We are traveling to Ireland flying into Shannon on August 27th, returning Dublin on September 3rd. We have Skellig Michael landing tour reservations on Monday the 28th. And, we want to go to Loughrea to visit my mother-in-laws family home. There are 8 of us from 25-84, one with a guide dog. Given that:
1. Is Tralee a good base for 3 nights to start? One day to Skellig Michael, one day to Dingle Peninsula. Any thoughts on Ballyseede or Ballygarry House? Is one better than the other? Is Kenmare too far?
2. From there to Galway for two nights. Recommendations?
3. Then 2 nights in Dublin.
4. Best route from Tralee to Galway, if we do decide to stay there?
5. Evening activities in Tralee? Music?

We aren't interested in driving all day everyday, but want to do some activities: easy cycling, horseback riding, lots of traditional music and maybe some distilleries.

Would love some of your input...thanks so much!

Have you got a booking for Skellig? if not it won't happen this year all landing were booked up even before the new licenses were issued.

If Skellig is key then you might want to rethink?

Basing in Tralee either Ballyseede or Ballygarry? Two totally different options that only you can decide on would work for the Dingle figure of eight and the Ring of Kerry including a quick call into Ballyvaughan.

I live in the last house under Loughrea's southern postal area, its a big area. From Tralee to Loughrea where there are many riding and hiking options could include coming from Limerick to Bunratty then through the Lough Derg lakelands or up the N/M 18 and across from Gort. You just miss the Loughrea medieval festival, ends on the 27th. You could catch it if you do Shannon to Loughrea to Galway then down to Tralee before Dublin?

What to do where to stay depends on what you want to do. Most of what you have said relates to 3 days south of Limerick... What do you want from Galway apart from a visit here?

"Basing in Tralee either Ballyseede or Ballygarry? Two totally different options that only you can decide on would work for the Dingle figure of eight and the Ring of Kerry including a quick call into KENMARE".
no idea where Ballyvaughan came from but i wish it would get back there! this site needs an Edit Button.

Yes we are booked for skellig Michael land tour on Monday. I thought Galway a good location as we want to spend a little time in Loughrea and as we ar flying out of Dublin, it made sense. We are also debating on a self-catering home in Killarney the first 3 nights. Lodging is limited for a large group the longer I wait. Any thoughts on a private driver or costs?

Thanks so much!
Debbie

We stayed at a unique boutique hotel outside of Galway that we really liked called The Twelve Hotel (https://www.thetwelvehotel.ie) - and is very pet friendly: https://www.thetwelvehotel.ie/pet-friendly-hotel. It's a few miles outside of Galway but has a great restaurant attached to it - and walking distance to a grocery store.

I only cater for up to 4 people so drivers for your group.. try https://www.joelawlor.com/private-co...nd-group-hire/ & Declan Roughan http://www.shannontours.com/ or https://carrigcoaches.ie/ all those are Limirick/Shannon area based and cater for larger groups.

Have you also considered the Lodges @ Ashford Castle in Adare, they should be open for August after refurbishment this year. could be a Tralee alternative?

Thanks everyone. We've decided to stay three nights in Killarney where we've booked a very nice home just outside of town, followed by two nights in Galway at the Park House Hotel and then on to Dublin for two nights before we return home. We've booked day tours with Walkwithme tours to Skellig Michael on Monday, Dingle Peninsula on Tuesday and then to Galway on Wednesday via the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. There seems to be quite a bit to do in and around Killarney...am I doing ourselves a disservice by not just hanging around there Tuesday (vs Dingle) so we don't have 3 days of driving?

We aren't planning on a car in Galway but would like a driver to take us to Loughrea to visit my mother-in-laws grandmother's home. Do we need a driver? Are we ok with a cab? It will be my elderly in-laws, one of who is blind, my husband and I and possibly our niece/nephew and son. Also, any thoughts on Park House Hotel? It looks a bit dated on the website but seems to have very good reviews and appears to be in a good location. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Couple of Bus options to Loughrea, do you know where in Loughrea?

Park house is fine the hotels on Eyre Square date back a ways but they are all in good order. the location as you say is excellent for the bus/train station.

I don't know where in Loughrea but based on a conversation with a friend of my husbands grandmother who went with her back in 1985, it was down the road and across the street from the church, I think it's called St. Brendan's? Any thoughts on if we should skip Dingle and stay in Killarney area on Tuesday?

Thanks so much!

St. Brendan's is the Cathedral so town centre (not a big town centre)

I am a long long way from being the biggest fan of Dingle town, the peninsula is worth seeing. I run Between Ennis to Killarney doing the Dingle figure of eight as a 10 hour route. That said if you want to stay in Dingle there are thousands who would tell its the best place on the island. Its a decision you and your group should make to best suit your plans. Dingle or Killarney as a start point for a trip to Galway make little difference in miles but a Dingle start adds 30 minutes over a Killarney start.