Yeah, yeah, I know. Like saying: "Convince Me To Eat More Chocolate."
Here's the deal: I'm flying in and out of Heathrow in mid-September for two weeks in the UK. Initial plans included a train to Penzance and meandering around Cornwall and Devon with a rental car, or or train to Inverness and a similar meander around northern Scotland.
Now, I've lived in the UK and visited several times. But, I've never been to Ireland.
Here's my way of meandering with a car: Get a good map, Ordnance Survey or otherwise. Know where I'm going to stay for the night. Start driving in that general direction, stopping whenever I feel like. Avoid motorways and A roads. I don't mind getting lost; keep driving and you always arrrive someplace.
My incoming flight arrives at Heathrow at 8:25pm. Let's assume it's impractical to get to Ireland that night. (Is it?) So, what's the best way to get to Ireland the next morning? What are the tradeoffs vis-a-vis speed and cost?
I want to spend 3-4 nights in London before flying out, That leaves 7-8 days in Ireland.