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Needing help making a couple of choices on our 14 night trip

Hi! We will fly into Dublin and out of Shannon. We will have a rental car and are arriving on July 20th for 14 nights. I need some help with some parts of my itinerary. We prefer smaller towns and want to do lots of sightseeing and hiking/walking.

Dublin 2 nights

Kilkenny 1 night-- do I need 2 nights?

*Kinsale or Cobh 1 night--keep or drop for more nights on western side?

Kenmare or Killarney 3 nights

Dingle 3 nights *or** Dingle 2 and Doolin 1

*Cliften or somewhere else near Galway 3 nights

Shannon 1 night--early morning flight

Questions--

  1. Should I skip Kinsale or Cobh and add the night somewhere else on the western side? If so, where?

  2. Should I stay in Dingle for 3 nights or Dingle 2 and Doolin 1?

  3. Suggestions for the 3 nights before Shannon- looking at Clifden

Thanks in advance for any help!

Posted by
3227 posts

First off this is a great start on a very doable itinerary!

1. Stay in Dingle for 3 nights, as you would not be able to do much in the Doolin area with only a one night stay.
2. Clifden is a great choice! Stayed there for 3 nights myself!
3. I suggest making a stop in Kilkenny, but then moving on to Kinsale for 2 nights.
Hope this helps, have a great time!

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks for the reply!

I'm thinking of dropping Kinsale and adding a night to Doolin. Not sure if that is the way to go or not.

Posted by
359 posts

A busy but reasonable itinerary. Personally I'd spend a bit longer in fewer places as there is so much to see in each area.....but thankfully you aren't racing through one night stays all over. It's doable and reasonable.

The basics of the Dingle Peninsula can be done in two days. You could easily and fruitfully spend longer but two days will do. If you go to Doolin I'd do two nights....So you can have one day at the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren and on the other day a possible day trip to the Aran Islands.

On the ROK.....I strongly urge Kenmare, Sneem or Waterville over Killarney. Killarney is a major tourist trap/hub....on Ricks top ten in all of Europe. There are really great things to see right near Killarney but the town itself is best avoided for stays. The others will provide a wonderful Irish village/town experience.

Kinsale is a very nice place but not worth the time lost driving for a one night stay. If you stay in Kenmare you could use that day to easily explore a bit of the Beara peninsula or more time on the VERY worthy ROK and Skellig Ring area.

Minimize the driving when possible. You've put together a good plan. You'll see tons and not get too overextended. Just avoid the temptation to try adding one more thing, one more sight.....it is so counterproductive. You'll find tons of stuff to do and see in each area......your personal finds WILL be the highlight far more than the big sights. Time, allowing interactions with locals is a key. And ask the folks about things they recommend......we ended up seeing or going to our favorite trip spots as a result.

Also......nothing wrong at all with the Cliffs of Moher, they are beautiful.......but very touristy. If you are looking for wild, non touristy totally gorgeous cliff scenes........like in novels or the movies .....keep in mind the Cliffs of Kerry near Portmagee or the Cliffs of Kilkee in Clare are FAR superior to Moher.....and you'll be right near both.

Have a GREAT trip. Your itinerary is solid....you should be able to find the magic !!!!

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks for all the information. I have decided to drop Kinsale. I will do 2 in Dublin, 1 in Kilkenny, 3 in Kenmare, 3 in Dingle, 3 in Clifden, and 1 in Shannon before early flight home,

I have one extra night. I'm still thinking about 1 in Doolin as the drive plus sights from Dingle to Clifden seems like a really long day. Any opinions or alternatives on that plan?

Posted by
72 posts

Ennis would also be a nice place to stop for one night. It’s a very busy little town with a good selection of places to shop, eat or have a pint.