My irish driving intinerary is basically finished. With 2 nights in each, Kilkenny, Kenmare and Dingle, I have 2 nights left. My last night is deffinately going to be Bunratty as we fly out of Shannon the next day. Here's my little problem...after leaving dingle on Sunday morning we are to drive up to see the Cliffs (dad and husband have not seen them) I figured if we left early enough on Sunday morning we should be there about 2 pm or so. Now we need a place to stay for the night. I don't quite know where we should stay (village wise).

My first plan was to stay in Kinvara or Ballyvaughn on Sunday and continue to Bunratty on Monday morning. But I don't want to get to Bunratty early as all we really need to do there is the medieval banquet (did the folk park)

Do I have time, perhaps on Monday morning to head to cong, spend a few hours and get back to Bunratty at least by 5pm? Dad really wants to see Cong and I absolutely love the area. Any thoughts?

It can be done. It would be better without the time pressure. Do you really need the banquet in Bunratty?

Do I need the banquet? I don't but my parents and husband would like it. I could do the banquet at Dunguaire Castle if I was to stay in Kinvara. Then we wouldn't have to rush back to bunratty.

I take it that you are sorted, then.

Well, no Padraig, you would THINK i'd have sorted this whole thing out. Upon further research on this forum, the Dunguaire banquet doesn't have the irish dancers (as knappogue and bunratty do). From what I've gathered, its a little more intellectual with readings from Yeats, etc. Don't really think this is what the men folk had in mind.

Yes, will deffinately do the Bunratty banquet. Was thinking about the village of Quin, anyone heard of it or better yet, been there?

Yes and yes (heard of it and been there).

It's another Irish village but with the addition of a rather good abbey ruin. You could amuse yourselves comparing with the abbey at Cong.

You should have time to get to Cong and back to bunratty for the banquet...if you are at all concerned you could always schedule the later banquet.

Just wanted to clarify...since you mentioned dancing...

We enjoyed the bunratty banquet this past June with our family...but it does not include Irish step dancing...you may be thinking of the Traditional Irish Night (also at Bunratty but not in the castle). It has dancing and starts a little later than the banquet, so you would have extra time. you may want to check this sight to clarify http://www.shannonheritage.com/Traditional.htm

You haven't mentioned (other than days of the week) when your trip will happen.
Ennis has a Spring Trad Irish music and dance (Fleadh Nua) festival the last week of May.

A Willie Clancy Memorial Summer Scoile in Miltown-Malbay is in July: people come from all over for Classes & Competitions there.

Both the aforementioned places are within an hour's drive of the Cliffs of Moher and/or Shannon airport. I usually stay in Ennis the night before my flight from Shannon.

Sorry about the time of year. We'll be in Ireland the first week of August.
Yes, I think the traditional Irish night what we'll be doing instead of the banquet. Sounds like alot of fun!