It's getting closer! Looks like our plans are firming up. I'd appreciate input from you experienced travellers.

Day 1-Arrive Shannon 8 AM. Drive to Monkstown (outside of Cork), settle in and relax.

Day 2,3,4-Cork, Blarney, Cobh, Youghal, Rock of Cashel etc. (Input on what not to miss in this area??)

Day 5,6-Staying at Killorglin, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, etc.

Day 7- Cliffs of Moher, the Burren. Overnight in Galway.

Day 8-Connemara, Crough Patrick. (Suggestions on where to stay? Headed to Donegal next day)

Day9-Slieve League, Donegal, Sligo. (Where to stay North Co. Donegal? Headed to Giant's Causeway.)

Day 10-Giant's Causeway. Head to Dublin area
to stay with family.

Day 11,12,13-Dublin, Newgrange.

Day 14-Fly home from Dublin AM.

This message board is such a wealth of information. I appreciate any input you all have...restaurants, sights to see, places to stay where noted. Thanks so much!

I know these "itinerary" posts may be boring, but if someone could take time to review and comment, it would be much appreciated. I'm especially hoping for input regarding where to stay nights 8 & 9 in order to make the days following doable. Thanks, all! Maureen

I can't help you in the north, but I've been to the south a couple of times...

Cork, Blarney -- didn't really find these two exciting. Loved Cobh, very quaint (although I know they hate that word!). The Rock of Cashel was impressive! There is a cultural museum UNDERNEATH the Rock that was pretty cool.

Might want to try the Beara Ring, as its less crowded. When are you going? If its high season (July, Aug), it will be crowded on Kerry. Dingle I've not been to, but most people agree its a must-do.

Near Newgrange are also Knowth and Howth, I think... two other burial sites that are worth the looksee... very close. Driving from Newgrange to Dublin is, I think, the Hill of Tara -- where ancient Irish kings were crowned, and faerie stones abide. I went early in the morning with noone around, and felt I could see the entire island... delightful!!!

Ocean View B&B is just outside of Killybegs in Donegal. I'm not sure I've ever seen a more beautiful location! Not sure how or if it might fit into your plan.
Try Nancy's Pub in Ardara (Co. Donegal). Good for lunch or dinner or an evening at the pub.

Thanks, Mary and Greendragon. I've put your suggestions on my "to do" list. Still looking for a suggestion for lodging after we leave Connemara area, headed to Donegal. Is Clifden a good choice? I've had a reccommendation from a good friend who says Faul House was a great B&B, but I'm hoping the location will work for us. How long is the drive from Connemara to Donegal? Thanks!

I don't think that Clifden would be a good stopover just because of where you are headed; otherwise, I'd recommend the Dolphin Beach House B&B on the Sky road. You could consider Westport or possibly Achill Island but definitely want to move closer to Donegal. You may want to consider the northwest coast of Mayo. I don't consider myself the touristy type, but I did enjoy Blarney castle and grounds although I was there in the off-season. I would suggest possible using one of the county cork days to explore West Cork ie Baltimore, Mizenhead. You could do a loop heading to Skibbereen and then return the southern coast road through Kinsale which has some incredible scenary. Anyway, it all sounds lovely and I'm sure that you'll enjoy yourselves.

The drive from Clifden to Donegal Town is about 3 1/2 hours.

Blue Sky-
Just had another thought if you're still thinking about where to stay between Connemara and Donegal. There's Enniscrone in Co. Sligo. It's right on Killala Bay and has a very 'beachy' feel to it. Lots of Irish families there on holiday, but not many foreign tourists. (I don't know if there's anything that's more fun than Irish people on holiday.) The beach is enormous and beautiful. We were there just for one night, also en route to somewhere else. Had a wonderful, long walk on the beach and a memorable night in a pub with an 80 year old dairy farmer who was on the second vacation of his life. We still exchange Christmas cards!

It seems like the beginning of the trip is nice and relaxed and it becomes a whirlwind before you hit Dublin. four nights/three days for the Cork/Blarney area and one day for all of Sligo and Donegal seems a bit out of balance. If it was me, I would spend more time in either the north or south and do the other half the next time.

If you insist on this itinerary, stay in NI on the day you want to do Giants Causeway. The ride down the Antrim Coast is spectacular, but you may not have enough time to enjoy it.

Bill