Ireland Itinerary-Only Have 3 Days-Ideas Opinions Etc?

Question

I will be flying into Dublin and will be immediatly renting a car to drive West. How does this itinerary sound?

*Day 1-Drive West to Galway stopping half-way for food and perhaps at Clonmacnoise/River Shannon. Arrive at Galway, drive thru The Burren, check out the Cliffs of Moher. Not sure where I'll sleep that night but I'll be moving South-bound.

*Day 2-Early morning drive South towards Dingle. Tour the Dingle Peninsula. I would like to sleep in a town with great pubs but that isn't a stereotypical toursit trap.

*Day 3-Early morning to Killarney National Park and then begin driving towards Cork (where my departing flight leaves from at night).

This itinerary is very flexable, as my time is limited and I will be driving.

Any suggestions or info on driving times and stops to make along the way?

I will not be booking any hotels prior but any suggestions would be great.

Answer 1

Sweet Pea, You are going to spend your entire trip behind the wheel do you realize that?  

If you could change your reservations or simply exit the plane at Shannon and start off there your trip would be quite "do able" .  But starting form Dublin,tired and jet lagged...it reads like a three day migraine in the making.  Have you thought of simply starting in Dublin spending day/night one there  then taking the next two days getting to Cork?  Think about it, that is more of a holiday weekend and less of a hurry up and wait tour.

OK...

Have you thought about catching a train in Dublin to Galway, and pick up a car and meal there?  It would save you hours, wear and tear plus you might actually arrive with an hour or two snooze under your belt.  Trains are frequent and easy to catch at Houston Station right in Dublin a bus link or cab from the airport.

Answer 2

That's a lot to cram into 3 days.  You'll have hardly any time to enjoy yourself at all.  Dublin to Galway takes about 3 and a half hours.  Going from Galway to the cliffs of Moher then down to the Dingle peninsula will take about 5 hours, but if you're stopping for food or to look at the scenery it'll obviously take longer.  If you can't fly into Shannon, drive straight to Kerry anyway, do the Dingle peninsula and then drive along the coast to Cork.  That coast has some of the best scenery in the country.  It'll take 5 or 6 hours from Dublin to Dingle but you'll have more non-driving time overall and more time to relax.  Check out http://www.map-ireland.com/createroute.a... for route planning and times