Anonymous wrote:I would drive North from Shannon to Donegal. The best parts are around the coast!

We did this, staying near Donegal at the Loch Eske Castle, and saw the Slieve League cliffs, which are astounding. I wouldn't do it again, though - it is too remote and you waste too much time in the car getting back to the southwest. Also, it rains so much in that area that you may or may not see the cliffs, depending on the weather.

Donegal itself is not very interesting or pretty.

Anonymous wrote:OP, In a lot of my research so far it sounds like a lot of people change towns almost every night except for when in Dublin. I'd much prefer to stay in maybe 3 different location's (3 nights at each) vs changing everyday.

Would this be unusual? Seems like we can do day trips from various stops.

Completely agree - 2-3 nights in each place. One night is insufficient. It is a smallish country, so there is plenty to go out and see from a single spot without the need to move on.

We traveled with two teenage boys last summer and we all loved it!

Anonymous wrote:I'm Irish-American, and I've always thought Ireland would be boring. Not enough challenging hiking, dicey weather, boring food, beer, and wine, and do they even have art museums? I also hear the natives sometimes get too cozy with the sheep.

Maybe I'll go there when I'm 75 and have run out of good places to go. Maybe at least they won't become a big Islamic terrorist destination, so that's one potential plus.

Well, you've decided what it's like without ever having been there, so I guess you are good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved Ireland! Go! We did a tour group and it was amazing how many places we saw. We started in Dublin and then visited Waterford, Kerry, Galway, Killarney, Belfast and some other places in between. My favorites were the Cliffs of Mohr, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, Giants Causeway.

Can you please recommend the tour group you did? And were there teenagers in the group?

Don't do a tour group - you will miss the fun of the locals, B&Bs, and meandering (which is part of the point).

Fly into Shannon and rent a car. Make arrangements for stays in B&Bs (don't use vouchers, go directly). Plan for about 2, maybe 3 nights per B&B.

Go southwest to the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry. Don't miss Kenmare and surroundings. We loved this B&B, wonderful and about a ten-minute drive to Kenmare:

https://www.birchwood-kilgarvan.com/#home

Then make your way to Dublin. Drop off your car there and spend the last day or two without a car. Do the walking tour led by Trinity College history students.

I'm Irish-American, and I've always thought Ireland would be boring. Not enough challenging hiking, dicey weather, boring food, beer, and wine, and do they even have art museums? I also hear the natives sometimes get too cozy with the sheep.

Maybe I'll go there when I'm 75 and have run out of good places to go. Maybe at least they won't become a big Islamic terrorist destination, so that's one potential plus.

OP, In a lot of my research so far it sounds like a lot of people change towns almost every night except for when in Dublin. I'd much prefer to stay in maybe 3 different location's (3 nights at each) vs changing everyday.

Would this be unusual? Seems like we can do day trips from various stops.

I would drive North from Shannon to Donegal. The best parts are around the coast!

I'd echo what everyone else said. Went last summer and loved it! Highly recommend county Clare (less touristic than Kerry but equally beautiful). Also truly enjoyed Dublin. I'd recommend doing a vrbo/airbnb. We had great luck and got to feel like we actually lived there. Also recommend renting a car. Pay extra and get an automatic.

Anonymous wrote:OP, Thanks for all the idea's. We found a deal on Delta to good to pass up for mid May so we picked flying into Shannon and out of Dublin. I'll be checking out all those various towns you suggested. As for driving, we plan to rent a car. I'm pretty use to driving on the left side in the USVI but I know this is different because of the steering wheel being on the right. I'll take it slow.

Any other thoughts or idea's would be appreciated. I'm also total aware that the weather won't be ideal.

Flying into Shannon and assuming you have approximately a week, either go towards Clare/Galway/Mayo and then head towards Dublin or head towards Kerry/Cork/Waterford and head to dublin that way. Try to hit Kilkenny en route to Dublin. Around Dublin, take a bus tour, see the Boook of Kells, Guinness, try to head out to Howth/Dun Laoire/Bray, see a show at the Abbey or the Gate theatre. If you can afford to stay at Blue Book properties, do so. Most arre great.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Thanks for all the idea's. We found a deal on Delta to good to pass up for mid May so we picked flying into Shannon and out of Dublin. I'll be checking out all those various towns you suggested. As for driving, we plan to rent a car. I'm pretty use to driving on the left side in the USVI but I know this is different because of the steering wheel being on the right. I'll take it slow.

Any other thoughts or idea's would be appreciated. I'm also total aware that the weather won't be ideal.

Wow. You'll fit right in.

Don't be an ass.

You're right- I should have pointed out the other errors. Still- fit right in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, Thanks for all the idea's. We found a deal on Delta to good to pass up for mid May so we picked flying into Shannon and out of Dublin. I'll be checking out all those various towns you suggested. As for driving, we plan to rent a car. I'm pretty use to driving on the left side in the USVI but I know this is different because of the steering wheel being on the right. I'll take it slow.

Any other thoughts or idea's would be appreciated. I'm also total aware that the weather won't be ideal.

Wow. You'll fit right in.

Don't be an ass.

Anonymous wrote:OP, Thanks for all the idea's. We found a deal on Delta to good to pass up for mid May so we picked flying into Shannon and out of Dublin. I'll be checking out all those various towns you suggested. As for driving, we plan to rent a car. I'm pretty use to driving on the left side in the USVI but I know this is different because of the steering wheel being on the right. I'll take it slow.

Any other thoughts or idea's would be appreciated. I'm also total aware that the weather won't be ideal.

Wow. You'll fit right in.

OP, Thanks for all the idea's. We found a deal on Delta to good to pass up for mid May so we picked flying into Shannon and out of Dublin. I'll be checking out all those various towns you suggested. As for driving, we plan to rent a car. I'm pretty use to driving on the left side in the USVI but I know this is different because of the steering wheel being on the right. I'll take it slow.

Any other thoughts or idea's would be appreciated. I'm also total aware that the weather won't be ideal.

I love Ireland. We flew into Shannon because it is more rural than Dublin so it was easier to get used to the driving.

Ireland's Blue Book is a guide of amazing hotels, Inns and B&Bs that have wonderful food. On our last trip, our fourth, we just stayed at hotels in the guide book and had an wonderful time.

I went in July and in January. I enjoyed both, honestly the January weather wasn't that bad, just cool and drizzly each day, but still warmer than D.C. You need to pack some rain gear for anytime you go. The bonus of January was that there were not many tourists. The biggest negative would be how early it got dark. Summertime was great but some of the tourist locations were very busy. The countryside is beautiful and you won't regret a trip!