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Dublin - Westport - Cliffs of Moher - Dingle - Kinsale - Dublin

We are visiting Ireland in March. We land in Dublin at 7am (flying from Chicago). Our current plan is to get rental car - pick up our daughter who is studying at UCD and drive to Westport. Do you think this itinerary it too much time spent driving? Would we be better to skip Westport and add Kilkenny and not go so far northwest for Westport? It sounds so charming that I was hoping to fit it in but also don’t want to spend all of our time driving.

Our current plan:

Day 1: Arrive Dublin and drive to Westport
Day 2: Kylemore Abby and Clifden
Day 3: Westport/Croagh Patrick
Day 4: Drive to Cliffs of Moher and continue on to Dingle
Day 5: Dingle
Day 6: Drive to Kinsale - tour Cobh Heritage Center
Day 7: Drive to Rock of Cashel then to Dublin
Day 8: Dublin
Day 9: Dublin
Day 10: Flight out of Dublin

Posted by
4816 posts

This Friday? If so, be aware how early it gets dark (4:30) and how hard it is to see to drive in the dark (not what I am used to in Texas). Day 4 looks long.

Posted by
6790 posts

Where are you flying in from? Someplace far away - on an overnight redeye? If so, please consider that you may be (most folks are) exhausted, jetlagged, and in no shape to jump in a car and drive off safely (on the wrong side of the road, for many of us). Much safer (never mind more enjoyable) to avoid driving right after arrival, treat yourself to a good night's sleep before you start the driving adventure the next day.

Posted by
1585 posts

Unless you sleep well on the plane or your daughter is the driver, I think you should spend your arrival day in Dublin, or it’s surrounds, before driving west. I also recommend that you don’t try to drive in Dublin. Let your daughter take the bus to you.