Would really appreciate feedback on my itinerary / is it too ambitious?

I've been to Ireland once in 2014 and did a semi-similar trip (but my trip was longer, I did Cliffs of Moher/Burren, Aran Islands, Galway, Dingle, Cork, Trim, and Dublin) and I am bringing my boyfriend for the very first time. We are both on-the-go travelers and enjoy sleeping in a new place every night, just want to make sure I am not overdoing it or burning us out. Thoughts?

Day 1
Flying into Shannon from NYC (on a red eye, we plan on taking melatonin to get a full night sleep on the flight) - landing at 10AM , pick up rental car, go to Cliffs of Moher + Doolin cave and/or Ailwee cave (any preference? or are the caves not worth the trouble) lunch in Doolin/ explore Limerick/ dinner in Limericksleep in Limerick

***due to the amount of people concerned for sleep deprivation, an alternate option could be:

Day 1
Fly into Shannon from NYC, get rental car, go to Limerick hotel and nap, get lunch in Limerick, then Sunset at Cliffs of Moher/ dinner in Doolin/ sleep in Limerick

Day 2
wake up in Limerick, drive to Dingle, explore Dingle peninsula, lunch/dinner in Dingle area, Sleep in Dingle

Day 3
Wake up in Dingle,Do Ring of Kerry - not sure on lunch yet, maybe we pack sandwiches, dinner in Killarney, sleep in Killarney

Day 4
wake up in Killarney,maybe do Killarney national park? Or straight to blarney castle. probably pack sandwiches for lunch, dinner in Cork, sleep in Cork

Day 5
wake up in Cork, Kilkenny castle/ Dunmore caves, sleep in Kilkenny

Day 6
Wake up in Kilkenny, straight to Dublin / returning rental car in city centre, see Book of Kells / Jameson distillery (we are skipping Guinness factory, because I've already gone and my bf isn't a beer fan), dinner around temple bar area

Day 7
Early flight out of Dublin (7AM)


I think if we dropped something I would be ok since I have done a similar trip already, and my bf doesn't care either way as long as we're exploring lol. I think Cork was my favorite so i was on the fence about doing 2 nights in Cork and ditching either Killarney or Kilkenny..? Also I am very comfortable with driving the small country roads and am aware they can take time, I've driven in over 25 non-American countries overall (mostly solo trips)

Thanks in advance!!!!!

Hi Mary,

It's wonderful to hear that you are making a return trip to see us and bringing your boyfriend along too!

Day 1 would definitely be a see how it goes day as the flight may well take a little time to adjust to and the best advice would be not to overdo it. That said, if the weather is good, watching the sunset at the Cliffs of Moher would be perfect.

If you wanted to stay in Cork for longer than Dingle, the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park could be visited in 2 days with a stop over in Killarney at the end of day 2 and ending day 3 in Cork. This would make it a longer day but gives you the chance to see Blarney Castle at the start of your day, if that would be a suitable plan.

When will you be over with us?

Martin

Sounds like a great trip.  you won't have time to make it to Fermanagh but perhaps next time!

Hi Mary, 

How are your plans coming along? It looks like you had loads of ideas for your itinerary. When are you planning on visiting? :)