we're driving from cork to dingle and would like some advice on a scenic route where we can see the beautiful sights west of cork. thanks!
Amber, this URL will show you the best route to Dingle from Cork -- http://tinyurl.com/593zpg
Even though most of this route is on the motorway, it is still scenic. In fact, that section of the motorway contains numerous pieces of sculpture along the way. It is the custom, when building a new highway, to appease the spirits living there by offering them something of value in return for disturbing them by building the road. You'll also see Norman towers and ruins all along the way.
IMO, if you have the time and get an early start, a better route is to take the N71 from Cork to Killarney via Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Bantry, Glengarriff, and Kenmare. The drive along Killarney National Park between Kenmare and Killarney is especially beautiful.
From Killarney you have a delightful dilemma. You can either go to Dingle via Killorglin, Castlemaine, and Inch. Or you can go via Tralee, Camp, Kilcummin, and over Connor Pass. If the weather is clear, drive over Connor Pass. You may not get another chance.
Killarnery National Park is wonderful and Dingle is too!
We also drove N71 (in the reverse direction- Dingle to Cork) and it was beautiful, but be advised that it takes the better part of the day to drive the entire length from Cork to Dingle. I would suggest that you buy an Ordinance Survey map. Along N71 was the only place that we got lost on our trip last summer. If you need a quicker route, you could try N22 to Kilarney, then N71 and N70 to Dingle Town.
A revision to my second route, disregard 71 and 70... the correct route would be N22 to Killarney and Tralee and then N86 to Dingle.