Itinerary review and suggestions needed please.
We will be taking our first trip to Ireland in September for our 45th anniversary and have purchased a package with specific hotels included. I apologize in advance for the lengthy post.
I need some advice as to whether this itinerary is too cumbersome. They say Ireland is as big as Rhode Island but in reading your travel advice it seems that driving times may be long. I don’t want to be racing everywhere. I would like a somewhat leisurely pace to enjoy the local culture and see worthwhile sites or towns. I have read so many travel and road trip books, forums, etc., etc. and have come up with this so far.
Also, we will be in Adare for our anniversary and are thinking of these 3 restaurants- The Wild Geese, Adare Manor oak room or the Blue Door. Any feedback?
Arrive (afternoon) - 2 nights in Killiney at Fitzgerald Castle Hotel - visit Dalkey, Bray and maybe Greystones have a nice dinner or if not too tired head to Dublin for dinner and some trad.
Day 2- Sunday -Tour Dublin maybe take Liffey river cruise or take the hop on hop off bus, or visit Kilmainham Gaol then go to Brazen Head pub for music from 3-6:30 on Sunday. Or drive to Newgrange ourselves and skip Dublin? Heard that you may not get tickets when there??
Day 3 Leave Killiney for Muckross Hotel in Killarney where we spend 3 nights ( first real driving day) - visit Cobh (heritage center) and Kinsale enroute for seafood and visit Charles Fort if time allows. Is this too long a route? Should we take the car ferry from Carrigaloe to Kinsale?
Day 4 Visit Muckross House and farm, Gap of Dunloe, shop in Killarney dinner at Kate Kearney’s (drive free day)
Day 5 Ring of Kerry tour already booked
Day 6 Depart Killarney for Fitzgerald Woodlands Hotel in Adare via Tralee and drive Dingle Peninsula
Day 7 Adare to Bunratty Castle to Cliffs of Moher and maybe shop in Ennis or should we travel the coast to Kilkee and back to Adare or visit the Burren? Recommendations is this too much driving? which would you choose?
Day 8 Head to Powerscourt Hotel for 2 nights stopping at Kilkenny Castle & Rock of Cashel enroute. Is it possible to do both the Rock and the Castle ?
Day 9 Tour Glendalough and Powerscourt Gardens, shop in Avoca.
Day 10 Home
Thank you thank you thank you for any help or suggestions you can give.