Early September itinerary help
 

Hey everyone - I've had good luck sanity checking my itineraries on these forums in the past before traveling and I am in need of some more advice and critiques this time. I (31 y/o) am taking my mom to Ireland for 11 nights in early September. I've done quite bit of traveling but she has not. Neither of us has visited Ireland before. I'm planning on renting a car and taking a nice tour of the southern portion of Ireland, ideally at a reasonably relaxed pace. We can do plenty of walking/light hiking, but I don't want this trip to be overwhelming. She will not do any boat rides so that knocks some things off the list right off the bat. We are interested in: Irish culture, dining, scenery, major tourist sights, quaint towns, some shopping, some relaxation. Flights are booked - that's it. I'm not looking to necessarily move hotels more than is needed.

Here's what I've got so far... any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Dublin
Day 1: Fly into Dublin at noon. Stay in Dublin, catch up on sleep.
Day 2: Fight off jet lag. Tour the city on a bus or something. Spend night in Dublin.

Kilkenny
Day 3: Pick up car, drive to Kilkenny, night in Kilkenny. Check out Rock of Cashel on way.

Kinsale
Day 4: Drive to Kinsale, spend night in Kinsale. Check out Blarney castle on way.
Day 5: 2nd night in Kinsale. Spend time in city.

Kenmare
Day 6: Drive to Dingle/Kenmare. Spend night in Kenmare.
Day 7: Spend 2nd night in Kenmare.

Galway
Day 8:: Drive to Galway. Drive Ring of Kerry.
Day 9:: 2nd night in Galway. Visit Cliffs of Moher.

Dublin
Day 10: Drive to Dublin, drop off car
Day 11: Fly out of Dublin late morning

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Kilkenny/Blarney/Kinsale A long day of driving. Blarney is really a pretty village or one of the coastal towns along the way. I would take her to Cobh for sure because there really isn't that much to Kinsale, walk around, eat.

Hi,

Day 5 Kinsale: spend time in City.
I don't think Kinsale is worth 2 nights. It is not a city, it is just a small town.

Day 8 Drive to Galway - drive Ring of Kerry
This day does not make sense. The Ring is much closer to Kenmare, not Galway. And the Ring of Kerry is a FULL DAY of touring/ driving. You cannot do the Ring and then drive to Galway.

Alright, my first draft had a lot of issues. With the help of trusty google maps and the feedback I've gotten, here is a much better revision. How does this look? What do you think about the hours of driving, # of overnights for this length trip?

Dublin
Day 1: arrive in Dublin in morning. Stay in Dublin, catch up on sleep.
Day 2: Still some jet lag. Tour the city on a bus or something. Spend night in Dublin.

Kilkenny
Day 3: Pick up car, drive to Kilkenny. Visit city, spend night.

Killarney
Day 4: Drive to Killarney, spend night. Stop at Rock of Cashel on way.
Day 5: 2nd night in Killarney. Visit Muckross House.

Dingle
Day 6:Drive to Dingle. Drive Ring of Kerry on way to Dingle. Spend night in Dingle

Doolin (or Limerick or Lahinch)
Day 7: Spend night. Visit Cliffs of Moher.

Galway
Day 8:Drive to Galway. Spend night
Day 9:2nd night in Galway.

Dublin
Day 10: Drive to Dublin, drop off car
Day 11: Leave Dublin early afternoon.

https://goo.gl/maps/dDjkrRBUhsM2

On Day 6, I would forego the Ring of Kerry, and drive the Slea Head loop around the Dingle Peninsula. It would take less time and there is amazing scenery along the whole drive. Otherwise skip Dingle and add this night to Killarney to use as a base for the ROK.