jdt

We need your help on a driving itinerary for the first days of our trip. We aren't familiar with the driving times, etc. We will be heading out of Dublin Airport via a rental car around noon on a Sunday in May. We intend to visit Powerscourt in the afternoon of the first day. Our next intended stop would be Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel.

How long does it take to get from the airport to Powerscourt? Do you recommend that we drive to Kilkenny on the first day after visiting Powerscourt or stop and stay somewhere along the way? Any recommendations for a driving route and things to see along the way? Places to stay? Many thanks, Jim

jefe

Leaving around noon, Kilkenny should be do-able as long as you figure that you probably won't get to there until later in the day if you want to spend any amount of time at Powerscourt. It's maybe an hour or less to Powerscourt, then at least 2 hours to Kilkenny. Might be best to maybe have someplace to stay lined up if you don't already.

Since you asked about other options - consider stopping at Glendalough, which is fairly close to Powerscourt. It's a really interesting site, with lots to explore both historically and geographically. You could stay the night in Laragh or perhaps Wicklow Town.

http://www.aaireland.ie will have some suggested routes and drive times. Might also be worth grabbing a good map if you like to get off the beaten path and take the less direct routes (like I do at times).

JeremyinFrance

I agree with jefe. You can do Powerscourt and get down to one of many B+Bs in Laragh. Depending on the weather and the moon, you could have a fantastic walk from Laragh to the Monastic City at Glendalough. It is SO special by moonlight and it is almost certain that you'll be alone. Bring flashlights with you but there is a hiking trail all the way (less than 2 miles) which is nicer than walking on the road.
http://www.jeremytaylor.eu/glendalough_ireland.htm

JSinMBCA

Try ww.viamichelin.com You can enter your starting city and your ending city (and countries). You can click on fastest way, etc. -- it not only maps it out and gives you driving time, miles, kms, but estimated costs of petrol and any tolls. It gives detailed directions, etc. Then compare these to an actual large detailed map of Ireland (sometimes viamichelin sends you ways you may not want to go).

I am driving from Dublin Airport south, stopping at Powerscourt and Glendalough and staying the night in Kilkenny myself. Then going to the Rock of Cashel the next morning, and then driving on to Killarney/Kenmare area. Glendalough is supposed to be beautiful. It is very close to Powerscourt. If you can leave Dublin early, let's say by 9am, it is roughly 45 minutes to Powerscourt and another 40 minutes to Glendalough. Then another approx 3 hours to Cashel. So.... it is conceivable that you could leave Dublin by 9am, spend an hour at Powerscourt and 90 minutes at Glendalough having a picnic lunch. And then drive straight through to Rock of Cashel by 4pm, forgot what time of year you are going.

Keep in mind that from Kilkenny to Cashel is 1 hour. I would recommend doing what we are doing -- Dublin to Powerscourt to Glendalough to Kilkenny - spending the late afternoon seeing Kilkenny. Then get up early and drive to Rock of Cashel by 9am when it opens the next day.

Good luck!