Can someone tell me what, if any, is the difference between these three areas. I know the Ring of Kerry is by far the most popular, at least with tour buses, with Dingle a close second. I've been reading a lot lately about how nice Beara is due to the less crowded atmosphere. Does the scenery differ in any significant way? Why is the Ring of Kerry more popular? In addition to natural scenery, I love small towns with "atmosphere". Are there as many of them on Beara. Given that I'll be there in August would you advise Beara rather than doing the Ring of Kerry? I have B&Bs booked - one night in Kenmare and one in Dingle (in addition to a total of 7 other nights in southern Ireland). Thanks for you thoughts.

TTT

Bob the Beara Peninsula is definitely much less touristy. Usually a better time IMO. I have a friend that grew up there and we spent a few days in Ardgroom, great fun, small village. The big town is Castletown beara. Hope this helps, have fun, Mary

I do keep hearing that Beara is much less touristy so I guess I'm trying to find out why. I mean, most people complain about too many tourists but most (not all) places that are touristy are that way for a reason - because they have something wonderful that other (maybe nearby areas) don't have. I'm all for going somewhere that tour buses don't frequent if the place is just as good (scenic, atmospheric, interesting). But I don't want to miss something great just because it's crowded. Anyway - that's what I'm really asking. Can someone who has been to both give opinions on each area. Thanks

Isabel, I heard the same things as you before I went, and ended up skipping the R.O.K. in favor of Dingle and did not regret it.

This is just a guess, but maybe the R.O.K. is more touristed because the roads are wider, allowing for buses and therefore more tourists? I don't believe it's that the others are less beautiful. It's also a bigger ring, taking up a nice chunk of time. The very popular towns of Killarney and Kinsale are usually stops, so maybe that's why people opt for it.

I did not driving on roads where there were a ton of tour buses...I had a tough enough time driving when I had the road to myself!

Unfortunately can't tell you about Beara - but my husband and I went on a self-drive tour of Ireland last Spring and absolutely feel in love with the Dingle penisula. It is the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. The drive on the Connor Pass to get into the town was breathtaking and the ride from Dingle to Slea Head was fantastic. The people in the town could not have been more friendly! We were there in April -- and we could have counted the number of cars we passed on one hand. I don't think a tour bus would ever make it on the narrow roads in that area!

BTW: In Dingle there was a fabulous restaurant called the Old Smokehouse (I think I have that name right - it's a bright purple bldg on the main street). Also don't miss Louis Mulcahy Pottery (www.louismulcahy.com for directions) You will just LOVE Dingle. If you don't already have the Rick Steve's guide for Ireland - BUY it! He gives a nice description of some 'off the beaten path' places to see on the Dingle penisula!

Maybe the ROK has just been a tourist designated and marketed route the longest? It very close to Killarney and the lakes there have a long history of tourism.

Anyway, as said up higher, Dingle is often chosen over ROK for fewer tourists (not for long, I'd think), for the good Dingle base, for the spectacular Slea Head, etc. Dingle to me was that typical emerald green with high rolling ranges of hills down it's length. In a few spots, wide sandy beaches appear. Dingle seemed to my eye to be a "soft" landscape.

Beara has very little tourist traffic still. And to me, Beara's drama comes in relation to the Caha mountain range running down it, moreso than the shore, although the shoreline doesn't disappoint. Beara looks just very wild, rugged and desolate in places. Both, I think, are worthwhile.

We stayed in Kenmare last year and were encouraged by our wonderful B&B hosts to 'do' the Beara Penninsula. By far a superior drive than the ring of Kerry. The ROK is a constant battle with tour coaches. It's way too commerical for my liking as well. The Ring of Beara is literally unspoilt & breathtaking.. The sea views are much more dramatic than ROK. And you don't get ripped off in little villages along the way.. Wish I could say the same for ROK.

Thanks for the replys. Sounds like Berea might be a better idea. I do like villages though - does Beara have many or is it pretty wild? Anyone have an idea of approximately how long it takes to drive it (not counting stops which obviously will differ from person to person)?

Hi isabel...We just returned from Ireland, and did all three..Do the Beara..Fewer tourists, lovely scenery, quaint little towns, Hungry Hill Mt. is the area Daphne de Maurier wrote about, Healy Pass is every bit as awesome as Conor Pass, Stone circles, ogham stones, some roads you hope you don't see another car coming!. Wonderful Ireland...Helen

I second Laoghaire's comment about the Healy Pass. I found it more jaw dropping even than the Connor Pass. Drive it south to north (from the windblown and rocky Cork side into Kerry, all peaceful and green) and the cresting of the top of the pass on a sunny day takes your breath away. The transition from one side to the other is astounding. We caught it on a day when there were large but separated puffs of clouds drifting over and you watched the shadows glide across this gorgeous green valley all the way out to the sea. We sat there, doing nothing except looking for well over an hour.

isabel,

Just for reference, today I finally put up the pics we took in Ireland on an admittedly shabby website. Have a number of gaps where we didn't have batteries.. live and learn.

But, if you look on the left side and scroll down to the Co. Cork and Co. Kerry sections, there are some pics of both the Beara and Dingle peninsulas.

http://www.nexxtworld.com/travel/ireland/

Clifton, what beautiful picture! It brought back such wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing your photos.
Katy37, I'm intersted in knowing what B&B you stayed at in Kenmare. When we were there, we were also advised to drive the Beara. It was pouring rain the whole time, but we loved it, and was so glad we'd listened to the advice.
I remember it being very rugged and we certainly didn't see much traffic. I would recommend it.
But I do also really love Dingle.
I guess I'd recommend doing the Beara and Dingle and skipping ROK.

Kodi,

We stayed at Virginia's Guesthouse, situated in the centre of town. A lovely place. The best breakfast we had on our trip. I cannot recommend the place enough. The rooms were spacious. It's relatively new, so everywhere is lovely & clean & new looking. Their e-mail is [email protected].

Katy

Thanks Clifton, I did see your photos after reading about them on another thread. Looks like you went to many of the places on my itinerary. Thanks for all the info. I'm definitly thinking of doing Beara and Dingle and skipping the ring of kerry - based on all the advice I've now gotten. Are there any reasonable (actually make that "inexpensive&quot places to get food on the Beara or should we stock up with picnic food before we get there? Thanks again.

We were coming from the Cork coast, near Skibbereen, so we had stopped in Bantry, just south of Beara for a bite to eat. Was a decent little cafe right on the main square, but for the life of me, my note taking is non-existant! I'll have to get better about that.

Later, after taking Beara as sort of a figure "8", we did stop for some picnic type items in the town there on Beara, Castletownbere. A nice, solid little town, not really a touristy place which was nice. I don't recall the items we picked up there as being more expensive than the rest. Someone else will probably have a better word for you on restaurants and pubs in the area, but there are several other villages as well all round the coastline, although some were quite small.

I prefer the Ring of Kerry myself but I did enjoy a trip to Dingle last week.The highlight was a boat trip from the pier along the coast to the Blasket islands-we did not land there though.There was about 40 on board,most of them from Chicago, and we were treated to a feast of knowledge about the history,culture,geology and ornithology over a 2-hour period.We also saw Fungi the Dolphin who has been in residence in Dingle harbor for 20 years The boat goes out only on fine days and can be booked at the office beside the tourist office in Dingle.