Hi Everyone,

I am looking to travel with a friend this Fall to Ireland for about 10 days. I have been there before but my friend has not. When I traveled before I focused on the western side of Ireland and had a blast and I'm looking to visit sites I didn't get to then as well as looking to do the southern end of Ireland. I like to stay with locals if possible and drive to sites nearby. My friend wants to hit as many places as possible since this is her first time. So, what I am looking for are some suggestions of 3-4 areas/towns to base myself at that we can do day trips that see a lot to make my friend happy. While I am a tourist I don't need to stay in tourist spots as I will have a car. the general plan is arrive in the morning at Shannon, pick up the car, head to the first destination and explore (I don't tend to get jet lag and am used to running that first day to adjust), spend a day or two in each area, drive to the next repeat and then up in Dublin. I'm not a city person but am sure my friend would like a day or so there. We would fly out of Dublin. We haven't made any hard and fast plans, not even the dates but probably late September/early October. I know later can make getting B and B's difficult (at least from what I have read). Any suggestions on where to stay and what to see from Shannon south to Dublin would be appreciated. Thanks!