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Itinerary

We will be traveling to Ireland in June. Here is my tentative itinerary. Thoughts?
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin. We will be hiring car and taking our time traveling to Westport. Stopping if we get tired. etc.. (yes we have driven on the left side before and dealt with roundabouts...Definitely will take our time) :)
Day 2: Another night in Westport with Day trips to Connemara (Kylemore abbey for sure)
Day 3: Head to Doolin with stops in the Burren and the Cliffs..Anything else we should see??
Day 4: Ferry to Aran Islands and see Cliffs from Sea level. Followed by another night in Doolin while we enjoy the Doolin Folk Festival that night.
Day 5: Head to Kilkenny via Bunratty and Rock of Cashel
Day 6: Tour Kilkenny
Day 7-8: Dublin
Day 9: Depart Dublin

Anything we should see along the way this route? Places to eat? Pubs?
Thanks!

Posted by
325 posts

It looks pretty good, a bit short is all. I'd only suggest staying in Galway on the night of day 2, it's still a very scenic drive through Connemara (I did it in reverse last summer) and you'll have a bit more time on Day 3 for the Burrren and Cliffs. (If time allows, consider going through the Burren via Kilmacduagh) On the drive from Westport to Galway I'd suggest going via Louisburgh and Doo Lough, Aasleagh, and Kylemore.

If you go to Galway and are there on either Monday, Wednesday, or Freiday, consider "Tunes in the Church" . It's a great warm-up if you're going to pubs later that night, or a way to see some traditional music if you're not inclined to wait until things get going in the pubs.

If you are interested in Irish mythology, a consider a stop at Rathcroghan on the way from Dublin to Westport.

You might be able to fit in a quick stop at Glendalough on the way from Kilkenny to Dublin. Last year we left Dublin mid-morning, stopped in Glendalough for an a couple of hours, and made it to Kilkenny for dinner.

Posted by
5 posts

I'd highly recommend time in Dingle, it was our favorite! We're returning to Ireland this summer, following a great trip last summer and that is the only place we are repeating. It would likely mean a tweak to your plans and eliminating another stop, so it really depends on the type of sights you enjoy. Last trip we skipped BUnratty, Kilkenny and the Rock to allow for 2 days in Dingle, I don't regret it at all! This trip we are flying into Dublin and heading southwest to leave out of Shannon. We will end up hitting the Rock and Kilkenny this trip, but we were thankful to have saved all the extra driving on our last trip and enjoying the scenery in Dingle. You can easily spend the day driving the Dingle Peninsula loop Rick recommends. If you stay there the Greenmount House B&B is amazing! We are so disappointed it was already booked when we planned our return trip, but we've found a plan b and hope it can hold a candle to the Greenmount.