Itinerary and driving questions ~ regarding distance.

I think you're right that Day 6 crams a lot in. Choose your top priority and eliminate the other attractions that day.

Thanks for your reply. I think that the most likely thing to go would be the cave. Do you have any information on the driving conditions between these stops? I'm interested in finding out how much time to budget.

We did several of these drives two weeks ago. As you look at maps and distances I think it is fairly accurate to estimate maximum speeds allowed on the M roads--no problems there. For the N roads we often went about 20% less than what was allowed and we just laughed at the posted 100 speed limits on the R roads where we rarely could go more than 60 max. There were too many walls in hedges and blind corners to go anything like the posted speed limits. My husband usually drives over the speed limit in the US but not even close in Ireland.

We avoided the L roads unless they led us to a specific historical site we wanted to see a short distance away.

We have not taken our trip yet but we will be driving for 3 weeks in September. Just to clarify something that Mona posted. In the Republic of Ireland the speed is posted in kilometers and in Northern Ireland the speeds are posted in miles per hour. So if you see a speed sign in the Republic of Ireland that reads 80kph that translates to approximately 50 mph. In RS book he states the speed limits are:

In town 50kph or roughly 30 mph
Rural Roads 80kph or roughly 50mph
National Roads 100kph or roughly 60mph
Motorways 120kph or roughly 75mph

He also strongly advises against speeding which (from what I have heard on this forum) doesn't seem to be an issue for anyone. Enjoy!

Mona, it sounds like you had a good time.

After talking to the family, we are going to play it by ear. We'll start with the cave and the Burren and then gauge our time from that point. We'll either hit the Cliffs late or early the next day.

We'll take it slow for sure. The roads will make that a necessity.

Did you already book your flight? Flying into Shannon and bus to Galway would make a lot of sense. Better to end in Dublin in my opinion. The bus from Shannon to Galway works great, and would save expensive time with the rental car. Galway deserves some time, don't just use it as a base for the Aran Islands. I agree that day six will be a challenge, and Aran Islands may be an advanced topic for such a compact itinerary. My wife and I have been to Ireland twice, most recently in May 2016 and we have never made it to the Aran Islands. I think it's a better fit for a slower itinerary. County Clare is wort a two night stop on its own. I would go to Kilkenny rather than Waterford.

I think it's probably too much. I made all the same stops driving from Limerick to Galway, we left at 9 AM and got to Galway around 6 PM. Your plan has an hour or more on each end of the trip I did.

VS,
We are flying in and out of Dublin. Juggling Day 6 & 7 schedule is what we are doing right now.

My parents are indifferent to Dingle. My mom would be happy to stay in Dublin and my dad is just happy to see another part of the world. He's happiest when talking to locals and has never met a stranger.

So, I know, some might say not to give up Dingle, but we might, at least on this trip. We could make Clare day 6 & 7, spend the night somewhere and head on towards Cork (Middleton) for the distillery and then head on to day 9 & 10 from there.

We're thinking about Kilkenny now!

Archimedes,

It's ambitious, for sure. The only reason that I even thought to attempt it was because the Cliffs have long opening hours in August until 9pm. The website is asking visitors to come after 4pm. I'll just book a hotel close by and have the option of getting there late on Day 6 or starting there early on Day 7. We won't plan on driving on to our next destination until Day 7.