Galway to Beara Peninsula? Dublin?

A good drive from Galway to the Beara, taking in most of the most attractive roads would take about 3-4 days. Stick to the coast road where possible, the direct routes are not so scenic. Don't go via Limerick, better to take the ferry over the Shannon estuary at Tarbert, then follow the coast road to Tralee and into Dingle (which is well worth at least a day to stay and explore). If you skip a bit, skip the Ring of Kerry, its more touristy and less attractive than Dingle and Beara, although if you have time, visiting the Skelligs is well worth it (also, boat trips from Dingle are very nice). If the weather is poor and you want to do walking, do it in the Burren, its drier under foot. If the weather is good, climb Mount Brandon, the views are breathtaking.

The weather is likely to be very wet, very windy and cold, but possibly also sunny dry and hot. Next day might be the same. Come prepared.

Best value in Dublin is in lunchtime specials, if you want a foodie treat, go for those rather than evening meals. Thorntons (formerly 2 michelin stars) has maybe the best cooking in Dublin and is now doing 25 euro fixed lunches. Chapter One on the northside is also well known for good value Michelin star quality food. A great foodie place is Fallon & Byrnes on Exchequer Street. Ground floor is a very cool foodshop (the coffee bar is one of the best in Dublin), downstairs is a nice wine bar, and upstairs is a great restaurant.

Edited by: PhilipD

check out SHANNONFERRIES.COM

i take it you'll be eating in and around Galway too?
May i recommend a restaurant in Barna village
thats on the way to Spiddal,
Donnelly's, is very well known to the locals
if i where you phone ahead and enjoy.
it's right on the traffic lights (the road dips lights are hidden)
before the lights is a chemist with a flashing green cross
turn left at the chemist into the free car park
and you can walk to Donnelly's.

Edited by: yofletch

hey galway to beara is fairly long really. galway to cork city is about 3 hours passing through limerick on an average enough main road the whole way - galway to limerick is good but the road to cork has some rocky patches. after cork it would prob take another hour and a half to get to beara, the road is bad to be honest - go west towards kerry and take the turn off where it says so - once your there its all windy country roads, you'l be going around some rocky mountain type roads but there;s some nice scenery at least. so ya about 4.5 hours in total maybe less. beara's very nice though, try to see a bit more of west cork while your there - loads of nice coastal areas and little towns - well worth a visit.