Thoughts Please

I would suggest that you remain flexible as weather is going to be a big factor and also shorter days. We went in July and the ROK was very foggy and we were unable to see the Cliffs of Kerry. Also, the ROK takes a FULL day!! We only made 4 stops and we left at 8 and did not return backbto our hotel until 5:30pm.
We enjoyed our stay outside Killarney in Agrahdoe at Killeen House Hotel. Pub and restaurant on site and both very good. The location puts you out of the crazy downtown Killarney area.

Driving times in Ireland are 30%+ longer than listed on driving apps....there are many reasons for this but it's true.......and that doesn't even include stops for food, gas etc. Also the goal should be, yes, to see a lot but more importantly to experience Ireland and that requires a calm pace and time to linger a bit and allow time for self discovery. The pull to see more, or the so called next "must see" is huge....I know, it made our first trip to Ireland a hectic, tiring unproductive mess. We saw a lot and enjoyed and remember little. One of the truisms of Ireland is less is more......way more.

So that being said.....your day two is way too much....unless you almost literally run through them it not only is to much but shouldn't even be attempted. You have 11 things planned...even if they were in a row next to each other it would be way too much. Glendalough, the monastic ruins and if weather permits the brief walk to the lakes is one of Ireland's absolute gems and should be explored and lingered over. Please cut out many many things.....you can't see everything and trying is exceptionally self defeating. You can still see loads of amazing things but interact with the amazing Irish people and really see and delve into these sights.

For example right near Glendalough we stopped at a little shop/gas station for a fill up and ended up talking with the owner and she loaded us down with gifts of her homemade baking...delicious tarts and pastry and we got a tip for a farmer friend of hers....drove over and saw him moving his sheep with his sheep dogs (better even than Kissane sheep farm), got to help and had tea and some of her pastries with this amazing man. We aren't outgoing people but this -can- happen all the time in Ireland with their amazing people if you aren't busy racing around. I wouldn't trade those memories for seeing any sight in Ireland.

As to specifics....skip Blarney. It's on Rick Steves top ten tourist traps in all Europe for good reason. Waste of time better spent elsewhere. It has nice/okay grounds but there are many many better castles throughout Ireland. Also the time of year you are going the days are short and the weather can be problematic so allow time for altering plans. The ROK and either Beara to the south of the incredible Dingle/Slea Head area to the north can fill weeks with spectacular memories....I'd concentrate on those and skip the long drive up to Moher. You won't miss a thing....Cliffs of Kerry far better than Moher, Ross Castle, ring forts, Gap of Dunloe, Ladies View, the views near Caherdaniel, Skellig Michael, Muckross House and much much more all right there. No need for extra long drives.

It's great to have a list of fun options of things to see like you do......Just don't even slightly worry - or try - to see them all. Every day pick 2 maybe 3 things you really want to see and enjoy...if you end up with extra time Great.....if not you'll have life memories in abundance. Magic is around almost every corner in Ireland....is you allow time to find it.

Have a great trip - Ireland is awesome any time of year.

ewewool is spot on with her advice.

I went to the Cliffs of Moher on a warm sunny August day and the wind was very brisk - glad I had a jacket with me. Two of my most memorable hours in 18 days in Ireland were one-hour conversations in pubs, once with Dubliners in Galway and once in Dublin with a woman from Belfast. Ireland is absolutely the best place to chat with locals and get insights into their lives and views on many issues.

Thank you all for your input! Great ideas and advice!

Ewewoolknit....

I knew day 2 was a bit much...

Are you suggesting that we drive straight through from Bray to Killarney after taking in Glendalough? I am not sure how long the drive is, but was originally thinking of stopping overnight somewhere in between for a break and to start taking in some beauty.

I agree with skipping Blarney and Cliffs of Moher.

I'm not sure why all the talk here of late about skipping the Cliffs of Moher. It's a unique place, and well worth seeing. Just because there's a "better" look at cliffs elsewhere doesn't mean Moher is not a stunning sight and a worthwhile stop. We stopped late one afternoon-no buses present and probably a half dozen people in all were there. The wind was absolutely howling, blue sky with some clouds, the Atlantic was churning-a breathtaking dose of nature. The five or six shops there were interesting in the way they had been let in to the hillside so as to be less obtrusive-very tasteful, and same for the small visitors center. Better is subjective, I cannot imagine driving by these cliffs without stopping.

My two cents.

The Cliffs of Moher are beautiful. Well worth seeing. Personally I can live without the mini strip mall and the often present tour buses and tourist legions. If you are in the area and can pick a time outside of tour bus lines it's definitely worth it. What is not worth it is to spend the better part of a day driving to see them when you would be right next to cliff sights that many if not most find far more wild, non touristy, beautiful and prettier.........which then frees up hours to explore other amazing sights nearby rather than the inside of a car. It isn't anti Cliffs of Moher per say - though there are drawbacks - Moher is beautiful - it's that there are options that greatly maximize time and enjoyment.

I would stop on the drive after Glendalough, no need to hurry - plenty of wonders to see. You have a great list of things to see to pick from.....Just avoiding the drive to do them all is the key. Be satisfied with all the magical spots you will find and explore, find your own gems, interact with the people and soak in Ireland. You'll get to plenty of amazing things and ad those "little" moments that truly fill your trip with memories that beautifully haunt you the rest of your lives.

Waaay too much on day 2.

Eire is about slowing down and embracing the beauty of the Irish, history and natural beauty. You may have to embrace the rain as well. Dress in layers.

Day 2 Maybe: Early start, forget Powerscourt and head straight to Glendalough through the Wicklow mountains and Sally Gap. GORGEOUS! From Glendalough to Jerpoint Abbey, then Rock Of Cashel, then to Kinsale to spend the night.

Remember weather might dictate you route(s) and site seeing. Be flexible. Look for brown signs hanging out in front of people’s homes. They indicate those are places you can find room for the night.

Pace yourselves. Meander. Enjoy the beauty and the reality you are on vacation!!!

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.
We agreed to each pic a couple things that are our MUST see's for each day. This should help to cut things out and make it more enjoyable.

Just curious, we were going to skip Blarney castle area this trip, should we still stay in Kinsale? Or another area that would be closer to Kenmore?

Kinsale is a very pretty area.....lots of nice things to see and do around there. I would look online at the many things to see in the area and see if it's worth it for your interests to divide your time going there.

There are numerous things to see from the Kenmare/Sneem/Waterville area.....or north of Killarney from a spot like Castlemaine/Kilorglin/Glenbeigh - all well located for great access to the ROK - the Skellig Ring - Dingle/Slea Head just to the north, the sites near Killarney or wonderful Beara to the south. Personality we loved locating near Kenmare - seeing the south side of the ROK, stuff near Killarney and Beara.....then shifting just north to Castlemaine and enjoying the Skellig Ring/ north side ROK and incredible Dingle. Months of things to see and do..