Starting our trip from Shannon

On my most recent trip we flew into and out of Shannon. We first headed for Blarney (my son had never been), stopping on the way to visit the donkey sanctuary in Liscarroll. Saw Blarney castle and grounds, slept in Blarney. The next day we visited Cobh and Midleton (Jameson distillery), then headed back north. Drove back up to Lahinch, stayed there one night, then saw the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Continued up past Galway into Connemara. Slept in Clifden, Co. Galway. We then drove up through Connemara, saw Kylemore Abbey and came back down through the center of Connemara. Last night was spent in Bunratty, seeing Bunratty Castle and spending the night at a B&B behind the castle. Bunratty is a great place to spend your last night because it is only six miles from the airport. There is also a little shopping center there for any last-minute souvenirs.

I did this route back in 2009 and we rented a car for the entire week. Here was our overview: Sat - depart USA Sunday AM - arrive Shannon, rent a car, drive towards Doolin (we stopped in a small town for breakfast) to see the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. Stay in Doolin. Monday - drive down to Dingle, stay in Dingle Tuesday - Dingle, stay in Dingle Wednesday - Drive to Cashel, stay in Cashel Thursday - Drove to Cong to stay at Ashford Castle Friday - stay at Ashford Castle Saturday - drove down to Bunratty and stayed the night
Sunday - early flight home to US Originally we were going to stay in Kenmare instead of going to the Ashford Castle but we got a great deal and my in laws loved it so we booked it. It made for a lot of driving but it's one of our best memories. We are going back in May to explore Dublin and then head up to Northern Ireland for a week. Have a great time. Ireland is beautiful.

Tracey,
Did you fly back out of Shannon?

- Landed in Shannon Airport and rented car from there - Drove to Cork City and used it as a base for day trips to Kinsale and Cobh. In hindsight I wouldn't have stayed in Cork City. We probably should have stayed in Kinsale. - Traveled up to Dingle and explored Dingle peninsula and the area - Traveled up to Galway to explore Connemara, Galway City, drove to Cliffs of Moher, saw the Burren - Drove back down to Limerick for an over-night stay, which we only stayed in b/c everything closer to the airport was either booked up or not suitable for our needs. As others will point out, there are B&Bs around Bunratty that are very close to the Shannon airport. - Departed from Shannon Airport We stayed in Ireland for two weeks and just focused on a few select places, rather than trying to see everything. We had already traveled to Northern Ireland on a separate trip and loved it there. I found Ireland to be very beautiful and very friendly, but also very sad in some ways. It was really interesting to discover all of the cultural similarities between Ireland and Kentucky, especially in Northern Ireland.

Jeff - yes, we flew out of Shannon. As Nancy pointed out, Bunratty is only a few minutes from the Shannon airport so it was very convienent.

I've been twice with close to the same sites. Killarney, with the Muckross House, Ross Castle and Torc waterfall. Portmagee just off the ROK. Doolin and Cliffs of Moher. Galway (Salthill) for Trad on the Prom. The Burren. Bunratty Castle and folk park. Last night was at the Park Inn at the airport. There's a marked path in the parking lot that leads straight to the terminal. Both times, we flew into and out of Shannon. Where I live is just south of Houston and , if you've been to Houston, the scenery is not great. The SW corner of Ireland is the most beautiful place I've seen.