What's the best way to get to galway from shannon airport?? Is it silly to try to drive?? We land on sept. 17th and need to be in dublin on the 2oth for the Ryder Cup for 4 days?? Also we want to go to cong will in galway, is that easy to do? do we need a car? thanks,

I'm not sure why you'd think it would be silly to try to drive. Some people may be apprehensive about driving in a foreign country or after a flight but it's the best way to get around Ireland, particularly if you want to explore a few places.

Thanks for the encouragement. I guess what I'm trying to gage is how long the drive is?? some sources say 3hr. and others over 5hrs. Does anyone have suggestions on a route from shannon airport to galway city??

Try viamichelin.com to see routes and driving times. I don't think it takes five hours.

Hanna:

By all means drive...
From Shannon to Galway, the shortest route would be N-18, about 50kms/30 miles..less than an hour.

However, If you want to take the time to see Cliffs of Moher and the unique Burren (look it up), you will need to cut off at Ennis to the N-85 following all signs to Enniston and Lahinch...from there it's the R-478 to the cliffs and then to Listdoonvarna and the N-67 toward Ballyvaughan until it connects to the N-18 and onto Galway. it will add a few hours on to the time, but you'll see some very dramatic scenery. Get a good map...

Cong, from Galway is a short drive of 30kms/18 miles..start out on the N-84 and at Ross Abbey get onto the R-334 and then at Cross switch to the R-346...ample signage all the way...and the world's friendliest people to give you directions.

From Galway to Dublin, you've got about 300 kms/180 miles, all on the N-6. It's an easy drive and you should make it approx. four hours...not including stops.

Have fun, relax and enjoy!

Stu T.

Galway is not far from Shannon, Hanna, and there is a super highway if you want to take the direct route.

However, the Lahinch route is fine, too and you can stay on it past the Cliffs of Moher, through Ballyvaughan and up to Galway along the coastal route.

If you need more information on this area, visit my website at www.tourclare.com. Should you lose the url, just type in travelling to Ireland, Lahinch Ireland, Irish B&B's or any number of other phrases on Clare or Ireland to find us.

Slan go foill
Jim

Thanks for all the driving information! It sound like a winner. Regarding accomodations has anyone stayed in the following? Amberlodge BB in galway and Hotel St. George(parnell Square) in Dublin?? Thanks,

Galway to Dublin is actually about 137 miles but the drive time will still probably be about 4 hours unless you hit very little traffic.

The road from Shannon to Ennis is a motorway for a good part of the way, but once you hit Ennis, it's two lane for most of the rest of the way to Galway. It is usually slow going through Ennis and if you hit at the worng time, it can be kind of slow going through Gort for some reason. If traffic is good, you should be able to make it in around an hour on the N18.

Heading out to the Cliffs of Moher will probably add and hour our maybe a bit more to actual driving time depending on the route you take to Galway. The N85 out of Ennis is an excellent road (two lane) but most of the rest of the roads are smaller and thus slower.

Cong is easily accessible from Galway as is Connemara in general. Cong could be a nice part of a Connemara trip, or do a boat tour on Lough Corrib from either Cong or Oughterard. This is a very interesting and beautiful trip in good weather.

Keep in mind jet lag. If you are from the east coast it won't be as bad as if you are from the west. You will want to get out of the car a lot of times to stretch. I don't like my actual driving time to be more than two hours on the 1st day and less is really nice. Driving, for many people, makes the eyelids droop.

Hope this helps.

Bill

Bill...you're right..I miscalculated Galway to Dublin...it is 139, not the 180 I posted.

Stu T.