M50 to Youghal, Co. Cork - which route?

**Timbuk2**

I'll be driving from the M50 to Youghal, Co. Cork soon. I'm just wondering which is the better way to go? - via the M8, or via the M9 and N25?

According to Google Maps they seem to take the exact same time, even though the M9/N25 is about 25km shorter. Tollwise they're both the same (€3 M50 and €1.80 for either the M8 and N25 bypass, yes?). Instinctively I'd say the M8 as it avoids Waterford City!

It'll be after Oxegen is over so that won't be an issue!

Which would you recommend?

L1011

The N25 bypass avoids any Waterford City problems entirely.

The N25 is of fairly tolerable quality except for Dungarvan - a hairpin to get in to the town and an infinite number of roundabouts. The route from Fermoy to Youghal that Google is suggesting is pretty terrible quality wise.

I'd go for 9/25 for these two reasons and that there's even less traffic on the M9 than then M8, less chance of any trucks-overtaking-trucks and so on

-Corkie-

M8 and N25 is what I would do anyway.

road_high

Imagine the M9/N25 way is a good bit shorter distance wise. An hour from Naas to Waterford and another hour to Youghal I'd imagine. Can't imagine the M8 being quicker than that.

corktina

-Corkie- wrote: »

M8 and N25 is what I would do anyway.

yep youghal isnt far from the Dunkettle roundbout and reasonably good road all the way

M9 isnt finished is it?

**Timbuk2**

Thanks for the answers!

By M8 and N25, do you mean this (i.e. continuing on the M8 to the Dunkettle roundabout and turning left onto the N25)? It looks a bit 'going out of the way' if you know what I mean, but I suppose when you take into account the higher speeds of better roads it might level out.

Google Maps has the M9 turn into the N9 between Carlow and Kilkenny, but www.openstreetmap.org has it marked as motorway the whole way. I put the street view over the N9 on Google Maps and I think I saw blue signs on one section that is 'apparently' an N road.

If it's only a matter of minutes, it's not hugely important. I can go one way and come back the other!

I'm actually travelling from Dundalk to Youghal, but I don't think that makes much difference in terms of route, unless I was to go to Mullingar, then Kilbeggan, then Portlaoise, but that's just madness as the roads aren't great!

L1011

The M9 is motorway all the way from Kilcullen to the junction complex where it meets the Waterford bypass.

Kilbeggan etc would be insanity. Don't even consider it.

keizer

Go M9 & N25. I do this route a good bit. I think it's the best way and fastest.

Carawaystick

It's motorway* from Naas to Kilmeaden going by the M7/M9/N25, then it's some high quality WS2 most of the way to Dungarbvan on the Kilmacthomas bypass,
a bit of windyness approaching Dungarvan and roundabouts past it and then ws2 to Youghal bar the last 6or7km



* peds and cyclist banned from the waherford bypass section of the N25 so effectively motorway.

DWCommuter

Just to reassure you and provide confirmation of what you have read here, I suggest the M9/N25 route.

charlemont

M9, N25 would be a lot quicker alright.

FGR

Have done both Cork and Waterford routes and if I had to choose would pick the Waterford route every time.

**Timbuk2**

Thank you - that looks like the way to go then!

We actually drove to Dungarvan a few years ago so I assume we went a similar enough route. Although I remember driving through Carrick-on-Suir for some reason - I think then the N9 wasn't mostly motorway and there was no tolled bypass of Waterford at the time!

FGR

You're bang on. The old Dublin road was via Carrick On Suir as it was the quickest way to get to Dungarvan.

Now it's just a case of just bypassing waterford and following the road, past Dungarvan and straight to Youghal.

Thankfully it's a handy ordeal with no need for maps or stopping to look for directions.

**Timbuk2**

Thank you!

Just to complicate things, I'm told that I may have to make a stop in the Kildare Village Fashion Outlet (just off the M7 at Kildare Town) (not my choice ). Taking into account this stop off (which is past the turnoff for the M9), is going the M9 still the best choice?

According to Google Maps, to get from Kildare to the M9 it requires leaving the M7 and going on R roads through Kilcullen, as there's no slip road from the M7 to the M9!

coylemj

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

According to Google Maps, to get from Kildare to the M9 it requires leaving the M7 and going on R roads through Kilcullen, as there's no slip road from the M7 to the M9!

That is correct, you will need to drive to Kilcullen along an R road.

If you have no business in Kildare town, when you're finished shopping in the outlet you might as well get back on to the M7 heading towards Dublin, then take the next exit (12) and follow signs for Kilcullen (R413). At Kilcullen turn right on to the R448 towards Athy, this will lead you to an intersection with the M9 which you join heading south i.e. follow signs for Waterford/Kilkenny.

If you do end up in Kildare town then you take the old Dublin road (runs parallel with the M7) which will lead you to the intersection with the M7 (exit 12), follow signs for Kilcullen (R413) then proceed as above.

**Timbuk2**

Thanks for that coylemj, that doesn't sound too bad!

But what got me thinking was that if I was at the Kildare Village outlet (which is conveniently enough just off the M7), would it then be quicker to go by the M8, considering the time savings made by the M9 may be offset by backtracking towards Dublin and going through Kilcullen?

It's not hugely important as it's possibly a matter of minutes - time isn't that much of an issue!

Also, is there just one or two tolls on the M8? According to nra.ie there is the M7/ M8 Portlaoise - Castletown/ Portlaoise - Cullahill toll, and the N8 Fermoy Bypass Toll - will I have to pay both these tolls if I go the M50/M7/M8/N25 route?

coylemj

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Thanks for that coylemj, that doesn't sound too bad!

But what got me thinking was that if I was at the Kildare Village outlet (which is conveniently enough just off the M7), would it then be quicker to go by the M8, considering the time savings made by the M9 may be offset by backtracking towards Dublin and going through Kilcullen?

No, I make it 15.3 kms from the outlet to the M9 south of Kilcullen and almost half of that journey will be on the M7 so I wouldn't look at the M8, that would take you too far out of the way. As long as you're not on the M7 heading towards Dublin during morning rush hour, you should get from the outlet to the M9 in under 15 minutes and then it's a complete breeze to Waterford.

The M9 is far less busy than the M8 and has no tolls so I'd go that way given the choice.

**Timbuk2**

Thank you, that's fantastic!

**Timbuk2**

Hi, thought I'd bump this to let you know how I got on, I went the M9/N25 way and it worked out great - the M9 is a pleasure to drive on, it's very quiet!

Got from Dundalk-Youghal in 3hrs 24 mins which was much quicker than I thought! (note: this was a Saturday)

Thanks for all the answers!