ireland advice please

You can get some first-hand hotel recommendations for Cong & the Shannon area on tripadvisor.com, if you haven't already checked it.

I haven't stayed near Cong, but I would recommend that you spend your last night in Bunratty. There are numerous B&Bs along the Bunratty Road behind the castle, and it's only 6 miles from the airport. Even if you have an early flight you have plenty of time for a good breakfast before topping off your gas tank, dropping off the car, and going to the airport. (Check with your rental company, but the one I use refunds your initial fuel charge if you bring the car back full instead of empty - worked out better costwise for us.)

As for the medieval banquet, I haven't done that either, though in a poll on the Irish Fireside website recently, medieval banquets as a whole were voted as the biggest "tourist trap". Some people love them, though.

We did the medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle near Shannon. (Travel guides seem to indicate all three of the ones in that area are similar.) We go out of our way to avoid "touristy" and group activities when we travel. However, we really enjoyed the banquet. Yes, it's silly to pretend you are living in the medieval era, but if you are willing to go along with it for a few hours, it's a lot of fun. The food was also better than we expected---nothing great, but definitely edible.

If Bunratty is not your speed, look into Ennis, a fun market town, about 24 km north of the airport, so not too far unless you are catching a really really early flight. There is a great city center walking tour you can get at the tourist info center. Also, Glor Irish Music Center is in Ennis, where you might be able to see a good concert or show.

I can recommend the Bunratty Haven in Bunratty. We stayed there last month. Also the Park Inn is as close to the teminal in Shannon as you'll find. It's right across the parking lot. Have fun!

Just got back from 15 days in Ireland a few days ago. Weather was awesome. Hope it holds up for you. I think you and your daughter may enjoy the music pubs in Doolin rather than Kinvara and the staged dinner the first night. Daly's B&B was great and a 5 minute walk to the pubs. Great hostess. We spent a few hours in Cong and it was nice. Avoid the Danagher Hotel though. Looked dumpy to stay at. I always spend the last night near Shannon Airport at Park House down the road from Bunratty Castle. Nice place and hosts. Durty Nelly's, right next to Bunratty Castle, is also a great restaurant and pub for the last night's dinner and music. Any questions....let me know.