Best Way to Spend 2 Days in Kenmare
 

Our October plans are coming together. We will be driving to Kenmare from Kinsale and staying in a B&B for three nights. Then we will drive to Dingle for 2 nights.

That gives us two full days for Kerry, plus we could probably get a half a day in on our way to Dingle, I think. We have been to Mizen Head and Bantry. There is much to see here, ROK (I have to judge for myself whether it is worth seeing, Budman!), Beara, Killarney Nat'l Park, Healy Pass and on and on...

So those of you who have been there and done that, how would you best plan those 2.5 days?
(Assuming, of course, that the weather is perfect!)

Gougane Barra is a beautiful area with the lake, St. Finbarr's church and the forest with huge evergreens and a mossy floor. It's a quick trip from Kenmare, about an hour, and makes a wonderful short day trip. Take the N71 to Glengariff and then the R584. www.gouganebarra.com
Martha

Thanks Martha, that's one more place to try and fit in!

We have one unplanned day after Dingle and before our last night in Bunratty. I am thinking now of making this another day for Kenmare (or Killarney, for a change of scenery.) I can add it since I haven't booked these nights yet. (I am getting anxious!)

There tons of things to do in the area. ON the Beara Peninsual, drive out to the tip and take the cable car out to Dursey Island (or just admire the view, as the car is rather small, and you have to share with cows & sheep). Don't miss the ruined castle nearby (can't remember the name right now). And on the north side of the peninsula, near Laraugh, a mile off the road, up the 'Beara waymarked trail' are the Cashelkeelty Stone circles~definitely worth the hike.

If you do the Ring of Kerry, take the road onto Valencia Island and head southwest to Bray Head~an Irish friend says it's the finest headland in Ireland, and I really enjoyed the walk (it's not strenuous). There are great views of the Skelligs, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson even wrote a poem about it, 'Break, Break, Break'.

For dramatic scenery near Killarney, don't miss the Gap of Dunloe~take your time and hike it, or do a tour with pony and trap, and then a boat ride thru the Lakes.

allisonm,

not to highjack your thread, but topping . . .

we are traveling in late October, and our first stop will be Kenmare for three nights (then on to Dingle for 2 nights), so we're in the same boat. We figure on 2 full days (not counting our arrival day) in the area, and a 1/2 day on our way to Dingle.

We're planning to drive on part of the ring, perhaps down to Sneem and back and/or on to Killarney through the national park, so that will take one day. The other day we just wanted to leave open and go where the breeze takes us. Could try to pack in a day trip from Kenmare to Mizen Head (I really want to see it), but I am afraid that will just put us in the car the whole time.

Beach_dweller, you didn't highjack, you resurrected!

We ended up (and not to be too repetitious, since I posted some of this the other day) adding a day in Killarney after 3 nights in Kenmare. If the weather gods are with us, this day will be for the Park. I can't imagine being sorry for an extra day here! And do try to see Mizen Head, it was gorgeous; you might see seals, too!

When are you going? Will we overlap? Oct 8 to 17 for us, sounds like you might be later.

Hi allison:

I hope you are considering a Gap of Dunloe excursion.

Bill

allisonm,

our trip is October 23 through 29. Save me some guinness please!

I really want to get to Mizen Head; my better half keeps reminding me how much we're trying to pack into what is essentially 5 days.