Andeesue

Putting the finishing touches on our July trip to Ireland. After our Dingle 2 nighter, we are considering one night in either Doolin or Lahinch, before our last night in Bunratty then flying out of Shannon. It seems like an additional hour to get to Doolin rather than Lahinch. This could be a long drive from Dingle. Any thoughts?

Our itinerary:
Dublin 2 nights
Kilkenny
Kinsale 2 nights
Dingle 2 nights
Doolin or Lahinch ?
Bunratty


Thanks for your input.
Happy travels!

NEDSIRELAND

It doesn't take an hour to go from Lahinch to Doolin (unless you stop at the Cliffs of Moher - recommended).

You might want to stop short of Lahinch (Fitzgerald's B&B in Miltown Malbay, for example) and do Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin before looping back toward Bunratty. Doolin is a good place to stop for lunch (O'Connor's).

JOHNOD

OK I am going to say somthing that alot of people will disagree with but thats the fun. If I were you (and I'm not) I would go from Kinsale to Kenmare and spend the night before going on to Dingle. Stay on the N-71 out of Kinsale as it winds along the southern coast for great country views. Stay on the N-71 thru the Mountains and Killarney National Park then on the Dingle. I would skip Doolin which I think is one of most overrated places in Ireland. Been there twice, its a grubby little place and the Famous Gus Occonor's will be crowded. Lots of drunk teenagers. Better music can be found all over Ireland. The Cliffs are nice but will crowded with tourist and in any event it only takes an hour to do the whole thing if you walk slow. Dingle to Shannon is only three hours or so. I have spent the night in Dingle and caught an early afternoon flight out of Shannon but I now usually spend my last night in Bunrattty, my wife likes the pottery inside the the park and there is good shopping across the street. All of this is just my opinion but thats what make the world go around. Have fun.

Andeesue

Thanks for the input...and yes, the fun is getting all the different perspectives and ideas. Valid points all! I love the planning and rethinking and fine-tuning. What did we do before the internet...hey, wait, before fodors.com?!

NEDSIRELAND

If you get a late start, you might want to just get across the Shannon estuary on the ferry from Tarbert (Co. Kerry) to Killimer (Co. Clare) on the day you leave the Dingle peninsula.

That way, the next morning (after breakfast) you can take a leisurely drive up the coast, not having to worry about how long it will take waiting and crossing time for the Ferry. And you should be able to find a B&B along the way to Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher (or Doolin).

BTW:
'Hitching' from Miltown Malbay, I got picked up by 2-ladies who had just come across on the ferry. It was late September and the Matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna was in 'full swing.' I don't know what time they started from near Tipperary town but they picked me up in Miltown Malbay about 10:30 AM. We made it to Doolin for lunch after a stop at John Daly's Matchmaker's Pub in Lisdoonvarna.

That might give you some idea of travel times.