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13 days in Ireland

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Hello. I am planning a 13-day, 1st time trip, to Ireland for 2 adults. Below is a draft itinerary and I'd love to know it is makes sense to those that have been there before. I'm struggling with days 6-11 as they seem to have a lot planned and may be too much to take on. The activities in each location (days 6-11) also may not be in an order that makes sense.

We are from the US and plan to fly into Dublin, travel the country by car and end our trip back in Dublin. Like most, we want to see/experience as much as we can but not so much that we always feel rushed. Things to consider when looking at the itinerary-

This will be our first time driving on the left-hand side of the road. We drive large SUVs daily, and think we’d feel most comfortable driving a smaller car in Ireland but one that is comfortable and back friendly. We will have 1 piece of luggage and backpack each- one person is 5’ (likely the main driver) and the other is 6’. How dependable is navigation on the back roads

We love nature, touring gardens and history and love experiencing local food and drink.

Day 1 Fly into DUB early morning. Get transportation to Radisson Royal Blu hotel in the city. Spend day touring Dublin.

Day 2 Tour Dublin- Trinity College, Book of Kells Experience, Guinness Storehouse, Grafton Street

Day 3 Early AM- Taxi back to DUB, rent car and head to/stay in Kilkenny

Day 4 Visit Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House and Gardens and stay in Kilkenny

Day 5 Head to Cork (would Cobh be better?) and stay 1 night. Visit Blarney Castle, English Market and ???

Day 6 Drive to Killarney and stay 3 nights. Visit Killarney National Park and Dingle Peninsula

Day 7 Stay in Killarney-visit Cliffs of Mohr

Day 8 Stay in Killarney- Ring of Kerry driving tour (?)

Day 9 Head to Gallway and stay 3 nights. Visit Kissane Sheep Farm,

Day 10 Stay in Gallway- visit Kylemore Abbey

Day 11 Stay in Gallway- drive to Clifton for the Sky Drive

Day 12 Drive to DUB airport, return car and stay in airport hotel

Day 13 Early flight home

All advice is appreciated!
Thank you-

Posted by
741 posts

It looks like a doable plan, and you've done some homework.

Couple of thoughts:
1) You can rent a car from many companies on the fringe of Dublin, so you don't have to drive in town right off but don't have to go to the airport.

2) Don't count on cell service everywhere, especially on the west coast. If you're using a phone to navigate, make sure you download your maps for offline use while you're at your lodging. Check your cell plan for international roaming. If you don't mind having a different phone number, there are several vendors (Giffgaff, for one) that will provide a SIM/eSIM for $12(for 30 days) with plenty of data.

3) Stay in Cork, and visit Cobh as a day trip?

4) Cliffs of Moher on the way to Galway, not as a day trip from Killarney.

5) I wouldn't base in Killarney so long - it's pretty touristy (as is Kilkenny)

Overall, I think you could do a lot more without feeling rushed. With light luggage, moving between towns is not that difficult, so you might want to turn some day trips into hops between places. For example, moving from Killarney to Dingle or Galway to Clifton/Westport/Donegal rather than spending three days in each (base versus hops is a matter of great debate on these forums).

Posted by
2279 posts

Agree with jjgurley - do Cliffs of Moher on the way to Galway- use the Tarbert to Killimer ferry to save having to drive round via Limerick. However, this may be a very long day if you are intending to visit Kissane Sheep farm first. Think about doing this on Day 6 - along with seeing something of Killarney National Park

Day 6 is looking hellish - You will be pushed to do both in one day, especially if coming from Cork/Cobh. Do Killarney National Park that Day and save dingle Peninsula (including Slea Drive) on Day 7.

Posted by
491 posts

Day tours of Connemara, like the one I took, typically combine the Cliffton Sky Drive with Kylemore Abbey. With your own car, that should be even easier if you might want or need to save a day somewhere.

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