Eight Days in Ireland - Route Suggestions?

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j77
j77

Hi,

We're going to Ireland in a few weeks and are planning on spending a few days in Dublin before renting a car and driving around the southern portion of the country for about 5 days. Right now, our itinerary looks something like this:

Day 1-3 (Thursday - Sunday) - Dublin
Day 4 (Sunday) - Drive to Kilkenny via Glendalough, stay in Kilkenny
Day 5 (Monday) - Drive To Killarney (via Rock of Cashel, possibly Ahenny High Crosses), stay in Killarney
Day 6 (Tuesday) - Killarney and Dingle Peninsula
Day 7 (Wednesday) - Drive to Galway early, via Cliff of Moher and Burren NP, also taking ferry across Shannon to save time, stay in Galway
Day 8 (Thursday) - Morning in Galway & area, drive back to Dublin, spend evening in Dublin
Day 9 (Friday) - Fly out

So, based on this itinerary, I have a few questions:
a) Are we planning to see too much? We don't mind a lot of driving, and there are 3 of us, so we can split the drive, as I've heard it can be tiring, especially since we don't know the roads and aren't used to driving on the left side of the road. However, saying that, we don't want to spend our whole vacation in the car.

b) Any suggestions on what to see enroute? We'd like to break up the day with little stops here and there (we're all active, and would definitely like to get a hike or two in, and any other adventures)

c) Any opinions as to whether we should do the route as planned, or in the opposite direction?

Any other opinions and suggestions would be appreciated. I know there are a lot of other posts up similar to this, but I want to make sure I don't miss anything and don't completely underestimate drive times, etc.

Thanks in advance!

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seaneendubh
seaneendubh

Hi,

I think that's a do-able road trip. The only really slow bits will probably be around the remoter parts of Kerry. Then again, the Jackie Healy-Ray legacy of big roads in little corners of Kerry will come to your aid there... It will be a lot of driving though.

Let me share with you my dad's best tip for driving on bad roads (25+ years experience of driving big ungainly military vehicles around remote roads in the 3rd world including west Kerry) - if you're on a single lane road with cliffs on either side, and there's a truck/bus/car-full-of-crazy-locals coming at you - stop, and let the other guy worry about getting past you.

:-)

All those places you mention are well worth stopping. I guess if you don't have time for Aran then the Cliffs of Moher will have to do.

When in Kerry, stop when you see signs for pottery 'n' stuff, you'll hopefully find some local craftworker and get some unique pieces. My wife and I treasure some hand-made mugs we got in some corner down that way.

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grahamphelan
grahamphelan

Hi the best way to find the best route suggestions is on the AA Route Planner Website: http://www2.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/
They will tell you if there are tolls on the route, how many kilometers it will be and how long the route will take and a list of directions.

a) I have to say that in Irish tems this seems like allot of driving. Most of your trips will take around 3hrs and also we don't have motorways like you do in Canada. We only have them around cities, so your trip from Galway to Dublin will be a motorway (with a toll) and there will be motorway for half of the way between Galway and Kerry. And part of the way from Glendalough to Kilkenny.
P.S. I was in Dingle at the weekend and even though it looks as though its near Killarney it's not really. Once you get past Tralee you will be on a very narrow but beautiful road taking you up and down the mountains in Kerry.

b) Your seeing so much and taking long trips so you don't really have time to be stopping off here and there. Although you will be passing around our 3rd biggest city, Limerick quite a bit, but Limerick really isn't the nicest place. Where I would recommend for you to stop is Bunratty Castle and Folk Village: http://www.goireland.com/Photos/16701_16800/Clare-Bunratty-Castle-P08-04637.jpg
http://www.theodora.com/wfb/photos/ireland/bunratty_castle_bunratty_clare_co_munster_ireland_photo_holger_leue_2003.jpg.
This is on the way from Galway to Kerry and everyone really likes it!

c) No I think your route is the best possible. You will just need to get up early in the morning to cover all them trips!

I hope you have a nice time here and I hope I helped :)

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swayner
swayner

In Dublin must sees is the Guinness Store House, Temple Bar,Trinity College, Phoenix Park one of the largest parks in any European City also Aras an Uachtarain (President House) can be found their.
Dublin to Kilkenny Should take about an Hour to drive to depending on traffic.

From Kilkenny to Clonmel you will travel on a motor way and as you pass Thurles their will be a turn off for a pub called the Horse and Jockey take it as the food is excellent traditional Irish food at a reasonable price.

From Cashel to Cork(Lonely Planet top 10 cities to visit 2010) on the Motor way it takes about an hour so you could visit Cobh(10 min from Cork City) where all the famine ships and other ships(Titanic) left Ireland and then the Blarney Stone(15 Minutes from Cork City) as both wont take you too far off track.
The road from Cork to Killarney(45-1 Hour) is poor as their is very little places to overtake and its very windy although its got great views.
When you leave Killarney you can go on to Tralee(30 min) and from Tralee head to CastleIsland( and this will take you onto Limerick.
Good bit of stuff to do in Limerick if you want to spend a few hours their, but definately Bunratty Castle situated in Co.Clare on the way to Galway Just outside of Limerick is worth a look.
Galway is great Craic(Irish for Fun) if you enjoy a few drinks and a bit of traditional music its good.
From Galway to Dublin(2.5 Hours) you have a motorway but I would stop off in Athlone Town for something to eat and a walk around as its a nice town which is located in the centre of Ireland and once said to be the home of the high kings of Ireland where Brian Boru ruled.
Usefull Links
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/
http://www.ireland.com/entertainment
http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Index.aspx
http://www.templebar.ie/
http://www.tcd.ie/visitors/
http://www.shannonheritage.com/
http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/kiss-the-blarney-stone
http://www.discoverireland.ie/
http://www.ireland-guide.com/whats_on/this_months_events.20.html
Hope this helps

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