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Dublin Galway Killarney Itinerary help

Hi, my husband and I are celebrating our 60th birthdays with a trip to Ireland, my second and his first. I really could use another set of eyes to check our itinerary. Too much? Just right? Suggestions? The longest drive appears to be from Galway to Killareny. Thank you so very much for any help!!

Day 1: Arrive Dublin, site see in afternoon
Day 2: Powerscourt & Wicklow day trip
Day 3: Newgrange day trip
Day 4: Dublin
Day 5: Pickup car rental; head to Galway, walk the town; catch Aran Island ferry at 6 pm. Spend night.
Day 6: Aran Is all day, bike, hike, savor. Return to Galway at 5:30 and stay in area
Day 7: Ashford Castle and Falconery. Head directly to Killarney in late afternoon. (3-3.5 hr trip?)
Day 8: Killarney / Gap of Dunloe
Day 9: Dingle
Day 10: Killarney until mid afternoon. Drive to Bunratty.
Day 11: Depart Shannon about 1 pm

Posted by
359 posts

Hi. If these are the things you enjoy I think you've planned a very reasonable itinerary. Love that you stay a while in each location and are not overloading the days with stuff. You'll end up with time to linger, discover, self explore and interact which is the real magic.

Personally Dublin, Galway are not places we enjoyed as much as many other spots but we are more country, wild Ireland oriented. They are big cities, with all the modern accoutrements which I don't want to spend time in. When near them we prefer to stay in a small town outside and "dip" into them. They aren't bad at all just not where I'd like to spend precious time in. Killarney however....the city itself.....I'd skip. It is not a disaster or without some good pubs and restaurants but is on Rick Steve's top ten tourist traps in all Europe for good reason. Tourist clogged, hyper touristy...I heard one Kerry local describe it as plastic leprechaun Ireland. The sights nearby - Gap of Dunloe, Ladies View, the Black Valley etc. ARE world class but personally I'd stay in a small town like Castlemaine, Milltown, Kilorglin or Glenbeigh which are perfectly located for BOTH Dingle and the sights near (not in) Killarney and experience real not "plastic leprachauny" Ireland.

Other thoughts. The Galway to Killarney leg is more like 4+ hours....before stops. I would, if you're set on staying in Killarney stop at Dingle on your way down first, see Dingle then on to Killarney not bounce back and forth. That's about 1 1/2-2 hours each way....no need to do it multiple times.

Without adding or rat racing, if you get a chance try to see the south side of the Ring of Kerry for insane scenery and the Skellig Ring.....Cliffs of Kerry....Ballinskellig.....Bray Head hiking loop there on Valencia it's heaven on earth and light years better than being IN Killarney. Just an idea.

Also love your day trips from Dublin.. ...Newgrange is phenomenal. When doing Wicklow leave time for Glendalough it's one of Ireland's gems. If you hit it early in the morning or late in the day near sunset the light there in that spot is beyond words.

Love your day trips, the Aran Islands are fantastic. There is a sadness too them as the locals have lost their traditional lines of work and its just catering to tourists now. Our B&B owner actually cried and sang a lament for us over having to lose his beloved way of life. Dun Anghosa and the cliff views are awesome ....go early in the morning or late in the afternoon and avoid the crowds. Down at the base are little local shops selling REAL handmade Aran products...much more fun than the tourist stuff sold in town, imported "Aran" things from England etc. The Bar right in town has incredibly good soups !!!!

Anyway, love your overall approach. It's very much personal interests. I'd much rather spend a day or afternoon going to Connemara than being in Galway but overall excellent approach. Would strongly though urge you to see Dingle on the way down and consider staying outside of Killarney rather than in.

Have a great trip ! It's fantastic !

Posted by
14 posts

Thanks so much for looking this over. I definitely like your idea of heading to Dingle before Killarney. We might also train it to Galway and get a car there after we return from Inishmore. I'll also look into your ideas for staying outside of Killarney. We a car, we'll have a lot more options. So excited!! Can't wait until July. Thanks again!!