best way to travel by car from Dingle to Doolin

There is a car ferry that crosses the Shannon River from Tarbert to Killimer. We took it in 2005 and I don't remember the cost or the time frames, but it wasn't too bad. It saves the driving to Limerick and back to Doolin. One word of caution, if the waters are very rough they don't operate. I would definitely recommend it. It's kind of a nice change of pace from the driving. I think it takes about 30-40 minutes to cross. As with any ferry you will have to queue up prior to boarding.

We have taken the ferry, too. I think it goes each direction once every hour. The crossing is 20 minutes, and then there is offloading and onloading time at each end. The cost was relatively minimal, as I recall. You can get out of your car and go up on the decks above during the crossing, too.

I just googled Tarbet car ferry: This is the info I pulled off one of the choices of websites:
Tarbert Kerry - Ireland South

Killimer Tarbert Ferries a car ferry bridge between Kerry and Clare The main tourist routes of the West of Ireland's Shannon Region are linked via the Killimer-Tarbert car ferry. This pleasant, 20 minute journey across the Shannon Estuary will save 137km. ( 85 mls) from ferry terminal to ferry terminal providing a staging point for the many attractions of Clare, Kerry and adjoining counties. Killimer is in County Clare and Tarbert in Co. Kerry. No reservations necessary. Ferries operate year-round. It leaves Killimer every hour on the hour (0700hrs to 2100hrs) and Tarbert every hour on the half-hour (0730hrs to 2130hrs).
Contact
Telephone:+353 (0)65 905 3124
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.shannonferries.com
Address: Killimer, Co Clare, Republic Of Ireland

Thank you all so much, this information if fantastic

Took the ferry a few weeks ago. 19 Euro one-way. During high traffic periods - they run two ferries - so they're more frequent.

I have some great conversations with locals waiting for the ferry - so get there 30 minutes or so early in mingle in the crowd . . .