That looks a whole lot better to me. Tell your father that maps can be deceiving. Newmarket-on-Fergus (that is where Dromoland is) to Dublin is more like 4 to 4 1/2 hours and probably depends on where in Dublin you are going to. Were you planning on seeing anything in Dublin? You may not have enough time. You could do sightseeing on the way instead.

according to WWW.AAROADWATCH.IE the direct route from Dromoland Castle to Dublin (City Center) is the N7, through Roscrea. It lists the mileage as 140.6 and claims a drive time of 3 hours 9 minutes. Even though the N7 is a pretty good road,by Irish standards, I would place the trip (without stops) at more like 4 hours (using the 35mph rule -- at 30 mph, it will work out to more like 4 1/2 - 4 3/4).
If you opt for the slightly longer route through Cashel, the route planner pegs it at 166 miles and claims a drive time of 3 hours and 45 minutes (at 35 mph, it will take 4 3/4, and 5 1/2, if you only average 30 mph), but then you'll want to ADD an hour or two, to tour the Rock of Cashel.
Are you dropping the car at the airport? If so, you'll need to allow 30-45 minutes to get from the airport to City Center...PLUS however much time it takes to actually return the van.
Bob

Tiki11
To cover your first day near Shannon in a farmhouse have a look at www.cahergal.com It is only 10 miles from Shannon and a good base to travel out from.
For your journey to Dingle have a look at www.shannonferries.com
And for your stay in Kerry www.corkkerry.ie
For your trip to Dublin www.visitdublin.com
and finally for that bit of duty free shopping at the airport www.airportshopping.ie
Enjoy your stay and safe travelling.

Hello,

I hope some of you are still around to reply to my new question.
My new itinerary is as follows:
Night 1 and 2-Kinsale. Booked at Old Bank.
Nights 3-4 Dingle. Booked at Emlagh Lodge.
Night 5-Open. We were hoping for a castle, however I need an emergency back up plan for our re-enactment of our wedding vows.
All of the castles are fairly well booked for April 1. Chuck and I could stay at Dromoland or Adare Manor-but both places only have 1 room left. I don't think our parents would mind staying someplace nice and close, but we really want to stay together.
Can anyone share with me a wonderfully romantic place were we could all stay in re-enact our wedding vows between Dingle and Dublin?

I appreciate any suggestions!! Your previous advice has come in very handy.

Michelle

In April, Dingle will be fairly quiet, with no large masses of tourists to 'over-run' everything. Since it will be so quiet, why not renew your vows inside Gallarus Oratory? Not a castle, true enough, but how many people can say that their vows were consecrated in a 1,200 year old church?
Alternatively, but also on the Dingle, is Kilmalkedar Church, ruins of a 12th Century complex. There is an Ogham Stone there with a hole through it, that tradition holds that celts used to sanctify / legitimize their unions. Plus, you could also renew your vows under the Romanesque doorway, which, in effect, offers you a "twofer".

Bob

Hi Tiki11, I have been following your post as we are visiting Ireland at the beginning of May and were also trying to sort out our itinerary. Congrats on your upcoming nuptials and I'm sure the memories of travelling with both sets of parents will be something you all will cherish. As for your castle conundrum, I have used a site to help find unique accommodation in England where we are spending some time before Ireland. The site is http://www.specialplacestostay.com/ and one place you might be interested in near Nenagh, on the way to Dublin, northeast of Limerick is http://www.ashleypark.com/. Not a castle but looks charming and very romantic. Another couple that might be of interest are http://www.castleballaghmore.com/ and http://www.roundwoodhouse.com/. Hope these help and that you all have an unforgettably good time!

As long as you adhere to cancellation policies, why don't you reserve the rooms you can and hope that more become available?

Thank you for the information on Gallarus Oratory and Kilmalkedar Church. That sounds perfect! We are, in fact, staying at Dromoland, but as there is another wedding taking place, they cannot accommodate our vow renewals. The locations in Dingle sound so much better!

Thank you all for your assistance! I will share with you results of our trip in a couple of weeks.

Happy Spring!

Glad you liked the idea of using Dingle (since you'll be there, anyway). You do realize that there will be no officiant? Guess you'll have to be self-proclaimed!

We arrive Shannon on 31 March. The weather should be in the 40 - 50 degree range and MOSTLY dry. Have a great trip, a solemn and joyous re-marraige and enjoy your company.

We took my then, 81 year old father-in-law to Ireland, to meet his cousins for the first time, in April of 1999. The folling June, we went back with him and his wife, for two weeks. Neither one of them can handle such a trip, anymore, but ...

We had the two of them over for dinner last night, and both of them spent 1/2 the night reminiscing about those trips.

You can buy memories like that, at any price.

Bob

Tiki11 and Bob, wishing you both wonderful trips! We'll look forward to hearing about them when you return. Safe journey.

Starfish1:
Thanks for your well-wishes. Unlike Tiki11, there are NO vows planned for us, this trip (35th Anniversary) -- I'm thinking that if the FIRST time didn't stick ...

On another note: check out this earlier thread, viv a vis Car Rentals:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34564682

Maybe it will provide you with some reassurance.

Bob