10 Day Road Trip - Going A Little Crazy Planning

JKline1229 · Newbie

10 Day Road Trip - Going A Little Crazy Planning

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum! biggrin biggrin

And welcome to the difficulty that is Irish Itinerary Planning -- There's never enough time to see everything -- that's why many of us here are Repeat visitors! aww aww aww

In answer to some of your questions: At the end of September, beginning of October, the days (day light hours) will be growing shorter and weather can seriously impact your plans. Ten days is a decent amount of time for visiting the Southern half of the country, but it will still require difficult choices as to what to see -- and what to 'skip'. hmm You may also need to 'consolidate' your destinations in order to maximize your options.

For example: On Arrival Day (28 September), have you considered skipping Dublin and taking an Express Bus to Galway, directly from the Airport? Arriving so early, there really won't be much to do in Dublin before 9 or 10 AM -- by which time, you could already be IN Galway. From there, you can advance your schedule -- and then 'save' all your 'Dublin Time' for the end of the trip.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

JKline1229 wrote:
It's tricky. THE BF really wants to do the Ring of Kerry, but he also likes things like Connemara. I guess he'd have to decide between the two. I think he's more excited for the Ring, since he's planning that one out.

**Day One, Friday, September 28th (DUBLIN)**
Get to Dublin at 4:25AM(not counting likely delays)
-Only must is Book of Kells. Probably see much more Probably Storehouse at night
See my earlier answer -- I suggest starting the trip in Galway (at a reasonable hour). Spend the day enjoying the city and acclimating.
**Day Two, Saturday, September 29th (DUBLIN/GALWAY)**

-Breakfast in in Dublin, leave for Galway by train in the morning(we'll be getting out car here)- Be in Galway by Noon
-Check in then head to the Aran Islands? Is that really enough time there? Are we better off going earlier?
A trip to Inishmore really requires the better part of a day. The ferry takes about 45 minutes each way (not counting the drive / bus to /from the port from Galway. Likewise, a day tour of Connemara is also a very FULL day.
**Day Three, Sunday, September 30th (MOHOR/THE THE BURREN/DOOLIN)**
You could spend this day touring Connemara.
Go to Doolin and do Cliffs of Moher and the Burrens Two questions though:
1) The Burrens, is that something you drive by or explore? I've heard both.
It is BOTH. There are MANY sites within the Burren that are worth visiting, but it is a geological AREA that CAN be driven through. It IS possible to drive through parts of the Burren (making one or two brief stops), visit the Cliffs and end the day in Dingle. It would make for a long, full day, though -- and you would still need to be selective about what sites to visit.
2) Should I stay in Adare from the Cliffs. It's further away but closer to Dingle.

**Day Four, Monday, October 1st (DRIVE TO DINGLE)**
The drive from Doolin to DIngle is quite long(3.5 hours).... Are there many interesting "stops" along the way we should do.
Or should we make a long day of Cliffs, Burren then a drive to Dingle all on Day 4.
Use this day for the Burren, Cliffs drive to Dingle. Get an early start, though.
Day Five, Tuesday, October 2nd(DINGLE)
-Great Basket Island Hike or Slea Head for the day
Spend the morning touring Slea Head and then, drive to Killarney. Enjoy the town and see 1 or 2 of the sites (Ross castle / Muckross Abbey / a walk in the National Park)
Day Six, Wednesday, October 3rd, Dingle to Killanery
National Park/Muckross house/Torc Waterfall/Ross Castle/An Abbey?
Ring of Kerry day trip.
Day Seven, Killarney Day 2/Ring of Kerry
-Stopping at a few places along the way, possibly Valentina Island.
Drive to Kilkenny, via Cashel
Day 8, Thursday, October 4th, Head to Killkenny
Visit he Rock of Cashel on our way in and Killkenny Castle when we get there.
Head to Dublin, drop off car. Powerscourt is famous for its gardens and landscape. It's 'worth it' if those are of interest.
Day 9: Head to Dublin
Stop in Wicklow National Park and Powerscourt(*is Powerscourt worth it?)*
Get back to Dublin around 3pm, return car there, Do a little of what we can while there. Enjoy Dublin night.
Spend the day in Dublin.
**Day 10: Dublin Again**
Our flight is at 4pm, so we've got some time to enjoy some nearby to where we are staying things like Christ Church and St. Michians Church.
For Direct Flights to the USA, you must arrive at the airport 3-4 hours prior to Departure, due to US Customs & Immigration Pre-Clearance.
Concerns:
- I'm unsure if we have time in Aran. Not sure if we should do TWO days in Galway. But if so, not sure what to cut. Is it possible to do the Cliffs/The Burren and the Dingle drive, all in one day(so Day Four) but I hear Doolin is great.
- Am I missing out on Connemara? The thing with the Ring of Kerry is that it's a must. I'm not going alone. The BF is very much about the Ring.
- Is there anything I should cut or expand upon? I know I'm not in Dublin much but this isn't so much a 'big city' trip, and we're kind of getting it over three days(probably like 36-40 hours altogether)

JKline1229 · Newbie

Hmm, I guess I never thought of just skipping Dublin that first day and pushing everything up. It does make a lot of sense. I just imagine you need to book the express bus in advance, and with air travel the way it is, I worry about delays. Realistically, I saw us getting there by 6am. We booked an airbnb(which, luckily is refundable if we do change our minds), so I was going to see about checking in early. Maybe doing a quick rest then heading out to Dublin...But your idea is very sound and something I'll need to discuss.

Also, I think I've updated by Doolin trip a bit. I think, depending on when the ferry leaves, I might be doing a "combo trip" to Aran/Cliffs. I'm hoping there is an 11am departure, 1pm latest. But we'll see.

Thanks so much for all your replies. It's extremely helpful.

Lots to think about now.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

There are Express Buses departing DUB for Galway about every 30 minutes -- Tickets can be bought from the drivers, so NO need to pre-book.

https://www.citylink.ie/

https://www.gobus.ie/timetable.php

https://www.eireagle.com/routes/dublin-airport-to-galway

There are two different 'Combo' trips to the Cliffs and Aran Islands-- one, from Doolin, and one, from Galway (But, it is basically the same tour, other than the bus that runs you to, and from, Galway). Both tours usually take you to Inis Oirr (the smallest Aran Island). Ferries from Doolin are much more 'weather-dependent' than those from Galway.

https://www.doolin2aranferries.com/blog/ticket-from-galway-to-the-cliffs-of-moher-and-aran-islands/

MOST first time tourists opt to visit Inishmore (the Largest Aran Island) and do so, from Galway -- either via a flight from Inverin, or a Ferry, from Rossaveal: http://www.aranislands.ie/plan-trip/

JKline1229 · Newbie

Is the smaller island worth it? I know it's an hour and half trip from Doolin if I go to Inishmore.

Still trying to figure out the time it leaves. Looks like Inis Oirr does have a 1pm. Not sure if Inishmore has a later trip from Doolin.

Michele Erdvig · Host

You have received some excellent advise from Bob. It is always difficult trimming down an itinerary because there is so much to see and do in Ireland. That is why many people visit multiple times. With 10 days you will get a nice "appetizer" of what Ireland offers. The Aran Islands are so weather-dependent and if they are not on the "must see" list perhaps cut that so you are able to insert something else.

You mention seeing the Guinness Storehouse at night. It closes at 7 pm and last admission is 5 pm.

chaika · Veteran Member

Here's a link with some info about the Burren and the Dingle peninsula. From our trip last year. Some ideas of what's there.
earthsanctuaries.net/community-art-and-landscape-ireland-reflections-2017/

In the Burren you'll probably want to visit the Poulnabrone dolmen.

In Dingle you could get to a concert at St.James Church (former church), M-W-F I think, around 7pm. Discount tickets available at a shop (I forget the name) near the ice cream shop. Otherwise Dingle trad music scene starts late, 9:30ish.

In Dublin you can visit the National Museum of Ireland, which is not far from Trinity College if I remember correctly. Long line for Book of Kells, so go early.
Choral evensong at St.Patrick's cathedral at 5:30pm.
From Dub daytrip to Newgrange and Knowth.

May the Road rise with you!