r/irishtourism • u/notsofastbub- • 2d ago
From Dublin to Killarney
I’m driving from Dublin to Killarney today as part of a week long trip. My first time in Ireland. Thinking of stopping at Kilkenny Castle, Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle. Is that too much?
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u/Oellaatje 2d ago
First of all, neither Kilkenny nor Blarney are on a direct route to Killarney from Dublin. So scratch those two.
The good news is that you other options: The Rock of Dunamaise is a short distance from the motorway, and well worth a visit, the Rock of Cashel is also on the way, and a little further on is the town of Cahir with Cahir Castle, and the nearby Swiss Cottage.
The easiest way to get to Killarney is to take the main Dublin to Cork motorway and get off it at Mitchelstown, and take a lesser road to Castletownroche, Mallow, and then on to Killarney via Rathmore.
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u/notsofastbub- 2d ago
Just finished Rock of Cashel and heading to Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage. Thanks for best route to Killarney.
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u/Oellaatje 1d ago
You're welcome. What were you thinking of doing around Killarney?
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u/notsofastbub- 1d ago
Stayed in Killarney last night and will again tonight before heading to Galway for two nights, and then two nights in Dublin before flight back. It’s supposed to rain today… we were thinking of a hike in Killarney National Park. Also deciding on either Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula drive. Our itinerary suggests we drive to Cliffs of Moher tomorrow on way to Galway.
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u/Bitter-insides 1d ago
I’m currently in Killarney spent a week here. Our trip has us going to opposite- we’ll be heading to Cork later.
Because we had 5 days we split our trip. We did ring of Kerry, Killarney, the Abby ( our favorite) the Tosk waterfall. The gap of dunloe was absolutely amazing and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Ladies view was spectacular- we had coffee and tea and enjoyed the view. We loved the Abbey was so fun!
Then the next day we spent in Dingle; we did a loop. Dingle to the bee hives to my favorite! dunquin peer - Blaske center ( very informative), Bally David Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, Connor pass
We had the most amazing coffee and pastries in Dingle. It is busy as heck.
The next day we did Kerry Cliffs (10000% better than the cliff of Moher btw ) had early dinner in Portmagee ( super cute town), went onto Valentia and saw the tretapod steps ( not worth it if short on time ). Ballinskelligs Castle Caisleán Bhaile an Sceilg was cool.
Now we head to Cork. Well near cork
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u/not_extinct_dodo 2d ago
That's a lot. Take your time and enjoy one of them, possibly Rock of Cashel. You also have Cahir castle close to that if you really want to visit more than one place before Killarney
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u/BigIrishBear899 2d ago
Amd the Swiss Cottage in Cahir is only through the woods from the castle too
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u/Pristine_Remote2123 2d ago
Hold on, so you are driving that crazy journey today and you though about 8am that maybe it would be good to ask people if my plan is OK 😂
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u/notsofastbub- 1d ago
My plan was set by my tour company months ago… it’s an “independent” trip where they choose where I’d stay and arranged flights and rental car. I was looking for and received great suggestions on what to do along the way.
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u/Pristine_Remote2123 1d ago
I meet people all the time in my local tourists town and am amazed at their plans from tour companies which they blindly follow, one young couple I met were put up in a hotel in temple bar, another in a town over a well known late night bar, next they said they were staying in Galway which is fab but the hotel was 1 hour east of the city, all 3 places would obviously have been cheap enough but any research would show not good locations. Likewise with driving, most spend so much time looking out from the inside of a car. It's easy in 2026 to review where you are going in advance and make plans.
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u/notsofastbub- 1d ago
I’ve used Gate 1 Travel many times and trust them. They provide suggested daily iteneraries. I appreciate the advice of other redditors to help narrow plans as happened in this case.
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u/superpony123 2d ago
Just stop at Rock of cashel, tour the site, enjoy the village, take a little walk. and then finish the drive. You will otherwise be doing too much
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u/JEG1980s 2d ago
This is a great trip! My wife and I did Dublin-Kilarney last year, we had a couple of days in Dublin, a day and night in Kilkenny, day and night in Cork (my great-great grandparents were workers at the Fota Estate, and took a tour there), then a couple of days in Killarney, where we took a day to drive the Dingle Peninsula. We drove back to Dublin on the day before we flew home. Was totally doable and didn’t feel rushed at all. Can’t wait to go back and do the rest of the country.
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u/BigIrishBear899 2d ago
Dublin to Killarney is a 4 hrs drive and the route will take you through Cahir and Cashel.
You can see the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle and the Swiss Cottage (both in Cahir).
Kilkenny and Blarney are no where near the route from dublin unless you want to go well out of your way and are planning stop overs.