My Mom and I have nine days in Ireland. It is our first time. We fly in and out of Dublin. We want to do/see/go to the best/most interesting/worthwhile cities/museums/sites/drives/stores/restaurants etc. Does anyone have a suggestion as to a route that would best fit our plans? We would like to go to Belfast if possible. How is the drive along the south western coast?Thanks!

You need to focus. Belfast is in the far north, and the southwestern coast is in the -- well, far southwest. In/out of Dublin you really don't have time for 2 countries and from one end to the other.

&quot;<i>How is the drive along the south western coast</i>&quot; In general, the drive is beautiful, slow and covers several counties.

Like I said - you need to focus. Get a guide bok or click on DESTINATIONS above, figure out a basic itinerary you think works and then we can help you refine it.

But just &quot;we have 9 days and want to see/do it all&quot; we really can't help much.

I agree with janis. To do the SW and the NE (a different country) in 9 days is a bit much. Yes, a few years ago a woman planned what was what everyone thought, the most impossible itinerary I have seen. We told her she should cut back, she did it anyway and came back and said she had the best time anyone has ever had in Ireland ... nah nee nah nee nah nah.

It looks like you want to see just about averything in 9 days. One question is what time of year are you traveling. That will make some difference as to crowds or no crowds. Also, if Belfast is a must, there is some beautiful coastline in NI and you could easily fill 9 days in the top half of the island.

As for the SW coast, Dingle, Iveragh (Ring of Kerry) and Beara fill a day each and more. Ireland is not a country best viewed through the front windshield of a Nissan Micra.

Try to focus your areas a bit and give us another shot. The desire to see/do/go to everything in a short period of time is common and you are one of the many that have come here with that in mind.

Bill

Sazucker,

Invest in a book or two and then come back to the board. We'd like to help you, but you need to do some research on your own.

I hope you have a good trip, Joan

Sazucker,
I agree with the other posts regarding the need to do some research first. Half of the fun for me is the research and planning of a trip. Having said that I just got back from a planning meeting with my two cousins for our second trip to Ireland. We are staying ten days and our itinerary is as follows:
Sept 19th - AR Dublin
20th - Dublin
21 - Galway
22 - Galway
23 - Doolin
24 - Dingle
25 - Kinsale
26 - Kinsale to Tipperary
27 - Tipperary/Wicklow
28 - Dublin
29 - Depart Dublin

We have divided up the itinerary between the three of us so we each have responsibility for activities/day trips for our assigned towns/cities. I was assigned Tipperary and Wicklow - so any suggestions for activities from seasoned travellers will be appreciated as I have yet to start my research.

The OP posted a second thread after the initial responses on this one.

Here it is. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34997301

Unfortunately it doesn't provide any more info - just &quot;We have 9 days where should we go?&quot; . . . .