Itinerary Help - Ireland

You'll be backtracking if you stay in Limerick after driving up to the Burren. You might want to consider Liscannor or Lahinch instead. You could then take the Killimer-Tarbert ferry across the Shannon toward Dingle.

Day 2 is too much. Dingle needs more than part of a day. Driving this distance will take you awhile.

Day 4 Waterford Crystal factory is now closed.

Day 5 You might want to see Avoca or Glendalough on the way to Dublin.

Dave,

With Waterford closed, you can revise your itinerary to ensure a less stressful trip.

I agree that I would change Limerick if at all possible...but, you say it is one of the only requirements. Given that, I would say that the Cliffs might not make the most sense for you. You could instead visit the Rock of Cashel your first day, which would free up some time later on in your trip.

I would spend night two in Dingle. It's a great town, so it deserves the full day. Plus, it's a long drive there and so it's tough to get there, see the peninsula (and you're missing out if you don't spend any time in town), and get to Kenmare all in one day.

Day 3 in Dingle, Day 4 in Kilkenny (you could go south and see Blarney on the way) wouldn't be a bad idea. But if you're ready to leave Dingle after Day 2, you could head to Blarney Castle and spend the night in County Cork. Kinsale is a picturesque town with great food on the southern coast about a half hour SW of Cork.

The Rock of Cashel is great, but doesn't replace the Cliffs of Moher. :) The cliffs are only an hour or so, maybe less, from Shannon airport, so you could easily do them the first day. As far as driving through the Burren, though, that puts you awfully far north to get back to Limerick for the first night.

Too much driving, in my opinion. Ireland is best enjoyed at a slower pace. I prefer at least two nights in any given town - but would offer the following:

Id recommend:

Day 1. Arrive Shannon - drive to Cliffs, stay in Doolin.

Day 2. Drive to Dingle (via Connor Pass), stay in Dingle.

Day 3. Drive to Kenmare, stay in Kenmare

Day 4. Drive to Kilkenny via Blarney and Rock of Cashel. Stay in Kilkenny.

Day 5. Drive to Dublin via Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains.

Day 6. Dublin

That's still a bit much for me. I'd simply do two days in the Burren (Doolin), two days in Dingle, and two days in Dublin, skipping Kenmare/Kilkenny/Waterford.

My Daughter and I are also going to Ireland for 5 nights. Would appreciate any thoughts on best driving tour from Shannon that lets us get a feel for Ireland without a lot of stress or pure driving. She would like Galway and Cong, I would like Adare and Dingle. Can it be done?

Susan,

You can't do both. Galway and Cong are hours north of Shannon and Adare and Dingle are hours to the southwest. Driving in Ireland is very slow so you have to pace yourself and not try to do too much in any one day.

I think you'll have to pick one or the other. Galway/Cong or Adare/Dingle are each doable in 5 days from Shannon, but not both.

I'd recommend Dingle. It's the perfect picturesque Irish small town. You can drive or bike the Peninsula for fascinating views of the coastline. You can head to a pub for a chat with the locals and some traditional Irish music.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip.

Cashel Lodge,at the base of Rock of Cashel and across from the Hore Abbey,is a delightful B&B/hostel. Great location, park and walk to the Rock and all around Cashel. Ryan's Daughter offers hardy, tasty meals. You may be able to use this as the stepping stone to Waterford & Kilkenny.

I am also planning a trip, the first week of May.
Our plan is Fly into Dublin on April 29- Fly out of Dublin on May 7.
Last night needs to be in Dublin.
Would like to see County Cork, Kilkenny,Ring of Kerry, Dingle Penninsula, Cliffs of Mohr and anything else along the way and back to Dublin.

Any suggestions for towns where we should stay? Things that we shouldn't miss, and if we have too much driving ahead of us?

thanks

Limerick would be the last place I would stay. Dingle is worth two nights. Personally I would also give Cork a miss. Try to get a feel for the real Ireland and stay in smaller towns/villages. Glendalough/Wicklow mountains are worth a stopover on your way back to Dublin

Carla,

Here's how I would do your itinerary:

Day 1 - Drive to the Cliffs. Stay in nearby town such as Doolin or Lahinch.

Day 2 - Drive to Dingle.

Day 3 - Tour Dingle Peninsula. Enjoy Dingle.

Day 4 - Drive through Killarney National Park on way to Kenmare.

Day 5 - Leave Kenmare in AM and drive Ring of Kerry. Stay in Cashel.

Day 6 - See Rock of Cashel. Head to Kilkenny and/or Glendalough, dpeending on your interests.

Day 7 - See Kilkenny and/or Glendalough. Head to Dublin.

Day 8 - See Dublin.

Day 9 - Fly home.

Best of luck with your planning.

Do you have to stay in Limerick on the first night or can this be changed?