Just starting to think about Ireland / London trip
 

Sorry, but this is going to require quite a bit of setup.

First, the facts: This trip will be this summer, probably last two weeks of July. There will be five of us - my husband and I (50-ish), my mother-in-law (78, gets around well), and our daughters (19 and 23). We know we want to go to Ireland. Kids want to go to London, and we agree that's a good idea. Husband wants to go to Scotland, which would be wonderful but I think that'll have to wait for another trip. Mother-in-law's only requirement is that she sees Kilkenny, the home of her distant family long ago. The big thing on my wish list is to see the Ring of Kerry.

Questions/concerns:
1. How to get around. I might be willing to try driving on the left, but I'm not very comfortable with the idea in cities, especially with four other vocal people in the car. I don't mind group trips, but we really would want to have a lot of free time and not spend hours on end in a bus while we pass all these cool places. I'm afraid this might be irreconcilable.
2. How much is really do-able. I'm thinking maybe a 4-3-4 split - Ireland, then London, then back again. This could change because of luggage and other considerations, and we might opt to spend a week or so in Ireland then four or five days in London (or vice-versa). I've already seen great information about going between the two, and I'm not looking to resolve this right now. But I'm wondering if I should give up the idea of the Ring of Kerry because it would be too problematic and, instead, just do day trips from one or two bases in Ireland.

I have seen recent posts that address a lot of this in detail, but I'm not at that point, and it would be inconsiderate to ask you all to repeat any of that. I was hoping for some over-arching, big-picture advice for a framework for this trip. When it comes to the details, I've seen enough to know that there already is plenty of great advice on this forum!

Thank you for any suggestions you might have.

>> but I'm not very comfortable with the idea in cities, especially with four other vocal people in the car. I<<

To see what you will want in rural/western Ireland you'll need to drive. But there is no reason at all to drive in any cities. London - public transport. Dublin (if you go there but I probably wouldn't on such a short visit) - public transport. In the countryside - drive.

>>2. How much is really do-able. I'm thinking maybe a 4-3-4 split - Ireland, then London, then back again.<<

Not usually a good plan. Two places -- fly open jaw into London and home from Ireland. No need to double back. I'd fly into London, stay 4 or 5 nights, fly to Cork or Shannon and explore for 6 or 7 night. Fly home

Instead of Dublin and the Ring of Kerry, consider basing yourself in Westport in Co Mayo. From there, drive South to Connemara and the Sky Road, and north to Achill Island. Beautiful drives, every bit as scenic as the Ring of Kerry, but with a fraction of the traffic. Then fly to London via Stansted from Knock.

Some insights into driving in Ireland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-FVkcfWIhM (caution, language).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEYONR2k9XM

Work out the cost and flight options first.

Open Jaw London with Dublin/Shannon and 1 inter island at about €40 each (ballpark booked 8 weeks in advance)

London in and out + 2 interisland flights same for Dublin, same for Shannon.

Flights sorted you have a starting point. But be aware the inter island flights will limit the size and weight of your baggage.

Driving, if you can drive at home you can drive here but as said you don't want or need a car for Dublin or London so Keeping those to locations side by side in the itinerary reduces car hire complexities.

11 days isn't long so narrow down the must see from want to see and it's easier to determine an itinerary. Wanting the Ring of Kerry either self drive or Tour bus sets Killarney as a fixed point so the other 8 days have to match with that but wouldn't be a problem.

I'd also agree with janisj - don't split your time as it will mean you are losing a couple of days in travel in the middle.

Start off with London. This also means you won't be driving while jet lagged. You don't need a car in London. Public transport is good and a car a menace as well as expensive and problems parking it.

Fly ito Dublin and pick up the car from the airport. You really do need a car in Ireland as apart from intercity travel and Dublin itself, public transport isn't brilliant and you may find you will be restricted to tours to get to the places you want to see. With 5 of you, these are going to work out quite expensive against the cost of a car.

From Dublin head down through the Wicklow Mountains visiting Powdrscourt Gardens and Glendalough and head to Kilkenny for the night. Next day head west via Rock of Cashel.

Kerry is a lot busier than than Westport and Connemara as suggested earlier by a nicecupoftea.

I must admit I felt the Ring of Kerry was overrated although weatherwise, it wasn't a particularly nice day when we did it. I much preferred the Ring of Beara and Sheep's Head to the south. These don't get the coach tours and are quieter, The scenery is as good. Perhaps base yurself in Kenmare for a few nights and explore this part of Kerry instead.

Then head for Galway City and Connemara, admiring the moon like landscape of the Burren on the way. Connemara has some wonderful scenery, particularly the coast and the Sky Drive from Clifden on a clear day must rank as one of the best short drives in the world. You could also consider a day trip to the Aran islands.

If Mum wants to learn about life in Ireland then there is a fascingnating Museum of Country Life near Castlebar. This has video recordings of people talking about the way of life 60 years ago.
http://www.museum.ie/Country-Life

Either fly back from Shannon or Dublin. If Dublin. drive back via the early Celtic monastery site of Clonmacnoise and catch the plane back home.

Yeah, I agree, you must split you time between two places without returning back to Ireland. I would go first to Ireland and then finish in London. And London requires at least 4 days to see the main things, but it is going to only the main attractions and you will be severely jet lagged.
On the other hand, you cannot make Ireland less than in a week. So consider carefully where to go in London.

This is all very good advice and exactly what I need. You're right about not doing the 4-3-4 split -- not sure why I thought that was a good idea!
I'm feeling more confident about driving after reading this. Good point to pick it up at an airport and then drive away from the city.
London is not of much concern because my husband and I have been there several times. The kids and the mother-in-law should be easy to please.
Thank you all very much for your advice!