Dingle to Doolin?
 

Is it possible (or advisable) to drive from Dingle to Doolin in one day (taking the Tarbert ferry), seeing the Cliffs of Moher along the way? We will be doing this in early November when it gets dark earlier and will probably get a late morning start out of Dingle after we finish touring that area. Don't want to cut ourselves short in Dingle area, nor in Doolin. Thanks - Lee

Hi Lee...<BR><BR>I did it in reverse...from Doolin to Dingle stopping at the Cliffs of Mohr and Conors Pass (some slow driving there). It took me 5.5 hours, but I had to wait 40 minutes to catch the next ferry.<BR><BR>It's doable, but if it gets darker early, I would definitely get a head start.

Reviewing my journal, I see we left Dingle about 9:30 AM, drove to Tarbert and even followed the river upstream a way before coming back and taking the ferry. We had a nice lunch at Lahinch, and a liesurely stop and hike at Cliffs of Moher. We still arrived in Doolin before 5 PM.

Patrick, we did the same itinerary, but in reverse. Took Connor Pass to Dingle. Great scenary and drive. Lahinch was a nice town to shop/lunch.

Dear Lee,<BR><BR>We just did the Doolin to Dingle route you mentioned - how many nights do you have in Dingle? <BR><BR>The Dingle scenery out weighs the Cliffs of Moher in my opinion. Do not short change yourself in Dingle.<BR><BR>Any other ?'s - just ask.<BR><BR>Nancy

We had planned to do the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula in 2 nights; first night in Kenmare; next day the Ring of Kerry over to Dingle town for the second night; then tour the rest of the Dingle peninsula before heading up towards Doolin. Too ambitious?

Doolin is just one of my favorite places...the music in Oconnors Pub is the best and people come from all over the world. And yes Dingle is certainly drivable in one day. Take the Tarbert ferry. Go counter clockwise around the Dingle Peninsula...its much safer. Have a good trip

Dear Lee,<BR><BR>You'd be doing yourself a real disservice by leaving a mere day for Dingle. You really need a minimum of two days to get at least a flavor of the scenic and historic riches, not to mention the good food and craic on tap at its many fine restaurants and pubs. <BR><BR>Doolin is overrated, although it does offer a couple good eateries (such as The Lazy Lobster), and can work as a good base to see the Cliffs of Moher (best seen very early or late in the day, due to crowds) or, better yet, the marvelous Burren. <BR><BR>You most certainly can drive from Dingle to Doolin in a day, but I wouldn't advise it. The drive from the two points is quite lengthy; moreover, the southwest Clare/north Kerry terrain is by no means among Ireland's most scenic. Still, you might consider breaking the trip into two nights by spending one in north Kerry and spending some time near the Shannon estuary, perhaps taking a ferry out to Scattery Island, to see the round tower and historic ruins. As an alternative, avoid the ferry, drive east up to the popular tourist town of Adare and have lunch or dinner at the marvelous Mustard Seed. Beyond that, spend an afternoon in up-and-coming Limerick City, visiting the terrific King John's Castle and the Hunt Museum, one of Erin's best museum's outside Dublin.<BR><BR>Best of luck.