My family (parents and two adult children) are traveling to Ireland for 9 days in July. We're renting a car and driving once we leave Dublin. I'd planned on leaving Dublin, driving to Kilkenny Castle, Rock of Cashel, then Blarney Castle before heading to Killarney to stay the night. The next day we've reserved for the ROK and wanted to stay nearby. I know that's a lot of driving, but have I tried to fit too much into one day??? There's so much I want to see but don't want to be stressed out in the process. Thanks for your help!
Posted by
NY State
72 posts
I just did some mapping of your wish list. What you have going for you is a long day of sunlight.
You will be driving a distance of about 230 miles. Michelin puts the drive time at roughly 5 and a half hours. Most people who have been to Ireland will tell you to add another 30% to these drive times.
Then add time to park your car, wait on lines (and there will likely be lines at these sites in July) and spend some time at each location. These are all wonderful places to visit but I don’t think you can realistically enjoy all 3 in one day.
Posted by
1172 posts
You have tried to fit way too much in one day unless you just want to run from place to place without really getting experience the sights. I would break it up by staying in Kilkenny the first night, You can then drive from Dublin to Kilkenny .. visit eh castle, walk the medieval mile and the next day plan to be at the Rick o castle right at 9 am when it opens. That was you will beat the tour buses.
From Rock of cashel, are your way to Blarney and then stop in Killarney for the night.
We loved the Blarney grounds and were there for 3 hours. Another place we really enjoyed were the Dunmore Caves just outside Kilkenny.
Posted by
Waterville, Ireland
409 posts
When you say "reserved for Ring of Kerry" what do you mean? Are you doing a bus tour from Killarney??
If that description is all one day to get to Killarney on your day from Dublin - yikes!!! That is alot lot lot of driving in one day....
Do let us know if you are doing that in one daylight day.....?
Susan
Expat living in Waterville (Ring of Kerry)/Skellig Coast....
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much for the helpful advice! It definitely helped me make some changes to my plan. I've decided to go to Kilkenny the day before we drive to Killarney. That will leave the Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle as stops on the way to Killarney. We're staying in Killarney that night then driving the Ring of Kerry the following day, and will stay in Killarney a second night. The next morning we'll go to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren before going to Galway for the night. Both my dad and brother can drive an automatic, so I'm hoping that swapping drivers some will help since it's such a long drive. What do you all think?