In a few short weeks, we are planning on flying into Kerry Airport at 9:00 am and renting a car. We are then planning on riding around the Ring of Kerry and will stop for lunch along the way. After riding around the Ring of Kerry we then plan on driving over to Dingle taking N86 (which we hear is safer than Connor Pass) and spending the night in Dingle. First Question. Does this itinerary sound doable.
Second Question: What are some memorable restaurants to stop for lunch along the way while driving around the Ring. Thank you!
Posted by
Kingsville, Ontario
165 posts
Don't avoid the Connor Pass, it's very safe, just narrow.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Connor pass might be considered safe, but it can be a very unnerving, white knuckled, and not all that pleasant an experience if people do not like this type of drive. I did it, against better judgement, and when we finally got to the top the clouds and fog rolled in. We had to wait for about 30 minutes for it to clear and then I got out of there as fast as I could.
Posted by
Lima, Perú
126 posts
I think your itinerary is "doable." We drove the ROK easily - didn't stop much, so for us 1/2 day was just fine to complete the ring. Our priority was to get to Dingle and enjoy driving that peninsula at a more leisurely pace. We've also stayed overnight at Portmagee, but that was for the sole reason of taking an early boat to Skellig Michael, otherwise we would've skipped that detour from the ROK. No restaurants/pubs stand out in my mind as having been "memorable" along the ROK. There is only 1 pub at Portmagee. It was ok. (BTW - we had an absolutely memorable all-around experience at a restaurant in Dingle called "Out of the Blue.") As a side note - Connor Pass was one of the most exhilarating parts of our 2-week drive around the RI. I had warned my husband previously about this pass based on other comments on this site that it is unsafe/dangerous. We disagree that it is either. Once we were through it, I wanted my husband to turn around and do it again. But we didn't have to deal with dense fog or heavy traffic and my husband is a very confident and careful driver :) Hope you have a wonderful time!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
What the heck??? It's just a road through some hills.
Posted by
Pearland, Texas, USA
441 posts
Carol, I've been on the Ring of Kerry twice and both times we broke the drive in half by staying the night at Portmagee. It's a small town with at least one VERY nice B&B called the Moorings. They have a restaurant and it's good. We tend to eat in pubs so every town has an eatery.
Posted by
OP
porter ranch, ca, USA
47 posts
Thanks for the feedback. I am a confident driver but from I have read and heard I think we are going to avoid Connor Pass and take N86. Also, we only have a day and a half so do you think it is doable to ride around the Ring of Kerry and then drive over to Dingle and spend the night. I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2775 posts
We drove from Kinsale to the RoK then over to Dingle. It was a very long, but enjoyable day. So I think your plan is doable, provided you are rested when you fly into Kerry. Not sure where you are flying from. Apparently we did not find a memorable restaurant because I can't remember where we ate. : )
Posted by
OP
porter ranch, ca, USA
47 posts
Thanks alot for the information. It was very helpful.
Posted by
Pittsburgh
7 posts
We have driven both, and the Connor Pass was one of the highlights of the trip. We still tell people about it. If you are afraid of heights or will upset yourself, then yes, you should avoid it. Otherwise, if you take your time and use your head, it is no more dangerous than the rest of Ireland.