Ireland Travel Forum

I am planning a trip as follows:
Day 1 - Arrive Dublin: Trinity College, Book of Kells, Georgian House, Guided Musical Pub Tour
Day 2 - Dublin: Historical Walking Tour, Lunch Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Kelmainham Gaol
Day 3 - Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Kilkenny (sleep Kilkenny)
Day 4 - Kilkenny, Rock of Cashel, arrive Dingle
Day 5 - Dingle Town
Day 6 - Cliffs of Moher to Kinvarra (Medieval Banquet @ Dunguare Castle; arrive Gallway just for the night
Day 7 - Longford (family in Drumlish)
Day 7 pm/ back to Dublin for the evening OR
Day 7 pm/ spend night in Longford
Day 8 - Depart Dublin, am flight

Thoughts? Doable? Too ambitious? Advice?
Will be renting a car.
Ideas on where to stay in Galway?

Thank you!!!

Trinity College and the Book of Kells won't take that long, you may want to take in the National Fine Art Museum which has some surprisingly great pieces, Carravagio, Goya as well as Irish artists. Temple Bar is more fun in the evening. You may want to take the DART out to Howth for the afternoon if you run out of things to do. I also strongly suggest you fit in some local theatre in Dublin. I was not impressed with Dingle..too many visitors milling around a bunch of shops. We stayed in Tralee and visited Dingle and would do so again. Plan on taking the ferry across the Shannon. Give yourself some options on the medieval banquet. The evening I scheduled to visit it did not have a show as there were not enough reservations. Good options 45 minutes away in Galway. give yourself more time in Galway. Karl

You don't say where you're coming from ... but only thing that jumped out is the "will be renting a car" part. Be aware that the roads are extremely narrow and parking will be tight in some if not all the places. Have you thought of substituting one of the places for Cork? We visited Cork, Kinsale, and Blarney, and loved the hospitality, of course, you will find hospitality all over Ireland.

I am one who does not like buses, but we used the public transportation and it was really great ... see http://www.irishrail.ie/home/ - oops, that's for trains. Here it is: http://www.buseireann.ie/

Would reconsider the car ...

Oh ... how can I forget. Would be wonderful to plan an hour or two at St. Stephen's Green (park in the center of Dublin) - but early in the morning. This was my favorite place in Dublin, swans, beautiful streams, just beautiful. There's a mall across the park where you can pick up some tea or coffee ... and if you like taking pictures, this is the place, get your camera ready.

What you have to have in mind planning your trip in Dublin is that almost everything (tourist attractions, museums) are open only until 5pm. So if you plan to see this much you might not me able to tell me everything. Lunch at temple bar? hmm, why not there are a lot of american style diners there but I prefer one of the cafes on Grafton Street or around Stephens Green, but everything depends on your budget. As someone mentioned, I strongly recommend doing a tour around the green, it is very beautifull.
I see that you planned a historical tour, you do not plan to visit any of the touristy spots? Jameson or Guinness? But these take a lot of time. Also I do not think the Dublin Castle is worth a tour, I would try Dublinia instead!!

Glendalough is AMAZING and it will take up most of the day, if you rent a car drive through the Wicklow Gap.

Cliffs of Moher will take you about 3-5 hours (if you want to walk the whole way). Then Galway... it is really worth to tour the town for an hour or two. If you get up earlier or save some time try to sqeeze it in your schedule becuase it is worth it.

You are right that the trip you planned is tight, but I tried 10 days last March, with: Malahide, Dublin, Limerick, Galway, Wicklow and Rathdrum (family for 2 days)and then Dublin again, all by bus and it was great! We were a little sleep deprived and very tired but it was my favorite time in Ireland (not my first or last though!).
Anyways, hope you have a nice trip :)

UPS, SORRY - I made a mistake :)

So if you plan to see this much you might not me able to tell me everything. - off course I mean, you will might not be able so SEE everything ;)

Left out the best link ... this is what I used to visit the Cliffs of Moher - they have great tours (and I *hate* organized tours) ...
http://www.railtoursireland.com/

Thank you! Coming from the US. My only concern about public transport is flexibility given our tight schedule. That said, I very much appreciate your suggestion and concern. Will keep thinking on this one...

See if you can fit in Bru na Boinne--Newgrange-on your way back to Dublin. It is mystical and magical. Would also recommend the Irish National Museum in Dublin. Hope you enjoy your visit!

I think you've put together a pretty nice itinerary!

A few suggestions:

As long as you or someone in your party is comfortable with the driving, renting a car is most definitely the way to go. It provides a flexibility that you'd lose otherwise.

I second the idea to hit Howth one afternoon. Consider dining at The Bloody Stream. My family hates seafood and thus found little to dine on but enjoyed the setting immensely.

I'd consider taking one of your Dublin days and making it a trip to Newgrange or the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath. These were my favorite places in all of Ireland. They are positively magical.

Whilst you're in Kilkenny, consider dinner at Pordylo's in the Butter Slip. You'll need reservations but the food is unbeatable.

OK, I think that's all!

Enjoy your trip immensely!

I sincerely hope you're not planning on renting a car while IN Dublin! You don't want to drive in Dublin, and parking will not be fun.
If you are going to drive straight across to Dingle, you might as well stop in Cork. There are also a couple side trips you might enjoy along the way such as Blarney and Gougane Barra.
http://www.gouganebarrahotel.com/national_forest_park.htm

Stop in Cork and get a pint across the street from the Beamish brewery. Try the Beamish creamy red. mmm mmm.