At least 5 hours, if you’re lucky.

I often compare Ireland and Indiana when it comes to relative size, population, and the fact that roads tend to lead towards a large population hub kind of in the center.

IN pop = 6.8 mill
Island of Ireland pop = 7 mill (5.1 + 1.9)

IN area = 36418 square miles
Island of Ireland area = 32596 square miles

Dublin area pop - 1.256 mill
Indianapolis area pop - 2.075 mill

What takes 2 hours in the U.S. takes 4 days in ireland.

Intercity travel times now cut in half. Change from first visit in 1996 to 2016 was astounding. It’s like an entire country of US 31 Kokomo bypasses. Glorious.

Motorways aren’t glorious

Going Dublin to Limerick, Dublin-Belfast was easy. Shannon-Cork was ok, actual 2 lane road with a shoulder.

North of Limerick was awful sheep roads.

Will have to give deep thought on that aspect. I have maybe two days to devote to the drive plus tour. Not sure it can work. I get to Dublin on a Tuesday, plan to train/car to Cork, leave Wednesday night for Killarney. Thurs and Friday there, perhaps leave Friday night to drive to Ulster, arriving very late. Then Saturday and most of Sunday up there. Return flight leaves Dublin Monday at 11:30 AM so I’d like to be back in Dublin Sunday night.

Ulster night just be too far away unless I can get Killarney off the agenda, which is HIGHLY unlikely.

(I love Killarney too)

a bit of research on the Wild Atlantic Way may be worthwhile...a road trip north through County Clare up to Galway would be fantastic. (there's a place called Vaughan's Lodge in Liscannor that serves...sorry jt...the best fish & chips I had in all of Ireland)

Doolin is also a fantastic place not far from Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher
that has some great restaurants and pubs for music.

That's a LONG haul from Cork/Killarney to Belfast...and I'm not sure it's worth it

And enjoyed every part of it. I'm coming around to the notion that Belfast is just too far in the time available.

I'm kind of being sarcastic and kind of being serious.

What's really cool is that you can't go wrong with anything you do over there. I'm heading over for golf this next June...but someday, I'll be heading up to the NW part of Ireland and exploring those areas and playing some golf as well.

We have family in Letterkenny, Rathmullen, Buncrana and various other places in Donegal.

I think we already discussed golf up there.

Ballyliffin, Rosapenna, and Portsalon are good links courses. We play a few local courses as well (with family that are members). They aren't really worth going out of your way.

Hard to go broke golfing up there unless your heart is set on Portrush.

I'm not sure I've ever driven more than 2-3 hours on an Irish Motorway

In theory it's possible - I would do it bright and early so you can lunch at your destination.