My wife and I are going to Ireland for six days and five nights in mid-October. We know we want to tour the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry, but otherwise we're looking for some guidance on our itinerary. We're flying into Dublin, but we don't intend to spend much time there. We're considering using Killarney or Kenmare as a jumping off point for the Ring of Kerry, and Doolin as a home base for the Cliffs of Moher. We're also thinking about visiting Kilkenny. Otherwise, we're looking for guidance. We'd love to get your thoughts as to how to make the most of our limited time there. And feel free to question the decisions we've already (tentatively) made. Thanks, everyone!
Posted by
Chattanooga, TN USA
589 posts
- Are you flying into Dublin and out of Shannon?
- Will you have a car?
Posted by
1585 posts
Assuming that your 6 days include arrival and departure days, that you are renting a car, arriving from North America and are departing from Dublin, I would propose:
Day 1: upon arrival take the bus to Galway (bus leaves regularly from Dublin airport terminal). Night in Galway.
Day 2: rent car in Galway and drive to Doolin/Cliffs of Moher. Night in Doolin.
Day 3: Drive to Kenmare or Killarney. Night in Killarney/Kenmare.
Day 4: Ring of Kerry. Night in Killarney/Kenmare.
Day 5: Depart for Dublin via Kilkenny; return car. Night in Dublin.
Day 6: Leave Ireland.
While doable, I personally would not try to cover so much ground in a fairly short period of time, especially since the weather for the Cliffs may be dicey and the days starting to get short. If you are indeed arriving and departing from Dublin I would either split my time between Dublin, Wicklow and Cork (with a stop in Kilkenny) or, if I really wanted to do the Ring of Kerry, I would forego Doolin and spend my time in County Kerry, again with a stop in Kilkenny.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks so much for your thoughts.
I should have been more specific in my initial post. We’re planning to fly into and out of Dublin (from a New York area airport), and we’re likely to rent a car (although we’d like to minimize the time driving, since we’re somewhat uncomfortable with driving on the left).
We’d likely be flying out on a Tuesday night, arriving Wednesday morning, and leaving on the following Monday. That gives us most of Wednesday, Thursday through Sunday, and Monday morning. Thanks again!
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2450 posts
It appears you do not have your tickets yet so if not I suggest flying in and out of Shannon if possible since you say you don't plan on much time in Dublin and what you want to see us in the West coast of Ireland. If you are locked into Dublin then I think you should as suggested take the bus to Galway on arrival stay overnight then rent a car on Thursday to drive to the Dingle peninsula for two nights head back east towards perhaps Kinsale for Saturday and that night then Sunday back to Dublin after maybe Cashel or something else. Then spend Sunday night near Dublin perhaps Malahide. Most flights back to US leave in the morning and you need to be there at airport a good three hours for pre-order clearance home. I suggested Dingle simply because we think it is better than Kerry but that is just our opinion. I really don't think you have time for the Cliffs and although they are nice to see it is a lot of driving to get there and if the weather is bad you are out of luck. I hope this helps.