Hi. My wife and I are extremely excited about spending a few days in Ireland this summer. I'm attempting to assemble an itenerary for our second day (Dublin to Cork), and I wondering if my plans are realistic. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! - Leave hotel in Dublin by 8am; drive to Bray (8.40am) for one hour hike (9.40am) (only hiking part of Bray's Head). - Drive from Bray to Glendalough using a drive trail through the Wicklow park (arrive at 10.40am). Explore and hike for 1.5 hours (11.15am). Late lunch. - Drive to Blessington (1 hour) to view abbey ruins. 15 minutes to explore. - Drive to Kilkenny (1 hour) and explore round tower, castle, cathedral for 40 minutes. - Drive to Rock of Cashel (1 hour) and explore for 40 minutes. - Drive to Blarney Castle (1.5 hours) and explore for 60 minutes. - Drive to hotel in Cork (20 minutes), check-in, then have a late supper. I realize it's a lot of driving, and only a small amount of time hiking and sightseeing, but is it feasible? I've considered skipping the Blessington Abbey to save time, or skipping the Blessington Abbey plus Kilkenny and driving from Wicklow to Rock of Cashel. Thoughts? Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. As I've said, we are prepared to spend time in the car (because the vacation will slow down later), but I do not want to overdo it! Thanks,
Shane
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
I hardly know where to start. I can't imagine driving for an hour to only spend 15 minutes somewhere, for one. I guess starting at the top, arriving at Glendalough at 10:40 and hiking for 1.5 hours makes it 12:15, not 11:15. Blessington seems like a waste if that is all the time you want to spend there. There is no way you can see Kilkenny castle by itself in 40 minutes, let alone adding the cathedral (not sure what round tower you are talking about - the best one is at Glendalough) and it can be tough to find a parking spot there - you have allowed no time for hunting for a parking space. Allowing only 40 minutes at Rock of Cashel might be enough if you have no interest in seeing the film about the site, and you only want to walk around quickly and take pictures. At Blarney, you will stand in line longer than an hour just to go up in the castle, and there are beautiful grounds to check out there, too. In short, though your driving times look fairly realistic, your visit times are too short for all you want to do. And you have allowed no time for getting lost, finding a place to park, or even walking to the castle from the gate (in the case of Blarney). It always takes longer than you think. And you have allowed no time for anything else you might find interesting along the way. I wouldn't call this a feasible plan.
Posted by
OP
Port Royal, SC
5 posts
Nancy, You are truly helping - I appreciate it! I hate the thought of missing an opportunity to experience anything in Ireland, but I realize that it is best to slow down and enjoy the things we will see. Just to clarify: 1. You're suggesting that Wicklow is much better for hiking than driving out to Bray? 2. Baltinglass and Kilkenny should be ped in favor of spending more time at Cashel?
3. It is feasible to enjoy Cashel and Blarney after visiting Wicklow? Another random question: Do you have any recommendations for driving from Cork to Killarney? I'm thinking a route that hugs the southwest coast would be nice. But I want to make sure to save time for either the Beara Peninsula or Sheep's Head Peninsula, as well as the drive from Kildare to Kilkenny (e.g., Ladies View, etc.). What do you think? Also, which would you recommend - Sheep's Head or Beara?
Posted by
OP
Port Royal, SC
5 posts
First and foremost, I appreciate the response! In adding this post to the site, I honestly knew it was unrealistic, but my goal is to get the conversation started. Either way, a hotel is booked in Dublin on one night, and then in Cork the next night. So, while I realize I cannot possibly see and experience all of the things listed above, it would be helpful if someone would offer some recommendations. Based on the list and realistic travel time, what should be a priority? On the other hand, if you only had one day to spend driving this route, what would you bypass in order to spend more time at another destination? *Correction: I did mean Baltinglass - not Blessington. Typing error - I apologize.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
Personally, I would skip Bray, Baltinglass, and Kilkenny. The first two never appear on any list of "must see" places, and if your time is limited they are easily skipped (plenty of hiking at Glendalough). Kilkenny in summer will be very, very busy and difficult to park in. Even skipping those three things, your timing will be tight, but it is more doable.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
By skipping Bray, Baltinglass and Kilkenny, you will free up more time for each of your remaining stops. Yes, I would add time to Rock of Cashel and Glendalough. Both have great films that give you background info on the area, and Glendalough has a wonderful little museum. There is hiking out to the lakes. Blarney deserves more time, too. In addition to the castle and the grounds, there is great shopping right across the street at Blarney Woollen Mills. There are so many great things to see and do in Ireland that you really can't go wrong no matter what you choose, but if you only have time for the "biggies", Glendalough, Cashel, and Blarney are three of them.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
As for your additional questions, the only time I have driven from Killarney to Cork I took the highway, not the coast. There is a lot of public art along that stretch of highway owing to the practice of placing art to appease any spirits that might have been disturbed during the contruction. No opinion on Sheep's Head vs Beara, sorry.