jent103

A good rule of thumb that worked well on my trip was to take whatever time viamichelin.com gives you and add 50%. So for Galway to Dublin, 2:48 becomes about 4 1/2 hours. I'm not sure if that particular route has more motorway and thus might not need quite as much adjustment, but that was my experience.

Honestly, I think this one sounds like a lot more driving than your last one. I don't think you'll have much time to see anything in Kerry. Your original post sounded as though your dates were somewhat flexible - what would the prices be like if you left Shannon on Monday rather than Sunday? Then you could do your last itinerary, but drive to Galway rather than Shannon, spend August 2 there, and fly home on the 3rd. Just a thought.

abruce01

Hi,
We have to leave on the 2nd. I thought that Galway seems more like a place that teenagers would enjoy, instead of Dingle. Also, we want to see the cliffs. Maybe I'm wrong? So, we thought we would cut Dingle for this trip and will see it next time. Or, maybe we should leave off the west side altogether and concentrate on the East/southeast. We also decided to skip ROK due to the length and tour buses. What else should we see Kerry?

How can we fly into Dublin, see Cashel and Blarney, and still make it to Galway? It looks like we are going to need to make a tough decision. East or West! I hate this!!

jent103

I haven't been to Galway, so I really can't address much about it. But I LOVED Dingle. There are beaches and lots of music your teenager would enjoy, I bet. It's a personal choice, for sure, but from a purely logistical standpoint, adding in Galway seems like it doesn't fit with the rest unless you had another day or two, or were willing to take something else out.

In Kerry, we drove part of the ROK, between Kenmare and Killarney (and really didn't have much of an issue with tour buses). We also hiked the Gap of Dunloe in the national park; you can also hire a jaunting cart to go through it. Things I would have liked to do include seeing more of the park (like the waterfall) and visiting Ross Castle and Muckross House, but we only had a day and a half before going on to Dingle.

I will say that many opinions I've heard say that Blarney is not really worth a stop, especially if all you want to do is kiss the stone. Maybe you could drive all the way to Kenmare on Thursday and save Friday for doing things in that area.

CAPH52

I'm inclined to agree with Jennifer that your new plan is an awful lot of driving. As I said before, I think you'll enjoy the trip more if you focus on one area. I'm not going to try to advise you as to which areas to choose. Frankly, the bit about having to be in Dublin for the concert and then back there to fly out makes it a little harder. Too much back and forth for my pea brain to handle!

But I do know a <i>little</i> bit about Galway. I've been twice and my daughter did a four month internship there. And met her husband there! I like it very much and I think it makes a great base for seeing the Aran Islands, Connemara, etc. But you're just not going to have that kind of time.

The drive from Shannon to Galway isn't at all bad, even jet-lagged. And I guess you <i>could</i> detour for a stop at the Cliffs on the way. But, not knowing just how jet-lagged you'll be, I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

You'd have time to walk around and see some of Galway the day you arrive. And you could do the Aran Islands the next day from Galway. There's a place on Eyre Square (in the building with Kinlay House Hostel) that sells tickets for a bus/ferry trip to Inis Mor. It's a very pleasant trip and, I think, a great way to see the Arans. It'll take you most of the day. But you'd have some time that evening to check out pubs in Galway. And seeing Inis Mor that way would mean no driving for you!

Personally, I wouldn't recommend back-tracking to the Cliffs that day (and trying to see the Arans from that area) when you're going to be driving to Dublin the next day.

I've done the bus and train between Dublin and Galway but have never driven it. I'll be talking to my son-in-law later today and will ask him how long the drive takes. He grew up near Dublin but both his parents are from County Galway. So he's made the drive many times!

amyb

Ah, you will have a wonderful time. I have seen U2 there on four tours, the first being when I was not that much older than your son! At that time, we stayed in Dublin 3 full days, on the fourth day drove to Blarney, stopping at Rock of Cashel and visiting Blarney Castle and staying one night. Then to Killarney where we stayed three nights and saw the Ring of Kerry and Dingle. We left early in the morning for Shannon, from where we flew home.

Since then, I've seen more in Ireland on subsequent trips and would recommend going from Dublin to Galway and using Galway as a base to see Connemara, the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands. I think that would give you more of what you're looking for in terms of landscape/castles/small town feel. Plus there is more in Galway itself to keep your son interested than Killarney/Kenmare.

Enjoy your show, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for real U2 fans! ;-)

abruce01

Thanks everyone! The only problem is that everyone feels like that have to kiss that darn Blarney Stone and see the Rock of Cashel. When they think of Ireland those are the two things along with the Cliffs Of Moher that they think of.

amyb

I agree, abruce...that's why if I had that first trip to do over, I'd skip Blarney and Cashel and go west. The Cliffs of Moher are amazing, but my favorite was Inishmore and it's fort Dun Aengus.

CAPH52

abruce, my SIL says that with the new motorway you can expect the drive from Galway to Dublin to take about 3 hours, barring Friday evening, Monday morning or other traffic tying conditions.

GreenDragon

I have never been to Blarney, and have no wish to, but the Cliffs of Moher were truly spectacular, and I liked Rock of Cashel as well. And Glendalough. And Dun Aengus. And Newgrange... but then again, I'm a sucker for impressive sites

abruce01

Yet another itinerary! We are going to stay an extra night. Please advise if this looks good.

7/25 Arrive Dublin
7/26 Dublin
7/27 Dublin/Concert
7/28 Drive to Kilkenny see Wicklow Mtns. on way, stay overnight in Kilkenny
7/29 Drive to Kinsale
7/30 Kinsale
7/31 Drive to Galway
8/1 Galway
8/2 Bunratty Caslte, spend night in Shannon
8/3 Depart Shannon

Thanks again! Hopefully this is it!!!

skibumette

MUCH better! That round trip to Galway for two nights before the concert was a real killer -- only to hit the road right away again after the concert. If you're feeling energetic, you could always do a day trip to Boyne/Newgrange on 7/26.

I'm sure there will be those who decry giving up Kerry/Dingle for Galway...but, given the time frame you've got, it is far better to pick one or the other. It's your trip, so it's your choice. Enjoy!!

abruce01

Thanks! We really want to see the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands. We'll have to see Dingle next trip. Maybe we can come when it's not high tourist season and see ROK.

jent103

Agreed - I'm glad you chose just one. Have a great trip!

GreenDragon

Oh, yeah, that works nicely

BigPaw

abruce01 - my husband and I are going to be in Dublin for the first U2 concert on 7/24. Maybe we'll run into you at a pub! Ha ha.