Please sign in to post.

Recommendations for day tours-Kerry, Dingle, Aran Islands

We are doing a self-driving tour from Dublin to Galway, via Cork, Kinsale, Dingle, Doolin, and heard that it may be more interesting to take day tours of the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Pennisula, and the Aran Islands. I have looked at taking the boat across and seeing the island by horse cart. Bikes are not an option for us. Others have said it is worth the money to have someone else drive and tell stories about the history and sites we would go by. We are staying at BnB's and don't want a 'tour' trip, but day tours along the way. Has anyone had good experiences with this or other suggestions? We would be there late in May into early June, this year. Thanks!

Posted by
3061 posts

We've found the "things to do" pulldown menu on Trip Advisor to be helpful in sorting thru the various options for full and half day tours, and always found their reviews to be pretty trustworthy.
I don't think you need to book a pony trap tour of Inismore in advance. They'll be lined up on the pier when the ferry pulls in - just chat with the driver and be on your way. They're pretty good about customizing your ride to include anything you'd especially like to see.
Also, many here recommend flying over to Inismore rather than taking the ferry, which can be a rough and unpleasant ride if sea states are running high, and if the weather really turns sour there's the risk of outright cancellation.The company that operates the flights is Aer Arann Islands.
With a car you can easily tour both Slea Head and the Ring of Kerry independently and at your leisure, but if a guided tour is preferred then Trip Advisor will have a number of options. One day tour that's especially nice is an all-day excursion starting in Killarney that includes a boat trip across the lake, docking at a little restaurant called Lord Brandon's Cottage, then a pony trap ride thru the beautiful Gap of Dunloe to another tea room called Kate Kearney's, finishing with a bus ride from there back into Killarney town.

Posted by
12 posts

Thanks for the suggestions. I booked a 1/2 day tour of the Dingle Peninsula for the archealogical info and just to relax. I think we are going take the RS Ring of Kerry drive and spend the day on our own. We thought the Pony and Trap would be a quaint way to see Inishmore and your suggestion about not booking is good. A good chance to get out of a motorized vehicle! We are planning to take the early ferry across and then add the Cliffs of Moher excursion at the end for a full day's activity. I was a little concerned about timing so we don't miss the ferry back, but I think by taking the first boat over, we might avoid some of the crowds. We would be going on Tuesday, June 3 so hopefully it would be before the big tourist rush, and NOT a weekend. We are staying in Doolin for 2 nights, coming in from Dingle the day before and heading to Galway on the way out. I appreciate your input very much.

Posted by
3061 posts

The ferry won't sell out so you should be able to check the weather forecast a day or two in advance before committing. The weather (and sea state) is usually pretty stable by the 1st of June so, in general, you should be OK.
Know that the more direct route to Inishmore is from Rossaveale harbor about an hour by car west of Galway. Getting there from Doolin is a bit more circuitous - smaller boats too. The company offers a shuttle service from the town if you don't want to drive.
Also, they offer a seasonal departure from Galway town itself that goes by the Cliffs of Moher on the way - haven't done it but it's supposed to be quite scenic ... and would be a better way to view the cliffs rather than competing with the crowds on top at the visitor center.