Itinerary Advice: 9 days in Ireland without a car

Frankly, one full day in Dublin would be enough for me, unless you want to take a bus tour to glendalough and Kilkenny from Dublin.

Thank you!

Out of curiosity. If you had the short amount of time I have and no car, would you think it possible to stay in Dingle and then go to Galway? Or would Dingle be much less fun without a car?

I am doing a similar trip at the end of August and using the train and bus. This is my second trip to Ireland and I fly into Dublin and out of Shannon but have a few more nights. Due to your flight arrival, I would also stay in Dublin. I get in early and thinking of taking the bus from the airport directly to Galway as I have spent time before in Dublin but love it.
I am staying in Galway 4 nights and using Galway tours each day to see the Cliffs, the Aran Islands and Connemara. But a bus tour limits your love of hiking but my sister just did this in April and loved it.

Then I am home basing in Dingle and can't wait. I saw Dingle just on a bus and said I must return. Working on a good, local guide that is reasonable but it's worth paying more for this. From there you can take a bus and train back to Dublin. I also loved the ROK but this time I am maybe going to Kenmare vs Killarney to see the ROK again.

I enjoyed the bus on my first trip as it took me the very slow route around Ireland. Not for most people but I like the road less traveled and I am a terror in a car.

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for the advice. Those Galway tours sound phenomenal, I think I will try to do a few of the day trips you mentioned!

So I've revamped my tour, so that I am based out of Killarney for the first few days. It seems like then I could do day trips to the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry with the tour buses. That means I have less time in Galway, so I have to cut the Cliffs of Moher :/ And have almost no time in Dublin

Day 1 Arrive in Ireland and Sleep in Dublin
Day 2 Go to Killarney explore Killarney
Day 3 Based in Killarney. Day trip to Dingle
Day 4 Based in Killarney Day trip to Ring of Kerry
Day 5 Bus from Killarney to Galway and explore Galway City
Day 6 Based in Galway. Day trip to Connemara
Day 7 Based in Galway. Day trip to Aran Islands
Day 8 Bus from Galway to Dublin
Day 9 Depart Ireland

What do you think? Is Killarney a good home base for someone without a car?

First few days in Dublin, then a bus to Galway. Hire a car for a day or two and go off and explore Conamara. Take the ferry out to the islands from Ros A' Mhil and stay on the islands. Make sure you visit both Inis Mor and Inis Oirr. From Inis Oirr, take a ferry to Doolin (you'll pass under the Cliffs of Moher) from Doolin back through Ballyvaughin and back to Galway. Bus back to Dublin. Fly home.