I need some advice.

Our original plan was to drive to the Cliffs after arriving at Shannon at noon, seeing the Cliffs, and then making our way down to Dingle, arriving in the evening. We will be staying for two nights at Greenmount, so we will have the entire next day to explore the peninsula. Now I am worried that is not enough time.

Should we go staight to Dingle after arriving in Shannon and skip the Cliffs? That would give us a day and a half or so in Dingle. Or, should we stick with the original plan?

TIA!

Decisions, decisions! Certainly the Cliffs and the Burren are remarkable. You do have the entire following day for Dingle, though. Depends on what you mean by "explore" i.e., is this more than a driving/bus tour. Oh yes, might keep in mind that after arrival you will be groggy!
Bill in Missouri

If you're going in the summer, you will have plenty of time. The Cliffs will take only about one hour of your time, unless you are in to hiking around the area.

Leaving the Cliffs, head to Lahinch, then on to Kilrush, and take the Killmer/Talbert ferry across the Shannon on your way to Dingle, by way of the Conor Pass.

You should get into Dingle well before 5:00 PM.

Ozarksbill,

We won't be groggy. Ireland is the second leg of our England/Ireland trip, so we will be flying from Birmingham to Shannon.

Budman,

Thanks for the driving advice. And yes, we will be there in July, so plenty of daylight.

IMHO, don't skip the Cliffs.
Listen to Budman. He knows a lot about Ireland.

The Cliffs of Moher are worth it. I would not miss them. In fact, I was disappointed that the canned tour I selected allowed only about a total of 40 minutes for the cliffs.

I think 90 minutes would be more like it in good weather.

I'd stick with the original plan. The Cliffs are something to see. If need be, do the Burren as a drive through, just for the scenery. Dingle is great, but the Cliffs don't take that long to at least see and walk to the top and down again.

I agree wholeheartedly with those that advise not to skip the Cliffs. I'm sure you've seen pictures of them, but experiencing this sort of scene can be really beautiful: http://www.pbase.com/mike_buckley/image/27843570

If you're going in the spring, I understand the Burren (which is on the way to the cliffs) is especially beautiful. In any event, it would be a real shame to fly into Shannon, be so close to the cliffs, and not visit them.