Dublin to Clare... Route?

Mycroft H

So I'll be traveling to the lahinch-doolin area on friday from the southside of Dublin. Whats the best route?

I've two in my head

M4(M6) to galway then N18(N67) towards doolin (I'm familiar with the road as far as galway)

OR

M7(N7) towards Limerick then N85 Ennis?

There is only 9k in difference according to google maps on both of the routes.

Anybody know whats the fastest?

firefly08

M7(N7) towards Limerick then N85 Ennis?

Actually it's the N18 from Limerick to Ennis. In fact it is a motorway (M18) from Shannon (about halfway to Ennis). So you'll have at least dual carriageway all the way if you go this route.

I don't know if there is a dual carriageway all the way from Galway to Ennis. Last time I drove it most of that stretch was still the old 2 lane road for most of the way and it's not great tbh, so if the motorway isn't finished I'd avoid that route and take the N7.

If the motor way is open from Galway to Ennis, then there's nothing to choose between the 2 routes.

Mycroft H

firefly08 wrote: »

Actually it's the N18 from Limerick to Ennis. In fact it is a motorway (M18) from Shannon (about halfway to Ennis). So you'll have at least dual carriageway all the way if you go this route.

I don't know if there is a dual carriageway all the way from Galway to Ennis. Last time I drove it most of that stretch was still the old 2 lane road for most of the way and it's not great tbh, so if the motorway isn't finished I'd avoid that route and take the N7.

If the motor way is open from Galway to Ennis, then there's nothing to choose between the 2 routes.

Actually I wouldnt have to go anywhere near ennis on the glaway route. I could turn off to the N67 at Kilcolgan towards lisdoonvarna

alias no.9

Motorway / Dual carriageway all the way to Ennis via Limerick. Gort is bypassed now but Galway to Gort can crawl at times, the alternative is to come off at Ballinasloe and cross country to Gort, skipping a toll. I'd go Limerick, especially now the tunnel is open.

firefly08

Actually I wouldnt have to go anywhere near ennis on the glaway route. I could turn off to the N67 at Kilcolgan towards lisdoonvarna

Good point. In that case I'd take the Galway route because you could drive to Lisdoonvarna along the coast which is a nice drive (at least from Ballyvaghan downwards it is) The road from Ennis towards Lisdoonvarna is just as narrow and challenging but it's a lot less interesting.

Having said that I'm not familiar with the N67, don't think I've ever done that route.

peasant

The man wants to go to Doolin/Lahinch, not Ennis

From Ennis to the coast is a bit of a slog on pretty poor roads.

I'd go towards Galway and then go along the coast via Kinvarra/ Ballyvaughan.
Roads are just as bad, but at least the view is nice



EDIT ...what he said ^^^

colm_mcm

I'd go by limerick, I'm originally from up there and would never go by kilcolgan, the roads are fairly hairy but its scenic.

I'd go via the tunnel, motorway to ennis, on to ennistymon, then lahinch.
It's an effortless drive down via limerick, galway is a bit more work, but the drive along the coast is very scenic.

Depends what you're after.

Mycroft H

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Dundrum+Bypass&daddr=Main+St%2FN67&hl=en&geocode=FZAwLQMdQLGg_w%3BFaQqKQMdTkBy_w&mra=prv&dirflg=t&sll=53.056073,-8.423767&sspn=0.916177,1.881409&ie=UTF8&z=9

salamander27

colm_mcm wrote: »

galway is a bit more work, but the drive along the coast is very scenic.

Depends what you're after.

And if you happen to have a little extra time on your hands take a detour around black head through fanore.......tis lovely!

Kristopherus

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd go by limerick, I'm originally from up there and would never go by kilcolgan, the roads are fairly hairy but its scenic.

I'd go via the tunnel, motorway to ennis, on to ennistymon, then lahinch.
It's an effortless drive down via limerick, galway is a bit more work, but the drive along the coast is very scenic.

Depends what you're after.

Agree 100%. The road from Ennis to Lahinch is better than to go around by Ballyvaughan from the Galway side. The thing to remember that either way will seem like an avenue after being on the motorway for 120 miles or so:D

bazz26

Best route imo:

Dublin to Ennis via Limerick - 150 miles of M7/M18 motorway, 2 tolls at Portlaoise & Limerick Tunnel.
Ennis to Lahinch - 20 miles of N85/N67 crappy road

true

Kristopherus wrote: »

Agree 100%. The road from Ennis to Lahinch is better than to go around by Ballyvaughan from the Galway side. The thing to remember that either way will seem like an avenue after being on the motorway for 120 miles or so:D

Too true. If its surf you're after, Strandhill is an easier drive. Still, variety is the spice of life. I'm looking forward to my next weekend away already.

BnB

Without a remote shadow of a doubt, the quickest way is down the M7. Glorious Motorway the whole way to Ennis. Ennistymon is signposted off the motorway just on the outskirts of ennis. Follow the signs to Ennistymon the whole way. Lahinch is just outside Ennistymon.

Henry Ford III

BnB wrote: »

Without a remote shadow of a doubt, the quickest way is down the M7. Glorious Motorway the whole way to Ennis. Ennistymon is signposted off the motorway just on the outskirts of ennis. Follow the signs to Ennistymon the whole way. Lahinch is just outside Ennistymon.

Apart from Limerick to Shannon where it's dual carraigeway only.

cosmic

I always take the M7, M18, N85 when heading Lahinch way from Dublin.

jarvis_c82

I'm from Lahinch and live in Dublin. The best route is Limerick as it's motorway to Ennis. Only 20 - 25 min from Ennis to Lahinch. The Galway route is a little longer in my opinion as the road from Galway to Gort is single lane and not much over taking opportunities. I know you can go on back roads but if you meet tractor / slow driver on these roads, it can be very frustrating.

BnB

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Apart from Limerick to Shannon where it's dual carraigeway only.

Dhearraaa Henry, yer splittin' hairs now.

That M7 is just freggin mighty. I live just off Exit 27 (Birdhill). Left Santry (just beside Ikea)in North County Dublin at 4:15 today and I was in Killaloe at 6:25.