I'm traveling with my mother at the end of April 2018 and I'm looking for advice on our itinerary. She has always wanted to go to Ireland, but has no strong opinions on how we spend our time beyond wanting to be in the country, interacting with locals, hearing traditional music, and not being interested in Dublin or any of the other cities. I'm hoping to plan a pace that is a bit more relaxed, so I need advice on whether or not the distribution of these nights makes sense or whether I should reconfigure things before I start to book lodging. The main question I have is - should we spend 2 nights in Cashel or Kilkenny OR 2 nights in Portmagee or Kenmare? Or am I totally off-track and we should hit up the south coast?? :)
Day 1 - arrive Dublin in the morning, pick up car and drive to Trim. Stay in Trim
Day 2 - visit Bru na Boinne first thing, then drive to Cashel or Kilkenny - with stops at Kells Priory & Jerpoint Abbey. Stay in Cashel (or Kilkenny)
Day 3 - visit Rock of Cashel (and leftover sights from Day 2 that we didn't get to and/or Muckcross House/Farm), drive to Kenmare or Portmagee
Day 4 - partial Ring of Kerry, hang at beach, night in Portmagee
Day 5 - complete Ring of Kerry and drive to Dingle, stay in Dingle
Day 6 - Dingle, stay in Dingle
Day 7 - Dingle, stay in Dingle
Day 8 - make our way back towards the airport - any suggestions for stops? Stay in Trim again?
Day 9 - depart Dublin airport midday
Thanks in advance for your advice!