Is Rock of Cashel worth adding to a Dingle to Bunratty drive?

Posted by Evocative Conviviality (Cleveland) on 05/27/19 07:06 PM

My wife and I will be driving from Dingle to Bunratty (about 2.25hrs. direct) on our last full day to do the 8:45p castle banquet. We're flying out of Shannon the next day.

We're considering Leaving Dingle around 9a, driving to the Rock of Cashel (about 3hrs.) to spend a couple-three hours exploring/lunch before heading to Bunratty (about 1.25hrs.). This would put us at our Bunratty B&B at around 5p.

Is the Rock of Cashel visit worth the extra driving? As an alternative, is there anything worth stopping for along the more direct Dingle to Bunratty route to break up that drive?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Posted by Maggie

TN, USA

05/27/19 08:05 PM

2114 posts

Yes, I think the Rock of Cashel is definitely worth it. But, I would suggest looking at photos various people have posted on sites like TripAdvisor, just to see if t here is appeal for you and your wife. We found it unique.
But, also worth it (in my opinion) would be time to go thru the Folk Park at Bunratty (which as my Irish cousin told me when we visited Ireland: "It is, perhaps, the best example of what Ireland was like when your grandmother was growing up." It is charming and an easy venue to visit. The castle at which you will be experiencing the banquet shares the same grounds. You can also see photos of the Bunratty Folk Park on Trip Advisor. So maybe look at photos of both venues and see which has the greater appeal.

Would you have already visited the Cliffs of Moher?

Enjoy your trip!!

Posted by Evocative Conviviality OP

Cleveland

05/27/19 09:08 PM

16 posts

Yes- we'll have visited the Cliffs while in Doolin earlier in the trip.

Itinerary:
-3 nights in Doolin (Cliffs/Burren/Aran)
-1 night in Kenmare (Ring of Kerry)
-3 nights in Dingle
-1 night in Bunratty

Posted by Joyce

Pittsburgh, PA, USA

05/28/19 11:01 AM

138 posts

Rock of Cashel is beautiful and worth seeing and there is another castle nearby - Cahir Castle, that you could also see. That town seems to offer more options for lunch. We were there off season in October so there were no crowds and we walked around each castle for about and hour and a half to two hours each. You might need more time in peak season.

Another option to break up your drive from Dingle would be to do the Hawk Walk at Dromoland Castle Hotel. It's not far from Bunratty and we loved it. Our group was small and we were able to have the hawk fly in and land on our arm and visited the Falconry and saw the falcons and owls. We had lunch at Dirty Nellie's outside Bunratty Village and had time to walk around Bunratty park. We have done the Bunratty dinner banquet on both trips to Ireland and enjoyed it both times. A very fun evening!

I'm sure that there are more seasoned travellers who can tell you more things to visit between Dingle and Bunratty. There is so much to see! Hope you have a wonderful time!

Posted by Travel Boss

Florida, USA

06/06/19 07:21 PM

12172 posts

I liked Rock of Cashel but it is a long drive, especially to then drive to Bunratty.

I'd suggest stopping a Cahir Castle, Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey then spending a night in Kilkenny or something pointing toward Bunratty. A long day but doable.

IMO Cahir castle is one of the better castle visits in Ireland. I enjoyed Bunratty too, especially the transplanted buildings. My mom did the dinner and enjoyed it (too touristy for me).