Hello! I will be in Ireland March 25 - April 4 (9 days, 10 nights), and making my way clockwise around with a rented car. Aside from planning to set aside the final 2+ full days & 3 nights in Dublin (including hitting Bru na Boinne on the way into Dublin), I'm a bit at a loss of how to spread out the rest of my time, picking where to spend the night in, and what is really feasible in terms of getting around. I'd love to hit:
Rock of Cashel; Ring of Kerry (RS book seems to say Skellig Michael is not open in March?); Dingle; Cliffs of Moher; Aran Islands (is it worth trying to spend the night there in late March? And how realistic is it to try and leave from the Doolin ferry in March?)
I'm having a hard time figuring out where to stay exactly for those points of interest (I've been doing my research via both the RS book and these forums as to how much time is needed at each sight). Where should one bunker down for both the Rock of Cashel & Ring of Kerry (we had been considering Waterford (which seems to not be a high priority in many people's opinions on a trip this short) & Tralee (currently have booked the Ballyseede Castle Hotel)? But does one need to stay near Kenmare (or thereabouts) to do the Ring of Kerry?
Are there any cities I should consider that are not on my list? My mom would love to stay in a castle if possible at some point, but honestly we're not interested in spa/resort facilities - more for the ambiance if anybody has a different recommendation!
Thank you everyone for your help!