We are currently visiting Adare from the states. Saw galways for a few days as well. We would like a shorter drive day trip tomorrow from Adare. We don’t want to do Cliffs of moher as we have heard it’s very crowded and although we have drove a week already with no accidents, are not sure about what we hear are challenging roads up to Cliffs of moher due to buses and narrow roads. I found Ballybunion when researching. Looks to be an hour from us at Adare Manor. Any idea how the drive is from here to there? I see there’s a pretty cliff walk that looks safe for the kids as I read it is fenced ( any idea if that’s accurate) and there are pretty beaches to see. We are looking for seeing Ireland’s natural beauty and love coastal areas, this looks closest unless there’s closer ? I have a kid who gets car sick so we aren’t up for too long a drive. Wondering if this drive is less crazy than to Cliffs of moher? Thanks
Posted by
Southern California
62 posts
We drove to Ballybunion from Adare last May. Easy drive, and you go right through a couple small towns. We made quite a few stops at ruins so I can't really tell you how long it took. It's a cute little town but there was a festival in town and it was pretty crowded (although nothing like the Cliffs of Moher.) The beaches are very nice and clean. We didn't see the cliff walk, wish we had. It was a good day trip.
Posted by
OP
20 posts
That’s great to hear. Do you recall were roads very windy and blind curves and narrow? On google map don’t look to be but hard to tell, we drove from Galway to Ashford few days ago some narrow roads nerve wracking curves and lot of lumber trucks coming kooosite directional,
Posted by
Southern California
62 posts
Not that I can recall, but I'm sure if there had been any problems, I would remember, since I spent quite a bit of time hollering at my husband!
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1189 posts
Hi from Wisconsin,
Several tricks to that Irish back road driving.
1. Driving is a shared process. Half of what is available, where ever it is could be yours. You work with the driver of the other car. Go cpsliw.
2. When the road is too narrow to share be looking for a pullout spot. Keep the most recent one in mind. If you meet a car, back up to that spot. If they are Locals they know who has the nearest pullout, and who should back up as they know where all the pullouts are located.
3. When approacing a car on a 1.75 car-wide road, Don't be the first car to pull over to the side. They will take everything you offer. If you 'make them' start to pull over first you will feel more comfortable with what you end up with. This sounds agressive. But months of driving these back roads have taught me somethings.
4. Slow down. Back roads are back roads. Blind corners are just that, blind. Many of the hills are blind. 30 mph is often way too fast. God help you if you hit and kill a farmer's pet sheep, dog, or his favorite son named Padraig.
If you want to drive fast get on the big roads. On the back roads it takes all day to get anywhere. I met a Belfast man in Doolin. My trip from Chicago to Doolin took less time than his drive from Belfast to Doolin.
Don't know exactly where you are but a nice road runs north from between Killinaboy and Leamanah and will eventually bring you to Ballyvaughan. Its beginning has a double blind curve. Google Killinaboy ireland and zoom way in. The road is much closer to Killinaboy and Leamanah.
Wayne iNWI
Posted by
OP
20 posts
Thank you all and especially for the detailed replies and driving tips. We are now back in the states but will surely use them as I have family in Ireland and plan to return next summer. We ended up not going to Ballybunion but due to our hotel in Adare arranging a nice day for us golf and spa to make up for some issues we had with the hotel, the activities were a surprise given to us for free and too good to pass up, so it did end up being a memorable day though I regret not seeing more on the coast outside of Galway. There are so many more areas we want to see, seems you need weeks esp as we are traveling with kids and have to factor in them being tired , meals taking longer than expected etc. but I look forward to returning next summer. The Irish people we so kind and friendly , the food was excellent so impressed with all the local farm fresh options and the scenery stunning.