My wife and I are driving from Dublin to Dingle and are trying to plan our time accurately. We would like to leave Dublin in the morning and do Newgrange and Rock of Cashel that day, arriving in Dingle in the early evening. Is this possible? If so, what time should we leave Dublin by in the morning? What time should we plan on arriving in Dingle?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Newgrange is about 40 minutes from Dublin, and Rock of Cashel is in the opposite direction, to the southwest. You don't say what month you are traveling, but keep in mind that there could be crowds at Newgrange. And if you plan to spend time at the Rock of Cashel, it's not likely that you could reach Dingle the same day. Driving in Ireland takes much longer than you can imagine by looking at the distances. You might look at www.viamichelin.com to determine your driving times and add a bit to their times. Signage isn't the best in some areas, and roads can be narrow.
Posted by
Baltimore, MD, USA
67 posts
Hi,
As posted above, driving times are much longer than here in the USA. We figured almost 2 times as long as we had expected.
From Dublin to see Newgrange and Cashel is almost a full day in itself to really see and enjoy each.
Then maybe to dingle the next day? You could spend 2 days in Dingle easily.
enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Poulsbo, WA, USA
147 posts
Newgrange and Cashel are drive-bys and will take a day. Dingle is a destination, and you need at least 2 full days. It's worth it though
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I agree that Newgrange and Cashel will take a day by themselves, but I wouldn't exactly call them "drive bys". Both places have tours, museums, and informational films to see, as well. In my opinion, you miss a lot of what the sites mean if you just look and move on.
Posted by
Poulsbo, WA, USA
147 posts
After you take the tours, not much more to do than drive on. Hence the term. Although others have mentioned staying in Cashel, I don't see the attraction, save the Rock. The tour is factually incorrect as well. More myth than real history. Read "In Search of Ancient Ireland" for more historic acuracy about Ireland and its peoples. Dingle is another story, full of life, music, sights etc. A great stop worth 2 days at least.
Posted by
Schweinfurt, Germany
56 posts
Newgrange is great, just got back from IRE last weekend, and we included it in our "must sees". Arrive around 09:30am when they open, but the first bus tour is not until 10:15am...this will allow you to beat the crowd that will have gathered when you return from the site to the info center, and will allow you to take in Cashel in the pm.