Hi all,

I've been thinking and thinking and reading and reading.  I've come up some new ideas that leave out Donegal.  I'm sad about it, but now I know that it means we'll get to come back to Ireland someday to see that part of the country - as well as Connemara and Northern Ireland.  It seems to me that those locations fit together better than trying to do Donegal and Kerry in one trip.

Anyway, here are my new thoughts:

Saturday: Arrive Dublin early AM; explore; stay over in Dublin

Sunday: From Dublin to the Hill of Tara and Newgrange; stay at Cabra Castle in Cavan

Monday: From Cavan to Doolin (AA roadwatch says it is a 4 1/2 hour drive - I guess this will be a big driving day); stay Doolin

Tuesday: Stay Doolin (Burren, Cliffs of Moher, etc.)

Wednesday: From Doolin to stay in Dingle or Tralee (Ballyseede Castle) 

This is my undecided part.  I would like to stay in Dingle as it seems like a great place.  But I would also love a second night in a Castle.  Not sure though if styaing in Tralee makes sense as we would (hopefully) drive part of the penninsula and then go back to Tralee only start over the next day.  Any comments or suggestions of how to handle this part?

Thursday: More Dingle Penninsula and off to Kenmare to stay - would we have time to see Killarney sites on the way to Kenmare?

Friday:  Do Beara penninsula and stay Kenmare

Saturday: From Kenmare to Kinsale - want to see Cobh Heritage Center and the Midleton Distillery; Stay Kinsale

Sunday: Kinsale to Bunratty (Folk Park, Castle Dinner Show, Blarney Woolen Mills); Stay Bunratty

Monday: Afternoon flight home from Shannon

At first they weren't on my radar at all, but now that I've done some more reading, I really want to see the Hill of Tara and Newgrange. This would also allow us to stay in a castle (Cabra) in case we skip Ballyseede in favor of a night or two in Dingle. 

As far as Co. Kerry, I definately want to see the Beara and Dingle peninsulas and am willing to give up the ROK for them.  I would, however, like to see some of the sights in Killarney and maybe drive the Black Valley/Gap of Dunloe as suggested by Oopsy in another thread if time and conditions allow.  We could always opt for another night in Kenmare if needed and skip Kinsale.  But I like that this schedule gives us the choice to get over that way and see Cobh and Midleton if we have time.

Am I still squeezing too much in?  This feels better than my last attempt, with less driving, but I'm still confused about how much time I'll need to drive in Kerry - ie. how long does it take to drive Dingle or Beara and do I need a full day in Killarney? 

Just when I feel like things are getting clear they become all fuzzy again - so I hope what I'm writing is making sense to everyone!!  I can't wait to hear everyone's input. 

Thanks so much!

Annette