mmcnamara6

Looking for some final suggestions on where to stop for breaks or sightseeing on our drive from Dublin to Kinsale- Kinsale to Killarney- Killarney to Doolin- Doolin to Galway- and finally, Galway back to Dublin. It can be a pub, restaurant, a cafe to stop for coffee, visit with locals, or a sightseeing spot that we shouldn't miss! We just want to take our time driving and enjoy the drives. I am assuming we will have daylight until about 9:00, so we have a little more time to reach our different destinations. We leave in one week, we are hoping for some good weather too when driving! Thanks Everyone!

cd

We have many fine memories of Ireland and one is of the peat fires in the pubs. We stayed in Doolin and visited: http://www.gusoconnorsdoolin.com/

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...rthernIreland1

These pics may be helpful because most places you've mentioned are found herein. Enjoy Ireland and particularly enjoy the great Irish hospitality,,and be sure to ask directions even if you think you know the way...the blast of brogue will delight you! You'll think you've met Barry Fitgerald in person.

Gus' famous pub has music every night, and occaionally Irish dancing..there's not much else in Doolin...although I can recommend a very nice hotel within walking distance of the pub and two cute little restaurants nearby. One is Ilsa's next door to the pub.You can get a boat to Innishmoor from Doolin, also. Recommended.

tower

The Aran View Hotel, see pics.

tower

here's the Aran View Hotel

tower

sorry, I goofed:

http://www.aranview.com/

flpab

At the other end of Doolin is McDermotts and McGann's pub. There is a bridge in between and the two pubs sort of blended together when we were there twice. I was counting the empty pint glasses perched on the bridge the next morning. They said they just divide them among the two pubs. Great food and music at both.
http://www.irelandwhiskeytrail.com/?...ly_ireland.php

I enjoyed this distillery more than any and Tullamore is a pretty town.

flpab

Leaving Galways stop at Clonmcnoise on your way to Tullamore, both great stops.

njsusan

Hi flpab- I'm in Galway right now and plan on doing Clonmcnoise & Tullamore tomorrow on our way to Kilkenny!

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...Ireland199602#

Finally, Here's a smattering of Ireland and the North. Doolin, included

flpab

njsusan, Tullamore dew is my favorite sipping whiskey. I am so glad you are stopping by Clonmcnoise, so many don't and it is so beautiful. The Irish mist is very nice also!

Tony2phones

Depends a lot on your route?? There are several way to get about Ireland.. Galway to Kilkenny via Clonmacnoise and Tullamore being a prime example of a non standard approach.

There are lots of options on any route so if you see somewhere you like Stop.. call in .. Try... The simple fact that somewhere lacks a TA or other Travel hype review to its name means you might meet more locals than visitors..

mmcnamara6

Thank you for all of the suggestions. I will definitely look into all,of the pubs recommended. Clonmacnoise and Tullamore sound interesting, so will do some reading on them. Is that driving route pretty straight forward Tony2phones? Is the castle in Kilkenny and Blarney Castle both worth seeing? Thanks!

Tony2phones

Not sure what I have given you before maps wise etc..

Starting with the Castles.. Blarney is the traditional Irish Tower house all be it a big one and we go not for the castle but for the grounds which are well worth a look around.. Kilkenny was a Towerhouse grew into a full Castle (in Disney terms) was beaten down by Cromwell and rebuilt into what is style wise a large Stately home in the British (Chatsworth like?) style.. Both very different both worth time if you have time..

Maps?? Dublin Galway http://goo.gl/maps/FDZCV West Clare including Doolin http://goo.gl/maps/xMOHV Galway to Kilkenny + a bit http://goo.gl/maps/1cBqn an unfinished map gets some points from Dublin to Kinsale Don't have much for Kerry.. People tend to turn to me when they don't want to be seen publicly not wanting to do Dingle and Inveragh..

Tony2phones

http://goo.gl/maps/pgqTF missed the link to that one..

flpab

I must say I liked when you had to go thorough the villages. Now you by-pass so much with the new highways. Get off the main highway and you will find some great towns. The Dublin to Wexford coast road is a nice scenic road.

TPAYT

We took the longer coastal way from Kinsale to Kenmare/Killarney. This was a stop we loved.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...unty_Cork.html

There were many picturesque stops along the way.

mmcnamara6

Thank you Tony, and everyone that responded. Really helpful information!

Tony2phones

Time to pack your cases sit back relax and be fully prepared to just enjoy whatever comes... If you pass the west side of Lough Derg give me a shout..