14 day Driving Tour Itinerary

Doolin lodging: We enjoyed a few nights here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4702337? (If the link doesn't work, Google "Red Stonecutters Cottage.") The photos, descriptions were accurate. It's a 5 minute drive down to Doolin. Great views of the harbor. Phil was an accommodating and very professional host.

Westport: Willow Lodge, we thought, was a great value. ("Lodge" is a bit grand as an adjective; it's a very comfortable 4-room (private rooms w/bath) B&B with a great breakfast by charming hostess, Angela. A 5 minute walk into downtown Westport. http://www.willowlodgewestport.com/

Do you have a lot planned between Sligo and Westport? They're about two hours driving apart. You might consider staying at Donegal which is about another 1 1/2 up the road and will give you a head start toward Belfast the next night.

Not a lot planned now right now for the Sligo area. Your suggestion about going on to Donegal makes sense.

I think we are likely to stay a couple of days at Doolin.

Ok, have made some adjustments. Removed Sligo to push up towards Donegal.

We decided to skip Belfast due to the 32 Euro fee if we spend more than three hours there.

We have made reservations for the first two nights in Dublin and one night north of Cork. Everything else is open.

I have tried to make it so that the drive between areas of interest or lodging is pretty even between stops at around 2.6 hour.

What attractions outside of Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula were really hits with you?

Day 1: Check into BnB in Dublin. Tour Dublin recover from flight.
Day 2: Second day in Dublin. Continue touring city.
Day 3: Leave Dublin in morning, go to Cashmel. Stop at BnB one hour north of Cork.
Day 4: Tour area between Waterford and Cork.
Day 5: Leave BnB in morning and drive to Ring of Kerry, BnB near Tralee (no reservations made yet)
Day 6: Tour Dingle and surrounding area
Day 7: Leave BnB in morning and head to BnB near Doolin. (No reservations made yet)
Day 8: Tour area near Doolin.
Day 9: Leave Doolin in the morning and head to BnB near Westport (No reservations made yet)
Day 10: Tour area near Westport.
Day 11: Leave Westport in the morning and head to BnB near Donegal. (No reservations made yet)
Day 12: Tour area near Donegal
Day 13: Leave Donegal in the morning and head back to BnB near Dublin (No reservations made yet)
Day 14: Tour area near Dublin
Day 15: Leave BnB near Dublin and fly home in early morning.

Ok,

We have made all our reservations. We were able to keep our lodging costs at an average of $62.00 a night for the two of us. Here is the itinerary, please feel free to suggest small towns or off the beaten track places to visit in Dingle, Doolin and Wesport. Best wishes to all...

Day 1: Arrive at Dublin Airport at 5:00 AM. Pick up rental car and check into BnB in Dublin.

HOHO bus tour

Day 2: Second day in Dublin. Continue touring city.
HOHO bus tour
Day 3: Leave Dublin in morning, go to Cashmel, Hore Abbey. Check into BnB at Kilworth.

Day 4: Tour Cork.
Maybe do Blarney Castle if crowds are thin. Drive to Dingle and check in at BnB.

Day 5, 6, 7: Two nights in Dingle.
Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Dick Macks brew house, Kilarney, Muckross.

Day 8, 9, 10: Doolin:
Cliffs of Moher, Music scene, Burren, Burren National Park, maybe Innis Mor Island. Do a short trip into Galway when headed to next stop.

Day 11: Clifden:

Connemara Sky Drive. Check into BnB in Westport.
Day 12, 13: Westport:
Clew Bay Archaeology Trail, Achill Island tour. Drive on the 13 to Trim.

Day 14, 15: Trim
Trim Castle, maybe a day trip into Dublin.

Leave out the morning of the 15.

A few suggestions...

On the ROK I suggest visiting the Geokaun Mountain & Fogher Cliffs. It’s the highest point of Valentia Island, and has spectacular 360 degree views of the Skelligs, Dingle, the Blaskets, Kerry mountains, Portmagee, Fogher Cliffs, Valentia Island, and the Atlantic. You can walk or drive to the summit. There are 3 parking areas at different levels on the way up. It's about €5.00 per car admission.

While in Dingle, make sure to head up Spa Road to the Conor Pass...Absolutely spectacular. At the top of Spa road there's a car park off to the left. Stopping here is an absolute must. I suggest you get out and walk up the hill along the fence…the further you walk, the better the view. Don’t miss this. You can continue down the other side of the pass, turn around and head back into Dingle. There are multiple pull offs, but the best view is at the top of the pass, at the car park.

Also on the Dingle Peninsula is Minard Castle. Your GPS will take you there, but it can be a little tricky. Just stay on N86 and turn at Kate’s Cross (a small ma and pa grocery store). The road soon ends and you’ll take a right and then an immediate left. Stay on that road and, at the fork, veer to the left. That will take you right to the castle. Yep, this one’s off the beaten path, but it’s worth finding. There’s a car park, and you can walk around the rocks, but you cannot walk up to the castle itself; it’s on private property and the owner doesn’t allow it. The draw here is the setting. The whole area is very picturesque. This is one of the filming locations for the movie, “Ryan’s Daughter”.

On Achill Island, make sure to go to Barr an Mhionnain (Minaun Viewpoint). The views from the top are spectacular. There's a proper car park and it's free.

-Russ

Thank you Russ!