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
@@ -61,15 +61,15 @@ Cherbourg → Paris → Strasbourg → Walldorf  (Sep 2, ~10h drive)
 | [03](locations/03-iom-ferry.md) | Isle of Man Ferry | Ferry logistics | Heysham or Liverpool → Douglas |
 | [04](locations/04-isle-of-man.md) | Isle of Man | Island destination | 2–4 days; limited EV charging |
 | [05](locations/05-belfast.md) | Belfast | City + WAW start | Titanic, Causeway Coast; start WAW from here |
-| [06](locations/06-wild-atlantic-way.md) | Wild Atlantic Way | Cycling route overview | Timeline + EV summary |
+| [06](locations/06-wild-atlantic-way.md) | Wild Atlantic Way | Scenic drive overview | Timeline with driving times + EV summary |
-| [06a](locations/06a-donegal.md) | Donegal | WAW section 1 | Aug 10–12; cliffs, bog, remotest section |
+| [06a](locations/06a-donegal.md) | Donegal | WAW section 1 | Aug 12–13; cliffs, bog, remotest section |
-| [06b](locations/06b-sligo.md) | Sligo | WAW section 2 | Aug 13–14; Benbulben, surf, megaliths |
+| [06b](locations/06b-sligo.md) | Sligo | WAW section 2 | Aug 14–15; Benbulben, surf, megaliths |
-| [06c](locations/06c-mayo.md) | Mayo | WAW section 3 | Aug 15–17; Westport, Achill, Croagh Patrick |
+| [06c](locations/06c-mayo.md) | Mayo | WAW section 3 | Aug 16–18; Westport (3 nights), Achill, Croagh Patrick |
-| [06d](locations/06d-connemara.md) | Connemara | WAW section 4 | Aug 18–20; Sky Road, bog, Kylemore |
+| [06d](locations/06d-connemara.md) | Connemara | WAW section 4 | Aug 19–20; Sky Road, bog, Kylemore |
-| [06e](locations/06e-galway.md) | Galway | WAW section 5 | Aug 21–22; city, Aran Islands, best workation base |
+| [06e](locations/06e-galway.md) | Galway | WAW section 5 | Aug 21–23; 3 nights; Aran Islands + Clare as day trip |
-| [06f](locations/06f-clare.md) | Clare | WAW section 6 | Aug 23–24; Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Doolin |
+| [06f](locations/06f-clare.md) | Clare | WAW day trip from Galway | Aug 23; Cliffs of Moher + Burren + Doolin (75km / 1h25) |
-| [06g](locations/06g-kerry.md) | Kerry | WAW section 7 | Aug 25–26; Dingle, Skellig or Ring of Kerry |
+| [06g](locations/06g-kerry.md) | Kerry | WAW section 7 | Aug 24–25 Dingle, Aug 26–27 Killarney |
-| [06h](locations/06h-cork.md) | Cork | City stop | Aug 29–30; English Market, Kinsale, Blarney |
+| [06h](locations/06h-cork.md) | Cork | City stop | Aug 28; English Market, evening in city |
 | [07](locations/07-dublin.md) | Dublin | End anchor + events | Aug 30 football, Aug 31 concert |
 | [08](locations/08-return-via-france.md) | Return: Dublin → Walldorf | Ferry + drive | Dublin → Cherbourg → Walldorf by Sep 2 |
@@ -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 |
+| Dates | Base | Nights | Drive from prev. | What to do |
-|----------------|---------|------|------|
+|-------|------|--------|-----------------|------------|
-| Aug 10 | Arrive Belfast (ferry from IoM) | 1 | [05-belfast.md](../locations/05-belfast.md) |
+| Aug 10 | **Belfast** | 2 | — (ferry arrival) | Titanic; Causeway Coast day trip |
-| Aug 11 | Belfast — Titanic, Causeway Coast day trip | 1 | — |
+| Aug 12 | drive only | — | 2h 45min / 155km | Belfast → Donegal Town |
-| Aug 12 | Drive Belfast → Donegal Town | 1 | — |
+| Aug 12–13 | **Donegal Town** | 2 | — | Slieve League, Glenveagh day trips |
-| Aug 12–13 | **Donegal** | 2 | [06a-donegal.md](06a-donegal.md) |
+| Aug 14 | drive only | — | 1h 45min / 90km | Donegal → Sligo |
-| Aug 14–15 | **Sligo** | 2 | [06b-sligo.md](06b-sligo.md) |
+| Aug 14–15 | **Sligo** | 2 | — | Benbulben, Strandhill, Carrowmore |
-| Aug 16–18 | **Mayo** | 3 | [06c-mayo.md](06c-mayo.md) |
+| Aug 16 | drive only | — | 2h / 105km | Sligo → Westport |
-| Aug 19–20 | **Connemara** | 2 | [06d-connemara.md](06d-connemara.md) |
+| Aug 16–18 | **Westport** | 3 | — | Achill Island, Croagh Patrick |
-| Aug 21–22 | **Galway** | 2 | [06e-galway.md](06e-galway.md) |
+| Aug 19 | drive only | — | 1h 30min / 75km | Westport → Clifden |
-| Aug 23–24 | **Clare** | 2 | [06f-clare.md](06f-clare.md) |
+| Aug 19–20 | **Clifden** | 2 | — | Sky Road, Connemara NP |
-| Aug 25–26 | **Kerry** | 2 | [06g-kerry.md](06g-kerry.md) |
+| Aug 21 | drive only | — | 1h 20min / 70km | Clifden → Galway |
-| Aug 27–28 | **Cork** | 2 | [06h-cork.md](06h-cork.md) |
+| Aug 21–23 | **Galway** | 3 | — | City; Aran Islands day trip; Clare as day trip (Cliffs of Moher + Doolin, 1h 25min / 75km each way) |
-| Aug 28 (eve) | Cork → Dublin (drive ~3h via M8) | — | — |
+| Aug 24 | drive only | — | 2h 40min / 140km | Galway → Dingle |
-| **Aug 29** | **Dublin — arrive, settle, buffer day** | — | [07-dublin.md](07-dublin.md) |
+| Aug 24–25 | **Dingle** | 2 | — | Slea Head Drive; Skellig boat or Ring of Kerry |
-| **Aug 30** | **College Football, Aviva Stadium** | — | [07-dublin.md](07-dublin.md) |
+| 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)
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 12–13 (2 nights)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2–3 days
+> **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)
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 19–20 (2 nights)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2–3 days
+> **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)
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 21–23 (3 nights)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2 days
+> **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)
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 23 (day trip from Galway)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2 days
+> **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.
+- ⭐ **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 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.
+- **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** — 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.
+- ⭐ **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** — 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.
+- **Poulnabrone Dolmen** — 5,500-year-old portal tomb on open Burren limestone. Roadside, free, 5-minute stop.
 - **Lahinch** — Atlantic surf beach at the southern end of Clare; busy in summer, great fish and chips.
-## Itinerary
+## Day Trip Itinerary from Galway
-### Day 1 — Cliffs of Moher, Doolin
+### Full day — Cliffs, Burren, 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.
+- **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
+> **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.
-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.
+
 ## 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)
+> **Dates:** ~Aug 24–25 Dingle, Aug 26–27 Killarney (2 nights each)
-> **Recommended stay:** 2–3 days
+> **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