brenhur

Hi, i have already posed the question whether to fly into Cork or Shannon and leaving from Dublin. I am in desperate need of some help for my 4 night (maybe 5) in Ireland. I might look to arrive in Cork on a Friday and have to make my way to Dublin. The catch is that i am planning to be in Kildare on the Sunday for the Irish Derby (this is a must). Therefore, i basically have Friday and Saturday to make my way to arrive in Kildare on the Sunday. I then have Monday to recover for a possible flight out of Dublin on the Tuesday.

I do realise the itinerary is very tight. For those who have experienced Ireland, i was just wondering what your thoughts are on making my way from Cork to Kildare then to Dublin. I realise Dublin is not too far away from Kildare, so it will be a Friday & Saturday (2 days to get up to Kildare/Dublin).

My question is, can i make it and enjoy the experience?

What way should i go? passing through what areas?

Can you do a full day trip from Cork to Kildare and get an appreciation of Ireland?

Itinerary:
Friday: arrive 10am Cork
Saturday: ?
Sunday: Arrive in Kildare for Irish Derby
Monday: tired and hungover, drive to Dublin
Tuesday: Flight out of Dublin

If I MUST stay another day, please let me know and where should i go?. But i am pushing for time.

Thank you

LalaB

the fastest way is on ryan air they fly cork to dublin a few times daily, but will charge for checking on luggage.you can alos catch the train but that's pretty slow - about 3 hours and soemtimes they are pretty packed and hard to get on. good luck!

yesiree100

Your itinerary is very doable. Of course you could spend more time around Cork, but you're getting a taste on this trip.

There are a lot of great sites between Cork and Kildare. Depending on your route...Cashel, Cahir, Kilkenny, Lismore, The Vee, Glen of Aherlow, Mitchelstown Caves.

What kind of experience are you looking for on Saturday?

My pick would either be Cahir-Cashel-surrounding area OR Kilkenny-surrounding area.

brenhur

Thanks yesiree, I would ideally like to take the most direct route to kildare for the races on the Sunday. But, if there are areas that are a must see, i would rather do that. As it is, distance doesnt really seem to be an issue. I am from Australia. We are used to travelling long distances to get to places, so a 3 or 4 hour drive is not a big deal.

I am travelling with 4 other mates. We could have just stayed in Dublin for the 4 days, but we have been told by a lot of people that we must get out and see some of the coutryside.

I'll look at the two areas you suggested. What would be your preference of the two?

Once again, thanks for your help.

Itallian_Chauffer

N8 runs from Cork City through Cahir and Cashel to Kildare and ends up in Dublin. Most of the towns are now bypassed, so the going is pretty quick, but not all are. The bypass is complete in Cashel, Cahir and Kildare, but not yet (as of this past April)finished in Fermoy or Michelestown.

Alternately, there is a Jameson's Wiskey Distillery that does tours in Midelton, Youghal is an interesting drive through and from there, you could head to Lismore, before driving the Vee Drive North into Cahir (where you can pick up the N8).

You would see a bit more on the alternate route, but it will take longer. The Rock of Cashel is an Ireland Icon, so you really ought to see it and Cahir Castle was used when they filmed the movie "Excalliber", but both villages are interesting in their own right.

In Kildare, stop into the Silken Thomas for a meal and a pint, but if you want to visit a real "local", cross the street and drop into Cunningham's. Newbridge (just up the road) has a fine cutlery / silver shop.

Hope you've already booked accommodations, because that can be difficult, even when there aren't any races going on.

Bob