We'll be based in Killarney...we've been debating renting a car or take a Viator bus tour to drive the Ring of Kerry from our hotel in Kilarney, including a stop at Muckross and Dingle(where we have family also). We're spending 3 nights in Kilarney. My son went to Dingle and Kerry about ten years ago, and he said the roads are very narrow on the Ring of Kerry, and when a bus drives by, you almost have to drive into the hedges to squeeze by...we're adventurous, and have no problem renting a car and going on our own...and also everyone online says to drive counter clockwise on the Ring of Kerry and go early to avoid the buses...true?
Posted by
Bend, OR
762 posts
Yes, the buses only go one way which was counter clockwise. We went clockwise and had to stop a couple of times but it really wasn’t a problem. We drove so we could stop where we wanted to, when we wanted to. Some people don’t care for Killarney because it is touristy, we knew that going in and had a great time.
Posted by
Land of La
8680 posts
Get the car and drive the Gap of Dunloe. Drove it solo in a too large of a rental one November a decade ago. Saw a sheep, 1 trap, hikers, 2 bicyclists and a couple of lorries.
Might not be for the faint of heart but I loved the adventure. A Favorite travel memory.
Use Google Maps to see it.
Posted by
Bend, OR
762 posts
We were there last summer and were told we could not drive the Gap of Dunloe because of the congestion from bikers and jaunting cars. The best way was to either walk or take a combination of jaunting cart and bus. In the end it was raining so hard we just went back to see the falls behind Muckross House. Next time!
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1855 posts
We drove the Gap of Dunloe in the evening when all the jaunting cars and tourists had left. It is definitley NOT adviasable to try and drive it during the day - I've heard the jaunting car drivers can be quite vocal in expressing their displeasure!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2828 posts
"It is definitely NOT advisable to try and drive it during the day - I've heard the jaunting car drivers can be quite vocal in expressing their displeasure!"
True that.
There's signage posted at both entrances to the Gap advising that vehicles are restricted to local traffic only. Adding a rental car into the congestion of jaunting cards, bicyclists and walkers along the narrow track is a sure way to endear yourself to the locals.