I recently discovered all of the great advice being given and would appreciate your comments on my itinerary which will happen around May 13th to 20th.
Day 1 Land in Shannon drive to Galway to pick up daughter from her semester abroad.
Day 2 Connemara--Galway--suggestions on places to stay--is trip to Aran islands a must?
Day 3 Drive to Lisdoonvarna--stay at counsin's hotel; do the Burren and Cliffs; perhaps stay an extra day; Day 4-Dingle--stay at The Shores the night before.
Days 5 and 6--Kenmare; do the Ring of Kerry and related sights--stay at Riverville House

Should I be able to leave Kenmare and catch flights out of Shannon to the US and London around 1:00 p.m? Any restaurant suggestions?
What else should I think about doing? Thanks,all.

If you like oysters, right near the town of Galway is a place called O'Dowds Bar in Roundstone that hails itself as the oyster capital of the world (I think it was world). It's a great place, usually packed.

http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/ gives you about 2.5 hours from Kenmare to Shannon -- I would round it up to 3 hours. I would think, with the 2-hour check in time for the flight to the U.S. (you have to clear immigration at Shannon vice the U.S.) you're cutting it close. When are you going to have time to eat breakfast?

I would spend last night in Bunratty.

Agree with Budman. I would stay much closer.

I don't really think you have time for the Aran's on this trip especially if you intend to see much of Connemara. This is already a pretty full itinerary. It can be done, but not much room to add things.

Bill

How was the Riverville House in Kenmare?
I'm thinking of staying there in Sept.

Consider Kilmoon House in Ennis...lovely family home with great people....its on Kildysart Rd