Driving around the Irish Countryside in 4 days?

Please help!

Sharon, yes it is. Distances in Ireland are very short, and driving is fun! Cobh is very interesting and moving because of its history in the emigration and Lusitania disaster, and of course Dingle is great. Naturally it would be nice to take more time, but if that's all you have, it will work fine.

I totally appreciate your situation; as I was in same situation in 1994 w/a group of 9. I refer to that trip lovingly; as my 'Stop & Click' tour - stop the car & click the photo, jump back in and continue to drive to get to the next location. It was totally unenjoyable even though we had fantastic photos from Glendalough, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Waterford, Youghal, Cobh, Kinsale, Torc Waterfall etc.. we didn't have the 'expierences'. The reason why I am telling you this is so that you can understand my suggestions are ment for you to fully 'expierence' your trip in Ireland.

If you have done research and read that an Irish-mile(or now Kilometer)is alot different than an american mile, take that as a definate. You need to give yourself extra time for the road.

Now my first suggestion since it looks like you are planning to spend 2 night in Dingle would be to skip the coast road south from dublin. Instead take the N7 to Port Laoise. Then take the N8 South thru Cashel, Cahir,

Fermoy, N8 takes you all the way past Cork where it ends at N25; which would take you east toward Cobh. This will give you chance to expierence Cashel on your way to Cobh(pronounced: cove); which is were my mam immigrated to USA. You will enjoy Cobh it is a wonderful town. Then next day you can get back on the N25 West and get on to the N22 which will take you to Killarney. You can do the 'top' of the ring of kerry or you can expierence Muckross house & farm. As you leave Muckross house take N71 to Torc Falls. After you leave Torc Falls get back on N71 North and get back on N22. Take N22 until you get to Farranfore then take the R561, which is a fantastic road that will turn into the coast road to An Dingle. Stop at the beach at Inch and enjoy the view of the waves on the beach. The time you have allotted for Dingle is grand. In dingle there is a gent who does local tours where he does the driving. If your interested let me know.

My second suggestion is: You can take the N11 south out of Dublin thru the Wicklow Mts and Glendalough, Enniscorthy, Waterford, Youghal, to Cobh. As long as you keep it that it will be an extremely long day you will be okay. If you find you are running late to get to your accommidations just give them a ring. We were so late to a B&B one time we did not reach it until 12mid-night and that was in the Wicklow mts. You will need to make sure you do not tarry too long at any of your stops if you go this direction at least the first day anyway.

After your stop in Cobh, my suggestion would pick up from my first suggestions. The coast roads in ireland are lovely, however, even longer than a regular irish mile.

good luck and have fun.

If you should have any questions, please ask. :)

Thank you both for all your good advice and ideas. We're very grateful. What's your opinion of County Clare and the Burren? Its past the Shannon Airport but Rick's book makes it seem so delightful, right?

If you have the time you really should see the Burren. It is such an interesting ecosystem, and the landscape is unlike anything I had ever seen before. And of course, on the way are Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher, and Doolin.

Nancy is right about the Burren. It's great for all the reasons (and towns/sights) she mentions. To truly grasp the beauty and wonder takes a subtle and sensitive eye, much like the connemara. When I've been in the burren or the connemara I think to myself "No wonder my grandparents left this place. Who could make a living here"?

Of course, as travelers, we are there for a short period of time with some level of financial means, so we afford to take note of the incredible ecosystem that thrives in these places without worrying how to convert it to food on the table.

Sharon,
I definately opt for Cobh, Dingle and Cashel with the Burren if you time. After all, you need to save some things for your next trip :)

And you will want to go again...and again....

Cobh is also the site of the last stop for the Titanic before it's maiden voyage/sinking April 14, 1912. There is still a remnant of the pier now named "Heartbreak Pier" and just down from the Lusitania memorial. A GREAT photo op is from the cement docks up to the beautifully colored houses on the hill.

Dingle is fantastic and lots of traditional irish music in several of the pubs and a wonderful drive around the peninsula. We went to a tour agency which also had taxis' and took a private taxi for just a little more than the tour bus. It was wonderful having our own guide and a great history of the area. Dingle is the only place I am going a 2nd time on my return trip in September.

cont....

Cashel is not to be missed and if you can get to the Burren, too, do so. Just below Cashel is the ruin of Hore Abbey - just a short walk. But be sure to give yourself enough time to really enjoy the trip.

Clairegirl has great advice on the routes and taking your time. I read that you should plan your time by taking 2 times as long as you would here in the USA.

Have a GREAT trip and there really are 27 different shades of green in Ireland (maybe more?)

If you go to Cashel and look out over the valley you will see many of them.