Itinerary help Ireland Again :-)

Susan,

Here's what I posted in the other thread where you posted this question. Hope it helps:

You can't do both. Galway and Cong are hours north of Shannon and Adare and Dingle are hours to the southwest. Driving in Ireland is very slow so you have to pace yourself and not try to do too much in any one day.

I think you'll have to pick one or the other. Galway/Cong or Adare/Dingle are each doable in 5 days from Shannon, but not both.

I'd recommend Dingle. It's the perfect picturesque Irish small town. You can drive or bike the Peninsula for fascinating views of the coastline. You can head to a pub for a chat with the locals and some traditional Irish music.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip.

Day one:Drive from Shannon to Dingle and spend 2 nights. You should get there by mid day and have 1 1/2 days to enjoy Dingle (Via Michelin-182 Km-73 km on "scenic roads" meaning smaller roads) 2hour 40 minutes-figure closer to 3)

Day three- Get up early and drive to Galway taking the Tarbet ferry and stopping at the Cliffs of Moher along the way. (We made this exact drive and also stopped for an hour or so at Doolin and drove through the Burren It was pouring down rain so only stopped once in the Burren) We had no trouble getting to Galway by late afternoon. My journal shows we left Dingle at 8 and were to Galway by dinner time with 4 stops-(I forgot we stopped at a craft fair) This was harder to figure since Viamichelin takes you back through Shannon, I know we saved time by taking the ferry. Thru Shannon: 256 KM 3 hours 40 minutes It is 95 KM to Tarbet ferry 1 hour 28 mintues and 108 Km from the ferry to Galway 1 hour 35 minutes.

Day 4&5- Galway. We didn't find too much we wanted to do n Galway, but we used it as a jumping off point for the Aran Islands or you could day trip up to Cong. (42 KM that is only about 26 miles- 43 minutes)

Galway to Shannon airport: 89 KM 1 hour 20 minutes Driving is slower in Ireland, but breaking up the drive with stops made it enjoyable. We have found Via Michelin pretty accurate in Germany and Italy- Ireland you might want to add a little time to their estimates. Still I think it is very doable if that is what you want.

I think it's easily doable, as Connie said. You won't get to Dingle by midday, though, since it will be nearer to 10:30 or 11 before you get your rental car and get going. But you'll still have a full day in between your two nights there. And yes, the Killimer-Tarbert ferry will save you miles and time heading toward the Cliffs of Moher (plus it's fun to take the ferry across the river).

Okay, I am just about there, would love to know what you all think. Am getting very excited as this thing grows legs. Thanks for all of your feedback, has been most helpful.

Day 1: Arrive Shannon via Continental 5:30 AM - pick-up rental car.
Tentative Bunratty Castle for breakfast.

Day 1&2: Drive to Dingle - 2 nights Emlagh Lodge (firm).

Day 3: Drive (take ferry, Is it running now?) to Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, etc, etc.
1 night Doolin - Roadford House (tentative)

Day 4: Drive to Cong
1 night Ashford Castle (firm)

Day 5: Drive to best town/B&B close to Shannon for 1 night, suggestions?

Day 6: Back to Chicago ex Shannon

A couple of things: depending on how long it takes to get through passport check and get your luggage, you might have to wait a bit before the car rental counters open. All of the rentals are off-site, so you do the paperwork at the airport, then take a shuttle to the rental companies' lots.

Yes, the Killimer-Tarbert ferry will be running. Lots of people take it across the Shannon all the time. It's about a 20 minute crossing - it saves about 80 km compared to going around through Limerick.

The Bunratty Castle area would be the most convenient to the airport for your last night. Along the Bunratty road are numerous B&Bs. There's a nearby gas station for topping off your rental car, and the airport is about six miles away.

I think it looks great-you got it all in and it is very reasonable. You might even be able to stop in Galway for a couple of hours on your way back to Shannon. Have a great trip!!

Thanks for all of your feedback, it has been so helpful. Cannot wait to see "the old sod" :-)

Susan,
I just wanted to add the same word of caution to you that I did on another thread concerning the Tarbert - Killimer ferry. If the weather is making the water rough, they will stop running the ferry. This happened to us in '05. We were lucky enough to get on the last run before shutting it down, and it was only 1:30 in the afternoon.

mr Tom....I'm not sure I'd want to be on the last ferry ride before they shut things down because of bad weather! ;) Reminds me of a flight I took once out of Pensacola...the last before they shut the airport down due to tornados.

Yes, thank you, I did definitely note your advice and we are making this trip quite soon so poor weather is a possibility. Will make a contingency plan. Do you recommend the ferry coming from Shannon to Dingle as well? I was not planning to drive that way. What do you think? Know it is the best way back to Doolin.

There's no reason not to take the same route down unless there are things you wanted to see that are closer to your other route.