Ireland by Car - Itinerary Check

Does Boyne Valley include Newgrange? I hope it does because it's a great site.

Can you make time in Dublin for a literary pub crawl one night and maybe a trad music pub crawl a second night?

One monastic settlement is good, seeing two probably isn't worth the time.

I think it sounds like a great trip. And I don't see any problems with the pacing at all. Unless you've already made B&B reservations, you might be interested in staying in Lahinch instead of Lisdoonvarna. It's a really cute coastal town with a beautiful beach. And it has become sort of a surf mecca in recent years (we even saw people surfing in February!).

It would be nice to know how much time to devote to each "event" along the way. Rick's Guide gives a lot of info, but I don't have a good grasp of how long Powerscourt takes, for example. An hour? Two? A few places obviously need more time to appreciate, the Cliffs of Moher comes to mind. But do I need 2-3 hours at Cahir Castle? I just don't know. We don't want to just breeze in and out of places that deserve to be savored, but we also want to see as many unique places as possible...

You're going to be tired when you arrive on the 16th and whatever you see will be dreamlike. I think this is too rushed. Keep in mind the driving times are X2

Not saying it's not possible, just that you have to take it all in and it takes time

Edward, the "long" walk through the gardens at Powerscourt takes about 40 minutes or so, so I wouldn't spend a lot of time there. Crowds in June, though, might slow you down. You will want to spend a lot of time at the Cliffs of Moher, though. They recently opened a beautiful new visitor center (built into the hillside), and you'll want to walk around there. And at Cahir, count on no more than an hour or so, depending on whether you see the film or not.

We stayed in Kilkee after going across on the ferry. The next morning we went to the Cliffs of Moher, and spent the rest of the day in the Burren. Highlights were the Poulnabrone dolmen and the Burren center at Kilenora. We spent the night in Kinvara, and went to the second dinner setting at Dunguaire Castle. It was a very full day.

My advice is: be flexible. Your trip looks fantastic if not a little bit busy. I would change your plans for the 19th and the 20th. That way you are not back tracking. It would be easier to do Waterford City Tour, Waterford Factory tour and then go to Cashel to see the Rock, staying in Cashel. Then on the 20th you could do Cahir Castle or by pass it for another trip and head South thru Cork to the N71 whiche will be the scenic road to Kenmare. You could always check out Mizen Head on the way.

In Clare why stay in Lisdoonvarna or Lahich when you could stay in a local B&B in Doolin! There are pleanty of B&B's w/in walking distance from the local Pub's where there is 'craic' everynight. You would not regret saying in Doolin.

have fun!!!!

Great ideas, claregirl02! I think we can begin the 19th by visiting Kilkenny Castle near our starting point, going to Waterford, then Fethard and staying in Cashel. The 20th would be the Rock of Cashel for the morning, then seeing Cahir Castle on a more relaxing drive to Kenmare.

I had gotten the impression that Lisdoonvarna was a nicer place to stay the night than Doolin. Am I mistaken?

Your welcome! I've been in your shoes before.
-Doolin is a fantastic little town and is known for its music & 'craic'(fun). Lisdoonvarna is okay, and is actually the town in Clare that has an annual 'Matchmaker' Festival in September is nice, however, I prefer Doolin.
-For your stay in Cashel Check out Joy Rockside house B&B. Just google "Joy Rockside House" and check out her site. If you are lucky to get accommodations, you will not be sorry. Joan Joy is indeed a gem. You maybe able to check out Bru Boru Centre next to the Rock.
-Mizen Head is off the beaten track, but if you decide to check it out you would not be disappointed. It is the farthest point in Ireland & has a light house at the very tip. You have to walk across a bridge to get there.

Be flexible. Personally, I would cut down a few things and make sure you have time to enjoy the must-sees without rushing. You can always fill in more if you have the time and energy. The 18th is going to be a long day. Make sure you get up and hit the road early. You will want ample time to soak up the atmosphere of Glendalough. Also, I know that Rick says to stay in Lisdoonvarna and commute to the pubs in Doolin, but we stayed in Doolin, and it was the highlight of the trip. We even stayed an extra night. Who wants to drive back to a hotel in a different town over those narrow Irish roads after a night at the pub? One of my fondest memories is coming out of McDermott's Pub in Doolin on a crisp, clear night (Try the beef stew and a Guiness). I could hear the cows down the road and the ocean in the distance, see shooting stars overhead, smell the peat fires, and casually stroll down the country lane to our B&B. It felt like home. Glad to see you scheduled time for church!