One Week in Ireland for Active Travellers

I see you are going to Doolin. From there you can take the Jack B ferry boat to the Aran Islands and also take a sightseeing cruise of the Cliffs of Moher all in the same day. This is called a Combo Cruise with Cliffs and Aran Cruises. Go to the website and book early, there is a discount for booking online. Hope this helps.
Cliffs and Aran Cruises

You probably already have your airline tickets -- or I would have suggested that you fly in and out of Shannon. This would have saved you a lot of driving time that could have been better spent exploring the west coast.

Day 3 you will want to get up early to drive to Doolin in time to catch a ferry to Inish Oirr -- the smallest Aran Island. You would want to be there before 10 or so to catch the ferry so that you would have enough time on the island to make it worth the trip. Then stay on the boat on the return trip and drive by the Cliffs of Moher. There are several ferries to the islands out of Doolin-- but maybe only one that does the Cliff tour too. Be warned that the trips out of Doolin are more sensitive to weather conditions than the ones ones out of Rosseval and Galway. If it is bad weather they just don't go. You might want to consider that if the Arans are on a must see list. It is at least an hour to 90 minutes drive from Galway to Doolin -- so take all this into account.

Day 5 will be busy too. There is just so much to see and do on the Dingle Peninsula -- you will feel very rushed. Considering you won't even arrive til maybe noon. I would stay 2 nights in Dingle and skip trying to cram in so much. Definitely skip trying to get to Cork too.

Day 7 I would plan to stay in Cashel -- no sense back tracking to Tipperary.

You will be exhausted in trying to jam so much in a short time frame. I would suggest not doing Connemarra and dividing your time between Burren/Doolin/ Arans for 2-3 nights. Dingle 2 nights, maybe Kenmare 1 night if you don't do Connemarra, and Cashel one night then back to Dublin. Even then you will only be skimming the surface of what each area has to offer. Otherwise it seems like you will be spending tooooo much time looking at Ireland from the window of your car. Driving in Ireland is a very slow process. The roads are narrow and bumpy. I would plan for less driving and more doing. Have fun!

If you have never driven in Ireland you can not imagine how long it takes to go from point A to point B. On most of the roads you will be doing well to average 40 MPH.

Sarah,

I agree with the others. You're much better off making the hard choices and focusing on your top priorities than trying to do everything.

Day 5 seems like too much to me. If you have to drive the Peninsula that day, after driving from Kilrush, then you MUST stay in Dingle. The drive to Killarney or Kenmare is about an hour and is the last thing you want to do after a full day.

I'd see the Burren and the Cliffs in the same day, and then see the Aran Islands the next day. You don't need a full day to see the Burren.

If you're into the outdoors more than cities, I'd suggest Killarney National Park over Cork. You can bike, hike, or horseback ride through the Gap of Dunloe and enjoy spectacular scenery.

You'd really need two days to go see Giant's Causeway. A day to get there and a day to get to your next destination. A lot of driving for one site.

Hope these ramblings are helpful. Best of luck.

Enjoy your trip!

Two things. What you're planning is going to be a blur as you've packed way too much to do in a short time. Good idea to get on Irish time a day in Dublin.

It takes twice as long to drive from point a to b as pointed out, but more importantly, you have to stop along the way in the little spots to have a pint, something to eat, and experience the real Ireland. #8 is not doable, and Tipperary is high crime, known as "Stab City". I'd stay in Kilkenny and hit Cashel that way, hit Glendalough then through Sally Gap back to Dublin.

Steve, I think you mean Limerick, not Tipperary. Tipperary isn't high crime. And in my opinion, #8 is perfectly doable -- I have done the exact same drive (though I'm not sure what she means by Wicklow National Park).

Nancy is right I mispoke. Tipperary is a nice spot.

As far as # 8, I don't roll like that. Seeing how many spots you can hit is not the way to tour any country IMHO

Well, Glendalough and Powerscourt are easily done in a day, and the drive on to Dublin is only an hour or so from there. It's not impossible.

Leaving from Tipperary and driving to ...

Powerscourt Gardens, Glendalough,Wicklow National Park)?

It's about 100+ clicks, just to get to the 1st destination. I guess if the leave at o-dark-thirty and hustle....nope

Hi,
Lots of good advice here....esp about driving taking twice as long as here in the states.

I am probably the only person in the western hemisphere who was not wowed by the Aran Islands. but that is my opinion.
I think 2 days in Dingle is a great idea. I myself am doing that in September/October and spending a day at Killarney National Park.
I also want to stay away from the cities and be more in the countryside so I am avoiding Cork city.
We did a day tour from Dublin to Wicklow mountains - a nice tour but not as much fun as being on our own.
If you go to Rock of Cashel (which is spectacular) I suggest Joy's Rockside B&B at the foot of the Rock.
We had a wonderful night there.

I also really liked Connemara but I guess you have to pick and choose your priorities.
I will be traveling in Clare, Kerry and Cork counties and want to be mostly in the nature type stuff, also. Be sure to save some things for returning trips!
Have a great vacation!

Take the comments posted about slow driving to heart- it will take you twice as long as you think it will. Your schedule is "ambitious" and I am concerned that in order to see everything, you have not left enough time to do the things you love (hiking, exploring, etc.) Here are my own memories and opinions from my trip:
Connemara National Park- beautiful area to drive through. We stayed in Westport and loved doing the hike up Croagh Patrick.
Aran Islands- we enjoyed, but it would be best if you had enough time to bike around it. The Burren wasn't that important or meaningful to us, although the fact that it was pouring rain didn't help. I agree with others that more time in Dingle would be a good idea. We loved biking the Dingle Penninsula and highly recommend it. Our schedule worked out for us, and you could use it just to compare what worked for us versus what your are trying to do:
Day one (we stayed the night near Powerscourt Garden):
Powerscourt Garden-Glendalough, Wicklow park- arrived late in the day in Waterford.
Day 2: Waterford tour, Rock of Cashel arrived in Killarney for 2 nights
Day 3- Drove to Kenmare, Muckross house, etc.
Day 4 arrived in Dingle for 2 nights did our bike trip
Day 5 Explored the Dingle area including the Archeological tour, boat trip
Day 6 Took the Tabert ferry and stopped to see The Cliff of Moher and the Burren and then on to Galway for 2 nights
Day 7 Aran Island
Day 8 Drove up to the Connemara and stayed at Westport,
Day 9 Got up early and climbed Croagh Patrick before driving to Ballyshannon
As you can see, we had a little more time (we actually had 17 days but this is the part that covered where you are going) but it would not have been hard to adjust to your time frame. We are active people, so we basically go, go, go from sunrise to sunset and then hit the pubs after dark. As to Cork vs. Killarney Park- we just drove through Cork, but is hit me as being a large city and I didn't regret moving on quickly. Have fun.

WOW! I am exhausted just reading your itinerary. Totally slaggard(irish lingo for tired). I've looked at this post a few times... and keep coming back and shaking my head.

I assuming you are flying in & out of Dubs. I do have a few ideas that I have been thinking about. Your first day in Dublin I am guessing is the day you fly in... if you have a 1 1/2 days in Dubs even better. You can use part of the day you fly in to see sights & the next day.

Day #2: However, when you start off to Connemara you will need to get up early to head to Connemara; as it will be a long day on the road. Even though you will be driving from Dubs to Galway: N4 changes in Kinnegad to the N5; which then changes in Athlone to the N6; it will take a few hours. I would suggest a stop in Shannonbridge. You can check out Clonmacnoise; as well as Shannonbridge Railway(Gort na Mona - Irish Peat board). Get off of the N6 in Ballinasloe take the R357 and follow the signs. This is a good stop for a break on your drive. Then back on the road to the N6 to Galway.

Now, I know you are going to think I am crazy, but I am not. I would suggest you drive around Galway on the 'ring road'. Ireland loves their roundabouts and they are fantastic. Anyway, take the N59 to Connemara you will go thru the town of Moycullen, Oughterard to Maam Cross and onto Clifden town and then to Letterfrack. Now if your exhausted at this point I'd say check into your accommadations and enjoy Letterfrack. However, if your not too tired and it is not too late you can continue on N59 to Kylemore Abby ... you cannot miss the gardens at the Abby. They are beautiful.

Day#3: if you didnt get to check out Kylemore you have pleanty of time in the morning. Then head back to Galway the way you came. Go around Galway on the 'ring road' and on the WAY to Doolin you can stop at Aliwee Caves, Dolman, Fanore(small pristine beach on the coast of Clare) and the Burren. I would skip Aran Island as I dont think you would be able

fit it in; but you will have time to enjoy Doolin and the Cliffs are literally right up the road and then their is Spanish Point outside of Milltown-Malbay.

Day #4: I would do the Aran Islands on this day; as the ferry leaves from the Doolin Quay (pronounced:Key) early and comes back in the afternoon; giving you pleanty of time to drive south to the Kilrush-Tarbert ferry; as a matter of fact you could as easily stay in either Listowel or Tralee for your overnight.

Day #5: Get up early and drive to Dingle on the N86 to the R560, thru Connor pass. I actually would plan on staying overnight in Dingle town. You should take the Scurid Tour of the Peninsula worth every cent. Also, give yourself to enjoy the town.

Day#6: Since I am being honest here. Dingle Peninsula is like 100 times better than the ROK(ring of kerry). When you are leaving Dingle town take the N85 to the R561 and you will pass the town of Inch. Check out the beach from the lay-a-by. I would skip the ROK , however, I would still suggest you go to Killarney to Muckross House and Torc Falls. Now Torc Falls is about 1 km from Muckross House on the N71. The car park is on the left. You will then need to go back to Killarney. Then you can take the N22 from Killarny to Cork.. the home of Blarney Castle. There are pleanty of accomidations in the Blarney Castle area.

Day #7: Take N8 from Cork up thru the town of Fermoy to Cahir (pronounced: Care) you can check out both Cahir Castle & Swiss Cottage and then onto Cashel. This is where you mentioned you wante to do horse back riding. I TOTALLY agree with Dale regarding the accomindations: I would book w/Joan Joy at Rockside house: www.joyrock.com. Her B&B is right next to the Rock. Joan is a JOY. Right next/behind to the "Rock" is the Bru Boru Centre.
www.comhaltas.com. If you ask Joy she can check with the center to see if performance is going on the night you are there and she can get them held for you. She is a gem.

If you decide that you are not going to stay in Cashel. I would not back track and stay in Tipperary. I would press on to Waterford. You can back track to Cahir and then to Waterford. It is a very easy ride and the N24 is a good road. I say this because you plan on going to Wicklow.

Day #8: Leaving Cashel or Waterford head on the N25; which turns into the N30; which then turns into the N11 after you go thru Enniscorthy and the up thru Arklow. Take the R747 to the area called "Vale of Avoca" and continue on to the R755 to R756 to Glendalough. Then back onto R755 North to Powers Court and then onto Dublin.

Thats what I would do. ... I have been to Ireland several times both to visit my relations ( my mam is from Clare) and also to tour. My first trip I saw the entire Republic in 5 days; which I call my stop-and-click-tour. It was a nightmare, but that was the only time we had away from visiting w/my relations on that trip. I would never do that again and everytime I go home I now concentrate a small area like the Southwest; The west... etc... F

FYI's: Beware of signs in the Gaeltachts. Back in the day the signs would be in English and in Irish. In 2006, as part of a saving the language all road signs in the Gaeltacht Areas: ie: Connemara, Dingle, parts of Donegal etc... the signs were changed to Irish. That is why I suggested the interior roads in Connemara; as they are roads I know and those signs are close to the english versions of the names of towns. Trust me on this one I, who have family in Connemara got SO lost in 2006, taking the coast road out to Connemara not realizing that they had started changing the signs in Connemara. It was SO embarrasing. My family laugh at me about this.. in a good way! For example when you get near and/or in Dingle the signs will say: An Daingean.

You have lots of good advice here. I agree that you can average only about 30 miles a hour on the roads; they are narrow and winding with many small villages.

I would get a good highway map and research the miles between your stops. You can then know how much time you will have for each stop.

You may find that it is worth the fee to change your arrival point to Shannon. Ask about it. You can save both time and money.

Shannon is far more practical as a central base. I have changed destinations twice and never regretted the additional cost.

I agree, this is too much. I'm always tempted to try to cram everything in, but I always have a better time if I'm a little less ambitious and allow time for lots of walking and hiking. Otherwise you will be watching your watch the whole time you're walking and rushing right back in the car. One thing to remember is that you can't count on the weather being great everyday. If you allow two days & nights to places like Dingle (which I highly recommend), if you have a day of pouring rain, you still have another day with a chance to see it at its best. The Shannon idea is excellent if you can do it. The driving in Ireland is very stressful -- the roads are so narrow and windy -- so try not to overdue it.

I've been on a similar trip...here are my thoughts:

1. While I enjoyed Connemara, I found the National Park to be not worth the stop.

2. The drive from Doolin to Dingle takes forever.

3. Dingle was our favorite place on the trip. I highly recommend the Dingle Peninsula bike ride - best day of our trip, by a long shot.

4. I found the Burren to be interesting at first, but it got boring fairly quickly.

I can't comment on days 6 though 8.

I've found the lonely planet 'walking ireland' guide to be quite helpful. I've done just about all of the hikes in and around Dublin (I go there often for work) and they have plenty for the areas that you'll be visiting.

My general impression is that you may need to cut back our your west coast travel. We did Dingle-Doolin-Galway-Aran Islands-Connemara and Dublin in about 8 days and it was fine - but if we tried to fit in more sites to the southwest, it would have been too much.

Hi,
I am also heading to Ireland but in November...yep, November.
We fly into Dublin and I would like input regarding the itinerary that I am working on.
Fly into Dublin and head south to
Arthurstown for two days...get up to the rock of Cashel and cahil while staying there.
drive the coast through kinsale to kenmare
Kenmare two days...horseback riding along the Beara penninsula and then seeing a bit of the Ring.
Dingle for a day and on to Adare
two nights in Adare..day trip to the Cliffs of Moher
then two nights in Dublin before we fly out.
I think that the weather will be too rough to get out to any of the islands...I just hope that I can see them from the shore.
Any sights in this area that I should include?
Thanks for the input!
Lisa

Hi,
I am also heading to Ireland but in November...yep, November.
We fly into Dublin and I would like input regarding the itinerary that I am working on.
Fly into Dublin and head south to
Arthurstown for two days...get up to the rock of Cashel and Cahil while staying there.
drive the coast through Kinsale to Kenmare.We plan to stay in Kenmare two days...perhaps go horseback riding along the Beara penninsula and then seeing a bit of the Ring.
Dingle for a day and on to Adare.
Two nights in Adare..day trip to the Cliffs of Moher,
then two nights in Dublin before we fly out.
I think that the weather will be too rough to get out to any of the islands...I just hope that I can see them from the shore.
Any sights in this area that I should include?
Thanks for the input!
Lisa

Pat up above said:

"If you have never driven in Ireland you can not imagine how long it takes to go from point A to point B. On most of the roads you will be doing well to average 40 MPH."

So true and that is without road construction.

Chances are there will be some road construction and if it is in the village well then just get ready to be in a queue of cars waiting for the workmen. There will not necessarily be any bypass roads to avoid the construction.

We made the mistake of driving from Macroom, County Cork to Trim, County Meath, thinking it would only take a few hours. It took much longer and we got in late in the evening.

Lisa, I would recommend an extra night in Dingle and only one in Adare. We stayed there to break up the trip from Dingle to Dublin and were very disappointed. There are some neat thatched roof cottages, but there is a very busy road running right through the town that kills the atmosphere. Also, although I don't have a map in front of me, I think the drive from Adare to the Cliffs of Moher would be pretty long.

If you end up driving from Dingle to the Cliffs of Moher or Doolin, be sure to take the ferry -- it cuts out a lot of driving. It goes from Tarbert to another city whose name I forget. It runs every half hour and is well worth it.

Lisa,

Carroll makes excellent points. It's the Killimar-Tarbert ferry, by the way, and it is a must. It cuts a couple of hours off the drive and is cheap and quick.

Best of luck with your planning.

Enjoy your trip!