Arriving in Shannon November 21st. Flying back home out of Dublin November 28th. Self driving tour in between with 2 families, 4 in one car, 6in the other. Any suggestions on route,places to visit/stay would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...sense-help.cfm

It might be hard to get to the islands in Nov due to weather and your daylight hours will be short.

You only have a week and a LOT of people which will slow things down even more. I wouldn't be too ambitious. I'd just pick a couple of places you've wanted to visit and limit it to those. There are MANY possibilities so deciding which ones would depend on what sorts of things you want to see/do. What places have you already researched?

You'll want to be back near DUB the evening before your flight out.

Probably spend the last night or two in Dublin. Just decided to do this so planning is just starting. Some castles would be nice and a cold beverage in the evening

Might be better weather doing a southern loop, Dingle won't be crowded at all and you will have many sleep and drinking options there. Cork and Blarney for your castle. Wicklow coast is beautiful. If you base yourself out of Dublin at the end of your trip you could even take a day trip to Newgrange or hop on the train for a day trip to Belfast. There is a lot to see and do in Dublin, the obvious one being Guinness factory tour, the Gravity bar at the top is worth the trip. I love seeing all the museums and history of Dublin. Grafton St and the Temple Bar area are fun for shopping, food and drink.

not a perfect route but this is Tony2phone's map and he does great detail with distance.
https://maps.google.ie/maps/ms?hl=en...1e3&dg=feature

Thanks! Taking a look at Dingle.

You didn't mention ages of your group, but I just finished a trip report on Ireland. Some might be helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...h-to-north.cfm

Thanks kwren! Okay, we are arriving in Shannon November 21st early morning. Driving down to Bunratty Castle and then up to the cliffs of moher, making our way around Galway Bay to Galway and staying 3 nights at the Park House Hotel. After that, we will drive to Dublin. Any suggestions on things to see along the way? We may spend one night between Galway and Dublin or just spend the last four nights in Dublin, not sure yet.

When I thought that we were going to drive between Dublin and Galway, the plan was to stop at Clonmacnoise to see the High Crosses. I read great reviews on the entire site. I think there was a castle and/or monastery there too. Even though we didn't end up driving by so didn't go, that sounds like a good stop. It's on your way.

I have a recco for a B&B just north of Athlone so convenient to Clonmacnoise.

Ok. Thanks! It does look like a neat stop. What's the name of the B&B?

http://struths.com/ . St. Ruth's Bed and Breakfast. It is a lovely farmhouse bed and breakfast. Our room was on the ground floor which is always a plus with me.

I would tell you to say hello to Helen for me but we were there in '09 so she probably won't remember us! I was the one with the two young-teen boys.

I will check it out. Thank you! Anyone know anything about Millineum Walk Apartments in Dublin?