One day enroute from Dingle to Dublin Airport

Posted by Susan (Meridian MS) on 03/11/16 02:09 PM

We will leave a stay in Dingle on a Monday headed ultimately to Dublin Airport. We will be adjusted to the time change, and hopefully driving on the left (eek!) and are early morning people, so we will probably be on the road before 8am. Our flight to Glasgow is 8:30pm.

We have considered for this day: Killarney NP, Ring of Kerry, Beara, Rock of Cashel, and Kilkenny. We know that we must choose and are seeking advice. We would choose nature and history, are not interested in shopping and don't think we would have time for "experiences" or long hikes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by Donald

Kansas, United States

03/11/16 03:24 PM

1078 posts

Well I think that at best you could do maybe two stops on the way to the airport. I would leave Dingle about 7:00 am and head to Killarney NP, tour the house and the park and then head to Kilkenny and see the castle and the old town area and then head to Dublin airport. Remember it will take time to check the car back in and allow at least 2-21/2 hours to get through the Dublin airport. The Ring of Kerry is a all day trip so it's out, the Rock of Cashel is underwhelming and I would skip it. If you find your running a head of schedule you could zip over to Glendalough in the Wicklow mountains and still only be 30 min from the airport. I love Ireland, it's my favorite country on Europe, hope you have a great time!

Posted by Susan OP

Meridian MS

03/11/16 06:06 PM

248 posts

Thanks Donald. We're looking forward to it!

Posted by stephenmc

03/11/16 06:16 PM

317 posts

Hi Susan, Donald is right - its a long drive so the Ring of Kerry is out.
Personally Id go visit Killarney National Park (leaving at 8am). Id tour the gardens but not the house, its not vastly different to the standard big mansions you can tour in America, the furniture is contemporary to the era but its not the original furniture, and Muckross House is no Downton Abbey.
Id the drive on towards Cashel. Its a good road, and there are good lunch options right there at the Rock of Cashel, and parking!
I think that the Rock of Cashel is an overwhelming site. This is the glorious remnants of a 12th century Cathedral/Palace with an original round tower overlooking the Golden Vale of Tipperary, the vistas are a true wow-moment.
You could consider touring it with just your Rick Steves guidebook. The tours are good but many guides in these government-maintained sites tend to give you the entire history of Ireland on their tours rather than just the specific info relevant to that particular site.
You can avoid Dublin altogether of course on your way back by taking the M50, a toll road direct to the airport. And do allow 3 hours for check-in just in case, remember you'll do your US immigration pre-clearance in Dublin if your flight is direct to the land of the free.
Slainte/Good health
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Dingle & Derry