2 Ireland itineraries - Help me decide
 

Family of 4 heading over to Ireland next August for 10 days (excluding travel days). The last couple of days are tied up with a wedding in Dublin - but the remainder of the trip will be focused on the west. I have developed two draft itineraries - please see below - and I can't decide which I prefer more. I would love input.

Aside - I can predict one piece of feedback - "you are driving too much". Yeah - I get that. But - we do want to try and see a multiple places out west. I would say Kerry and Glalway are the key destinations in my mind.

Thanks

Option 1 -

Wednesday Aug 10 - Leave IAD
Thursday Aug 11 - Arrive Dublin Pick up rental car Drive to Kilkenny
Friday August 12 - Drive to Killarney - with a stop at Cashel
Saturday, August 13 - Ring of Kerry Killarney to Watertown
Sunday, August 14- Ring of Kerry Watertown to Killarney
Monday. August 15 - Killarney to Galway - with a stop at Cliffs of Moher
Tuesday,August 16 - Explore Galway -
Wednesday, August 19 Connemara Clifden Sleep in Westport (or maybe just go back to Galway?)
Thursday, August 18 - Drive to Dublin Stop in Clonmacnoise
Friday, August 19 - Dublin attractions Wedding activities
Saturday, , August 20- Dublin attractions Wedding
Sunday, August 21 - Fly home

Option 2

Wednesday Aug 10 - Leave IAD
Thursday Aug 11 - Arrive Dublin Drive to Galway - with a stop at Clonmacnoise
Friday August 12 - Explore Galway - Possible drive up to Clifden
Saturday, August 13 - Galway to Killarney - with a stop at Cliffs of Moher
Sunday, August 14, Ring of Kerry Killarney to Watertown
Monday. August 15 - Ring of Kerry Watertown to Killarney
Tuesday,August 16 - Killarney to Kilkenny Stop in Cashel
Wednesday, August 19 Drive to Gllendaloch Hike Night in Wicklow (Aunt's house)
Thursday, August 18 Drive to Dublin Potential stop in Powerscourt
Friday, August 19 Dublin attractions Wedding activities
Saturday, , August 20 Dublin attractions Wedding
Sunday, August 21 Fly home

Hi,
I have visited Ireland multiple times (flying from Boston). I do realize you have a wedding in Dublin at the end of your trip so flying home from Dublin makes sense.

I would do an "open Jaw" ticket arriving in Shannon as you state you interest in touring is mostly in the West.

In August, you have long daylight hours and you can easily do the Ring of Kerry in one day. Not sure why you divided it over two days. As much as I love Westport (husband has Mayo ancestry) I would continue the stay with the Galway hotel. Checking in / out of a hotel costs you half a day. With 3 nights in Killarney I would do one day for the Ring of Kerry, one day for the Ring of Beara OR Dingle Peninsula and then leave one day for exploring Killarney National Park, Muckross House,etc. You might consider basing yourself in Kenmare rather than Killarney, slightly less crowded.

Tony2phones lives in Ireland and will provide better advice when you has a chance.

oops, when he has a chance, obviously!

Bette -

Thanks so much for the input.

I should have mentioned - there is a reason we are not flying into Shannon. We really like non-stop flights. From Washington DC - that is doable into Dublin, but (unfortunately) not into Shannon.

I too would not divvy up the Ring of Kerry into two days, but would use the extra time to explore--Killarney Ntl Park, Ross Castle, Muckross House and gardens, Torc Waterfall, etc.

I think the second itinerary would be my choice as it includes Glendalough and Powerscourt. Glendalough is one of my favorite places in Ireland.

Option two, glad you are going to Clifton.

HI rholt,

I also much prefer the non-stop option. So I guess it is DUB / DUB.
I think I also prefer option 2.

Do be careful on your first morning driving. Your route of Dublin to Galway (I assume you mean Galway City) times out to just over 2.5 hours. That is further than we would after an overnight flight, driving on the left with jetlag. Just something to think about. It should be mostly the motorway which should make it more manageable.

When you arrive in Dublin I would return the car. You will not need it in Dublin.

Thurs day, Arrive and drive to your Aunts in Wicklow
Friday, aim for Kilkenny
Saturday, aim for 2 nights in Killarney, unless there is a reason for the night out in Water'ville' Golf or Charlie Chaplin links?
Monday, drive the Dingle figure of eight to ?. I would say Ennis but the town is already fully booked for the Fledh Cheoil so either Adare or cross the Shannon and stay south of Ennistymon/Lahinch.
Tuesday,west Clare and Cliffs of Moher to Galway
Wednesday, to Clifden and Kylemore, sleep Galway
Thursday, to Dublin via Clonmacnoise and Belvedere?
Friday ~ Sunday Dublin and wedding.

Thanks!