Ireland- help us plan our route?
 

We're visiting Ireland in September and have managed to put together a list of sites we'd like to see but are having trouble planning our route. We'll be picking up our rental when we arrive in Dublin (flying in from Glasgow). Arriving on the 17th and flying out of Dublin on the 24th. Any suggestions?

Our must-sees are:
-Blarney Castle (we've heard that there are nicer castles, but my husband's one request is to kiss the Blarney stone!)
-Newgrange

We're also considering:
-scenic drive- ring of kerry/dingle peninsula
-Rock of Cashel
-Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
-Cliffs of Moher

We enjoy driving and don't mind long drives, there will be 2 of us to take turns. We'll be staying at B&Bs along the way and hopefully visiting some nice pubs in the evenings. If anyone has any suggestions on a logical route to take in some or all of these sites we would love your input!
Thanks

GuyNS- I have bought a copy of 'The AA Best Drives Ireland' which gives you 25 car tours for the independent traveller.
You will still need a large map of Ireland as the book only gives a small map on the particular route one chooses to follow.

Thanks, I will have to check that out. I had borrowed another book from the library on favorite drives (this one was put out by a major travel guide company, and was specific to Scotland not Ireland) but the tours in it were all for 2-3 weeks, with way too much city time for us, so I was kind of put off of the books in general. Now that I know AA has a good one I'll be sure to find a copy and read through!

17-dublin (if you don't want to stay in dublin a night...add extra day to kenmare and enjoy Beara Peninsula/healy pass (that is what I would do)

18-rock of cashel (stop at Glendalough on way)stay at B&B near base of rock...beautifully lit at night

19-blarney/Kinsale (stop at Cahir Castle on the way...Charles fort in Kinsale is interesting)

20-ROK...Killarney counter clock-wise to Kenmare (stay in B&B in town so you can walk to pubs)

(*if don't stay in Dublin...add day here for beara/healy pass)

21-ROK...Kenmare to Killarney...to Bunratty Castle/folk park...to cliffs...doolin (stay at B&B within walking distance to one of the pubs)

22-malahide(or B&B near newgrange)
via clonmacnois

23-newgrange/stay same B&B as night before

24-depart

this is moving everynight...but cuts down drive time in between and gives you time to enjoy sights/stops on way

Chip, thanks for the suggested itinerary. We don't mind staying in a different spot every night- we travel light and don't need to "unpack" every night. Your plan sounds great!