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Killarney to Galway itinerary advice pls

I’ve read lots of the discussions and adapted my plans already. But I’d be interested in feedback on my current itinerary before I start booking pls. I’m a single female 50, fit and with a car. I enjoy walking, cooking and prefer less busy places than manic touristy cities.
I have 3 nights in Dublin with a friend then have decided to fly to Killarney (March 21) and get the car there to save some long driving. I will arrive 1.40pm and am looking to stay at either Killarney Park or The Brehon (or elsewhere?) for the 21st and 22nd.
I don’t want to drive all of the ROK alone but rather do some hiking, visit Muckross/Ross Tower etc.
on the 23rd I will drive to Dingle (about 90mins??) and do Slea Head Drive. I’d love recommendations for Dingle accommodation? Something local in town, maybe a nice B&B?
I’d like to have a horse ride in Dingle (if there’s a better location please let me know!) and then drive to Lahinch in the afternoon (3.5 hours?)
So the 24/25th I will stay in Lahinch and visit the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren.
On the 26th I planned to drive to the Galway area (probably not stay in Galway itself?) and have 26/27 visiting Connemara and the surrounds (Ashford Castle, Clifden). If this is too much for this timing please shout.
On the 28th I will drive back to Dublin to be at the airport by 6pm (9pm flight out). Realistically I’d leave around 2pm to give myself plenty of time.
So: should I drop any of these locations and hub from less places? Does anyone have views on the best location to have a horse ride (not just a plodding trail walk but somewhere intermediate riders could have a nice safe ride)

And finally any accom ideas for Lahinch, Dingle and around the Galway area would be fabulous thanks.

Posted by
2430 posts

I wonder whether it might be more efficient to take the train from Dublin to Killarney, rather than flying.

Posted by
6 posts

I’d be happy to get the train but had a look at the website and found it a bit confusing to find the direct route and timetable? If anyone has a good link to check timetables or can let me know how long the train is etc then I’d be happy to go that way? Thanks

Posted by
2430 posts

Here’s what I found: https://journeyplanner.irishrail.ie/webapp/?HWAI%3DJS%21js=yes&HWAI%3DJS%21ajax=yes&#!start|1!REQ0JourneyStopsS0G|Dublin!REQ0JourneyStopsZ0G|Killarney!journey_mode|single!REQ0JourneyDate|24/02/2020!REQ0JourneyTime|now!Number_adults|1!Number_children|0!Number_students|0
If I understand correctly, there’s a train from Dublin Heuston every 2 hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., you change trains in Mallow, with a 16 minute layover, and the whole trip takes 3 h 21 min.

Posted by
6 posts

Ok I’m happy to do that if it’s a better way to travel. I assume the changing trains bit is ok if you have luggage? Thanks for finding that link.

Posted by
32 posts

We stayed at Greenmount House in Dingle. A bit on the upper end price-wise but it was fantastic with a great breakfast. Make sure you allow yourself extra time for driving in Ireland (multiply your estimate by 1.5). We found it took us a lot longer than we thought based just on mileage. The roads are narrow and wind in some areas and you may be competing with farm equipment, sheep and cows for road space.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks Mikey I’ll take a look at that hotel in Dingle. And allow extra driving time!

Posted by
459 posts

Up near the Ashford Castle, in Cong we really enjoyed out stay at http://www.nymphsfieldhouse.com/. Nice size room, great breakfast, very nice people. We really really enjoyed the falconry walk at the castle as well http://www.falconry.ie/ About a half mile or so outside Dingle (we walked it a couple of times) we stayed at Brownes B&B. Camilla (host) lost John a couple of years back and is running the B&B without him but she does a grand job and it is a very nice laid back place to stay. Nice living room and dining area easy parking. http://brownesdingle.com/

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks Jarrad I will take a look at both of those hotel ideas and the falconry looks excellent too!

Posted by
509 posts

"...horse ride in Dingle (if there’s a better location please let me know!)"

We know of only one, so can't offer a comparison. However, my wife had a great ride on spectacular Derrynane Beach near the charming village of Caherdaniel on the ROK. It would be about an hour's drive from Killarney, plus gawking and photo stops. Her ride was in May and it was just her, the guide, two horses and a dog. Maybe she was just lucky with the scheduling; mid-week, morning ride. (I enjoyed a pint in the Blind Piper Pub in the village.)

The outfitter is Eagle Rock Equestrian Centre. Here's the website: https://www.eaglerockcentre.com/ .

The name "Equestrian Centre" is a bit grand. It's a small farm and stable that you wouldn't notice driving by, but it was managed most professionally.

If you have specific questions, send us a PM and she'll be happy to help.

"...accommodation ideas....": Our lodging in Dingle was this AirBnB. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17935423? Two bedrooms may sound like too much for you, but it's priced like a single. It had a tiny clothes washer which came at a good time for us. Karen -- the hostess -- coincidentally is a horse person. We only stopped in LaHinch for lunch, but can give a strong recommendation on Randaddy's. http://www.randaddys.ie/ (Disclaimer: we stopped there because my grandkids call me Randad, but the food was excellent.)

PS - Just noticed jarradd's recommendation on the Hawk Walk at Ashford. That was another highlight for us. You'll find plenty of rave reviews using the Search field above and "Hawk Walk" or "Ashford Castle."