I'm planning a trip to Ireland in early September, 11 nights. All I've done so far is book our airfare, we fly into Dublin and out of Shannon. Now I'm putting together an itinerary and getting ready to book accommodations. I'd love the opinion of some of the experts here on the proposed itinerary:

Dublin - 3 nights.
Kilkenny - 2 nights
Kinsale - 2 nights
Kenmare - 2 nights
somewhere near Shannon? 1 night

I realize this is only 10 - where would you recommend the other night? Generally I like to stay in one spot for a few days and do daytrips. I notice that many people really move around frequently in Ireland - is that necessary?

A few related questions -

1) What about the Dingle Peninsula? Should we stay a night or so after Kenmare?

2) Should we plan to not rent a car until we're on our way OUT of Dublin? I generally plan to use public transportation when we're in a large city.

3) We leave from Shannon mid-day. Where is a worthwhile place to stay that will allow us plenty of time to get to the airport, return the car, etc.?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Alice

Alice, I would not miss Dingle. It is a magical place. I did not care that much for Dublin, busy, noisey, construction, building like crazy. A full day was enough for me. Do not get a car in Dublin. You will have trouble getting a place to park it and it costs a lot of money to park. I stayed in Bunratty on my last night in Ireland. It is soooo conveneint to the airport and you can have a fun medeeval feast at the castle. It was a good way to end my trip.

I stayed in Ennis my last 2-nights in Ireland (May 26 & 27). It's a nice size town, has some excellent restaurants & pubs and a couple of fine hotels (The Old Ground and the Temple Gate) and Traditional Irsih music every night at Cruise's (adjacent to the Queen's Hotel). I dined at Brogan's on O'Connell St. Monday and at Knox's on Abbey Sr. Tuesday.

Shopping is fairly good on Abbey Street: There's a Beleeks (sp.?) where they give you an instant VAT credit. And I was able to find some very specific jewelry items - there seem to be almost as many jewelry stores as pubs.

I'd agree with sss about Dingle...and about not getting the car until you're leaving Dublin
We spend our last night in Killaloe, about a 40 minute drive from the airport. A pretty little town on the banks of the Shannon, and away from the touristy development around the airport and Bunratty.

I was very disappointed in Dublin last November as the construction was an eyesore and the traffic horrible. I would pare that stay down to no more than two days and add a day or two in Dingle. I am also going in September and have already booked my last night in Killaloe. I agree with the other poster's description. It just feels removed from the tourism and is such a cozy and area. Your itinerary looks good on the whole. Enjoy yourselves

Killaloe - We also will be staying our last night there. We stayed there a few years ago and had a wonderful stay in the Lakeside. Really good gourmet dinner as well. Looking forward to our stay over as we depart from Ireland on our September trip. Have a great time on your trip.