Kinsale or Killarney??

You should see both Kinsale and Killarney. Can't you add a day or two? One night is OK for Kinsale.

We stayed 2 nights in Killarney at the Lake Hotel which is right next to the park. It was absolutely gorgeous and I highly recommend it

The purpose of staying in Dingle is usually to explore that peninsula, versus the Ring of Kerry, which is closer to Killarney. Not that it's a much longer drive to Kerry; maybe another half hour each way. In order to have time for both, maybe you need to stay three nights in Dingle and one night at a stop like Doolin, en-route to Galway. Or stay in both Killarney and Dingle. Kinsale is great but it sounds like it's not your top priority within this timeframe.

Hello!
I'm an ex-pat living in Waterville (Ring of Kerry) and I spend two nights a month in Killarney for Toastmasters, so I've gotten to know the area, well. I'm also and avid hillwalker.

You SOUND like you're a hiker (or as they say over here, a walker!) and if that is indeed something you like to do I'd say Killarney, rather than Kinsale. Kinsale is lovely, but it's a pretty coastal town like many, and there's certainly not much of a challenge to walking around its streets, though picturesque.

Killarney, on the other hand!? Yes indeed! Great hiking in the park, and you can easily find local guides that will take you if you feel you need a guide. Unless you're VERY experienced, I do recommend a guide for Carrauntoohil = the highest peak in Ireland. Let me know if you need a guide and I'll give you a couple of recommendations.

Another option other than Killarney is to stay somewhere ON the Ring of Kerry. Glenbeigh has wonderful loop walks from 3 - 7 hours; Cahersiveen has walks with amazing sea views, like Cnoc na dTobar the Pilgrim Path (do you know there's a new Pilgrim Passport like the Spanish Camino passport?). Waterville has amazing walks, both the one over Coomakista to Derrynane that goes over an old "mass path" (then you eat lunch at Blind Piper and walk back. FAB!) and a walk around Lough Currane and back to Waterville (that's about 6-7 hours!). Sneem has wonderful walks, as well!

Have you dates in mind? There are many small walking festivals that are a great way to see the hills and get local knowledge. I assume you're going in summer (since you mention Skellig Michael and it's only accessible in summer) so a walking fest could be grand!

I'd give you a recommendation for a place to stay but you'll have to help me, there. I've stayed in hostels that are 15 euros a night and grand hotels that are 225.... narrow down what you're looking for, and I'll give you some suggestions! 5 star? 4 star? pubs with rooms? lake view or mountain view??? There's so much to suggest!

Let me know a bit more and i'll give you more info!

Susan
Waterville

Thank you all for your feedback - great info. I looked at the Lake Hotel - very nice! Since I'm booking 2 rooms (additional one for my grown daughters) I'll probably look for something a bit more scaled back.

Hi Susan, we'll be in the area for about 4 days (Aug 20-24). Already booked a couple nights in Dingle, so after reading the feedback, I'll likely look to stay maybe 1 night in Killarney, next night ON the ROK somewhere assuming we decide to do Skellig Michael tour.

If you have any good recommendations for an Inn on ROK that would be great. We have a group of 6 and will need to book 3 room in same place.. Any 2-3 star place works fine. In regards to the hike, yes, I'm planning to do one in Killarney and hopefully if time permits a short one (3 hours) on ROK.

I really appreciate the advice - much to decide in short chunk of time.

-al