Favorite routes wanted

gospaulding · Member

Favorite routes wanted

Michele Erdvig · Host

Katy,

Galway to Dingle: Follow the coast south to see the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. Take the ferry across the Shannon River and proceed south to Dingle through Tralee. Take Connor Pass Road to Dingle town.

Dingle to Kinsale: Well, this is more difficult. Are you stopping in Killarney to see what is there? If so, you could spend most of the day there and you would want the quickest route via Cork and then south. If you are not stopping in Killarney for sightseeing, the coast of West Cork is delightful and you would avoid Cork City traffic.

Kinsale to Dublin: Depends on what you want to see along the way. Most direct would be Cork to Cashel and on to Dublin.

AA Roadwatch can be good or dreadful, depending on the towns you input. Some of the directions are very good, others laughable. I think you will be using your map most.

Michele

KelliJo · Veteran Member

Kinsale to Dublin -

Stop at Cahir Castle to take an inexpensive tour and run around the castle grounds, exploring all the stairways and hallways. Have lunch at the cafe on the corner across the street (might be called Castle View? River View??). Sandwiches, salads, soups, freshly prepared and great prices.

http://www.castles.ancientireland.org/cahir/index.htm

From there, head up to just outside Portlaoise to take a free walk up the hill to explore the Rock of Dunamase. The views are amazing - well, only if the weather is cooperating that day. From here, it's an easy drive to the motorway to Dublin (about an hour and 20 minute drive away).

http://www.castles.ancientireland.org/dunamase/index.htm

-- Edited by KelliJo at 20:16, 2008-07-14

KelliJo · Veteran Member

Galway to Dingle -

I'll add this because it was a highlight of our trip - but we didn't take off from Galway that morning, we took off from Spanish Point (Berry Lodge B&B, another highlight of our trip!!). Before we headed to the ferry, we detoured in Kilkee to drive the Loop Head Peninsula. Absolutely stunning. In my opinion, the Cliffs of Moher can be skipped if you see Loop Head instead. Stunning. Can't say it any other way. We took two hours, but could be done in much, much less if you don't just sit and stare in amazement like we did. :)

https://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll178/ASTROKelli/Ireland/3%20Galway%20and%20County%20Clare%20%20Cliffs%20of%20Moher/DSC00942.jpg

https://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll178/ASTROKelli/Ireland/3%20Galway%20and%20County%20Clare%20%20Cliffs%20of%20Moher/DSC00954.jpg

https://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll178/ASTROKelli/Ireland/3%20Galway%20and%20County%20Clare%20%20Cliffs%20of%20Moher/DSC00961.jpg

https://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll178/ASTROKelli/Ireland/3%20Galway%20and%20County%20Clare%20%20Cliffs%20of%20Moher/DSC00947.jpg

https://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll178/ASTROKelli/Ireland/3%20Galway%20and%20County%20Clare%20%20Cliffs%20of%20Moher/DSC00969.jpg

https://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll178/ASTROKelli/Ireland/3%20Galway%20and%20County%20Clare%20%20Cliffs%20of%20Moher/DSC00951.jpg

Mark D · Senior Member

I really enjoyed this "Off the beaten path route" It covered around 600 miles in eight days. A nice slow pace.

Shannon to Oughterard
Oughterard-Cong-Leenane-Cliften back to Oughterard
Oughterard to Crough Patrick - Westport
Westport - Ciede Fields-Ballina-Castlebar-back to Westport
Westport- Foxford Mills-Gurteen-Sligo ( The Rosses)
Sligo-Carrowmore-Donegal Town back to Sligo ( The Rosses)
Sligo-Yeats Grave site-Abbey Theatre-Galway
Galway-Shannon. Home to Vermont.

Cheers!
Mark D.

WCOMALLEY · Veteran Member

If I was going from Galway to Dingle, I wouldn't miss 1) Corcomroe Abbey just off the N67 between Kinvarra and Ballyvaughan, and 2) Dysert O'Dea off the R476 between Corofin and Ennis. IMHO they are two of the finest sites on The Old Sod, out of so many wonderful places to see. BTW, I like your easy-going approach, no green blur tour. One of my (many) latest fantasies is to land at Shannon with no itinerary and only one small bag in my hand, nothing but time to wander where fancy takes me. Puts a smile on me face just to think about it.............WC

-- Edited by WCOMALLEY at 21:24, 2008-07-21