Hello everyone,
Can I have your comments on the number of days I have planned in each of these areas in order to take advantage of all the sites in mid August
Co. Clare - staying outside of Lahinch - 2 nites for The Burren and Cliffs. Visit Doolin. Take ferry across to
Dingle - 3 nights (not sure where to stay) for Slea Head, visit Killarney Park on the way to a Kenmare
Kenmare - 3 nights for Beara Pen (where to stay?)
Too many nites in one area? Not enough in another?
Thanks for your feedback
I do not think there is any such thing as too much time on the west coast of Ireland no matter how you allocate your nights!
Three nights in Dingle is an awfully lot. You can see everything there is to see on the Dingle Peninsula in a day (or day and a half if you really take your time). Since you want to see both the DP and part of the ROK, you'd be better off staying in/near Killarney (or, as frequent poster Robert always suggests, Castlemaine...which is another good choice). Staying in Dingle and visiting Killarney National Park involves some serious backtracking, especially since your plan is to eventually head to Kenmare. Your time would be better spent staying in somewhere like Killarney or Castlemaine for two nights and seeing the DP one day and the ROK the next.
The amount of time you need in Kenmare to see the Beara Peninsula really depends on what you plan on doing. The Peninsula has a lot to offer in terms of things to see and do, and some of them can take all day. For instance, Gleninchaquin Park can take up a good part of a day (we were there for about 3 hours, and could have stayed even longer), as can taking the tram at Lamb's Head over to Dursey Island. And of course a drive through Healy Pass is a must. That said, if your plan is to just drive the Ring of Beara, you can do that in one day, so three days in Kenmare might be a bit too much. Myself, I would take a night off and add a night in Bantry, which is a good location for visiting Mizen Head and Three Castle Head.....but that's just me.
-Russ
Agree with all of Russw's comments: we spent a day driving Beara and felt that was a good investment of time. So, too, re Dingle: 3 nights might be too long. As for Kenmare, as a base for the ROK, anything less than 3 nights might be too little. I'd reallocate.
Lodging, 2 places we enjoyed, each a great value:
Ashfield Inn in Kenmare (B&B); ideal in all respects. Check out Mary's glowing reviews. http://ashfieldkenmare.com/
Dingle: the Pink Pig Airbnb suited us well; a short drive into town; comfortable accommodation; clothes washer that was timely mid-way through a 3-week road trip; easy access to Slea Head. (It's 2 BRs,but priced as though only one.) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17935423 (The photos are accurate; those sheep are right outside the kitchen window.)
Navigation tip: try to drive the Conor Pass on your way in or out of Dingle -- assuming weather conditions are favorable and it's daylight. https://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/attractions-on-the-dingle-peninsula-co-kerry/outdoor-attractions/the-conor-pass-an-conair.html
Thank you Russ, that is the kind of feedback that I am looking for. We originally had 2 nights in each location with the extra 2 in Kinsale, but we changed our idea as we thought it might be too rushed.
We are leaving Clifden on Sat Aug 10 (we originally had time scheduled in Galway but took that off the list. Mistake?)
What is your thought with 2 nights in Co. Clare?
We have 17 nights,
booked so far is Dublin 2, Belfast 1, Antrim 2, Sligo 1, Clifden 2
Last 2 nights in Co. Meath for New Grange
Any addiitonal thoughts would be appreciated. We really want to enjoy the places people and pubs we come across. Visit and explore ancient sites and interested small towns. We are in our 60's and we have a car.
Hi karent,
Not being a big fan of the bigger cities, I would have no problem not staying in Galway (out of all of my trips - five, so far - I've only stayed there once, and have no burning desire to go back). Clifden is beautiful place, and driving Sky Road is terrific (as is walking to and around Clifden Castle). And of course Clifden isn't far from the Doolough Valley, Aasleagh Falls and Killary Fjord...all worth seeing.
As for your 2 nights in Lahinch, it does set you up nicely to see Doolin, The Burren and the COM. A few suggestions: as you make your way to Lahinch, make sure you go via R477, around Black Head and along the coast. The scenery is incredible. There's an area known as Bothar nA hAillite (the "Baby Cliffs"...should be able to GPS it) where you can get out and walk right to the edge of the cliffs. Another suggestion...on your way to co. Kerry, before you take the ferry from Killimer to Tarbert, I suggest you make a bit of a detour to see the Kilkee Cliffs, Bridges of Ross and, if time, Loop Head. To be honest, we actually love the Kilkee cliffs more than the COM. No, they're not as high, but they are more dramatic, and there are hardly any crowds. And the Bridges of Ross is pretty amazing, especially if you walk out to the very end of it.
And finally, I also suggest going through the Conor Pass......the view from the car park at the top is stunning.
Hope this helps.
-Russ
Hi Russ,
We are driving direct from Clifden to Liscannor where we have accommodations for 2 nights for the Burren and Cliffs and maybe a peak at Doolin.
I like your idea about the killee Cliffs route. If we leave Liscannor In the morning do we have time for the Kilkee route, the ferry across and the coastal route to Dingle all in one day? Or should we stay around Kilkee for a night?
We are booked for 2 nights in Dingle. I was thinking of Kenmare as a base for Killarney Park and the Beara. If I don't see the ROK I'm ok with that. (3 nights??) maybe Bantry
On Sunday Aug 18 we are driving to Cashel from Kenmare or whatever else we end up and then on to Navan for an overnight. Doable?
Hello everyone,
Any comments on the above questions, thanks for your input
Karen
Hi Karen,
The drive from Liscannor down to the Kilkee Cliffs, Bridges of Ross, Loop Head, the ferry and into Dingle takes about four and a half hours, not counting time for stopping. If you leave, say, around 9 am, you should be able to stop at each place for about an hour and still be in Dingle by 5 or 6. It will be a full day, to be sure, but it is possible. If you want to make things a little less hurried, you might want to consider staying somewhere along the way, possibly Listowel or Tralee. And make sure to check the ferry schedule (but I think you're okay).
From Kenmare to Navan via Cashel is another four and a half hour jaunt. I always say anything is doable if you’re willing to put in the time, so, yes, it’s entirely possible. If you’re routing yourself through Cashel to visit the Rock of Cashel, you can count on about 60-90 minutes at the site. Make sure to also visit Hore Abbey, which you can see from the ROC.
-Russ
For info, the ferry departs from Killimer every hour on the hour, and it's first come, first served. I wouldn't expect much of a queue but you never know these days. Might be wise to get there about 30 minutes before sailing time to avoid disappointment.
The drives are all pleasant, relaxed, meandering things and are not at all stressful. Would think you could make an easy day of it, cover everything you'd like to see, and still be rolling into Dingle in time for a pint.
...and you can save a little by getting the ferry ticket ahead of time on line.
Ferry: We were traveling in the opposite direction, May 2018; i.e. sailing from Tarbert. We arrived 15-20 minutes before scheduled departure (mid-morning, week-day) and didn't get on the next ferry. Arriving somewhat earlier, as recommended above, is probably a good idea in August.
