One week in Ireland with a 16 year old

Any reason not to return the rental car on Day 6 when you'll be seeing Dublin sights? Having a car in Dublin would just be a hassle, IMO.

What to see in Dublin in one day? Oh my. Of course everyone wants to see the Book of Kells, but if you do that it's basically half a day so you won't have time for much else. The National Museum - Archaeology has wonderful Viking & ancient Ireland exhibits. The Decorative Arts & History (also a branch of the National Museum, located on the Liffey across from the Guiness brewery) also has wonderful exhibits, focusing on the 1700s & 1800s and military history.

Or you could do the Dublin walking tour that starts at Trinity College -- a 16-yr-old probably eager to get out and stretch her legs. Caution with that, though! The tour is supposed to last 1 1/2 to 2 hours (I think), but ours stretched out to almost 3 hours before we had to peel off and get ready to go catch our flight!

If you are taking the fiddle, do not mention pub and fiddling. They may assume you are going to play for money and they will send her home on the next plane. Just say she is studying fiddling and is bringing it to continue practicing. If she can play decently, she could join in when the locals start to play. Of course, she will need to know the basic Irish songs.

Thank you, we are definitely not taking the fiddle! I just added that detail as a way to explain what she finds interesting.

I plan to keep the rental car because it wouldn't save me much money to take it back a day early and since we are staying in Howth it will be nice to have it for the drive to the airport on the last day.

I think we will skip the Book of Kells. Thinking about the EPIC Irish emigration Museum, or the archaeology museum. And of course just walking around looking at shops and things.

Also thinking about flying out to Inishmore for a day and skipping the Cliffs of Moher.

If she is a good fiddler, maybe someone at the pub might let her have a go? They would love it!

We took our grandson, 12 at the time. He enjoyed the Cliffs of M, he walked most of the way out to the tower you see when you look south. Part of the enjoyment was being close to the edge of the cliffs. Great place for pictures with the cliffs in the background.

If you are on the Dingle Peninsula drive over the Conner Pass, stop and climb up to the lake, great views.

Also consider the carriage ride and boat ride, Gap of Dunloe/Kate Kearney's Cottage.

If you want a few souvenirs walk along the beach and do a little stone collecting. We've only done this on the north side of the Dingle Peninsula but there are wonderful striped stones.

I would love to hear feedback of her impressions of what you end up seeing and doing after you get back, since I will be traveling with a group of young people next year. A couple of places that have popped up on the radar in research are: Clonmacnoise Monastery between Dublin and Galway; between Kenmare and Howth might be Rock of Cashel or Irish National Stud. We may sub in Glendalough instead of Rock of Cashel but it would be more out of the way for you.

hmcpeake, I think I could skip the Cliffs, but she would like to go, and since it's really her birthday gift, I guess we'll do it. ;) We've altered the itinerary a bit to take the ferry from Doolin out to Inis Oirr on Day 2, and will do the Cliffs on Day 3, on the drive down to Kenmare. That may not leave enough time for Bunratty, but I think if we see Muckross on Day 4, we'll get our castle/folk village fix?

Unfortunately I'm told the Irish dinner at Molly Gallivan's probably won't happen unless they get a big tour group booking in, so maybe Kate Kearney's instead?

Travelmom, I will let you know! I had also looked at Clonmacnoise for a stop on the way from Dublin over to Galway, but I think we might just do Athlone instead, since it's right on the route, halfway between. From what I can tell, Athlone Castle looks quite nice, and the town is supposed to be a nice place to walk around and stretch our legs.

Between Kenmare and Howth we are thinking about stopping either in Cashel or Cahir Castle. I suppose I need to check the open hours. Some of the castles close in Sept. or early Oct.

renee - I am also taking my daughter (and her friend) for a week (8 days) 9/30 - 10/8. for their 16th birthdays. I am making myself crazy trying to come up with an itinerary. I land in Shannon - trying to figure out if should go clockwise or counterclock wise. Want to see the Cliffs of Moher, Hogs head, St. Bridgets, Connor Pass, Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Stone, etc. Also to do horseback riding. I have myself going crazy trying to figure out how far is point A to B and where to stay and what places to stay more than 1 or 2 days. Good Luck!!
Patty O

We are flying into Belfast, renting a car there and then driving down to Ennis for 4 nights (cashed in timeshare points for this hotel), using that as a hub for day trips to Galway, and other points, then the 5th night in Dublin prior to returning to Belfast for the weekend to visit family.

Have read recommendations and look forward to checking them out and making a proper itinerary.