Turning to this forum again - cool place to stay near Killarney area

We stayed at a true jewel in 2024, the Olde Forge B&B just south of Caherdaniel. Spectacular sea views from the room, wonderful breakfast, and a spacious but secluded-feeling lawn area for relaxing if you’re there for a few days & nights. It’s on the Ring of Kerry, but not certain how close it’d be to your access for the mountain.

Closer to Carrauntoohil (as the crow flies), although well west of Killarney, we also stayed in Glenbeigh, at the Liosderrig House B&B. It’s not a fancy jewel, but the small town is delightful, and it provided a good room and breakfast.

This May we are staying at the Rockcrest House in Kenmare. So I don't have firsthand experience; however, someone on this forum (I forgot who) recommended it to me.
https://www.visit-kenmare.com/rockcresthouse.html

In the Black Valley near Gap of Dunloe Remote spot Shamrock B+B and Holiday Home
30 min from Cronins Yard
or
Nearer to the Ring and the sea Kells Bay House and Gardens
Nice rooms and good restaurant
45min from Cronins Yard

Awesome suggestions thank you. This is just the kind of information I was looking for. My wife and I enjoy going places that are not on the tour routes, but we can use as a base for out hiking/walking/biking. So these all seem like good options. Next I need to find someplace similar on the Dingle peninsula.

You mention the Dingle Peninsula. So thought I would let you know we have reservations at the PAX House in Dingle for this May. It came highly recommended by people on this forum and the Fodor's forum.

Thanks for that too!

Thanks all for your input. In looking at the driving logistics, I think I'll need two bases. One closer to Killarney and Cronin's Yard, where the trailhead begins for climbing Carrauntoohil. Where we can also find some stores that might have things like hiking poles if I need some and some groceries. Then loaded up with kit, we can stay farther down the Peninsula near Caherdaniel. Both giving us the ability to do the climb or do local coastal hikes in a pinch if it rains for 4 days or something.

I found this great site: https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/ring-of-kerry-drive/, which I found useful to conceptualize the journey and all the things we can do on the peninsula for a week. And like I learned visiting Scotland (4 times), focusing on smaller areas is actually experiencing more. And you have to assume you'll be back another time to see other things and meet all the great people at those places.

So if you have more ideas for Carrauntoohil climbing base that's not right in Killarney, I would appreciate any tips. When we hiked Ben Nevis in Scotland, someone in this forum pointed me to a B&B directly at the foot of the mountain, and it was one the most memorable places we stayed.

We loved our stay at Rockcrest in Kenmare. We went hiking almost every day and returned to a wonderful B&B each night. We were able to walk into town and try a new place for dinner. The breakfast was outstanding.

Thanks Renee. All these stay tips are greatly appreciated.

We stayed at Rockcrest in 2019 and loved it!
That same trip, we stayed at Thidwick in Caherdaniel, which we also loved. It’s up on a hill with beautiful views and loads of sheep right outside the window. We had chosen the location because it’s in the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve. Unfortunately every night was cloudy. But the clouds didn’t spoil anything. Check it out!