My husband, myself and 17 year old son are going to Ireland for the first time in two weeks, March 27 - April 3. We have travelled in Europe many times, but this is our first trip to the Emerald Isle. I need help figuring out if our driving times are realistic. I love castles, historic sites and nature. My son loves music, street performers, burgers, and animals. My husband is great at driving us around, previous experience in Athens and Greece. But first time driving on the left. Our first 4 nights we are staying in Galway (flying into Dublin 7am and getting rental car and driving to Galway). We want to see the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, Rock of Cashel, Kylemore Abbey, and Cong as day trips from our Galway base. Is it realistic to think we can drive from Galway to the Rock of Cashel, Bunratty, and the Cliffs of Moher in one day? We could cut out Bunratty if necessary. Our last two nights we are staying in Trim to see the castle and Newgrange on our last day. Also some more sites around Trim if we have time that day. My ancestors are from Ireland, so I really want to soak up the countryside, but stay in one central spot most of the trip, that's why I picked Galway. Plus our 17 year old I think would love the street performers more than trad music, but he might like that too. We don't drink, so I don't think we will spend much time in the pubs.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2976 posts
The Rock of Cashel is about 2.5 hrs. each way from Galway, so it wouldn't be a good choice for a day trip.
You could make a nice scenic drive one day that would include the Cliffs, the Burren and Bunratty. The N68/67 route from Bunratty along the coast and up to the Cliffs is very pretty on a nice day - beautiful seascapes the whole way. Kilrush and Kilkee are both pleasant stopovers, and there's a pretty cliff walk just up from the beach at Kilkee that makes for a very nice excursion ... maybe with a picnic lunch.
You've made a wise choice by selecting a single base for several days and doing day trips from there. Only suggestion is to perhaps take the train to Galway upon arrival in Dublin and wait until the next day to collect your car and begin your driving adventure. Most here suggest getting a good night's sleep under your belt before tackling the Irish road system for the first time.
The Connemara Loop drive is one of our favorites - from Galway up to Clifden, then driving the Sky Road just west of the town, over to Diamond Hill for a quick hike in the National Park, down to Kylemore Abbey and on to Cong. Many here rave about the Hawk Walk at Asheford Castle in Cong.
Another nice day out would be the ferry over to Inishmore - another one of our favorite day trips in Ireland.
For a more off-the-beaten path excursion you could also consider the short ferry ride from the village of Cleggan out to the island of Inishbofin.
Another potential detour would be up to the Doolough Memorial near the village of Delphi. Can google it to read about what happened there and then decide whether it might be of interest. There's not much there except for the memorial, but if you have an interest in Irish history, especially the famine years, it would be well worth your time - we thought it one of the most evocative places we've visited in Ireland.
Posted by
OP
61 posts
Yeah, I was thinking it was stretching it to drive all the way down to the Rock of Cashel from Galway in a day. I think taking the time to explore Bunratty and the Cliffs of Moher and everything in that area would be a better use of our time. Thanks for all the great info! Maybe we should stay the night near Dublin our first day?
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2976 posts
Your call - either way it might be more prudent to get a good night's sleep before getting behind the wheel.
If arriving early in the morning after a redeye flight you'll probably be pretty tired. The train ride to Galway may help kill enough time to allow you to check into your accommodation upon arrival, take a shower to feel human again, and maybe take a (short) nap before walking around town trying to shake off your jet lag.
Posted by
Guelph ON
45 posts
My sister and I are in Galway right now. We flew in to Dublin and then took the handy bus right from the airport to Galway. We did a day trip by shuttle to Aran island (great fun day) then today rented a car in Galway and drove the conmerra loop. Stoping in Cong and Ashford Castle for the highly recommended hawlk walk. Tomorrow we are going to drive and see burren and cliffs on our way to Dingle but could be a nice day trip from Galway. Also the plan is to drop the car back off at Dublin airport.
Posted by
OP
61 posts
Thanks for the ideas! I hope you're having an amazing time. Any favorite places to eat in Galway or on your day trips around Connemara and County Clare?
Posted by
Guelph ON
45 posts
Lots of great spots to eat in Galway. We stayed at a bnb on college road so we went out of the centre ( walked) to the huntsman inn. It’s recommended in ricks book. It’s mostly locals there food was excellent and we stayed and chatted to the bartenders. Lots of fun and good atmosphere they had live music tho it wasn’t trad.
Big storm brewing today but we made it to the cliffs and now we’re in Dingle just drinking a pint at foxy johns
Posted by
OP
61 posts
We're staying on College Road also at a BandB. I heard Huntsman Inn was good for a close place to eat. Thanks!