Trip to Ireland in 2 weeks, here's our plan. Comments welcome
 

Hi,
Thanks to all the information on this forum, here's what we have planned. Please comment.
(We're a family of 4. Kids just turned 6 and 10. )

Day 1- 4 Dublin ( DH is there for work, kids and I are tagging along to explore the city, day trip to Newgrange on one of the days).
Day 5- Pick up car. Drive to Killarney, stop at Rock of Cashel. See whatever we can see of Muckross Estates (most likely just the garden). Overnight at Killarney.
Day 6- Ring of Kerry. Stop at Ross castle (most likely to see the grounds only). Overnight at Killarney.
Day 7- Drive to Galway. Kylemore Abbey, Cliffs of Moher. Overnight at Galway.
Day 8- Aran island day trip. Overnight at Galway.
Day 9- Bunratty castle, Adare. Flight out of Shannon at 6:50pm.

Questions:

Is there enough time to fit Bunratty and Adare in before our flight or is it better to fit one of them in on the way from Killarney to Galway?

I've read that the drive from Killarney to Galway is really pretty along the coast and take the Tarbert-Killimer ferry. I've also read that part of the road is hard to drive and timing with the ferry may be hard. Any opinions on which road to take to get from Killarney to Galway?

Thanks.

Re Day 7.
Firstly, Kylemore Abbey is way out of your range as it is a good 50 miles beyond Galway city.
The coastal route sounds attractive but I would recommend travelling through Limerick to avail of the better roads, plus the option of stopping off at Bunratty Folk Park, which your kids should enjoy. It should be possible to include the Cliffs in your itinerary on that day.

As per t2p, you might consider the Ring of Barrea over the ROK.

Fewer tourist buses and just as pretty.

I have a trusted friend who went to Ireland many times on business.

He said the same thing.

I also loved the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney. We took a jaunting pony cart through the gap, leading to a boatride that ends at ross castle. Was really beautiful and a highlight. Would defintely recommend.

Thanks for the input.

Possibly see some of the Invaragh, Kerry Bog Museum, Gap of Dunloe and Muckross rather than the whole ring of Kerry. anything more might be too much with youngsters.

Day 7 ... Killarney to Galway via the Cillfs is a long drive, by Kylemore Abbey (3 hour round trip from Galway) makes no sense at all. Consider driving round Dingle, let the kids see Fungi and eat some Americans Icecream there are some Good beaches and slea head is worth a look, in the Afternoon go via Listowel to Adare for the Night.

Day 8 ...Adare up to Doolin with an early start getting there for the 11.15 O Brien line sailing to Inis Oirr and the 2.15 or 4.45 cliffs cruise return. Possibly overnight in Fanore or Ballyvaughan up the coast from Doolin.

Day 9 ...Then do the Connemara bit stopping at the Mines and Dan O'Haras before Kylemore and return to Oakwood Arms in Shannon for your last night.

Tony's suggestion of Fanore reminded me that I have a B&B recommendation there if you are interestd.

Tony2phones- Thanks for the suggestions.
Ja Ja- Thank you. Considering how much I went back and forth picking places to stay, I think DH would rather we don't change anymore. :)

Thanks to the others too.
I think we'll scrap Kylemore from Day 7.

We took the coastal route heading down from the Cliffs to Dingle a couple of weeks ago. The roads are perfectly fine, and the scenery is lovely. The ferry runs every hour, so there is absolutely no problem with timing. I would recommend going that route if you can.

I loved Newgrange and the countryside in the area is pretty.

I agree with others to consider the Beara or Dingle instead of the Ring of Kerry. I've done all three and I'd rate Beara as 1, Dingle 2 and Kerry 3.

Have a great trip.