Having trouble with Ireland Plans

Looks good so far. Kilkenny isn't really very far from Cashel, though, and there isn't much to do in Cashel except see the Rock, so you might want to time your drive accordingly. Kenmare is a good choice for on the way to Dingle. And I'd suggest the Bunratty Castle area for your last night (we stayed at Dunedin Lodge). It's only six miles or so from the airport, and there are lots of B&Bs along the road behind the castle. There's also a very old pub there, as well as a little shopping center across from the castle.

I think this is a great itinerary, Tracey. I agree on Kilkenny/Cashel. You might consider Kinsale if you end up with an extra night. I did a trip almost just like this four years ago and loved it. Have fun!

I suggest staying at Abbey Court B&B in Kenmare. They have a wonderful apartment above their garage that has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths and a kitchen/living room. This worked so well for our family last summer. Having the extra space was a welcomed break from B&B's. Check out the reviews on Trip Advisor and you will see lots of photos.

On the day you leave Dublin , maybe stop and enjoy Kilkenny for a few hours then drive on to stay in Cashel. I can reccomend Joy's Rockside as a great place to stay in Cashel. Then stay the next 2 nights in Kenmare and next 2 in Dingle. The last night in Bunratty at Bunratty Castle Mews B&B.

Thanks everyone! I feel like I have a better feel on things and can relax a little more!

We really enjoyed staying at Tahilla Cove, a small hotel about six miles from Kenmare. It's right on the bay and convenient for both the Beara and the Ring of Kerry. The scenery in the Gap of Dunloe is beautiful, although the jogging cars are hard on the tailbone. We also enjoyed the medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle near Shannon, even though we usually dislike organized events. Kilkenny was interesting for a half-day (stayed at Butler House, which was the castle's dowager house). Dingle has interesting scenery and ruins to the west; great food at Doyle's. If you haven't yet bought your plane tickets, I would instead fly to Shannon and replace the Dublin days with time to see the Burren and /or Connemara and a day trip to the Aran Islands. These are just our opinions, based on four visits to Ireland. Send me a PM if you would like more details.

Thanks for your help everyone! After talking to the in-laws they want to bypass Dublin and go for the laid back version of Ireland. We are now going to fly in and out of Shannon with the same dates.

I know we want to see Dingle and Kenmare. We will stay in Bunratty before we fly out of Shannon. I would really like to see Cashel but is that too far out of the way?

Please let me know your thoughts on this!

I truly appreciate everyone's thoughts :)

It's only about three hours' drive from Kenmare (only an hour or so from Limerick) -- and you could see nearby Cahir Castle, too. If you want to take it slowly, you could stay overnight at Cashel, then head back west.

Cashel is very doable and I would put it on the must see list. If you like history, churches, or ruins, it is an amazing site.

Now that you'll spend the entire time in the SW, here's a possible revised itinerary for your trip. This would drop Kilkenny as it's a bit out of the way if you're not heading to Dublin.

9/4 Cashel (a leisurely day is good at the start) 9/5 Kinsale (great town on the south coast) 9/6 Kinsale/Cork/Cobh (choose your favoriate Cty Cork sites), stay in Kenmare 9/7 See the Ring of Kerry (gets poo pooed on this site by cynics but I thought it was majestic), stay in Kenmare 9/8 See Killarney Nat. Park, Head to Dingle 9/9 Dingle 9/10 Dingle 9/11 stay near Shannon 9/12 Leave

Whatever you do, enjoy your trip.