help planning our last few days - Rock of Cashel or Dingle Peninsula

You'll be closer to the airport in Bunratty than you will be in Ennis. It's only six miles from the airport, and some lodgings have shuttle services. Either Cashel or Dingle would be a good destination, but I think I would tend to go with Dingle since you will have two full days. The only thing to see in Cashel is the Rock, and I doubt that there is much availability of nearby places without a car. In Dingle you could arrange a tour so that you can take the drive, and there is much more to do there.

I would choose Dingle over the Rock of Cashel.

I made two trips to Ireland where I got around by bus and train. Have you checked into the transportation between Galway and Dingle? It might take you a whole day to get down there, and another to get back. As entertaining as bus travel can be, spending 2 of the last 4 days of your vacation that way might be too much. If you find transportation is available, I think Dingle would be better -- getting to Cashel would be more difficult, unless things have changed A LOT.

Another day tour available from Galway is to the Connemara region. Or, instead of Dingle, maybe take a bus up and stay in Clifden. Lovely village on a bay, view of mountains. Guided walking trips. I've heard nice things about this place:
http://www.buttermilklodge.com/local-attractions/

I have stayed in both Bunratty and Ennis the night before flying out. Either one is a short cab ride from the airport. (I've never felt like struggling with a bus to the airport, but they do exist.) So, it depends on what you are looking for. If you want to do Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, stay in Bunratty. If not, Ennis has pubs, restaurants, shops, and is known for music.

Have a great time!

I would choose Dingle over Cashel if limited to those two, but Marsha makes a good point about travel. You enough time to Dingle and still get to Ennis (or Bunratty) by Thursday evening, but it is a fair bit of travel.

Thank you all for your suggestions. We are now thinking of spending our last night in Adare which looks charming though a little further to the airport than Ennis. I think we have decided without a car that Dingle will take too much travel time. I believe we can travel by bus from Galway to Cahir, which is approximately 15 minutes from Cashel, in approx. 4 hours.

That's not a bad ride at all. My bus trip from Kilkenny to Cashel took longer, and it is much closer! The bus trip between Cahir and Cashel is just a short hop. I have been to Cashel twice and would happily go again. If you go, be sure to walk down from The Rock to visit the ruins of Hore Abbey as well (if you like ruins, that is). Cahir Castle is also very interesting. Adare did not charm me, but perhaps I didn't give it enough of a chance. You will have to go through Limerick to reach the airport and could run into traffic, although you will not be going until after morning rush, I think...?

Barbara, I was disappointed in Adare. It has some really great houses, but there's a really busy road that runs right through the town and kills the whole atmosphere IMO.

Dingle is wonderful if you can manage to get there in a reasonable time frame.

Thanks for your thoughts on Adare. I think we are back to Ennis for our last night. Unfortunately Dingle will have to wait until our next trip. It was just too much travel time for really only a day there. We are going to stay one more night in Galway. Since we are doing two day tours, we will have not had any time in the town itself. Then we are going to leave in the morning by bus to Cashel and stay the night there. Thank you all for your help.

I hope you have a great trip! I feel sure you will.

Barbara, We just got back from Ireland a few days ago. Dingle is so beautiful and I loved the Blasket Islands. Try and take a ferry out to them it was great. In Dingle we stayed at a nice B&B called Duinin. Pat and Anne are very nice hosts. Have fun!! Sara

More to do on Dingle. Great fresh fish!