slippypenguin

So my husband and I have worked out an itinerary for our trip to Ireland. We are planning on leaving early on the 19th (or late on the 18th) and staying until the 28th or 29th. Below is our itinerary. i would like some feedback on it. Does it all make sense? Is it a good idea to fly into Dublin and fly out of Shannon? I also would like some help with places to stay and things to do near/around Shannon on our last day or two. Thank you in advance! (Also, I know the drive times are not accurate, my husband just wanted a general starting off point).

Days 0-2 Dublin (Arrive evening July 19)
Dublin Tourism Office / City of a Thousand Welcomes
Trinity College - Book of Kells + Library
Guiness Storehouse
Jameson Distillery
Kilmainham Gaol
Temple Bar Area
Literary Pub Crawl
Pick Up Car
Leaving Dublin - Glendelaugh

Day 3 Kilkenny (Sun, July 22)
Smithwicks Brewery
Hurling Match
Kilkenny Castle

(2+ Hour Drive)

Days 4-5.5 Cork/Cobh/Kinsale
Stay in Cork
Cork - Old English Market
Cobh - Port stuff/Old Midleton Distillery
Kinsale - Charles Fort/Scilly Walk/Silver Shop

(1.5-2 Hour Drive)

Day 5.5-7 Kilkenny
Stay night after Cobe/Cork in Kilkenny
Drive Ring of Kerry Day 6 Morning
Stay again in Kilkenny

Day 8-9 The Burren/Cliffs of Moher
Day 10 Fly out of SNN

sheri_lp

It's a great idea to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon, but as I'm mapping your trip, there is way too much backtracking to keep staying in Kilkenny more than one night and you'll be exhausted with the back and forth.

If you went from Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, then Killarney or Kenmare after your Ring drive, then drive up toward the Cliffs and you'll be in a much more comfortable position to fly out of Shannon

thursday

Agree with sheri_lp - I would stay in Killarney or Kenmare after driving the Ring, or even somewhere along the coast like Caherciveen, though I'm biased by my preference for staying in the smaller towns rather than the bigger. I do think driving back to Kilkenny is a bit of a waste of time; flying out of Shannon is a great idea. We always try to fly in one coast and out the other if we can swing it.

thursday

Forgot to add - as for places to stay near Shannon, if you feel like a big splurge, Dromoland Castle is exquisite, though priced to match.

Tony2phones

I think that SP meant Killarny not Kilkenny (easy mistake done it myself)for days 5.5-7. And on that understanding looks good to me.

ct_wino

I like your plans and I have the perfect spot to stay outside of Dublin. We stayed at Glenlohane last July which is in County Cork and a nice central location to drive to all of the places you mention. The town is very quaint with great pubs and restaurants for the day or two you might want to relax and get a feel for the real Ireland. Search on Glenlohane Ireland and it will come right up. The fully equipped cottage sleeps six for 750E a week! The owners couldn't be nicer! Act quick though - it might be booked and you might be forced to stay in the Manor House (bummer!).

slippypenguin

Woops, we definitely meant Killarny like Tony pointed out. Makes me feel good knowing the itinerary looks good other than that.
More ideas of places to stay would be fantastic! We may stay in a castle for a night or 2, but would like to focus more on B&B's in the areas we are staying in (or close to). Thanks in advance for all your advice. You all are lifesavers!