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. 

We just returned from a 3 week vacation in Ireland and can't comment on most of your specific questions, because we took a totally different route, but I do have some input.

Driving in Ireland will take longer than what you may be used to.  The roads are narrower, many with stone walls right on the edge (no shoulders).  Driving on the left hand side of the roadway took some getting used to, and it helps if passengers help navigate.  

A note about visiting Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin:  buy your tickets ahead of time on line if possible, because they easily sell out particularly on weekend days.

Newgrange was very interesting, but you cannot buy tickets in advance.  And, you cannot buy tickets at the Monument;  you must go to the visitors center to buy tickets.  Go as early in the day as you can.  If you cannot manage to go in the morning hours,  either take a lunch, or plan to buy something to eat in their cafe, since you may not be able to buy tickets and go right on a tour.  We had a 1 1/2 hour wait.  There is an interesting museum to wander through in the visitors center also.

Within 1/2 mile of the Muckross house is the Killarney National Park.  In a corner of the Muckross gardens, you can hire a horse drawn carriage to take you to the park.  A short, easy walk ends up at the Torc waterfall.

Ireland is a beautiful country.   Enjoy your trip!

Sue

My first trip to Ireland was solo- and it was amazing! You really shouldn’t have any issues with safety. Just be aware of your surroundings.

It's a bit difficult to comment on your entire post as it's quite long, but I am worried you're going to be rushing around a bit too much. I'd say: skip Bunratty (tourist trap). And though it breaks my heart to say it: don't do BOTH the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. If you hadn't already booked Kerry, I would have said to do Dingle instead. I hope these few notes help you. You'll find very good, and fully updated info on this site in the Ireland section.

I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed reading this post. big fan, thank you!

- yify