I will give you a few thoughts, and let others chime in.  Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned!

Day 1 - fly into Shannon, drive to Doolin, see cliffs of Moher, stay in Doolin
Sounds good -- Doolin is a short enough drive for that first day.

Day 2 - visit Aran Islands, stay in Doolin
Also good, plus make sure and go to Gus O'Connor's Pub for some of the best traditional music to be found.

Day 3 - drive to Wesport, visit Clare Island, overnight in Westport area.
Another music suggestion.  Go to Matt Malloy's Pub in Westport, owned by a member of the Chieftans.

Day 4 - Drive to Dublin - open for suggestions as what to see on trip, overnight Dublin
You might use Clonmacnoise as a place to stop on this route.  Wonderful sites with large array of crosses.

Day 5 - tour Dublin/ overnight
The Hop-on Hop-off tours are the way to go.  When you get to Dublin, find a place to park the car and don't touch it until you leave. You will probably find driving in Dublin to be something to be avoided if you can.  Almost everyone on this forum shares that thought!

Day 6 - tour Dublin/area  overnight
Still fine if you feel the need for a third day in Dublin -- I wouldn't!

Day 7 - leave for Wexford/New Ross /Kilkenny area. Friends wa
nt to visit a pottery factory in Wexford area  and we are unsure if it is open on a Sunday, so we want to hang in the area for a  Monday visit if need be.
I would stay in Kilkenny, one of the most amazing cities in Ireland.  I think the pottery place they are talking about is Nicolas Mosse Pottery in Bennettsbridge, which is only a few miles south of Kilkenny.  And it is open on Sunday afternoons, and well worth the short drive.

Day 8 - Cork area
So much to see in the rural areas of County Cork.  I would stay clear of Cork City, which can be confusing and lacking charrm. Villages such as Kinsale, Bantry, Glengariff, Baltimore, Glandore, etc. are remarkable. Some places in West Cork defy description!

Day 9 - Cork/Killarney area
I would combine days 9-10 and stay two nights in Killarney.  Stop in Kenmare along the way, as it is a wonderful town. While Killarney itself is somewhat touristy and not one of my favorites, the areas around it are magnificant.  So much to see right around Killarney, and the second day you could do a day trip to the Dingle Peninsula -- my favorite place in Ireland -- or you could instead just stay in Dingle instead of Killarney.

Day 11 - overnight in Shannon, leave next day.
Good plan -- great B&Bs in that area.

Maybe I've given you something else to think about.  So much to see for certain! I guess if I did anything really different, I would take the third day you have in Dublin and add it to your Cork stay so that you have two nights in Dublin, two nights in Cork, and two nights in Killarney or Dingle.

Have a wonderful trip!

Monty

-- Edited by Monty on Friday 10th of September 2010 01:41:43 PM

Diane,

Welcome to the realm of IrelandYes irregulars. You will find we are a helpful bunch, as Monty has already shown.

Remember that the days will be shorter in October.  However, in early October, you will still have twelve hours of daylight, weather permitting. Just make sure that you are settled into your lodgings before sunset.

In Westport, you also have Achill Island, which is historically and archeologically richly diverse.

Monty has given you some excellent advice. If you are set on the three nights in Dublin, I would suggest that, on that second full day, you take Mary Gibbons' Tour to Newgrange. It is small in size and large on knowledge and experience. Definitely, park your car at your B&B in Dublin and venture forth via public transport or on foot. Driving in Dublin is insanity at its best. Parking is also a logistical nightmare. You might even consider staying on the outskirts and taking advantage of the DART. Clontarf Castle has some great three-night deals, which include your breakfasts and dinner on two of the three nights.

I would second the vote to stay in Kilkenny. It is a great town in its own right, filled with artistic talent and history.  Butler Court is my favorite in Kilkenny. Lawcus Farms Guesthouse is my favorite just outside Kilkenny.

As to New Ross & Wexford, you could do those as you head toward the Cork area. I would suggest staying in Kinsale, the Gourmet Capitol of the South of Ireland. There are excellent restaurants available there and the coast road is amazing! Michele has some excellen lodging suggestions for Kinsale here. My favorite place to stay in Kinsale is the Woodlands.

I would stay in Killarney the next two nights. Again, you will find excellent lodging recommendations on Michele's lodgings page.  If you come to Killarney via Kenmare, you will have visited the prettiest part of the Ring of Kerry, in my opinion. You can then use your one full day to explore the Dingle Peninsula or take advantage of a Gap of Dunloe Tour and dinner at Kate Kearny's cottage.

Your last night, I would recommend staying at Bunraty Lodge. It is a short drive to the airport and Mary takes good care of all of her guests.

I hope this helps some.

Slan Beo,

Bit

 

Diane,

With the long drive between Westport and Dublin, taking in to consideration stops along the way, I would say that you are fine with the three night stay. You can use both days to explore Dublin or grab one of many tours offered through the tourist information centre. I suggested Mary Gibbons' tour to NewGrange, as it is something to be experienced, standing in the chambers.  Taking the Hop-on/off Double Decker bus tours will give you the best opportunities for experiencing the best Dublin has to offer and will give you some historical insights as you travel from point to point. Your ticket is good for 48 hours from time of purchase.

Slan Beo,

Bit