Hello everyone,
My cousin and I are planning our first trip to Ireland for late April/early May 2006. We're flying in and out of Shannon (we already have our tickets) and renting a car; we'll have 9 days in the country. We're both young - cuz is 30 and I'll turn 23 in Ireland - so we're planning our vacation with intentions of many return trips.

Our initial itinerary thoughts:

April 25 - travel

26 - arrive; Cahir/Cashel

27 - Waterford

28/29/30 - Cobh, Kinsale, Sheep's Head, Mizen Head, Beara Peninsula, or whatever we have time for - stay same place all 3 nights

May 1 - Killarney National Park; stay somewhere near Tralee

2 - Dingle Peninsula; stay same as previous night

3 - Doolin/Cliffs of Moher

4 - the Burren; stay Bunratty

5 - depart from Shannon

I'm thinking about taking Doolin and the Burren off and adding the extra day to Killarney. I know May 1 is a bank holiday - are we going to run into extra crowds, and should we make B&B reservations for that weekend now? We were planning on playing it by ear and making reservations the day of.

I've been reading posts since last summer, and I can't tell you how much I've learned. Thanks in advance for suggestions, advice, and wisdom!

Bridget

Just a quick suggestion, drop Waterford and add and extra day in Kinsale. Drop Doolin and spend the extra day around Dingle. You can hit the Cliffs and the Burren and then double back to Bunratty for you last day, or save it for you next trip. I think you will find the best part of your trip will be the peninsulas. Have fun

Book your Bank Holiday Accommodations NOW. The Blarney Woolen Mills across from Bunratty Castle or their Outlet Store in Killarney will usually have as good or better deals on Waterford Crystal than the factory store. If that is the only attraction in Waterford, you should drop it, and add a second night in Killarney.
I would also do one night in Kinsale and two in either Skibbereen or Bantry.
Bob

Thanks so much for your suggestions! My cousin wants to see the crystal factory; I've been trying to talk her out of it, so I'll keep trying I like the idea of one night in Kinsale and two further west. We'll get working on B&B reservations right away.

ttt

Waterford crystal factory is not worth in my opinion unless you really are interested in how it is made. We did not find the town all that appealing compared to many of the areas you are planning on. Spend two nights in Kinsale we did this and day tripped to Mizen and SHeeps head. I was so excited to see you are planning on these two Peninsulas. There are not may posts about them and they are a well kept secret-The drive to them is BEAUTIFUL and pictures do not do them justice! Hopefully you will have a clear day as wee did. Sheeps head is difficult to find-You will be on a road the has gras down the middle and only one car can fit(tour buses can not get there!) The hike out is awesome!

I would stay in Kenmare if you want to visit Killarney national park. The town is great! Small and bustling with lots of great shops and restaurants.

Stay two nights in Dingle vs going to Doolin-You do not need an entire day at the Burren
Just my opinions!!!

Thanks Joolleeb, for your suggestions! I'm really hoping to convince dear cousin to give up Waterford. I'm now thinking:
Cashel 1 night
Kinsale 2 nights
near Bantry 1 night
Kenmare 2 nights
Dingle 2 nights
Bunratty 1 night

I'm so excited to see Sheep's Head and Mizen Head - I can't wait until we're there!

Hello,

I will have to agree with cutting out a few places...painful as it might be.

Your intenerary looks a lot like the one my friends and I had a few years ago. The Crystal factory was boaring.

If I go back to Ireland I will alot at least three days in each location.

One night anywhere means you will spend most of your time on the road. All that driving was extremely exhausting and was the worst part of our trip.

Oh and don't let the car rental place upgrade you to an SUV..the roads are very narrow in some spots and the parking places are like one third size in some parking garages.

Earthy

Thanks Earthy! We're planning on renting the smallest car possible, so it'll be easier to handle on the narrow roads. Do you have any suggestions for must-sees in the southwest?