car route itinerary help
 

Four of us will be traveling via auto for eight days in May. We will obtain and return car at Dublin airport. We will not stay in Dublin and plan to leave for the road trip forthwith. I do not want to spend a night at an airport motel. We are interested in the sites along the western coast, Dingle Pn., and traveling to County Mayo (family history area). Could someone be so kind as to offer some advice
1) How far and to where should I travel the first day considering long trip and new to driving on the left.
2) I have rented a Nissan 4WD Auto. Is this too big for the roads I will be traveling on? I like the comfort of the size
3)Is is best to stay 2nights at 3 to 4 different lodgings and day trip or stay somewhere different each of the 8 or so nights and never backtrack.
4) Any suggested itineray given the above. I would rather go slow and see less than to tire everyone out. We have been to Blarney Castle and Ring Of Kerry on previous escorted trip and do not plan to revisit. Looking for small towns and natural vistas

Thanks in advance for whatever heip you can provide.

Mike

If you are not interested in Dublin or the east, why not use Shannon for your arrival and departure airport? It will make life much easier.

Sorry I was not clear in my message. We will be in Dublin for three nights at the end of the trip (business/pleasure). Due to timing we had to put the car trip at the beginning.

Thanks for your quick reply

Check in to changing your arrival to Shannon and keeping your departure from Dublin, it could be worth it...a lot of flights to/from the US stop at both airports.

You'll be fine on the main roads. On the smaller roads, you may find yourself needing to pull to the side of the road when cars approach. It'll add a bit more hassle to your driving, but it won't impair what you can see. On the side roads, tractors, trucks and service vans are common, so if they can make it, so can you. Just take it slow and if you've got a line of cars behind you, pull into a driveway and let them pass.

I don't usually recommend driving more than 2hrs or 90 miles after an international flight, but everyone handles jetlag differently.

I would definitely do two nights at a time....or maybe a 1 night, 3 night, 2 night type of plan.

Sounds like you're in for a great trip.

I think you're wise to want to take it slow. You'll enjoy what you <b>do</b> see much more that way.

We spent two nights in County Mayo last March. It's a family history area for us too. We stayed in Westport both nights and did a day trip to Achill Island. I can't begin to tell you how much we enjoyed it. Achill Island is so beautiful. And we really like Westport.

There have been several trip reports posted here by people who've spent time in Westport. It might be worth your while to do a search and at least skim through some of them for ideas.

I definitely think that flying into Shannon would be your best bet. Flying out of Dublin on your departure also seems to be the ticket. That being said, I would spend three nights in Tralee, which will allow you to tour the Dingle peninsula, Rock of Cashel and Killarney. I would then head to Galway for two nights, via the coast road, whihc will take you to the Cliffs of Moher, lunch in Doolin and then through the Burren, Then spend three nights in Westport, Co Mayo before heading back to Dublin.

To judge driving times and distances use this route planner, http://www.aaireland.ie/routes/. To shorten your drive to Tralee and back agian to Galway, take the Killimer/Tarbert Ferry, www.shannonferries.com. It will take 85 miles off your trip and give you time to shake off some of your jetlag.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine
Cowboy Craic