We will be in Ireland in May & our most ambitious day is day 2. We'll be staying in Glendalough the night before. Our plan is to leave about 8:30 am & drive through Avoca (briefly, just to see it) and on to Kilkenny to look around & have lunch. Then to Rock of Cashel & Cahir Castle. We hoped to go on to Kinsale, arriving early evening (before the sun goes down). Is this doable? Our other days are more reasonable: 3) Kinsale - Mizen - Kenmare 4)Kenmare - Ring of K - Dingle 5) Dingle towards Cliffs of Moher & ultimately Galway b4 heading back to Dublin. Appreciate any feedback!
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1862 posts
We drove all five of the southwest peninsulas last April. I would suggest you add the Ring of Beara to your day 3 instead of Mizen Head. Mizen wasn't nearly as interesting as Beara, but maybe you have ancestral connections to that area?
Posted by
OP
Orlando, FL, USA
29 posts
No, my husband saw it on a special about Ireland and was enamored with the sight of the coastline. I can definitely check out your suggestion -- thanks!
Posted by
OP
Orlando, FL, USA
29 posts
Also, we're still debating about Dingle since we will have at least done the Ring of Kerry & possibly Beara. Is it significantly different and/or worth the trip?
Again, thanks!
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1862 posts
IMHO, here are my recommendations for "best" of the five peninsulas: Dingle west of Dingletown, the south side of the Ring of Kerry, and the north side of the Ring of Beara. The other bits either the views are obscured or the coastline is not as rugged or there's too much private land blocking your views. While I'm not a "tour" fan, I would suggest taking the "jaunting car through the Gap of Dunloe/ return by boat through the lakes" tour which takes about half a day. You can purchase tickets for it in Killarney, a town I would otherwise skip - crowded and commercial. Both Dingletown and Kenmare are full of interesting shops, good restaurants, and music pubs.....Are you also visiting Connemara, IMHO one of the most beautiful parts of western Ireland?
Posted by
OP
Orlando, FL, USA
29 posts
We'll have 2 nights in Galway, so the plan is to spend the 2nd day driving through Connemara, returning to Galway for the evening.
Posted by
Dublin, Ireland
105 posts
On your primary question Cathy, no problem to get from Glendalough to Kinsale in the one day, doing what you're planning on the way. There is a motorway from Cashel to Cork, and Kinsale is about 45 minutes from Cork. If its a weekday (Monday to Friday) avoid Cork between 4:45 to 6:30, this is roughly the rushour period so it will be slower getting through. Sundown is close enough to 9:00 so you've got plenty of time. Enjoy your stay with us!!
Posted by
OP
Orlando, FL, USA
29 posts
Thank you, John. Very helpful advice!
Posted by
Ithaca, NY, USA
30 posts
I like Cynthia's response. My wife and I spent two weeks in Ireland in June and stayed on the West Coast. Dingle and Kenmare are great towns with good food, pubs and shopping. Dingle Peninsula is wonderful. We took a private car tour and it was relaxing and enjoyable. We also went north of Galway to Conemmara and out to the Aran Islands- highly recommend both. The north side of Kerry is flat and not very interesting. We did not do the Berea Peninsula but have heard it is wild and majestic. The Burrens and the Cliffs of Moher are worth a visit. Do the Cliffs by boat out of Doolin- a much better view. Tom