Itinerary for 7 days in Ireland

Jan · Member

Itinerary for 7 days in Ireland

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jan,

As I understand it, it is your desire to fly in on the first day, pick up your rental car and then head out. Might I suggest:

Day 1 - Arrive Dublin and head to Kilkenny (Overnight)
Day 2 - Ahead for Dingle via Cashel, Taking in the rock of Cashel enroute (two nights lodging)
* Staying on Dingle for two nights gives you a full day on Day 3 to explore the Dingle Peninsula
Day 4 - Head to Kenmare (two nights lodging)
* Staying in Kenmare rather than Killarney means less of a crowd, excellent positioning for exploring the Beara Peninsula; Spend time in Killarney enroute to Kenmare on Day 4
Day 6 & 7- Dublin

As all of the places you want to see are also in high demand with other tourists, you will need to begin searching for and buttoning down your lodgings ASAP. Kemwel's, to which there is a link here on Michele's site, would be a good place to check for car rental. Michele also has some excellent lodging suggestions

With the itinerary I laid out, you will only have two semi-long days of driving, days 2 & 6. These can be broken up by photo stops, lunch, historic sites, etc. This itinerary also helps you see a good portion of what you want to see without the green blur effect.

Slan Beo,

Bit Devine

Jan · Member

Thanks for your help.
Do you think Kenmare back to Dublin is too much in one day? Any idea how many hours that would take?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jan,

Kenmare to Dublin is approximately 209 miles. That is easily a full day's drive with stops. If you stopped in New Ross or Wexford for the night, that would give you an easy drive in on day seven. However, that would also cut short your time in Dublin. You could also opt for one night in Dingle, 2 nights in Kenmare & 1 night in New Ross or Wexford, which would still leave you with Day 6 & 7 in Dublin. On Day 6, leaving from either New Ross or Wexford, you could drive up the coast through Arklow, Avoca, Wicklow and in to Glendalough, all before arriving in Dublin on the evening of Day 6. THat would leave you a full day on DAy 7 to explore Dublin.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Jan · Member

Thanks Bit.

Sounds like a plan.

I must admit I was getting rather apprehensive reading about how everything takes soooo much longer than it looks on the map.

Do you think it would be reasonable to drive from Kilkenny to one central spot on the west coast and stay there as a base to see the Dingle, Inveragh and / or Beara peninsulas? Perhaps Killarney? Or would that be too much driving around? It would be nice to stay in the same spot for a few days before heading back toward Dublin. I like your idea of staying in Wexford on the way back to Dublin.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jan,

THough the idea of a central spot on the west coast from whence to travel around sounds like a great idea, it really isn't a feasible one. That is the reason I broke your trip down into two day chunks in the first post. You will need a two day chunk in Kenmare. You could also look to not traveling to Dingle, which would give you an extra day in Kenmare:

Day 1 arrive Dublin and head to Kilkenny (one night)
Day 2 head to Kenmare (3 nights)
*Day 3 Explore Ring of Beara
*Day 5 Explore Killarney and Killarney National Park or take the Gap of Dunloe tour
Day 5 head to Wexford or New Ross
Day 6 & 7 - Dublin

I know it is a difficult task, deciding what to leave in and what to take out. You have a lot that you want to see and not the time to make all of it happen without putting yourselves through the Green Blur tour. Ideally, you would have flown into Dublin and out of Shannon, which would have created an arch instead of a loop. Once you step on Irish soil, you will understand why we say that you will be back again. I feel totally lost this year because I won't be traveling over.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jan,

If you are interested in Dingle and the Ring of Kerry Killarney actually makes a pretty good base. On the other hand, you could think of staying more in the eastern part of Ireland since you are arriving and departing from Dubin. Co. Wickow, Kilkenny, Cashel and Wexford all provide good sightseeing and things to do and see. There are also some very historic sites to see just north of Dublin in Co. Meath.

The SW will be full of tourists in July/Aug. By going to some other areas you might avoid some of the crowds. Once you decide on your itinerary make reservations ASAP. Go to my "Lodgings" page or check my book for complete descriptions. Otherwise, just ask once you decide on what you want to do.

Michele

Jan · Member

Thanks Michelle
I wondered about staying three nights in Killarney area and touring around 2 or maybe 3 of the peninsulas. How much driving would that involve? Say, from Killarney to Dingle, or Killarney to Ring of Kerry.

My other idea is to stay 2 nights in Dingle and 1 in Kenmare, or vice versa.

Not sure the best way to approach this.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jan,

Doing the various peninsulas will mean all day trips. It will take many hours to drive and sightsee on the peninsulas. Count on leaving in the morning and returning in afternoon or late afternoon.

I think I would opt for 2 nights in Kenmare and one in Dingle.

Michele

Jan · Member

Thanks Michele

I am actually thinking about staying in Ventry, rather than Dingle town. Is this a good idea?
From what I am reading, Dingle town is going to be very busy in July, so for some peace and relaxation, Ventry might be a good choice. Any advice on Ventry? I can't find much information about it, except that it is on the Dingle Peninsula, about 5 miles or so from Dingle.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jan,

Ventry is a very small place about five miles from Dingle town. If you don't want to be right in the thick of things it may be a good option for you. Also consider The Shores B&B near Castlegregory on the north side of the peninsula. It is one fantastic B&B. It is also a quiet area.

Michele