Hi Michelle, arriving 7am Shannon, question is can we go from Shannon to county clare see, ballayvaughan, cliffs some of the burren and make it to the ferry so we arrive in Dingle by dinner? We have changed our itinerary and want to go to Dublin instead of Galway, so we know for sure we want to spend 2 nights in dingle, 3 nights in Killarney or Kenmare, then instead of going to kinsale head up to Blarney castle on our way to the Rock of Cashel. From there I would like to head up to Dublin and poss see Kilkenny on the way. My husband really likes history and museums he can take so many small towns and coastlines before he goes stir crazy so this is a compromise. We have 11days to tour and he is very aware of traveling times in the car he feels I was to conservative on what we could see, he also is aware of the jet lag on the first day and since he is driving and paying for this trip I can't argue to much. So should we stay the first night in Clare or can we make it to Dingle by evening.?Thanks
For your first day in Ireland fresh off an overnight flight this is my suggestion.
1. Overnight in Co. Clare after seeing the cliffs, Burren, etc. This sightseeing will take time.
2. Go directly to Dingle and do as much or as little as you like. Skip Co. Clare.
Even if your husband is superman the more jet-lagged someone becomes the less attention they have to devote to driving. In fact, driving jet-lagged can be compared to driving drunk. So stay safe and choose one plan. If you must see the sights in Clare then make a reservation in Doolin or Ballyvaughan. He can't argue with that.
I generally don't recommend driving more than about 2 hours on arrival day. Shannon to Dingle is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Definitely the upper limit. But can you imaging doing the Cliffs of Moher, Burren, ferry and Dingle all on arrival day? Crazy!
Michele- I agree that two hours is the maximum. This past June we drove from Shannon to Salthill and spent the day on foot. No, I cannot imagine doing all that in one day!
I find that the older I get the more jet-lag affects me. I am hopeless for being on the go all of the first day. I must nap. Then I get up for dinner and am nodding off again after that.
I'll add my advice - 2 hours is a good max, and even too much for some. I do pretty good with jet lag, and 2 hours is my utter limit. My husband wouldn't be able to drive 1 hour after an overnight flight. Don't endanger yourself or others by trying, please! Clare is beautiful and well worth some time spent seeing it. :)
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