Dia Duit, Shawn,

Congratulations on geting your flight booked.

Ten Days? Is that actual on the ground time or does that include your flight  days, as well? If so, then you only tehnically have eight days on the ground. Making Dingle, Donegal and Galway in that time frame will be snug, as Donegal and Dingle are almost equi-distance apart in opposite directions.

If you did something along this line:

Day 1-3 - Dingle
Day 3-5 - Galway
Day 5-8- Donegal
Day 8 - Sligo
Day 9 - Bunratty
Day 10 Home

You would have two nights in Dingle, two in Galway (one day devoted to Inis Mor), three in Donegal and one in Sligo to break up the long drive from Donegal to Bunratty. You could also forgo the overnight in Sligo and make a full day of it between Donegal & Bunratty, giving you an extra day for any of the three main focus points of your trip.

If you take the westerly route, along the coast, up into Donegal from Galway, you will have your Connemara experience. Traveling up from Dingle to Galway, take the Killimer/Tarbert Ferry and then the Coast road, which will take you past the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin and through the Burren.

I will leave you with that to chew on for a bit. Always here to answer a question should you need.

Slan Beo, Bit

Tx for the tips. We will have 9 full days on the ground for actual time to schedule. I know we are spending 3 nights in Dingle at our favorite B&B. We are waiting to here back to see if it will be at the beginning or end of our trip. I'm taking the less is more approach this time, so if Donegal is too far north to do right, I'd rather do something else.

As far as Galway - I always got the impression that it was a crazy city? amirite? I think what we'd like is a nice quiet place w/ access to Galway for a little city experience and trips to Aran, but somewhere peaceful at night to relax.....someplace to also see the Connemara area.

Is there a kind of 'suburb' that would work? Is there any kind of transpo like the DART in Dublin?

tx again.

Shawn,

Judy is right on the money. Spiddal is the perfect jumping off spot for the Connemara, Galway and Inis Mor. Ardmor Country House is one of my Favorites because of the views which you have out of every window. Cois Na Tra is another wonderful B&B. The Aran Ferry Coach used to stop and pick up there. If they still do, that would be an ideal for you. Ceol na Mara is a wonderful Thatched cottage B&B with its own restaurant. It is close to the Craft Centre in Spiddal, and ideal for he things you wish to see.

Galway is hectic in the summer months. I don't find it as crazy as Dublin or Cork. It is in between a major city and a small town, in its presentation.  I much prefer it to the other large cities in Ireland, to be sure.

You might consider Wesport instead of Donegal, as it is not quite as far. Clifeden, for that matter would also be closer. If you do look toward Westport, you would do well to spend some time on Achill Island. It is loaded with History. You would not be disappointed.

Slan Beo, Bit