Itineray help please

matt109 · Veteran Member

Itineray help please

CowboyCraic · Guru

Matt,

It would depend on what it is that you want to do in Cashel. If it is just to see the Rock of Cashel, then you might want to forge ahead into Kilkenny for an overnight stay there and then drive up into Co. Meath to see Newgrange. You might stay at Newgrange Lodge on days Nine & Ten and then make the drive to Co. Galway and stay there Nights 11 & 12. Then, you could take the coast road down through the Burren, Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher, spending your last two nights in Ennis.

The shortest route between Kerry and Clare, thus to Dingle, is via the Tarbert / Killimer Car Ferry. This 20 minute journey across the Shannon estuary saves 85 miles (137km). The ferry leaves Tarbert every hour on the half hour. If you are arriving into Shannon in the morning, it is an easy drive and the Car Ferry will give you "unwind" time.

That being said, I would suggest an itinerary such as this:

Day 1 Arrive Shannon & Drive to Dingle (three nights lodging)

Day 2/3 Enjoy the Dingle Peninsula

Day 4 Journey to Kenmare (two nights lodging)

Day 6 Journey to Cashel (two nights lodging)

Day 8 Journey to Kilkenny (One night lodging)

Day 9 Journey to Newgrange (two nights lodging)

Day 11 Journey to Co. Galway ( two nights lodging)

On Day Twelve, take a Connemara Tour which will allow you to relax and see all the wonders of the region

Day 13 Journey to Ennis via the Coast road (two nights lodging)

Take the Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Doolin Pier for a breathtaking view of the Cliffs

Day 14 enjoy the town of Ennis during the morning and the venture to Bunratty Castle for Medieval Banquet as a way to celebrate your time in Ireland

Day 15 Home

I hope this helps!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

matt109 · Veteran Member

I was wondering how can the route to the ferry be shorter then just driving to Dingle and avoiding the ferry . I looked on a route planner and either way takes just about the same amount of time. Is there a faster route to the ferry that I am mising? Is this on the first day I arrive and am trying to get to dingle?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Matt,

My apologies, as I am usually traveling to Kerry from Shannon via the Car Ferry, I have never taken the time to calculate the road distance. Someone told me on my first travel that the ferry was the quickest route and I have been taking it ever since. However, I checked with AA Ireland after you raised the question and found that driving time from Shannon to Dingle, at a little over three hours, is indeed shorter than taking the Ferry. Of course the driving time is only as good as the traffic and road conditions whilst there. The mileage is shorter via the Ferry at just under 100 miles but it is only a discrepancy of 9 miles so that doesn't count for much. I will most likely continue to take the Ferry,as the 20 minutes on water seems to do wonders for my jet lag.

You would do best to take the road route, as you will want to settle into your lodgings and begin your adventures. Although, your adventure begins when you board your plane back home.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

wojazz3 · Guru

The route by ferry is possibly faster but only if you arrive just before it leaves and certainly if you don't just miss it. In April, the ferry runs only once and hour on the hour from Killimer. Getting around Limerick is not too tough from the Shannon to Kerry because you don't have to go through town to get there. It may be an easier bet.

It looks like your entire plan is around the west coast so Newgrange wouldn't make sense unless you redo what you are doing as Cowboy suggests. You could certainly fit Connemara in and I would do that either at the beginning or the end.

Bill

matt109 · Veteran Member

Thank you both for the input and taking the time to help. I am planning on doing what CowboyCraic suggest, because it is perfect. I spend the right amount time at each place and get to see what i want to see while not being rushed. I think I am going to take the ferry that way we can take are time getting to Dingel since we arrive in the moringand it would give us a chance to see more of the countryside. If i miss it then i just go get breakfast and get the next ferry.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Matt,

Just to clarify, you will be taking the Ferry from Killimer to Tarbert, otherwise you will end up North of Shannon. I don't want you wandering lost on your first day. You will find yourself wonderfully "lost" enough during your stay.

I am glad that the itinerary I suggested works for you. It will take you on a slow loop from the Southwest through the midlands, up into Newgrange and then into the Connemaras and back again to Co. Clare. It is not an overly ambitious loop and yet you see a lot of country, as well as having time to find Ireland in each place.

Have a grand adventure!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

matt109 · Veteran Member

I was thinking that instead of spending two nights in cashel and one in kilkenny that i just stay all three nights in kilkeeny. I can do day trips out of kilkeeny and cashel is only about an hours drive from there. Is this possible and does it make sense?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Good Morning Matt,

It is certainly feasible to stay in Kilkenny over Cashel. There is so much that you can see & do in and around Kilkenny. The link will take you to the Kilkenny tourism page and there you will find 7 different day tours that you can take from Kilkenny, which will give you an idea of all that you can see. You can make Waterford from there and then after a tour of the factory, you can venture down to Hook's Head Lighthouse.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Michele Erdvig · Host

Matt,

You are right that Cashel and Kilkenny are close. Spending three nights in Kilkenny makes sense. Some good things to see in the area are Cahir Castle & Swiss Cottage in Cahir, Kells & Jerpoint Abbey (south of Kilkenny), R700 scenic drive down to Inistioge where you will find Woodstock Estate. I'm sure your time will be chock full of things to see and do.

Michele