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First trip, mid-April Itinerary Advice Please!

Posted by on

Hello!
My husband and I are planning a somewhat last mixture trip to Ireland, departing the US mid-April. We have 16 days to see the sights. This is what I have come up with so far. We are renting a car the day we leave Dublin and pack very light. We want to do at least a few hikes/walks while we are there, so that is why we are staying in Glendalough for one night and spending a day in Killarney National Park and one in Connemara.
We hope to use a driver/ tour for Ring of Kerry and Slea Head Drive. Should we do both Ring of Kerry and Slea Head Drive? Should we skip staying in Dingle and do day trips out of Kenmare? Are we moving around too much? I would appreciate advice. Thank you!!

Day 1 Arrive in Dublin morning Sleep: Dublin

Day 2 Dublin Sleep:Dublin

Day 3 Pick up car, Glendalough Sleep: Glendalough

Day 4 Wicklow Mountains Sleep: Kilkenny

Day 5 Rock of Cashel/Kilkenny Sleep: Kinsale

Day 6 Kinsale/ Cobh? Sleep: Kinsale

Day 7 Kenmare Sleep: Kenmare

Day 8 Killarney National Park Sleep: Kenmare

Day 9 Ring of Kerry Sleep: Dingle

Day 10 Dingle town/Slea Head Loop Sleep: Dingle

Day 11 Burren Coast Road Sleep: Doolin

Day 12 Doolin Sleep:Clifden

Day 13 Connemara National Park Sleep: Clifden

Day 14 Westport Sleep: Westport

Day 15 Croagh Patrick/ Knock Sleep: Athlone or Longford

Day 16 Trim Sleep: Trim

Day 17 depart

Posted by
2235 posts

It looks a sensible itinerary to me with not too many one night stops and not too long travelling between places. I prefer Kenmare to Killarney as it is less touristy and less busy - BUT I'm not sure whether you will be able to get a day trip from there for Ring of Kerry or Slea Head. There may be a better selection from Killarney?

I'd looked at trying to reduce the number of places to stop but that is difficult as it would mean longer drives between them. Kenmare to Slea Head for example is quite a long day and is much better done from Dingle. Also Dingle is rather nice! Ring if Kerry and Slea Head are very different, with very different things to stop off and see, so if time allows, I'd try and include both.

After Doolin, Drive round the coast through Ballyvaugham and Kinvarra on your way to Clifden. The coast is beautiful.

Don't miss the Sky Road Drive in Clifden. On a lovely sunny day it must rank as one of teh best short drives in the world.

Posted by
2765 posts

I liked both the Ring of Kerry and Slea Head Drive and would be loathe to skip either. I also loved Dingle and would try to add an extra day there. As for the pace, it is definitely quick. I count six one-night stays which is a third of your nights. Only you know if that is too much for you. I will say I was okay moving around in Ireland more than I would be in other countries. It doesn’t really lend itself to staying in one place and doing day trips.

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