rough Republic of Ireland plus Derry/Giants Causeway Itinerary

For "Somewhere in Clare," take a look at Doolin, which I think is also an access point for Inishmor. Then try Clifden for Connemara instead of Galway (or instead of Westport). I liked Bushmills for GC/Antrim Coast area. OTOH, with a car you can stay anywhere that suits your needs and budget, so be sure to check nearby towns (e.g., Sneem instead of Kenmare). It's a long way from Westport to Letterkenny. Maybe somewhere on the other side of Donegal? I liked Killybegs (good access to Slieve League from both land and sea), but parking could be a challenge there.

The thing that worries me about your itinerary is that I think you'll have such a good time that you'll never want to go home again. My favorite part of Ireland was the people and luckily enough they are everywhere.

Happy travels.

I didn’t love Galway, so I wouldn’t feel bad about not having more time there. For photography, I much preferred Dingle and Howth.

Sounds like a great trip.

You might want to take a look at the Causeway Hotel. We are staying there in May. Someone from this forum, and I forgot who, recommended it to me. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Giants Causeway Visitor Center, and all guests receive free entry. The Bushmills Distillery is a 5-minute drive, and Dunluce Castle is less than 5 miles away.
https://thecausewayhotel.com/

In Doolin, we are staying at the Atlantic View House.

In Clifden, we are staying at the Quay House, recommended by a friend.
https://thequayhouse.com/

@ kmkwoo, looks like you've picked some lovely places to stay. Thanks for sharing!

I think I'm close. I so appreciate all the input! OK, refined itinerary
Kilkenny--2 nights
Kinsale--2 nights
Kenmare--3 nights
Dingle Town--2 or 3??
Doolin--3 nights ? (visiting Inishmor from here)
Clifden--2 nights
Killybegs--2 nights (Slieve League Cliffs)
Letterkenny--2 nights (see Fanad Head and Malin Head)
Bushmills--2 nights (visit Derry on the way from Letterkenny, Giants Causeway)
Howth--1 night
Dublin--3 nights

Does it make sense to do 3 nights in Dingle Town and in Doolin? Or am I short somewhere else? I'm still going thru my guidebooks to make sure I'm able to get to the sights we are interested in.

I've mapped out Fanad Head and Malin Head from Letterkenny. Looks like a 4 hour car journey and utilizes a ferry from Rathmullen. Does this sound like a doable day? Anything I need to know about the ferry? Subject to closure due to rough water? Need reservation? Expensive? or?

I don't believe you need to use the ferry- I've visited both Fanad Head and Malin Head from the Letterkenny area without taking a ferry. I suppose it can cut down on some of the driving time to Malin Head but it's not necessary.

If you're going to Malin Head, I really recommend the nearby Doagh famine village: https://doaghfaminevillage.com/

It's a bit like an open air museum, I really learnt a lot during our visit.

I did not use the ferry to visit the lighthouses but I also haven't done them on the same day (different days.) I might swap one night at Killybegs for another in Letterkenny. You can than easily (and more leisurely) visit both lighthouses as well as many other scenic places. I'll also add that while I love Howth (it is so great!) I might suggest you spend your one night in Malahide (equally as charming but much more convenient to airport car drop off and more north than Howth.) Just a suggestion...
Your itinerary looks fantastic and I'm sure you will have a great time on your trip! Please do a trip report when you are done to let us know how it went. :-)

Thanks Cat and Kim!

Is Howth easily visited on foot? Just trying to decide to what day to return the car.

Looking at staying at Derwent Lodge for my Dublin nights, about a 10 minute bus ride to Dublin city center, looks charming, calmer, and much less expensive than city center. Seems a little sad to not be in a city when visiting it, but the lodge looks quite appealing. Thoughts?

@Kim, Malahide does look more convenient

Howth is very easy to get around on foot (in fact, walking is the best part)- and it's on the Dart so it's easy to get into Dublin on public transport.

Howth is easily visited on foot. The exception may be to Howth castle, which is a bit of a walk from the main part of town (but not drastically so.)

Re. Malahide. Booking isn't showing many places to stay. Any recommendations?

As a photographer, consider this:

Howth is generally superior for dramatic, scenic photography, offering
rugged cliff walks, a bustling fishing harbor, and lighthouse views.
Malahide is better for charming village scenes, a marina, and
historical shots, highlighted by Malahide Castle and its gardens.

I was much more charmed by Howth.

Some hotel feedback...

Just stayed at these two:

Clontarf Castle near Dublin airport (15 minute drive) and I believe it's also close to Howth. We uber-ed to near trinity for dinner and it wasn't outrageous - 19euro? We could've walked to train from there but it was about 20 minutes. Convenient to car return at the airport. Good parking lot, nice breakfast 15 euro each more.

Base Dingle - brand new, clean and walkable to all the pubs/restaurants and waterfront. I personally love a hotel without carpeting and super sleek surfaces. I'm a fan of Hilton Tru and this was similar. No breakfast and no parking but I would stay there again. We had no issues with street parking but we were off high season.

I'd skip staying in Howth and do the day trip on the train from Dublin. That way you will be able to pick the best weather day of 4. We did the Cliff Walk and watched the porpoises all the way. It was one of the best days of 18 in Ireland.

Thank you mcm

@Mnannie, makes sense. Do you think the weather forecasts for Howth are pretty reliable?

@Mnannie, makes sense. Do you think the weather forecasts for Howth are pretty reliable?

It worked for us:)

We stayed on our own in Dublin for 5 days before we joined a Vagabond tour. We had great weather for the first week of the tour, but the guide kept saying week two was going to be rough with the remnants of Hurricane Dorian coming our way (he wasn't wrong). The biggest disappointment was we couldn't get to Skellig Michael (instead we saw a movie about it). By the end of the tour EVERYONE had purchased rain pants.

If you like a little adventure, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is fun.

Rain pants already on the list! Also, my Eddie Bauer Rainier pants.

Regarding, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. I've marked it with my Giants Causeway notes. My husband is not going to be thrilled. He'll do it if the views, etc., on the other end are interesting. What are your thoughts?

mnannie, do you have to make reservations in advance to walk across the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge?
Thanks.