My Figure 8 - Itinerary via Western Ireland
 

Hello,
I call this my figure 8 itinerary as we will be circling around the west of Ireland like a figure 8.
I would love to know if anyone has any suggestions. Is it too much driving? Could we do it better or if there are specific driving routes we should follow to capture the best sights. I’ve included Galway City for the 2, 21 year olds.

Day 1 Arrive Shannon.
-Cashel (Rock of Cashel)

Day 2 Drive to Kenmare
-via Cahir (stop Cahir Castle)
Killlarney?

Day 3 Kenmare
-Ring of Beara or Killarney

Day 4 Drive to Dingle

Day 5 Dingle
-Ring of Dingle

Day 6 Drive to Galway City
- Dinner in Galway City

Day 7 Galway City
- Drive via Connemara/Kylemore Abbey/Sky Road

Day 8 Drive to Doolin
- Burren, Cliffs of Moher

Day 9 Doolin
-Aran Islands

Day 10 Fly Home from Shannon

Stillriver,
I am by no means an Ireland expert – I am just in the planning phase for our first trip in August. My first thought is: we’re having almost the same itinerary, but we’re doing it in 14 full days – you only have 9. I think you’re trying to cover too much territory too fast…
When are you going?
And I’m not sure how to read your last sentence – are you traveling with 2 21 year olds, or with a 2 and a 21 year old?

Travelers on this site say that the average speed you can count on in Ireland (and this excludes the stops for picture taking, lunch, etc) is about 35 mi/h. I found the following site a good planning resource: http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/

Keep us posted – my second thought was: if you can do all this in 9 days, then we’ll be fine doing it in 14 days :)

topping for stillriver

Thank you everyone. We are traveling in May with 2 young adults that are both 21 years old. I wish we could go 14 days. Maybe we should skip Galway (although I did reserve a resonable b&b) and spend another day in Dingle and Doolin. Is Doolin the most lively town in County Clare for 21 year olds?

How does this look

Day 1 Arrive Shannon.
-Cashel (Rock of Cashel)

Day 2 Drive to Kenmare
-via Cahir (stop Cahir Castle)
Killlarney?

Day 3 Kenmare
-Ring of Beara or Killarney

Day 4 Drive to Dingle

Day 5 Dingle
-Ring of Dingle

Day 6 Dingle

Day 7 Drive to Doolin
- Burren, Cliffs of Moher

Day 8 Doolin
-Aran Islands

Day 9 Doolin?

Day 10 Fly Home from Shannon

I like your original itinerary...you are seeing many of my favorites.

I am not a fan of Galway...but sure the 21 year olds would enjoy...since it is a college town...is a good jumping off point for Connemara.

Day 4-be sure to drive from Kenmare to Dingle via the scenic route thru moll's gap, past ladies view, thru killarney national park.

Day 1-in the summer, the bru boru center puts on a good show with a fun session afterward...great views of rock of cashel lit up at night

if you did your second itinerary...would add day to Kenmare (could do ROK or visit Ross Castle and Muckross House) rather than Doolin.

Doolin is three pubs, barely within walking distance of each other. There are MUCH livelier towns in Co. Clare in reference to 21 Year olds. Also doubt that they will be much impressed with so much time in Dingle.

Try this:
Day 6: Drive over the Connor Pass and take the Tarbert Ferry to the Cliffs of Moher. Do lunch in Doolin at Gus O'Connor's and then drive through the Burren to Galway.
Day 7: Drive the Connemara loop and spend the night in Galway.
Day 8: Do the Aran Island daytrip from Galway.
Day 9: Drive to either Ennis or Bunratty and spend the night.

This is quite do-able w/ 4 active people and offers the advantage of giving the 21 year olds 3 nights in Galway, which is a very young, lively place, rather than busy but not so youthfully exciting Doolin.

Bob
Bob

Yes. I think I like the idea of not overnighting in Doolin and I am reluctant to skip Galway as I was looking forward to a view of the city-life. Bob, I like your plan...I was thinking of staying in Doolin mostly because of being able to catch the Cliffs and Aran Islands with some fairly good weather. But..maybe its best if we take our chances so we do not miss out on Connemara. Thanks for your help. Now back to fixing the B& B ressies.

Check out this thread for info on Aran Island tours:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34947949

Bob

Thanks for the Aran Island info Bob-good info to bookmark.
Well. After much thought and reading all the advice here. I have once again changed my itinerary. No Galway.... not looking for the city anymore since one of our 21-yr olds has been studying abroad and will probably see Galway a few times on his own & the other 21-yr old would enjoy staying in a scenic area...So this is it.

Day 1 Cashel (from Shannon
Day 2-3 Kenmare
Day 4-5-6 Dingle
Day 7-8-9 Ballyvaughan
Day 10 Fly Home from Shannon

A dissapointment is not being closer to Connemara. We will have to plan on a long driving day. Also wanted to be closer to Aran Island transportation.
But I like the extra nights in Dingle and County Clare as we will be able to work around the weather if we need to.

Has anyone took a scenic drive from Ballyvaughan to Connemara? How long did it take? What was your route?

Thanks so much

Connemara is one of my favourite places on the planet, and I am familiar with Irish roads and driving, but I would still think a day trip from Ballyvaughan to be a bad idea. It's simply too much driving.

stillriver,
I like your itinerary now. Aren't these great people on this web-site? I wonder about the night of the 9th. What time does your flight leave? If it's in the morning you might have a very early start from Ballyvaughan. If so, I'd look into staying the last night near the airport. Bunratty or close by.
Have a great trip, Joan