Around Ennis is a good central point for the Clare area (Cliffs of Moher, the East lake country, etc.). We stayed on the west side of Galway (Salthill), it is handy for the Connemara tour and for Old Galway itself. You could access more distant parts of the county (Lough Corrib, etc) from Galway town also. Killarney was central for the County Kerry part of the trip, we didn't do the ROK as such. Dingle is a beauty, we spent two days, could have spent more. It bears in mind that, as a peninsula, it has certain limitations as a central point for exploration. Let me finish by saying IT WAS ALL GOOD. There is no place like Ireland, you really can't go wrong no matter what you choose. You can pick up where you left off on your next trip!  WC

-- Edited by WCOMALLEY at 21:43, 2008-07-21

Scott,

You could do an nicely leisure route such as this:

On the third head to Kilkenny & stay there two nights, enjoy a self paced walking tour of Kilkenny,visit Kilkenny Castle, visit Jerpoint Abbey, Hike through Castle Comer Discovery Park, Check out the Augustinian Priory & Mill in Kells. The first link I provided you has eight different day trips fanning out from Kilkenny. You wouldn't be disappointed with any of them

Your next three days spend in Kenmare, as Stew indicated, far less crowded and commercialized than KIllarney. It is still within a close enough distance to give you ready access to Killarney National Park and its environs.

Your next three days can be spent on Dingle, lucky folk! You will enjoy Dingle. It is a magical place.Stay in Dingle town and you will have numerous opportunities to fall in with the locals. If it is available in November, take the Sciuird Archeological Tour, visit the Celtic & Prehistoric Museum, visit the Dunbeg Promontory Fort on Slea head

Your last three days before heading back to Dublin, you could base out of Galway. Enroute between Dingle and Galway, take the Shannon Ferry from Talbert to Kilimer and then follow the coastal route north to Galway. This will allow you to visit the Cliffs of Moher, perhaps have lunch in Doolin and visit the shops of Fisher street, take a drive through the Burren and up into Galway. Once in Galway, you could take a day to explore the Connemara.

Remember that in November, the days will be short, with sundown coming on around 4:30 - 5:00 and sunrise around 7:00 - 7:30

I hope this helps,

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm glad that Dingle was mentioned a couple of times. I know that its not a good central point, but everything I've seen and read on it makes it out to be a wonderful place to visit. I'm sure that will be one of our stops. And, thanks for the tip on Kenmare over Killarney ...that sounds like a good one also.

Now, time to go in search of some B&Bs. I definitely like the planning process, so this should be fun.

Thanks again for all your suggestions.......I'll be back with more questions :)

Scott