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10 days in April Itinerary feedback

Hi all! I'm in the beginning stages of planning our 10 day trip to Ireland from April 18-28th. There will be four of us traveling - myself and my boyfriend (mid-30s), and my parents (mid 60s) and we will have a rental car. I've poured over this forum and various other blogs and honestly have felt pretty overwhelmed with deciding on our itinerary - mainly because there is so much we want to see! I
tried to be selective because I didn't want to cram so much in that we can't actually enjoy what we are doing. I would love any feedback you have on our loose itinerary below. Are we spending too much or too little time in any one area? Right now, I'm also torn on the transition between Dingle and Galway on Day 7. I'm not sure if we should do a second night in Dingle, and then leave early to do the Cliffs of Moher in the morning, or stay in Doolin a night, vs heading to Galway, then driving back down to the Cliffs for a tour. Lastly, my dad and boyfriend would like to get in a round of golf somewhere - I'm not sure if I can squeeze that in with our current itinerary or not, but would love to hear any recommendations for any courses you enjoyed! Thanks in advance for the help!

Thursday April 18 - Day 1
- Arrive Dublin 6 AM, parents arrive around 2PM
- Activities for 2.5 days in Dublin: Trinity College, Guinness Tour, Kilmainham Gaol, Jameson Distillery, Temple Bar, 14 Henrietta St, etc
- Stay in Dublin

Friday April 19 - Day 2
- Stay in Dublin

Saturday April 20 - Day 3
- Stay in Dublin

Sunday April 21 - Day 4
- Depart Dublin
- Stop in Kilkenny
- Stop at Rock of Cashel
- Drive to Killarney
- Stay Killarney

Monday April 22 - Day 5
- Some combo of Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, Gap of Dunloe, Kissane Sheep Farm
- Stay Killarney

Tuesday April 23 - Day 6
- Remaining combo of above activities
- Drive to Dingle
- Stay Dingle

Wednesday April 24 - Day 7
- Slea Head Drive
- *?? Stay dingle vs drive to Doolin or Galway?

Thursday April 25 - Day 8
- Cliffs of Moher (would love to do the Pat Sweeney cliff walk at 10 am but depends on where spending previous night)
- Drive to Galway

Friday April 26 - Day 9
- Aran Islands
- Stay Galway

Saturday April 27 - Day 10
- Explore Connemara and Cong
- Stay Galway

Sunday April 28 - Day 11
- Leave early to drive back to Dublin, flying out in the afternoon

Posted by
205 posts

Are you planning this trip for 2024? If so, you cutting this real close for airline tickets, hotels, etc.

IMHO, I would bypass Aryan islands and the sheep farm. Your idea of staying in Dublin a few days before driving is a good idea. Galway, Dingle , cliffs of Moher, all good. Bring a good rain jacket, weather can change quickly.

Posted by
319 posts

When we visited both the Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands we stayed in Doolin at a lovely BnB called Sheedy's Doolin. We could walk from our BnB to the cliff trail, where we walked past the CoM visitors center. Then caught the bus back to Doolin when we were ready to go. We also took the ferry from Doolin to Inishmore. What I don't know/remember is if this ferry operates in April or if it's just a summer/seasonal boat. The boats from Galway area operate year round. We drove from Dingle to Doolin (stopping along the way) then Doolin to Galway. There is not a lot to do in Doolin and if you'd rather not move hotels, both the Cliffs and Aran islands are doable from Galway.