This is a day I have planned which looks to be okay. I am sure you all will tell me if I am wrong. Leave Adare after breakfast, visit Ennis, Cliffs, Doolin, drive through Burren and arrive in Athenry to check in at B&B by 5p. Route planner says it is almost three hours of driving but we will be stopping often along the way. If this works out, I can plan the others accordingly. We will be spending three nights in Athenry and daytripping out of there.

After breakfast, I would drive thru Ennis (not much in Ennis in my opinion) and head to Lahinch for some early morning shopping. Then head from Lahinch to the Cliffs. Drive thru Doolin, maybe stop at O'Connors for a pint, and take the coast road thru the Burren to Ballyvaughan and have lunch at Monks Pub.

Depending upon how much time you spend at each location, you should get to Athenry to check in easily by 5pm.

Perhaps a quick visit to Gus O'Connors, but I see no need to stop in Doolin unless you'e in need of a rest stop. I found little there to warrant a stop or stay, unless one was taking a ferry to the islands. Suggestion above to stop in Lahinch makes sense. I was very disappointed in Doolin, perhaps because there were far too many people for the services available.

It sounds like a very pleasant day.

I enjoy the narrow web of medieval streets in Ennis and the stores are all in the heart of town, so it doesn't take too long to cover everything.

Doolin has some nice shops and is a good stop for a meal, but unless you're staying overnight and taking in the traditional music/pub scene, it's not a must-see. I suggest stops at the Clare Jam Co and the Doolin Pottery Shop (the stuff is displayed in the yard and it works on the honor system, you just leave your cash in a can) located between the Cliffs and Doolin.

I consider the Doolin to Ballyvaughan via the coast road as the most scenic route. The interior routes would include more sites like the dolmen and stone fort...good stops, but it depends on your interests. Be sure to get out of the car in the Burren and walk around the rock formations...it's different than seeing them from the car window.

There's no shortage of daytrips from Athenry. Consider Coole Park outside of Gort. It was the home of Lady Gregory and holds a lot of Irish literary history. The multimedia presentation is very well done and the exhibit focusing on the children of Coole Park is also very enjoyable. Don't miss the autograph tree. I found Coole Park more interesting than Yeats' Thoor Ballylee down the road.

Gosox:

I would venture a guess that the route planner is a bit inaccurate with it's time prediction. Use the the route planner to get the miles and then divide by 35MPH. That usually gets you pretty close.

Bill

One feature of Doolin that I liked was the one hour boat trip along the base of the Cliffs of Moher.We also saw a few dolphins en route.

My husband really likes the part about stopping for a pint on the way to lunch.

Total miles divided by 35 is a good idea. In this case it is 112 miles so travel time is 3 1/4 hours, just about 15 minutes longer than the original estimate. the pottery stop is a definite. Any antique stores on the way?