Are you the same Anonymous that posted the topic "Several Questions....."? With other people posting as Anonymous too it is hard to keep track unless they identify themselves at the end of their message with some sort of user name. You don't have to use your real name. You can make one up. It can be confusing otherwise. 

If you did post the topic "Several Questions....." then you have the links for getting driving directions and times already, so that probably answers some of your questions if you will take the time to use those distance & map planners.

Your itinerary looks pretty good. Below are some answers:

Day 1:  Arrive in Shannon at around 7:30 am.  Pick up rental car.  Drive to Ennis for breakfast.  Do you recommend Ennis or Bunratty for breakfast?  I know that Ennis is a farther from the airport which will break up our trip a little more.  I have read posts on this board raving about Fitzpatrick's Bunratty Hotel's breakfast.  Do you know of any good places for breakfast in Ennis?  There are two options as I see it from here:  either drive straight to Galway or take a slight detour to see the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.  I would prefer to do the latter, but I am concerned about jet lag.  If I choose the CoM alternative, what is the most scenic route from Ennis/Bunratty through the Burren and the CoM?  I have heard great things about the Allwee Cave in the Burren.  Do you recommend it?  Where would you recommend stoping for sightseeing in the Burren and the CoM?  I realize I could spend days in this region, but if I only have 5 or so hours -- I want to get to Galway before dusk -- how would you recommend I allocate my time?  I want to spend the night in Galway. * Michele's Answer: Fitzpatrick's Bunratty Hotel is now named Bunratty Shannon Shamrock. Some other places to have breakfast in Bunratty/Shannon include the Oakwood Arms Hotel, Great Southern & the cafe at the airport. In Ennis try Old Ground Hotel or Temple Gate Hotel.  If you are worried about jet-lag drive directly to Galway and save the cliffs for another day. Aillwee Cave is interesting if you like caves. My opinion is if you have seen one you've seen them all...but that's just my opinion.

Day 2:  Trip to Aran Islands.  Do you recommend a ferry or plane?  What is the best way to get to the AI from Galway?  Overnight in Galway. * Michele's Answer: Either the ferry or plane is fine. Go to my Transport page for links to the ferries.

Day 3:  Connemara:  I want to spend the day in Connemara and see Clifden, Kylemore Abbey and Leenane.  Is this doable?  What is the best route to take from Galway?  Now, I could return to Galway for the night or I could stay in Clifden.  I plan to head South towards Dingle on Day 4.  Is there a ferry that I could take from Connemara (with my car) that would enable me to bypass Galway and bring me down south of the Burren?  * Michele's Answer: This is a doable day trip. Since you want to proceed to Dingle tomorrow it would make more sense to spend another night in Galway. There is no ferry from Connemara. There is a ferry across the Shannon from Kilimer to Tarbert. Again, see my Transport page.

Day 4:  If I was not able to do the CoM/Burren on Day 1 and I stayed in Galway on Day 3, I would do the CoM/Burren on my way south.  I want to head towards the Dingle penninsula/Ring of Kerry.  My understanding is that these are both day trips in their own right.  Is it possible to leave either Galway or Clifden on the morning of Day 4 and make it through the Dingle penninsula without going at breakneck speed?  Would I be better off stopping in Doolin or somewhere else for the night on my way to the Dingle penninsula?  This is the part of the trip that I am concerned about packing too much in.  Provided it is feasible to get to Dingle on Day 4, I would like to spend the night in Dingle. * Michele's Answer: Dingle is doable. Take the ferry.

Day 5:  If I wasn't able to do the Dingle penninsula on Day 4, then I would do the Dingle penninsula on Day 5, over the Connor pass.  Would I need to spend a second night in this area to do the Ring of Kerry or could I fit it in on the same day I see the Dingle penninsula?  How long does it take to do each of these drives at a lesiurely pace?  If I have already seen the Dingle penninsula, I would try to do the Ring of Kerry on Day 5.  If I woke up in Dingle on Day 5, how long would it take to make it to Kinsale, provided I took the Ring of Kerry route?  Would I be better off spending a night in Kenmare?  * Michele's Answer: This is the day to do Dingle. Both Dingle and ROK take the better part of a day. See the distance & map planners that I recommended.

Day 6:  If I stay in Kenmare, I would spend the morning exploring Kenmare and then head towards Kinsale.  I have heard wonderful things about West Cork.  Where is West Cork exactly?  What route should I take if I want to get a good feel of West Cork?  I would like to drive through West Cork on my way to Kinsale.   I am thinking about bypassing Cork entirely.  I live in New York City and although I am a big fan of cities, that is not what this trip is about in my mind.  I have heard mixed things about Cork.  What's your opinion?  To me, kissing the Blarney Stone is the equivalent of visiting the Statue of Liberty in NY (i.e., unnecessary and touristy).  I want to spend a night in Kinsale. * Michele's Answer: West Cork is mainly the area between Kerry and Cork City. The coastline is very scenic. Skip Cork City.

Day 7:  Drive to Kilkenny.  How long is the drive from Kinsale to Kilkenny?  I would like to tour Kilkenny.  (YESIREE, if you are reading this, I would love your walking tour of Kilkenny.)  I would like to spend some time in Kilkenny and then a few hous in Inistioge.  I could drive to Dublin on the night of Day 7, but I have heard it is a 2.5-3 hour drive and this would mean that I woke up in Kinsale and drove to Dublin, by way of Kilkenny and Inistoge in one day.  Seems like overkill.  I would think the better option would be to spend the night in Kilkenny and drive to Dublin in the morning. * Michele's Answer: Drive time from Kinsale to Kilkenny really depends on your route, traffic, etc. It could take up to 3 1/2 to 4 hours without stops. It would be another 2 to 2 1/2 hours to Dublin. You should contact Corey (yesiree100) right away so you will get your walking tour in time for your trip. You can contact him at: yesiree100@hotmail.com

If I have to choose between the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Penninsula, what do you suggest I do?  I can live without going to the most touristy places in Ireland.  It won't kill me and I may return at some point. * Michele's Answer: Given your available time you would be better off skipping the ROK.

Michele

Morgan,

Thanks for clarifying on the posting issue. It will take a bit of time for us all to get used to the way this new forum works. Unfortunately if you don't log in first, you will be posting as Anonymous. I really don't mind people posting that way if they will just give me some sort of an ID so that I can keep track of various questions, answers and postings.

Anyway, you will find the distance & map caculators under the topic "Several Questions....." Just go there and you can click on the links to input your data.

I hope it helps with your trip.

Michele