How does this 15 night itinerary look?
 

A wee bit about us. We're late 50's, with sweetie being very active (he cycled 100k before breakfast this morning), and me not as much (35 minute walk this morning). We like the romance of ruins and the beauty of the countryside, history, and the geology of the country. His best times in London last year were in the small local pub near our b&b chatting with the locals, and he`s anxious to do that again in Ireland. We have zero interest in touristy towns or reproduction castles.

We`ve set out a draft itinerary that we hope will work in a practical way as far as driving and taking time to visit and poke about. It`s perhaps too ambitious in the time that we have, and if necessary, we can cut out the north (even though I`ve paid for accommodation in Belfast, we`ll absorb that if it means a better trip overall)

Ok - here we go....

Sept 8 - Arrive Dublin from Toronto, Canada

Sept 9 - Dublin

10th - Belfast - see Newgrange, Titanic exhibit, Black taxi tour

11th - Derry - Bushmills, Causeway, Dunluce, enjoy the Antrim coast

12th - Clifden - this is a crazy drive day. Maybe too much. We want to get it over early in our visit.

13th - Clifden - Clifden castle, enjoy the Connemara, Roundstone

14th - Aran Islands - take the ferry from Ros an Mhil (or fly, depending on who wins that battle!)

15th, 16th - Ennis - Loop Head, Burren, perhaps a cruise from Doolin to see the Cliffs of Moher. Is that redundant - will we see them if we take the ferry to Inishmore.

17th - Dingle - Slea Head

18th, 19th - Kenmare - Ring of Beara, Gap of Dunloe,

20th - Kinsale

21st - Kilkenny - Cashel, Jerpoint Abbey, Kells Priory

22nd - Dublin airport hotel, drop the car off, be at the airport at 8:00 am on the 23rd.

This is pretty much our ``wish list``. I`m interested to know if it`s doable in a way that will allow us to enjoy what we`re seeing, or will it practically be too rushed.

Any and all suggestions, opinions, advice, and criticism gratefully accepted.

All that moving about would be too much for me. It looks like you're driving every single day. Too much. I wonder if all these sights might tend to blur together after a while.

We went to Ireland a couple of years ago, and we saw a good deal, but it was more leisurely. We would spend two nights at one place and one night at another place--not go to a different place every day.

Are you accounting for the time you need to check out of one place an into another?

We have two nights in each of Dublin, Clifden, Ennis and Kenmare, so it looks like this: 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1.

I agree it looks like a lot, and that's what I'm trying to get a handle on, is it really a lot, or just look like a lot?

One long driving day is just fine, but I really don't want to "see" Ireland and not "experience" it.

It's far too much driving. It's not just your main route from one centre to another, but you also have to factor in the local driving - for example, seeing Connemara from a base in Clifden involves more time in the car. Places like Slea Head and the Beara Peninsula also involve driving, and on roads that mean that you move slowly and have to put in some effort.

The only thing I can see a problem with is the drive from Derry to Clifden.

There is a lot to see on the Antrim Coast especially if you walk down to the Causeway along and up the long stairway and loop back to the car along the top path. I would see how the weather is and then decide on Bushmills or the Causeway.

In fact you could leave this open and decide whether to go Belfast to Derry along the coast or Belfast to Sligo via Omagh when you get here and see what the weather is likely to be. I know this means winging it that one night but it might be better to do that.

Aim to get to Westport for lunch time. Drive the coastal route through Louisburgh to Leenane to rejoin the N59. (The 12th September used to be our Clifden day so have a drink in Lowry's for us.)

You will not see the Cliffs of Moher from Inis Mór not even with good binoculars. The cliffs on Inis Mor are better anyway.

If we are about on the 15th might catch you in Ennis (you would have to give me a nudge nearer the time).

Too much! You'll be so pooped everyday from driving you won't enjoy the craic.