I'm flying out with my son to Ireland where he will study abroad in Galway. I'm putting together a last minute itinerary and need some guidance. I was going to use public transport, but am now leaning towards driving despite my fears of driving on the left.

25th: Arrive Dublin Airport, cab to Dublin (how much?) stay in Dublin.
26th: Do Newgrange bus tour, stay in Dublin.
27th: Cab to DUB airport where I will pick up rental car and drive to Kilkenny stopping at Glendalough.
Visit Kilkenny castle, sleep Kilkenny
28th: See Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle, sleep in Cobh or Caher(ir)
29th: see Cobh, Midleton Distillery, Maybe the Charles Fort in Kinsale, sleep in Cobh
30th: Drive to Killarney OR Dingle
If Killarney: See Muckross House and Ross Castle,
Stay Killarney or Dingle
31st Tour Dingle Peninsula (with Scruid Tours?) or Ring of Kerry bus trip.
Stay Killarney or Dingle
1st: Drive to Galway. See Cliffs of Moher OR Bunratty. Return car.
Stay Galway
2nd: See Aran Islands
Stay Galway
3rd: See Galway.
stay Galway
4th: bus to Shannon airport. Depart.

What do you think?

Think I have covered this before. I'm still not convinced you should stay the last night in Galway even with the new seasonal early bus.

Dingle is Not a touring base so stay in Killarney, you can take a Deros tour of the Dingle peninsula including Slea Head from there.

You can take the rt aircoach into the city cheaply unless your son has a ton of luggage. Not sure of the taxi as we always take the bus.
Agree with Tony about the last night unless you flight is afternoon.
Skip Bunratty and do the Burren and Cliffs. http://www.shannonheritage.com/Dayti...nguaireCastle/
before Galway.
http://www.aranislandferries.com/inis_mor.php

Knew I remembered this http://ireland.activeboard.com/t6068...lastPostAnchor

Thanks for the help. The bus departs Galway at 7:05 and arrives in Shannon at 8:49. my flight is at 11:00. That gives me two hours and 10 minutes to check in. I'd really like to spend the last night in Galway its my son. Do you think this will work?

Shannon is a LOT more user friendly than Dublin but if you are pre clearing then 2 hours before departure is only 1 1/2 hours before the gate closes. I also get the Galway SNN bus when flying out and it can be late!
Personally I would rather have spent a night close to the airport and made sure my mum got the flight home, seeing her off at the airport. of course I come from a different era?

Ok, Tony you've convinced me to do one of two things:

1) Keep my car rental for the duration of my trip and head to the airport early in the AM.

OR

2) Get an airport hotel the night before.

Thanks!

Its not a case of getting an airport hotel,, or keeping the car. You have been advised on another forum to spend your last night by the airport and fine the Oakwood always gets a tick in the like box from me.. But.

Why don't you and your son have a last night in Ennis, have a meal, have a drink maybe catch a bit of music.. Then head for the Airport in the morning, no problem getting there for 8 am ish from Ennis, your son can see you off and get the next bus back from SNN to Galway knowing that at least you got as far as security on time for your flight.