Side trip from Scoltland

You're really best advised to invest in a guidebook, whether RS or some other. For example, Lonely Planet is more comprehensive in covering the places that are less popular for a variety of reasons -- whether relatively undiscovered, relatively uninteresting, or relatively over-touristed. Once you've read a guidebook or two and familiarized yourself with the basics, you can return to these forums with some questions that are more specific and more tailored to your timetable, budget, and the itinerary you contemplate.

Hi epltd

Thanks for the advice. We will only stay in Ireland for 4 nights and are thinking to base in One city and do a day trip o two and see the city sites. We are thinking about Belfast, Dublin or any city really that offers good day trips. Would love input on this. I will check out boos and websites.

Thanks again!
Kathy

Kat here is my input based on what you say you enjoy. I would fly into Shannon and go down to Dingle. Spend a couple of days in Dingle traveling the peninsula and seeing the local sites. I then would go over to Kenmare for a couple of days for the Ring of Kerry. I would hire a private tour guide for the ring for one day http://www.kenmaretaxitours.com/home.html Paul Browns tour is awesome, then the next day I would do a self drive tour of the Beara Peninsula. http://www.bearatourism.com/bearaway.html Im not a castle guy so cant speak to that but the cliffs (Kerry) and the landscapes are unbelievable and so different from those I loved in Scotland. You could do this from Dublin but Shannon is much closer if you can choose while booking your flights. We did our trip there in late April and early May fyi.

Hi jarrardd,

Thanks for the advice!! I think we will be staying for 4 nights, from June 24th to June 28th (then to London). Of all that you mentioned, what would you consider to be the top two (other than the Ring) to do? I have read a lot about the Ring of Kerry, sounds like something we would love to see.

Thanks!!! Kathy

I spent a week in county Kerry last summer and there is a ton to do. Take your time and drive the ROK. Maybe do Skellig Michael? Do Killarney NP and Muckross House and Ross Castle and Gap Of Dunloe. The best way to get around........no question.....rent a car. The cliffs of Kerry on the ROK are supposed to be beautiful, but we didn't see them because the coastline was shrouded in fog on our day long drive of the ROK. You might be luckier with the weather.

Thanks!!

I appreciate the comments!! I am going to have to do some research on The ring of Kerry!! It sounds like it's HUGE!!!! But I have read a little about it so far and others have made comments. It sounds beautiful!!!!

Thanks again,
Kathy

Kat for us the RofK (to include the cliffs of kerry) took an entire day with our tour with Paul Brown and then that evening we walked into Kenmare for dinner. The next day we did a self drive of Beara and it also took an entire day, we took our time, ate lunch at a restaurant Paul suggested. So that was two days of pretty much cliffs, coastal views, and mountain passes, awesome. In Dingle we took a half day private tour with Denis Ryan and it was great, gave me time out from behind the wheel. He then suggested some spots for the next day, we did some hiking near Dingle and out on the peninsula, much to see and do. We also were there on a bank holiday and there ws a music/arts festival in Dingle (first Monday of May). We were lucky there was art and music everywhere and we wandered in and out of pubs for music, following the festival map...so cool, good food, great music, better beer. We also spent Sunday afternoon at the Dingle young men's Gaelic football match vs Killarney, a fun afternoon sitting in the stands with the locals rooting on the Dingle team! We also enjoyed a hawk walk that we did up north in Cong..this was one of the highlights of our trip IMO but I don't believe you will have time to head up that way. I heard there is a falconry spot down near the RofK and I cant vouch for it but if it is anything like the hawk walk up in Cong at the Ashford Castle it will be time well spent.

Thanks jarrardd!!

I believe that we will do the Ring of Kerry and take some time to see a few of the Castles along the way if possible!! If we arrive on the morning of the 24th that should possibly give us a half day to see the local sights. We could Start on the Ring the next day. The 25th-27th will be full days and then we'll head to London on the morning of the 28th. Any more suggestions on where to stay?

Thanks!!
Kathy

Hi jarrardd,

A quick question... Did you enjoy going on a tour instead of driving yourself?? Did you have stops and ample time to see what you wanted to see? We are debating on renting a car vs public transport and day tours. Your input will be, as always, appreciated!!

Kathy

I really enjoyed having our own car as it gave us freedom but the tours we took with Paul Brown and Denis Ryan were private tours where it was just my wife and I and those guys in their vehicle. It was a bit pricey but well worth it. Lots of local flair and for me as our driver it gave me a day to relax and really give the scenery a long look. Paul also took us to spots on the RofK that I would not have known about, the same with Denis Ryan out in Dingle. They pointed out and explained architecture and age old stuff we would have missed. So if you are okay with driving I would do the mix and soak in the knowledge of these guys on their private tours. They were totally open to doing whatever at whatever pace you wanted. Both guys asked what we were interested in and tailored the drives to our interests as well as adding stuff they knew was unique. Here is Denis' website, kinda sparse but he was good. http://dingletours.com/ If I had to chose between which tour to take I would do Paul for the RofK, full day. He picked us up at our B&B and we were out 9 plus hours. We stopped for lunch and a snack at spots he enjoys along the way. If you decide on this plan be sure to set it up well in advance, you will not regret the price of the tour!!

THANK YOU jarrardd !!!

I do like the idea of a mixture. I also like having a car and being able to go at my own pace, but also like sitting back and just being able to enjoy the ride and views sounds great too. I think the private tour one day will be worth the expense. I will check out the website and see about tentatively scheduling a tour. Thank you again for the advice. As always, it is appreciated!!!!

Kathy :))

Personally, I would not attempt to do Ireland as a side trip from Scotland, you would end up using up a lot of your time just getting from one to the other. You might end up with only a couple days in the end due to time spent getting to and from airports etc. Take a very close look at how the schedule would work before setting your heart on doing this. It's a long way to go just to see one or two sights. Scotland has more than enough castles (more than anywhere else in Europe I believe) to keep you busy so don't rob Peter to pay Paul. I did separate tours of three weeks each in both Ireland and Scotland and still did not have enough time to see everything I wanted to. But, if your heart is set on getting a taste of Ireland then I would say Dublin or Belfast would be your best base for such a short amount of time. Dublin has a wide variety of tours that could take you to everything from ancient passage tombs to amazing landscapes. From Belfast you can day trip up to the Giant's Causeway, and other places, and Belfast city is quite safe. June is going to be high tourist season and I think the Ring of Kerry will be crowded with tour buses, but I suppose everywhere else will be, also. But, do think about what you will have to remove from your list of things to see in Scotland before deciding to do this. You will enjoy yourself either way.

Hi Anita.

This will be our second trip to Scotland, We actually saw most of what we wanted on our first tip there. We will be visiting Abedeen/Abedeenshie this trip along with a Whale watching tour. We do think we'll have enough time to spend about 4 nights in Ireland also. We don't expect to see loads of places, we just want to see a few good spots though, that's why we asked for suggestions. Another traveler who responded to my question gave me great advice and suggestions (thanks, jarrardd ).
Thanks for your input though, but I think we'll still see about doing Ireland and Scotland.

Kathy