Summer Trip to Ireland

It makes much more sense to fly into Shannon, drive around the country ending in to Dublin, then return the car, see Dublin for a few days, and fly out of Dublin. The flights should be about the same cost, and you save time by not backtracking (with only 10 days, you can't afford any "lost" time). To find these flights without paying a fortune, don't look for two one-ways. Use the "multi-city" option on the search page of Kayak, Orbitz, etc.

Flying into Shannon is definitely the way to go, since it is easier to get used to driving on the other side while you are out in the country. You would be better off, though, to do your southern loop first, then drop your car at the Dublin airport before spending your days there, and flying out from there. Parking is hard to come by, and expensive, in the city, and you won't need or want a car. You should be fine without booking accomodations ahead for most of your trip, and B&Bs are the best place to stay along the way. They are everywhere. I just start looking for the brown signs when I am about ready to stop for the night. I would book ahead for Dublin just because I wouldn't want to wander around the city comparing properties.

Agree with other posters if at all possible, start in Shannon, end in Dublin. We only booked our first night at B&B and then just would wing it, look for Shamrock on sign outside B&B, means they have been approved by tourist bureau to meet certain standards. However, a couple we stopped in may have been approved but we would not stay there. We learned to ask to see the property and if we did not like it, would just politely say thanks and moved on. First trip there, did not realize we could do this so we learned the hard way. Enjoy.

Did almost exactly this last May but flying into and out of Dublin. You do not want or need a car to in Dublin. I drove all around England and Ireland on our trip but I was really glad we didn't have a car in the city. We only booked our stay in Dublin and winged it staying in BnBs as we went the rest of the way with little problem and I would recommend doing the same if you want to keep your schedule loose. In Dublin make time for the Archaeological Museum - a great collection in an amazing building and it's free. I don't know why it gets so little press over other sites. Also Christchurch is unusual and worth a visit - don't miss the crazy crypt/basement part of the tour. Who wouldn't want to have a coffee and a snack in the crypt? If you turn your car in before Dublin see Newgrange/Knowth before you turn in your rental car. They are both north of the city so you could see the site, drive south to the Aiport to drop off the car and take the bus into the city. Have a great trip,
=Tod

Thanks for all of the feedback. We have taken the consensus advice and we are flying into Shannon and out of Dublin, May 15 - 26. We leave on Sunday morning home from Dublin so I was thinking of dropping off the car on Thursday, say midday, and taking some transport into Dublin until Sunday morning. Would it be easier to drop the car at the airport or an offsite location?

It will be easier to drop the car at the airport and take public transport back into town. The airport is not far from the motorway, and driving into town to a different office will be more of a hassle.

Gary - I agree with Nancy drop the car off at the airport and then catch a ride into town. I made the mistake of dropping our luggage off at the B&B first and then driving to the airport last summer. What a nightmare.