May/June Itinerary

This May, I'll be visiting Ireland for the 6th time , and traveling with friends, a married couple in their early 60's who will be visiting for the first time. I love Ireland - the people, the rugged beauty, the Guinness. My friends are following my lead. We may split up at times, so long as we can be set for the transportation.

The itinerary is pretty close to being set, but I still have a few questions. With regards to the amount of driving, I'm locked in to visiting both Cork and Connemara.

May 29 - Arrive in Dublin at 5am. We are staying in Ballsbridge for two nights. My only must-sees are Howth, Kilmainham Gaol, possibly Glasnevin Cemetery. My friends may join me, or do their own thing. Biggest question here - how best to navigate public transportation to Howth when staying in Ballsbridge?

May 31 - Rent a car and drive to Cork for two nights. I will be visiting extended family, always a highlight of my trips there.

June 2 - Undecided and looking for advice. We can either head from Cork to Dingle for three nights. (One of the places Ive never been.) Or we can stay at Kenmare or Killarney for one night, and then continue on to Dingle for two nights. Not usually a fan of one-night stays, but it is on the way to Dingle. Would visit Killarney National Park and tour the Gap of Dunloe (not by driving!) I would ordinarily prefer to stay in Kenmare, but Killarney is more on the way, and closer to Gap of Dunloe.

June 3 - Two nights in Dingle. Thoughts on what area to look for B&B's in? Dingle, Tralee, the outskirts rural areas? Being within a mile walk of a pub would be nice, but not mandatory. (We can alternate being a DD.) Prepared for the white-knuckle driving.

June 5 - Dingle to Connemara/Cashel, via a stop at the Cliffs of Moher. We will be staying at a cottage near Cashel for 4 nights.

June 6 - Aran Islands

June 7 - Connemara. Looking forward to seeing Ashleigh Falls. Any other ideas? (Besides Cong, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park, Clifden Castle, Sky Road, Dog Beach, Lettergesh Beach, and the Village of Roundstone?

June 8 - Galway

June 9 - Leave early in the morning to fly out of Shannon for an afternoon flight.

Recap of questions.

-How best to navigate public transportation to Howth when staying in Ballsbridge?

-Traveling from Cork to Dingle, have one night open in between. Should we 1. Go on to Dingle and have two and a half days there instead of one and a half, or 2a stay in Kemare (I like the atmosphere there, but it's more out of the way,) or 2b. Stay in Killarney (the atmosphere felt a little more touristy, but it's a better location for seeing the Gap of Dunloe and Killarney National Park.)

-General idea of where to stay in the Dingle Peninsula?

-Ideas for Connemara, besides the most populated spots

Thank you!