Hi there! My family will be traveling to Ireland in early April and will be visiting Dublin, Dingle, and Doolin. We plan to pick up a rental car at the Dublin airport following several days in Dublin and drive to Dingle. We are wondering if it would be too much to stop at the Rock of Cashel along the way from Dublin to Dingle? We plan to pick up our car and get on the road early that day. We will have two days in Dingle not counting the day we arrive. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I think it's a good idea to keep your driving under 4 hours. The time needed to get out of lodging, getting to the airport, getting the car, getting meals, getting lost, getting into new lodging, etc. consumes a lot of your day. Four hours of driving seems to be workable without trying to do too much. Driving straight to Dingle will be no less than six hours and likely an hour or two more.
Why not drive to Rock of Cashel then stay somewhere close to that? It's about halfway, then continue to Dingle the next morning?
Posted by
Land of La
8660 posts
Definitely doable ( I did it years ago and that was after visiting Glendalough from Dublin early in the morning.) I went through Tralee then to Dingle via the Conor Pass. I’m a photographer so it was important to see Conor Pass.
Was a long day but worth it.
Double check Rock of Cashel opening times and always remember to buffer in time when you check directions and travel time offered online.
Remember to have a pint at Foxy Johns in Dingle!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2822 posts
Cashel would be at about half way point for your journey that day. Well situated for a stretch of the legs exploring the monastic settlement with maybe lunch in the town, so why not?
For an extra bit of hiking you could also walk down the hill from the Rock to the ruins of Hore Abbey. Not quite as evocative as Cashel but with about 1% of the crowds (if that). Nice place for a picnic lunch too.
Posted by
76 posts
If you're staying in Dublin, there's really no need to go to the airport to pick up the car. Hertz has a location on the southern outskirts on South Circular Road; picking the car up there would save you some time (not so much in terms of how long it takes to drive to Dingle, but rather the time involved going back to the airport and dealing with all that).
-Russ
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2822 posts
The Hertz office on South Circular Road does look like a good option for getting out of Dublin without the hassle of having to negotiate city traffic. Would also be a straight shot out of town along the R115 which becomes the very pretty Old Military Road thru the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough once you're clear of the M50.
On the other hand their opening time isn't until 9:00 AM, whereas the airport concessions all open at 5:00 AM. Depending upon just how early you wanted to get started the airport might still be the better option. Also, if it's your first time driving on the left you'd be well advised to specify a vehicle with automatic transmission versus the LH stick shifters that are the default rental in Ireland. Using one of the larger airport concessions would maximize your likelihood of getting an automatic.
Posted by
76 posts
If folks are wanting to head out before the South Circular Rd location opens, the airport might be a better choice. As far as getting an automatic at SCR vs. the airport, I've always been able to get an automatic at SCR. Pre-paying the car through a company like AutoEurope will guarantee an automatic, if that's what people want.