or2nh4me2

Flying into/out of Dublin from Boston, MA. We are a family of 6 including kids 10/13/15. We are trying to avoid moving every day. Another option would be to go directly to Killarney on 4/23-seeing Blarney on the way. Just not sure if it's too much. Any input on how to structure time in Killarney would be most helpful! Want to see Muckross, Killarney NP, Dingle or Kerry, maybe Gap Dunloe?

4/21 Rent car DUB airport and go to Kilkenny
4/22 Cork for one night-see Rock of Cashel on way
4/23 Blarney on way to Killarney
4/24 Killarney
4/25 Killarney
4/26 Ennis
4/27 Ennis
4/28 Dublin
4/29 Dublin
4/30 2 of group depart
5/01 Other 4 depart

Robert2533

I'd use Kilkenny as a base for visiting Cork, Blarney and Ennis, and not change hotels. Cork and Blarney are only two hours drive from Kilkenny, as is Ennis. I'd also look at spending more time in Dublin. It's a great city.

Are you up on driving in Ireland? It's different then puttering around Boston.
www.visitireland.com/planning/driving.asp

As far as rental cars go, It looks like you'll need something like the larger Ford Galaxy, which will be a challenge driving on the rural roads. Check with Auto Europe.

or2nh4me2

Thanks Robert! I will look into your suggestions. And my husband is ready to drive in Ireland-I trust him!

Tony2phones

Been to Ireland Robert? Kilkenny is hardly a base for Ennis or Cork. At least 4 wasted hours every day provided you break a few speed limits. I can do Kilkenny in 2 hours, but don't tell the Guard. Gok's how I drive my 6'6" wide van without ripping it to bits on kamikaze hedges or the walls that jump out to ambush hire cars??

The good bit of advice is the Galaxy, as most 6/7 seater cars use the boot/trunk space for the extra seats.

The itinerary looks fine. Not sure on your plans for Killarney but if you are planning on touring the Dingle peninsula from Killarney it might make more logistical sense to drive the Dingle figure of eight between Killarney and Ennis rather than going up round and back only to pass it again as you head north.
Whether that means taking a day from Killarney and having 2 in Cork? or Kilkenny? is a choice that is open.

I take it Ennis is to explore west Clare rather than the town so you might find some points on this map https://goo.gl/UtW24m

or2nh4me2

After talking to my husband we've tweaked (I think) finalized our 9 night itinerary.

1: Cork
2-3: Killarney
4-5: Ennis
6: Kilkenny
7-9: Dublin

How does that sound?

Padraig

"... it might make more logistical sense to drive the Dingle figure of eight between Killarney and Ennis ..."

No, it makes no sense at all. That's a minimum of six hours driving time before you think of comfort stops, or coffee and lunch breaks. Add on time to get out and look at things, and it's simply not a runner.

Tony has set himself a target of killing off Dingle tourism.

Tony2phones

It takes the expensive private tours from Dingle town 4 hours to do the peninsula. Its 2 hours from Killarney to Dingle which includes 1 leg of the loop, it takes 2 hours from Dingle to Ennis, Allow 2 1/2 hours to drive the 30 miles of Slea Head and you have well under 8 hours.

So leave Killarney at 9 am be in Ennis for 6pm and you have a spare hour? There are tours that do the run between Galway and Killarney round Dingle in 8 hours including sights, lunch and trinket shopping.


Cork is a long run from Dublin airport straight off a flight. Have you considered getting the express bus from Dublin airport to Cork city on arrival, You could then collect the rental car on Day 2?

Padraig

You could sit at your computer, go to Google streetview, and tour the Dibnle Peninsula in the same way - see the road and glance at things to either side. Don't go on a beach, or get in and look at any of the antiquities, or walk on a hill, or sit on a terrace and savour the view, or converse with a local or other visitor. That's not visiting; that's drive-by tourism.

or2nh4me2

Thanks to all who have responded. I will look things over. I know you're not a fan of Dingle Tony, but the drive listed above is not realistic for our family. We do want to enjoy our time there, and let's face it, we are tourists. Love the Cork rental car pick up idea! Seems as though a more feasible itinerary might be:

1 Cork
2-3 Killarney
4 Dingle
5-6 Ennis
7-9 Dublin (maybe spend some time Kilkenny end route)

Thoughts?

Tony2phones

I'm a fan of the Dingle peninsula, just a small amount of folk have a problem with me not raving about Dingle new town.

Folk who do actually know me also know I give this link which has great information from a long time Dingle regular http://goo.gl/50pthR see #10

or2nh4me2

Gotcha. I'll check it out. Thanks much.