriving there til afternoon at the earliest so you'l only have 1.5 days.

In Ireland things are probably even worse - driving in Ireland is slower than in most parts of Scotland so the Cork/Kerry/Kilkenny days will be pretty car-bound.

Think about simplifying things - with 4 adults traveling together things will take a lot longer than you may imagine.

I would forget about going as far as Inverness - got into the southern highlands or along the west coast (much prettier than immediately around Inverness/Loch Ness BTW) for a day or two, go to Edinburgh for 2 full days, then fly to Cork and stay in the SW for most of the 5 days you have remaining then get to Dublin and fly home. I would drop a stay in Dublin - it is a nice city but not nearly as interesting as Edinburgh.

(Actually - if it were me I would SADLY cut out either Scotland or Ireland. One country is plenty for 9+ days)

I would see if you can fly into Waterford instead. (or somewhere near there).
Skip Cork/Kerry - 1 day won't do it justice, and spend the extra days around Kilkenny - Jerpoint Abbey/Glass, Waterford Crystal, Cashel,Cahir, Bennettsbridge.
If you really feel the need to move around a bit more - head towards Glendalough / Powerscourt - at least you will be in the direction of Dublin.

Be sure to book your lodging for Dublin ASAP - don't wait till you get there. ESPECIALLY since it looks like you will be in Dublin over a weekend.

Another thing - be sure to get a car that will fit all 4 of you AND your luggage. It is easy to look at the cars on the websites and think - 4 people will fit in that, but don't forget about the luggage.

Driving in Ireland really is as slow as we tell you - 35 mph is about average. And that doesn't take into account the random sheep crossings.

We leave for Ireland on a tour (this is my 2nd time I've been) and we're flying into Shannon (this will be our base) seeing Killarney, Kenmare (lovely little village), Ring of Kerry (delightful). Have been to Cork and the Waterford factory (not to miss), Kilkenny (short stop, just OK) and this time will spend considerable time in Dublin. Sounds like you're cramming in a lot in a short amount of time as the Irish drive on the left side of the road (we lost a few side mirrors), lots of roundabouts and sheep crossings along the way. I don't know if this helps, but have fun!

Unless you desparately want to go to Inverness I would leave it, The distance may be greater than you think. Inverness is a nice place but to get the real flavour of Scotland stick to the west coast. Go to Plockton or Poolewe and watch the sunset. Skye isn't difficult now due to the bridge (boo hiss!!) but it will take another 45 mins to drive to Portree which is the main town. Take a detour and drive south and then west on the island on a circular unclassified road, the views are worth it. Whatever you do enjoy it.

PS It rains a lot on Skye so be warned!

To be "brutally honest":

Too much in too little time! Therefore, do some heavy editing. As Janis says, cut out one or the other. And as Mandy says, it rains alot on Skye; well it rains alot on mainland Scotland and Ireland too. In that part of the world one has to allow time in the schedule to wait out inclement weather.