would i need to satisfy this itinerary? these are the necessary componenets to the trip:

-fly into dublin. rent car, head to carlingford for mtb'ing(mountain biking) in the mournes- 1 or 2 days.
-mtb race in castlewellan(county down, ni).
-the connemara, and associated Gaeltachts- day or two.
-the burren for mtbing- 1 day.
-limerick, kerry(dingle)
-family in waterford and wexford
-1-2 days mtb'ing in dublin/wicklow.

i know the minimum amount of time i would need in each area, but would it be reasonable to drive from just south of belfast to the connemara in an evening(after the race)? then down to the burren in a morning to ride in the afternoon? ring of kerry in a morning then to waterford in a day?

i'm trying to manage my vacation days from work, and see if i can do this trip in ten days or less. i've done a significant amount of bicycle touring, but never much in the way of car touring. i'm a very early riser, and long days of travel didn't bother me at all on the bike. thanks for any help!

Spend at least 2 days in the Connemara, it is absolutely beautiful! I was there for three days and wanted to stay longer.

Your driving times sound fine, but you might want to make them a little longer just incase you run into issues along the way.

I'm not very familiar with the drinving time from south of Belfast to the Connemara, but the rest of it looks good.

thanks. i'll be sure to schedule two days in that area then.

I think you very considerably underestimate the driving time in Ireland. For example, the drive from Castlewellan to Connemara is one of the finest in Ireland, but it's not something that can be accomplished in a quick dash after the race at Castlewellan.

A fine spot to head for in Connemara would be Clifden - picture postcard small town, and and some splendid coastal scenery all around.

Taking that as an example, bear in mind that, even by the fastest possible route, Castlewellan to Clifden is a five to six hour drive. That fastest route would be via Lisburn then the M1 and A4 through Fermanagh to Manorhamilton, then Charlestown, Westport, Clifden. It is a 250 mile drive, with little by way of freeway or fast highways.

Better to allocate a whole day to that drive, leaving the Castlewellan area the day after the race (allows you to join folk for some post-race craic in the pub!), then take eight to nine hours for the run to Clifden, perhaps stopping off twice or thrice along the way.

I spent seven years in Ireland and managed an itinerary that was less encompassing than yours! With respect, I think you are really talking of a month at least.
Nicky
www.hiddeneurope.co.uk

thanks. really wish i had a month to spend right now, but i don't.i booked my flight, and will be there from the 20th april till the 2nd may. as i said earlier, i am used to long days(10-40 hrs without more than 20 minutes rest every few hours) of travel for pleasure, sitting on a bicycle seat. so long days of driving shouldn't be too difficult for me to handle. i fully realize that i will miss alot by doing this, but i can take my time next trip. the next trip there i'll likely have my irish passport(through irish mother) and could theoretically stay as long as i please... so, my tentative itinerary looks something like this:

-arrive at dublin airport moring friday 20 april. drive up to carlingford/mournes area. b&b. relax, get everything set up. maybe a quick spin to stretch the legs out after all that flying/driving.
-21 april, saturday; ride the area trails.
-22 april, sunday; castle wellan race, belfast after race. -23 april, mon; giants causeway, drive through derry, and over around donegal. stay in Gaeltacht.(very long day i know)
-24 april, tues; drive down into conamara. spend the day and -25 april there.
-26 april, thursday; head south toward limerick area, ride. -27 april, friday; one or two rides in the area.
-28 april, sat; ring of kerry to waterford.
-29 april, sun, wicklow. riding perhaps.
-30 april and 1 may are free to do as i please.

since the 30th and 1st are free days, i could move things around to accomodate changes and delays.

i'll see about staying in clifden, looks beautiful and a good base for a few excursions into the national park.

thanks again.

say, can i us My NY license to rent a car in ireland? if so, how much would it cost on average?

Enginebad:
Have a good friend here in Athlone who competes internationally on his mtb. I'd love to hear about your experience here - I can pick his brain as well, if you'd like any tips about good trails.

TommyM:
US licenses are fine for Irish car rentals. Expect between $25-$80/day on average.

Technically US licences are learner's permits here, but nobody, not even the gardai, will call you on it. I've been driving on my US license here for 5 years *grin*

-sean

http://www.irelandlogue.com

if your friend is on mtbireland.com, lighthouse, i'm anrothardonn on there. unfortunately i'll be missing the entire midlands this trip. if he knows any of the trails in conemara, and is willing to make the journey out that way one day, would love to have someone to show me around.

-sean

eh - "lightholder," you mean. *grin*

No, my friend isn't mtbireland. Ran into him last night and he said he'd be more than happy to share his sage advice and to feel free to pass along his mobile if you wanted. Write me at slightholder at gmail and I'll email it to ya.

the ring of kerry to waterford sounds tough going

I hired a car and drove from Blarney (nr cork) to killarney, around the ring of kerry anti clockwise and
onto limerick, we set off at 8.30am and didn't get to our hotel in Limerick till 8pm or so

I drove pretty fast, above the speed limit alot of the time, had no traffic problems. We only stopped off for maybe 2-3 breaks of 20 mins each..

It was a very tiring journey.. although well worth it