Ireland drive for 6 days/ need advice

That is an ambitious itinerary for 6 days and I hope the kids are happy to spend long hours sitting in the car...

I think you are overestimating what you can achieve each day (in particular days 3 and 4) and how long it will take you to drive. Distances may not look that far but will take a lot longer to civer than you might expect. Driving is SLOW in Ireland....

There's lots to do and see on the Slea Head drive and it does deserve a full day.

Again Ring of Kerry can easily fill a full day (and there's lots more to see in and around in Killarney too) and then you are thinking about driving to Cork after it..

One night stops are also hard work. Think seriously about driving down to Cork and spend that night in Killarney and travel back to Dublin from Killarney rather than Cork.

Like wasleys I think that's a very aggressive itinerary. I personally think you should pick either the Dingle peninsula or the Ring of Kerry. Doing both may not be the best use of your limited time. You also don't want to try to drive and park in Dublin. If nothing else you'll be paying alot to park overnight for no good reason. How about taking the bus to Galway upon arrival at the Dublin airport? The bus picks you up right outside of the terminal and you consolidate your Dublin time. You can rent a car in Galway when you decide to head south to either Dingle or Kerry. That will save you a couple days of car rental. Then return the car at the Dublin airport on your way into Dublin City Center for your last night or two. Here's the bus information for the airport. https://www.dublinairport.com/to-from-the-airport/by-bus/all-ireland-bus-routes. Citylink has the routes from Dublin to Galway.

Dear all,

Thank you so much for all of your advice. I appreciate it so much.
Based on all of your suggestions, this is what I decided:
1. Picking up the car in Dublin and driving to Galway the same day (seems like renting the car from Galway and returning to Dublin doesn't save me much, about 20 bucks)--but I am exploring the bus posibility as well, I rented the car together with the flights with Delta, and paid with miles, so it was less than expected.
2. We will stay in Galway 2 nights (I booked Fenney Audubon Lodge ( I am planning for 2 nights there so that we can explore Cliffs de Moer/ Doolin for a full day) come back to Galway and then next morning leave to drive to south to Dingle/Killarney.
3. I decided to stay for 3 nights in Killarney (booked Redwood) so we can dedicate one full day to ring of Kerry, one full day to Dingle Peninsula).
4. Then drive from Killarney and stop somewhere between Killarney and Dublin.
5. Get to Dublin probably evening and spend two nights (booked Ariel house).
6. Day 8 fly to Bucharest.

I appreciate all of your comments. Do you guys think this will give us more time to see places than spend in the car driving?

THANK YOU!!!

Dana

Are you coming off a transatlantic flight? If so. I would urge caution about hiring a car and immediately driving to Galway. It is going to be 3-4 hour drive - not sensible if you are tired with jet lag. Much better (and safer) to take the bus.

Yes, other than renting a car and driving to Galway upon arrival ( this isn’t a great idea even though I know it probably costs less), Plan B is better.

Again, thank you all so much. I have changed to pick up my car in Galway and return in Ireland airport.

I truly appreciate it!
Dana