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Late March itinerary - help needed/feedback welcome

Posted by on

I am planning a trip to Ireland for a group of 4 adventure-ready adults, arriving early Saturday in Dublin. We fly out of Shannon the following Friday. I’m trying to maximize our six nights. Below is what I have sketched out, and I need some help figuring out how/where to rent a car, struggling to make it work in Doolin.

Sat: arrive in Dublin. Visit Trinity College, Book of Kells, and Guinness. Take the train to Galway, spend the night there.
Sun: ferry from Rossaveal to Inis Mór, spend the night on the island.
Mon: ferry to Doolin. Book a boat tour for the cliffs. *this is where I’d like to pick up a car. Ideally, we would explore the Burren a bit and then make the long haul (3 hour) drive down to Kenmare.

Tues: drive the Ring of Kerry, sleep in Killorglin.
Weds: drive to Dingle, explore, spend the night.
Thurs: Slea Head drive. Spend the night in Dingle.
Fri: drive to Shannon for late afternoon flight.

Thanks fellow travelers!

Posted by
1110 posts

Depending on where you're flying from, arrival day may be pretty zombie-like. Seeing your choices AND the train to Galway will be exhausting.

I don't think you'll find a car in Doolin. You could take a Moher boat trip that ends in Galway (or Rossaveal) and pick up the car there and drive to Doolin. Maybe take the Moher trip from Galway on Sunday - not sure of timetable options.

Kenmare will be closer to 4 hours from Doolin. I generally add 25% or so to Google Maps predictions, depending on the "grade" of the road and I'm a fairly fast driver with lots of Ireland experience. The M roads are generally accurate assuming you can maintain the speed limit with left side driving. Smaller roads have farm equipment, sheep, slow drivers, and buses and speed limits (which Google uses) are insanely high (according to my wife) for narrow, windy roads with hedgerow covered stone walls blocking any view ahead.

Posted by
2936 posts

That is an intensive itinerary.

You wont be able to hire a car in Doolin - its much too small. The nearest places are either Ennis which is going to involve a bus ride, or going back to Galway... On a Monday in March you could catch the 8.15 ferry back to Rossaveel and pick up a car in Galway, drive to Doolin and do an afternoon boat cruise from there for the cliffs of Moher. (The only other ferry in March back from Inis Mor is 5pm.)

After that you will probably want to spend Monday night in or around Doolin to recover!

Tuesday drive to Dingle for the next three nights. This will allow you to see something of the Burren area.

This gives two full days for Slea Head Drive and Ring of kerry which can be done as a long day from Dingle. Ring of Kerry can be done from Dingle.

Posted by
354 posts

Wont do the Ring of Kerry from Dingle

It will the whole day in a car and only little time for stops in between.

Killorglin seems to be a good idea

Or a bit further on the Ring of Kerry Kells Bay House and Gardens
Nice rooms and a good Thai Restaurant

Been there after a week in Holiday Home on Valentia Island the night before our flight back from Kerry Airport
Will come back someday

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