would like suggestions for 1st trip to Ireland...love music, historical sites, and pubs.<BR>day 1-Doolin(Doomacfelim House, Aron View House Hotel or Sea View House)<BR>day2/3-Galway area-(Galway-Imperial Hotel, Jury's,or other?,Cregg Castle-outside Galway)<BR>day4-Drogheda area-viewing Hill of Tara, Boyne Valley, Newgrange, etc.(?)<BR>day5/6-Dublin (Harding Hotel, Jury's Christchurch,Trinity Arch, or Trinity Lodge)<BR>day7/8-Enniscorthy (Clone House,Riverside Park Hotel)...My husband is in a traditional Irish music band called Vinegar Hill...so must visit Wexford area!<BR>day9-Kilkenny (Butler House, Hibernia Hotel)<BR>day10/11-Kinsale (Blue Haven, Crossways, Scelig House or outside Kinsale at Kilbrittain Castle)<BR>day12/13 Kenmare/Killarney(Wander Inn, Foley's Shamrock/Muckross Park Hotel,Arbutus Hotel, Murphy's Guesthouse)...don't know if we should stay both nights in Kenmare or not.<BR>day14/15/16-Dingle (Benner's Hotel, Alpine House, Connors)<BR>day17-Bunratty(Bunratty Castle Hotel)

Sue,<BR><BR>As an alternative to Doolin, why not consider drving from Shannon Airport to your first destination, Corofin. The town is located in north Clare, about 45 minutes drive from Shannon. It's also home to the very fine accommodation, Clifden House. It's a distinctive old home, built around 1750, and located in a lovely, un-touristy region of Clare, very close to the pleasures of the Burren. You could have dinner at Clifden on your first night, or drive into Ballyvaughn for a fine meal at Monk's Pub. The seafood at Monk's is terrific.<BR><BR>Should you pursue a night in Doolin, do take time to visit the village's very excellent crafts gallery and tea room, and/or have a quality meal at The Lazy Lobster.

Sue,<BR><BR>As an alternative to Doolin, why not consider drving from Shannon Airport to your first destination, Corofin. The town is located in north Clare, about 45 minutes drive from Shannon. It's also home to the very fine accommodation, Clifden House. It's a distinctive old home, built around 1750, and located in a lovely, un-touristy region of Clare, very close to the pleasures of the Burren. You could have dinner at Clifden on your first night, or drive into Ballyvaughn for a fine meal at Monk's Pub. The seafood at Monk's is terrific.<BR><BR>Should you pursue a night in Doolin, do take time to visit the village's very excellent crafts gallery and tea room, and/or have a quality meal at The Lazy Lobster.<BR><BR>Before I forget, Corofin is also home to some very interesting historic sights, including Dysert O' Dea Castle, along with a very fine high cross, dating from, if memory serves, the 10th century. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as Corofin is a bit of an underrated location for history buffs. But don't try to spread the word too far and wide.

We stumbled upon Monk's Pub for lunch by accident our first day in Ireland. Loved it. Great food, and met some great people. Headed from there to spend the night in Doolin. We loved Ireland. Enjoy your trip.

Do you really want to switch hotels/B&amp;Bs every day? Just reading your itinerary I was becoming exhausted. Possibly you could situate yourself in locations that you can drive and make day trips. Changing hotels is time consuming, and you'll be constantly packing and unpacking the health and beauty aids, besides rumbling around in your suitcase to get clean clothes.

You don't say what time of year you will be going. <BR><BR>The amount of daylight will make a big difference in such a busy itinerary.