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Itinerary Review Please?

Hi! Would love your thoughts on my schedule below for our April/May 2024.

Notes:
- Cannot adjust length due to flights + obligations. Flying into Dublin and out of Shannon.
- We travel very light, 1x carry on each. In good health (40 & 70) and we like to walk/move a lot. We are not drinkers but we'll enjoy a pint here and there. We get up early (7am).
- We love nature but do enjoy a blend of city/countryside on a trip.
- I tried to eliminate some driving by taking the train from Dublin to Killarney and then getting the car. No driving fears however. Would this leg be better driven? Rock of Cashel was what I would add, but didn't think it was necessarily worth it to have to drive IN Dublin and the distance.
- Could eliminate Inis Mor and check out Galway instead for a day trip?

THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE!

Fly into Dublin: Arrive 8:15am
4/29 (Monday) DAY ONE (STAY IN DUBLIN): Stroll, walk, adjust. Dublin Castle to St Patrick’s Cathedral to Christchurch Cathedral (~15 min walk), Trinity College & Library, etc.
ACCOMODATIONS Staunton on the Green https://www.stauntonsonthsgreen.ie/

4/30 (Tuesday) DAY TWO (STAY IN DUBLIN)
Stroll, enjoy, see what we are in the mood for. Will buy tix in advance once we settle on must-sees.
(Ideas) https://freetoursbyfoot.com/self-guided-dublin-tour/, Little Museum, Gaol, Storehouse, Museum, Park, Grafton. Evening: Celtic Nights Irish Dance Show
ACCOMODATIONS Staunton on the Green https://www.stauntonsonthsgreen.ie/

5/1 (Wed) DAY THREE (STAY IN KILLARNEY):
9:00am Train Dublin Heuston to Killarney. 1 change (10 min), arrive 12:19 Killarney. Get rental car / Lunch, ~2:00pm; E-Bike Tour of Killarney National Park (3 hours), Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, Muckross Abbey, Gap of Dunloe
ACCOMODATIONS Killarney Lodge Guesthouse

5/2 (Thurs) DAY FOUR (STAY IN DINGLE)
Breakfast & walk around Killarney; St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney Falconery (1 Hour) or Horseback Riding (1 Hour). Afternoon Scenic Drive to Dingle (<2 hours). Check in / Dinner
ACCOMODATIONS Emlagh House https://www.emlaghhouse.com/

5/3 (Fri) DAY FIVE (STAY IN DINGLE)
Drive/Sightsee Slea https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/slea-head-drive/
ACCOMODATIONS Emlagh House https://www.emlaghhouse.com/

5/4 (Sat) DAY SIX (Drive to & STAY IN DOOLIN)
2.5 Hours drive, Take Talbert Car Ferry; runs north on the half hour (saves 2 hours driving – see alternative thought below)
Stop at Kilkee Cliffs, Lahinch Beach, if weather allows hike around Cliffs of Moher // Google Guerin's Path $5 cash to walk. In between OBriens Tower and Mohers Tower
ACCOMODATIONS Doolin Inn https://www.doolininn.ie/

5/5 (Sun) DAY SEVEN (STAY IN DOOLIN)
Boat / Island / Cliffs Tour
Doolin to Inis Mor: leaves 10:00am (35 min ride), returns 4:00pm
---Boat & Island Tour for 4 hours--- Rick Steves Minivan Tour?
ACCOMODATIONS Doolin Inn https://www.doolininn.ie/

5/6 (Mon) DAY EIGHT (Drive to Shannon for flight)
Up early, 1.5 hours to Airport, 12:30pm flight

Posted by
3560 posts

I have spent time in both Dingle and Killarney. I would not recommend staying in one to see the other. They are not close to each other at all! The drive is along a narrow and windy road. Overnight at least 2 nights in each place. You can stop at Inch beach to break up the drive. Let me know if you have further questions.

Posted by
8 posts

Thanks for your reply Tammy! We are staying in Killarney over one evening and two in Dingle. Given that I can’t change the duration of my travels, are you saying you would skip Killarney? That would put me three nights in dingle, which I think is far too long.

Posted by
8 posts

Killarney was the shortest day, but our total time there will be a full day+. Rick, Steve says to skip it all together but I really thought we would enjoy the scenery there!

Posted by
3560 posts

Also, I highly recommend the Gaol tour in Dublin, but not sure at this late date you will be able to get tickets. It often sells out.

Posted by
3560 posts

Day 3-I would not plan this much for that day. It’s a travel day. Yes, you will have time for something, but not everything on your list. Everything always takes longer than you think.

I had my kids with me, so we liked Killarney NP, especially the jaunting carts with the horse. But the town of Killarney is very touristy and definitely not my favorite. We stayed in Agadough, just outside the town of Killarney.

Posted by
8 posts

We really enjoyed Staunton. We had a room on the first floor, and the door was soundproofed so it was very quiet. Extremely spacious. Beautifully decorated (nice touches like chocolates, candle, radio playing upon arrival, nice scent without being over bearing). Small-ish bathroom but overall thought the location was perfect and it was a good value! Very comfy beds. Didn't eat the breakfast.

Posted by
3125 posts

Thanks! That's one of the hotels I'm looking at for next year.