Hello, we are staying on the Dingle Peninsula for several days and will be flying home via the Shannon Airport. We're looking for one or two more destinations that are inland, either quiet villages or a working farm (or perhaps a couple of nights at both). Any recommendations for either? General vicinity is fine - we don't want to go as far north as Galway - maybe west of the Dingle Peninsula a couple of hours, maybe somewhere south of Shannon? Thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
555 posts
Terri: I took a bus once from Tralee to Cork. A village in County Kerry I passed through was Killarney. It struck me as a pleasant village, but I didn't spend the night there.
I have two ideas in County Clare, but that's north of Shannon: Lisdoonvarna or Doolin. Neither is far north of Shannon. I've spent nights in both. Lisdoonvarna is famous for a centuries-old match-making festival. (It's probably best to avoid that festival, I've heard. Sadly, it lost its charm decades ago.) Doolin is a pleasant village, too.
Now Dingle itself: About five years ago, I walked the Dingle Way, a 100-mile-long trail. My two favorite Dingle villages are Cloghane and Dunquin but especially Cloghane. It's on the north coast of Dingle. Most visitors go to Dingle Town, which I love, too, on the south coast. They never go to the north coast. Cloghane may possibly be my favorite village in all of Ireland, which I have visited five times. It's quiet, atmospheric and friendly. Ditto for Dunquin, which is on the tip of the peninsula.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I would suggest Lahinch. It is a cute little town with a famous golf course, and it has, somewhat strangely, become a surfing mecca. It has a very interesting vibe. We have also stayed at Moher Lodge, just a few minutes down the road from the Cliffs of Moher, in Liscannor. Doolin is on the other side of the cliffs, farther north.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, Washington, USA
66 posts
Thanks. Good to hear re the north coast of Dingle. We've booked four nights in Feohanagh, a bit west of Cloghane.