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I having a bit of a problem planning the time frame for these sights. They are all in very close proximity to each other and to Dublin; however, each would take a considerable amount of time to visit. If we are leaving mid-morning from Dublin on January 1st, we are starting out with only half a day ahead of us before we need to settle in somewhere. Half a day does not take us very far down the road when we factor in stops at Bray, Powerscourt Gardens, and Powerscourt Waterfalls. Glendalough itself will take at least half a day. Driving to Glendalough, passing by Lough Tay, another half a day.

The problem is that there is nowhere very interesting to stay in between all of these locations. Bray, Greystones, and Wicklow are all underdeveloped Dublin commuter towns. I feel like it would be a waste to spend too much time in this area. The goal will be to spend little additional time in this region of Ireland.

Powerscourt Gardens looks interesting, but I am willing to bypass it to save time, if necessary. Powerscourt Waterfall is a must-see. Bray was interesting to me because it has a very nice coastal hike that we could do, which is 3-miles long and connects to Greystones. I would like to see the coast here and am uncertain on whether to bypass Bray or not. Lough Tay, the Military Road & Sally Gap, along with Glendalough are all a must see.

Here is what I recommend (times are approximate):

January 1, 2010
1) 11:00am Depart Dublin via R115 scenic route.
2) 12:00pm Arrive Powerscourt Waterfall.
3) 2:00pm Depart Powerscourt Waterfall.
-> OPTION: Visit Powerscourt Gardens, 10 minute drive north of Waterfall.
4) 2:30pm Arrive in Town of Bray, sight-seeing and coastal walk.
5) 6:30pm Depart Town of Bray.
6) 6:45pm Arrive in Town of Greystones, book into hotel. Sight-seeing in Greystones for the night.

January 2, 2010
1) 8:00am Depart Greystones via scenic route: Delgany Rd. > Tooman Rd. > R755.
2) 8:45am Arrive Lough Tay for trail walking and sight seeing.
3) 10:30am Depart Lough Tay for Glendalough via R759 W > R115 S.
4) 11:30am Arrive Glendalough. The distance between Lough Tay and Glendalough is actually only about 16 miles. The hour drive-time is accounting for reduced speed and sight-seeing stops along Sally Gap. Guide book recommends a full day for Glendalough. I’ll give it half a day.
5) 4:30pm Depart Glendalough; head towards:

From Glendalough we could go to: Kilkenny (65 miles SW), Enniscorthy (50 miles S), Wexford (65 miles S), Waterford (90 miles SW).

I believe our first stop in West Ireland will be Cork. If we want to get to Cork by passing through the middle lands of Ireland, including towns of Cashel and Cahir, Kilkenny is a better option as it keeps us farther north. If we pass through Waterford, this will take us south, along the southern coast of Ireland and we will likely pass through Dungarvan and Youghal.

Feedback please!

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