Ireland 7 day land itenerary -- is it doable
 

My son and I are taking a father/son tour of Ireland. We aren't much for shopping, really we're just there to see the landscape, snap pictures, get a little history etc.

We've got open vouchers for B&B's (other than Dublin). We're open to any suggestions on any day if anyone feels some of these days may be too packed. We're leaving in 2 weeks. We're thinking of bagging the Donegal day and staying in Galway. Also if there are better stopping points, other than Killarney/Galway that insight would also be appreciated.
This is our plan:
Day 1
Dublin

Day 2 - Drive to Killarney
Stop - Glendalough
Stop Kilkenny
Stop Rock of Cashel
Stop Blarney Castle, Blarney Woolen Mills
Stay in Killarney

Day 3
Ring of Kerry
Drombeg Stone circles
Killarney National Park
Stay Killarney

Day 4
Drive to Galway
Dingle Penninsula
Adare
Cong
Stay in Galway

Day 5
Burren
Cliffs of Moher
Bunratty Castle
Poulnabrone dolmen
Stay in Galway

Day 6 (this day can be changed completely, it may be too much of a drive)
Connemara
Kylemore Abbey
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Stay in Donegal

Day 7
Drive back to Dublin, stop in Newgrange, Slane

Day 8
Fly home

In a word --- NO.

Day 2 is only possible if you stop at each attraction just long enough to snap a photo. Suggest you drop Glendalough, Kilkenny and Blarney.

Day 3 - the ROK takes about 6 hours and the drive to and from Drombeg would take about the same, or longer. Forget Drombeg - visit the Stone circle in Kenmare, instead.

Day 4: Forget Galway and Cong, or drop Dingle. Personally, I would keep Dingle and stay there overnight.

Day 5: Start early from Killarney and this would be fine - EXCLUDING Bunratty.

Day 6:Donegal from Galway is a FULL day's drive -- without going through Connemara. Visit Connemara.

Day 7: Arriving at Newgrange LATE in the afternoon, you may not be allowed into the tomb, as the limit the number of visitors per day.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

"<i>if anyone feels some of these days may be too packed.</i>"

<u>every</u> day is too packed.

You need to completely re-think your plans. You are going in Feb, so not only are your days nearly impossible -- you have to factor in the chance of some really bad weather.

Cut your destinations/distances in half and use 35 mph to calculate your drive times.

One problem you have is you have to spend time looping back to Dublin so you are going to be limited in how much you'll be able to see. Into Dublin and out of Shannon would have been better but you already have your flights so you need to work w/ what you have . . .

Hi! If you can read my posting to another mom, I would recommend the same thing to you about charting your distances, estimating driving time, time at each stop, etc.

For example. Dublin to Killarney is an estimated 183 miles. At an average 30mph this is 6 hours driving alone, without any stops. Glendalough needs a minimum 1-2 hours and that is without taking a hike. Rock of Cashel is said to take a minimum 2 hours. Blarney can take 1-2 hours depending on tourists. You can see that you are already way over one day's worth.

If you chart everything out, you will be able to see what daily itinerary will work for your family. Then you can make the decisions that are best for you and your family. Good luck!!!

Not only do you have to factor in weather on this trip at this time of year, but also the days are still short.