Leaving Dublin we were going to drive cork. Now im thinking maybe Kilkenny? Cork seems far! Then to Killarney for two nights. Then not sure where to go have 3 more nights and leave from Dublin? Ideas? How many days fo you recommend in Dublin killkenny and killarney
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8145 posts
Run down to Limerick and spend a day driving the Ring of Kerry.
Posted by
1172 posts
I would add Dingle.
Posted by
Vermont USA
359 posts
Killarney is on Rick Steves top ten tourist traps of Europe for good reason. It is a tourist overrun mess of Holiday Inns, Leprechaun-y gift shops,traffic, American fast food - anything to take your dollar/Euro. However there are great things to see just outside of Killarney like Muckross, Torc, Ross Castle, Ladies View, Gap of Dunloe and the full National Park. I would advise staying in Kenmare or Kilorglin area if you want to be near that - experience real Ireland - but not be In the mess that is Kilkarney city.
Another option nearby is the Castlemaine area which is a great base to plant for 3-4 days and have easy access to the INCREDIBLE Dingle peninsula and the Ring of Kerry and the good things near Killarney.
An excellent thing is to limit the one night stays...they are draining and disorienting and don't really help with the experience of getting to know Ireland. You have limited time....you can't see everything......So don't try. It's the experience that counts not the list of so called must see things to check off.
For example.....want to see great Irish cliffs ? You don't need to waste a day driving up to the tourist clogged Cliffs of Moher. If you do the Ring of Kerry the far more wild, just if not more beautiful Cliffs of Kerry are right there.
Skip Cork........unless you are totally into big clogged cities Killarney and Cork don't offer the best things to see and do....or experience Ireland.
You don't say how many days you have....but 2 is plenty for Dublin, 2 in Kilkenny is good - much to do near there.......then Castlemaine general area gives you great access to Dingle and the Ring of Kerry/Skellig Ring for 3-4 days (you could spend weeks there). That minimizes driving and you'll see and experience a lot. It's hard to say though since you don't say your areas of interest or length of stay. There are other great areas that could apply......Galway/Connemara or Donegal among others. Just avoid rat racing all over - it's really counterproductive to the real main goal which is experiencing Ireland......real Ireland.