This will be in mid-April. Right now we're think of devoting one day to each of: Dingle peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Ring of Beara, and the Mizen peninsula. Is that a sensible plan? How bad are the tour buses in mid-April?
Posted by
Killarney Co. Kerry Ireland
75 posts
In April there will not be a lot of tour buses. The tour buses are mostly on the ring of kerry. These are nice trips but too much for 5 days. Dingle and west of there is well worth doing. Kenmare is on the Ring of Kerry. Go as far as Valentia island , Spend a day in Killarney and see Muckross house and Folk Farm, Ross Castle, Gap of Dunloe. From kenmare go to Kilmacalogue its close to kenmare
Posted by
OP
Maine Coast
35 posts
Thank you for your response! Can you please elaborate and explain why you think our tentative plan is too much? Also, I cannot find "Kilmacalogue' on any of the maps or Internet resources. Is it possible that what you were trying to recommend was mis-spelled? Thanks again!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2822 posts
The plan you've laid out will be a great way to savor some of the prettiest scenery in the Republic at your leisure, and I don't think it's overly ambitious.
Basing in Kenmare will allow you to explore the various peninsulas at a relaxed pace - each is worth a day. Your only really long day will be the trip up to Dingle and the Slea Head drive - about 1+45 each way to Dingle as I recall. Getting an early start will allow you to get thru Killarney town before traffic starts to back things up...even in April. Actually, getting an early start will allow you to maximize your enjoyment of each day.
Do plan to stop off at the Gap of Dunloe/Kate Kearney's Cottage on one of your drives. For our money it's one of the prettiest little valleys (and walks) in Ireland.
Per Pat's advice, a nice detour off the ROK is the spur that goes out to Portmagee and Valencia Island. Light traffic (tour buses don't go there) and more great scenery, highlighted by story-book views of the Skelligs.
Muckross House and the other attractions in Killarney are certainly worth seeing. Am sure you're probably aware that the weather can be "somewhat changeable" at that time of year, so best advice is to plan for rain and hope for sunny weather.
Posted by
OP
Maine Coast
35 posts
Robert, thank you so, SO much for all of the great info. By the way, we were in Ireland for two weeks 15 years ago - and had only two days of rain! Turns out, very surprisingly, that April there has the least rain of any month! Thanks again! If anything else comes to mind, please post again.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2822 posts
One publication that we wore out during our own trip last year was "Back Roads Ireland". Can find on Amazon if you're interested in adding some off-the-beaten path explorations to your daily drives.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2822 posts
Actually, our copy of "Back Roads" is just taking up space on our bookshelf. If you want it just PM me your mailing address and I'll be happy to send it along.
Posted by
OP
Maine Coast
35 posts
Robert, thank you again. That's a very generous offer. However, right after your last message, I ordered the book thru Amazon from a third-party seller who was offering a spiral-bound version. I cannot cancel that order, so I hope your copy can be of great value to someone else!
Posted by
Killarney Co. Kerry Ireland
75 posts
Its Killmackillogue its west of Tuosist
see details and map of Kenmare
http://kenmare.com/KenmareGuide2015.pdf
Posted by
OP
Maine Coast
35 posts
Thank you, Pat! That's a great guide, and I'd never seen it before. It will be of immense help to us!
Posted by
KS, USA
676 posts
We were there in April and had no problems with buses. I think your plan is nice. My husband drove and I can tell you the driving can be fatiguing, so that's the only thing I'd keep in mind with five steady days of driving. Have fun!! That area of Ireland is a delight with something to see and do around every corner.