Itinerary help needed
 

Hi! Planning a 11 day trip to Ireland, August 2025. This is the plan so far. Would love to hear your suggestions. Flying into Dublin from the east coast and driving straight to Doolin as I’ve read a car is unnecessary in Dublin so we’ll return it early when we return to Dublin.


Flying into Dublin. Picking up rental car driving straight to Doolin.
2 nights in Doolin visiting the cliffs of Mohr
2 nights in Galway food/walking tour & Claddings
2 nights in Killarney Ring of Kerry Tour - possible day trio to Ballybunion and Limerick
1 night Dingle - visit Dingle Peninsula and Inch Beach
1 night in Cobh - Barney Castle,Titanic Experience, Cathedral, Deck of Cards
2 nights in Dublin Trinity College,Book of Kells, Guinness storehouse, Grafton St.,Temple Bar, St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Will be booking some walking tours, food tours and excursions. Planning on a guided tour of Ring of Kerry. Is it necessary to have a guided tour of the Cliffs of Mohr or can this be done on our own.
Any first hand recommendations for tour companies that you’ve used?
thanks so much,
Kathy

I'd consider it irresponsible to drive after such a flight in a foreign country.

My families favorite highlight of all of our trips to Ireland is the Doolin Cliff walk to the Cliffs of Moher. Ask anyone in Doolin for directions. It is a several hour walk along the ocean cliffs until you actually get to the Cliffs of Moher. Take the walk, then get an uber back to Doolin if you don't want to walk back. Much better to do this than fight the crowds at the car park of the Cliffs of Moher. You can pay for a guide on the walk, but you don't have to. Trail is easy to follow. Spectacular!

Agree with Bilbo. You will be driving on the left side which requires extra attention

You haven't returned to your thread in 6+ weeks so likely won't see these latest posts. But just in case - I wouldn't personally enjoy your itinerary at all. Too much moving, packing, unpacking, moving again. 1 night equals half a day (or a little less) and 2 nights generally = 1 full day in a place so you have a bunch one day and half day stops. Doesn't allow for weather delays or other problems or much time to see/do anything. And you 100% definitely do not want to be driving 170+ miles/close to 4 hours after an over night flight. Just no.

Perhaps rearrange things so you do the Dublin bits car-less at the front end then collect the rental car and do the loop counter clockwise ending up near-ish DUB for the last night. Or if you flight is early AM stay at a DUB area hotel the last night.

I agree about not picking up and driving out after your international flight - unless you have practice driving on "the wrong side of the road". If it were me, I'd spent the Dublin nights at the start of the trip, then pick up the rental car. Before the flight back, I'd stay close to the airport before the flight out.

Moving around doesn't bother me, in fact I prefer it. If you have any travel experience at all, it shouldn't be a problem. If you happen to be a heavy packer, that would be a reason to stay in one spot for more nights. I would say 90% of the time I spend 1 or 2 nights in a place. Only about 10% of the time do I spend 3 or more nights. I was planning to do 3 or 4 bases for next May's trip to Ireland, but I've already switched that up and the entire trip will probably be 1 and 2 night stays. It's what I did on my first trip almost 30 years ago and I'm going to do it again. Really looking forward to returning! I hope you have a great trip!

Even with practice driving on the wrong side it is dangerous to drive after crossing several time zones - you are a danger to yourself and to others, and the longer the drive the more chances of micro sleeps and problems. It is the equivalent of driving while drunk.

We are just back yesterday from a 16 night trip to Ireland. It is not advisable to drive across the country after an overnight flight. We flew into Shannon (which we prefer over Dublin) and stayed in the Burren for our first night. It was about a 50 minute drive. We reserved two nights and got the key to room as soon as we arrived at the hotel. We have been to Ireland several times and know our limitations for day #1. Even being familiar with driving on the left and the roads in Ireland we would never drive from Dublin to Doolin on day #1.