Irish Road Trip

First, you don't drive through the Cliffs of Mohr. They are costal cliffs so you drive to them and then explore.

Secondly, it's apparent you've not read the RS guidebook. I would do so to familiarize yourself with the island. Very practical and informative guide which can help you further define your itinerary. Would help you decide if Cork is a city you'd be interested in or not.

Thirdly, use google maps satellite and street views to help you define your routes.

Personally I found the drive from Dublin to Glendalough over the Sally Gap gorgeous. From Glendalough I then drove to Cashel and visited the Rock of Cashel and from there to Cork where I spent the night. Did this all in a day. started very early and arrived at Glendalough before the tour busses.

If you want beauty, wee roads then visit the Gap of Dunloe whichever is located between the stunning Killarney National Park and Dingle. Dingle and the West Coast of Ireland is where you should be concentrating your time. .

Greetings from Ireland.
Heres a few quick answers to your questions.
1. Tullamore would be a cool stop, for 50 years Tullamore Dex whiskey was made in Midleton and since 2014 is now being produced once more in its hometown, enjoy!
2. You can drive to the cliffs of Moher yourself, and you should, it'll be a fun day. You can park in Doolin and take a ferry from there to the Aran Islands.
3. if you have time take a 1 hour drive north to the village of Cong, one of Irelands official 'tidy towns'. Have lunch or afternoon tea in Ashford Castle.
4. if I was you Id go from Galway to Cork via Killarney and take in some of the National park there. Its a fairly long drive and you'd be mostly inland so thats a guarantee way of getting in some incredible scenery.
5. Rick Steves doesnt focus on Cork, he prefers kinsale and recommends also visiting places like Cobh. Cork is the type of place where the people and the spirit there is the big attraction, not the actual architecture or blockbuster attractions. The English market is enjoyable, but I would use it more as a base for day trips to Kinsale and places like that.

le meas/with respect
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Dingle & Derry

I would skip Cork and go to Dingle. That will give you the scenery you want. I just love Dingle ;-)

Claudia, what road did you take when you went from Dublin to Glendalough and then from Glendalough to the Rock of Cashel? I would love to be able to drive that way. When I look at a map--even a good map--it doesn't seem possible in one day, even getting an early start.

A few years ago Dublin - Glendalough - Cashel would have seemed like insanity, but with the new motorways it is actually surprisingly easy to do.

Dublin to Glendalough is straightforward - simply take the N11 out of Dublin to Kilmacanogue and then follow the signs for Roundstone and Glendalough.

Once at Glendalough, you'll need to continue across the Wicklow Gap (a nice drive) and come out of the mountains at Hollywood. From Hollywood, follow the signs to Ballymore Eustace (my village!) and onwards to Naas. It should take about 50 minutes to get to Naas from Glendalough. You'll pick up the N7 motorway at Naas, and Cashel is a handy 1 hr and 15 minutes from Naas on the new motorway.

Tutty's Pub in Hollywood is worth a look, as is the Ballymore Inn in Ballymore Eustace. The restaurant in the Ballymore Inn is fantastic, but expect Dublin prices. Once you're on motorway at Naas you'll be in Cashel in no time.

Kate I'm a photographer so purposely went from Dublin to Glendalough via the Sally Gap. A bit of a trek on a paved curving two lane road but it was my first visit and I enjoyed what I saw on the Old Military Road.

From Glendalough went to Cashel via Hollywood and Kildare. . Think it was a hour and a half drive maybe longer. Was in 97' so far too many brain cells have passed to be absolutely certain.

www.viamichelin.com will show you alternative routes for any leg of your trip. Just add about 25% to their time estimate to be more accurate. They will also, I think, indicate which might be more scenic.

The Jameson Distillery in Midleton (quite close to Cork) offers a very good tour and, as an added bonus, Midleton is also home to the Choctaw Monument, which we found to be quite impressive (with a fascinating back story).