Ten Days in Ireland
 

We are in our 50's (don't mind walking!) and are planning 1 1/2 weeks in Ireland this July. Any suggestions for must sees? Any great B&Bs or small hotels? In addition to travelling around for a week, we plan to stay in Dublin for 3 or 4 days. Thanks!

Hi Hilda -
Ireland is lovely but with surprising variation among the areas. You might start planning your trip by reading through Ireland trip reports on this website. Put Ireland trip report into the search. I usually get started by checking out guidebooks at my local library and reading through to see what interests me.

I've found that for Ireland there are no 'must sees' as simply hanging out in a local pub and chatting with people, or going for a walk on an island, is the experience I'm looking for. Once you get an idea of where you'd like to visit, post a draft itinerary for more help. I enjoy Ireland more when I stay several days in each place, rather than driving to a new place every day or two, as the roads are slow and a little tedious.

Hilda_Bell, I agree with rosetravels! Ireland isn't really filled with must-sees...instead, I'd say it is all the moments you have while soaking in the "Irish" experience. Pubs in little villages with music...lots of moody seacoast with wide-open empty spaces...the friendly Irish...

I know you probably want to hear something more practical. I'd say when you are reading about Ireland, select 2 counties that you want to concentrate on. Instead of picking out individual sites scattered all over Ireland, concentrate on 1 or 2 counties.

I love County Kerry, County Clare, and County Mayo. I could spent my whole vacation in any one of these counties.

Thank you Rosetravel and Melissa. Very good advice. I'll get working on my itinerary and then hopefully will get some more input. Happy Easter!

We did 10 days or so in Ireland a number of years ago like this: Dublin, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Killarney, last night Bunratty - home out of Shannon. Stopped at the Blarney stone between 2 of the above, I can't remember which. Fantastic trip.

Thank you where2! Here is a suggested itinerary I 'composed' from looking at the map and using suggestions above.
Arrive Dublin at 3 pm. Drive to Kilkenny. Stay overnight.
Drive to Kinsale area the next day and stay 2 nights.
Drive to Dingle area and stay one night.
Drive to Ennistymon area (I believe there is a ferry) and stay one night.
Drive to Galway area and stay 3 nights. Take the ferry to Aran for a day trip.
Drive to Dublin and stay 3 nights.
Any suggestions re nice little hotels in quaint villages, pubs, restaurants and must see's would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!