Portlaoise to Dungarvan. What's the best route?

JackieChan

Hi guys,
Heading from Portlaoise to Dungarvan tomorrow and looking at aaroadwatch it advises to go via Kilkenny and Waterford.

Is this the best route or should I take the M8(especially with todays opening) and go cross country at Cahir?
Cheers
JC

Our man in Havana

M8 to Cahir, Clonmel and then cross country to Dungarvan.

Amtmann

Dungarvan is signed at M8 junction 14 (Fermoy North), so you should probably go down that far if you're taking the M8. Cahir is junction 10 btw.

See here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/ADS_Toll_signage.JPG

Our man in Havana

Would that not add serious distance? The N72 is a very poor road.

Amtmann

It might do. I'd say he should go the M9 route, Waterford bypass and N25 to Dungarvan. But I'd be curious to see what the time is M8 wise as well.

JackieChan

Thanks for input...
I think I will try M8/N24/r671/r672/n72 down there.
If that's painful then I will try the n25/N9/N77/N8 route back up.

Similar to Furet I'm interested in the M8 timings.

The R roads are through the gap between Knockmealdown and Comeragh mountains so maybe nice scenery!

Also is there any more motorway open between Carlow and Waterford?

Victor

www.Viamichelin.com suggests via Waterford, but that assumes hte rest of the M9/10 is open.

I would suggest via Clonmel. I imagine the road is no worse than via Fermoy, but you avoid the extra distance. http://maps.google.com/ suggests some minor roads west of Clonmel to avoid the town and slightly shorten the distance.

One other option would be via Urlingford and Waterford.

JackieChan

In the end I went via Clonmel (M8/N24/r671/r672/n72 ) and it was a very easy drive.
Good roads.The N24 to Clonmel is good with some 2+1 on it.
There are signposts outside Clonmel for Dungarvan so you don't need to enter it.
The R roads were very good with no towns to slow through and no bad bends and some nice scenery

Timed it coming back and it was 1hr 30 mins from Dungarvan to Portlaoise all within the speed limit. That's about 45 min from Dungarvan to Cahir and the same on the motorway.
Word of advice. Avoid Clonmel for a Saturday lunch, the town is a pain to get through and parking is nightmarish!

Our man in Havana

In the end I went via Clonmel (M8/N24/r671/r672/n72 ) and it was a very easy drive.

Yep it is the best overall route.

Word of advice. Avoid Clonmel for a Saturday lunch, the town is a pain to get through and parking is nightmarish!

Agreed. The parking in Clonmel is an absolute joke.

SandraM

Hi!
I have the same problem - I would like to travel from Portlaoise to Dungarvan about 2 pm (14.00 in Dungarvan) and I don' t have a car and driving licence:(.
I would like to take a bus from Portlaoies to Fermoy and Taxi from Fermoy < N72- bad road:( > to Dungarvan or bus from Potrlaoise to Waterford and Taxi to Dungarvan < N 25 > . What do you think - what will be cheaper???
Or 3th option - bus to Cahir and some bus to Clonmel and Taxi from Clonmel to Dungarvan??
I think it will be a very long journey:), but I was newer there!

Victor

Why not bus all the way to Dungarvan? If connections are a problem, also consider rail.

SandraM

Ok. I will check rail tomorrow. Thank you!

n97 mini

Get any bus or train to Cork and then there are lots of buses from Cork to Dungarvan. It's a bit longer but should be the most flexible.

LXFlyer

The Bus Eireann journey planner gives two options:

Portlaoise (JFL Avenue) 09:30 Route 8 (Direction : Cork)
Cork (Parnell Place Bus Station) 12:25

Cork (Parnell Place Bus Station) 12:40 Route 40 (Direction: Waterford)
Dungarvan (Davitt's Quay) 14:05
Duration: 4:35; runs daily

---

Portlaoise (JFL Avenue) 10:30 Route 73 (Direction: Waterford)
Waterford (Bus Station) 13:10

Waterford (Bus Station) 14:00 Route 40 (Direction: Cork)
Dungarvan (Davitt's Quay) 14:50
Duration: 4:20; runs Mo - Sa, not 31. Oct

---

By rail you could do:

Portlaoise 08:50
Newbridge 09:15

Newbridge 09:35
Waterford: 11:36

Then Bus Eireann to Dungarvan:

Waterford (Bus Station) 12:00 Route 40 (Direction: Cork)
Dungarvan (Davitt's Quay) 12:50

Or depart at 13:00 arriving at 13:50.

SandraM

You are very helpful! Thank you very much!

n97 mini

I wouldn't bother with the train via Waterford.

Instead, by train:
Portlaoise 7:50
Cork 9:50
then
Cork Bus Station 10:40
Dungarvan 12:05

dowlingm

the problem with bus/train options in both Waterford and Cork is the lack of co-location between train station and bus hub... Parnell Place to Kent is either a taxi or a decent walk.

SandraM

In the end I took a bus from Portlaoise (9.30) to Cork and second bus from
Cork to Dungarvan. This is a nice town, I will show you good You Tube video:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjXOYEMbKI