July- west Ireland w/18 yr old son

Posted by pehbwh on 03/14/17 04:19 PM

Hi I am taking my son to western Ireland in July on second leg of graduation gift (first part Italy). I was there 19 years ago nut would love recommendations. I guess I have to rent a car (Dooleys?). itinary not set in stone yet but thinking:

Dublin - 1.5 days (1 night - fly in midday first day)
Guinness, trinity, walk around city
Kilkenny 1 day -
kilkenny & urlingford ( my dads family from here: he passed away 3 yrs ago, was supposed to be on this trip w/us)
Galway - 2-3 days
galway & aran island / conamara / westford & head to cliffs of moher
Dingle 1-2 days
dingle peninsula drive & conner pass/ boat ride to islands
Killarney 2 days
killarney park / ROK (? may skip ring of kerry; never seen but not sure if too busy)/ walking around

Love any feedback or suggestions

Posted by Northwest adventurer

WA, USA

03/14/17 04:42 PM

330 posts

Hi,
Love your plan.
I basically did that same, but spent less time in Galway. The weather was not cooperating with us, so no Aran Islands. The cliffs of Moher were also not the best because of the weather- rain and lots of fog.
Loved Killarney Park. Great hikes.
Dingle so cute. Great pubs and food, fish was fantastic! Murphys ice cream is a must! Went horseback riding and kayaking. Lots of fun.

The one place that I went to additionally was to Portmagee. Got very lucky here with a boat tour to Skellig Michael Island. I only stayed one night, and was lucky the the weather was goid to get to the island. It was the most magical and memorable experience that I will remember for rest of my life.
The island was important to me for two reasons: the ancient monastery and to see the puffins up close.
I know several people on the boat were going there because the latest Star Wars film was filmed there.
The puffins are there from sometime in June and leave sometime in August. I was there in July.

Have a terrific adventure!

Posted by sharon

03/14/17 05:27 PM

1172 posts

Not sure if the above was your planned sequencing but in order to not have to double back,I would do
- Dublin
- Kilkenny
-Killarney
- Dingle
-Galway

Assuming that you have to make your way back to Dublin to fly home

Posted by pehbwh OP

03/15/17 05:03 PM

28 posts

Thank you for the advice! When did you go? we are going early to mid july. I hope the weather will cooperate a little - I do not want to be driving in bad weather. Is portmagee further out dingle pennisula - will have to check that out. What do you think of Ring of Kerry (I did not see it last time only dingle)?

Posted by pehbwh OP

03/15/17 05:05 PM

28 posts

Thanks for advice on route - we were planning to fly into Dublin from Italy (first leg of trip) and out of shannon; otherwise I would do in and out of shannon... just doing a day trip to dublin after kilkenny.

Posted by sharon

03/15/17 11:05 PM

1172 posts

We were there in Late July and had a beautiful day at the Cliffs but then two very rainy days in Galway that made it impossible to go to the Aran Islands.

We loved the Ring of Kerry and would highly recommend. Great places to stop along the way.