IRELAND HELP - ITINERARY - THANKS!

To answer your last question first, you can get driving times at www.viamichelin.com. You should add maybe 25% to their estimated times because driving in Ireland can be much slower than you think.

From Kilkenny you can easily reach the Rock of Cashel, Waterford, Cahir, or Blarney, among other places. Take a look at a good guidebook to get an idea of what is close.

Unless you have some pressing reason to want to be in Limerick, I would suggest that you stay your final night in the Bunratty area. It's only 6 miles or so from the airport, and there are numerous B&Bs on the Bunratty road (just behind the castle). Traffic in Limerick can be really bad, there's nothing much to see there.

Sandi. Having been to Limerick, personally, it's the last place I'd stay (even for a night). Bunratty ares sounds like a good idea.

Definitely do the ring tour from Dingle. You can drive it or rent bikes, but biking it will take a whole day. And don't miss the pubs in Dingle.

Since you apparently are not planning to spend any time in Dublin, it is too bad that you are not flying in and out of Shannon instead. Csn you change your flight? As you have planned now, you will spend much of your day Monday driving to Dingle. Dingle deserves at bare minimun a whole day to itself. I agree with the others. Stay in Bunratty. We loved our stay at Bunratty Castle Mews B&B.

If you can change your flights, I would reccomend this:

Arrive Sat and drive to Doolin- see Cliffs of Moher, some of the Burren , then take a short nap so that you can enjoy the Trad music at the local pubs that eve. You will be tired from jet lag.

Sunday drive to Dingle via the Tarbert ferry. Maybe taking in the loophead drive before the ferry. Arrive in Dingle, enjoy an Eco-tour boat ride around the Blaskets and see Fungie the dolphin as you re enter the Dingle harbor. Enjoy the many pubs in town that night.

Monday - Drive the Slea Head loop on the peninsula. Use Ricks book for guiding your trip.

Tuesday - Head back towards Bunratty area. Visit Bunratty folk park, or Quin Abbey ruins in Quin, or shop in Ennis, or ???

You will see more and enjoy more if you are not racing clear across the country. Driving in Ireland is very slow. Killkenny is a great town - but if I had to choose I would spend more time in Dingle. Good luck!

Rock of Cashel is phenomenal if you have any interest in the history and religious struggles of Ireland.

Definitely tour the Ring (I would drive since you have so little time) and have a drink at a pub or two. Out of the Blue has some of the best seafood I've ever had.

I think you are trying to cover way too much ground in such a short trip. I agree with the recommendation to fly into Shannon instead of Dublin. If that's not possible, I would suggest just one night in Kilkenny and two nights in Dingle. Dingle is a neater town IMO and the area is much more scenic. I would take the drive around the peninsula, stopping at some of the historic sights (read Rick's guidebook on Ireland).