4 nights

Posted by kbott on 12/13/23 11:24 PM

We have decided to take on a short trip to Ireland after a 2 week tour in Scotland. We will be flying to Cork Airport Monday April 22 around noonish and leaving from Dublin on Saturday morning April 27. This is what we're sort of thinking. We might be a bit worn out after Scotland, but want to see what we can, while we have the chance. We aren't really interested in Dublin this time around, it was just cheapest to fly out of there. We might like to get out and do a little hike, but mostly want to see some of the highlights of the western side.

Monday: Arrive in Cork around noon. Pick up a rental car and drive to a hotel in Killarney. Explore around Killarney Monday afternoon.
Tuesday: Drive the Ring of Kerry. Stay in Dingle.
Wednesday: Explore Dingle in the morning and drive to Galway, stay around Galway somewhere Wednesday and Thursday.
Thursday: Cliffs of Moher and ?
Friday: Drop off rental car in morning and take the train to Dublin. Taxi to hotel. Explore Dublin Friday afternoon/evening. Stay in Dublin
Saturday: Taxi to airport. Leave for US

Question:
-Is this itinerary doable without being totally rushed? I'm a fairly fit 65 and my daughter 26. Should we pick either ROK, or Dingle but not try to do both? We could always stay 2 nights in Killarney instead.
-Is it going to cost an arm and leg to drop the car in Galway, since we will pick it up in Cork?
-Can anyone recommend places to stay in Killarney, Dingle, Galway and Dublin? We will need 2 beds, bathroom in room if possible, prefer something a little quaint rather than a chain hotel - maybe a B & B. Thanks for the advice!

Posted by Gail

Downingtown, USA

12/14/23 12:21 AM

2449 posts

Highly recommend the Lighthouse and Celli Bhreac in Dingle for bed and breakfasts. Stayed twice in each.one and they are lovely. With such a short time I would only focus on Dingle and skip Ring of Kerry this time. Also you should not have a large drop fee for the car but check with the rental company. If flying out of Dublin to US be sure the give three hours at the airport as you clear US customs there.

Posted by CL

Salem, Oregon, USA

12/14/23 01:07 AM

2723 posts

Will you have already been driving in Scotland on the opposite side? Allow some time for adjustments if you haven't. I haven't done ROK, but do recommend Dingle peninsula and staying there two nights (do the loop drive one day, Dingle town the next). I stayed at Bambury's guesthouse (on a RS tour) and it was wonderful, especially breakfast: https://www.bamburysguesthouse.com/

You might consider dropping the car at the Dublin airport, stay at a hotel near the airport, and just go in to town for the afternoon/evening and return to sleep near the airport. Or not bother with Dublin at all and spend your time visiting sights along the way to drop the car. Newgrange is a place I regret not going (I didn't have a car).

There is a separate thread on a similar 4 day topic - you may get some ideas there https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/ireland/4-days-at-the-end-of-february

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

12/14/23 01:25 AM

3226 posts

Monday: instead of driving from Cork airport to Killarney drive to Kenmare and sleep there. This way you’ll drive the Ring of Kerry in the opposite direction of the tour busses so you won’t get stuck behind one. Dingle is north of Killarney so if you drive the ring from Killarney, you’ll end your drive near Kenmare that’s south of Killarney meaning you’ll be further away from Dingle. If you drive the ring from Kenmare, you’ll end your drive closer to Killarney meaning you’ll be closer to Dingle. After you reach Killorglin that’s located on the Ring of Kerry turn north onto N70. When you get to Castlemaine (15m drive) turn west on R561 and Dingle is 45m away.
Wednesday: drive the Dingle Peninsula. If you don’t do this there is no reason to go to Dingle. Sleep in Dingle for two nights.
Thursday: drive to the Cliffs of Moher and then to Galway and drop off car; sleep in Galway. Not much to see or do in Galway since it’s used as a base to visit the Aran Islands and Connemara. Driving in Galway is no fun either but it does have train service to Dublin.
Friday: Instead of driving from the Cliffs of Moher to Galway drive to Shannon airport and drop off your rental car. Shannon airport is closer to the cliffs than Galway. You can then take a direct bus (or taxi but find out how much it costs) to Ennis that runs every hour on the half hour: https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/. The next day take a direct bus from Ennis to Dublin (3h 30m). Buses are easier when carrying heavy luggage because you store your bags outside of the bus before getting on. This will be much easier than driving in the congested and confusing city of Galway.
I would pick the Dingle Peninsula over the Ring of Kerry. You’ll spend a long day looking at the same scenery over-and-over again when driving the ring. The Dingle Peninsula is a much shorter drive with dramatic views of the nearby Blasket Islands. Plus, Dingle is a quaint town compared to touristy Killarney.

Posted by kbott OP

12/14/23 05:17 PM

5 posts

Thank you so much for all of the great suggestions. It looks like several of the B & B's are already booked up, so I'd better get in gear. Part of me just likes to go with the flow when I'm traveling and be open to suggestions from local folks, but with such a short time I think we just need to make some decisions soon and have at least our lodgings in place.