Hello:
The GOOD news is that we've been able to extend our trip to Ireland in Sept. by 4 days!!!

The BAD news is that I've changed our itinerary several times and am still trying to finalize - I think I'm almost there but have a few questions about different "legs" of our journey.

I've looked on viamichelin.com, but know that those times are somewhat deceptive.

Galway to Dingle:
After spending the night on the Aran Islands, we'll arrive back to Galway around noon. We'll be driving to Dingle. How much time should be allow for a leisurely drive, stopping at the Cliffs of Moher and maybe somewhere for lunch? We'd like to arrive before dark. We'll be spending a few days in Dingle.

Kenmare to Cork Airport:
How much time should we allow to drive from Kenmare to the Cork airport - return our car - and catch an 11:45 am flight? OR should we stay closer to Cork (Kinsale, Cobh?) which would allow us only one night in Kenmare but have us closer to the airport?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Carol

For an 1145 hrs flight, definitely stay closer to Cork.

Galway to Dingle..
4hrs as viamichelin says is probably as fast as you can go. But if you want to stop at the Cliffs and have lunch (maybe in Ennis), and do a little sightseeing in Adare, you will probably need at least 6-7 hrs. (1hr at the Cliffs, 1hr for lunch, additional driving time for taking the route via the Cliffs instead of going direct from Galway to Limerick).
An alternative routing could take you via Kilrush and the Shannon ferry at Talbert. It's quite expensive, though.. around €15 if I remember correctly. You would by-pass Limerick that way (which can take some time to get through), but also Ennis and Adare.

As viajero said, anything closer than Kenmare would be better. Kinsale is the best option, travelwise, because you won't have to go thru/near Cork, or take the ferry from Cobh, to go to the airport.

Thanks for the help.

Viajero - I think we'll stay in Kinsale.

Cowboy1968 - if we leave Galway at noon and want to take the ferry and drive the Conor Pass, do you think we'd be in Dingle before dark?

Thanks, Carol

If you go in early September, sunset will be around 8.30pm - or around 7pm in late Sept.
Either way, you should make it. In any case, it won't be pitch dark once the sun is going to set as in more Southern/ tropical locations.
But I have not driven the pass, so I cannot comment on how or if it will have a major effect on your driving time.

p.s. Sorry, typo in my 1st posting: the ferry port is Tarbert not Talbert; the one you will have to drive to from the North is Killimer. You can check timetables and fares here: www.shannonferries.com

I just recently did the drive from Galway to DIngle. We left at 9:00, didn't really linger all that much except a lunch stop and about an hour at the Cliffs of Moher. We took the ferry rather than go around via Limerick. It took 7.5 hours. If you go through LImerick it is about 100 K added onto the trip.

We didn't go to Kenmare but did stop for 2 days in Kinsale. Kinsale was my favorite town and stop on our 3 week trip. It is a lovely town and very close to Cork too.

A note that traffic around Cork was the busiest we saw while driving in Ireland. Plan accordingly.

Hi all:
Based on your replies and other research, we've realized that we need more time to drive from Galway to Dingle.

We'll leave Galway in the morning (had to change the Aran Islands from overnight to a day trip) and should have plenty of time to arrive in Dingle before dark.

So my next question - for our last 2 nights in Ireland, should be do Kenmare and Kinsale (1 night each) or just skip Kenmare and do Kinsale for 2 nights? Any input?

Thanks, Carol

Do not miss Kenmare; one night is better than none.

Viajero2:
Thanks for the info.

Do you have suggestions for a scenic drive from Dingle? Obviously we don't have time to do the entire ROK, but what about driving through Killarney Natl Park arriving in Kenmare with enough time to explore the town?

I may do a separate post on this but your input is much appreciated.
Carol

County Kerry is such a popular destination and for good reason; the scenery all around is very beautiful. If you take N86, it will take you about a couple of hours to get to Killarney, once there you can explore the Lake, the National Park, Ross Castle, Muckross Farms, the Franciscan Abbey ruins (walk about 1km from Muckross House). Then get on the road on to Kenmare (about 45 minutes) which will give you the chance to see the Gap of Dunloe, Moll's Gap, Bridemaid"s View, etc....

HOWEVER, if you take N70 (Ring of Kerry Loop) you will come into the south end of Kenmare and will have the chance to see ROK. This will take longer, say about 3-4 hours, with selected stops, BUT if a beautful day, the ROK is breathtaking! I loved the Staigue (Stone Age) Fort, Sneem, and the views around Ballinskelligs.

A hybrid of this is take the N86 all the way to Killarney, explore few selected sites in Killarney, on to Kenmare. Kenmare do 1/2 loop of ROK say up to Waterville (it is my favorite half anyway!). This is a long drive, but you get the best sampling of County Kerry. Have these options open, I don't think this is something you have to decide way in advance as no matter which way you go, you will spend the night in Kenmare. See how early, relaxed, weather is and take it from there!

Both Killarney and Kenmare have wonderful places to eat; our favorite in Kenmare was O'Dounabahnns (sp?) on Main Street; roasted chicken with potatoes to die for! Nothing fancy, nor pretentious, just GOOD food!! Have fun!!

Just saw your post, but I would say Kenmare--absolutely. Stay at Virginia's Guest House if you can (it's popular) and have Virginia's banana pancakes for breakfast. My kids still talk about them from our stay in 2006. My son says he would return just for the pancakes! Kenmare is beautiful with several great pubs for traditional Irish music. Less touristy than some of the other towns we saw.

A few years back I passed through Kenmare on my way to Dingle. I headed out onto the peninsula(ROK) then I cut across the middle coming out around Glenbeigh. I discovered a lonely mountain pass where I stopped for an hour and only one car came through. The views were incredible. From Glenbeigh, Dingle is not so far and the road hugs the coast most of the way