9 DAY ITINERARY ASSISTANCE

Seems to me too much back and forth. Why are you using Cong as a home base? Honestly this doesn't seem to make sense to me. Please reply as to using Cong as base and many of us can give you a much more sensible route.

Thank you for your comments. The home in Cong was booked by other family members and not able to change it.

Can't remember how long drive is from Shannon to Cong. Have you checked driving times and maps at all. In my opinion, this is way, way too much. You really can't go from Cong, giants causeway, Belfast and tour and then to Dublin in one day. Don't think Cobh is worth it and certainly not Titanic exhibit, don't even remember seeing one artifact, just a replica of first and then maybe second or steerage class room. Really suggest you just keep focus on west coast for this trip. Any driving in Ireland takes at least 25 percent more than what maps say. This is just my opinion. Also don't remember that you can tour Ashford castle, maybe the grounds though, you are aware it is a hotel. Good luck.

Thank you for your comments! I have checked viamichelin.com and added 25% to driving times. Shannon to Cong should be about 2.5 hrs. Day 3 I was planning on stopping for the night somewhere between Cong and Giants Causeway but not sure where. I am open to any suggestions...... I should have mentioned we would make a reservation for Tea at Ashford Castle. Thanks again! Sharon

Can't help with place to stay between Cong and the causeway but if you have time while in Cong maybe you can squeeze in the falconry experience, was worth it. Also in Dingle on the Slea Head drive, stop at the Stonehouse restaurant, totally built in stone with stone roof, donkeys outside, great hot chocolate with a touch of Irish whiskey. You can then walk up the hill and for a euro or so walk into and around some of the beehive huts. Whatever you do in Ireland will be great. We did not use it but there is a ferry you can take on way from the Cliffs to Dingle in I think is Talbert and will save driving time.

Shorty, I suggest dropping the Ring of Kerry for day 7 and take your time on the Slea Head Drive. Get out to Ballyferriter-there's a fine little museum there-and the Gallarus Oratory, Beehive Huts, and many other very unique sites out that way, and not so many buses! You won't be able to do it justice with the Ring on the same day.

Have fun, Dave

Thanks for your input Dave! I know we don't have the time/want to do the whole Ring of Kerry and appreciate your suggestions of other sites nearby. Do I understand it correctly that the Slea Head Drive is only about an hour long?

Gail - Thank you for the suggestions in Dingle. And of course for mentioning the time saving ferry!!

Just a couple of comments. If you do The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher justice, that will consume ~4 hours. The drive from the Cliffs to Dingle is ~4 hours maybe a little longer. This doesn't account for any "photo ops" - unplanned stops if you will.

I can tell you the Slea Head drive is easily 3 hours - if you really want to enjoy every pull out and stop. Rick's guidebook details to the tenth of a mile everything worth stopping for it is most useful. After 2 trips to the west of Ireland, this is by far one of the most scenic in the entire country.

On Day 8 or 9, I would suggest you make a detour stop at the Rock of Cashel. This is one of the recongizable icons in all of Ireland. From Adare, I think it's only about an hour and half or so.

Another tip on driving, I've driven a total of 18 days in Ireland - I've gotten lost on 18 days. I eventually resigned myself that I would get lost at least once everyday. :) I can tell you the "M" highways are like the interstates here in the US, the "N" roads are mostly 2 lane - some 4 lane but not divided highway AND the "R" roads in a lot of places are wide enough for one vehicle. The "R" roads are almost a sure bet for car scratches from the hedges and rock fences. I'm still trying to figure why they bother to paint a white center line when two cars couldn't possibly pass at the same time.

Have a blast! I love Ireland and the people!

I do and I don't understand the driving back and forth to Cong. But if your looking for a fast way to get from Dublin's Ballsbridge neighborhood back to Cong. I'd take the M50 to the M4 then at exit 11 change over to the M6 (towards Athlone), stay on the M6 until you get to Galway. Then it's just going N84 to R334 to R346. The motorway is your fastest way to go. There are tolls, just make sure you have the change for them before you leave. http://www.mydiscoverireland.com/blog/2010/04/14/toll-fees-and-locations-in-ireland/

Jerry and Sarah - Thanks so much for your suggestions and info about the roadways. Especially thankful for the direct route from Dublin to Cong! I know we are cramming a lot in but not sure if/when we will be back. Can't wait!!!! Sharon

Sharon,
I forgot to tell you that Cobh's heritage center for the Titanic, is nothing to write home about. It's the loading dock (very very small) where the passenger went to before getting on smaller boats to take the out to the Titanic. I did it with a girlfriend of mine last year, our feeling on it is that there are trying to hard to be a part of history. That instead of keeping the building as it was they took a page from Disney and turned it into a thing for kids. Seeing that your going to Belfast - that heritage center for the Titanic is far far better, seeing that it is the birthplace of the Titanic. Cobh was the last port that the Titanic was at (though it wasn't ever in their port/it was to big) and has the highest number of survivors pulled from the waters.
Other then that Cobh's has a very nice church, but sadly most of their shops and cafés have closed down. Midleton is a better town to spend your afternoon at or even driving up to Lismore (beautiful hill top town with a castle and one great view) it's only about 30minutes north of Midleton.

Hi,
I would say, "biting off more than you can chew". Years ago I was at Poulnabourne and started talking to an Irishman from Belfast. it took him longer to drive, non-stop from Belfast to Near Galway than it took me to get there from Chicago.

Central Ireland is not where you want to spend your time. I have done a complete circuit of Ireland's coast. You would be well advised to skip Dublin and spend your time in the west. Cong is not a bad place to be set up if you are doing small day trips. Even Doolin or the Cliffs of Moher are a time consuming, frustrating drive and then to have to head back to Cong all in one day.

Here is an idea, if you drink beer. Take one of your days and sit in both the pubs of a small town for several hours each. You will have more good memories from that than sitting in a car trying to make good time.

I am serious, I was looking again at your dream of seeing as much as possible. I have driven Dublin to the middle of the green glens of Antrim. That sucked the whole day and without touring.

There are roads where you can manage 100km/hr, but it is like driving on our Interstate highway system, you will see nothing, feel nothing, and learn nothing while on the road. If you utilize the secondary roads, they are much slower. There will be cows being walked in and back for milking, or sheep demanding that the warm road bed is theirs.

wayne iNWI