Ireland trip advice
 

For my birthday we are flying from netherlands to dublin for st pattys day. We will fly in thurs night and then spend the whole day in dublin for the parade and festivities. Saturday morning we will have a rental car and make our way to Cork by monday where we will fly out on monday evening. My question is where should we go saturday and sunday and where can we stop in between for a nice day trip etc. I know we won't be able to do much but we want to experience a little bit of ireland other than just dublin. Is Killarney or Dingle feasible to do in between Dublin and Cork? Any suggestions?

ttt

I've been reluctant to do more than top your post because I can't comment on how heavy the traffic will be or how available lodging will be in popular spots like Dingle and Killarney on St. Patrick's weekend. However, if you're determined, be aware that even in the best of circumstances you can expect to average 40mph (at best) on national highways and a lot less on secondary roads. The Dingle Peninsula is gorgeous. Personally, I'd stay in Kenmare rather than Killarney (not overrun with tour buses). Kinsale would be a great place to stay your last night. I hope some of the Ireland natives will chime in here.

I see that you've posted a new note which is identical to the one on this thread (except for a slight change in the subject line). I'm surprised that you haven't gotten any responses other than mine. I've already told you my opinion on routes I've driven and places I've stayed in the southwest which fall within the areas in which you have expressed an interest. If you like, I'll give you some "guidebook advice" for other routes and places between Dublin and Cork.

Tim,

Yeah I was surpised that I haven't received any response back either and thought maybe my post was on a wrong forum so I tried to repost it with the word ireland in it in hopes that it would definitely show up on that forum! Any advice or even guide book help with be very appreciated.
Cheers

Hello again. I see from your other threads that you've now gotten a few responses. Since you've indicated on one of them that you will be partying late on Friday night, trying to drive all the way to Killarney or Kenmare on Saturday may be a miserable experience. However, if you decide to do it, I suggest you simply pass through Kllarney in favor of taking time to enjoy the very pretty drive between Killarney and Kenmare. There are some good places to stop and go for a walk.

I personally recommend the Waters Edge B&B just outside of Kenmare. Pretty setting and very reasonable prices (cash only).

I've only driven the Dingle Peninsula (gorgeous!). From my guidebook reading, I'd recommend the Beara Peninsula over the Ring of Kerry for your Sunday exploring. I assume the Ring is going to be congested over St Paddy's weekend. Beara will give you a better taste of remote and wild Ireland.

On Monday drive the coastal route from Kenmare to Kinsale, explore Kinsale a bit, and drive to Cork to turn in your car and catch your flight.

According to one of my guidebooks, the two best places to stop overnight between Dublin and the southwest are Kilkenny and Cashel. So "Plan B" would be to do that, cutting down your time on the road on Saturday. If you stay in Kilkenny, then it would make sense to go south to Waterford and take the coastal route through Tramore, Dungarvan, Youghal, and Cobh to Kinsale.

With the busyness of St. Paddy's weekend, I don't know if you'll be able to find housing in the towns I suggest. But with a car, you can take advantage of the fact that Ireland is peppered with B&Bs so I hope you'll have better luck in nearby smaller towns and villages.

Be sure you have a detailed map. I recommend the Michelin Ireland map.

Good luck!