I am working on our trip to southern Ireland. We will be renting a car. Can you tell me if I need to tweak it?
Day 1: Arrive in Shannon 7:00 AM - get car and drive to Doolin - see the cliffs of Moher
Day 2: - Drive to Dingle -
Day 3: Drive the Dingle Pinneninsula and on to Kinsale
Day 4: Drive to Waterford
Day 5: Drive to Cashel and Killkany and Glendalough
Day 6&7 - Dublin
Is that too much driving every day? Should we stay a 2nd night in Dingle? We welcome all suggestions :-)
Denise, if the Dingle Peninsula is a priority-and I agree that it should be-then spending two nights there makes sense. You have to remember that two nights equals one FULL day. Rearrange to have two nights in three different places, plus an extra day somewhere-make sense? Don't try to see so much that you miss what you're driving past.
Yes, agree with Dave stay 2 nights in Dingle. You may need to choose between the places you have listed for Day 4 and 5. If you do stop in Kinsale were you thinking of staying overnight there or in Waterford? I'd choose Kinsale. The distance from Kinsale to Waterford is 90 miles and travel time is 2 hours and 30 minutes (approx.) The distance from Kinsale to Kilkenny is 106 miles and travel time is 2 hours and 35 minutes. From Killkenny to Waterford is about a 45 minute drive. If you travel from Kinsale to Kilkenny you could also stop at the Rock of Cashel.
Suggest:
Day 2-Drive to Dingle and stay 2 nights
Day 3-Tour Dingle
Day 4-Drive to Kinsale-stay the night
Day 5A-Drive to Cashel and Glendalough-stay in WIcklow (Wicklow to Dublin is about 31 miles, travel time 1 hour and 7 minutes) OR
Day 5B-Drive to Kilkenny-spend night, side trip to Waterford (we did this as it was an easy drive to Waterford and back to Kilkenny but we did stay 2 nights in Kilkenny) or skip Kilkenny and drive to Waterford -spend the night there
Day 6-Drive to Dublin stopping at Glendalough if you choose 5B
We prefer to spend 2 nights in a location which you could do, but you'd need to prioritize and see the sights you miss this time on another trip. Personally, I'd skip Kilkenny and Waterford this trip. For sure I'd visit the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Kinsale, Cashel, Glendalough and Dublin. Whatever you decide will enjoy Ireland!
Barbara
Agree with two nights in Dingle and would skip Waterford altogether, to me there is not much to see and have been there twice when the factory was open for tours but that was quite a while ago. We had two nights in Kinsale in October and one morning we took the car ferry over to Cobh, I think it was only about half hour drive. Enjoyed the harbor and the cathedral on top of the hill and lovely walk around the waterfront. You will love Dingle.
Doolin to dingle that second day isn't too much after seeing the cliffs and after your flight you will be tired plus not too much to see in that area of Clare. I agree I would skip Waterford all together. We go every year to Ireland my husband is from Cork. I suggest when driving to Dingle approaching from the Tralee side (north) and leaving from the Dingle(south) side of the peninsula. En route to Kinsale take care not to go direct into Killarney, take bypass unless you want to check it out. If you do I suggest only going to Ross Castle and taking a walk in the woods by the Lakes. Kinsale is lovely, Fishy Fishy great restaurant a little overrated though. You can easily check out quite a bit if you stay 2 days in Kinsale as your base. As of last summer restoration work on Cashel was still going on. I have never even stopped in KIlkenney so I am no help there. Glendolough, Avoca that whole area of Wicklow is lovely and well worth spending the night there. Dublin is great we tend to stay south of the city proper in Kiliney or Bootertown and take the Dart into the city.
Thank you! I have adjusted our Itinerary. Staying two nights in Dingle, and skipping Waterford all together. We have also added a day to our trip :-) that is never a bad idea, right? If you come up with any other suggestions let me know - I really do appreciate them!
Sounds like you're on the right track. Happy driving!
Hey Denise that's good to hear, thanks for reporting back! How about a day trip to Belfast from Dublin with that extra day?
Have a great trip.
Dave
I forgot to mention it is really worth it for such a short trip to have an automatic car instead of a manual car. When you are driving every day especially on normal Iriah roads not the motor ways it gets a little tedious shifting all the time and frankly makes you a little more tired . I really notice the difference.
With our extra day would you do Belfast or an extra night in Kinsale?
I have not been to Kinsale. However, we enjoyed Belfast greatly, we took a Black Taxi tour of some of The Troubles areas, took the free tour of City Hall, a lovely building with history, and had a great seafood lunch at Mourne Seafood. We took the train from Connelly Station Dublin, the taxi driver picked us up and we were off with him for a little under two hours. A fascinating tour with a local's perspective of the touchy side of Irish History. Got dropped off for lunch, then saw City Hall and returned to Dublin about 7 pm. A great day.
