Thanks again everyone for the suggestions on places to visit and the itinerary structure! historytraveler, thanks again ;)

Quick question on driving... I'm using www.AAroadwatch.ie to estimate driving times between two places. It says, for example, that Kerry to Belfast is 6.5 hrs, but janisj suggests undoable in one day... also, wojazz3 says galway to kerry will take up most of the daylight (~7 hrs), but AAroadwatch indicates it's a 3hr drive... am I missing something? Is this a bad site to use? Or are y'all just factoring in weather? I understand that the roads aren't main highways like in the States, but even still, I would expect the AAroadwatch to be somewhat accurate. ??

Also, any suggestions for great pubs w/Irish music in western/southwestern ireland, Dublin, and Belfast?

Thanks again!
Kristen

You're right in saying that the website is somewhat accurate, but driving times always seem to tbe underestimated. For aaroadwatch, I's add about another 50%, at least and remember that they do not factor comfrot stops,meal stops, picture-taking stops or even the occasional road accident into consideration. One of the biggest mistakes first timers make is in not allowing enough travel time between places. AARoadwatch is IMO one of the better map sites.

I know it will be winter, but the Dingle Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places on earth, don't bypass it.

My comment was in response to what you wrote. You didn't ask about driving Kerry to Belfast -- you asked about Kerry to Dublin for lunch and Dublin to Belfast. That is a whole different animal.

But even for a straight through dash to Belfast you have to count on at least 8 hours. Maybe more if it is stormy. And in Jan. you won't have 8 hours of daylight.

hi again, K7,

I'm still worried that you have quite unrealistic expectations of Ireland in January.

vis:the whole point of your trip is to see the countryside but the likekihood of your doing so in January is remote. it will be cold and wet. the Dingle peninsular? - yes, it's stunning - but you won't see it. you will see mist and rain. and if by any chance the does sun shine, it will be cold.

as for Kerry to Belfast in a day - WHY??? a much better plan would be lunch in Dublin, followed by the rest of the day in...DUBLIN.

there are reasons why the south of Ireland is not flooded with tourists in January. or rather one reason. THE WEATHER.

please, please rethink. you have oodles of time.

regards, ann

Well, Let me put my 2 cents in. I've been to Ireland on many different trips and have traveled by car, bus, train and plane. I would fly into Dublin and spend some time here. Catch a morning train to Belfast and spend a few days. You can either go by bus down the western coast to Galway or catch a train back to Dublin and another train to Galway. From Galway you can go by bus to Cork. Cork is a very pleasant city and its sister city called Cobh was the last stop of the Titanic and the city is marked with all kinds of Titanic sites. You can easily do everything you want without a car. You can buy a combination bus/train pass upon arrival that makes it pretty affordable. If you decide you want to rent a car to do the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula, you can easily rent it for a day on-line. Good luck.

We've only been to Ireland and Scotland in the spring, each time having "unusually good" weather...but I think your trip will be delightful. In fact, ever since I read the comments from people who had stayed in our rental cottage on Skye, I have been fantasizing about being there in winter. (I'm just a bit afraid of that single-track hillside road if the weather's icy...) In Ireland you are unlikely to have to deal with snow and ice, so as long as you are prepared for the possibility of a lot of rain, you'll be fine, IMO.

Like the other posters we have found AA to be good for directions, but perhaps understating the time a bit. If it says 3 hours, I'd plan for 4.

If I had to choose between the two I would choose Dingle over the Ring of Kerry. Perhaps you can station yourself to be within driving distance of Dingle and see how the weather is when you first arrive? If you spend your first couple of nights in Killarney or Kenmare then you will have a variety of things to choose from, and if the weather looks fine one morning, you can make the drive.

I think the rest of your plan sounds fine (drive towards Dublin, breaking your journey up in Cork, then a few days in Dublin, and a few days in Belfast). If you're looking for alternatives to Cork, we thought Kinsale was lovely. But Cork is a fine place to stop as well.

I know it's a long way away, but don't forget to come back and let us know how everything worked out!

I'm just back from visiting my folks in Galway for Christmas and on 26 December we had the most beautiful drive through deserted Connemara. It was cold but crisp and made me resolve to tour the west all year round and not just in the summer. So I think if the weather plays ball you could have a glorious time.

I find the AA to be pretty accurate but bear in mind that if you want to see scenery and not just get from A to B you will generally choose a longer route than the AA route which sticks to main roads.

If you are looking for inspiration on places to stay, and want something nice for your honeymoon, check out the Blue Book (they have a website so you should find on google). It's a select list of nice places with character. We stayed in one last year, Newforge House (near Lurgan and Moira in Northern Ireland, about 30/40 minutes from Armagh and from Belfast) and thouroughly enjoyed it. We went there for a weekend break (we live in Dublin). It's pretty much in the middle of nowhere but might be a nice place to break up a drive from the south to Belfast.

jane

A P.S., for what it's worth: a friend just got back from two weeks in Ireland and Paris - he said Ireland was warmer and they really enjoyed it. Their itinerary included Dublin, County Waterford, and County Cork.

Thanks again to everyone for comments on the itinerary! Much appreciated. Will check out the links y'all posted for places to stay. :)