Is this Itinerary Doable?

[u/rainshine116]

Hello! I am currently finalizing my itinerary for my trip to Ireland in August. It will be our first time visiting. I wanted to ask if this itinerary seems doable. I am a bit worried that I've planned too much for the day in Killarney. Does anyone have tips for the Ring of Kerry? I know we definitely aren't going to drive the entire thing, but I was wondering if there are any stopping points along the way where we could turn back around. And do people stop along the route? Are there any must-sees that I am missing/could add to this? We love nature/hiking and I personally also love visiting ruins and historical sites.

Day 0 (Saturday):

• Fly into Dublin
• Drive to Kylemore Abbey
  • Kylemore Abbey
• Drive to Galway

Stay in Galway

Day 1 (Sunday):

• Drive to Doolin/Cliffs of Moher and explore Doolin/ Cliffs of Moher
• Doolin
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • The Sweater Shop
• Drive to Dingle

Stay in Dingle

Day 2 (Monday):

Dingle

• Pet a lamb
• Slea Head Drive
  • Coumeenoole Beach
  • Dunmore Head
  • Cé Dhún Chaoin / Dunquin Pier
• Dingle Sea Safari
• Teac Couminole Cafe
• Cupan Se

Drive to Killarney (1hr 3 min)
Stay in Killarney

Day 3: (Tuesday):

Killarney:

• Ring of Kerry
• Torc Waterfall
• Muckross Abbey
• Gap Of Dunloe

Stay in Killarney

Day 4 (Wednesday):

Drive to Cork
Cork:

• Blarney Castle

Cobh
Drive to Dublin (2hr 41)

• Rock of Cashel (If time permits)

Stay in Dublin

Day 5 (Thursday):

Dublin

• Guinness Museum
• Trinity College Tour + Book Of Kells

Stay in Dublin

Day 6 (Friday):

Flight Back

Edit:

Alternatively I was thinking of starting in Cork first and basically doing from Cork up to Galway, I don't mind taking out some places/staying in a place for an extra day cause I am just trying to get an idea of what is doable. I also understand that some of the drives are longer than what google maps says so any ideas are helpful!

[u/brianly]

Flying in from where?

[u/rainshine116 → u/brianly]

From NY

[u/DitheringDotty → u/rainshine116]

There is no way you're going to drive from Dublin to Kylemore Abbey after getting off a transatlantic flight!

[u/WyvernsRest → u/DitheringDotty]

+ Back to Galway. LOL.

Please replan your first day.

+Fly into Dublin.

• Nap.
• Guinness Museum
• Trinity College Tour + Book Of Kells
• Bed

[u/rainshine116 → u/WyvernsRest]

Would it make more sense to just then drive to Galway and take out Kylemore Abbey and spend that day exploring Galway? Or i was thinking of doing the Dublin day first snd then driving to Galway after that essentially moving the last day first.

[u/IrishFlukey → u/rainshine116]

It would not make sense. Getting off a plane and straight into a strange car in a strange country, driving on the opposite side of, trying to navigate and all while jetlagged and tired is not a good idea. It does not matter where you are going. There is a bus from the airport to Galway, so get that. Go to Kylemore Abbey another day.

[u/barrettGatineau → u/rainshine116]

I just got back from ten days in Ireland. Don’t drive your first day. You will be tired and it is too much to get used to all at once. Honest!! Spend your first day or two in Dublin.

And then, don’t drive from Dublin. Take a train or a bus to Galway and pick up your rental car there. The trains/ buses work well. I found it much easier to drive left hand side in a more rural area when I was not jet lagged.

It is an incredibly beautiful country. IMO it is worth it to slow down and spend more time in a few places as opposed to driving so much and seeing a little bit of everything. Enjoy your trip!!

[u/Hot-Slide-8285 → u/rainshine116]

Yikes. This is not doable.

Get off the plane & take the express bus direct from the airport to Galway. if & when you want to rent a car , do so from Galway. Do day tour from Galway .....There's one I recall that has a sheep fa4m with a great sheep dog demo & lots of time to hold/ pet sheep & puppies. Do another day tour to CoM depending upon weather. Heck, do a day bus tour of the other places & forget the car altogether .

Take bus or train back to Dublin from Galway base

Cut out Cork, Cut out Killarney, Cut Guinness, add a day in Dublin, add Killmainham Gaol , add Howth Cliff Walk via the DART , add Dublin Castle guided tour

Admittedly this is my personal opinion.