Ireland itinerary help please
 

Hello Everyone

My husband and I are flying into Dublin on the 26th of April and spending 2 days in Dublin then hiring a car and driving the southern part of Ireland for the next 4 days 28th Mar - 1st Apr. Our thoughts are - (Dublin - Kilkenny - Waterford - Cork - Killarney - Galwa). These places are just a rough guide though and are happy to hear of any nicer places to see along the way to Galway. Any suggestions on places to stay would also be greatly appreciated. We are also looking for a good car hire company that excepts a debit card ?
Side note, we are staying in Galway for a week visiting our daughter who is living there at the moment so can do day trips from there as well. We are from Australia and not very experienced travelers unfortunately :( so any help would be wonderful. Thank you.

Shelley

I guessed Australia or Canada before I got to where you are from. You can't cover that sort of ground in Ireland.. Your MPH average will be 35 to 40 drop that to 30 for scenic routes.. That is without stops. 4 days to do Dublin to Galway round the coastal route gives little return. Consider must see/do's

Debit card car rental is difficult. Contact Dooley's direct. You will have to purchase ALL the insurance and have only the refundable Fuel payment to make when you collect the car.

Thank you Tony I will have to work out the places we really want to see and work it out. If you had 2 places to stop on the way which 2 would you recommend ?

Shelley

Galway/Mayo and Clare can be seen from Galway.

From Dublin I would perhaps go to Kilkenny for 1 night, via Cashel to Killarney for 2 nights, drive Round Dingle and stay in Tralee/Adare/Limerick? gives a clear fairly short run up to Galway.

You can go Dublin to Kilkenny (Couple of routes), drive to Cork via Waterford then to Killarney 2 nights doing the ring of kerry the middle day then Killarney to Galway. but including Cork via Waterford means tour bus style just driving not seeing

If Waterford is just for the Crystal have your daughter guide you up to Celtic Crystal in Moycullen, give Mary a ring beforehand to find when there might be a cutting demonstration, they do them through the week as small group tours. (free)

Thanks Tony

This is very helpful. We would like to go see Blarney castle too.

Is this doable

28th Dublin to Kilkenny - 1 night
29th Kilkenny to Cork - 1 night
(Blarney castle)
30th/31st Cork to Killarney 2 nights
(Ring of Kerry etc)
1st Killarney to Galway via Dingle

Thank you for your help

Copy and paste direct from an Itinerary I am working on just now.

Via Thurles/Cashel/Cahir) https://goo.gl/maps/PQwLXKieJBt

Thats a 9 hour tour choosing 2 of the options Cashel/Cahir/Lismore/Jamesons There is the option of Thurles Cathedral or Fethard Walled town.
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Blarney is better after 4pm or before 10.30 am tour bus hours. I suggest 2 hours for the Castle and grounds, not compulsory to snog the rock.
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"3, Cork to Killarney (Coast & Healy) https://goo.gl/maps/fwMLa4GMYvS2

(Woods and Water) https://goo.gl/maps/Siagcqk96UH2 "

The first a 10 hour tour the second an 8 or 9 hour tour

Ring of Kerry is a full day Killarney to Killarney including the Skellig Ring and a couple of sights from Kells Bay house and Gardens or Cliffs of Kerry or Kissane Sheep farm and others.

Killarney to Galway is enough with a couple of easy options without doing the 4 or 5 hour loop round Dingle as a detour. That might be one to play by ear once you get the feel of driving over here.

Thank you Tony you have been very helpful :)

Another quick question

We have not booked any accomodation for Kilkenny, Cork and Killarney as yet was going to just book as we go. Is this wise or should we be booking before we go ?

Shelley

End of March ~ Beginning of April you should be fine booking on the run but as you already know your locations pre Booking means you get where you want not whats left.
Kilkenny there are some places that forgot about the recession and have put their prices up every year this century.
Cork as you have a car you need somewhere with car parking, that can narrow your options.
Killarney has enough accommodation for peak season but a very few of the smaller places might not be open until Easter.