Ireland 2013 *please critique itinerary* Help
 

A friend and I are traveling to Ireland (first time) with our kids (13, 12, 11), starting in Dublin. We planned on four days in Dublin, and hoping to include Trinity College, Grafton Street, Dublinia, National Museum of Ireland, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Guinness Storehouse. Is this doable in 3 days? We'd also like to do bus tours to Newgrange and Glendalough. Not sure if we can get this in time-wise, as we booked 3 nights hotel in the Temple Bar area.

We were planning on renting a car and driving to Kilkenny; we'd like to see Cashel, Cahir and Tipperary in this area. How many nights would this area take? Any suggestions as to B&B's? Then drive to Blarney/Cork/Kinsale...again, days here and places to stay? Off to Killarney for a day or two. We then would drive up to Limerick, Bunratty Castle/folk park, Kinvarra, Ailwee Caves and Cliffs of Moher, with castles along the way. We're flying out of Shannon, so we'd drop off the car there. We are in Ireland for a total of 12 days (14 minus flight days).

Any and all suggestions welcome! I've read that renting a car by a Irish company is best, such as Dooley's. Is there anything to this? Thanks so much!!

I would tick all your comments except staying in Temple Bar especially with youngsters. fine for the 18-35 group but not a family spot, consider somewhere more Stephens Green.

Tick? I booked the hotel after checking reviews on tripadvisor and it had high reviews for families. Humph. We got a really good rate and prepared so we're stuck. And we're within walking distance to almost all sites in Dublin. Hopefully it will work out alright. If we do Dublinia, Grafton Street, and Trinity College in one day, Guinness and Kilmainham in another, I think that will allow us two days for day tours to Glendalough and Newgrange. Any recommendation as to bus tour companies vs private driver tours

There might be a good reason you got a really good rate for (Which Hotel??)Temple Bar?
Yes the location is fine but it can get a bit noisy and loud in other ways especially with the final fling before the wedding crowds the area attracts

Dooley are fine for car hire and Tick means all you have listed is possible and well thought.

Temple bar are is very noisy at night, as that's where folks go to drink and party. Other than that, it's fine. I recommend the Hop On Hop Off bus in Dublin itself - a great way to get around to all your various sites in the city.

I've heard great things about the Mary Gibbons day tours to Newgrange and Glendalough, but I've always just rented a car and gone myself. With five, that may be more economical.

I use Dan Dooley for car rental, and they were lovely. All costs quoted up front, no hidden fees, and easy pick up/drop off. You don't need a car while in Dublin itself. Glendalough is doable from Dublin to Kilkenny, but it is a long day, be prepared.

Kilkenny: We stayed 2 nights in Kilkenny, and would have liked another. Another trip, we stayed a week in nearby Knocktopher, and did day trips. Cashel and Cahir is doable on the way from Kilkenny to Killarney.

Bunratty Folk Park is great - kids will love it.