We leave for our first visit to Ireland soon (!) and I'm looking for best-loved drives, hikes, sightseeing, music and food spots. I love finding local spots off the beaten path that are as good or better than crowded tourist picks. I'm usually willing to brave one or two "must sees" with crowds (i.e. Cliffs of Moher this trip) but generally prefer places with fewer tour buses and lines.
And anything that you think I should be aware of for better or worse based on my plan and where we're staying (which is obviously set at this point)...
Here's the itinerary right now:
Sun Arrive Dublin 2 pm, drive Trim, stay Trim
Mon Trim Castle, Glendalough, stay Kilkenny
Tues Kilkenny castle, drive Glengariff, stay Glengariff
Wed & Thurs Stay Glengariff: Day trip to Crookhaven (eat Crookhaven Inn) Ring of Kerry? Skellig Ring? Three Castle Head hike?Other ideas?
Fri Drive Dingle, stay Dingle: Best route from Glengariff? Through Kenmare and past Killarney Nat'l Park or a longer coastal route?
Sat Stay Dingle
Sun Drive Liscannor, stay three nights
Mon Cliffs of Moher
Tues Aran islands if the weather is good? (Poet's Corner Bar in Ennis)
Wed Hawk Walk and tea Ashford Castle, stay Kinvara
Thurs Drive to Dublin, whiskey tasting Tullamore Dew en route, drop car at airport: My birthday! Where to eat & hear music? stay Dublin
Fri Stay Dublin (Book of Kels, Old Trinity Library, not sure what else yet..need to review my RS book)
Fri Fly out at 3 pm