Ireland Highlights for Anniversary Trip

Posted by suplee on 07/04/26 02:09 PM

Heading over to Ireland late summer and having trouble narrowing down itinerary to make sure we see highlights but not be overly aggressive.

Day 1 (arrive Dublin) Explore
Day 2 Dublin - explore city but thinking of doing Newgrange in the AM and back to city late afternoon
Day 3 Drive to Kilkenny (potential of doing Newgrange first but that means go north to eventually go South)
Dav 4 Drive to Rock of Cashel, Adare and stay in Adare
Day 5 Drive to do Ring Of Kerry OR drive to near Ring of Kerry and do next day
Day 6 Stay in Dingle this could change based on Day 5 itinerary
Day 7 Stay in Galway
Day 8 Ashford Castle
Day 9 back to Dublin

Is the drive Ring of Kerry a must see?
Should we skip staying a night in Adare?
Is it best to stay near Ring Of Kerry to be able to get up early and do the drive from there?

Appreciate reading everyone’s posts and thoughts! Makes planning easier and also harder b/c of all the great insights!

Posted by mjh-travel

07/04/26 03:25 PM

69 posts

Whew! I think if I attempted that itinerary with my husband, it would be our LAST anniversary. You know your energy level, but having to change lodging EVERY SINGLE DAY and driving EVERY SINGLE DAY would really wear on me. No real down time, especially for the driver. It feels sort of like checking places off a list rather than enjoying and experiencing Ireland.

The extent of my knowledge of touring in Ireland is the 7-day RS Heart of Ireland tour we did in May. You can take a look at the itinerary here: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/ireland/heart-ireland-2026. Even with someone else doing the driving, it seemed like a lot of time on the road.

Others who have done both will hopefully weigh in, but it's my understanding that the Ring of Kerry and the Slea Head Drive loop out of Dingle are similar. Dropping Kerry will save a lot of driving time. (Rick Steves considers Slea Head Drive the most scenic drive in Ireland. It is also likely to take longer than you think; it's a narrow road and my guess is that it would be pretty busy in late summer.)

Posted by geovagriffith

07/04/26 03:58 PM

10204 posts

suplee,
We did an 10 day tour of Ireland (not to Ulster) last. year with Gate 1 Travel and it was wonderful. Cost us about $4000 for touring, lodging, most meals, etc. for wife and self. Our guide was great.

We did Galway and Connemara after two days in Dublin, then moved south to see the Cliffs of Moher (don't miss this, it was better than Dingle or Ring of Kerry.
The Ring of Kerry was still great and we stayed in Kilkenny. Didn't spend the night on Dingle. Don't think you need to do that.
Then we visited the south of Ireland, Cork, Blarney Castle and other sites on our way back to Dublin for one more day.

I am glad that I didn't have to drive on some of those narrow roads. Do the drive of the Ring of Kerry.

Posted by Trotter

07/04/26 05:15 PM

2066 posts

It looks like you are flying in and out of Dublin. If that's the case have you considered reversing your itinerary to start in Galway? That would consolidate your time in Dublin and save a day or two in car rental fees. Upon arrival in Dublin take the bus to Galway. It picks you up right outside the terminal. It will give you a little mini tour of Dublin then take you to Galway. Is Ashford Castle a must? I've never been so can't comment. From either Ashford or Adare you could stay in Killorglin or Glenbeigh. Both would give you access to the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula. Personally I would chose one or the other, relax and take my time. After the west coast, head inland to the Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny, ending your visit in Dublin.