Self Drive in Ireland
 

We are heading to Ireland in October. Landing in Shannon. We want to make our way to Dublin and have 8 days to do so. No specific destinations but would love to visit the Aran Islands if possible. We head to London over the weekend and will come back to Dubllin and need to get back to Shannon for our return flight. We have 5 days to do this. So....looking for an 8 day itinerary Shannon to Dublin and then a 5 day itinerary Dublin back to Shannon. Very flexible so open to any ideas.

Any reason to criss cros the country twice? Why not just fly into Shannon and out of Dublin or vice versa. Cost is the sme and you won;t waste so much time backtracking.

Makes perfect sense taking the detour to and from Dublin and gives the option of North from Shannon to Dublin, hop over and South from Dublin to Shannon.

Land Shannon and head to Galway for 2 nights. Head to Rossaveal and ferry to Inis Mor either stay over or head to Clifden for night 3. Ballina or Sligo the next stop north as a stepping stone to time on the North Antrim Coast, Belfast for the night and too Dublin.

London Visit.

Land Dublin and head to Kilkenny for a night. Across to Kenmare or Killarney. Drive round Dingle and overnight Adare/Limerick or Shannon depending on flight time.

i did a circular route south from shannon and around to dublin and then back to shannon all in 10 days, very leisurely

I would go with Tony's itinerary. He has a well laid out plan to see highlights. Have fun!

I agree with Tony's suggestions, but I'd go all the way up to Donegal instad of Ballina or Sligo, and spend a couple nights there. It's a fantastic county, filled with stunning sights! North Antrim Coast is stunning, as well.

Kenmare over Killarney any day, in my opinion. Perhaps Ring of Beara instead of Dingle, but they are both fantastic.