Definately go on your own with teens.

We have gone on our own and had a private driver/guide when we went with extended family group of 10, which allowed us to stop/go as we wanted(really the best of both worlds, but probably not economical for a family of 4).

When we travelled with our niece and nephew (11 and 16) they needed time to explore and take breaks. I think they would be miserable on a tour.

I would suggest staying at B&B's. They really enjoyed the experience. Also try to get to an early session at a pub...they loved pub grub. Staying in the small towns worked out really well so we didn't have to drive after a day of touring.

We enjoyed horseback riding and pitch/putt (par 3) golf in Dingle.

They liked the ferry ride across the shannon (we did between stays in Doolin and Dingle).

I think everyone's favorite day was the all day Gap of Dunloe Tour: pick up in Killarney, to Kate Kearney's Cottage, jaunting cart thru gap to Lord Brandon's cottage for a snack, boat ride on lakes to Ross Castle, then back to Killarney. If you want to tour the castle I believe you will have to do on another day...we did make special arrangements to get reservations and catch the last tour...but we had our own transportation.

The kids also liked the boat out to Garnish Island. Then we drove the Healy Pass on Beara Peninsula.

A nice surprise was that we all really enjoyed an afternoon at Bunratty Castle followed by the banquet.

We made lots of stops at pull-outs along the coast and they(we) loved exploring the beaches. We also made lots of snack/drink stops at pubs...they thought it was neat.

The liked shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills in Bunratty.

My favorites are Dingle and Kenmare for overall great towns...good B&B's in town, good food, pubs, music, shopping, and great sights in the area.

if 10 days in Ireland (12 with travel time)...
1-Doolin (cliffs of moher/burren)

2,3,4-Dingle (boat ride/funghi, horseback riding-early morning for beach, pitch/putt, slea head loop,)

5,6,7-Kenmare (gap of dunloe, muckross house, ross castle, ROK between Killarney and Kenmare-ladies view/moll's gap, beara penisula/healy pass, garnish island, there is a small ring fort in town)

8,9-Kinsale (charles fort, "ghost" tour, Blarney Castle, Cobh)---if your 10 days includes travel days, skip Kinsale

10-Bunratty (Bunratty Folkpark, Bunratty Banquet or Folk Night)

ldbode....

DD is going to Ireland next month solo for five days. No car rental. Shannon to Galway to Aran Isles. How much $$ per day would you suggest?

re. OP:

You ever thought about renting a house boat and cruise the Shannon river?
Kids seem to like that a lot. Bit more adventurous than seeing the country thru the windows of a tour bus or car.

Most boats come with bicycles, so you can explore the countryside from the many harbours.

Yet, likes and preferences vary a lot, and it's hard to anticipate what your kids will like.

Thank you everyone - yes 10 days would be on land not including travel days to/from the United States

Anyone else want to chime in feel free to

MEA

Travelling solo, did you also rent a car or did you do everything by local transportation/trains, etc.?

Thanks

Your children might enjoy two of the things we enjoyed doing this past summer.

One day we took the boat out to the Aran Islands where we rented bikes on Ish Moir and rode out to Dun Angus Fort. Amazing views from the fort. You get the boat right in Doolin.

Another wonderful day and another boat ride was out to Skellig Michael. On the Island you ascend the 800 steps among hundreds of puffins (unique birds that live on the island in the summer) to the top. At the top you are treated to some amazing bee hive huts built by monks in 600AD and more amazing views.

I wondered how hard the hike up might be but it realy wasn't too bad. This trip begins in Portmagee on the Ring of Kerry. You have to make reservations ahead of time and the trips are weather dependent.

If you are interested you can view some pictures of our trip here. http://community.webshots.com/album/...host=community

How does this itinerary look

Arrive Dublin - stay 3 nights
Drive to Kilkenny - stay 2 nights
Drive to county kerry - stay 3 nights
Drive to county clare - stay 2 nights

Where would you suggest we base ourselves in Counties Kerry and Clare to be most central for day trips

We are going to try and fit into our budget a one night stay at a castle, maybe Ashford. Any other suggestions on this? This would be in addition to the above

Going home out of Shannon airport

thank you everyone for your suggestions

That sounds exactly the opposite of what we did last summer :) We stayed four nights each in Clare, Kerry, Kilkenny and Dublin -

After reading messages on this post I contacted Discover Ireland (discoverireland.com) to arrange a 10-day tour for 8 of us next Sept. All their references and the messages on this forum have been very positive. They specialize in small groups, work with you to design a tour to your liking. Even after starting the tour, the only absolute given is your nightly accomodations; you can alter your sightseeing plans if something unplanned strikes your fancy. You may want to look at their website.

Some really excellent advice has been given...read it over carefully because it will have you think about how your family will travel and will help you decide.
I have been blessed with 12 trips to Ireland, the last was just last month. That trip was a tour with CIE that we designed. We normally just get a car and go...mostly staying at B&B's. I designed the tour with a few 2 night stays but also with only 3 nights of group dinners...I wanted folks to have time to wander around the towns on their own and eat where they wanted. It was a great plan and everyone enjoyed their bit of freedom.
I always recommend flying into Shannon and out of Dublin, esp. if driving on your own. Shannon is more rural and you get used to the driving much easier and faster than arriving into Dublin...most folks associate Ireland with green fields, etc. and you get that look and feel when landing in Shannon. Then, by the time you've seen a lot of the country you are ready for the big city. That has always worked for me and anyone I help plan their trip to Ireland.
I highly recommed these places for you and your family:
Bunratty Castle dinner first night(I always, always get thanks from friends, etc. for doing this-it makes a great first night in Ireland).
Dingle-spend at least 2 days here...tons of things to do (go out on the boat looking for Fungie the dolphin for sure!), great restaurants, great pubs, stunningly beautiful!!
Rock of Cashel
Killarney for the lakes, etc.
Galway-walkable town with good shopping, pubs and restaurants.
Inis More-island off of Galway..take the ferry, ride bikes, jaunting cart, climb up Dun Angeus.
Westport-cute town, great restaurants, shopping, pubs. Near Croagh Patrick...wonderful 2 hour walk, then hike and a bit of a climb as well.
Dublin-Kilmainham Gaol, Dublina (have not been but heard good things about it for kids), the cathedrals, Book of Kells, walking, shopping, little cafes, great restaurants, walking tours.
Just out of Dublin: Newgrange, Wicklow Mts. and area.

So, much to see and do in Ireland....
Shadow

Hi, Shadow! I'm happy you saw this post! I was waiting for your info on the CIE trip, as we are deciding between CIE and Discover Ireland, which you had also recommended.

We are still a group of 8. I've checked three references for Discover Ireland--all positive. CIE appears to be a bigger company...and must be good too.

Thanks in advance for your opinion..

Joan