Planning a driving trip mid June to Ireland w/2 other women for 6 or 7 days. Would like advice on planning where to stay. Particular interest in landscape and ancient sites. Thinking of flying into Shannon and out of Dublin w/last day or two in Dublin. Advice anyone? I want to simplify the amount of decisions we will have to make with traveling and I'm a bit skittish about the driving particularly on the left. Will it be very crowded w/ tourists by mid June? Appreciate your help.

My daughter was in Ireland two years ago and absolutely loved the Aran Islands. Check out http://www.visitaranislands.com/

I'm going to the U.K. in 24 days and will be having my own experiments with driving on the other side of the road! Good luck to both of us!

Relax. Driving on the left is not all that difficult. Here is a hint. Have your route all thought out and written down. The driver concentrates on driving and the person on the left is the navigator. The navigator reads the roadsigns and maps and gives the driver plenty of time to plan for turns. When you approach roundabouts (circles) the routes off the circle will be posted well before you enter the circle giving the navigator time to select the correct turn and direct the driver. Remember you go LEFT when entering the circle and stay left when you make you turn. The Irish are very fond of overtaking (passing). The will drive right up behind you preparing to pass. I try to move a little to the left if possible and let them go. You should also keep and eye out for cars coming in the opposite direction who are passing. I try to move alittle left if possible to let them back in. You are smart to fly into Shannon. The drive out of Shannon is easy and will give you time for plenty of practice until Dublin. I would suggest you drive the first night to Dingle. Its about a three hour drive and if your comfortable driving and not too tired enter via the Connor Pass. Dingle is a nice little town to wander around your first day and get a good nights sleep. I would suggest you stay in Dingle for the second night. You can spend the day driving around the peninsula, lots of ancient sites and lovely scenery, do the Connor Pass if you haven't already done so. Next morning do the Ring of Kerry and spend the night in Kenmare. Next morning drive the N-71 up thru the Mts. and Killarney Nat. Park stopping along the way in the Mts. and the Park for sightseeing (Ladies View, Torc Waterfall, MuckRoss and the Lakes), spend the night in Killarney. This gives you three nights to wander up to Dublin. I would suggest one night in Cashel and one night in Kilkenney then on to Dublin. If you do not want to stay in the City and you flights not too early there is a lovely fishing village just south of Dublin called Graystones. I wouldn't think the drive to the airport would be more than and hour or so. Have fun and let us know how you make out.

John,

Bless your heart, that sounds just what we would like. You've answered my prayers. Thanks for your help.

Best regards,

Lynn

You are very welcome. We are heading into Shannon on June 22, I hope we both have good Wx. Have fun.

with only 6 or 7 days and wanting to include Dublin, concentrate on only two or three places. Driving on the left really isn't that hard, just takes concentration~get an automatic transmission. And it's easier to start driving in the west of Ireland. Here are my thoughts:
Land in Shannon. Head to the Cliffs of Moher, overnight in Doolin. Tour the Burren on your way to Galway. Spend several nights with a base around Galway. YOu can daytrip to the Aran Islands (one of my favorite places), go to Clifton, drive thru Connemara, maybe even see WEstport. Then head to Dublin, stopping at Clonmacnoise and Newgrange. Either drop the car at the airport and take public transport into Dublin, or stay outside the city.
Now my preference with only 7 days would be head directly to Dingle for the entire time! But you could go to Dingle from Shannon (with a sidetrip to Cliffs of Moher) for two or three nights. Then on to Kenmare, or possibly Cork for a couple days, then back towards Shannon with a day around Cashel.
Driving times are very slow, so don't plan for long distances. Don't try to do too much. Enjoy the countryside and the pubs!

Hi Lynn:

John's ideas are great though I don't think I would pack and unpack just to go from Kenmare to Killarney. They are pretty close. I would stay in Kenmare both nights.

Bill

Lynn22,
How was your trip? We are planning a similar one, but we will only have 5 days. Please let me know how it went.

Would agree Johnod itinery sounds good.
South West is a great place. You might consider checking out County Clare (Shannon area) before leaving for Dingle.
West Clare has the Cliffs of Moher, and the Burren area which is really worth seeing. Then you can take ferry across Shannon from Killimer to Tarbert and on to Dingle and the South West.
Dingle, and then on to Killarney and Kinsale. you can check out distances on www.aaroadwatch.ie you will find a route planner.

arindasue: "Lynn22, How was your trip? . . . . . Please let me know how it went."

This was lynn22's first and only thread and she has not been back since April so it isn't very likely she will see your question.

Maybe instead of topping an old thread, you will have better luck if you start a new thread w/ your own questions.

Oh, arindasue - and if you do start a new thread be sure to use a more descriptive title -- at least include "Ireland".