Hello: I have searched what feels like a lot of Ireland itinerary suggestions/advice. I haven't found and perhaps I've missed them suggestions for a 11/12 day trip for all of Ireland. I normally look at a lot of tour sites to get a better handle on where to go and what to see.

We fly in and out of Dublin.

We fly out from US on a Monday and return the following Friday so we have a full ten days in country.

My thoughts were to hit the following locations:

Dublin - spend 2 nights? We will arrive on a Tuesday AM (early) so use that day, stay the night and see the rest of the following day spend the night then leave first thing AM. Should we only do one night?

Kilkenny and Co. Waterford, is that a one day to see both locations? Or should we spend one night there?

Cork?

Killarney and Dingle. I see a lot of people prefer to stay in Dingle and do a day trip to Killarney. One or two nights in Dingle?

Galway, two nights there. Day trip to Cliffs of Moher and day trip to Aaran Islands and Connemara?

Leaving Galway can you do Westport, Donegal on the way to Derry? One night around here?

From Derry see Giant's Causeway. Maybe one night here?

Belfast for one night?

Back to Dublin

That should bring me to close to my total days. I may be over by a night but can critique that as needed.

You guys are always very helpful and have helped to make many of our trips fabulous. So any thoughts or advice would be very much appreciated.

Thank you!!

I'm starting to wonder if I'm trying to see too much by going to Giant's Causeway and Belfast. Perhaps 3 nights in Galway. My interested in the surrounding area are:

Cliffs of Mohr
Aaren Islands
Burren (walking tours)
Connemara
Maybe a equestrian tour/trail ride one morning in the surrounding area

How many days would you recommend for these side/day trips?

Thank you.

I got overwhelmed by reading your first post. We have been 7 or 8 times and we pick two or three locations and day trip from those bases. Example pick Belfast first, then Dublin and then Galway, Killarney, or Cork. Stay at least two nights each place or you will just not see much moving everyday. Are you driving? Inishmor from Rossavel ferry port is a whole day trip. You can drive there from Galway. Galway has great evening entertainment. I would base myself there for three nights, You can explore many areas from that base. Read Alessandrazoe's trip report below your post. Great info about NI. COM is an easy ride from Galway also.

On Trip advisor, people usually say to draw a line from Dublin to Galway and then either spend your time above the line, or below. You basically want to see the entire island. That will be alot of driving. I went for the 1st time in April and I flew into Dublin and drove straight to Galway. Spent 2 nights in Kinvara. Then went to the coast of Clare for 4 nights and then went back to Dublin for the last night. It was alot of driving, BUT I got to get a good sense for the area I was in (Western Clare and southern Galway). I feel like if I went back I dont need to revisit those areas. What you are proposing would hardly give you any time seeing the places you stop in.

I want to add to your confusion. Kilkenny and Mount Juliet Estate area is one that I would go back to in a heartbeat. Especially Mount Juliet. The countryside is so beautiful and tons of historical points of interest.

Thank you so much!! Yes I confused myself .

I think I've come to the conclusion though the advice from all of you and my further reading/researching that perhaps the best idea is as is said above, draw a line and do either the top or the bottom half.

I think this sounds like our best bet. We are renting a car on our way out of Dublin. I do want to actually see and enjoy each area so I'm going to give up the notion of trying to do the top and bottom in this one trip.

Currently I have us booked two nights in Dublin,(this is not in order) I'm thinking two nights in Killarney, two or three nights in Galway. We will be doing day trips from Killarney and Galway.

I was also thinking maybe a night in Shannon or Limerick? We're trying to do some things in Limerick/Shannon that might push us past a full day.

Do we stay in Cork for a day?

I've been told my someone to skip Co. Waterford if we're not interested in Waterford Crystal. Is that valid advice?

I also have been told as above to definitely do Kilkenny, stop, eat, walk around sit in a pub, etc. while there.

Also on the list is Kinsale, Cobh and Adare. I understand staying in one of the above bases I'll be able to add these towns to my itinerary.

Any thoughts on my now hopefully simplified plans?

Thank you to all who have taken the time to help me!!
Denise

Hi dmg234,
Kinsale and Cobh are very close to each other. We visited Cobh while staying a few nights in Kinsale. I would not say this area is a must see for first time visitor. Having been involved in sailing for several years, we very much enjoyed Kinsale which is often described as the yachting capital of Ireland.

<<We're trying to do some things in Limerick/Shannon that might push us past a full day.>>
Can you share this things? If you tell us what you would like to see, we can offer better advice. If I were to stay in that area I would pick Ennis over Limerick.

Adare - we sometimes stay here on night #1 after our overnight flight as it is close to Shannon. For visitors arriving and departing from Dublin I would say that Adare would make a good lunch stop with time for some photos.

I think you already have too much on your list to include Waterford and, if you are not overly into the crystal, I would skip.

What time is your departure from Dublin the following Friday? This will help us recommend your Thursday plans. Remember you need to build in time for car return, security and US Customs

Thank you!!

We depart Friday first thing, around 9:00 AM. So Friday is strictly travel. I have booked a hotel at the airport for Thursday night to make life a tad bit easier.

We have the following so far:

2 nights in Dublin
1 night in Cork
2 nights in Killarney
Maybe 1 night in Shannon/Limerick?
3 nights in Galway

So I can either do the 1 night in Shannon area OR add another night to Killarney?

I have us doing Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in Shannon, plus a 2 hour horse back tour 12 K from Shannon.

Leaving Killarney I thought we'd do the Dingle Peninsula so my thoughts were between Dingle, Bunratty and the horseback tour we might want to stay OR we could drive straight to Galway and just arrive very late.

Thoughts?

I've heard Shannon isn't really a place to stay a night. Its an airport spot basically. Sure stay there if you have an early flight out the next day, but not to spend the night for sightseeing. Again, its just what I've read.

I would do 3 nights Killarney and 3 nights Galway City. Do a horseback trek from either Killarney or County Galway area. While based in Killarney you could do Dingle as a daytrip if it is a must and the weather is nice. I would not take a night out of a short(ish) trip to devote to Shannon. The Folk Park is a good visit for folks flying out of Shannon the next morning. I have been there and enjoyed it but would not make a special trip for it. With your plans I would skip.

Wise to head back on Thursday and return the car for your early flight on Friday.

I agree with Macross. Do Belfast first as it is most interesting. For your information, I found the Cliffs of Mohr rather boring. Maybe I missed something, but I wanted to leave as soon as I saw the Cliffs.