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Dublin Forum: Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond

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Boston...
posts: 115
reviews: 10
 Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond 

Hey guys, I'm going to be planning a trip at the end of the summer, early fall, so planning now. Around 8-9 days of actual exploring time( have 2 other days to travel). So I have a few questions. How long is a average drive from Dublin Airport to Galway City? Plan is possibly to go straight from the airport, get some wheels drive southwest to The Rock Cashel, then to Kinsale for the night. Arriving in Dublin around the 7 o'clock am hour I think should be enough time to see the Rock and then get to Kinsale, or Cork I think. Then Head towards the Ring, then stay in Dingle and drive up the coast, sorta, to The Cliffs and the Burren. If one was to Stay in Doolin or Ennis, which would be a preferred? Are these a good places to do day trips? Being in our 30's, we will be venturing out at night to have some fun with the night life, and hopefully tip a few pints with the locals. Feel free to please toss in some great Pubs and Taverns in the city's and towns I may be mentioning. We prefer to stay away from the major touristy areas, even though we are tourists as well. Then heading up to Galway after, if we have enough time. By doing some homework, this looks reasonable in the time length we have to play with. Would love to venture off the beaten path as well, suggestions of instead of this, go here, love to hear. As much as I want to see all the castles, I think we are going to skip the Blarney Stone for example, and hopefully find something not so touristy

Thanks, cant wait to get this together!!!!!

7 replies
Manila...
posts: 8
reviews: 34
1. Re: Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond

Hi there,

Driving from Dublin airport to Galway will take you about 3.5 hours. If you take the highway.

Kinsale is nice. The ring is amazing (when the weather allows it). I would say dont book too any places in advance. Driving around Ireland is great, and it is very hard to plan how long to spend in each place. Also you really depent on the weather. Done the Ring in a few hours once due to heavy rain, we could see 3 meters ahead, then you just dont enjoy it. If the weather is good you can spent days! And lots of good local pubs all over:) The hard thing will to decide on who will be behind the wheels:)

The Cliffs and the Burren must does! Amazing views! I would stay in Ennis, more places to choose from but still nice and very irish.

Blarney Stone - fun but OK to skip, very busy!

Stop by Westport and Lisdoonvana! Great spots!

Driving around the north west coast is my favorit spot, up Donegal and going to Malin Head, amazing!

Stay arount the coast!

Dublin
posts: 576
reviews: 16
2. Re: Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond

Dublin to Galway is 2.5 hours.If weather co.operates I'd overnight on the Ring of Kerry.That would give you time to detour further to the Valentia Island area,Skellig Rocks,etc quite stunning and less visited as its off the Ring.Definitely make time to see Galway at the end, great little city.

Boston...
posts: 115
reviews: 10
3. Re: Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm planning on only booking my first night and go from there. I'm going to get a list of a couple hotels in each place in-case a couple of them are booked. Rejser, in Ennis the places to choose from is that hotels you mean or restaurants pubs or all the above? M-ville, the Trips to the Skellig are seasonal? I read they were but havent called to check any places yet. Thanks for the help guys, appreciate it!

Dublin
posts: 576
reviews: 16
4. Re: Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond

Yeah Skellig trips would be weather dependent.Check out skelligtrips.com for an idea and contact details.

Even if you couldn't make the crossing the scenery thereabouts is stunning.Portmagee and Valentia Island are lovely.You can drive to the top of Mount Geokan on the island for amazing views of the Kerry peninsulas, you can actually discern the map of the south west of Ireland from up there.

You said you like to get off the beaten path, well I strongly recommend Beach Cove b and b in St Finan's Bay between Portmagee and Ballinskelligs.One of my favourite spots in Ireland.

Galway to Dublin is motorway all the way now the drive is definitely TWO and a half hours not 3 and a half.I'm doing it again tomorrow as it happens.

Boston...
posts: 115
reviews: 10
5. Re: Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond

Cool, thanks M-Ville. Yeah I prefer to stay in B&B's when I travel, gives one a chance to meet real people, not just "Staff", at a hotel. Im going to do some checking on those places you suggested, mingling with locals is great, instead of meeting tourists like myself, ha. Glad the driving from D-G is only a good couple hours, gives me better flight times. Driving will be an adventure, as we drive on different sides of the road, awareness will be the key there. I may have more questions in due time if you dont mind, thanks again man!

galway
posts: 637
reviews: 23
6. Re: Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond

When driving from the Airport be very careful to get the right exit of the M50 from there its a straight run driving steady 2.5 hours to 3 hours.

Dublin
posts: 576
reviews: 16
7. Re: Driving from Dublin to Galway, and beyond

In case you were wondering Stevens, the speed limit on the motorway here is 120 kms/hour.

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