Ireland in a week?
 

My husband & I are planning our next European adventure. Oddly enough, we are considering doing a week in Ireland followed by a week in Spain. I've been to Spain a few times and am fairly comfortable on where to go/what to do, but am at a loss when it comes to an Irish itinerary.

We've both been to Dublin during previous trips, so would like to go elsewhere this time. If you had a week in Ireland, what would you say are the "must dos?"

Thanks in advance for your thoughts & opinions.

We're doing our 2nd trip to Ireland in a couple months. Our first visit was Dublin and the environs and southern Ireland. Now we're going to do the Ring of Kerry (4 days), County Clare (3 days) and Inishmore (1 day). Really looking forward to seeing western Ireland!

A week barely wets the whistle, but if you want some ideas, could you tell us into which airport you are flying and out of which you are flying? Your intersts? Are you renting a car? (I hope.)

I was afraid a week wouldn't be enough. Ideally, we'd fly in/out of Dublin as the prices are much less than Shannon. Plan is to definitely rent a car. We like to see some of the sights, shop a bit, people watch, meet new folks & have some great dinners & pints.

Please let me know what you think....is a week really not long enough? We wanted to do a week in Ireland and one in Spain, but am thinking we should just plan two separate trips for two separate vacations.

If you have just a week, well you have just a week.

Option 1
1 Leave airport and drive via Monasterboice and Mellifont to Trim and spend the night. Trim is an ok town and has a castle.

2 Go to Newgrange for first tour of the day and then on to Galway.

3-5 in Galway area. Drive around the connemara region. Maybe a day trip to the Aran Islands from Rosseveal. (It is a passenger only ferry, but minivans are on the pier and you can negotiate a good day tour with them, or rent a bike at the shop at the end of the pier) Lotsd of wonderful scenery in Connemara, Aughnanure castle in Ochterard, etc.

6 back to airport via Clonmacnoise and other stops.

7 depart

Option 2
1 drive to Kildare. Visit the National Stud farm and Japanies gardens stay the night in Kildare

2 drive to Ennis--day tour the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, Cragganouwen Project, Bunratty Folk Park, medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle or Knappogue Castle, drive around the Loop Head, etc.

Day 6 back to airport

Option 3

Drive to Kilkenny via Glendalough.
Day 2 explore Kilkenny and castle

Day 3 Down to New Ross visit the Dunbrody--back to Kilkenny

Day 4 Head to West Cork (perhaps Glengarriff) via Rock of Cashel and Cahir Stay in Glengarriff

5 Day trip out to Garinish Island and its Italian gardens

Day 6 explore a bit of west Cork

Day 7 back to airport hotel

Day 8 depart

Option 4--

1 to Kilkenny via Glendalough

2to Kenmare or Killarney

3-5 explore Ring of Kerry area, Killarney national Park, Muckross House, hike up to Torc waterfall, drive down into West Cork

6 back to airport
7 depart

I have tried to suggest itineraries where you can base for a few nights to avoid a lot of packing and unpacking.

Have fun!

Irishface - Thank you so much!!! Looks like I have several options/ideas to peruse over the weekend. I really appreciate you taking the time to put together so many options. Thanks!!!