I've roughly planned an intinerary for a week on the road in Ireland. I will be staying 3 nights in Dublin before picking up a hire car.
Day 1 Pick up hire car, drive to Galway
Stay two nights in Galway
Day 3 Drive to Doolin. I'd like to go to Inishmore. Should I do this from Galway or Doolin? Overnight in Doolin because I've heard the music is great here.
Day 4 Doolin to Killarney (Ring of Kerry on the way)
Day 5 Overnight in Killarney (day trip to Kenmare, Bantry) Should I just stay in Kenmare for the night?
Day 6 & 7 Kilkenny
Return car to Dublin airport by 9:00 am
Is this too much of a drive from Kilkenny to Dublin by this early time. I've allowed 2 hours to travel 72 miles. Or should I stay only one night in Kilkenny and stay the last night a bit closer to Dublin?

Overall, I like the places you've chose.

While in Galway, be sure to drive out into the area NW of there, called Connemara. Just beautiful wild scenery.

Either Day 3 or Day 4 may be pretty full. As you head towards or away from Doolin, you'll discover an area called the Burren that is sure to make you wish you had some time to linger.

On the drive back to Kilkenny - it's not a hard slog. Probably will take you 2-2.5 hrs IF there is nothing to slow you down. It depends on what day of the week this falls on. I once spent almost an hour and a half trying to get from Celbridge to the airport in bumper to bumper traffic. And Celbridge is barely outside of Dublin, just across the county line in Kildare. Tons of rush hour traffic on the feeder roads in the A.M. going into Dublin. You'll be coming from the south, and the airport is north of the city.

Thanks Clifton. I'm going to wish I had more time in most places I think. Thanks for the advice on the traffic getting into Dublin. As I also have to grab a flight to London, I'm now thinking of staying my last night closer to Dublin. Any suggestions as to where would be a nice last night spot?

There are some interesting sights on the north side - some very near, such as Malahide, some a bit further out, like Newgrange, Trim Castle and the Hill of Tara. So you wouldn't be at a loss for to-do's if you made your way up early and stayed near the airport.

I can't advise on places to stay, as we stay at a cousin's home in the earlier mentioned Celbridge and never have call for other arrangements near the city. But, if I top this, other late night Ireland fans (and there are a few) may be able to help out.

Have a great trip Pamela

Thanks for your advice Clinton. I've just found out I have a cousin working in the Navan area, so I might head closer to that area and pay him a visit. I think I'll feel less rushed staying closer to Dublin on the last night, rather than having to rush and panic on the last day. I'm sure I'll have a great trip. Australians just love the Irish sense of humour and friendliness. Now all I have to do is acquire a taste for Guinness!! Cheers

Navan, yes that would be a very convenient place to start from, I think. And very close to Newgrange for site seeing.

I agree with you on both Australians and the Irish. My Melburnian wife and my Irish-born mother-in-law (who now lives in Melbourne) would agree was well!

Have a wonderful trip

re: getting to Inishmore - you're probably better off going from Doolin if you want to stay in Doolin that night - it means you don't have a long drive from Galway down to Doolin when you get back from the island.

Also, when you're in that area, don't forget the Cliffs of Moher!