11 night Ireland Itinerary

Posted by CK (Oregon) on 08/24/25 10:39 PM

I'm planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland for 3 weeks (mid June to early July 2026.) This will be my mom's "bucket list trip" to go see the countries where our ancestors are from. There will be 2 adults in mid 70s, 2 adults in mid 40s, and my 10 year old son. The priorities for the trip for my parents are (in the following order): 1) Beautiful scenery, 2) sights of historical and/or genealogical interest, 3) trad music sessions 4) charming villages 5) whiskey. My parents are mobile, but not very active and can't do hikes or long or strenuous walks. We will rent a car. I only have 11 nights for Ireland and 11 nights for Scotland. We will likely start in Scotland first and end in Ireland, flying home from Dublin. What do you think of the following Ireland itinerary?:

1) Fly from Edinburgh to Cork, get rental car at airport, drive to Kinsale.
2) Kinsale (2 nights), with day trip to Cobh for emigration sights
3) Kenmare (1 night); per Rick's itinerary, see Killarney N.P. sights on the day of the drive from Kinsale to Kenmare; then do Ring of Kerry the next day departing from Kenmare and ending that day in Dingle.
4) Dingle (3 nights), with Slea Head Drive day trip
5) Doolin (2 nights), day trip to Aran Islands, weather permitting. If ferry is cancelled, visit Bunratty. Drive through Burren on way to Dublin airport. Drop rental car at Dublin airport.
6) Dublin (3 nights), then fly home.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

08/25/25 03:19 PM

1277 posts

I don't see any of #2, genealogical interest. You don't say where in Ireland your ancestors are from.

Posted by Trotter

08/25/25 03:45 PM

1830 posts

Your itinerary looks doable to me. My only suggestion is to consider staying in Killarney, not Kenmare. I suspect you chose Kenmare because it's less of a tourist trap then Killarney. But if you stayed in Killarney you won't be covering the same ground 2 or 3 times when you visit Killarney NP, drive the Ring of Kerry and then drive to Dingle. Alternatively, stay on the north side of the RoK. Maybe Killorglin.

Posted by rmill.ace

Texas, USA

08/26/25 10:01 PM

70 posts

Wow! I am impressed. You plan to detail like I do and I have traveled to 5 continents and over 40 countries. First of all Ireland has beautiful scenery. The farther west you go the better it is. I would suggest that you absolutely do not want to miss the Cliffs of Moher. Like your iteniary, I prefer driving. It affords A LOT of flexibility. I also do vacation rentals as opposed to hotels. You would be impressed, and appreciate, that a vacation rental host can help you with your iteniary in a particular area. After all ...they live there! And considering your entourage, it would seem to be the idea family setting. As in real bedrooms vs hotel rooms. Kitchen vs restaurants. Family rooms vs hotel lobbies. It is probably cheaper as well. Can't give you much help on Scotland. My wife did the castle and I did a bucket list item of golfing at Saint Andrews, We did drive up to Loc Ness from Edin-borough Got the t-shirt but not worth the drive up there. The highway is two lane and you take your life in your hands driving it.

Posted by Coleen

08/27/25 09:56 AM

139 posts

I love Ireland but keep in minds that many of the roads are narrow (as in sort of 2 lanes although no line painted in the middle because not fully 2 lanes wide). Also many roads are lined with stonewalls covered by bushes and trees so no shoulder. Most local roads are 1 lane roads with 2 way traffic. Don’t assume you can travel at the speed you are used to at home.

Posted by CK OP

Oregon

08/28/25 02:46 AM

80 posts

Thank you so much for all your responses! Really appreciate your insights!!

G3rryCee: I don't know as much about where our ancestors are from in Ireland as I know about where they are from in Scotland, but I think some of them are from Dublin. My mom and I will probably do more research into the Irish geneaology before the trip.
Trotter: I appreciate the advice to consider Killarney instead of Kenmare! I was wondering if that might actually be easier than staying in Kenmare. It seems Rick prefers Kenmare to Killarney, which is part of the reason I was thinking of staying in Kenmare. What do folks here on the forum think about Killarney (vs Kenmare?)
rmill.ace: I agree that vacation rentals are often the way to go for a bigger family group, rather than hotels. I've been pricing out hotels (with 2 separate rooms) and airbnbs that can fit our group, and yes, you are right, it's often cheaper. Plus it's so nice to have a washer so we can pack really light and wash clothes during the trip.
Coleen: thanks for the advice about driving in Ireland!

I think the itinerary above is probably what I will go with (but with Killarney instead of Kenmare), but I've been known to change my mind many, many times. :) Do you all think what I have above is a good itinerary for a first trip to Ireland to see some of the most beautiful scenery, or do you think there are other places that are more beautiful? I'm also intrigued by Achill Island and Donegal area, but it seems like for a first trip, most people recommend the southwest. Thoughts? Thank you all!