Early September itinerary help

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illini1022
illini1022

Hey everyone - I've had good luck sanity checking my itineraries on these forums in the past before traveling and I am in need of some more advice and critiques this time. I (31 y/o) am taking my mom to Ireland for 11 nights in early September. I've done quite bit of traveling but she has not. Neither of us has visited Ireland before. I'm planning on renting a car and taking a nice tour of the southern portion of Ireland, ideally at a reasonably relaxed pace. We can do plenty of walking/light hiking, but I don't want this trip to be overwhelming. She will not do any boat rides so that knocks some things off the list right off the bat. We are interested in: Irish culture, dining, scenery, major tourist sights, quaint towns, some shopping, some relaxation. Flights are booked - that's it. I'm not looking to necessarily move hotels more than is needed.

Here's what I've got so far... any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Dublin
Day 1: Fly into Dublin at noon. Stay in Dublin, catch up on sleep.
Day 2: Fight off jet lag. Tour the city on a bus or something. Spend night in Dublin.

Kilkenny
Day 3: Pick up car, drive to Kilkenny, night in Kilkenny. Check out Rock of Cashel on way.

Kinsale
Day 4: Drive to Kinsale, spend night in Kinsale. Check out Blarney castle on way.
Day 5: 2nd night in Kinsale. Spend time in city.

Kenmare
Day 6: Drive to Dingle/Kenmare. Spend night in Kenmare.
Day 7: Spend 2nd night in Kenmare.

Galway
Day 8: Drive to Galway. Drive Ring of Kerry.
Day 9: 2nd night in Galway. Visit Cliffs of Moher.

Dublin
Day 10: Drive to Dublin, drop off car
Day 11: Fly out of Dublin late morning

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Jingili
Jingili

I think you need to double-check your map:

  • Rock of Cashel is not between Dublin and Kilkenny
  • Dingle and Kenmare are not the same place
  • Kenmare is the place to stay two nights for the Ring of Kerry
  • although I prefer Killarney (nice lively city)
  • you can visit Dingle and Cliffs of Moher on the way to Galway, not afterwards

Blarney Castle is really the most dreadful tourist trap, and I usually like such things. I would not recommend it to anyone really.

Keep the day spare between our two nights in Galway in case the weather is against you the day prior and the Cliffs of Moher (that are far better seen on a good day).

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richiavo
richiavo

As above your geography is not the best. The ring of Kerry is between Kenmare and Dingle. If you get that bit right it seems a decent enough itinerary.

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illini1022
illini1022

Alright, my first draft had a lot of issues. With the help of trusty google maps and the feedback I've gotten, here is a much better revision. How does this look? What do you think about the hours of driving, # of overnights for this length trip?

Dublin
Day 1: arrive in Dublin in morning. Stay in Dublin, catch up on sleep.
Day 2: Still some jet lag. Tour the city on a bus or something. Spend night in Dublin.

Kilkenny
Day 3: Pick up car, drive to Kilkenny. Visit city, spend night.

Killarney
Day 4: Drive to Killarney, spend night. Stop at Rock of Cashel on way.
Day 5: 2nd night in Killarney. Visit Muckross House.

Dingle
Day 6:Drive to Dingle. Drive Ring of Kerry on way to Dingle. Spend night in Dingle

Doolin (or Limerick or Lahinch)
Day 7: Spend night. Visit Cliffs of Moher.

Galway
Day 8:Drive to Galway. Spend night
Day 9:2nd night in Galway.

Dublin
Day 10: Drive to Dublin, drop off car
Day 11: Leave Dublin early afternoon.
​​​​​​​
https://goo.gl/maps/dDjkrRBUhsM2

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Jingili
Jingili

Much better, however don't plan on completing the Ring of Kerry on the Dingle Peninsula day. Too much.

Complete the ROK the day prior (between your two Killarney nights). You will have time the first afternoon after arriving from Kilkenny (200 km away) to explore the national park around Killarney, Muckross, etc. It's all very nice.

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