My wife and I will be driving from Dublin to Dingle in June and would like to know the best route with one town in between to stop and stay overnight in. Any ideas? How long should it take us to get across the country? We thought of stopping and staying in Cashel to see the Rock of Cashel, or just huffing it out to get all the way to Killarney or Tralee in one day. Is this impossible/unwise? Any other recommended towns to stop and stay overnight in that have some great sights? Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Posted by
wichita, kansas
484 posts
Are you planning the drive the same day you arrive?
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA
5 posts
Yes, we are planning to drive the same day we arrive, but would like to drive as little as possible.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
About what time of day will you get out of the airport?
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA
5 posts
we will be leaving dublin between 10 and 12 on a Tuesday morning, but could leave earlier if our itinerary called for it.
Posted by
wichita, kansas
484 posts
Any chance you could fly into Shannon and out of Dublin? I do not know how affected you are by jet lag but a long drive after flying all night is extremely dangerous, especially driving on the left. Tralee is only about 2 1/2 hours from Shannon. You could spend the night there and then drive to Dingle the next day.About 1 1/2 hours.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA
5 posts
Thanks for your concern, but we will be staying two nights in Dublin before hitting the road for Dingle, etc. We are flying out of Shannon airport after our last day in Dingle.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Brian,
You might want to drive from Dublin to Kinsale the first stay, perhaps with a brief stop at Powerscourt Gardens and the Rock of Cashel on the way. Drive to Dingle the following day (as I recall, that might involve a Ferry trip across the Shannon?).
Be aware that driving in Ireland can be "challenging". You might want to take a GPS unit as well as some good Maps for "backup".
Good luck and happy travels!!!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
530 posts
Rock of Cashel and Kilkenney are worthwhile sites along the way.
Posted by
Baltimore, MD, USA
67 posts
Brian,
I would definately recommend Cashel - so awesome and easy to tour on your own. The view from Cashel over the multi color green plains is spectacular and you can also go down the path to Hore Abbey - another wonderful ruin to explore.
We liked Kinsale but liked Cobh better, perhaps because I am a Titanicophile but it is very pretty with lots to see and do and a nice little maritime museum (Titanic, Lusitania and others). Cobh is historic as it was the departure point for many of the Irish who were immigrating to America.
I was there in 2006 and am saving for another Ireland trip in 2008. You will love it!
There really are 27 different shades of green in Ireland. And the Guinness is so tasty.