Husband and I are planning first trip to Ireland. We are senior citizens but active and interested in culture, history, food, fun, outdoors. Would appreciate help with itinerary especially after Tralee:
June 3 Arrive Dublin, 7:00PM - bus to Trinity College - dorm accommodations;
June 4 Book of Kells tour - afternoon visit to Library - evening Pub crawl (would like dinner rec.);
June 5 Free day - sightseeing Dublin (would like suggestions for this day and dinner rec.);
June 6 Train to Tralee; Overnight Tralee;
June 7 Start Walking the Dingle Way;
June 15 End of Dingle Way; Overnight Tralee;
June 16 Get rental car in Tralee

June 16 onward: We have 6 nights. Need help with what to see and where to stay w/B&B rec. We are OK with basing ourselves somewhere and touring from there, but not sure about driving times to get us from pt A to pt B. Because of being on Dingle Peninsula, Cork is somewhat out of the way and we want to be sure not to miss anything important to see in that area. We read about the Aran Islands, and would like to visit, but not sure if we need to stay overnight on one of the islands? Also, can you recommend a good driving map.

June 22 Return Rental car to Dublin airport - Overnight Maldron Hotel, Dublin airport
June 23 Depart Dublin

Thank you in advance for your recommendations!

travelnaia,

Dublin - Restaurant rec: We enjoyed our dinner at Gallagher's
http://boxtyhouse.ie/
I would not show up without a reservation.

June 4 - what Library? Do you mean the Long Room Library at Trinity? The Book of Kells tour at Trinity ends in the Library before you swing through the gift shop exit. You do not need a full day for the Book of Kells and Library.
June 5 - there are many obvious choices. Review sights & attractions and see what appeals to you. Many folks do the hop on, hop off which is a two day ticket.
If you have not yet booked your airfair I would do an open-jaw. Fly into Dublin and fly home from Shannon. Gives you greater flexibility in seeing sights on the west coast.

oops, that should be airfare, not airfair!!

No Idea why Cork would be out of the way from Tralee but consider County Clare and Galway if you want to focus on Clare there is a south and an east not just the coastal and Burren west, the best touring base for the whole of Clare is Ennis.

You can get to all three islands from Doolin but I suggest Inis Oirr and the Cliffs of Moher combi cruise. If you want to see Inis Mor or Meain then probably Rossaveal west of Galway makes better sense. And of course the Connemara lies west of Galway.

The Colins glove box atlas is as good as you are likely to need for driving routes.

Bette, she may have meant the National Library. You can actually go in and handle the books (probably can't check them out on your library card, though!). There is a wonderful W. B. Yeats exhibit in the basement. And the rest rooms are worth a visit (at least the women's....didn't check out the men's).

Chester Beatty Library is definitely worth a visit also. And you can lunch in the Silk Road Cafe.

Also try to fit in the National Museum, and Kilmainham Gaol. So much to do and see in Dublin. I am still waiting to see Glasnevin Cemetery.

Yes, you are probably right. We very much enjoyed the WB Yeats exhibit. I still think this day is light.