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8 day trip Ireland trip starting from Shannon Airport

Posted by (Indiana, USA) on

I'm looking for some advice on our route for an 8 day trip to Ireland in Sept. This is our 1st trip to Ireland. We are looking to visit just the west side of the country on this trip. It'll be just me and my husband (mid 30s), not looking for city activities really more of the country sites and some local charm. We will be renting a car (seems a little scary being from the US, but seems most practical).
The flight we have picked out is landing in Shannon at 7:30 am. It's a redeye so I anticipate being exhausted. I've narrowed the trip down to the following locations (potential sights bulleted below them) but I am having a hard time figuring out what order makes the most sense without having to back track a lot. I'm leaning towards taking off Clifden this trip and sticking more SW. Potentially adding Dingle instead? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Killarney 2 nights

  • Muckross House, Abbey, Gardens
  • Killarney NP
  • Ring of Kerry (maybe? there's some horror stories about self driving)

Lahinch 2 nights

  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Doolin Cave
  • Burren NP
  • Doonagore Castle
  • Aran Islands (not sure if this is feasible in Sept, still researching)

Clifden 2 nights

  • Connemara NP
  • Klyemore Abbey

1 night near Shannon airport bc our flight would leave early in the morning.

Posted by
335 posts

It's a redeye so I anticipate being exhausted.

You’re obviously not getting straight into a car so where are you stay the night of your arrival?

Posted by
2279 posts

Remember to allow for driving between destinations, so 2 nights only effectively gives one and a bit days in each place. That isn't a lot for what you are planning for each place. Ring of Kerry deserves a full day . Muckross House, Abbey, and gardens (don't miss the traditional farms) and Kilarney NP are another full day.

Rather than going via Limerick to get between killarney and Doolin, take the Killimer Ferry instead. It is a much more interesting route as it gives you the optioin of travelling up the coast to Doolin. Consider doing a detour to Hag's Head for the view of the Cliffs of Moher away from the crowds at the Visitor Centre.

Your Doolin stop is also very action packed too. The drive along the north coast via Black head to Ballyvaughan is also worth doing for the scenery.

Much as I love Connemara, I would be tempted to remove it from this visit and allocate those days to Killarney and Doolin. Dingle can be done as a day tripo from Killarney.

If you do decide on this them possibly do Doolin first as it is less far to drive from Shannon and then move onto Killarney

Posted by
11873 posts

Certainly hope you are not planning on a 2 hr drive to Killarney immediately after your flight.

Your body will think it's 2AM and want to be asleep. Not the best thing for driving in a strange place on the 'wrong' side of the road

Posted by
2 posts

I think I have narrowed down to going to Lahinch first for 3 nights and then traveling to Killarney for 3 nights and not worrying about Clifden for this trip. I had planned to switch to going to Lahinch first since it is closer to the airport than Killarney. I am concerned about being tired and attempting to drive on the first day but thought an hour would be do able. If we were to stay somewhere near the airport to get some sleep and get over out jet lag what would you all suggest? The best flight out of O'hare is the red eye and looks like the only nonstop flight for a great price.

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