Best route to Killarney.

hadepsx

Hi I'm heading to Killarney this weekend from Carlow. Looking online on AA route planner and it's giving me 3 options. My question is, is the lay of the land very hilly or more level once I get closer to Kerry. As I'll have a 7 seater fully loaded with a roof box. So I'm hoping to take the less taxing route for the car.thanks.

hadepsx

Or if not in correct thread, mods please move.thank you.

lottpaul

Depends on the routes AA is suggesting. If its via Limerick, Adare, Abbeyfeale etc (the N21) the road is fine, good surface, wide hardshoulder - some hills but nothing too steep or severe.
If it's via Mitchelstown, Mallow, Rathmore - the N72 the road is not nearly as good -- narrower, sharper bends and generally not as even a surface.

Am not sure what other route they might be suggesting?

Doltanian

Carlow to Abbeyleix and then join the M8 Motorway heading to Cork, continue from Cork to Killarney via N22, try avoid Macroom town during peak rush hour and it will be easy plain sailing. It is probably not the shortest route but it is the best route and least stressful bar a few kilometres between Macroom and Ballyvourney. Dont branch off at Mitchelstown for the N73-N72 to Killarney as it is a diabolical road and I'd advise the Limerick route before that.

You'll experience alot of downhill sections on this route and a few uphill parts but nothing too dramatic, the county bounds into Kerry is a less taxing climb when coming from the Cork side and has a climbing lane all the way.

lottpaul

Doltanian wrote: »

Carlow to Abbeyleix and then join the M8 Motorway heading to Cork, continue from Cork to Killarney via N22, try avoid Macroom town during peak rush hour and it will be easy plain sailing. It is probably not the shortest route but it is the best route and least stressful bar a few kilometres between Macroom and Ballyvourney. Dont branch off at Mitchelstown for the N73-N72 to Killarney as it is a diabolical road and I'd advise the Limerick route before that.

You'll experience alot of downhill sections on this route and a few uphill parts but nothing too dramatic, the county bounds into Kerry is a less taxing climb when coming from the Cork side and has a climbing lane all the way.

Good advice. The main thing is to avoid Cork city and Macroom at peak times. The road into Kerry from Macroom to just after Baile Bhúirne - part of the N22 - is horrendous but it's not too long a stretch and before and after that you have plain sailing!

hadepsx

Thanks for the replies. That route that brings me into mitchelstown was one I was considering. Not so much now. I'll think I'll take the first route that was suggested, via Limerick. Sounds like a decent enough route. Thanks again.

Doltanian

Several Speed traps on the Limerick route, Particularly around Croagh and Templeglantine and near Rathkeale. Although from the sounds of your post speed won't be an issue. As mentioned earlier for Cork and Macroom if you are going the Limerick route then Adare is a huge bottleneck at peak morning and evening times with commuter traffic to and from Limerick City.

hadepsx

Doltanian wrote: »

Several Speed traps on the Limerick route, Particularly around Croagh and Templeglantine and near Rathkeale. Although from the sounds of your post speed won't be an issue. As mentioned earlier for Cork and Macroom if you are going the Limerick route then Adare is a huge bottleneck at peak morning and evening times with commuter traffic to and from Limerick City.

No, speed definitely won't be an issue for me lol. I'll be leaving Carlow around 12 so by the time I get near Limerick I should hopefully avoid peak times, although im grand driving in peak times, often got caught in peak time diving in Dublin. Thanks for the advice.

Isambard

the N72/3 is viable as a quiet alternative if you branch off for Doneraile south kf Kildorrey and drop down to Mallow that way (improved in recent years), avoids Mallow Town Centre as well as Cork City and Macroom, not to mention Adare. Avoids the cross country trek from Carlow to the M7 too.

Hilly Bill

hadepsx wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. That route that brings me into mitchelstown was one I was considering. Not so much now. I'll think I'll take the first route that was suggested, via Limerick. Sounds like a decent enough route. Thanks again.

I came back to Dublin that way it's a grand road.

Quackster

Hilly Bill wrote: »

I came back to Dublin that way it's a grand road.

If you're not in a hurry and not concerned about overtaking opportunities, then I'd agree. The road surface is generally in good nick. There's a climbing lane for the big pull up into Kildorrery from the Mitchelstown side so that's not an issue.

If you're going to be driving slow one way or the other, taking the most direct route would seem a sensible course of action.

Hilly Bill

Quackster wrote: »

If you're not in a hurry and not concerned about overtaking opportunities, then I'd agree. The road surface is generally in good nick. There's a climbing lane for the big pull up into Kildorrery from the Mitchelstown side so that's not an issue.

If you're going to be driving slow one way or the other, taking the most direct route would seem a sensible course of action.

I took the right at the mitchelstown going down and regretted it as i got stuck behind a tractor. I came back via faranfore and over the mountain towards adare ,its a grand road so id head down that way if im ever going to killarney again.

Isambard

Hilly Bill wrote: »

I took the right at the mitchelstown going down and regretted it as i got stuck behind a tractor. I came back via faranfore and over the mountain towards adare ,its a grand road so id head down that way if im ever going to killarney again.

That's why I said to hang a right after Kildorrey, the road as far as Kildorrey isn't too bad, but it's dreadful after that to Mallow which is often a car park.