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Advice for getting from Dublin to Dingle and then staying in Dingle

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My family (2 adults and 2 kids ages 6 and 9) is planning to stay in Ireland for 2 weeks in July and would like to stay the majority of the time in a rented house in one location and do day trips. Currently, our thinking is that we will rent a house on the Dingle Peninsula. Our family enjoys outdoor activities, castles, random historic things, music (my husband is a musician), and good food. In particular, we really like staying in one spot for an extended period of time when we travel so that we can get to know the neighborhood, hang out multiple nights at the local pub, and really get a sense for a place. So, we are trying to balance an extended stay in Dingle with having a nice drive from Dublin to Dingle.

Here are our questions:

1) We are taking a ferry into Dublin from England. Should we spend the night in Dublin before we set off?

2) We are considering taking a few days to drive from Dublin to Dingle. What route should we take and how long should we take? Some ideas we've heard are Dublin > Kilkenny > Kinsale > Dingle OR just hugging the coastline all the way around OR something else? We don't want to drive more than 2-3 hours in one day.

3) Any recommendations for cool castle like or working farm places to stay on the way to Dingle ?

4) What town should we stay in on the Dingle Peninsula. Should we stay in the town of Dingle proper or rent a farmhouse or something on a plot of land for the kids to run around. Any recommendations?

Posted by
346 posts

I think that sounds like a nice drive -- You have mentioned my favorite (so far!) Irish towns. Lawcus Farm B&B near Kilkenny would be wonderful for you guys. Look them up and check out the photos. They have a small farm on the banks of the river out in the country, and the family who runs it is delightful. They are very popular, though, so book asap.
I would definitely book in town in Dingle. We like to stay at Pax Guesthouse, which is just uphill from town, but has a lovely garden with some chickens, a friendly dog, Rio, and a couple of cats. It has the space to spread out, especially if you book one of the family sea view rooms, which have a Queen bed for mom and dad and two twin beds for the children. These open directly onto the garden. Stephen, who is a RS tour guide based in Dingle (I think) also has a guest house there and can advise about other suitable locations.
Enjoy your trip!

Posted by
317 posts

Greetings from Dingle (well in Montreal visiting family as I type this)
I just wanted to add a quick piece of advice, if you want to book a holiday rental in Dingle you'd really need to book asap, this summer is crazy busy, a record year for Irish tourism and the new Star Wars movie begins filming in Dingle in May for 2 months (Ive recently been out by the set and it looks amazing, its 'out of this world', pun intended!)
Because of Star Wars and a local issue where many locals had to leave their rented houses in a large housing development because the entire development got bought, there is hardly a rental room to be found anywhere for seasonal workers, hotel staff and locals.
Check out the usual sites -VRBO, Airbnb and very importantly 'Dingle Peninsula Tourism'
In my own little hotel we only have about 9 nights in July with some rooms available, most others are likely the same.
Our recession seems to be over, thank God!

Heres a quick response to your questions.
1. Dublin is always worth seeing, lots for your kids to do. I have a 7 year old, i know your angst.
2. Those are good choices, Kinsale in particular is excellent.
3. Here is a link to arguably the best family friendly farm in Ireland, 40 miles from Dublin
http://www.causey.ie
4. As mentioned renting the farmhouse will be hard. But if you get one and have a rental car it would be great. Dingle is such an excellent choice for a family holiday, so much to do.

slainte/good health
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland tour-guide
Dingle & Derry

Posted by
13 posts

I will second the recommendation to stay at PAX in Dingle. It is an Inn, so you won't have the place to yourselves. But we stayed there with our then 7 year old two years ago and it was the highlight of our trip. There will probably be other kids staying there, and they all had a great time playing with each other and the animals in the large yard. The owner is very friendly, and the views are amazing. And, it's nice to have breakfast made for your each morning!

Posted by
6 posts

Stephen - Thanks very much for your advice. Had no idea Star Wars was filming in Ireland this year - If I were traveling this year I'd surely wish to avoid the crowds if possible. Also the bit about the rental community being bought - not something we would have found out from any other source, I'm thinking.

Do you think crowds and increased tourism might affect travel in 2017? I'm planning a trip starting May 19 and have already been advised by some of my planned B&Bs to book now, if not by the end of this year. Also, Aer Lingus is finally providing service from Bradley (Windsor, CT) starting September 2016 and the buzz is many folks will be using the new service (easier than traipsing to JFK or Boston) for trips they may have not otherwise taken.

Thanks again for your thoughts and advice.

Terry

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