Padraig

jedivader, I think you want to cover too much ground for a week's trip.

I suggest you lose Blarney from your wish-list; it's mainly a tourist-trap gimmick.

MonicaRichards

Yeah, I was wondering about Blarney too, we skipped it and managed to see plenty of better castles. I loved the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren and the area around Killarney. You can read my trip report at www.markandmonica.com/travel/ireland.htm. We had three weeks, though. One week is really not that long.

jedivader

Monica....

Your link does not work.

sweetbippity

If you do decide to train or bus to Belfast and then rent a car from there and return it in Dublin, Dan Dooley is the only company I've found that doesn't charge for one-way rentals from the North to the Republic and vice versa.

I'm going in October myself.

GreenDragon

Let's see. Viamichelin says it is 250 miles from Belfast to Doolin (which is near Cliffs of Moher). That's 7 hours of driving, which will take up ALL your daylight at that time of year. Without any stops for food, sightseeing, leg-stretching, etc. 7 hours is a long day in the car. It may very well be rainy and windy most of your trip, slowing you down more.

The Cliffs will be dark, so you won't see much, that day is completely gone just for travel.

The next day you can wake up, visit the Cliffs, and stay a day before you head down to Blarney the next day. That's another 100 miles (about 3 hours) drive, so you will get there with some light left. The trip back though, that's 270 miles through Dublin, which should be about 8 hours, again with an additional amount for stopovers, meals, etc.

Do you really want to spend 2.5 days of your precious 7 days just traveling? I would personally much rather concentrate on things I can get to rather quickly, and make the most of them. I've done it the other way, and ended up cranky, exhausted, and without much to show for it.

You don't have to take our advice - please do what you wish. However, most of us are dead against such a trip on such a short time. Even two weeks would give you more flexibility, but you are wanting to drive completely around 1.25 countries in a week. Yikes.

IrishEyes

Green Dragon, Some people do not take advice well. They will always think they know more than you (or 100 other people here on Fodors, even those who live in Ireland). I have a sibling like that. If I tell him to do something he does the opposite. In order to get him to do something I want I tell him to do the opposite. Works every time! Maybe jedivader is like that?

historytraveler

For anyone planning a driving tour of Ireland, please consult www.aaroadwatch.ie for driving times and realize that it will take even longer than the times suggested.

crazychick

I am still amazed that only one person mentioned about the Irish weddings and hinted that it would not be wise to travel the day after. very wise as the do celebrate hard and into the wee small hours. You will need a day to recover.

chatham

Isn't this righteousbabes post? righteousbabe, I'm sorry jedivader hyjacked your post. At least you got some great info given to jedivader.

Joan

MonicaRichards

Doh! I spend all this time writing a trip report and give the wrong link. I guess caps matter. http://www.markandmonica.com/Travel/Ireland.htm

jedivader

Sorry for taking over the board but my issues were similar to righteousbabe and I figured suggestions would help both of us out.

irisheyes......no, I'm not like that. I wouldn't be on the boards if I didn't want advice/suggestions. Thanks greendragon for the info on drive times.

janisj

righteousbabe: The others are right that in your short time it would be better to stick to the North/NW. My original suggestion was just a way you <i>could</i> squeeze in the W/SW coast too w/o rushing too much.

GreenDragon

jedivader: No problem, often times people find good information in other responses

righteousbabe: I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Just remember that 35 mph is the norm in Ireland, on a good day. I remember going up Conor Pass on the west coast on Dingle - 15 mph the whole way up, in first gear. Whew!

righteousbabe

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to reply! I am sorry I could not respond sooner...I have been without a computer for a few days. How did we ever survive without these things????

You all have made me see the light. At first I was disappointed that I would not be able to see everything that I had planned on seeing...but now I am actually feeling free. If I cut out the south, I can spend more quality time at the places I can see. And it takes the pressure off of me when it comes to leaving Belfast the morning after the wedding. I won't have to feel pressured about getting on the road. I will have more time to recover so that I can enjoy the rest of the trip

Another thing I did not take into account is the shorter days. Less daylight means I really don't want to spend most of the days driving. And thanks for the link for driving conditions/travel times. I will be sure to use that!

I have secured a car rental from Dan Dooley. Many people from different forums speak highly of him...so I have that taken care of.

Thanks again for all you wisdom and advice. Back to the drawing board...wish me luck!