We are traveling to Ireland for our 30th anniversary in the early summer and I could sure use some pros and cons for our 11 nite itinerary. It’s our first time to Ireland, and while we have a full itinerary with things we’d like to see and do, if we don’t get to everything it will be fine, as we want to enjoy ourselves along the way. We are pretty easy going and are just as anxious to take in the beautiful scenery as to meet and speak with people along the way.
We are flying into Dublin arriving 7:30 AM .
So this is what I’ve got so far:
Day 1 and 2 - 2 Nites in Dublin - booked Staunton on the Green ( however I might switch to an AirBnB).
Will do as much as we can on the first day depending on Jet lag - hop on/hop off, Book of Kells, Guinness, etc. and Day 2 we’d like to do an early trip to Howth returning to Dublin in afternoon and continue exploring the city,
Day 3 - our plan is to drive to Kilkenny for 1 nite (picking up a rental car in the morning) seeing Powerscourt, driving through Wicklow Mountains and seeing Glendalough along the way. I don’t have a reservation yet in Kilkenny for a B&B overnight. Was hoping to get into Butler Court but its already booked out. I would like to stay as close to town as possible so we can tour on foot and leave the car. parked. When we get into Kilkenny , hopefully around 3, we would like to check out the Castle and the Design Center, and walk the town.
Day 4 we will drive from Kilkenny to Kinsale and spend 1 nite . Not In a huge rush to leave early, and we will stop to see Rock of Cashel along the way and MAYBE Blarney Castle. We will spend nite at B&B in Kinsale. Really would have liked to stay at Old Presbytery Inn but they require 2 Nites so I am trying to book Cloisters or the Olde Bakery. Once In Kinsale we will try for a relaxing afternoon just seeing the town
Days/Nites 5 & 6 We thought we would drive from Kinsale to *Kenmare* for 2 nite stay Hoping to book 2 nites at Shelbourne House when they open up reservations again. Not sure how to plan the drive from Kinsale to Kenmare and what to see along the way - so many options.
Days Nites 7 & 8 Drive from Kenmare to Dingle for a 2 nite stay . We are booked at Bambury's. in Dingle Again, trying to figure out what would be the best route to take and what to see along the way from Kenmare to Dingle.
While in the area of Kenmare and Dingle we are interested in The Ring of Kerry, Ring of Beara, Dingle Pennisula, Slea Head, Killarney Park, Muckross House, Torc Waterfall and I'm sure I've overlooked a few awesome sights. I know we wont get to see everything, and I've already reached out to Kenmare Taxi Tours' - Paul Brown today to see if its too early (or too late) to book him for at least 2 days of tours while we are in those areas so we can see as much as possible.
So that leaves us with 2 more days/nites which we figured we would split between Doolin and Bunratty. We will fly out from Shannon on a late afternoon flight. We'd like to see the Cliffs of Mohr, I figure we can catch the ferry after leaving Dingle and take in the Cliffs. spending the nite in Doolin. I'm planning to book the Roadhouse. My husband wants to do the Hawk Walk at Dromoland Castle, I would like see Adare and also check out the Folk Park and Castle at Bunratty and do the Medieval Dinner (the early one). Trying to find an accommodation in Bunratty - already closed out of the Courtyard sadly.
So looking for opinions if we are allotting the right amount of time in places or if there is anything to add or skip and also for best bang for the buck routes to take between Kinsale and Kenmare and Kenmare and Dingle.