Dingle or Ring of Kerry or Both?

Three weeks in Ireland is a very generous holiday. What are you NOT doing if you do both?

That being said, they're beautiful drives even if somewhat similar.

If you have the time to do both then I would go for it, these are two of the most beautiful areas of Ireland. If you do the Ring of Kerry I would get a very early start and get ahead of the tour buses, at Dingle that is not a problem. If your in Dingle I would book a John O'Connor guide to take you on the Dingle Peninsula tour, it's a small group of ~6 people and the guides make the tour much more interesting and you end the tour on top of Connor Pass for dramatic pictures. On another note, if your in Ireland for 3 weeks you should seriously consider staying a couple of nights at Ashford Castle near Cong, the castle and grounds are incredible and they have a Falconry school and offer classes where you learn to work and hunt with the birds! (This was our most amazing moment in Ireland). I've been to most every country in Europe and Ireland is my favorite.

I have done both, not on the same trip. If I did have that amount of time, I would. Both are beautiful.

Mary

ML: Are different sections of CA Hwy 1 too similar? What would you recommend to an Irish visitor in CA? All a matter of opinion of course. Depends on how you feel about ocean view drives. I grew up on one, but still can't get too much of it. We did both loops during a 22 day Irish trip and have no regrets. We did Kerry first, then spent a few days in the towns and seeing local sights, then we did the Dingle loop. Mixing up the daily activities lessened the feeling that "it's all the same stuff". It's hard to go wrong in Ireland, whatever you choose will be grand. Enjoy.

Greetings from Ireland, do try and do both, there are wonderful cultural, topographical and archeological differences on both peninsulas...
Make sure you have ample time in Dingle though, I am from Donegal and Derry in the North originally but have chosen to move to Dingle and run a B&B when not guiding for Rick Steves Europe Tours, Dingle is by far my favourite small-town in Ireland.
That being said, all of County Kerry is beautiful.
Slainte/Health
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide

I am so glad I asked this question (and you answered)! I think we will go ahead and do both, at least in part based on your comments. Thanks for your recommendations on this and related subjects. Can't wait for our Ireland trip!

(Apologies if this posts twice; technical difficulties!)

Given you have 3weeks, might as well do both but get early starts. I'd add the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney National Park and enjoying paint at Foxy John's in Dingle. Lastly, with 3 weeks I'd include Northern Ireland. Giants Causeway, the Titanic Museum, and a cab tour of the Troubles in Belfast. Watch out for sheep while driving and have fun!

I am an American now living in Waterville on the Ring of Kerry. I, too, suggest both! Though like Stephen above mentions his love of Dingle but being from somewhere else - I love Waterville, being from somewhere else! But Stephen is right about this - enjoy Kerry!!!

My second trip to ireland was 5 weeks, and I didn't even make it north or Achill Island! So no matter what the others tell you, don't think 3 weeks is "plenty of time!" I've lived here 2 1/2 years and STILL haven't made it to Blarney Castle! (expect the gardens).

If you get an early start on the Ring of Kerry, i suggest an added spin off onto the much smaller Skellig Loop to take in The Kerry Cliffs, Valentia Island, the Skellig Experience. Fantastic views of the Skelligs themselves, here!

I don't see a date listed for your trip - will it be soon, or summer? If summer, tour buses may be an issue - but this week I was hanging out having coffee on a beautiful sunny calm day (seriously! not a cloud in the sky on Monday!) and there were only 8 buses. EVERY bus goes though our village so I can give exact counts! In the height of summer, we had over 80 one day last year....

Kerry is the Kingdom. Worth your time!

Enjoy,

Susan