8 June nights in Ireland

Personally, I don't get the appeal of Kinsale, but many, many do so there must be something I am missing. I don't dislike Kinsale; just indifferent. And you don't have a full day scheduled there so rather than having people tell you that you missed something really special, you better leave it in.

Re County Clare: Ennis is a pleasant overnight. Big enough for a choice of restaurants, etc, but small enough for wandering. Or push onto Athlone and the next day stop at Birr Castle or Clonmacnoise on your way back to Dublin.

Drop Kinsle for Kenmare or killarney and drop a night off Dingle for a night in Galway. Dingle gets all the Hype but it is just a small peninsular with a Dolphin and a lot of press.

We spent 10 days in ireland for my wife's 50th last year. You'll love Ireland and the people. Try not to do too much...8 days is not a lot of time, so don't make the mistake of trying to see everything! You'll just spend all your time in a car. We concentrated on a few areas and we're glad we did. Check out Rick Steves books and website. First off, why are you landing in Dublin and spending time driving back there? We flew into Shannon,(picked up our rental car) and took the road thru the spectacular scenic pass into Dingle. Yes Dingle is a little touristy, but still authentic enough with great historic pubs (visited 3 per night) and great eateries! Stayed 2 nights at the PAX house B&B in Dingle (see Trip advisor...fantastic B&B and owner!) , and had a chance to drive the Dingle Peninsula... one of the BEST drives in all of Southern Ireland! We continued on to Killarney and stayed at the Friars Glen B&B (highly recommend as well) just outside Killarney National Park (definitely worth a full day there!) Toured the Muckross House and took a boat on the historic (since 1805) grand tour of the lakes and rode back in a traditional horse and cart (one of the highlights of our trip!). Really not much to see in the town of Killarney, ...great restaurants though! Wandering the National park is the main reason you should go there! We also spent a day driving the beautiful Ring of Kerry. If you do this, make sure you don't miss the short drive or car ferry ride to Valencia Island, and drive to the very top lookout...truly spectacular!!! We also drove to Kenmare, which is picturesque, but very touristy...has some great eateries though, but not much else. We wanted to make it to Kinsale, but ran out of time. I think it may be touristy as well, and a little too far out of the way? This was a golf vacation as well, so we played some courses along the way and ended our last day golfing at Ballybunion. From there we left for Dublin where we spent our last two days. Stayed at the Best Western Academy Inn (great central location and great price!) Decided to get orientated by using the hop on hop off bus. Spent time pub hopping and eating in the Temple district. We had time for either the Guinness or old Dublin jail tour. Decided on the jail tour after we heard it was much more interesting! We're glad we did! The other places in County Clare look worthwhile, but just try not to do too much, since the secondary roads in Ireland take awhile to drive. As well, make sure you talk to the locals for the best places to drink and eat. They'll never steer you wrong! Of the 47 countries I've travelled in, Ireland is one of my favorites, can't wait to go back! Have a great trip!
Tom

Thank you for the feedback. We already booked our flights and perhaps should have flown out of Shannon. The debate right now is a night in kenmare or kinsale, with the next day in Killarney national or driving straight through to dingle. Which would give me time to go play ballybunion.

Killarney National vs ballybunion. My wife doesn't golf she would probably just walk the course, weather permitting.

Any thoughts?

Schmidco,
We played Killarney National, a beautiful inland course, but were much more impressed by Dooks Golf Course on the coast of the Ring of Kerry, and by Ballybunion which is spectacular and a true Irish Links layout. My wife a high handicap golfer put still loved it. The walk alone will impress your wife! The only problem is that they book up fast, and you often have to play the Old course and the newer Cashen course as a package. Ballybunion was slow to get back to us, so we had to book a room at the 19th Lodge (beside the course) ...they had extra tee times set aside for their guests.( contact is Mary Beasley...nice lady and nice B&B) The Cashen course is a beautiful layout as well, but harder to score well on. Still both were a highlight and worth playing. However, 8 days to and from Dublin will leave you with precious little time? Good luck with you planning. (forget Kinsale,,,not enough time!)

Sorry you meant touring Killarney National Park vs playing Ballybunion? If your wife is a non golfer and loves history and the outdoors definitely the national park. Spectacular scenery and historic ruins. If you haven't booked a B&B or hotel , Friars Glen is in a great location beside the park with a wonderful owner who is a wealth of information on the area. Good luck...

Thank you I think we have made our mind up. No golf but Killarney national thx

We enjoyed both Killarney and Dingle. Some photos if interested:

http://ukfrey.blogspot.com/2011/08/ireland.html

In this forum I am impressed by people often suggesting Muckross House but nearly never a visit in Ross Castle in Killarney. I think both are a must in the area. Ross castle is absolutely scenic, you can take some great photos, plus guided tour inside the castle is very interesting/informative. Unless this is no longer availiable as I visited a few years ago for last time?
If you like hiking and/or nature, you can hardly bit Killarney area. Of course I am always impressed by people answering to posts when those posts do not mention what a person's likes/dislikes and traveling style are... Practical info on travel logistics alright..But how could someone advice withour having a clue what someone is looking on his vacation??? For example I absolutely loved the Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin while I found Guiness factory a very averrage visit, while a friend of mine through Gaol was rather boring and Guiness Storehouse very fun. I love history and he likes high tech and modern stuff though though.

PS: I am quite familiar with Ireland but I am Greek, so please excuse the typos and errors. I am not a native English speaker...