Hi. My wife and I are heading to the Emerald Isle for a week at the end of the month. After much research and map plotting, I've put together an itinerary that I think will work out nicely. I'd like to see if any experience Irish travellers may have any comments or recommendations.

Day 1: Arrive Dublin, staying at Jury's Inn Custom house

Day 2: Tour Dublin

Day 3: Pick up car, see Powerscourt and Glendalough enroute to Kilkenny. Staying at Dunromin B&B in Kilkenny.

Day 4: See Rock of Cashel enroute to Tralee. Staying at Green Gables B&B in Tralee (should we see anything else on the way? I've already been to Cobh and Cork.)

Day 5: Leave Tralee and head up the coast to Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Staying at Rockyview Farmhouse in Fanore. Wanted to go to Galway but it appears to be swamped with race enthusiasts that whole week.

Day 6: Head to Connemara -- staying at Ballynahinch Castle (will spend most of the day on the grounds there and in the vicinity).

Day 7: Leave Ballynahinch for a 3:15 flight out of Shannon (what time do I need to leave to make this flight?).

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Whatever you do if you get to see the Blarney Stone don't kiss it.The locals do some nasty things to it.

I assume you are taking the ferry from Tralee. You might want to spend a couple of hours on the Loop Head Peninsula, around Kilkee, then drive to the Cliffs thru Lahinch.

No Dingle or you probably have already been there.

Ah yes, the Blarney Stone. I kissed that when I was there about 10 years ago. Fortunately, it was a rainy day so . . . hopefully . . . the rock was washed! Budman, yes, we'll take the fairy from Tarbert. Thanks for the advice on Loop Head peninsula -- we'll check it out. Anywhere in particular??

Drive to Kilkee. When you hit the coast, drive around to the right -- it dead-ends at a parking lot adjacent to the golf course. Great place for a picnic and/or walk around some of the cliffs.

If you drive around to the left, you will see a sign for the "scenic route" that takes you out to the lighthouse. On the road you will see a sign for the Bridges of Ross or Ross Bridges. Walk around (watch your steps) and look for the natural bridges in the landscapes - very nice & scenic.

From there you can head up to the Cliffs thru Lahinch and on to the Burren. Stop by Monk's Pub in Ballyvaughan for dinner or just a drink.

This can be done all in one day.

Cahir Castle, Lough Gur are possibilities from Cashel to Tralee. You say Galway is filled up by race fan ... would things be available if you 'reversed' your route, here, and went directly to Galway, from Kilkenny, THEN toured Connemeara, and Clare? Sometimes, one or two days can make a difference.
Likewise, is there a particularly compelling reason to go to Tralee, other than to take the ferry? Coming from Cashel with no plans to see either Killarney or Dingle, it would probably be easier to head through Limmerick and not take the ferry.

I thought about reversing my route, as you suggest, but my only "hard" reservation is at Ballynahinch the night before we fly out of Shannon. Unfortunately, that relagates the west of Ireland to the latter half of my trip. Also, I believe the race "festivities" last all week. Supposed to be one of the biggest horse races in Europe, attracting over 200,000 visitors!!

Regarding Tralee, it looked like a nice enough town, but I was mostly interested in the Siamsa Tire folk theater. Sounds neat - ever been?

Here is a 'cut and paste' of driving directions from Ballynahinch to Shannon.
They call it 2.5 - 3 hours. If your flight is at 3:15, you need to be at the airport by 1:00. With a 3 hr drive, that puts departure at 10:00. I would add in a 'fudge factor' of AT LEAST one hour (and probably two, given the 'Race Week' activities - of course, the day of the week will also affect that). That means an 8 or 9 AM departure from the Castle.
Hope this helps.
FROM SHANNON
Ballynahinch Castle is located on the West Coast of Ireland 6 miles from the sea and surrounded by the rugged beauty of Connemara and the Twelve Bens mountain range. We are located an hours? drive west on the N59 from Galway City (45miles/74kilometres) and 15 minutes east from Clifden, the ?Capital of Connemara?.

The travelling time from Shannon is approximately 2.5 to 3.0 hours to Ballynahinch. You follow the directions for the town of Ennis. Once you have reached Ennis, follow the N18 to Gort, through Ardrahan, and then to Kilcogan. As you pass through Clarenbridge follow the signs for Galway City (Green Signs). As you get closer, look out for signs for Clifden or Oughterard as this is the road you want to take (N59) and you will avoid the city centre.

When you have passed through Oughterard, having gone through a village called Moycullen, the next reference will be Maam Cross which is a small crossroads village that you go straight through. You are still on the road to Clifden. The next village to pass through is Recess about 3 miles after Recess having gone through a winding bit of the road followed by a straight stretch there will be a signpost to your left marked Roundstone and one for Ballynahinch Castle. This is your turn left and 3 miles down this winding and bumpy road is the entrance to the Castle.

Just realized the driving directions are in 'reverse'. Got them from www.ballynahinch-castle.com and the web site also has lots of maps and other info. Looks like a NICE place! If time and weather permits, pop up to Lenane and take the R395 through Delphi, to Louisburg to Westport. The scenic drive through/past Doo Lough should be well worth it (especially if you know the history of the area).