Hello all! My partner and I will be traveling to Ireland this summer from July 30-Aug 9. We’ll be landing the morning of July 30 in Dublin.
I have been to Ireland before but it’s been about 10 years. My partner has never been and it’s a bucket list travel place for them.
Time is limited, so we’re not going to be able to do a whole tour around the island like I previously did, but I want to make sure I click off big items they want to see, and get time outside to explore.
My initial thought was:
Land in Dublin and pick up rental at the airport.
Drive to Galway and stay from July 30-Aug 1
Leave Galway on Aug 1, drive to Cliffs.
Stay the night in Doolin
Leave Doolin on Aug 2, drive to Killarney.
Stay in Killarney from Aug 2-4
Leave Killarney on Aug 4, drive to Cork
Stay in Cork from Aug 4-6
Leave Cork on Aug 6, drive back to Dublin
Return rental car
Stay in Dublin from Aug 6-9
Unfortunately, I realized that the Galway horse races was going to be happening when we planned to go there. So, now I’m a bit unsure if I should reverse the schedule or not. But, it is a longer drive from Cork to Dublin and after getting off a plane it may be a lot. I am also starting to question if it’s packing in too much.
But, We’re not in any rush to get from any of the differently points, so travel days could be spent just stopping in a town or two for gas and looking around.
We have a few must see places like Cork / Blarney castle and the Cliffs.
Thanks for the help!
You’re going to keep getting recommendations that you don’t drive at all on day 1.
There are services to Cork & Galway from the airport. Whichever city you choose, get the bus there on day 1 and pick up the car on day 2.
If you pick up your car in, say, Galway, and return it in Dublin, you’ll be charged a hefty surcharge as the rental company will have to return the car to its original location.
I guess weigh that cost up against the risk of a sleep deprived tourist careering around on the roads straight off a red eye
If you’re arriving from a long haul flight/not used to driving in Ireland and that’s why you’re concerned about not driving to Cork immediately on arriving, you shouldn’t be driving at all immediately on arriving. Galway isn’t that much closer to Dublin.
Otherwise itinerary looks fine.
Yes, on a tour in Scotland (I know it's another country, but they drive on the same side of the road), the driver was telling us that a few days earlier there had almost been a serious accident involving some American tourists who were driving on the wrong side (a very narrow road with no room to manoeuvre). How irresponsible.
Land in Dublin and do a day/night in Dublin. Dublin to cork or Dublin to Galway is a long drive after a long flight and you'll be tired and hungry. Do Galway. Book accom now. If not Galway due to races, reverse itinerary and do Cork first but only have a day/night in Dublin after flight.
Galway races is the busiest and most expensive week of the year in the city. As well as very expensive rooms you’ll have busy traffic and booked out restaurants, plus heaving pubs. All great fun if you are going to the races but if you aren’t racing you’d be better off doing Galway at the end of your stay.
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Might be an idea to spend your first night in Dublin, and leave early the next day and go to someplace near Galway, ideally south of the city if you want to avoid the racing traffic. Spend the extra nights in the other places you want to see, or maybe out in one of the peninsulas - perhaps Allihies on Béara?
Have your first night in Dublin then do your trip in reverse. Looks good.