Greetings,
My husband, my mother and I will be making our first trip to Ireland in early July. Our current (tentative) itinerary looks like this:
Day 1 (Sunday) - arrive Dublin (early am), explore city, stay in or near Dublin (suggestions on lodging welcome)
Day 2 - drive north to Newry to see Slieve Gullion (family significance), return to Dublin or outskirts hotel for night
Day 3 - Head south out of town to Kilkenny area, visit sites along the way, stay in or near Kilkenny (suggestions on lodging welcome). If husband plays early golf at Portmarnock, departure from Dublin will be after lunch. Is Kilkenny still within reach before dark?
Day 4 - Drive from Kilkenny to Kenmare, either stopping at Kinsale for lunch or via Cashel. Or linger in Kilkenny and go straight to Kenmare in the afternoon. Mother wants to go to Waterford, but after reading posts, we may blow this off. Stay the night in Kenmare (Shelburne).
Days 5 and 6 - Explore Kenmare and surrounding area. Stay two more nights in Kenmare.
Day 7 - Head to Ballybunion for husband's mid-morning tee time. How long will it take to get there from Kenmare? Is this too far, or would it be more convenient to have stayed in Dingle area the night of day 6? Does anyone have any ideas for activities for the non-golfing gals that day? After golf, take ferry to County Clare and head for Moy House in Lahinch. Spend the night.
Day 8 - hang out in Lahinch area, see Cliffs, Burren, Doolin, maybe more golf for husband. Spend a second night in Lahinch.
Day 9 - ?
Day 10 - ?, need to end up back in Dublin airport area for night (lodging suggestions welcome).
Day 11 - depart Dublin for return home (late am)

Any and all recommendations on itinerary, driving, lodging, activities, sites to see/not to see, etc. are welcome. My husband would be happy just winging it, but my mother (a young 80) and I would prefer some structure. We will be renting and returning a car in Dublin.
Thanks in advance for your advice!

You're not staying in Kinsale so your husband can play Old Head? http://oldhead.com/index.cfm?page=home

That is certainly a possibility (he would love it), but this wasn't supposed to be a golf trip (right). Have you played there? Was it worth the $$?

No, I haven't golfed in Ireland, as my wife threatens to go shopping while I'm playing. We did wander out to the lighthouse. It's beautiful out there, as you can see from the photos.

I would definitely spend one day in Dingle. You can drive there and drive the Slea Head ring the same day, spend the night, then head to Ballybunion in the early morning. Or just do a drive by and spend the night in Tralee It's about 3 hours from Dingle to Ballybunion.

Here's a link to driving times. Add a little time for all the sheep in the roads. http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/

Old Head is probably closer to Kenmare than Ballybunion; but either one, you're looking at some 'big bucks' to play.

On your way up to Lahinch, you may catch the tail end of the Willie Clancy Memorial summer scoile: Trad Irish music and, most of all, dancing classes & competitions. It's at Spanish Point and Miltown Malbay in County Clare.

There's also a nice 9-hole Links layout in Spanish Point that's fun to play without the expense of 'name' courses like Ballybunion or Lahinch.

afree,

For your near Dublin accommodations why not stay at Portmarnock Hotel? I did in 2001 and found it comfortable. I'm not a golfer but I had fun watching some golfers teeing off in gale force winds. You can walk a sidewalk along the sea into Malahide which is a lovely village. I also stayed at the Grand in Malahide and it was fine. You are within about 20 minutes of the airport and in a good place for your trip up to Newry.

I like your other accommodations and your itinerary.
Have a great trip. Joan