I'm planning a month long tour of Ireland in May and June. Somewhere in the middle I've got two nights in Kinsale, one in Killarney and 3 nights in Dingle. Already booked. No car (can't drive). I'm leaving Kinsale on a Saturday morning. The plan was to catch a bus to Killarney (change in Cork), explore, spend the night in Killarney. Next day, check out of my b & b, catch a Ring of Kerry day tour at 10:30am returning at 5pm and catch a bus to Dingle. However, I misread the schedule and it turns out the bus for Dingle leaves at 5:05. And there apparently isn't a next one. I'm thinking that's too tight to take a chance. So...should I stay another night in Killarney and take away one night from Dingle? Or would you leave Kinsale super early on Saturday, catch a 7Am bus to Killarney (change in Cork), arrive in Killarney at 10:05, and take the 10:30 Ring if Kerry tour that day? Then I would spend the night in Killarney, explore the next day, and catch that 5:05 bus to Dingle. Hope all that makes sense. Thanks.
Posted by
3122 posts
If it's important to you to tour RoK, I'd go with your second alternative: leave Kinsale super early on Saturday, catch a 7Am bus to Killarney (change in Cork), arrive in Killarney at 10:05, and take the 10:30 Ring of Kerry tour that day. If you can, confirm with your tour operator that you're due to arrive on the 10:05 bus so that in case it's late they might be kind enough to wait a few minutes for you.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, California, USA
162 posts
Thanks. Wow, you mean even 25 minutes to catch another bus is still tight in Ireland? I guess the other alternative would be to do the first one and add a 2nd nite to Killarney, and then I'd have 2 nights in Dingle instead if 3. This is my first time so I would like to see the ROK even if it's only by tour bus.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
852 posts
Have you looked at the train schedule from Cork to Killarney? If there is an early enough train it would probably be quicker than the bus. I recall the bus and train stations were not too far from each other in Cork (short walk). I did the trip the other way around, train from Killarney to Cork, and then bus to Kinsale and it was quite easy. Once you get to Killarney do you have time to get to your accommodations, check in, leave your luggage, and get to where the tour leaves from?
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, California, USA
162 posts
Hey, that's an idea...hadn't thought of the train out of Cork. I just checked and it might buy me a much needed hour in the morning. Instead of 7 AM, it looks like I can catch the 8AM bus from Kinsale to Cork arriving at 8:45. The train for Killarney leaves at 8:55 and arrives 10:19. Tour bus leaves Kilarney at 10:30. All that's pretty tight. Can I risk it? I guess it depends how from the Killarney rail station is from wherever the tour bus leaves. And before that, can I get from the bus stop in Cork to the train station in 10 minutes? I'd buy my train ticket ahead of time. As for my bag, I would just bring it with me on the ROK tour and check in at 5PM or so when the tour bus gets back to Killarney. My hotel in Kinsale is not close to the bus stop so if I could have that extra hour it would be nice.
An extra night in Killarney would solve my problem. Can't be as bad as Rick says, is it?
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
345 posts
I have no personal experience with this but when I was investigating options for a trip last summer, I found that some day tour companies will meet you at the train station in Killarney. I believe one called Wild Kerry Tours/O'connor tours will guarantee getting you to your tour if the train is late. This might be worth checking into.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, California, USA
162 posts
Thanks very much. I will check into that. That would be great if they could pick me up at the train station. There's one tour...Paddywagon... that leaves a bit later than the others: 10:45. After all the above advice, I think I will go ahead and try and make it to Killarney in time for one of these tour buses. Plenty to choose from. Thanks to all. -- Don