Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Return to IrelandYes.com Website -> Ireland Travel Forum -> Ask Michele: Ireland Travel Forum -> Ireland Adventure
Post Info TOPIC: Ireland Adventure
Itallian Chauffeur


Moderator

Status: Offline
Posts: 2187
Date:
Ireland Adventure
Permalink  

The Irish Rail system is a 'Spoke and Hub' design and NOT condusive to what you have in mind.  The 'Hub' is Dublin and locations at the end of the 'Spokes' are Waterford, Cork, Killarney, Limmerick, Galway and Sligo.

Neither is their road system -- although MUCH improved over the past ten years --- The main Motorways - much like US Interstates, only connect Dublin with major cities -- Cork, Limmerick and Galway.  All other roads ('N' and 'R' ) tend to be MUCH slower going then compareable, US Roads.

For those of us that LOVE Ireland, that's a GOOD thing!  biggrin biggrin

Drive time, Dublin to Killarney is 3 - 3.5 hours MINIMUM.  Ring of Kerry drive will take 6 - 8 hours more.

 

Irish Rail offers an OVERNIGHT tour of Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, but it runs a FULL (7AM start on Day One and 11PM End on Day 2) for 169 Euro Per Person.  Details here:  http://www.railtoursireland.com/train-tour/Killarney-and-The-Ring-of-Kerry/dh05an/

They DO offer a One-Day Ring of Kerry ONLY trip, too, for 109 Euro -- that runs 7 AM-9 PM.

With only four days, I would forget the West Coast and consider a day Tour to Wicklow -- Glendalough, Avoca and Powerscourt and maybe a half-day tour of Newgrange. 

http://www.newgrangetours.com/

http://www.daytourswicklow.ie/

http://www.coachtoursofireland.ie/

http://www.wildwicklow.ie/

Save the West for a trip when you have the time to actually enjoy it.

Bob



-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Monday 19th of March 2012 08:17:29 PM

__________________

Bob

Help Us to Help You.  The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
Pamela A


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 3
Date:
Permalink  

  Greetings Michele,

 

  I can't tell you how pleased I am to have stumbled across your website!!

 

  We are planning a trip with a 4 day stop in Dublin.  Is it possible to drive the Ring of Kerry, leaving from Dublin in a day?  Would that be impossibly rushed?  Would taking a train to Shannon or Galway renting a car and doing the drive be a more reasonable expectation?  If we went to the early seating of the medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle is there a train to catch back to Dublin at this time?  Or could you tell me what amount of time it takes to drive from this region back to Dublin?

   I would be so grateful for any information you could supply.  This is our first visit to the UK and I'm so excited about our visit to Ireland.  Next time I'd like to spend a month there and really explore.

 

Thanking you in advance,

 

Pam McElgunn

 

 



__________________
tony2phones


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1764
Date:
Permalink  

I for your visit to the UK you can take a trip to Belfast and Antrim. There are a couple of operators, Railtours and Paddywaggon both do tours from Dublin down here in Ireland wink

http://paddywagontours.com/

 





-- Edited by tony2phones on Tuesday 20th of March 2012 04:27:40 AM

__________________

Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour 
Pamela A


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 3
Date:
Permalink  

Many thanks Italian Chauffeur & tony2phones for your replys.

I thought it might be improbable. Wish we had left more time for Ireland. :( :( Next time it'll be Ireland exclusively . :) :) Pam

__________________
Michele Erdvig


Host

Status: Offline
Posts: 10695
Date:
Permalink  

Pam,

Since you will be based in Dublin, everyone has given you the best advice. See what you can from there and enjoy that. Forget the midnight cross-country dashes. Spend a day or two seeing Dublin. the Hop-on Hop-off bus is ideal for that. Then choose a day tour or two. I would do Newgrange and Wicklow. That will fill your time nicely.

Michele

__________________

"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
Pamela A


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 3
Date:
Permalink  

Greetings Michele,

Thanks for your response! What you've suggested was my 'Plan A'. Plan B was wishful thinking. Newgrange was my first choice to visit outside of Dublin. Should we plan on two days to see all Dublin has to offer? Any thing not listed in the tour books that we should make time to see? We plan to use the Ho-Ho our first afternoon to get our bearings. Maybe you could suggest the most efficient way to get to & from the airport. We are staying in the Ballsbridge area. Many thanks, Pam :)

__________________
Michele Erdvig


Host

Status: Offline
Posts: 10695
Date:
Permalink  

Pam,

The Ho-Ho bus is good for 48 hours. It will be best to do the two Dublin days consecutively. You can get a bus or taxi to your hotel.

Michele

__________________

"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Return to IrelandYes.com Website -> Ireland Travel Forum -> Ask Michele: Ireland Travel Forum -> Ireland Adventure
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard