One Week Itinerary

Personally I’d skip the Cliffs of Moher and see the Kerry cliffs at portmagee.

Far less touristy, just as interesting and close to Dingle.

Don’t short change Dingle and when seeing Killarney National Park add the Gap Of Dunloe to Your itinerary.

It doesn't make sense to go from Dingle to the Cliffs of Moher and then back down to Killarney. I agree that the Kerry cliffs are spectacular, and that it makes sense to visit there instead, but I would also suggest the Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs on Valentia Island. It's only about a 20 minute drive from the Kerry Cliffs, and it offers up sweeping views of the entire area.

Not to rewrite your itinerary, but I'd do the Kerry cliffs, etc. on Thursday. Friday morning I'd head north and take the ferry from Tarbert to Killimer (it's a two hour drive from Killarney). From there I'd head west to the Kilkee Cliffs, Bridges of Ross, Loop Head, and then head towards Shannon to set myself up for my flight from Shannon the next day. The Kilkee Cliffs, Bridges of Ross and Loop Head are relatively unknown in the world of Rick Steves, but I assure you, they're spectacular (google image them....you'll see what I mean).

Hope this helps.

-Russ

I'm thinking reverse Thurs. and Friday. It makes more sense to see sights near Killarney before heading north.

To further reduce backtracking, you could also see those sights between Kinsale and Dingle. They'll take up a day, Wednesday, then end in Dingle where you can start the next morning.

I can't weigh in on cliffs. My plan is to see the Kerry cliffs near Portmagee this trip and skip Moher (mostly to avoid crowds at Moher). I've only been to Ireland once and didn't see either the first trip.

Kinsale is as nice a place as any to just spend the night, but I hope you'll also have time for either the Charles Fort, or Don & Barry's morning history stroll, if not both.

We spent 2 weeks this past June. Our trip was reverse, starting out in Shannon. (Which looking back now was so smart because it was easy to adjust to driving!!!) I agree with the other post about rearranging your days so you don't backtrack. Based on the reading and hours of researching and reading travel blogs and our SHORT time of two weeks, we took off the Cliffs of Moher. We did do the Cliffs of Kerry, and I would head back to that part of the country in a heartbeat!

THANK YOU all for your replies and suggestions, much appreciated. I had set up Thurs & Friday as "switchable" days depending on the weather because I read the weather can affect your views of the Cliffs. But it sounds as though if I stay more south and do Kerry Cliffs I won't be backtracking and will do more sightseeing. This is our first trip to Ireland and I will have many more questions (especially about driving), but first the itinerary.

I thought about staring in Shannon and ending in Dublin, but we are visiting with a friend that is working in Ireland for a year, so need to be in Dublin for a "full" weekend.

You won't be disappointed! I really read so many post before we even started planning our trip. As you read, you realize that many people say to slow down and relax. I did realize that we had too many things packed into our 2 weeks and I did cut back on things. It truly turned out to be our best trip ever. Don't miss Skellig Chocolate factory! The best champagne truffle know to man!!!!