Hello! It would be really helpful to hear any recommendations for a stop for the night on the train ride from Dublin (Heuston) to Tralee. Mallow seems logical, since that is where we need to stop to change trains anyway. Does that sound about right, or am I missing anything? I'd hate to miss a hidden gem along the way. This is for Monday, September 2nd. I know it's a ways off but we are finding some hotels are already booked up, so we want to get reservations made now.
Here's the backstory: This will be at the end of a long travel day for us, having flown non-stop from Seattle into Dublin, arriving Sept. 2. We originally planned to spend the night in Dublin before hopping on the train (and then the bus) to Dingle. But Dublin hotel prices on Sept. 2 are exorbitant - nearly double compared to when we return on Sept. 6 to explore Dublin for 6 days. So, we are thinking let's go ahead and hop on our train, get out of town, and stop and stay someplace less expensive.
BTW, I know it is most convenient to rent a car in Ireland but we are committed to taking trains and buses and believe we have that part pretty much figured out to our satisfaction. It'll be my husband and me and we've travel enough together that we are not put off but a little complexity (we plan it out so we don't exceed what we want to manage).
Thank you in advance for any guidance you can share!