Ireland Summer Vacation 2008

I loved your blog! This is the first time I have ever visited the trip planner website. Someone just told me about it the other day. What a wonderful first-time experience. Your blog entries were a delight. My husband and I are going to Ireland in August and I am very excited and was thrilled to read about your adventures. We will get our youngest child situated in his college dorm and take off a few days later...no children! Romance! Empty Nest! haha. We have rented a 2 bedroom condo for a week in County Clare (it is supposed to be nice and is at a golf resort; also the price was good because we got it through a travel club). Our plan is to rent a car and to see whatever sights we can in one week (but most of the time, we will return to our condo. At the end of the week, we fly out of Shannon over to Scotland for another 9 days. We have a cottage rented there in Callandar, Scotland. Any suggestions by anyone in regard to either country would be welcome. Your stories of Dublin made me a bit wary of venturing there in a rental car...would you advise against going? Sounds like there are so many other things to see and that sounded so stressful for you and your husband. Maybe we will stick closer to County Clare (that is the county with Cliffs of Moher, which has been my screensaver ever since I booked the trip!). At this point, I really haven't planned any specifics other than I've reserved the plane tickets and lodging. It sounds like I should get some maps and maybe plan a real itinerary? We have 2 in college and are watching the money, but of course want to enjoy our time, too. We are in our 40s and very physically fit (in other words, we like to walk and hike and want to do while we still can!). Our main objectives are just to take in the beautiful scenery and the culture. You say the people are friendly and that sounds delightful. Again, any suggestions (from anyone) are very welcome. We are from NC. THANKS.