Kinsale to Kenmare via Coastal Route

We just returned from 2 weeks in Ireland, staying 2 nights in Kinsale, then on to Dublin. I think including the Beara Peninsula is too much for one day. Probably an additional day to relax and enjoy it. I can recommend several stops along the way from Kinsale to Bantry. Remember the distance is not far but the roads are picturesque, narrow, and wind around coastal areas so it will take longer than you think. Take your time and enjoy it. There is a lot to see that is unexpected and you may want to make more stops then we did. Through the weather was off and on showers we stopped at the Timoleague Abbey, Drombeg Stone Circle (near Rosscarberry), Glendore Harbor (good place to view the Atlantic while sipping a cup of tea), and on to Bantry House/gardens for tour and lunch in town. then back to Kinsale. We skipped Mizen Head due to the rainy windy weather but it is a recommended site. This route took us about 7 hours. My recommendation for maps, National Geographic Ireland Adventure Travel Map and Collins Ireland road map. We did not use a GPS, just followed maps ( which did not always agree with each other) and watched for signs. Signs are there but may not be located where you think they should be. At intersections they could be behind to either side or in front of you. When in doubt take what appears to be the "main" road and continue to watch for a route sign.We had little trouble finding our way and learned to really look around, and check out routes ahead of time so we had some idea of the route #'s etc. in advance.

Just a note about the surprises you will see along your drive route. There are 2,000 identified tower houses in Ireland, and you will come upon them all of a sudden, many located out in a field, along the roadways, most not on travel maps, many you cannot get to except to stop and view from a distance. But amazing. This is Ireland. Take time to take the road less traveled.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the info! I will definitelt look into some of the info you provided. We'll be using the whole day to go from Kinsale to Kenmare, with nothing else planned except exploring alon the way. We'd be waking up and leaving Kinsale after breakfast. And we were debating on staying a night somewhere along Glengarriff to give us more time to slow down. We were in Ireland a few years ago and in 9 nights we did Dublin, Kildare, Doolin, Oughterard, Clifden, Donegal, Portrush and then back to Dublin. We didnt use a GPS... the GPS was horrible. We used a wifi hot spot and used google maps in conjuction with some maps and made our way pretty well with preplanned out routes and some detours :) The rest of our trip this time around will be spent in Kenmare and Dingle, so if we stay an extra night on Beara some where then we'd be cutting back time somewhere else. We have 8 nights! So many choices!

We drove from Kinsale to Kenmare in one day. We drove to Baltimore and toured the "castle" and had lunch at Bushe's pub. Learned about Barbary pirates there. Also toured Bantry House and Gardens and drove the Healy Pass on Beara Penisula.We would have liked to have gone farther down the penisula bit didn't realize how quickly we could get over the Healy Pass. We got to Kenmare in time to walk to the stone circle and shop. Wife never misses a knitting shop. You shouldn't have any problems with the roads since you have driven there before. We did encounter a detour right after we left Kinsale but it didn't slow us down much.

I was on the Beara peninsula on Saturday, my second time there. If you're like me - stopping and taking in the views, shooting lots of photos! - you won't want to do that drive in one day!

As I've lived here 4 years, now, and talked to many tourists, the number 1 complaint I hear is how much driving they do. The roads are slower than Google maps indicates. ALWAYS give yourself more time than you think!

That said, sunset was 9:30 p.m. last night and it was daylight until almost 11:00 - so the daylight will help if you're driving at "night!"