indy_dad

Thanks to all that have provided advice so far. I've done a little more reading and can focus in a little better now.

Quick recap: family of 4 (DD 12, DS 9), flying from the UK (BHX) to either Cork and/or Shannon for a week in August (likely 13-20). Renting/hiring a car.

Things we like:
1) hikes/walks/outdoors
2) history/culture
3) unique/memorable sights
4) good food
5) local music (& dance?) for this trip at least

We don't necessarily need activities "for the kids" but I don't think any of us are necessarily interested in spending all day in the car and getting out to look at things, especially based on what I've heard about the driving/roads etc (e.g. Ring of Kerry).

Moving every couple of days is preferred to day trips with 2+ hrs each way travel. So 3 base camps is fine.

So, from my research so far, these places/activities sound intriguing:
a) Killarney Nat'l Park (Gap of Dunloe)
b) Dingle Peninsula
c) Cliffs of Moher / Burren
d) Aran Islands
e) Connemara Nat'l Park

Something like:

Sat: Fly to Shannon, drive to Killarney, check in #1
Sun: Killarney National Park
Mon: Muckross or Sheep Farm, drive to Dingle, check in #2
Tues: Dingle
Wed: drive to Galway(?) stopping at Cliffs of Moher, Burren, check in #3
Thurs: Aran Islands day trip
Fri: Connemara
Sat: drive back to Shannon

Killarney seems a better location for what we want to do, but Kenmare seems to be preferred.

Is Galway a good base for Connemara or should we head further north/west?

Flaws? Holes? Comments? If you think it is too much, what should be dropped?

Any specific B&B's would be appreciated as well.

Thanks for your help and patience!

Tony2phones

Either Killarney or Kenmare are good bases for Kerry and I personally would have a problem deciding which was best. Kenmare is smaller and quieter and the god of all US tour guides some Rick something dislikes Killarney, probably never got out of the Danny Mann so assumed the whole town was full of tourists.

Galway is a good base for the Connamara and depending on the time of your flight would be about an hour from Shannon on the new road. Having said that I would prefer to stay the night between Dingle and Galway in Doolin for the Cliffs and Aran ferries.

I am a really big fan of the Connamara and not so of Dingle so no guesses where I would drop given that the itinerary is a little tight.

Driving from Killarney to Dingle round Slea Head and out by the Connor Pass to Doolin would be my choice for the second stop, giving one day to Aran's and another to the Burren region before Galway and Connamara. But its not my holiday its yours.

cambe

Galway is a city and with your outdoor interests and children I would suggest Cliften a better option for Connemara although it would be a longer drive to Shannon. Closer and just as nice is Oughterard which is a short drive from Galway but a village as opposed to a city.

irishface

I would head to Galway from Dingle with a stop at cliffs. The ferry from Doolin is weather dependent and if the seas are rough, does not go. The trip is longer than from Rosseveal (Galway) and there is only one trip per day from Doolin while Rosseveal has several to and from Inishmore.

Galway is also a fine base for touring Connemara. Stop in Oughterard for a quick visit to Aughnanure Castle. Lenane has Ireland's only fiord and a nice little craft village with craft demonstrations.

It is true that Galway is a city but if you stay just outside the city in Salthill, where most of the B&Bs are, there is a good beach and there are indoor water activities at the "leisure center" if you hit a bad weather day.

I like both Killarney and Kenmare, but think Killarney is a better base for Muckross, Gap of Dunloe, Ross Castle, etc.

Whatever you choose, will be fun and leave you wishing for more.

Cathinjoetown

I would vote for Galway as a base for Connemara as opposed to a village. My reasoning is that after a day of touring it's nice to have a variety of restaurants to choose from. And, in August it might just be warm enough for the beach!

Tony2phones

There are 3 ferry operators in Doolin and considerably more than one sailing a day. where to stay around Galway on a last night would depend on the departure time of your flight and expected check in time allowance. Galway City traffic can be bad and if the new traffic control measures begin before August then chaos may well ensue.

indy_dad

Thanks so much for your input.

Sounds like I'm fine to stay in Killarney despite Rick S. Mixed vote on Galway, but I'll start looking into that in a little more detail.

I should have some options for Shannon to Birmingham so I shouldn't have to leave too early in the morning.

Any specific B&B recommendations in Killarney, Dingle and the Galway area?

Cheers.

ArtyJones

Kemare and Kilareny are great (although I much prefer Kilareny) but would you consider staying in Dingle or an Daingean as its supposed to be called! It is a wonderful welcoming touristy town but heres A Few tips, that you don’t have to do if you don’t want but I think they are a must. Stay in a nice B&B in the town, Get ice cream from Murphy’s ice cream. It is outrageously delicious! If you like Fish make a reservation at Out of the Blue, the fish it literally just off the boat and served! Instead of seeing Fungi (a famous Dolphin that is soooo popular especially with children) take a trip to Blasket Islands, its steeped in history. But only do this on a really clear day.
Drive Slea Head too but again only a really clear day! You can see all the kids at the Irish Colleges!

My last bit of advice is when you drive the Conor Pass go into a small little holiday town called Castlegregory. I spent all my childhood summers there! Drive through the village and out towards the beach, you will pass the front beach on your right and see all activities out on the water like windsurfing and a trampoline in the water. Although this beach is lovely continue on until you see cars and jeeps parked in sand dunes and on the grass, its a scramble to get parking for the back beach. But once you find something hop out and go onto the beach on the left. It is my favourite beach in the whole of Ireland and I think it’s one of the longest. Walk along the shore for miles and enjoy watching all the surfers. Alternatively you could climb Mount Brandon. It’s not that hard but moderate fitness is required. It’s about 3000 ft but you don’t have to go the whole way up as the last part is the hardest. The views, even from three quarters of the way up are great as your looking down on this beach.
Then you could return to Dingle via the Conner pass or go the other way through Annascaul. If you decide to go this way the stop at Tom Crean’s (the famous explorer) pub – The South Pole Inn. Sit outside and enjoy a nice well deserved pint and some Cheese and Onion tatyo crisps!
Make sure to go to an Irish Traditional music session in Dingle too and usually the old church in the town on the main street St James Church runs lil concerts throughout the summer. They are wonderful and truly 'Irish'.

Happy Travelling =)