Should we include Donegal? Or is to too hard to get to. Should we just stick to Dingle Peninsula? Would is the best points of interests to see starting from Shannon Airport and spending 8 days in Ireland and leaving from Shannon Airport?

A number of things come to mind. You could go by way of Doolin and see the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Also close to the Dingle Peninsula is the Ring of Kerry.

Donegal is a ways up - if it is important that you get there - there are many points of interest on your way up. The Kerry/Dingle/Killarney/Ring of Kerry area is outstanding. County Clare has many attractions and beautiful areas. It all depends on what you like to do - what you want to see. If you let me know - I will do my best to direct you. There are many books available to sample intineraries for 8 days - they will give you a realistic idea of what you can cover in that amount of time.<BR>

Donegal is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. That said, it's also a hell of along way from Dingle. However, if you just plan to head north, then you have enough time. Make time to stop in the Connemara region on the way up. It's spectacular. It's roughly 90 minutes-2 hours drive from the airport.

We are driving to Donegal Town from Shannon on May 8th. 176 miles. Then return to Dingle on 11th. Many listers think these are two of the Have to See areas.

Pete-it will take you roughly 6 hours to drive up to Donegal Town from Shannon.

Also note that Donegal Town is nothing special: the coastline is where you want to be: Malin Head, Inishowen Penisula.

Hi Gail,<BR><BR>I am one of those that think the Donegal area is Ireland's best (Donegal/Fermenagh/Sligo).<BR><BR>Do a search under my email on Fodors to view my thoughts on Ireland including Donegal, Dingle and many other points.<BR><BR>Have fun you will love Ireland whereever you chose to go.

I like Donegal a lot but if your time is limited I would favour Cliffs of Moher,Killarney,Dingle,Ring of Kerry,Kenmare-all within 100 miles of Shannon.Facilities are better in the south with better hotels etc.Donegal is more rugged and even natural.I saw a salmon leap in a river there once and enjoyed driving almost to the top of the highest sea-cliffs in Europe at Slieve League,west of Killybegs.Sligo on the way to Donegal is worth visiting if you are interested in Yeats and Connemara/Galway are worth visiting too.

Thanks Ann, just a sleep-over at D-town-onto Carndonagh (G-Mothers home-town)then to Malin Head and<BR>the Peninsula. Hope to hit Leo's Tavern.

I spent New Year's Eve in Donegal Town a few years ago, for a reason I haven't quite figured out yet. Ended up in Abracabrabra at 12:05 a.m. after growing tired of waiting for one of the two toilets that were on hand for the crowd of 3,000.