Dublin, Dingle and Kinsale area in 8 days-or should we skip one?
Hello! Myself and BFF are planning on going to Ireland in early May 2027 for aprox 8 days, to celebrate turning 60. Would prefer not to drive as we are from the US. Tentative itinerary:
Day 1-Arrive in Dublin 9 am ish.
Day 2-Dublin
Day 3-Train to Tralee, then bus to Dingle. Sleep in Dingle
Day 4-Dingle-bus tour of Slea Head. Sleep in Dingle
Day 5- Bus to Kinsale (probably need to change at Cork)
Day 6-Kinsale, Cobh area
Day 7-Bus back to Cork, then train to Dublin
Day 8-fly out of Dublin, or possibly one more day there and fly out day 9
If we decided to be brave and rent a car, would we be able to find one in Tralee/Dingle or Kinsale area? Would also LOVE to go to a sheep farm like Kissane and see sheep dogs herding-I imagine that's only possible with a car.
We want to see castles, museums, hear great music, see the ocean from the cliffs, small Irish towns. Definitely not skipping Dublin but wondering if we are trying to do too much and should split it into two areas instead of three.
EDIT: Thank you for all the info and recs, very helpful in planning our trip!