June 10 Day Ireland Trip -- Advise Please?!?!?

I am envious. We are traveling only 7 days. But if I had your schedule, I'd plan on staying in Kenmare an extra day and visit the Beara peninsula! Also, we are skipping the Blarney stone as per RS's suggestion. You could hit the Rock of Cashel on your way to Dublin, stay in Kilkenny, and then hit Glendalough and Powerscourt on your way into Dublin. Good luck!

We will also be in Ireland in those dates! Our itinerary is similar to yours but we are skipping Blarney Cstle per RS's suggestion. We are having a full day at the Aran Islands, one day for Rock of Cashel and planning to stay a full day in the Killorglin/Killarney area to check out the Natl Park, Mukross House, Gap. If you are going to Connemara/Galway, you may want to take an airplane to the Aaran Islands from there, it is only 10 min ride and doesn't not cost much more than taking a ferry. Your Day 1 looks quite packed...consider that you will be very tired from the overseas flight. You may want to stay in Galway or Ennis for an extra night. We are also planning a slow day in Adare.
Enjoy your trip!

We've been to Ireland three times. Here are my suggestions: Bunratty Castle's banquet is a lot of fun and we usually HATE organized activities. 2. Stay another night in Galway or better yet rural Connermara (Clifden?) and visit the Aran Islands from there. There is a ferry that goes from a town near Roundstone (Roseveal?--not sure of the name) to the largest island. You get a small van day tour from there---very pleasant, but you don't need an overnight unless you are serious hikers. 3. The Burren is very interesting and there are some old abbeys in the area. 4. Dingle is fun, two nights there will give you enough time to drive around and explore the small town. 5. Kenmare is a good base for the Beara Peninsula and the ROK. We enjoyed a small inn near there called Tahila Cove. The Gap of Dunloe jogging car--return by boat trip is very scenic; buy tickets in Kilarney. 6. Kilkenny is good for half a day--they over hype the place, it has some medieval stuff, but not a lot 7. On the east coast, don't miss Glendalough. Very evocative, especially on an overcast day. 8. Haven't been yet, but we hope to see New Grange, north of Dublin. 9. Dublin is IMHO just another big city 10. Visit this web site for lots of help with your planning: irelandexpert.com

Hi again (I ran out of space),
If you have extra days in this trip, I would suggest using them for more time on the west coast of Ireland or possibly moving on to the northwest corner or Donegal. If you have not yet been to London, another idea would be to shorten or eliminate Dublin and instead take a cheap flight to either London or Paris for a few days of city sights.

Between Killarney and Dublin, I'd recommend the lovely harbor town of Cork. Our son is studying at the University College Cork (UCC), and we just spent 4 days with him over spring break at the River Lee Hotel (used to be called the Jury's Cork Hotel - not to be confused with the Jury's Inn chain). Gorgeous hotel overlooking the river, with a room for 3 for only 79 euros a night. The hotel was between UCC and Cork's downtown. Recommendations in town: for food: the English market for bread & cheese and the best almond croissants you've ever had; and an incredible vegetarian restaurant, Cafe Paradiso (across the street from the River Lee Hotel). Day trips to Kinsale (the Sausalito of Ireland), the Rock of Cashel, even Waterford are possible from Cork if you make it your base along the south coast.

My husband and I just returned from Ireland. We were in Dublin over St Patrick's Day,and spent then next day at Newgrange and the Hill of Tara. We also greatly enjoyed the Irish House Party, dinner and traditional music and dancing, at the Lansdowne Hotel in Dublin. We then headed west.
I would also recommend more time in the west than the Dublin area. We did the Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula and it was gorgeous! I would also recommend The Lighthouse B&B in Dingle. It is a beautiful home overlooking the harbor and the hosts, Mary and Denis are a delight!