Ireland 9 days

This is definitely feasible. The only thing that worries me is it looks like you will be staying in a different place every night for the first six or seven days. It gets tiring having to find a new place each day, get settled, then pack up and leave the next morning. Also, you'll be doing a lot of driving. The driving distances look very manageable; it's just that you'll be doing it every day for a week. Have you done a trip like this before?

It will help that you are ending with three nights in Dublin. You will be happy to turn that car in, I bet!

Ireland is wonderful, and I love the places you have chosen to visit. I hope you have a great trip.

Looks good! We did a similar agenda last year, and as long as you don't mind a lot of driving, and moving around, it will work. One think I might suggest is spending two nights in Dingle. It is gorgeous and a nice place to just relax and take it all in.

Another suggestion is to stay in Kilkenny your first night. The drive from Dublin (via Glendalough) is not too bad and Kilkenny is a nice walk-able town with live music and good restaurants for your first night. It is also pretty close to Rock of Cashel.

Galway and Dingle have fantastic pubs with live music, so I suggest trying to catch some sessions while you're there.

I highly reccomend Newgrange, it's just amazing.

have fun!

Valerie: I too am going in March and my schedule looks pretty much like yours! Where are you flying out from? I'm in Seattle...flying out 3/17. St. Paddy's Day. CAN'T WAIT. :)

Hi

Looks ambitious but doable...

One thing to consider is that distance times in Ireland can be deceiving. Most roads are narrow 2 lane affairs and driving on the left can be tough to get used to.

Getting out of Dublin with your new car is going to be your biggest challenge =)

Take your time, I am happy to see someone taking the time to get a car and see Ireland the way its meant to be seen, In a car, not a bus seat.

A stop in Kilkenny...if possible, on your way to Rock of Cashel

A stop in Kenmare on way from Blarney to Dingle.

Extra day and overnite in Dingle is a decision that you won't regret!!!!!

eileen

One thing to consider other that what's been suggested already is to fly into or out of Shannon. If you flew into Dublin, you'd start with your tour backwards and fly out of Shannon spending your last night in Galway.

If you flew into Shannon, you'd go Galway, Dingle, Rock of Cashel, Blarney, Navan, drop the car outside Dublin (airport?) and finish with a couple of days in Dublin.

I'm considering the Shannon in, Dublin out and I'm interested in anyone's comments.

Here's a similarly aggressive itinerary that will lessen your one-night stays (I hate them). I threw in a day trip to Belfast or you can use that to add an additional night's stay in Galway or Dingle...or break up one of the long driving days

Day 1: To Cashel, via Glendalough

Day 2: To Dingle, via Blarney (personally, I'd skip Blarney)

Day 3: Dingle Loop

Day 4: To Galway, via Cliffs & Burren sights

Day 5: Galway (or, day trip to Aran Islands if you're up for it)

Day 6: To Dublin via Newgrange & Knowth

Day 7: Dublin

Day 8: Day trip to Belfast

Day 9: Dublin

Day 10: Depart

Valerie,
I love your determination to see so much of the country in basically what will be 8 days BUT I really think it's overly ambitious. Go on AA Ireland website and plug in your destinations. This website will honestly tell you how long it will take you to get from point a to b. You may need to cut out Galway or give yourself another night in Dingle. Don't forget you'll want to sit in a cozy pub in the evening with both your mother & daughter singing along to American Pie or Fields of Athenry. Give yourself a chance to do more than drive by. I think you will wind up spending at least 1/2 your trip in the car. Also, Galway, & Dingle are cities. Think about the traffic AND that Ireland is not all freeways. You will certainly get stuck behind a slow moving truck, bus, tractor, etc. Dingle is so spectacular you will see so much beauty there. And keep in mind, the Cliffs of Moher are incredible but on a foggy day you won't see them. Make sure you've got some room to breathe without an itinerary set in stone.

I like this kind of itinerary myself. I don't have a problem with the driving or relocating every day - I like to keep moving. You might be happier, however, adding an extra day in Dingle and surrounds and lose one in Dublin. Other than that, I think it looks very doable.