July 1 - 8, 2013 (8D7N):  We flew into Shannon after spending 4 days in London. You can choose to fly into Dublin as another option.  We rented a car and drove along the southern part of Ireland.  Driving a stick shift on the right side of the road was challenging to say the least...the ultimate road trip!

*Highly Recommended

Prices shown below are from 2013

Day 1 (Shannon)

• Arrive in Shannon Airport from London
• Pick up rental car from Hertz
• Stay @ Ardilaun Guesthouse* @ Ennis 

Day 2 (Burren)

• Cliff of Moher (online combo tix booked with Bunratty castle €12)
• Drive to Burren:
  • Caherconnell Ring Fort (photo only)
  • Poulnabrone Dolmen (free)
  • Burren Centre
• Bunratty Castle
  • Castle (tix booked online, last adm. 4pm)
  • Folk Park (last adm. 4:15pm, closes at 5:30pm)
  • Medieval dinner* (€48)
• Stay at Ballyseede Castle @ Tralee

Day 3 (Dingle)

• Dingle of Peninsula (Clockwise driving), follow Rick Steve’s guide
  • Dunbeg Fort (€3)
  • Beehive Huts (€2)
  • Riasc Monastery* (free)
  • Gallarus Oratory* (€3)
  • The town of Dingle
  • Minard Castle* (free)
• Lunch @ Sammy’s* (Inch Beach)
• Stay @ Larkinley Lodge* @Killarney
• Walk around Killarney
• Dinner @ Quinlans Seafood Bar (get fish & chips)
• Laurels Pub*

Day 4 (Killarney)

• Ring of Kerry (counter clockwise)
  • Town of Cahersiveen*:
    • Leacanabuaile
    • Cahergall Forts
• Skellig Ring Loop*: 
  • Velentia Island (Knightstown)
  • Portmagee
  • Kerry Cliff (€4)
  • Ballinskelligs
  • Caherdaniel: 
    • Derrynane House (€3)
• Sneem:
  • Staigue Fort* (free)
• Killarney National Park (free)
  • Moll’s Gap
  • Ladies View*
  • Torc Waterfall*
• Stay @ Friars Glen* @ Killarney
• Dinner @ Bircin*

Day 5 (Kilkenny)

• Muckross House* (9am to 7pm, €7 guided tour)
• Rock of Cashel (9am to 7pm, €6)
• Kilkenny (52 mins drive):
  • Smithwicks Brewery* (tour noon, 1pm, 3pm, 3:30pm, €10, 1.5hr)
  • Walk around town
• Stay at Kilkenny River Court Hotel*@ Kilkenny
• Dinner @ Kyteler’s Inn*

Day 6 (Wicklow/Dublin)

• Kilkenny Castle* (9am- 5:30pm ;€6, 1hr)
• Drive to Wicklow:
  • Glendalough*
  • Powerscourt waterfall (€6)
• Dalkey (a southern seaside town, home to Bono, Van Morrison and the film director Neil Jordon):
  • Lunch @ Fannegans (Michelle Obama visited in 2013)
• Drive to Dublin:
  • Drive around Phoenix Park
  • Return car @ Dublin Airport (take Aircoach €7 back to the city)
• Temple Bar:
  • Dinner @ Gallagher’s Boxty House 
  • Walk around
• Stay at Trinity Capital Hotel* @ Dublin

Day 7 (Dublin)

• Breakfast @ Queen of Tarts*
• Hop on/Hop off Bus:
  • Kilmainham Gaol* (9:30am-6pm; €6.00, 1.5hr tour)
  • HOHO Bus around the city for 1.5hrs
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral (photo outside)
• Christ church Cathedral* (photo outside)
• Dublin Castle (view outside)
• Chester Beatty Library* (free tour at 3 & 4pm)
• Whelan’s (picture only)
• St. Stephens Green
• Shop around Grafton St
• Walk around Temple Bar & O’Connell St
• Dinner @ Elephant & Castle
• Chill by the hotel patio

Day 8 (Dublin)

• Coffee/croissant @ Trinity College cafe
• Walk around Trinity College
• Flight to NYC

Other points of interest

• Dingle: Kilmalkedar Church; Eask Tower
• Killarney: Skellig Michael (weather dependent); Kissane Sheep Farm; Ross castle
• Kenmare
• Cork:
  • Blarney Castle (9am to 7pm, €12)
  • Cahir Castle (1 hr drive; 9am to 6:30pm, €3)
  • Swiss Cottage
• Dublin:
  • Guinness Storehouse (7pm last adm, free parking, €14.85)
  • Book of Kells at Trinity College – Old Library (9:30am-4:30pm; €6)
  • Howth (seaside town)

Tips

• Bring a good GPS
• Don't drive through the countrysides in the dark, you might get lost!
• Car rental companies:
  • Easy Tour Ireland (Hertz)
  • Attracah Lyndon