Ring of Kerry and Dingle in 2 days?

Here's what I would do. Thursday: Drive the N 71 along the coast from Kinsale to Kenmare, passing through Skibbereen, Bantry, and Glengarriff. Continue on the N 71 to Killarney. The drive between Kenmare and Killarney alongside the national park is gorgeous. See a bit of the park and then continue on to Dingle. If the weather is clear, drive over Conor Pass on your way from Tralee to Dingle. You may not get another chance. Spend the evening in a Dingle pub which hosts traditional music sessions. Friday: Take the Slea Head drive. Stop at the Blasket Island Visitor Center. Spend the evening in a different Dingle pub that hosts traditional music sessions. Saturday: Do you have a special reason for staying in Limerick? If not, drive to Ennis, taking the ferry across the Shannon River from Tarbert to Killimer. Check out one of the pubs that has traditional music sessions and spend the night in Ennis.

Thank you for your suggestion, I like the idea of the R71 drive and just stay in Dingle for 2 nights. What is the big difference between the ROK and Dingle Peninsula? I really had myself set on the ROK, but maybe only because it seems to be more well known and I've heard about it more. If you could only see one, you'd pick Dingle? We actually have to be at the Dublin airport between 10 and 10:30 on Saturday. Limerick just seemed like a place that we could stay where we could get to the airport within 2 hours come Sunday morning. Thank you for your help I really appreciate it and I have the fam counting on me!

One more thought....would it make sense to hold off and pick during the week we're there based on the weather, or is it too difficult to get a B&B unless it's done in advance?

Limerick to Dublin airport is at least a 3.25 hour drive (ViaMichelin shows it at 2.5 hours, and it's best to add 25% to their estimates to get a more realistic time - Ennis is even farther from Dublin). Add to that the time it will take to get your car turned in and take the shuttle to the airport, as well as time to do US immigration (yes, it is done in Dublin before departure) and your regular security clearance, and it doesn't make Limerick a very viable option for your last night in Ireland. In your case, I would skip ROK, do Dingle, then head toward Dublin before stopping for the night.

Wow, glad you filled me in on that. Okay, last question...we're spending the first 3 nights of our trip in Dublin, so I'd prefer not to stay there the last night. Is there a nice town on the way back within an hour of the airport that may be a good option to stay in? Thank you for your help!

I haven't stayed there, but Kildare is about an hour from the Dublin airport and is on the road between Limerick and Dublin. You can check out B&Bs there, and at other towns along that route, on the Irish tourism website, www.discoverireland.com.

I suggested the Dingle Peninsula rather than the Ring of Kerry because the ROK is likely to be more congested and because you are interested in traditional music. Now that I know how early you need to be at the Dublin airport, I agree with Nancy that you should spend your last night closer to Dublin than either Ennis or Limerick. I haven't been to Kildare either, but from looking at the map it looks like a logical choice to me.

When we rented a car in Dublin the rental agency was on-site at the airport. No shuttle was needed. As for ROK vs. the Dingle Penninsula, I have not done the ROK. I have driven the Dingle Peninsula and it was fantastic. And Dingle is a great town. Good pubs, good music... It was my favorite place I stayed in Ireland. If you are looking for a place to stay in Dingle, we stayed at the Milestone House B&B. It is just outside of town and at the beginning of the Slea Head Drive. They had the best breakfast of any place I have stayed in both Europe and the U.S. Their soda bread (white and brown) is outstanding and they have scrambled eggs with salmon that are delicious. Everything was good and freshly made. They provide you with a hand drawn map of Dingle, showing every business, and another map of the Slea Head Drive (Dingle Peninsula) marking every spot to go. They were both great to have. Have a great trip!!

Whether or not the car rental agency is on airport property depends on what company they are using. Worst case scenario, the rental agency would be offsite. If not, great, but many are.

I too would definitely give Limerick a big miss. Kildare would be a good choice. I have done both ROK and Dingle, absolutely loved both experiences, but in the time frame you have, I would chose Dingle for the live music and pub experience especially. We stayed at the Lighthouse B & B. One of the best B & B's we stayed in anywhere. Sensational location, wonderful hosts and a stunning breakfast in a breakfast room with equally stunning views.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I will be staying much closer to Dublin now so thank you for the advice, and I think I will also be staying in Dingle for the two nights. Is the scenery more impressive in the ROK than Dingle or vice versa? Or is it sort of same same but different? I think my parents will appreciate a little less driving with staying in Dingle rather than doing the ROK from Killarney one day and then the Dingle Peninsula the next day. Thanks again!

They are very different, so really neither one is "better". The ROK can be foggy, though, and doesn't run along the coast the whole way.

Agree with Judy, we have done both on different trips and we prefer Dingle, that's just our opinion. We also stayed at the Lighthouse B&B in Dingle and loved the big rooms, view and private car park. We went for trad music at what we think is called Six Bridges pub but have to get there early. You do have to keep in mind to always add extra time driving to what guides say due to sheep crossings, being behind farm tractor on narrow roads etc. enjoy.

Thank you for the helpful advice everyone! Based on your advice, we decided to stay in Dingle for 2 nights. I also booked us a couple of rooms at the Lighthouse B&B. The people must be amazing there considering so many different B&B reviews said "This was the best B&B of my trip". Thanks again!

A great place to stay on the way back to Dublin is Kinnitty Castle. Wonderful, wonderful place. (Skip the ROK and relax and enjoy what the Dingle Pen has to offer.)