First time trip to Ireland for a couple of non-tourist

Hello, littledex25, welcome to the forum. What a wonderfully generous gift from your son!

I've not been to Ireland yet, my first visit will be in September. It seems as though your son has taken care of most of the details of your visit. It seems to be aggressive, staying in so many locations, but I'm certain it's to visit locations he thought you'd enjoy. Since he's taken care of the transportation, lodging, and some tours, I guess I'm uncertain which items you would need assistance with? Are you looking for assistance with restaurants in the locations that would be easily accessible? Or, perhaps specific things that the forum members think you should do or see in each location? If you could clarify, I'm sure you'll get many great helpful responses!

Welcome and what a wonderful gift!

The good thing about Ireland is there is so much beautiful scenery and such a relaxed atmosphere, that you don’t have to worry too much about really specific plans or reservations. With a driver, you can pretty much play each day by ear, taking weather and how you feel into account.

The itinerary IS full of lots of hotel changes, but I can see the reasoning for that if you won’t be spending a lot of time walking. In your case, you MAY be seeing a lot of the country from the car, but you will have the ability to stop anytime you feel like it.

In Killarney, you might be interested in a jaunting car ride either through the Killarney National Park or the Gap of Dunloe. The stop in Doolin is obviously meant for the Cliffs of Moher - I think there are scooter accessible routes.

I think you will also find your driver a wealth of knowledge on interesting and easy enough stops. Enjoy!

Good advice above from TexasTravelMom.
We've generally found that the best way to deal with the crowds at popular locations is to get an early start, and by that I mean as close to the crack of dawn as you and your dedicated driver can reasonably manage.
The monastic site at Glendalough is a good example - It should be included on your first day's drive from Dublin to Kilkenny, but arriving there after the first tour buses start to arrive at 9:30 would make it a crowded and unpleasant experience for someone needing a scooter to get around, whereas by timing your visit for an earlier arrival you'll have the place virtually all to yourselves .
We've found that strategy works well for other attractions in Ireland at the height of the summer season too. The drives around Connemarra, Slea Head Drive and the Ring of Kerry are all much more pleasant experiences with an early start ... ie before the tour buses start to roll.
As was mentioned, one particular activity that you and your husband might enjoy is a pony trap ride thru the Gap of Dunloe while you're in Killarney - one of the prettiest little glens in Ireland with an abundance of photo ops along the way. You could include lunch or a cup of coffee at Kate Kearney's Cottage near the starting point, or work a deal with your trap driver to continue on past the head of the glen (the normal turnaround point) to Lord Brandon's cottage on the lake - it's a very pretty spot and including a lunch there might make for a very memorable day for you both.
I agree too that your driver/guide will likely be a storehouse of local knowledge and suggestions as you make your way around the island, pointing out off-the-beaten little places that will be much less crowded than some of the major attractions.

We stayed at the Cill Bhreac in Dingle and it was lovely as was the Atlantic View in Doolin. Be sure they have first floor rooms available. We were upstairs in both. The way this has been planned i am sure your son got this covered though. What a trip of a lifetime and what a fantastic son. Enjoy.

What a lovely gift. It is obvious he has put a lot of thought inbto the itinerary and you will see some lovely parts of Ireland.

My only minor suggestion would be to alter the dingle and Killarney stops and do Killarney before Dingle. You will be driving past Killarney to reach Dingle so it saves doubling back.

Do try and spend some time exploring the Burren when you are in Doolin. With its limestone scenery this is completely different to elsewhere in Ireland. The drive round the coast through Fanore, Murroogh Black Head , Ballyvaughan and Kinvara with its castle is wonderful and the coastal scenery is superb.

When in Galway, also ask your drive about doing the Skye Drive from Clifden. On a clear sunny day this must be one of the best short drives in the world. The tiny village of Roundstone with its harbour and views across to the Twelve Bens(mountains) is only a short drive from Clifden and is well worth visiting.

On you way back to Dublin, ask about doing a detour to the early Christian site of Clonmacnoise on the River Shannon with its round towers, ruined chapels and carved stones. It is a delightful place (and doesn’t get as busy as Glendalough!)

Hi! Your trip does, indeed, sound very well planned out and so very thoughtful of your son.

I do have a comment about Fanad House in Kilkenny. We stayed there in May of 2022 and were somewhat disappointed. On the plus side, the rooms were clean and it is quite close to the castle and not too far from the main part of the city. Briefly, our issues concerned:
1. The lack of explanation about how the electricity worked (you need a key to turn it on).
2. How the shower/tub worked (apparently there are 2 separate controls, which would have been nice to know when the water cut off midway through my shower).
3. The TV was hanging out from the wall on an arm directly above the second bed, which was a little frightening.
4. The less than satisfactory breakfast which was more like a continental breakfast you would get at a hotel - fruit and boxes of cold cereal. No full Irish breakfast offered.
5. The woman who checked us in informed us that the owner was out of town and she was just filling in. She had a distinct odor of alcohol on her breath and was quite confused. Not the welcome we had anticipated!

Anyway, perhaps this property has improved since then; I certainly hope so. Just a heads-up from someone who has stayed there.