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Drive from Dublin to Kilkenny, time for Derry and Giant's causeway, opinions on Wild Atlantic Way

Posted by (Twin Cities of MN) on

At the start of planning my Ireland itinerary. We will have a car and have about 4 weeks. We travel at a slightly faster clip than most, and don't mind changing accommodations fairly often, though we very rarely stay one night, and prefer at least three nights. We are excited for Ireland--the scenery, charming towns and music.

  1. We'd like to drive from Dublin airport to Kilkenny. (Arriving quite early morning, 4th country in two years of driving on the "wrong" side. Relatively short airline flight for us, and we typically sleep on the plane) We'd like to stop at Powerscourt Waterfall, Glendalough Monastic site and the Wicklow head and coast. I'm seeing we should allow a couple hours each for the waterfall and Glendlough. I do not have a sense of where and how long on the coast by Wicklow. I'm calculating about 4 hours of drive time. Thoughts?

  2. Towards the end of our Ireland travels, we'd like to spend some time in Derry and the Giant's Causeway before heading to Dublin. Is Derry the best place to stay? Is three nights a good amount of time?

  3. I'm traveling clockwise around the Republic of Ireland with a side trip into Derry and Giant's Causeway. We are beginning and ending in Dublin with no plans to visit Belfast. We'd like to incorporate much of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Ring of Kerry. Are there parts of the Wild Atlantic Way that might not be too tragic to skip? (yes, we have the UK ETA and we'll let the car rental company know of a brief travel into Northern Ireland.

Thank you and you all are better than AI! ;)

Posted by
654 posts

Thank you and you all are better than AI!

I don't use AI and don't wanna learn. But if anyone would ask AI if Jules' statement is true, I'd be interested to hear.

Sounds like your trip will be wonderful. The Rick Steves 14 day tour also goes clockwise, so that sounds right (we'll be doing that in a week).

Only thing I'd add is that Dublin has a lot to see. I'm not a big fan of most big cities, but I do like Dublin. If you did spend a day or two there, it might be better to use public transportation there and get your car after that.

Posted by
7933 posts

Thanks, Travelerguy, I think we'll stop one night in Howth on the way to Dublin from Derry area, return the car at the airport, and, absolutely, at least three nights in Dublin.

Posted by
1706 posts

I like Derry but found accommodation there to be expensive. Folks on the Forum have recommended staying in Letterkenny and using the bus to get into Derry. There is a parking garage at the mall if you'd rather. The first time I was in Derry, we did it as a day trip from Bushmills, where we staying for the GC. Also, we were heading south again after Bushmills. I don't fancy Derry as a place to stay to see the GC because there are a lot of other places further east that might be of interest. For example, if you wanted to go out to Rathlin Island, that would make a long day coming from Derry. Of course, with a car, you can stay anywhere that suits your needs and budget. One consideration is where you'll be coming to Derry from. Donegal? Then maybe Letterkenny makes sense. Or another town in eastern Donegal. With four weeks, I would say don't miss the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal.

Posted by
632 posts

I like your itinerary! Should be a wonderful trip and you will get a feel for almost the whole island. When we are in Donegal, we stay in Letterkenny (family there). It is an easy jumping off point to Derry, Giants causeway, Bushmills. I will suggest that you don't drive in to Derry as the traffic stinks and parking can be a pain. Others opinions may differ, I just felt like it wasted too much time fussing around looking for parking and navigating the traffic. The bus from Letterkenny is easy and inexpensive and it drops you in the center of town. The drive to Giants Causeway is an easy drive from Letterkenny, imo. If you left early enough you could hit the Causeway, Bushmills and the Carrick-on-Rede rope bridge.
Some other points of interest on the Wild Atlantic Way would be the light houses. Particlarly Fanad Head (a stunning approach!) and Malin Head (the most Northern point in the whole of the Island.)
We are heading back to Co. Dublin and Co. Donegal in a few weeks. If I find anything else that might be a "can't miss" I'll post it. Enjoy your trip!

Posted by
705 posts

Big Yes! to Fanad Head and Malin Head.

When will you be there? On our first visit to Ireland, we stumbled about the Apprentice Boys' parade as we arrived at the Derry City center. Interesting cultural experience:

The Apprentice Boys of Derry hold two major annual parades in Londonderry to commemorate the 1689 Siege of Derry: the Shutting of the Gates (first Saturday in December) and the Relief of Derry (second Saturday in August).

Posted by
7933 posts

@G3rryCee, I like your ideas. I think I may spend at least 4 nights in the area of Donegal. I'll do 2 of them around Letterkenny. We'll see Derry on the way to Antrim coast. Then, I think 2 nights on the coast. Do you recommend Bushmills for an area to stay? Or other ideas. We do like to stay in the moderate/budget range of accommodations. We are finding Ireland a bit pricey for lodging. We will be sure to see Slieve League Cliffs, Thank you!

@Kimberly. Sounds like another vote for Letterkenny. Do you think Derry would be difficult in terms of parking if we wanted to stop there on the way the Giant's Causeway area? Fanad and Malin Heads, check! Thank you

@ CanAmCherie, we will be in Ireland this September.

Posted by
1706 posts

It might be expensive, but parking at the mall in Derry is easy, and it puts you right in the heart of town, but also easy to get off and on the road.

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