Ireland Itinerary: 7+ Nts Dub-Snn, visiting Dublin, Kilkenny, Kerry and Clare.

Day 2
Dublin - Kilkenny : approx. 125km, 2hrs drive.

Collect rental car (either from city centre or Dublin airport) and head for Kilkenny, which has an attractive medieval centre. Buildings to look out for: St Canice's Cathedral; the Black Abbey; Shee Alms House; Rothe House; the Tholsel; Kilkenny Castle (check opening times on web-site) and Kilkenny Design Centre.

Overnight Kilkenny.

Day 3
Kilkenny - Rock of Cashel - Kenmare : approx. 240km, 4hrs drive.

Immediately after breakfast drive to Cashel to visit the Rock of Cashel early, before the tour buses arrive.
The Rock is a very impressive site when seen from afar, and has very fine examples of early-Christian buildings on the summit. There is a carpark at the base of the Rock; it is then a short, but fairly steep climb to the entrance.
Allow approx. 2hrs for your visit. Guided tours are available and are worth taking if you wish to learn about the various buildings.

On to Kenmare; you should arrive in time to spend an hour or so exploring this pretty little town, before heading out to one of the excellent restaurants for dinner.

2 nights in Kenmare.

Day 4
Spend the day travelling around the Ring of Kerry, where you will discover beautiful seascapes and pretty villages.

Alternatively, if you wish to travel off-the-beaten-track, consider visiting the Beara Peninsula: a wild and rugged landscape scattered with prehistoric remains. Great opportunities for walking.

Return to Kenmare for 2nd night.

Note: You might like to look at staying in Killarney rather than Kenmare. Killarney is also located on the Ring of Kerry, and is a busier, livelier location than Kenmare.
This might be a better option for a winter visit, as there are more things to see/do indoors.

Day 5
Kenmare - Dingle : 100km, approx. 2hrs

Drive over Moll's Gap and through Killarney to the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. It should take approx. 2hrs to reach Dingle town.

Beyond Dingle town you will find the Slea Head Drive with yet more gorgeous views.
Return to Dingle town for supper and music in one of the many pubs.

Overnight Dingle.

Day 6
Dingle to Doolin, using Shannon Ferries across the Shannon, and visiting Loop Head (if time permits) and the Cliffs of Moher.

Full details of this route on above link. Minimum drive time: 3.5hrs, approx. 5.5-6hrs if including Loop Head.

Overnight Doolin for 2 ngihts.

Day 7

Spend a day exploring the fascinating Burren: a unique limestone landscape where alpine and mediterranean flowers grow side by side. This area has been inhabited by man for 1,000s of years and you will find traces all over the Burren: prehistoric tombs and forts, medieval churches and abbeys, and pre-famine farmsteads.

Click on the above link to read details of my favourite places in the Burren.

Overnight Doolin.

Day 8

Doolin - Shannon airport : 67km, approx. 1hr, 15min

It's a fairly straight run from Doolin to Shannon airport. If you're returning transatlantic, you'll want to check-in 3hrs before your flight. Shannon is quite a small airport: not many facilities once you pass through security.

Remember to allow enough time to refuel the car and return it to the rental depot.
You will then have to wait for a shuttle bus to take you the short distance to the airport terminal. These buses run at regular intervals, so you should not have very long to wait.