You could perhaps make a little more progress in your journey on Sunday 16th, the day you pick up your car. With just Powerscourt and Glendalough on your list, you should make Kilkenny city - a more interesting stopover for your travelling companions.
Travelling down the Waterford coast the next day, try to find some time to do the cliff walk in Ardmore and explore the remains of St Declans monastery. You may get Fota and Cobh done by late afternoon - consider moving on to stay in Kinsale. Have found the Old Presbytery there a very nice B&B to stay in and the town is a bit different to most Irish towns.

With a history buff on board you shouldn't cut back on your time in Cobh. As well as being Titanic's last port of call, it was also the departure point for 2.5 million emigrants from Ireland and the town in literally steeped in history. There is the Titanic Experience in the former White Star Line ticket office, the Queenstown Story Heritage Centre in the former Victorian Railway station, the Titanic Trail Guided walking tour, tours of Spike Island, the magnificent St. Colman's Cathedral perched on the hillside and a very pretty and welcoming town with lots to see and do. Check this link out for more details
http://visitcobh.com/index.php/2011/05/18/cruise-passengers-your-window-on-cobh/

Looks pretty good to me. The 18th will be a fairly long day, but I'm sure you knew that.

I disagree about Kilkenny. While it's a terrific little city, pressing on to stay there will rob you of time in Wicklow and not really provide enough time to do Kilkenny justice, either. Now, if you had a few MORE days ....

We stayed in the self-catering cottage at Riverdale -- but the B&B is one of Michele Erdvig's recommended accommodations, so should be an excellent choice. The walking path (crossing the river on stepping stones) down to the Monastic Ruins is magical as the afternoon shadows envelope the mountainside.
Another good choice might be Ferndale House http://www.ferndalehouse.com/ located in the center of Enniskerry -- if a walk to pubs/shops/eateries is more to your taste. Think it is also on Michele's list.
Along the Vale of Avoca, is Avondale House http://www.heritageisland.com/attractions/avondale-house-forest-park/ This is the ancestral home of Charles Stewart Parnell which MIGHT be of interest to the historian in the group.

We loved Ardmore, but detouring there will short you for time in Cobh and that would be a shame. With the next day being a long one, I wouldn't recommend 'dawdling' too much on the drive down from Glendalough -- just for that very reason.

FYI -- as of right now, I'm leaning towards May, so sadly, the wife and I may not have the pleasure of meeting THESE Grands.

Hope you have a wonderful time, never-the-less!!!

Bob

Thanks, SeeDee, but I think we want to spend more time with especially Glendlough.

Good info, Greatisland, and I think we will skip the wildlife park and concentrate on Cobh itself.

Aw, Bob, I was hoping we could have yet another GTG but it doesn't look good. Our mutual friend has moved house and now lives in Co. Kerry just off the Ring. I chose Riverdale because you stayed there and it seemed a very nice place. If I'm not mistaken they have a shuttle to a local restaurant for dinner? Should your plans change, do let me know!

Not sure if the B&B provides the shuttle, or the Restaurant does, but there IS a shuttle. Didn't even step foot inside the B&B, so can't comment on it (though, I HEAR it is WONDERFUL!), but we really enjoyed the self-catering!

Plans are still 'Iffy', so I'll keep your dates in mind. Is our friend still 'Marketing' -- and if so, where? Please keep me advised as to what your plans are -- as you never know ...

Lots to see and do around Sneem, but I would think that the Staigue Fort http://www.stonepages.com/ireland/staigue.html would be a big hit.



Bob

Oh, yes, Bob, our friend is still out there selling....Sneem on Tuesdays if I am correct and other places as available or by invitation. She is very happy with the treatment she is receiving in Kerry and can't understand the people who don't like Killarney.

I like the idea of crossing the river on stepping stones to walk to Glendalough. Although I can visualize myself getting dunked.....

I have visited Staigue Fort several years ago and was most impressed...although our friend says there is a better place available. She has all sorts of plans for our 1½ days.

As in many things, our friend is doubtless, correct! Suspect that these are contenders: http://www.voicesfromthedawn.com/cahergeal-and-leacanabuaile-forts/

http://www.saintsandstones.net/stones-leacanabuaile-journey.htm

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/7d88a/

Unless there is HEAVY rain, the rocks are large, high and close together, so you would be hard-pressed to get your feet wet. During our stay, it rained all the last night and into the morning, rather ROBUSTLY. As we were departing, you could BARELY even SEE the rocks!
Pix to let you see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/5901720040/in/set-72157626993559237

Bob

So, I had this HORRIFIC vision -- of you, your two Grands, and Someone We Both Know -- scampering up the wind and rain swept steps -- at Skellig Michael!!! http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4835140249_9dbff42233_b.jpg

PLEASE tell me that you will 'Reign In' any such notion!

Bob

bookmarking

Oh, Bob, you know we will "do" Skellig Michael.....NOT! While I have crossed Carrick-A-Rede, my aging knees won't allow steps any longer (I even choose B&Bs with ground floor rooms if at all possible) and I suspect SWBK would feel the same since we are of an age. And one of the grands is iffy about heights so I think we will stay firmly planted on the Ring.But thanks for the encouragement!

I now have all my accommodations booked except for the Sneem/Kenmare area; first choice there was already full. I would welcome any suggestions; we need 3 separate beds and if at all possible ground floor room.If necessary we could do a single and twin. A little isolation would be ideal. We will be there 2 nights , June 18 and 19.

Kenmare - I loved O'Donnabhain's. While they aren't ground level rooms, the stairs are wide and easily traversed slowly, and the rooms are huge (we had a family room with three beds) . It is in the center of town, but I think they also have self-caterings further out.

Ah, an update is in order. We are booked in at An Glaisin on the Kenmare-->Sneem road. My "boots on the ground" checked it out for me and found it delightful.

Thanks for the help!

Good evening...

And yes, still trading as much as possible and for the same reasons and living now in the glory of the McGillicuudy Reeks.

Sneem on Tuesdays after Saint Patrick's Day weather allowing and you will see me in unexpected places this year.

And yes. A fascinating day and a half is planned and not even jaja knows where she will be going. But it will all be lovely.

I have been trading in Sneem two summers and know the area well, and have been exploring as I travel trading. Seeking out interesting and lesser known sites. an avid historian here

Kerry beats Cork hands down in many ways. Such a varied and lovely county and so much wilderness and so many undiscovered places.

So many rip offs too! A man charging E4 to walk to see a view of the Skelligs you can see up the road for nothing.. and Staigue Fort's "trespass fee"... Nb I got in both free but I tend to do that here.

The people are kind here too; yes Killarney gets crowded in season and is indeed quite busy now. But it is further from a huge city and this makes a difference. A pretty town.

Bob; not allowed to go to Skellig on windy days so rest assured on hta

Besides it is over populated and touristy!!