Stopovers between Dingle and Galway?
 

Hello all--

I will be in Ireland for the week of Thanksgiving and would like to ask your advice.

I plan on arriving in Dingle sometime during the mid-day on that Saturday, and drive the Dingle Peninsula on Sunday. About how long does the loop take if driven leisurely with the occasional stop?

Also, I want to head partially up to Galway that night, but have no interest in attempting the whole 4-5 hour drive after dark... is there somewhere along the route that you could recommend? As I plan on seeing the Cliffs of Moher on Monday, it would ideally be somewhere still south of there. So somewhere between Listowel and Doolin, say?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

A day for the Dingle is enough. though the pennisula is small, the serpentine road skirting its edge is slow-going but in a day you'll be fine. Really not a whole lot of stop by for the average traveler. We stayed in a B&B right at the Cliffs of Mohair, an ideal break between Dingle and Galway. Say hi to Fungi the Dolphin in Dingle for me!

You might consider Tralee, a small city between Dingle and Galway. Its downtown is pleasant enough and gives you a sense of "real" Ireland. There is also a museum of Irish history (skip the part where you ride in the little car for the tour of "old Ireland", it's ridiculous compared to the quality and depth of the rest of the museum). Also, on the Dingle pennisula, out on the end, don't miss the museum about Irish heritage. Have a great trip!

I just did that route in September. The Dingle drive will take up most of the day. We loved the route that Rick Steves describes in his tour book. It helped explain what we were seeing and increased our enjoyment.
The drive out of Dingle through Connors Pass is beautiful. We then took a ferry to shorten the trip (forgot the name for the moment) but, you should check its schedule.
We left Dingle after breakfast, drove through Conners Pass, took the ferry, stopped at a pub for lunch, spent about 1 hour at the Cliffs, another hour at the Burren and did not arrive in Galway until apx. 7:00 pm. Roads are small and narrow for the most part and driving is slow. The scenery is incredible throughout Ireland.
June

I remember the pub by by B&B near the Cliffs of Mohair everyone was speaking Gaellic and there was a crude radio for the sound system - like going back 50 years but the most interesting thing I experienced in Ireland! And, everyone was drinking Guinness - in fact there was one American there with some distant cousin - a local. the Yank tried to get the local bloke to drink a lager, but he refused - it was only Guinness for him, whereas younger Irish are switching to other type beers.

I wish you folks would quite calling the Cliffs of Mohair. It is the cliffs of Moher, pronounced like it was more.
It is not a blooming wooly Angora goat!

Driving around the Dingle Peninsula shouldn't take all day if you consider the mileage...but it does. It's really spectacularly beautiful and the driving can be slow. In late November, you won't have a lot of daylight hours, so get an early start and plan to spend your day driving around Dingle. There aren't many better ways to spend a day.
Breaking the trip to Galway in half is a great idea. Consider taking the ferry across the Shannon from Tarbert (in County Kerry) to Killimer (in County Clare).Then, head north up the coast of Clare, overnighting somewhere along the way. Kilkee is beautiful, or choose Miltown Malbay, Ennistymon, Lahinch, or Doolin. Then, you could do a Monday morning visit to the Cliffs before heading up to Galway.

I stayed at Fitzgerald's B&B in Miltown Malbay a couple of nights. It's one you see on the Irish Storefront posters with 'Curtin's Meatmarket' alongside. Pauleen, the hostess is very nice. It's also convenient to Spanish Point Golf links (a 9-hole executive course) in case you are interested in playing a quick nine.
Alternative: Lahinch!

dang,

A day's drive along Slea Head is no problem, but to enjoy it to its fullest allow a minimum of two days.

With good weather on your side, you'll want to exit your auto, hike and stroll about, take countless photos, and enjoy a pint or two at an area pub. Moreover, visit the fine Blasket Islands Heritage Museum , located on Slea Head. It'll provide you with a solid look at island culture, and it'll be a necessary preview before sertting out for the short ferry ride out to the Great Blasket Island. This is Ireland in the raw: wild, windswept, with unforgettable walking opportunities. Don't miss a trip out to the Blaskets.

Back in Dingle, save a half day for walking the compact, colorful town , including a trip along the waterfront, and even a boat ride out to visit Dingle's most famous resident, Fungi the dolphin. Finally, make a point of having dinner at the upmarket Beginish, one of the Republic's very best restaurants outside of Dublin.

In closing, due consider spending an overnight in the south Clare town of Miltown Malbay. There's nice budget accommodation located there, Berry Lodge, which features a terrific restaurant on the premises.

Best of luck.

This past June we stayed in Doolin then Ennis on our way from Galway to Dingle. Enjoyed great music in all 3 towns. Doolin is a skip away from The Cliffs of Moher. We also saved time by taking the Killmer/Tarbert ferry. We followed the Dingle Pen. as suggested by Rick Steves and it took us 4-5 hours (and about the same rolls of film!). I suggest Gus O'Connor's Pub in Doolin, Murphy's Pub in Dingle, and our dinner at the Half Door in Dingle was one of our best in Ireland! Have a Murphy's for me...it just isn't the same here in the states.