Dingle Tour-Suggestions?

First -- You are tempting fate with your plan to fly half-way across the world (I assume you are coming from far away), then upon arrival, you have a very long day ahead, taxi to train station, long train ride, another taxi, and then -- when you have probably been awake for about 2 days and utterly jetlagged -- then late on your arrival day you're going to jump in a rented car, with everything "backwards", and drive off on narrow roads. Your plan is dangerous and well beyond my own comfort zone, you get to decide what's right for you, but please be careful and take this seriously. If it were me, I'd find a way to NOT have to drive on my arrival day -- take the train, take a taxi, get somewhere, anywhere, without driving a car yourself, spend the night, and then start fresh after a good night's sleep before getting behind the wheel in challenging conditions.

As to suggestions when you are based in Dingle...you don't say what time of year you are going, but if the weather is fair, consider a day trip out to Great Blasket Island. If the little ferry is still running from Dunquin is still running, take that one (rather than a tour boat directly from Dingle, which may be more convenient, but the experience is so much better with the Dunquin ferry).

Enjoy Ireland. It's magical.

Pop into the Dingle Music Shop and see if they are having a concert. If they are, GO! Best thing we did in Dingle!

Thank you! Really appreciate your concern for our safety. We are traveling mid June. Not my first rodeo driving on the other side of the road in this part of the world. I think we will be able to rest up on the train and we will have a short drive to our lodging after picking up the car. We will be careful Indeed.

Can save yourselves a step or two if you're able to connect with the morning RyanAir flight from Dublin to Kerry airport (Farranfore). Departs at 8:55 AM and takes about an hour. From there it's about 20 minutes by car to Killarney or an hour to Dingle town.

Now that's an idea! Thank you. Our flight arrives at 7:05am, so we could probably hop on that flight. Will look into it.

You don't want to miss the Slea Head Drive so I'd do that first thing on day 3 so you aren't rushed day 4 trying to return the car. I'd also recommend the Dingle Harbour Boat Tour in the afternoon- you learn a lot about Dingle and see some amazing scenery. Then you can have day 4 for further exploring and shopping in town before heading back to Kerry.

Excellent--thank you.
And to Robert in Colorado Springs, we booked that Ryanair flight! Very helpful.

Any suggestions on places to sleep in Killarney or Dingle?

Any suggestions on places to sleep in Killarney or Dingle?

In Killarney...anyplace that's not in Killarney.

See Rick Steves' list of Top 10 European Tourist Traps to avoid, which I will quote:

"Killarney (Ireland): This is a place where most tourists wear
nametags — a traffic jam of tour buses. If you have the misfortune to
spend the night in Killarney, you'll understand what I mean. The town
is a sprawling line of green Holiday Inns and outlet malls littered
with pushy shoppers looking for plastic shamrocks."

Don't shoot the messenger. ✌️


In Dingle...there are lots of nice choices. We loved Dingle Garden Townhouse. Not super cheap, but a lovely place, great food, wonderful hosts, perfect location, contemporary and hip yet homey, quiet and comfy, everything we wanted. I'm sure many others here have their favorites.

In Dingle, we stayed at Coastline B&B. A lovely house - great views, great room, great breakfast, great value. A 10 minute walk to the Dingle Marina. We would gladly stay there again.

I agree with David regarding Killarney - not the best choice for an overnight stay.
We usually stay midway between Killarney and Dingle so that we only have to unpack once while still having easy access for day trips around the surrounding area. The corridor between Castlemaine and Killorglin is a particular favorite. From there it's a short drive into Killarney to explore the National Park, or over to Dingle and Slea Head Drive. The location is also handy for exploring the northern half of the Ring of Kerry, including the Gap of Dunloe and the Skellig Ring Road west of the village of Portmagee. Castlemaine is also only a 15 minute drive from Kerry airport which would minimize your time behind the wheel on your arrival day ...if that's a concern.
Getting an early start is always a good strategy for avoiding the worst of the tour bus congestion in either Killarney or Dingle town, which usually starts around 9 AM.
We use booking.com as our search engine for accommodations - their filters are pretty handy for sorting things out in a hurry according to our particular requirements.

I've taken many of your suggestions and think we have things sorted out for a wonderful 4 day adventure. Flight from Dublin to Kerry Airport . . . booked in the aforementioned corridor that first night (boo Killarney!) and a lovely B&B in Dingle as suggested, and prioritizing the Slea Head Loop. Always glad to receive more suggestions. So grateful to each of you for responding!