Hi All,

I have some insight on my question, but just trying to plan a bit (respecting the fact that winds and rains during any trip may change plans on the fly).  Background: traveling to Ireland for second time, with husband, and first with him and our almost 4 yr old son.  Arrive begin June in SNN. Spend night in Ennis.   Next day travel to Galway 2 nights There.  Then one week, Saturday to saturday, in Clifden, self-catering.  From there to Killaloe for Saturday to Saturday, self-catering.  From there to Skibbereen/Kilcoe/Ballydehob for Saturday to Friday (yes, we lose a day on the rental), self- cater again. Then the craziness begins.

 I am originally from the home of the Kentucky Derby, and we enjoy the races....that Saturday is the Irish Derby.  Yes, we know that Kildare is sheer the opposite direction, but here we go.  From Skibbereen to Abbeyleix for 3 nights b&b.  On Saturday we'll go up/ over to Kildare and the Curragh.  Sunday we may go back to Kildare if we did not get to see the round tower and/or do something else in the near region (Rock of Dunamanse!). We have looked at b&bs around Kildare, but most that we have been interested in already are booked. Also, Abbeyleix gives us a slightly shorter drive on Friday.  then on Monday....we go back to Cork to Stay in Cork city for 3 nights. We considered staying in Blarney or environs of cork city, but the amenities of the city appeal.  We want to go to Midleton, Cobh, Fota wildlife, Blarney (not for the stone though. Talk too much already...). Last night in  Shannon or Ennis or Bunratty. Leave on Friday 4 July from SNN. 

 The help point -- aside from mental help we need for being so obsessed with going to the Derby that our "order" may not be perfect -- the drive from Abbeyleix to Cork city. We are interested in stopping in some mix of or one of the following: Kilkenny, Fethard, Clonmel (?), other interesting points between those. We think we will have gone to the Rock of Cashel and to Cahir when we are in Killaloe.  If not, however, then those probably get the vote over Kilkenny.  We tend to rise early and probably will be well settled on time by then.  We also need to arrive in Cork by 4:30 or 5 (so use can get dinner earlyish after making our way through the warren of streets of Cork (been warned) and checked in).  Soooo, any thoughts on that drive to Cork city?

Thank you, and sorry for the long-winded post.   I just wanted to give some background on where we already would've been.  

Susan