Cahir Forum: Cahir...worth a night stay? or...???

Thank you so very much for your quick reply. I definitely understand .

Do you think it is too far to drive in one day from Dublin to Killarney???

...the AA route says 4 hours but then it says 186 miles. i am hearing that driving on the opposite side of the road is sooo stressful for the first time that maybe that is too much for first day of driving. We do a lot of road trips in the USA so it is not as if we don't like to drive; we generally love road trips. Other TA have made it sound like it is too much in one day...your input, please.

Thank you

Agreed, don't overnight in Cahir.

The M8 from Dublin to Cork is a FABULOUS road. It's a motorway and a pleasure to drive on. This will take you to the outskirts of Cork and you can avoid Cork City altogether using the Jack Lynch Tunnel and then onwards using the N22 following signs for Tralee/Killarney. The road disimproves a little after Macroom however at this stage you will be well accustomed to driving and will have no difficulty.

I think 4 hours driving time is a litte conservative from Dublin to Killarney especially for first time drivers, but realistically it should not take a lot longer than that.

The question you should be asking is one for yourself to answer....

Do I really want my 1st experience of driving left handed in Ireland to be all of 200 miles and to be honest over 4 1/2 hours ?

As Bryno says the M8 is a nice new 2 lane road (120km/hr) but don't get too comfortable because this is not typical of Irish roads. I am not trying to put you off, you are the only one who can decide if this is something you want to do. At the end of the day this is a holiday so don't be afraid to take it easy.

I suppose I am used to that drive so think noting of it, but if you are stopping at Cashel you are getting a good break, You can also opt not to go around Cork city, by turning off in Mitchelstown and going to Mallow and then Rathmore, road not great but distance shorter.

ok..so if we do not want to drive the 4 hours, do you have a suggestion where to spend the night on our first day out, knowing we are headed to dingle from dublin. I welcome your suggestions...

thank you for your input.

There is a perfectly good hotel in the centre of Cahir from €80 double with breakfast from here you can visit Rock of Cashel. Cahir Castle, Swiss Cottage and the river Suir walk. As I have said do you really want to drive for 4 1/2 hours plus stops?

My route would take me through Killarney for a stroll round and visit the Castle so Cashel or Cahir would be an Ideal overnight.

http://www.cahirhousehotel.ie/location/

Tony2phones, am longer a fan of Cahir house hotel, we used to stop there as a treat as children on the way home from Sunday drives. Stopped there recently and boy, has it changed..and not just with rosetinted nostalgic glasses on.

We drove from Dublin to Blarney in one day stopping at Cahir and Cashel. It was first trip for us and first time driving on left. We loved the stops and Blarney was good place to stay the night. My husband and son toured the castle while I supported the economy. The road was very good and that was easiest part of trip for driving.

thank you for your reply...do you recall how long the actual route took you? Was driving on the 'other side of the road okay or was it very difficult to get used to>?