Feasible drive in Ireland?
Apr 27th, 2005, 10:13 AM
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Feasible drive in Ireland?
We plan to drive from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, then down to see Blarney castle and finish in Kilkenny for the night. Is this a feasible drive or are we going to be rushed at any or all of these locations? Two to three hours at each location is about what we are looking to spend. Any suggestions on what time we should be out of Dublin to avoid traffic etc. would also be greatly appreciated.
Apr 27th, 2005, 10:24 AM
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This site has the drive time alone to be about 9 hours: http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/
I would add a little more -- maybe 45 minutes to 1 hour. That's a lot of driving in one day. What time of the year? Sunset in the summer is around 10pm.
You can figure it out from there. Good luck.
I would add a little more -- maybe 45 minutes to 1 hour. That's a lot of driving in one day. What time of the year? Sunset in the summer is around 10pm.
You can figure it out from there. Good luck.
Apr 27th, 2005, 10:59 AM
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I agree. You have too much on your plate for one day. Do the Dublin-Doolin drive, see the Cliffs of Moher, and take in a couple of Guinnesses at one of Doolin's pubs and listen and watch the folk musicians. It will be worth it.
Apr 27th, 2005, 11:00 AM
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Why do you want to go to Blarney? To say you been there, done that? Not worth the effort in my opinion.
do the Cliffs and maybe explore the Loop Head Peninsula, then head back to Kilkenny for the night. Still, lots of driving.
do the Cliffs and maybe explore the Loop Head Peninsula, then head back to Kilkenny for the night. Still, lots of driving.
Apr 27th, 2005, 11:36 AM
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Hi Canadian:
I would consider that trip WAY too much. According to Michelin, it's 371 miles which would put JUST the driving at over 10 hours by my standard formula. Add 3 hours to two stops and your at 16 hours. Driving in Ireland is not like driving on interstates in the US. You can't set the car on cruise control and relax. It requires fairly constant attention.
As far as something similar near Cork, the southern coast has a pretty good line of cliffs stacked up and the bulk of them get very little tourism, unlike the Cliffs of Moher. Then again, one of the big reasons for the tourism is that the cliffs themselves are a spectacular sight. If you want a 650 ft drop straight into the water, that's Moher. If you want generally spectacular coastline that is as green as green can get until it drops into the ocean 100-200 ft, that SW cork. They are certainly different.
It seems like you are trying to see all of Ireland in a day and from my perspective, it can't be done. There have been a few who have taken off driving and covered huge amounts of territory against the advice of everyone here and then came back and told us we were all idiots. To each his own, but that's at least double what I consider reasonable in a day.
Oh and yes, you will be rushed at the locations.
Bill
I would consider that trip WAY too much. According to Michelin, it's 371 miles which would put JUST the driving at over 10 hours by my standard formula. Add 3 hours to two stops and your at 16 hours. Driving in Ireland is not like driving on interstates in the US. You can't set the car on cruise control and relax. It requires fairly constant attention.
As far as something similar near Cork, the southern coast has a pretty good line of cliffs stacked up and the bulk of them get very little tourism, unlike the Cliffs of Moher. Then again, one of the big reasons for the tourism is that the cliffs themselves are a spectacular sight. If you want a 650 ft drop straight into the water, that's Moher. If you want generally spectacular coastline that is as green as green can get until it drops into the ocean 100-200 ft, that SW cork. They are certainly different.
It seems like you are trying to see all of Ireland in a day and from my perspective, it can't be done. There have been a few who have taken off driving and covered huge amounts of territory against the advice of everyone here and then came back and told us we were all idiots. To each his own, but that's at least double what I consider reasonable in a day.
Oh and yes, you will be rushed at the locations.
Bill
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Apr 27th, 2005, 12:26 PM
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Warning- the Cliffs of Moher can jack up whatever fear of heights you may have. As of 1991, there was no safety fence and much of the ground slants to the edge of the cliff. Certainly not a place for younger children to visit. I'm getting sweaty palms just thinking about it.
Apr 27th, 2005, 04:37 PM
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In 2003 there was still nothing to keep all the daredevils from the edge. On our day, it was the fog that kept us away. (We had already been there in 95 with our teens to see the full beauty.) It can be very dangerous, especially if there is any wind. (I remember that a woman fell off in '00 - we read about it while we were staying in Cork.) But it is absolutely spectacular!
Apr 28th, 2005, 05:52 AM
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Okay, with all this feedback I think we are going to have to adjust our itinerary a little. If we drove Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher on day one, could anybody give a few recommendations on a good place to stay the night in that area? I know there are tons of beautiful locations in that area but if somebody could maybe suggest a town with history and pubs that rival Kilkenny that would be great. Then on Day 2 we would drive through Blarney and Kilkenny and spend a few hours in each location before returning to Dublin. Does this sound a little more reasonable?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Apr 28th, 2005, 06:07 AM
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Doolin is just about 10 min from the Cliffs and a cute little town. The Seaview B&B in Doolin gets good reviews. If at all possible, and if you have time, drive the Dingle Peninsula via Conner's Pass and Slea Head. It is the best scenery ever and a real treat.
Apr 28th, 2005, 06:21 AM
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Driving in Ireland is slow but on the other hand it is bright from 6am to 10 or 11pm in summer.If you leave early in the morning-say before 7am from Dublin -you can go a long way down the country in a few hours.If your time in Ireland is limited I would suggest skipping the Cliffs and going to Killarney/Dingle instead.
Apr 28th, 2005, 06:21 AM
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We were at the cliffs in July 2004 and there is now a safety fence up. One too many idiots didn't heed the signs and his windbreaker filled with wind and he blew off. It's not at all scarry if you stay on the steps.
Just outside of Kinsale in SW Ireland is a golf course called Old Head - it is built out on a peninsula and it has some awesome cliffs.
We've been to Ireland 3 times and not yet gone to Blarney - too commercial with big tour buses. Also, I'm not really keen and hagning over up side down and kiss a stone that so many others have slobbered on.
Linda
Just outside of Kinsale in SW Ireland is a golf course called Old Head - it is built out on a peninsula and it has some awesome cliffs.
We've been to Ireland 3 times and not yet gone to Blarney - too commercial with big tour buses. Also, I'm not really keen and hagning over up side down and kiss a stone that so many others have slobbered on.
Linda
