JacolynLieck

We are flying into Shannon early the 15th of June and pan to make the Cliffs of Moher our first stop (we are driving) We then plan to go to Dingle. Would you recommend staying in Clare or driving to Dingle that night? How far is it from the Cliffs to Dingle? We only have 7 nights and are driving around to Dublin to fly home. Just want to maximize our time.
Thanks!!

flpab

http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Clare-Muns...Dingle-Ireland

Where are you going after Dingle? I would head to Dingle and skip the cliffs.

Maybe three hours to Dingle, stop for breakfast but going from the cliffs to Dingle is over 6 hours. I don't get crazy jet lag on the first day but some do and that is a long drive when you aren't use to the roads and driving on the opposite side of the road unless your driver is. Your trip but I would not do it. You will see some great scenery in Dingle.

Tony2phones

Driving to Dingle off a redeye is an unhealthy obsession. Driving to the Cliffs of Moher and then to Dingle off a redeye is foolhardy. You are getting into a strange car driving on the strange side of strange roads. The last hour of this drive is the 30 miles to Dingle on the peninsula roads.

Use Ennis for your first day/night see the Cliffs and a couple of other spots later in the day if you feel up to it. You can even take the bus stay a couple of hours and come back by bus, you could even save a days car rental and do all day 1 by bus.

If you can't bear to be away from fellow tourists on the first day stay in Doolin or consider Galway and do the mad dash Galway to Dingle via the cliffs on day 2.

flpab

That is why I fly into and out of Dublin. Take the bus into town, see the sights, drink to my hearts content and fall into bed around ten. Ready to go the next day. But since your time is so short and don't want to waste a second of it consider Killarney.

just_wandering

Last year I drove the opposite direction - from Dingle Town to the Cliffs of Moher via the Tarbert Ferry. According to Google maps, the trip takes over 3.5 hours. (Avoiding the ferry is a longer route but takes about the same amount of time). I don't know where you are coming from, or how much of an issue jet lag will be, but driving in Ireland is different than anyplace else I have ever driven (that includes much of Central and Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and North America). Not only will you be driving on the "other" side of the road, but many of the roads (including a few of the "N" roads) are quite narrow with no shoulder and they pass through small towns, so you need to allow lots of time to get from place to place. On the rural roads you also have to watch out for animals, pedestrians and bicyclists. Despite these obstacles, I found driving in Ireland to be lots of fun. Nevertheless, I would consider driving to Dingle the second day.

Bette

I have to agree with all the other posters to this specific question. To go from SNN to the Cliffs, then from the Cliffs to Dingle is a bad idea. Much too far to drive and you would be so tired you would not enjoy it.

I would follow Tony2phones advice if you must see the Cliffs - stay in Ennis your first night. If I follow your plans correctly you only have 7 nights for your total trip. As you depart from Dublin your last 2 nights should be in Dublin, leaving only 5 nights for other highlights accessible from SNN.

Regarding Dingle, it is an excellent base for exploring Dingle but not such a great BASE for exploring County Kerry as it will take you almost an hour just to get off the Dingle Peninsula.

ballinaraw

Bette and Tony are right. Slow down. Spend your first night in Doolin which is on the coast of County Clare and less than an hour's drive from Shannon. Spend that day exploring the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and then enjoy some great food and traditional irish music in one of the pubs in Doolin village. The next day tour down to Dingle, either going via Bunratty (castle and folk park), Adare and on to Dingle. The other way is driving down to Killimer and crossing the Shannon via car ferry to County Kerry and Tarbert. A short drive from here at Foynes is the Flying Boat Museum so if you're into aviation history this is a great visit. They have a full size replica of a Boeing 151 flying boat. The Irish coffee was invented here! You can buy one too…however not recommended for the driver. Continue to Dingle town where I would recommend a two night stay so you can explore the Slea Head Drive and visit the Blasket Island Center and the Galorus Oratory (7th century).

If you're going to spend a night or two in Dublin then you'll only have a couple of days to get there from Dingle. Depending on your interests you could plan your overnights in Cashel (County Tipperary) and visit the Rock of Cashel. Nearby in Cahir is Cahir Castle which is a great visit. Then on to Kilkenny where you can visit the 12th century Kilkenny Castle and tour the State Apartments. 13th century Jerpoint Abbey is at Thomastown as short drive away. When you head up to Dublin you could stop at Tully and visit the Irish National Stud and the Horse Museum as well as the Japanese gardens across the road.

If that route is not of interest you could go from Kilkenny across the Wicklow Gap to Laragh in County Wicklow and visit the 6th century monastic settlement at Glendalough. At Enniskerry is Powerscourt Gardens which are wonderful if you're a lover of formal gardens.

Hope that helps.

kleeblatt

The most magnificent view of Irish cliffs can be seen from the island of Inishmore off Galway. Go to Dun Aonghasa (Dun Aengus) a prehistoric fort and you'll be blown away from the view of the cliffs. No herds of tourists. No fences. No tourist shops. Just views from a historical site that will forever stay in your mind.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%BAn_Aonghasa