Ireland at Easter
 

I have read that traffic in Ireland on Holy Thursday (day before Good Friday) can be very heavy - so I want to avoid that as much as possible.

Having picked up a rental car in Cork on the Tuesday, we need to get to Dublin Thursday night (staying Cork Monday night, Kenmare Tues, Dingle Wed). Rather than drive all the way back to Cork on Thursday afternoon, then catch a bus or train to Dublin, I’m thinking it will be much simpler to drop it off to Killarney (incurring €80 fee) then a train to Dublin from there. Apart from the cost penalty, is there any downside to this plan?

I think your premise is false: traffic on Holy Thursday is not especially heavy. You should experience no particular difficulty getting back to Cork with the car.

Ok thanks that’s good to hear. The reason for my concern was reading on the web that people were traveling getting ready for Easter, and that in particular, the afternoon of the Thursday was likely to be very busy. If Cork is not too bad, what do you think about bigger Dublin?

It might be safer to get the train rather than Aircoach.

The funny variable in the equation is the fact that no alcoholic drink may be sold on Good Friday. That affects not only pubs, but also many restaurants. So Easter weekend doesn't get going until Saturday. People going away for the weekend might travel on Friday.

If you are planning to stay in Dublin, get your accommodation booked early. Beyond that, there is nothing much to be concerned about. Well, perhaps restaurant bookings if you are aiming at fine dining.

The train is faster, more comfortable, and more expensive that Aircoach. Your call.

Not sure what happened about the licensing hours for good Friday? there was a bill put forward to abolish the ban for 2018 and beyond but that was last April, not heard anything since?