Hello! My husband and I are going to Ireland for 11 nights at the end of May. We'll be flying into Shannon, spending 2 nights in Galway, 2 nights in Doolin, 2 nights in Dingle, 3 in Kenmare, and then I'm trying to figure out the last two. I'd like to spend them in Kinsale - but is it crazy to try to get from Kinsale to the Shannon airport for an 11:30 am flight? We don't mind getting up early I suppose...

If we shouldn't do it, I guess we could stay in Kinsale one night (although I was really trying to avoid one night stays) and then where should we stay the last night?? I'd be willing to splurge somewhere nice on the way or near the airport...
This is happening on a Saturday, btw.

Thanks in advance!

Posted a lengthy reply and FODORS ate it!

Short answer - drive Kinsale to Shannon is 2.5 - 3.5 hours, if weather isn't bad, depending on your comfort level/expertise with Irish roads.

If flying to US, you need to arrive airport 3 hours early, to return car, check in, Tax Back, do US Immigration AND (new, this year) US Customs.

Go direct from Galway to Dingle, through the Burren, to Kilimer Ferry. Even if you take the 'Long Way, through Bleenerville and Anascaul, it's 220 Km ( 135 Mile) and will take (DRIVING Time) between 3.5 and 5.5 hours. Do lunch in Doolin. Tour the Burren enroute, so LOTS of opportunities to stop and stretch, etc.

After Dingle (2 nights), spend 2 in Kenmare, 2 in Kinsale and THEN drive up to Doolin for your LAST 2.

If it was ME, though, my vote would be Ennis over Doolin.

Bob

That's a really interesting though of doing it in that order instead! Thanks Bob, I will think about that....we did want to do Doolin because my husband loves the Irish music and we'd hear it's great there..

There is a great TRADITION of Irish music in Doolin, but that is also true of Ennis -- Cruise's Bar comes to mind, as well as the fleahd Nua, (which runs May 17 - 25 this year):

http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/fleadh_nua_2009/

Bob

Further information:

http://www.fleadhnua.com/index.php

Bob

Thanks! I've already made some lodging reservations so if I decided to keep things in the order they are - are there any other recommended towns or places to stay between Kinsale and Shannon airport?

Adare is very pretty, and it has some cute shops and restaurants

It would be a bit out of the way, but check out Weston's Lot in Dundrum. http://www.westonslot.com .

Thanks, Adare might be a good idea. Anyone have any suggestions for stops on the drive from Kinsale to Adare (or nearby)? I just don't want to spend our whole last day driving with nothing to see....
Thanks

My husband really likes golf so maybe we can fit some in, but probably not with that long drive...

Sharbear, I think you'll be passing through Mallow on the way to Adare, so it might be nice to stop in Longueville House, near Mallow for lunch. The meat and game come from the grounds and they grow the veg and herbs in the kitchen gardens which is a lovely spot for a stroll. There are also longer walks around the wooded grounds. They sell their own produce too, which might be nice for gifts - apple brandy, chutneys, preserves, liquers etc - the last time I was there they were selling their own wine, but I can't see any mention of it on their website. The only other Irish wine producer I've heard of is in North Dublin, so Longueville House wine would make a great gift!
http://www.longuevillehouse.ie/

If you don't fancy stopping for lunch, I would just recommend buying a good detailed map of the area, and just making a little side trip off the main road and see where you end up. The countryside in that part of North Cork is lovely.