Advice on Itinerary: What, if anything to cut

Lisa seems like a lot of driving but I admire your desire to see a bunch of cools spots. Have you driven in the UK or Ireland before? If not, you may want to cut down the number of locations you plan to visit so you wont be spending so much time driving between the locations. I loved Skye and I like your idea of three days out there it is awesome but the driving is slower than you realize and the awesome sites take a while to get to...I could do three days out there easy. On the day you leave Skye and head for Glencoe are you staying in Glencoe for the night? You wont get much time to see the Glencoe area if you only do a stop over there on the way to Oban. We didn't make it to Oban so I cant speak to it. In Ireland we stayed a couple of nights in Kenmare and used it to do the RofKerry and also the Beara Peninsula, loved them both and Kenmare is pretty cool. I suggest, for a break from driving and for some great commentary, when you do the Ring of Kerry you hire a private guide for the 4 of you on the ring tour. Drivers get a break, local guides are awesome and will take you places you will struggle with. Paul Brown's Taxi, really a private tour http://www.kenmaretaxitours.com/home.html is a wonderful way to tour the Ring of Kerry. He will include the Cliffs of Kerry which are often overlooked but are great. I would stay a couple of nights in Dingle to wander the town, drive Slea Head, and enjoy Dingle a bit longer, its a hoot. You can also hire a half day or full day private tour for Slea Head and the Dingle Penins. which we also really enjoyed. If you intend to go to the Basket Island I would probably cut out the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, just my desire to limit your traveling. We had a great time up in Doolin but I think you should dial back a bit. Oh and don't sweat the comments made about your spelling, this is not a spelling test and the people I met over there were wonderful. Hit me up on PM if you want further advice...we did Scotland and Skye one year and then west Ireland the next...you are in for a treat. Dave

It's great that you have 25 days, but if you attempt this itinerary you're going to be utterly exhausted and your memories of the trip will be a blur -- if you're even still speaking to your travel companions by the end.

I seriously encourage you to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and name your 3-4 top priorities in each of the two countries. It's OK to have other "maybe" goals on your list, but build your itinerary around those limited top priorities. And avoid 1-night stays unless absolutely necessary.

I would agree with the other person who said this is a lot of driving. You don’t seem to be stopping any where for more than two nights. You are going to be exhausted and sick of the car. Personally, I would not attempt this, but I would also not try to see both countries in the same trip. I would pick one or the other and then choose three or four places to spend a few days each. Slow down and get to know the area and the people a bit.

We learned the hard way that the Itinerary and the demands of a must see list MUST be a distant second to the experience.

The magic in Ireland can be found all over. It is found in having time to interact with the people who are flat out incredible.......it's having the time to explore on your own and find things small and large. The itinerary you have planned defeats that goal. It is 100% natural - we did it first time and deeply regretted it. That much driving and that many short stays are amazingly counterproductive. You cannot see Ireland in 25 days (let alone two countries)......So why even try. You'll end up with a complete list, some fun, mental and physical exhaustion and a trip that is a hazy blur.

You have approx 14 days in Ireland. Pick 2-4 spots.....use them as bases for exploring. Enjoy the area much more fully. Pick at most one sure thing to do each day with maybe a few possibles if there is time and not worry about getting to the next thing. I've written this before but the real magic happens when you slow down. I could write a book of all the amazing wonderful life experiences we have had and not one is tied to seeing something on the "must see" list

Anyway....for what it's worth. By all means explore and see lots....but cut way back for your own enjoyment.

I’d cut Inverness then map everything else out on google maps and take a hard look at the drive times.

Hmmm, if it were me....I would ditch Dublin at the beginning of your trip and go straight to the Wicklow mountains, spend your night in Kilkenny. Head down to the beautiful town of Kinsale for two nights and then over to Killarney for two nights. Tour the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney National Park and enjoy the best Irish coffee ever at the hotel where the jaunty carts meet. I’ve never done the Ring of Kerry, but have friends who said they enjoyed the Dingle Peninsula more. Dingle is truly the most beautiful place in Ireland and is worth spending at least two nights. Now start heading north to Ennis for a night, then to the Cliffs, the Burren, Doolin for a great meal at McGann’s Pub and arrive in Galway. Spend a night or two in Galway and Aran Islands. From there drive up to Westport. Drop you car in Westport and take the train back to Dublin. You definitely don’t need a car in Dublin. Hope you enjoy every minute of your Irish adventure!