This is my first time posting here, but I've been reading up on all the great advice in the forum and just want to check that my own itinerary will work before i start booking up B&Bs.

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Ireland in early June (12 days), and here's what I've got planned:

Day 1: arrive 7:30am in Dublin (1 night)
Spend day around city, see Trinity College, recover from Jet Lag

Days 2-3: rent car, drive to Kilkenney (2 nights)
See Rock of Cashel, Caher

Days 4-5: drive to Killarny (2 nights)
Dingle Pennisula, Muckross House

Days 6-7 drive to Limerick (2 nights)
Cliffs of Moher and Burren

Days 8-10 drive to Galway (3 nights)
Spend time exploring the city and day trip to Aran Islands

Day 11: drive back to Dublin (1 night)
Spend last night in city before return trip home

I think the driving will be managable for us (my husband loves long road trips) but i feel like we'll be rushing through the Southwest. With so much in that area to see, i feel like i should be spending more than 2 nights in Killarny, but i'm not sure what I could cut out (and unfortunately our airfare can't be changed to leave from Shannon). Should i cut out a night from Limerick?

Also, are there any good cities or sight seeing spots to stop at for a break along our drive from Galway to Dublin?

Do you really want to stay in Limerick? If you are doing the Cliffs of Moher and Burren it would make more sense to stay in Doolin or Ballyvaughan and then continue on to Galway. Why backtrack to Limerick? It is not near the Burren. Do you have a map?

Yes take a day away from "Limerick" and add it to Killarney.

See Clonmacnoise on the drive to Dublin.

One of my friends lived in Limerick for a few months, so she was encouraging me to go there. I wasn't really all that set on it, so i think i will look into just staying one night in Doolin.

Thanks for the suggestion about Clonmacnoise. I'll have to check that out.

artgirl:

Staying in Doolin our favorite digs are at the Aran View Hotel...a short walk into town and lovely scenic views abound. Whatever you choose, you'll love Ireland...hit the pubs and get into the foot-stompin' !!Gus O'Connor's pub will be your headquarters.

Stu T.

http://www.aranview.com/

I would change
day 4-5 Kenmare
day 6-7 Dingle
day 8 Doolin
day 9-10 outside of Galway
trip to Aran Island

Any plans to drive through Connemara? One of the most lovely regions I have ever had the chance to see, including Kylemore Abbey, where the nuns are very friendly. I studied in Ireland for 4 months at the University of Limerick- as pp mentioned, it really isn't that amazing of a city to spend lots of time in- it would be a great day trip for the cathedral and castle, and if you like cheesy, then Bunratty is entertaining as well.

Also, for the islands, one of my best memories was waking up at 7am to walk 'just up the road' to one of the ruins to see the sunrise on the water. If you have a chance, you could make it an overnight, there are several options
http://www.arandirect.com/accommodation.php

My student group was put up at the Aran Islands Hotel, which was nice, but I'm sure the B&Bs might be nice as well.