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Short Ireland Trip, 1st timer - need help

We are arriving in Dublin on a Sunday afternoon/evening (June 23) and fly out of Dublin the following Saturday. I'm just starting my planning and trying to figure out how much we can fit in. We will rent a car in Dublin. Is this enough time to see the following:

Dublin, Dingle Peninsula, Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands -- and can I add anything else that is a must see?

Also, should we plan on seeing Dublin at the beginning of our week or end? Right now I'm thinking arrive and stay in Dublin and then rent a car to go elsewhere and then return the car at the end of the week at the airport. But, we could reverse that too. And where should we stay in order to pull this off?

Thanks !

Posted by
9219 posts

It will take 4-6hours to drive from Dublin to drive to Dingle, depending if you stop at the Rock of Cashel.

Not sure if you should cram in Aran Island. Too much time spent driving.

Forget Cliffs of Moher and visit the Kerry Cliffs outside Portmagee.

Personally I’d leave Dublin for the last part of the trip.

Posted by
2 posts

It looks like we could fly into Cork get a car, and stay the night there, would that be a better option, and then fly home from Dublin (that flight is already set)

Posted by
6713 posts

I'd suggest an Aircoach straight from Dublin Airport to Galway, then rent the car there for Dingle and the Cliffs. For the Aran Islands, you can ferry from near Galway -- either Doolin or Rossaveal -- without the car, or fly. Return the car in Galway and take a train to Dublin for your last days there. You could reverse the order, starting in Dublin, then train to Galway and drive from there, but the bus from Galway back to the airport should be the day before your homebound flight so you don't risk missing it.

Posted by
13 posts

Hi,

You can take a ferry from Galway to the Aran Island of Inishmore and they also sail past the cliffs of Moher on the way back. If you don't mind seeing the view from the bottom of the cliffs it could be an option. The ferries leave from the Galway city docks. https://www.aranislandferries.com/galwaycity . Could kill two birds or see two sites (if you will) with one stone.