Ireland in June - comments please and thanks

Posted by don.mackie on 03/07/15 09:59 PM

First off apologies, I am aware this thread is already started by ROBav8r (interesting is I was also an av8r and deployed many times to Kinloss)
Wife and I will be flying into Dublin on June 24, out of Dublin on 30 June, intending to rent a small get about car. I have come up with the stops and would appreciate any advice --- thanks.
1. 24th land at 1700, rent car travel to BB coach house, approx. 50KM, expect to be there
at 1900 no later.
2. 25th onto Kilkenny, overnight, remain overnight, venue not set (visit castle)
3. 26th Onto Dingle overnight – remain overnight, venue not set
4. 27th Onto Galway, Via Cliffs of Mohar, seen ferry on map? remain overnight, not set.
5. 28th Dublin 2 nights, visit city
6. 30th Air Canada back to YVR 9 am check in, must drop car.

I am hoping this doable, the Dingle to Galway looks long, and I feel I have to make allowances for the country roads, want to avoid toll highways as much as possible, would anyone have experience with the ferry or have a schedule. It looks as though the ferry shaves some time by avoiding Limerick.

Thanks in advance for any insight....

Posted by Bill

San Diego

03/07/15 10:30 PM

552 posts

That's a lot of driving and very little enjoying the Irish. Just because the 'Cliffs' are geologically remarkable, doesn't make them a must see, or any more enjoyable that just wandering through Kenmare or having an actual full day for Dingle. I suggest removing step 4 from the list and making more time between Dingle, Killarney & Kenmare

Posted by Bill

San Diego

03/07/15 10:40 PM

552 posts

I should also add that I highly recommend seeking out the highways. Taking the M7 is the only way you'll make it back to Dublin before the car rental places close.

It's actually more scenic on the lifted roadbeds of the highways, if you like enjoying the landscape. Most passenger are ready for a change after a couple hours of 3 meter hedges on either side and a bus directly in front.

Posted by don.mackie OP

03/08/15 03:44 AM

2 posts

thanks Bill, that is actually good advice, I will take it. It seems people continuously recommend a day in Dingle.

In June, end June, would anyone think not making reservations and just going day by day outside of Dublin prove a problem...is the tourist season in full swing already...

Posted by Nancy

Bloomington, IL, USA

03/08/15 04:06 AM

9363 posts

You are basically only giving yourself an afternoon and evening in Kilkenny. Kilkenny to Dingle is about 5.5 hours with no stops, so you only have the evening in Dingle before heading off again.
Dingle to Galway, via the Tarbert-Killimer ferry and the Cliffs of Moher, is almost a seven hour drive with no stops. Then you intend to leave the next day for Dublin. When do you plan to see Galway? Or, if you don't intend to see Galway, why go out of the way to get there?
You can find timetables and other details about the ferry here: www.shannonferries.com
www.viamichelin.com is your friend. Use it to determine mileage and drive times from place to place. Add about 25% to their time estimates to get a more realistic idea of times, especially in the west.
Two nights in Dublin is only one full day there. I would suggest dropping your car before going into town, since parking is scarce and expensive, and you won't need a car in the city. To sum up, you really have too many places that are too distant from each other to have enough time in any of them. You will have a better trip if you narrow down your list of destinations so you can actually enjoy the things you are traveling so far to see.