After your patient replies to all of our questions, and much research on Trip Advisor, here's our final itinerary for September, bookings complete:

Day 1---arrive Shannon. Stay in Ennis at www.bed-n-breakfast-ireland.com

Day 2,3,4---slow, touring drive to Westport for 3 nights www.boulevard-guesthouse.com Next day tour north into County Mayo where MDH's grandparents are from. Next day either back north again or Connemerra.

Day 5---Long drive to Kilrush www.hillcrestview.com to be near the ferry

Day 6,7,8---Ferry & drive to Dingle for 3 nights www.greenmount-house.com

Day9,10,11---Kenmare www.shelburnelodge.com to tour Killarney one day,
Bearra Penninsula next, and Bantry area next(and try to fit in 9 holes golf
somewhere along the way.

Day12---long drive to Shannon, stopping in Adare, ending up at www.oakwoodarms.com in the evening to be near the airport for the morning flight.

We are not crazy about changing hotels every night, so the 3 day stays.

Thanks to all of you who have helped. I'm sure I'll have more questions before Sept.

Sounds like a fun time!

The drive from Westport to Kilrush will be about 3-3.5 hours if you go the more direct way. But adding another hour or so to the drive can get you a stop at the Cliffs of Moher, even if it's a short stop. Obviously depends on what you already have planned for that drive, but since you didn't mention it I thought I'd toss it out there.

Thanks jefe----still haven't decided on the drive. If the weather is good, we may take your suggestion and sightsee a bit.

If you are going to Bantry, stop in Garinish and take the little putt-putt boat out to Garinish Island. wonderful gardens! You may see seals basking on the rocks in the bay as you pass within a few feet of them.

irishface----I was looking at that in a guidebook and thought it was interesting. We have loved seeing the French & Italian gardens, so it will be fun to see the Irish gardens. Hope the weather cooperates.