Add driving times to timeline; restructure for longer stays

- WAW overview: new table with driving times/distances per leg, base town + nights columns, day-by-day logic - Galway extended to 3 nights (Aug 21-23); Clare becomes a day trip - Kerry split: 2 nights Dingle (Aug 24-25) + 2 nights Killarney (Aug 26-27) - Cork reduced to 1 night (Aug 28); drive to Dublin Aug 29 - 06f-clare.md rewritten as day trip guide with timed itinerary - All section file date headers updated; README table updated
2026-08-03 21:15:15 +02:00
parent 9baabc44b7
commit 7fb5bdf69a
10 changed files with 90 additions and 51 deletions
@@ -10,26 +10,43 @@ The Wild Atlantic Way is a signed coastal route along Ireland's entire west coas

 ## Rough Timeline: Aug 10 → Aug 30

-**Deadline: Dublin by Aug 30 morning** (game day Aug 30 at Aviva Stadium).
+**Deadline: Dublin by Aug 29 evening** (buffer day before Aug 30 game).

-| Dates (approx) | Section | Days | File |
-|----------------|---------|------|------|
-| Aug 10 | Arrive Belfast (ferry from IoM) | 1 | [05-belfast.md](../locations/05-belfast.md) |
-| Aug 11 | Belfast — Titanic, Causeway Coast day trip | 1 | — |
-| Aug 12 | Drive Belfast → Donegal Town | 1 | — |
-| Aug 12–13 | **Donegal** | 2 | [06a-donegal.md](06a-donegal.md) |
-| Aug 14–15 | **Sligo** | 2 | [06b-sligo.md](06b-sligo.md) |
-| Aug 16–18 | **Mayo** | 3 | [06c-mayo.md](06c-mayo.md) |
-| Aug 19–20 | **Connemara** | 2 | [06d-connemara.md](06d-connemara.md) |
-| Aug 21–22 | **Galway** | 2 | [06e-galway.md](06e-galway.md) |
-| Aug 23–24 | **Clare** | 2 | [06f-clare.md](06f-clare.md) |
-| Aug 25–26 | **Kerry** | 2 | [06g-kerry.md](06g-kerry.md) |
-| Aug 27–28 | **Cork** | 2 | [06h-cork.md](06h-cork.md) |
-| Aug 28 (eve) | Cork → Dublin (drive ~3h via M8) | — | — |
-| **Aug 29** | **Dublin — arrive, settle, buffer day** | — | [07-dublin.md](07-dublin.md) |
-| **Aug 30** | **College Football, Aviva Stadium** | — | [07-dublin.md](07-dublin.md) |
+| Dates | Base | Nights | Drive from prev. | What to do |
+|-------|------|--------|-----------------|------------|
+| Aug 10 | **Belfast** | 2 | — (ferry arrival) | Titanic; Causeway Coast day trip |
+| Aug 12 | drive only | — | 2h 45min / 155km | Belfast → Donegal Town |
+| Aug 12–13 | **Donegal Town** | 2 | — | Slieve League, Glenveagh day trips |
+| Aug 14 | drive only | — | 1h 45min / 90km | Donegal → Sligo |
+| Aug 14–15 | **Sligo** | 2 | — | Benbulben, Strandhill, Carrowmore |
+| Aug 16 | drive only | — | 2h / 105km | Sligo → Westport |
+| Aug 16–18 | **Westport** | 3 | — | Achill Island, Croagh Patrick |
+| Aug 19 | drive only | — | 1h 30min / 75km | Westport → Clifden |
+| Aug 19–20 | **Clifden** | 2 | — | Sky Road, Connemara NP |
+| Aug 21 | drive only | — | 1h 20min / 70km | Clifden → Galway |
+| Aug 21–23 | **Galway** | 3 | — | City; Aran Islands day trip; Clare as day trip (Cliffs of Moher + Doolin, 1h 25min / 75km each way) |
+| Aug 24 | drive only | — | 2h 40min / 140km | Galway → Dingle |
+| Aug 24–25 | **Dingle** | 2 | — | Slea Head Drive; Skellig boat or Ring of Kerry |
+| Aug 26 | drive only | — | 1h 30min / 55km | Dingle → Killarney |
+| Aug 26–27 | **Killarney** | 2 | — | National Park; Ring of Kerry if not done from Dingle |
+| Aug 28 | drive only | — | 1h 30min / 85km | Killarney → Cork |
+| Aug 28 | **Cork** | 1 | — | English Market; evening in the city |
+| Aug 29 | drive to Dublin | — | 2h 45min / 260km | Cork → Dublin; arrive afternoon |
+| **Aug 29** | **Dublin** | 1 | — | Settle, explore |
+| **Aug 30** | **Aviva Stadium** | — | — | 🏈 College Football |

-**Compressions to make this work:** Donegal 2 days (skip Malin Head), Connemara 2 days (Sky Road + National Park, skip Inishbofin), Kerry 2 days (Dingle/Slea Head day 1 + Skellig or Ring of Kerry day 2 — pick one). Everything else at full allocation.
+### Why this structure works
+- **Longer stays** — Westport (3 nights) and Galway (3 nights) are the anchors; everything else is 2 nights minimum
+- **Clare as a Galway day trip** — Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher are 75km from Galway (1h 25min each way). No need to move accommodation for 2 nights — do it in a day from Galway, leave early, beat the Cliffs crowds
+- **Dingle + Killarney split** — Kerry is split across two bases so neither feels rushed; Skellig boats leave from Portmagee (45min from Killarney or Dingle)
+- **Cork 1 night** — just enough for the English Market morning and an evening in the city; Kinsale becomes a day trip from Killarney on day 2 instead (40min drive), or skip it
+- **No nights under 1** — every stop has at least 1 proper night; most have 2+
+
+### What gets cut vs. the longer version
+- Donegal: Malin Head skipped (add a day if you have it)
+- Connemara: Inishbofin island ferry skipped
+- Clare: no overnight in Doolin — do it as a long day from Galway
+- Cork: Kinsale day trip either moved to a Killarney detour or dropped

 ## EV Strategy Summary

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Donegal

 > **Type:** WAW Section 1 of 7
-> **Dates:** ~Aug 12–13 (2 days)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2–3 days
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 12–13 (2 nights)
+> **Recommended stay:** 2–3 nights
 > **Best for:** Dramatic cliffs, remote coast, Celtic heritage, wild landscapes

 ## Why Visit
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Sligo

 > **Type:** WAW Section 2 of 7
-> **Dates:** ~Aug 14–15 (2 days)
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 14–15 (2 nights)
 > **Recommended stay:** 2 days
 > **Best for:** Yeats country, surf beaches, megalithic sites, gentler cycling

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Mayo

 > **Type:** WAW Section 3 of 7
-> **Dates:** ~Aug 16–18 (3 days)
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 16–18 (3 nights)
 > **Recommended stay:** 3 days
 > **Best for:** Ireland's best small town (Westport), Achill Island, holy mountain, ancient bog

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Connemara

 > **Type:** WAW Section 4 of 7
-> **Dates:** ~Aug 19–20 (2 days)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2–3 days
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 19–20 (2 nights)
+> **Recommended stay:** 2–3 nights
 > **Best for:** The most haunting landscape in Ireland — bog, quartzite mountains, wild ponies, Atlantic inlets

 ## Why Visit
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Galway

 > **Type:** WAW Section 5 of 7
-> **Dates:** ~Aug 21–22 (2 days)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2 days
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 21–23 (3 nights)
+> **Recommended stay:** 3 nights — includes Clare as a day trip
 > **Best for:** Best city on the WAW, Aran Islands, traditional music, workation base

 ## Why Visit
@@ -1,28 +1,49 @@
 # Clare

 > **Type:** WAW Section 6 of 7
-> **Dates:** ~Aug 23–24 (2 days)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2 days
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 23 (day trip from Galway)
+> **Recommended stay:** Day trip — 75km / 1h 25min from Galway; no overnight needed
 > **Best for:** Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, traditional music in Doolin

 ## Why Visit
-Clare is where the Wild Atlantic Way delivers its most famous image — the Cliffs of Moher — and its most unusual landscape — the Burren, a vast limestone plateau where Arctic, Mediterranean, and alpine flowers grow side by side in the cracks. Doolin is Ireland's traditional music heartland. Two days is tight but workable.
+Clare is where the Wild Atlantic Way delivers its most famous image — the Cliffs of Moher — and its most unusual landscape — the Burren. Doolin is Ireland's traditional music heartland. At 75km / 1h 25min from Galway, this is easily done as a long day trip — leave Galway by 8am, hit the Cliffs before the crowds, explore the Burren and Doolin, and be back in Galway for a late dinner.

 ## Must-See

- ⭐ **Cliffs of Moher** — 8km of sea cliffs rising to 214m. Ireland's most visited natural attraction, and the crowds show it mid-afternoon. Go **before 9am or after 6pm** to avoid the coach tour peak. The walk south from the visitor centre to Hag's Head (3km return) gives the best elevated views and loses most of the crowd within 500m.
- **The Burren** — 250km² of limestone pavement unlike anything else in Ireland. Arctic, Mediterranean, and alpine plants grow in the same cracks. The **Green Road** above Ballyvaughan is an old drove road with wide views — a straightforward walk. The lanes between Ballyvaughan and Kilfenora are worth driving slowly.
- ⭐ **Doolin** — A tiny village with a global reputation for traditional Irish music. Three pubs — McGann's, Gus O'Connor's, and McDermott's — all have live sessions every night in August. The most unpretentious traditional music you'll find anywhere on the WAW.
- **Poulnabrone Dolmen** — A portal tomb on open Burren limestone, 5,500 years old. Roadside, free, and genuinely striking — the stone is elevated enough above the flat karst to be visible from a distance.
- **Lahinch** — Atlantic surf beach at the southern end of Clare; busy in summer, great fish and chips.
+- ⭐ **Cliffs of Moher** — 8km of sea cliffs rising to 214m. Go **before 9am** to beat the coaches. Walk south to Hag's Head (3km return) for the best views and to escape the crowd.
+- **The Burren** — 250km² of limestone pavement. The **Green Road** above Ballyvaughan is an easy walk with wide views; Poulnabrone Dolmen is a roadside stop.
+- ⭐ **Doolin** — Three pubs with live traditional music sessions every night in August. Arrive by 9pm for a seat. The most authentic trad music on the WAW.
+- **Poulnabrone Dolmen** — 5,500-year-old portal tomb on open Burren limestone. Roadside, free, 5-minute stop.

-## Itinerary
+## Day Trip Itinerary from Galway

-### Day 1 — Cliffs of Moher, Doolin
-Arrive from Galway (~1h). Drive or cycle the coast road. Cliffs of Moher early (pre-9am ideally) — walk to Hag's Head. Lunch in Doolin. Afternoon: explore Doolin village, potter around the harbour. Evening: traditional music session — start at McGann's, move on.
+### Full day — Cliffs, Burren, Doolin
+- **7:30am** — Leave Galway
+- **9:00am** — Cliffs of Moher (arrive before coaches). Walk to Hag's Head and back (~1.5h).
+- **11:00am** — Drive to Doolin (15 min). Coffee, walk the harbour.
+- **12:30pm** — Drive the Burren: Poulnabrone Dolmen (roadside stop), Green Road walk above Ballyvaughan (~1.5h walk), Aillwee Cave if time.
+- **3:30pm** — Lunch in Ballyvaughan or Ennis (charge in Ennis).
+- **5:30pm** — Drive back to Galway (~1h 15min).
+- **Evening** — Back in Galway for dinner and music.

-### Day 2 — The Burren, Poulnabrone, south to Kerry
-Morning: drive or cycle the Burren — Poulnabrone Dolmen (roadside stop), Green Road walk above Ballyvaughan, Aillwee Cave if interested in caves. Lunch in Ballyvaughan (good seafood). Afternoon: continue south toward Ennis to charge, then on to Kerry.
+> **Note:** If you want a Doolin music session in the evening, consider an overnight — staying until midnight and driving back is a long day. Alternatively, the Galway music scene is excellent and closer.
+
+## EV Charging
+
+**Day trip from Galway — charge there, not here.**
+
+- Leave Galway with a full charge (Tesla SC at Galway Retail Park)
+- **Ennis** — ESB fast charger; good midday top-up stop
+- **Lahinch** — ESB charger at the beach car park
+- **Cliffs of Moher** — No public EV charger; don't rely on it
+- Galway charges when you return
+
+## Practical Info
+- **Day trip logistics:** 75km each way. Total driving ~160km including Burren loop. Well within range from Galway.
+- **Cliffs crowds:** Pre-9am arrival is the single most impactful thing you can do.
+- **Doolin music:** McGann's, Gus O'Connor's, McDermott's — all have sessions every night in August.
+- **Currency:** Euro
+- **Workation:** Galway is your base — work in the morning, do Clare in the afternoon if needed.

 ## EV Charging

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Kerry

 > **Type:** WAW Section 7 of 7
-> **Dates:** ~Aug 25–26 (2 days)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2–3 days
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 24–25 Dingle, Aug 26–27 Killarney (2 nights each)
+> **Recommended stay:** 2 nights Dingle + 2 nights Killarney
 > **Best for:** Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Skellig Michael, the best seafood in Ireland

 ## Why Visit
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 # Cork

 > **Type:** City stop — between Kerry and Dublin
-> **Dates:** ~Aug 27–28 (2 nights)
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 28 (1 night)
+> **Recommended stay:** 1–2 nights
 > **Recommended stay:** 2 days
 > **Best for:** Food scene, rebel history, day trips to Kinsale and Blarney