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Ireland in September - central location?

I was in Ireland last August and absolutely loved it. However, I wanted to go back when it was less crowded and easier to get around. Last time we drove around the coast from Kinsale up to Galway. This time I want to have a central location to make day trips. We still want to get to Dingle and Doolin as well the Aran Islands. Where would be a good central location?
Thanks for your help!

Posted by
9371 posts

Because Dingle is so far out on the peninsula and Doolin is so far up into Co. Clare, there really isn't a good central location to get to both as day trips. You might have to spend a few days in one area and a few days in the other.

Posted by
1358 posts

We stayed in Doolin last summer with the hopes of doing a day trip to Dingle, but it's a 3 hour drive, too much for a day trip. There's lots around Doolin, which is why we stayed there -- the Cliffs, the Burren, Aran Islands, short trip to Bunratty.

Posted by
10601 posts

If you can go to Dingle you should. It was my favorite place we stayed. I much preferred staying there and would not have been as happy with a day trip there. You might consider two locations, Dingle and the Doolin area. I think you will see more doing that than to try to do day trips from one place.

Posted by
43 posts

I think it works better not to have a base place, as you have more time to see places when you don't have to worry about getting back to your base. I know it is nice not having to pack and go each day, but you can easily spend a couple days in various places. If you weren't venturing more than an hour or so away it works, but if you want to go much further a large chunk of your day is driving.