I don't have time for a complete blow-by-blow report but would like to mention some of the highlights of a wonderful 15-day trip my wife and I had on the west coast of Ireland in May (despite the rainier than normal weather--people kept apologizing about the weather). We flew into Shannon and spent all our time near the west coast, from Donegal to West Cork.

2 nights at Cappabaihle House, Ballyvaughan.  Margaret & Conor were wonderful hosts and this was a great location for seeing the Burren and the cliffs of Moher. A highlight was a music session at Green's (recommended by Conor) with Shawn Tyrell, a wonderful Irish singer. Sideways rain and hail at the cliffs, but still lovely. Ballyvaughan is a lovely small village.

2 nights at Kylemore House, Connemara.  Nancy was a nice hostess; wonderful views over the lake.  Connemara is absolutely beautiful--highlights included the Killary Harbor cruise, the Lough Inagh drive and Sky Road near Clifden.  Gerry Lyons and the gang at Molly's Bar in Letterfrack made us feel like adopted family--absolutely wonderful people.

1 night at Bervie, Keel, Achill Island.  Some of the most beautiful views of the entire trip--the beaches and cliffs of Achill (also our first real sunshine of the trip).  Elizabeth at Bervie was wonderful--wish we could have stayed longer.  Probably the best traditional music session of the whole trip in Keel (I forget the name of the pub) with nine very good local musicians.  

3 nights at Rhu Gorse, Lough Eske, Donegal. A little off the beaten path but one of our favorite B&Bs of the entire trip.  Graienne (sp?) was wonderful providing tea and a fire to read by every evening. The views over Lough Eske were incredible from our room.  The road to the Cliffs of Bunglass is a bit hairy but certainly worth it. Also, the Glenveigh national park was wonderful.

3 nights at Abbey Court, Kenmare.  Michelle had warned me that the drive from Donegal to Kenmare was terrribly long, but we found the roads and the traffic to be surprisingly good. though it did take us 7 hours (with stops at places such as Yeats' grave in Drumcliff).  Brendan and Geraldine were very hospitable; we loved talking to Brendan over tea about the area, the U.S., you name it.  Their four-year-old daughter Naimh (sp?) was delightful.  Rain and fog limited our ability to see as much as we'd hoped to on the ring of Beara or the Ring of Kerry, but two highlights were Healy Pass (we felt like we were back home in the Rockies; even more spectacular than Conner Pass at Dingle, we thought) and Glenchaquin Park, with incredible waterfalls, lake and valley. The rhododendrons at Muckross HOuse were in full bloom--beautiful.

3 nights at Milestone House, Dingle.  Again, wonderful hosts--Michael & Barbara.  Michael's brown bread was the best of the trip.  Perhaps it's because we finally got sunny weather, but the views at Slea Head were probably our favorites of the trip. The Blasket Center was truly wonderful and moving. Also, we took the ferry to Great Blasket, a wonderful place to walk and take in the views and think about the people who once lived there. Great music sessions at several pubs, including The Small Bridge, Murphy's, John Benny Moriarty's and Marina Inn.

One last night at Lantern House on Lough Derg.  Phil and Liz were delightful as was the dinner in their restaurant. Serene views over the lake.

All in all, the trip was more than we could have hoped for. Beautiful scenery and incredibly friendly people.