One day to drive from Dublin to Dingle - worthwhile stops to make?

We are going to be driving out of Dublin 4/30. Looks like you have done your homework.
It is about a 225 mile drive. Everyone says that posted trip times in Ireland are conservative and expect to take longer than anticipated. We are just driving straight through and will be doing day trips out of Waterville area from a B&B that's drawing 5 stars from guest recommendations. We tend to just wing it rather than make detailed plans.

My favorite sight in Southern Ireland ....that is hard. I like Hook's Head, Dunmore East. I do love Dingle, when it is slow.

I do love a little town called Borris, Carlow, off the beaten track, nothing special, just Ireland. North of Waterford, near Kilkenny.

My favorite natural spot in Ireland is in the NW, Belmullet, Mayo. Not many tourists get up there and it is just as beautiful as the Cliffs of Moher.

Out of the sights you are looking at I would do the Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny before the others. Kilkenny is a cute little town, love the shops. Rock of Cashel is unique, historical and beautiful. My family & I were in Kinsale in 1994, went back for the 1st time this past fall (ok - it has been 20 or so years), I did not like the change, it was way too touristy. Did not go to Charles Fort the first time (Dad was paying & he thought it was a tourist trap), did go this time, Dad was right. :) Blarney was very touristy in 1994, have not been back there but it is the Blarney Stone.

Dublin to Dingle in one day could be a very long drive depending on the weather. You could stop in Kilkenny one night, Kilkenny & Rock of Cashel are easier to get to with the itinerary above.

Thank you for the responses.

David – I’ve recently read several comments about Ireland driving times taking longer than what Google maps claims. Well that’s a bummer but we’ll adapt.

Mary – Thank you for the opinions and feedback. We were originally thinking of staying overnight in Kilkenny but then we decided to make the drive across the island in one day so that we could have another day after Dingle to see the Cliffs of Moher and spend the night in Ennis closer to the Shannon Airport. Kilkenny and Rock of Cashel do seem like the practical choices at this point. We still have over 2 months to decide so I’ll continue to think on it.

Thanks again!

Paul's advice is excellent. You don't want to miss the Beara Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry - two of the most scenic spots on the island. Another highlight is Connemara and the Aran Islands I would skip Dublin and add more time for the beautiful scenery of western Ireland.

Since you have everything locked in the only non Dublin to Dingle point I'd comment on is since you can't cut down on the Dublin time I hope while there you get a chance to take a tour or drive one of the days there through the gorgeous Wicklow Mountains and visit Glendalough. It is so worth a visit....historic, breathtaking scenery and well within day trip from Dublin range.

As to Dublin to Dingle options....it is a long haul. The M7 is major highway but the N roads off of it which you'll be on regardless are challenging and very driver intensive. Seriously I'd try to minimize the distance and N road travel to get to a destination during that long day. Kilkenny, Cahir and Kinsale are all great spots to visit but really increase - in a couple cases massively increase your road time on an already long day. The Blarney Stone is far off the track and not worth a visit (see Rick Steve's polite but clear comments on it). But Cashel isn't too far off your route......it is fantastic and can be well seen in 1-2 hours .....plus there are very good pubs and restaurants right there to grab a quick lunch. Well worth a visit......and while adding to a long day driving.....isn't too bad.

Don't even try to do Beara Penninsula or the ROK that day........WAY WAY WAY too much. Only if you carve out a day away from Dublin somehow. Dingle is gorgeous and you'll love it so you'll get great scenery.

On your Clffs of Moher day either before or after you see the Cliffs (recommend early before 9:30 or late in the day so you miss the endless parade of tour buses.....plus bird activity is higher early and late) you might want to pick up a Cliffs cruise in Doolin. It's not expensive is only an hour and gives you a fun beautiful look at the cliffs from under them.

Have a great trip. Try Cashel....and if not that try to stay close to your main route ....it's a long day you have going and the N roads are not highways in a US or Canadian sense by any means.

Thank you Cynthia and ewewoolknit for the additional comments. As suggested I think we'll plan our road trip to follow the Motorway as far west as is practical. Cashel still looks like a worthwhile stop. We'll see how we do on the smaller roads from there and how we're feeling as we get closer to Dingle. We're prepared for it to be a full day.

Thank you ewewoolknit for recommending the Cliffs cruise from Doolin. That's something we were thinking about already, it's helpful to hear your endorsement of it.