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Western Ireland 6 days

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Trying to do 6 days in Western Ireland (flying in and out of Shannon) and after a lot of reading and research I am close to settling on 3 nights in Galway and 3 nights in Kenmare. Galway because of the great restaurants and day trip options to the Cliffs of Moher, Barren, and Connemara areas. Stay in Kenmare as a base to do Beara Pennisula and Killery National Park. Originally I wanted to do Kinsale/Cork since I read about it being a foodie destination as a base as well but I think it would be too much for this amount of time and that area didn't seem as beautiful as the west coast.

For context, we prioritize stunning landscapes, access to nature, great food, and a real local feel to places. We want to avoid tourist traps if possible. How does this itinerary sound? Is 3 nights in either of these places too much? Anywhere very special that I am missing? Maybe add Doolin so I am not doing so much driving from Galway?

Thanks so much!

Posted by
1926 posts

Kenmare does not have a "real local" feel, IME. I suggest using your preferred booking app and see what there is further down the Beara Peninsula that meets your needs and budget.

Posted by
574 posts

We really loved Inishmore. An island just off Galway. Possible as a day trip (no driving), we spent 2 nites, lots of amazing sites. Great cliffs.
Brad

Posted by
3041 posts

Kenmare does seem to be increasingly full of Americans (a result of the Rick Steves effect?) Maybe rather than staying the town, look for accommodation near by - may be across the bridge on thhe Beara side? That still gives good access to Killarney NP as well as Bera Peninsula.

Posted by
1182 posts

depending on when you go, much of Ireland is a bit tourist trappy. We're not foodies and trad music is our love, and we prefer to relocate more often, so I'll keep quiet.

I would suggest looking into an Aran island overnight and Skellig Michael if you're there during puffin season.

Posted by
553 posts

I agree with Brad. Take one of your Galway nights and spend it on Inishmore. Ferry back the next morning and begin your drive to the Beara Peninsula. Or just go for the day so you can begin the drive sooner. The ferry leaves from downtown Galway. https://www.aranislandferries.com/#indseo.

Further south of Kenmare is the prettier town of Bantry for an overnight spot, offering a short (5 minutes) hop to Whiddy Island, which has a restaurant. For dramatic scenery on the Beara Peninsula en route to Bantry, drive over Healy Pass. You'll be rewarded on the downhill run with multiple switchbacks and wide open vistas of the valley below. Just before starting the climb up Healy, stop for lunch at the recently renovated An Sibin in Lauragh (a former purveyor of illicit spirits). It's also a B&B. https://an-sibin-bb.irelandhotel24.com/en. Note the uniquely Irish utilization of the "gas pumps" out front.

Posted by
748 posts

We spent four nights in Kenmare exploring and hiking the Kerry and Beara Peninsulas. We stayed at the Rockcrest B&B and had a delightful time. I found it to be a great location for both areas and nice to come back at night and have some dining and music choices. Where the ring forts on Kerry were amazing my favorite of all three peninsulas was Beara.

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