Travel suggestions from Cong to Dingle Bay

The actual driving time is only about 3+45 going by way of the ferry, plus you'll bypass potential traffic around Limerick, so total time enroute will mostly be a factor of your side trips.
It would be a long day, but a pleasant one, in my opinion.

We drove in the opposite direction i.e. Dingle to Galway in a day with stops for lunch, Cliffs and Burren via the ferry. It was a long day, but it's definitely doable. I'm not sure how much extra time driving from Cong would add.

"taking the Killimer-Tarbert Ferry onto Dingle Bay"
The Killimer-Tarbert ferry just crosses the River Shannon. It doesn't go onto Dingle Bay at all.

This definitely can be done in one drive, I've done it a hundred times but I recommend avoiding the ferry, if you miss it you're in trouble as you may have to wait an hour for the next one. And the road from Tarbert to Listowel is seriously bumpy due to much of it going over peat-bog, so that'll slow you down a bit.
After the Cliffs, head for Ennis, then bypass Limerick by going under the Shannon tunnel, stop in Adre for a pick-e-up coffee and onwards to Dingle via Tralee, and if time take the Conor Pass for a 'am I really here' moment
Slainte!
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide (15 years experience!)

We went the opposite way - from Kerry to Cong. We left Killarney at 9 am - took the ferry- and got to the Cliffs around 1 pm and spent a couple hours there. We stayed in Lahinch that night at the Vaughn Lodge (highly recommend it!) and made our way to The Burren and Cong the next day. We were traveling with two children, and doing the trip to Cong in one day would have been too much for our family.

Check the ferry schedule. When we took it several years ago it ran every 30 minutes. Even if you time it poorly and have to wait the full 30 minutes, it's a relaxing 30 minutes and a nice break from driving. I highly recommend the ferry.

We enjoyed the ferry, too, partly because it was a different experience. We also enjoyed the change of scenery on that day, starting out in the Burren, traveling the coast, crossing into wooded areas.

Great idea and there is a special road heading south out of Ballyvaughaun. Going through the Burren is well worth the time. And this little road is the BEST. It has not been built up like so much of Ireland was during the housing boom. Plus it has several megalithic tombs and one 4th century castle over looking a deep deep ravine.

I have a map I give to friends when they go to Ireland so they can find this road. Ask for from wmcca@hotmail.com or
If you Google 'Carran, Ireland' (not Curran). Head south to first road to the left and take it., then take first road right and you are on it, stay on till you reach the R476 near Killinaboy. Along the way there are, if you watch carefully , sign posted national monuments sites along the way. the last being up on top of the hill just before you descend to the R476. My map has the names of the stone works and a map to the castle ruins. A VERY Irish country walk to the ruins.
wayneiNWI

Oh, One more thought. From Cong to Galway and really, all the way to Ballyvaughaun there IS NOT much to see. Take the Oughterard road to Galway. I have tried ALL the paths available between Cong and Galway and there just isn't much of beauty.

Before you leave the Conemarra area, make sure you have visited Clifden. A nice market town. And Galway has never shown me a reason to visit it. Sorry Galway of such beautiful songs. Even your cathedral left me cold.

wayne iNWI