Cork to Longford route

Pennythoughts

I have an upcoming journey from Cork to Edgeworthstown in County Longford. Just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding which route would be best to take.

AA Routeplanner is saying to come off the Cork-Dublin Motorway at Junction 6 and travel up through Thurles, Roscrea and Athlone. My own idea would have been to travel up the M8 to PortLaois and then go through Tullamore, Mullingar and on.

I wouldn't know the area or the roads at all so any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

corktina

much of a muchness. I've travelled worse roads than both

coylemj

The AA route will take you though a lot of small towns in Tipp. and Offaly. I'd go the route you've suggested, it will be longer but less stressful. The road from Portlaoise to Tullamore is a bit windy but the surface is very good, the only town you'll encounter is Mountmellick. After Tullamore it's a good wide road as far as the M6 which you'll meet near Kilbeggan.

Steviemoyne

Saw this on the most recent threads from the homepage.

I live in Longford, looking at the AA route from Cork to Edgeworthstown all I can say is that when you get to Athlone the rest of the journey is correct.

Athlone to Longford to Edgeworthstown has you pass through Glasson and then Ballymahon, you take a right in Ballymahon (AA route finder is spot on) and it's a straight road to Edgeworthstown.

Except on that final roundabout at Edgeworthstown continue straight over it, don't take the left.

It's up to you what route you feel comfortable but going to Portlaois, tullamore, mullingar will have you going out of your way and add extra time to your journey.

Pennythoughts

coylemj wrote: »

The AA route will take you though a lot of small towns in Tipp. and Offaly. I'd go the route you've suggested, it will be longer but less stressful. The road from Portlaoise to Tullamore is a bit windy but the surface is very good, the only town you'll encounter is Mountmellick. After Tullamore it's a good wide road as far as the M6 which you'll meet near Kilbeggan.

Thanks for the input. I was thinking that although it means traveling extra miles to Port Laoise it would be a better road at 120km/hr rather than national/narrower roads that I would not know at all. Good to hear that the roads are better than I thought they might be. A friend had said to be prepared for a 6hour+ journey so I was getting worried!

Steviemoyne wrote: »

Saw this on the most recent threads from the homepage.

I live in Longford, looking at the AA route from Cork to Edgeworthstown all I can say is that when you get to Athlone the rest of the journey is correct.

Athlone to Longford to Edgeworthstown has you pass through Glasson and then Ballymahon, you take a right in Ballymahon (AA route finder is spot on) and it's a straight road to Edgeworthstown.

Except on that final roundabout at Edgeworthstown continue straight over it, don't take the left.

It's up to you what route you feel comfortable but going to Portlaois, tullamore, mullingar will have you going out of your way and add extra time to your journey.

Thanks for much for that. Have made a note about the final roundabout! Would you say that the Roscrea/Thurles/Athlone roads would be much quicker then? I just wasn't sure if they were roads that you can motor away on or if you would get stuck in traffic in the towns.

coylemj

Pennythoughts wrote: »

Thanks for much for that. Have made a note about the final roundabout! Would you say that the Roscrea/Thurles/Athlone roads would be much quicker then? I just wasn't sure if they were roads that you can motor away on or if you would get stuck in traffic in the towns.

I'm reasonably familiar with those roads, the route via Roscrea and Thurles will not be quicker, it will be considerably slower compared to barrelling up the motorway to Portlaoise.

You will get stuck behind slow drivers in towns, you will get stuck behind agricultural equipment on stretches of road outside towns where it's not safe to overtake and there's always the risk of meeting a large funeral or that it's mart day so there will be cattle trucks to contend with. None of that route has anything to recommend it.

munchkin_utd

I do the Cavan-Cork trips via Edgeworthstown - Mullingar - Portlaoise and its an unbelievably handy spin.
And according to google maps its 6minutes quicker than the more "direct" route, and thats not even accounting for getting stuck anywhere in a town.
With the new roads in Ireland now, the route as the crow flies is not necessarily the best or quickest way.

Kimbot

Cork straight up the M7 to Portlaoise is the quickest way. I used to travel it alot and still do from time to time.

Pennythoughts

coylemj wrote: »

I'm reasonably familiar with those roads, the route via Roscrea and Thurles will not be quicker, it will be considerably slower compared to barrelling up the motorway to Portlaoise.

You will get stuck behind slow drivers in towns, you will get stuck behind agricultural equipment on stretches of road outside towns where it's not safe to overtake and there's always the risk of meeting a large funeral or that it's mart day so there will be cattle trucks to contend with. None of that route has anything to recommend it.

Much appreciate the info about the towns and not being able to overtake for a lot of that route. Thinking I'll definitely head up via Port Laoise now. Thanks.

munchkin_utd wrote: »

I do the Cavan-Cork trips via Edgeworthstown - Mullingar - Portlaoise and its an unbelievably handy spin.
And according to google maps its 6minutes quicker than the more "direct" route, and thats not even accounting for getting stuck anywhere in a town.
With the new roads in Ireland now, the route as the crow flies is not necessarily the best or quickest way.

From everyone's posts I think the motorway would be the less stressful drive. Thanks for the advice. Do you mind me asking what kind of time it would usually take you from Edgeworthstown to Cork?

jonny24ie wrote: »

Cork straight up the M7 to Portlaoise is the quickest way. I used to travel it alot and still do from time to time.

Thanks for that. Definitely going to take that route now.

SeanW

Pennythoughts wrote: »

I have an upcoming journey from Cork to Edgeworthstown in County Longford. Just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding which route would be best to take.

AA Routeplanner is saying to come off the Cork-Dublin Motorway at Junction 6 and travel up through Thurles, Roscrea and Athlone. My own idea would have been to travel up the M8 to PortLaois and then go through Tullamore, Mullingar and on.

I wouldn't know the area or the roads at all so any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Another vote for the M8 route, I used to do a near identical route myself not too long ago. Got to enjoy it after a while. Anyways, I recommend the following: Cork > M8 J3 > Ballacolla > Abbeyleix > Portlaoise > N80 Tullamore > N52/M6 to Mullingar > N4 to Edgeworthstown.

Don't skip the Fermoy toll: the terrain is harsher on the old road and traffic through Fermoy could add 1 hour+ to your travel time if you hit it at the wrong time, M7/8 toll dodge is much better on both fronts.

I would allocate 4 hours travel time (roughly, don't hold me to it!) including short rest/food/refuelling stops at either Cashel M8 services, the N4 Texaco Ballinalack or various places along the N80 route. (Not much on the N52).

Fred Swanson

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coylemj

SeanW wrote: »

Another vote for the M8 route, I used to do a near identical route myself not too long ago. Got to enjoy it after a while. Anyways, I recommend the following: Cork > M8 J3 > Ballacolla > Abbeyleix > Portlaoise > N80 Tullamore > N52/M6 to Mullingar > N4 to Edgeworthstown.

From J3 on the M8 through Ballacolla and Abbeyleix and on to the to the railway bridge in Portlaoise on the Tullamore/Mountmellick road (N80) is 26.1 kms but if you stay on the M8, merge with the M7, exit at J18 and drive into Portlaoise on the Mountrath road, it's 26.3 kms.

So I can't see any benefit in taking that cross-country route.

SeanW

coylemj wrote: »

From J3 on the M8 through Ballacolla and Abbeyleix and on to the to the railway bridge in Portlaoise on the Tullamore/Mountmellick road (N80) is 26.1 kms but if you stay on the M8, merge with the M7, exit at J18 and drive into Portlaoise on the Mountrath road, it's 26.3 kms.

So I can't see any benefit in taking that cross-country route.

If the OP were the type to toll dodge, the Northern one would be best. I used to use the Ballacolla-Abbeyleix-Portlaoise route almost exclusively because not only did it save me the two yoyos toll, but it didn't cost much time and I usually found the diversion - perhaps strangely - enjoyable.

The same was not true of the Fermoy toll or any route around it.

Of course, the OP might not be the kind to toll dodge so indeed it would for them make sense to stay on through to the M7 and J18.

Pennythoughts

SeanW wrote: »

Another vote for the M8 route, I used to do a near identical route myself not too long ago. Got to enjoy it after a while. Anyways, I recommend the following: Cork > M8 J3 > Ballacolla > Abbeyleix > Portlaoise > N80 Tullamore > N52/M6 to Mullingar > N4 to Edgeworthstown.

Don't skip the Fermoy toll: the terrain is harsher on the old road and traffic through Fermoy could add 1 hour+ to your travel time if you hit it at the wrong time, M7/8 toll dodge is much better on both fronts.

I would allocate 4 hours travel time (roughly, don't hold me to it!) including short rest/food/refuelling stops at either Cashel M8 services, the N4 Texaco Ballinalack or various places along the N80 route. (Not much on the N52).

SeanW wrote: »

If the OP were the type to toll dodge, the Northern one would be best. I used to use the Ballacolla-Abbeyleix-Portlaoise route almost exclusively because not only did it save me the two yoyos toll, but it didn't cost much time and I usually found the diversion - perhaps strangely - enjoyable.

The same was not true of the Fermoy toll or any route around it.

Of course, the OP might not be the kind to toll dodge so indeed it would for them make sense to stay on through to the M7 and J18.

I will stick to the motorway I think. Fermoy is a pain in the neck for traffic! If I'm broke on the way home though I'll take your route back through Abbeyleix>Ballycolla

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Much appreciate the word of warning. I will be under time pressure to get there so roadwork delays would have resulted in some serious stress. Will avoid Thurles now and stick to the motorway. Thanks!

Pennythoughts

Just want to say thanks a million to everyone who posted. Much appreciate the advise!

coylemj

SeanW wrote: »

If the OP were the type to toll dodge, the Northern one would be best. I used to use the Ballacolla-Abbeyleix-Portlaoise route almost exclusively because not only did it save me the two yoyos toll, but it didn't cost much time and I usually found the diversion - perhaps strangely - enjoyable.

Didn't realise the M7 toll was the reason for your suggested reroute. On a good day it would be worth considering diverting for sure but you'd need to know which days to avoid in case there's a market or similar event in the square in Abbeyleix.

Fred Swanson

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Pennythoughts

Just wanted to thank everyone who posted. It was much appreciated.

Drove the route suggested- Cork, PortLaoise, past Mullingar and up to Granard. It took about 3 hours 25 minutes from the Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork to Granard (excluding a 15/20 minute break for petrol and a cup of coffee). The roads in Longford were much better than expected.. far better surfacing and markings than the roads in Cork anyway.