Short Ireland Itinerary - feedback appreciated

The Waterford Crystal factory has been closed if you were planning on seeing it.

I would skip Waterford and spend an extra night in Dingle.

Thanks! Great advice.

So,

First day Rock of Cashel, night in Kilkenny

Second Cobh or Kenmare?

Third and fourth nights Dingle

Fifth and Six nights in Galway (cliffs of Moher trip)

Seventh and Eighth in Dublin.

Jennifer,

This new itinerary is more reasonable. Unless you're planning on driving the Ring of Kerry, I'd stay in Kinsale on your second night. It's a lovely town about a half hour SW of Cork. Great restaurants, interesting history, beautiful scenery.

Your toughest drive is Dingle to Galway. I'd recommend spending the night somewhere along the route. When my wife and I made this drive, we stayed at Kilrush, which is a small town not far past the ferry that takes you over the Shannon. Many folks drive further to a town like Lahinch, which is near the Cliffs. Wherever you stay, you can see the cliffs on your way to Galway the next day.

Remember, give yourself extra time for driving. It's slow going. You might get lost and you don't want to still be on the road after dark. As long as you give yourself enough time to take your time, you'll be fine.

If you haven't book your flights yet, I would recommend flying out of Shannon. Spend the first night in Dublin then to Kilkenny, etc., it would save a lot of time not having to drive back to Dublin.

Thanks for the advice! We have booked our flights already in and out of Dublin. I found this amazing deal online that I couldn't pass up, which didn't cover an open jaw flight. It'll be a drive to get back to Dublin, but it saved us about $500 on our flight.

Spending a night near the cliffs is a good idea. I'm also wondering about spending an extra night in Kilkenny - there seems like there's a lot to do in that area.

I booked our first night at Pinecrest BnB in Kilkenny, and our last two nights in Dublin. I think we'll plan to "go where the wind blows us" for everything in between :)

The drive from Dingle to Galway takes a while. I'd spend a night in Doolin. Dingle's the highlight of the trip, so reserve enough time there.

Jennifer,
OH MY GOSH!! Have you been to Ireland before? Will you please send me a PM. We might be able to help.

Jennifer, Your revised plan is much better, but you will still be spending an awful lot of time driving. If it were me (it actually was me a couple of years ago), I would save Galway for another trip to allow more time in Dingle. If you do decide to go from Dingle to Galway, make sure to take the car ferry -- it will cut off a lot of driving time. It runs every half hour and you don't need to reserve ahead. I forget the towns on either end, but I think one of them is Tarbert. You will drive right by the Cliffs of Moher on your way to Galway, so why not stop on the way, rather than drive down from Galway. It doesn't take that much time, and it will breat up the drive.

Ok - what about this:

Kilkenny 2 nights

Dingle 2 nights

County Clare 2 nights

Dublin 2 nights

That sort of groups up the driving a bit. While there we can decide on adding or removing a night in each place.

That is a much better plan. Multiple nights lodging are always better. Saves the searching time. Don't forget that the daylight hours will be limited this early in the year and you will only cover about 30 miles in an hour, while driving, on the backroads. And that doesn't allow for stopping and gawking.

Sounds good, Jennifer. I hope you have a great trip!