Southern Ireland 7 day driving tour

[V8 Animal]

Fancy a summer drive holiday in Ireland.
Never been so looking for pointers we’re married 60 ish so scenic stuff and hotels not top dollar.
Starting at Dublin, might finish off extra 3 days in IoM.
Cheers

[tjl]

Head to the west coast and follow some of the wild Atlantic way. Achill island and the dingle peninsula were places we loved.

[The Leaper]

tjl said:

Head to the west coast and follow some of the wild Atlantic way. Achill island and the dingle peninsula were places we loved.

Absolutely agree! Achill Island when we went:

url]|https://thumbsnap.com/JBhIqVAl[/url]

Weather was like this for a week.

R.

[turbomoggie]

Republic of Ireland.
Don't say "southern Ireland" to an Irish person - they will think you are ignorant.

[BobToc]

turbomoggie said:

Republic of Ireland.
Don't say "southern Ireland" to an Irish person - they will think you are ignorant.

Some might, most won’t be bothered.

[V8 Animal]

tjl said:

Head to the west coast and follow some of the wild Atlantic way. Achill island and the dingle peninsula were places we loved.

My gut reaction was to head across from Dublin and first night at the west coast.

[Mr Magooagain]

August can be poor weather wise, best weather I’ve had was in May/June time. Make sure to get in some pubs to hear and enjoy the music.

[Vasco]

I spent two weeks around Eire, admittedly some years ago. One of the few places where I've never felt any desire to return.
Lovely scenery across much of the country. Rather run down and old fashioned in parts, with limited facilities.
Boring drunks, limited places for evening meals.

[LimaDelta]

I took my bike a few years ago. Ferry to Larne, and basically followed the coast anti-clockwise until I got to Dublin. As a solo traveller I found the Irish really easy to talk to, and very friendly (though in some parts of NI I was very conscious of the fact I was riding an orange bike on UK plates!). The OH then joined me in Dublin for a couple of nights, and flew back while I rode back from Hollyhead. The scenery, especially along the north and west coasts was pretty spectacular in places, the roads in a decent condition, and very little traffic. The only bit I didn't really enjoy was Dublin - but then I'm not really a 'city' person.

[srob]

The Leaper said:

tjl said:

Head to the west coast and follow some of the wild Atlantic way. Achill island and the dingle peninsula were places we loved.

Absolutely agree! Achill Island when we went:

url]|https://thumbsnap.com/JBhIqVAl[/url]

Weather was like this for a week.

R.

I'll third that, Keem beach on a sunny day would be my vote for the nicest place I've ever been.

Make sure you call in Matt Molloys in Westport for a night out too

[Earthdweller]

I’m s definitely head west of the Shannon as quickly as possible!

My aim would be Galway for a couple of days/nights

A great little city with a real vibe and great restaurants and bars catering for all ages and tastes .. the place has a real buzz

Real mix of hotels in the centre at various price points

From there you can trio out down the Wild Atlantic way towards Clare maybe stopping for lunch at Ballyvaughan in the Monks for the chowder or at Kinvara with a good choice of eateries/pubs

Another spot would be Moran’s on the Weir for the oysters/seafood closer back to Galway

After Galway I’d head west into Connemara up towards Cong and then out to Leenane where just past on the road to Clifden is a lochside take-away trailer that has in loads of awards “misunderstoodheron.com” food is delicious and you can sit down overlooking the only fjord in Ireland

Carrying on towards Clifden there’s the “sky road” which has absolutely amazing views

Along the coast, if the weather is fine you can get a boat trip from Rossaveal out to Innismore one of the Arran islands .. well worth a day trip

If you want to stay in the middle of quiet man country there’s a great hotel in the middle of nowhere the Delphi resort which offers a great base for exploring the really stunning Mayo/Galway scenery .. and the beaches they are amazing and empty

Westport is another great spot .. busy and touristy like Galway and a good base to head further north from

The coast road from Mulrany towards Achill is stunning and you’re literally driving on the edge of Europe .. Achill itself is stunning and there’s a big hill with a radio mast on it you can drive up which offers 360* views that are just insane “Minaun heights” it’s just above Keel beach which is truly stunning

Winding your way north up through Sligo and into Donegal offers much the same and if you feel like pushing the boat out Lough Eske castle or Harvey’s point are great hotels just outside Donegal town

There’s so much to see tbf and I’ve just tipped the ice berg but the north west part of the WoW is outstanding and offers a lot

Edited by Earthdweller on Thursday 22 February 13:10

[DaveTheRave87]

Don't forget the east coast!

County Wicklow is one of my favourites. You've got Avoca, Glendalough and the Meetings of the Waters for the scenery, Arklow for maritime museum, Wicklow town for the Gaol and Bray for the traditional seaside town. There's a great beach at Brittas Bay and because the rainclouds generally move west to east, the weather tends to be drier and sunnier.

[The Leaper]

Earthdweller said:

I’m s definitely head west of the Shannon as quickly as possible!

My aim would be Galway for a couple of days/nights

A great little city with a real vibe and great restaurants and bars catering for all ages and tastes .. the place has a real buzz

Real mix of hotels in the centre at various price points

From there you can trio out down the Wild Atlantic way towards Clare maybe stopping for lunch at Ballyvaughan in the Monks for the chowder or at Kinvara with a good choice of eateries/pubs

Another spot would be Moran’s on the Weir for the oysters/seafood closer back to Galway

After Galway I’d head west into Connemara up towards Cong and then out to Leenane where just past on the road to Clifden is a lochside take-away trailer that has in loads of awards “misunderstoodheron.com” food is delicious and you can sit down overlooking the only fjord in Ireland

Carrying on towards Clifden there’s the “sky road” which has absolutely amazing views

Along the coast, if the weather is fine you can get a boat trip from Rossaveal out to Innismore one of the Arran islands .. well worth a day trip

If you want to stay in the middle of quiet man country there’s a great hotel in the middle of nowhere the Delphi resort which offers a great base for exploring the really stunning Mayo/Galway scenery .. and the beaches they are amazing and empty

Westport is another great spot .. busy and touristy like Galway and a good base to head further north from

The coast road from Mulrany towards Achill is stunning and you’re literally driving on the edge of Europe .. Achill itself is stunning and there’s a big hill with a radio mast on it you can drive up which offers 360* views that are just insane “Minaun heights” it’s just above Keel beach which is truly stunning

Winding your way north up through Sligo and into Donegal offers much the same and if you feel like pushing the boat out Lough Eske castle or Harvey’s point are great hotels just outside Donegal town

There’s so much to see tbf and I’ve just tipped the ice berg but the north west part of the WoW is outstanding and offers a lot

Edited by Earthdweller on Thursday 22 February 13:10

Leenane is lovely. When we were there we stopped by the fjord and watched otters...amazing! And I can agree about the Sky Road. We based ourselves in Clifden for about a week, after attending a wedding in Naas Cathedral.

R.

[Earthdweller]

The Leaper said:

Leenane is lovely. When we were there we stopped by the fjord and watched otters...amazing! And I can agree about the Sky Road. We based ourselves in Clifden for about a week, after attending a wedding in Naas Cathedral.

R.

It’s pretty stunning in all weathers really and a gratuitous shot of the roadster in Leenane and on Galway bay at Furbo and near Cong

Plus a bowl of chowder and a Galway hooker

Edited by Earthdweller on Thursday 22 February 16:52

[interstellar]

We are doing this in September. Did you go OP? How was it?

Any other tips?

[anyoldcardave]

V8 Animal said:

Fancy a summer drive holiday in Ireland.
Never been so looking for pointers we’re married 60 ish so scenic stuff and hotels not top dollar.
Starting at Dublin, might finish off extra 3 days in IoM.
Cheers

I am not offended by Southern Ireland lol, thats what we say back home mostly.

7 days, do the whole coast, with the Wicklow mountains for a spin, Tramore, Kinsale or Clonakilty, Killarney/ Dingle, Galway/ Conemarra and Donegal as overnighters.

So much more to enjoy, but they are reasonably spaced out, Kilkenny is a great town to visit, more inland.

Check for any Rally events, Classic car runs and shows, Bike runs, whatever is your thing, if any, or food events. They are closed public road rallies still. There are events on all summer, every weekend.

August is Puck fair in Killorglin County Kerry, 9th, 10th and 11th if I remember correctly, you have never seen anything like that, I am sure lol, Pubs are officially open for 20 hours each day, IRC, in reality, most are 24. Loony town for 3 days.

I would skip Dublin and Cork cities, head for Wicklow on arrival, cities are citiies.

[anyoldcardave]

Mr Magooagain said:

August can be poor weather wise, best weather I’ve had was in May/June time. Make sure to get in some pubs to hear and enjoy the music.

Weather is variable all year round lol, mostly wet, but if you get the weather, the whole coast is amazing, luck of the draw though, and August is as good as any other.

[200Plus Club]

If anyonevis travelling across country and needs to stop over mid point we've stayed at Keenans Hotel and Restaurant a few times in Co.Roscommon , it's a fabulous boutique hotel with a great bar.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGPf7ALm9FkQ53Qs6?g_st=ac

[ThunderSpook]

I forgot about this thread. We’re on our own tour of the South of Ireland currently. In a hotel in Tralee this morning, about to head to the Ring of Kerry for the day. Did Dingle yesterday.

My best tip so far, avoid Limerick city, it’s a sthole.

Oh, and drive from Galway up to Killary Fjord, the road is awesome.

[interstellar]

ThunderSpook said:

I forgot about this thread. We’re on our own tour of the South of Ireland currently. In a hotel in Tralee this morning, about to head to the Ring of Kerry for the day. Did Dingle yesterday.

My best tip so far, avoid Limerick city, it’s a sthole.

Oh, and drive from Galway up to Killary Fjord, the road is awesome.

great pic and this is exactly what I wanted to hear. more pics and updates now you have joined in Thunderspook.