I was in Ireland last August and absolutely loved it. However, I wanted to go back when it was less crowded and easier to get around. Last time we drove around the coast from Kinsale up to Galway. This time I want to have a central location to make day trips. We still want to get to Dingle and Doolin as well the Aran Islands. Where would be a good central location?
Thanks for your help!
Because Dingle is so far out on the peninsula and Doolin is so far up into Co. Clare, there really isn't a good central location to get to both as day trips. You might have to spend a few days in one area and a few days in the other.
We stayed in Doolin last summer with the hopes of doing a day trip to Dingle, but it's a 3 hour drive, too much for a day trip. There's lots around Doolin, which is why we stayed there -- the Cliffs, the Burren, Aran Islands, short trip to Bunratty.
If you can go to Dingle you should. It was my favorite place we stayed. I much preferred staying there and would not have been as happy with a day trip there. You might consider two locations, Dingle and the Doolin area. I think you will see more doing that than to try to do day trips from one place.
I think it works better not to have a base place, as you have more time to see places when you don't have to worry about getting back to your base. I know it is nice not having to pack and go each day, but you can easily spend a couple days in various places. If you weren't venturing more than an hour or so away it works, but if you want to go much further a large chunk of your day is driving.