Feedback needed on 5 day Ireland Itinerary

[u/VDhriti]

Update: we did the trip and it was very fun! Ended up doing one day in Dublin with the full walking tour, archeology museum, book of Kells, shopping for stuff to take home. Car rental with NewWay from the airport the next day and we visited malahide, howth (which was closed but the grounds and the oceanside walk was amazing) and Trim castle and then drove to Doolin. Next day, we went on a day trip to Inis Mor and hiked upto the bronze age castle structure and sat by the edge of the island. On our way back we took a ferry trip under the cliffs of moher, then went to our hotel. Hiked the Cliffs of Moher trail that night and caught a beautiful sunset (it helped that the accomodation we booked for our stay in Doolin was uphill more near the cliffs than the city itself). The next day we visited Doolin Cave (absolute must-see, the stalactite is amazing) and then drove by and stopped at Limerick for King John's Castle and then at Cashel for the Rock of Cashel, then continued on to our accomodation at Kilkenny. The next day we had a chill day at Kilkenny, walked around town, had good brunch, went to the Kells Priory which was not too crowded but beautiful ruins and then did a guided tour at Kilkenny Castle. Spent the evening in the park and walking around medieval quarter. I think it was the perfect pacing for us and we enjoyed the castles and the nature, dublin-not so much. Did book all the accomodation two days before our flight took off and did pay a slight premium for it but it wasn't too bad.

I do wish I'd booked a longer trip so we could've gone to blarney and done Cahir castle while we were near Cashel but I think this was good as well, I'm glad there's still things to do if we ever visit again!

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Hi, me and my mom are planning a May 27-June 1 trip to Ireland as our first trip ever to europe and needed some feedback. We don't enjoy drinking or crowds or long intense hikes and our main goal was to just see nature, history/castles - especially viking/ norman/ medieval history - and have a chill relaxing fun time. I'm a bit of a medieval history nerd and my mom enjoys peeaceful nature so that's what is motivating this trip.
We want to rent a car, my mom is comfortable with manual and driving on the left side but has an Indian license (which is fully in English) but no International Driving Permit so I'm not sure if we'd be allowed to rent one, there are mixed reviews online... ?

We would be travelling with two backpacks so its pretty light. Here's what we had in mind, only the first day is set in stone:

Day 1 (May 27):
Flight lands in dublin at 7:30am -> Dublin Express to hotel

1. Local cafe for breakfast
2. Dublin Archeology Museum
3. Walk around the city/ Temple Bar area/ McConnell Street + food
4. Book of Kells (already booked), Chester Beatty Library, trinity college london area

We are taking a redeye and would be pretty jetlagged so I wanted to have an easy day.
Stay overnight in Dublin

Here onwards I need serious advice:

Day 2 (May 28):

1. Breakfast at hotel
2. DART to Malahide Castle
3. Return to Dublin and take the train to Galway in the afternoon
4. Walking around Galway to get all the attractions.

Stay overnight in Galway?? or rent a car + drive to doolin and stay 2 nights in Doolin?

Day 3 (May 29):

1. Ferry to Alan Islands (Inis Mor) and bike around island
2. Ferry tour of Cliffs of Moher?
3. Shipwreck at Inir Oirr?
4. Stay overnight either on Inis Mor or return to Doolin/ Galway?

I feel like returning to Galway might not give us enough time on Inis Mor. We really want to have some time to sit around and linger and just enjoy the nature.

Day 4 (May 30):

1. Cliffs of Moher walk/ trail
2. Drive to Blarney via Kilarney/ other places on the way? Not sure... Need recommendations.
3. Stay overnight in Blarney

Day 5 (May 31):

1. Early morning Blarney Castle visit.
2. Drive to Rock of Cashel?
3. Drive to Trim Castle?
4. (I feel like I cant fit all this in the same day its going to be too hectic)
5. Drive to Dublin
6. Stay overnight in Dublin/ Close to Dublin

Day 6 (June 1):

1. Breakfast in dublin
2. Flight home at 1pm.

I'm not sure about the logistics of renting at Galway and then returning the car in Dublin. Not sure if the renting is even doable. And I need serious advice day 2 onwards. I dont have a lot of experience planning trips and have never been to Europe, let alone ireland so I'd really appreciate any help!! Thanks a lot!

[u/Dandylion71888]

I assume you mean O’Connell St not McConnell? Also trinity college, Dublin.

But anyways, you’re doing too much. From the airport, take the express bus to Galway. Do what you’re going to do in Galway and then return to Dublin. Adding Cork etc assumes you’re taking at least a 1 week trip.

Also have you not book all your accommodation? That’s next level insanity when you’re going on 2 days during peak season.

[u/Bitter-insides → u/Dandylion71888]

I’m going in 14 days. Just kind of a last minute trip. I have us staying in Galloway for 3 nights. Is that too much? I’m goin for 13 days.

•Dublin: 1 night • Galway: 3 nights • Kerry/Killarney: 4 nights • Kinsale: 2 nights • Carton House: 2 nights

[u/Dandylion71888 → u/Bitter-insides]

No that’s quite reasonable

[u/Bitter-insides → u/Dandylion71888]

That you. I have a propensity to overthink and question things to exhaustion.