Itinerary for a Week in Ireland - with a car...

Day 5 seems very long. I would suggest spending two nights in Dingle and less time in Dublin.

On Day 4 what will you do if it rains or is foggy that day? There is nothing to see on the Ring of Kerry if that happens, so you should have an alternative activity in mind (and it's Kenmare, not Kenmore). Day 5 will be very long. Dingle to the Cliffs is at least a four hour drive, then time to see the Cliffs and the Burren, then another drive on to Galway. You might want to stay in Doolin that night to enjoy music in the pubs, and then go on to Galway the next day. Have you thought about flying into Shannon (or out of Shannon) instead of circling back to Dublin?

Thank you! Yes, I met Kenmare - must have had Sears appliances on my mind. ;-) Your comments are in line with what I was thinking - either another night in Dingle or a pit-stop in Doolin. Thanks for your thoughts...

Personally would skip Ring of Kerry and just focus on Dingle which we think is far superior but that is just our opinion. As Nancy said, if you haven't booked tickets yet suggest you start out in Shannon and end up in Dublin. Very disappointed with Doolin. When we were there about ten years ago it was quaint, each time we have gone back it has gotten more crowded and not as enjoyable. Last time there in October we had to wait twenty minutes to get out of the car park while two tour buses let out passengers. Of course that was during the day so nighttime might be less crowded.

I love the route you have in mind. A few things I would suggest doing when you get to Kilkenny is find the hole in the wall pub. It's so small, but they have great live music and drinks. Kinsale is a vey cute fisherman's village, though the traffic in Cork to get there is a handful sometimes. I personal didn't find West Cork all that amazing, that said the Beara Peninsula hands down is breath taking. Do the Healy Pass over the tunnel into Kenmare. I can see why people enjoy the Ring of Kerry but depending on the time of year you go, it can feel a lot like Disneyland with all the tourist buses. So I'd skip it all together and drive the mountain pass from Kenmare to Killarney and on ward to Kilorglin. This brings you right up the Dingle Peninsula. For Dingle beside the great pubs, Slea Head and Connor Pass are worth the time to see. One night there is perfect. You can drive the rest in that day, my only concern is that you have to pay now for the cliffs, which means they have hours now. Doolin has nothing going on unless you hit the jazz concert season. The new motor ways in Ireland are so easy to drive (they have tolls on them) it's nothing to drive from Galway to Dublin. If you really only want to stay in Galway one night, I'd skip it all together. Galway and the northern area (Connemara) is a trip in of it's self. Plus paying for parking there is crazy. Pick a town in the Burren.

I have driven on several motorways in Ireland and have never encountered a toll except on the ring road around Dublin.

Thanks everyone. If we decided to stay outside Galway and closer to or in the Burren, is there a particular town you enjoy? Kinvarra? Thinking about doing the castle banquet there already.

This website list all the tolls points in Ireland as of right now.
http://www.mydiscoverireland.com/blog/2010/04/14/toll-fees-and-locations-in-ireland/
I count 12 total.

We did a 14 day TAUCK Tour of Ireland, in 2012. We spent two nights at each hotel. Ireland was beyond fantastic. Our tour group included 24 people. We all loved visiting and spending two nights at the Ashford Castle. The castle and hotel grounds were breathtaking. It is the former summer home of the Guinness Beer Family. I don't know if it is located on your route, but we totally recommend it. Our tour group got off our coach and got on a boat. Our boat went along some waterway for about 30 minutes. Then we were met by a bagpiper. He played his music and escorted us on our walk across a bridge and into the castle. It was really nice.

Hey Lisa

Your agenda is very close to what I mapped out for the end of April 2014.

•Day 1 - Arrive in Dublin, rent car and drive to Cashel - spend night
•Day 2 - Drive to Blarney - spend night in Kinsale
•Day 3 - Drive to Shannon, visit pottery place that sells to QVC on St Paddys day, drive on to Liscannor to catch boat ride to see 'Cliffs' from a boat. . Spend night in Ballyvaughn
•Day 4 - 2-3 hr walk on the Burren, dinner at Castle Dungauire, night in Kinvara
•Day 5 - see the one of those limestone caves, drive to Galway, visit Crossfit gym, shop, dinner with relatives, night in hotel)
•Day 6-7 - Back to Dublin and return car. Taxi to hotel on Northside. (2 nights in Dublin)
•Days 8 - Dublin to USA

..and I am exhausted already!!

How was Dublin? I really want to see Book of Kells and have a pint where my grandfather used to imbibe his drink. :-)