GALWAY to BELFAST - recommended route

Via Dublin's the fastest -- maybe a bit less than five hours.

I'd go via Athlone and Cavan and take an extra half-hour just to enjoy the scenery and stay off the darn freeways.

Ed, when you say go through Dublin, how far towards Dublin do I have to drive before I break off heading northeast towards Belfast? Where would I exit the M6? Tx.

I mislead you trying to explain a routing.

You don't go into Dublin at all, use the bypass (M50).

There's a problem, however. It's a toll road with cameras and no way to pay the toll on site. You have to stop in some place later (gas station, convenience store, newstand, all kinds of things) and pay. It's only a couple of euros if you pay by eight pm the next day, doubles the following day, and then zooms to hell. Your problem is heading to NI and those places to pay not be there.

Exact name of place to pay has escaped. I'll come back and edit with a link if I can find something.

EDIT:

Payzone is where you pay. Look here to see what the logo looks like -- colors make it easy to spot:

http://www.payzone.ie/pages/about-us/contact-us.php

Sometimes the sign is the size of a license plate and might be stuck in a window of stores above. It might also be the size of a 'Visa Wecome' sign and just a sticker by the door handle. Once you've seen one, you'll see a million, but that first one might be a bear to spot.

After I take the M50 bypass, I'll head north on M1 to Belfast, right? To get this straight: This route is faster, but I have to pay tolls and is less scenic. The Galway - Athlone - Cavan - Belfast route would be slower, no tolls, more scenic... Thanks for the help. Realistically, do you think driving time for the 2nd choice (excluding stops) could be done in under 5 hours?

You've got the pattern. I'd figure five and a half for the scenic route. No stops factored in.

Another idea (idea only) on paying the toll. Do it in advance before you get to the M50. Gas stations at those stops along the freeway coming east from Galway might be more likely to have one of those payzone places. Also, all you need to do is tell them your car license number and that you want to pay the toll. They take your money and give you a receipt.

Hmmm. Got it. Wish I could find cheap airfares Galway-Belfast, but no luck so far. Thanks again!

Any reason why you have to be in Belfast before starting the Antrim Coast tour?

You can get to Derry in about 4 hours from Galway taking the N17 to the N15 and then drive the route in reverse.

If you take the M50. Check with the car hire company to see if you have 'prepaid' the m50 toll. A lot of the companies build it in to the fee.

Originally, I was driving around the island beginning in Dublin and ending in Belfast in a 2-week time period. Then I cut the trip short by a couple of days by eliminating the Donegal area & the NW. I still wanted to drive the coastal road in NI, that's why I was beginning in Belfast (from Dublin really). Thought I'd cut across from Galway to Belfast (via Dublin) and save time. Apparently I was wrong.

Thanks for pointing out the driving time Galway-Derry. I'll look into continuing to drive clockwise
Galway/Derry/Cushendall/Belfast/Dublin.

Would I hit the M50 coming back from Belfast into Dublin at all?

Thanks for the help.

Some years ago I traveled by bus from Galway to Portrush and from there to the Giant's Causeway. From Portrush I traveled, by train I think, to Derry and on to Belfast. It was 1987, so I was hestant to visit Belfast. I stayed on the train and continued on to Dublin.

You could hit the M50 coming south if you decided to use it to circle to the west and approach for a different direction for some reason.

The M1, however, continues toward central Dublin, then ases east toward the harbor area. South of the M50 cutoff, the N1 splits from the M1 and goes directly to the center of the city. That's the way I'd do it.

Thanks for the help everyone! Here's my final (I hope) itinerary. As always, comments and suggestions are welcome. We've never been to Ireland before, so it took a bit of time to figure out what we didn't want to miss. I know there's more to see - next time.

Day 1: Fly into Dublin from Vienna

Day 2: Dublin

Day 3: Dublin

Day 4: p/u car rental; drive to Kilkenny; stop at Glendalough (Kilkenny)

Day 5: Rock of Cashel; Cahir (Kinsale)

Day 6: Kinsale

Day 7: to Dingle

Day 8: Dingle Loop (Dingle)

Day 9: to Cliffs of Moher; Lahinch (Lisdoonvarna)

Day 10: Drive through the Burren to Galway

Day 11: early Galway to Derry

Day 12: Derry-Antrim Coast; various stops (Cushendall).

Day 13: continue driving coastal route (Belfast)

Day 14: Belfast to Dublin

Day 15: Fly back to US

I think you have a pretty good itinerary although you will have a few 4-6 hour driving days in there. If you are getting into Dublin early the first day you may be able to take off for the country on Day 3. I'm not a big fan of Dublin though so take that advice with a grain of salt.

What time of year are you going? If it's not in a real high season you may not want to book your accommodations outside of Dublin, Belfast or Derry in advance. There should be plenty of choices along the road and will give you the flexibility to change plans if you decide you want to stay longer or if you think you want to take a day off from driving.

One thing that's always hard to account for is the weather so be prepared to skip some of the more outdoor activities if the weather is poor.

Thanks, Tyson. We'll be there 9/22 - 10/6. Yeah, I'd rather book rooms while on the road - a few days before - for maximum flexibility. Is this a good idea during the time of year I'll be there? I've heard about Dublin, but I think we're going to need some down time; Ireland is the 2nd half of our 4-week trip. Which days do you think will be the longest (driving time)? 6-hrs driving - ouch!

Sorry, I should have said 4-6 hours drives including a stop for lunch/ normal sightseeing.

As far as booking rooms you'll be fine at that time of year even if it's on the day you arrive. I would book ahead for Dublin, though. Ask the B&B that you are at if they have any recommendations for the next night. Sometimes they can offer some pretty good advice or maybe get a discount for you.

The two longest drives would probably be Galway-Derry and Dingle to County Clare. Kinsale to Dingle could be a bit long if you take the route through Skibereen, Bantry and Glengariff but it is absolutely gorgeous and one of my favorite routes in Ireland.

For me the most tedious drive seemed to be in County Clare. We toured the Dingle Peninsula the same day we drove to Laninch so it seemed like a really long day. Still it wasn't bad at all and nothing compared to a day spent commuting in the SF Bay Area.

Based on your comments, I’m glad we’ve set aside a whole day for Dingle Pen & are spending the night in Dingle before heading out to the Cliffs the next day. Nonetheless, it does look like from Dingle to the Cliffs (via ferry) is about 3.5 hrs approx. - That’s a longish drive considering it doesn’t include time for lunch at Lahinch and touring the Cliffs. The good thing is that Lisdoonvarna, where we’d like to spend the night is less than 7 miles away.

You have peaked my interest about this longer drive from Kinsale to Dingle. I was going take the most direct route, but after your post I recall reading somewhere else that the Skibereen - Bantry route is worth the detour... Does this mean I would go up through Kenmare and Killarney Nat’l Park? This route would add over 80 miles and double the time to my plans, but I’ll definitely keep it in mind. Gracias!