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Honeymoon in August - Itinerary Advice

I am planning my honeymoon for this August and this is my itinerary thus far:

Day 1:
Arrive in Dublin early in the morning. Nothing specific planned for today but dropping our bags off at the Harding Hotel and wandering around Dublin a bit. Maybe try to see Trinity College and the Book of Kells and if the weather is nice maybe check out St. Stephens Green. We’ll be across the street from Christchurch Cathedral so that and maybe ride the Hop On Hop Off Bus to see the city. End the day with our first Irish pub experience, not sure where.

Day 2:
I have a prearranged tour set to see Newgrange and the Hill of Slane. I figured taking a tour would save us getting lost, having to drive in Dublin, etc. Nothing else planned for the day, overnight in Dublin again.

Day 3:
Prearranged tour down to Glendalough for the same reason, no driving, no getting lost. Back in Dublin in the afternoon we will pick up a rental car and spend one more evening in Dublin.

Day 4:
Drive to Kilkenny fairly early in the morning and see the town (if there is time I’d like to do the walking tour). Maybe also try to drive to Kells Priory. We will be spending the night in Kilkenny.

Day 5:
From Kilkenny we plan to drive to the Rock of Cashel and if there is time possibly Cahir and Cahir Castle. Overnight again in Kilkenny.

Day 6:
Get up pretty early and drive to the Dingle Peninsula and see the area a bit and enjoy another evening in a pub hopefully listening to some Trad music.

Day 7:
See the Dingle Peninsula (weather permitting).

Day 8:
This one might be the longest drive, but wake up in Dingle and drive up to the Cliffs of Moher. Drive back down to Dromoland Castle for our final night in Ireland

Day 9:
Wake up, head to Shannon, drop off the rental car and fly home.

This is our honeymoon so I’m trying to create an itinerary that hits some of the highlights of Ireland without being so jam-packed we feel rushed and exhausted. Does this schedule seem reasonable? I realize there are so many parts of Ireland we are not seeing, but as they say, we’ll just have to plan on going back.

Thanks for reading.

Posted by
2437 posts

Sounds like you already have flights booked into Dublin,yes? If so my only thoughts is to not get your car last night in Dublin, wait until the morning you leave. Also you say Dingle weather permitting, even in rain can be well worth it. Been to Dingle four times and last time had best night for trad music was in a pub recommended by Rick Steve's but none of us can remember it, so sorry. Can highly recommend Cilli Breach B&B in Dingle, our best so far because we loved second floor balcony where we had our early morning tea on balcony overlooking bay although my son more loved his room in back overlooking farm and sheep. Whatever you do in Ireland you will enjoy. Good luck.

Posted by
9371 posts

I would suggest seeing Kilmainham Gaol on the same day as your Newgrange tour (assuming it's a half-day tour). I would agree with waiting till the morning you leave Dublin before getting your car. You won't want to have to park it.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for the feedback. I hope to be able to do more than I listed, like adding in Kilmainham Gaol but I guess it will just have to be a wait and see kind of thing. Anyone else have any thoughts?

Posted by
14 posts

Looks great.
My only advice is plan on the drives to take longer than expected. For example, we would map out our route and it would estimate 3 hours. However, most often it took us 4-6 hours. Just some helpful advice. It is one of the prettiest places. Enjoy the journey!