Realistic Drive Times in Ireland

As a rule of thumb, it's always best to add at least another 50% to any estimated driving time that Google Maps gives you in Ireland. So if the time listed is 3 hours on Google Maps, figure it will take you closer to 4.5 hours. This can apply even if you are on a highway. Highways in Ireland are simply not the same as I-95 in the U.S. There is always some never-ending road work or just typical rush hour traffic jams around the bigger cities like Dublin, Cork or Galway. And once you get onto back roads in the country, you are dealing with things that Google Maps doesn't ever take into account - roads blocked with a flock of sheep, a ridiculously slow moving tractor that no one is able to pass, very narrow roads that you will no doubt want to slow down on when you have to pass a large truck on one side and you have a stone wall on the other, missing road signs, etc. And, as a visitor, you are going to want to stop along the way several times and take photos, grab a meal & use the bathroom (no easy rest stops with a McDonald's & Starbucks every 20 miles).

I use ViaMichelin rather than Google Maps. Ceidleh makes some good points about things you can encounter along the way, particularly on the smaller roads. For ViaMichelin, I add about 25% to their estimates as a general rule, but some areas are more problematic. On your Doolin-Portmagee leg, in addition to stops you will want to make, it doesn't take into account waiting and loading time at the ferry. Depending on where the ferry is when you arrive, it could be a good wait. It's a large ferry and can hold a number of trucks, cars, buses, etc., which all have to be offloaded on the Killimer side before you can be loaded on. It's only a 20 minute crossing, but will take considerably more time than that. Once you get to Tralee, you'll start encountering a series of bends in the road (12 sets, to be exact, while you are still on the N70 then another couple once you get onto the Ring road). Given the uncertainties of the ferry wait time and the roads, I would give that leg at least six hours, especially if you plan to stop at the Cliffs of Moher on your way.

ViaMichelin shows Portmagee to Killarney via Kenmare at about 2 hours, though that will be way wrong, as you already know (15 sets of bends before you reach Kenmare, then four more before Killarney). I would easily add 50% to that time, making it about 3.75 hrs. Then Killarney to Cork should be about two hours (without stops). The Cork to Belfast leg shows on ViaMichelin as 4 hours 17 minutes, but it takes you right around Dublin on the motorway. Depending on time of year and time of day, it could be a quick circuit or a slow one (in Dublin I would count on slow). If you add even 25% to that time it will take about 5.5 hours to get to Belfast. As for the border crossing, there isn't one as such. No passport control, no stopping, no problem.

The border crossing normally takes about 3 seconds. It's Europe - the borders are open. The only clue is the road signs and the prices displayed at gas stations (pounds/euros). Away from the east coast where the motorways are, the roads are SLOW. Re:Dublin-Belfast for a day .... you might want to consider the train. It's a great service, and you could get a taxi tour from Belfast Central.
Roger

And don't forget that once you get into Northern Ireland the speed limits are listed in mph, not kmh.

Thank you all very much for your replies and info! The planning continues! Karen