Ireland Itinerary: Too Much Driving?
Oct 1st, 2016, 08:47 AM
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Ireland Itinerary: Too Much Driving?
Hi Everyone,
Wanted to get some feedback about our upcoming trip to Ireland in November. We are a family of 4 traveling from the US (2 adults, 2 teenage children). We are flying into and out of Dublin (tickets can not be modified). Our main goal for the trip is to experience the beauty and charm of Ireland, while acknowledging that we are only there for a few days and thus cannot see everything. We are aware that this time of year brings shorter days and cold/rainy weather, thus limiting some of our options.
Here is our planned itinerary. Can you please provide feedback if this is reasonable in terms of driving? Are we trying to do too much?
Day 1: arrive Dublin airport, take coach or train to Cork, pick up rental car, spend night in Cork
Day 2: drive to Dingle, explore area, spend night in Dingle
Day 3: drive from Dingle to Ashford Castle, spend night in Ashford Castle
Day 4: Ashford Castle, explore area, spend night in Ashford Castle
Day 5: drive to Dublin, drop off rental car, spend night in Dublin
Day 5: explore Dublin, spend night in Dublin
Day 6: depart Dublin airport
We would like to see the Cliffs of Moher, but I am concerned that we will not have sufficient time. The only option I see is on Day 3. However, when I look at the map and calculate driving times, it seems a bit daunting. Would it be possible to drive from Dingle to the Cliffs of Moher to Ashford Castle in one day, given that there will only be about 8 hours of daylight?
On the afternoon of Day 1 or the morning of Day 2, we would like to go to either Kinsale or Blarney Castle. Would you recommend Kinsale over Blarney Castle? I have read conflicting opinions about Blarney Castle.
If you have other thoughts or suggestions about our itinerary, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for any help. Cheers!
Wanted to get some feedback about our upcoming trip to Ireland in November. We are a family of 4 traveling from the US (2 adults, 2 teenage children). We are flying into and out of Dublin (tickets can not be modified). Our main goal for the trip is to experience the beauty and charm of Ireland, while acknowledging that we are only there for a few days and thus cannot see everything. We are aware that this time of year brings shorter days and cold/rainy weather, thus limiting some of our options.
Here is our planned itinerary. Can you please provide feedback if this is reasonable in terms of driving? Are we trying to do too much?
Day 1: arrive Dublin airport, take coach or train to Cork, pick up rental car, spend night in Cork
Day 2: drive to Dingle, explore area, spend night in Dingle
Day 3: drive from Dingle to Ashford Castle, spend night in Ashford Castle
Day 4: Ashford Castle, explore area, spend night in Ashford Castle
Day 5: drive to Dublin, drop off rental car, spend night in Dublin
Day 5: explore Dublin, spend night in Dublin
Day 6: depart Dublin airport
We would like to see the Cliffs of Moher, but I am concerned that we will not have sufficient time. The only option I see is on Day 3. However, when I look at the map and calculate driving times, it seems a bit daunting. Would it be possible to drive from Dingle to the Cliffs of Moher to Ashford Castle in one day, given that there will only be about 8 hours of daylight?
On the afternoon of Day 1 or the morning of Day 2, we would like to go to either Kinsale or Blarney Castle. Would you recommend Kinsale over Blarney Castle? I have read conflicting opinions about Blarney Castle.
If you have other thoughts or suggestions about our itinerary, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for any help. Cheers!
Oct 1st, 2016, 01:42 PM
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My teens loved Blarney. It was their favorite castle in Ireland. We arrived about an hour and a half before closing so we were virtually alone which probably helped our experience. But in November I doubt the crowds would be bad. We were there the last week in June.
Kinsale is a charming town on the water but you'll see that in Dingle. So I vote for Blarney.
As for fitting in the cliffs, it would only add a couple hours to your drive and I think they are worth it.
Afterwards you can drive north through the burren to get to Galway which is very different landscape than what you'll have seen.
From Dingle, you could also take the ferry over at Talbert and drive up the coast to the Cliffs. Will add more time but a lot nicer than a motorway. And scenery is what you are there to see. But the other way, you'd drive by Adare, a real cute town, and Ennis, a fun, lively town.
Kinsale is a charming town on the water but you'll see that in Dingle. So I vote for Blarney.
As for fitting in the cliffs, it would only add a couple hours to your drive and I think they are worth it.
Afterwards you can drive north through the burren to get to Galway which is very different landscape than what you'll have seen.
From Dingle, you could also take the ferry over at Talbert and drive up the coast to the Cliffs. Will add more time but a lot nicer than a motorway. And scenery is what you are there to see. But the other way, you'd drive by Adare, a real cute town, and Ennis, a fun, lively town.
Oct 1st, 2016, 02:22 PM
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Many people on Foders want to see the Cliffs of Moher. In my humble opinion, I think they are overrated. After seeing them for 10 minutes we were ready to leave. There are more buses, people, and souvenir shops than can be imagined.
Oct 11th, 2016, 07:46 AM
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I agree with Scotia regarding the Cliffs of Moher. I have been to Ireland several times (most recently last month) and only see the Cliffs when visiting with someone who insists. My vote is for Slieve League in Donegal. Absolutely fantastic and not commercialized at all. I pray that they do not change.
Oct 11th, 2016, 04:30 PM
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The previous posters are probably correct, but you have limited time, and are planning to be in Dingle (stunningly beautiful), so the Cliffs make sense. Dingle town may be quiet in Nov. When we went in April we were surprised that the tourist office was closed as were a fair number of stores. You should try to see several sites in each area and not spend your vacation in the car. People repeatedly told us to overestimate drive times. It's so true-the roads are narrow and twisty. And as soon as you get off the main highways you encounter frequent roundabouts. Blarney is nice and a large site with gardens and walking trails. Our family (we have 10/13/16yo) really enjoyed Killarney. Natural beauty mixed with a fun town-lots to do! Enjoy 
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