I have been reading all of your posts and they seem so helpful. My husband and I are going for first time and so have a lot of questions. Arriving Shannon, considering Ferry,(with car) Does the ferry go right to Dingle. Also considering stopping in Doolin on the way or leaving Dingle.
Want to spend most nughts in Dingle. Any suggestions for B & B's - Pax HOuse?
Will take day trips or perhaps one or 2 overnights from Dingle. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Will focus on good music on the trip as hubby is musician and plays Irish music at sessions at home. Thanks for your help

The trip sounds good but I'm afraid that you'll have to drive to Dingle as there is only a car ferry from Tarbert, county Kerry to killimer, county Clare. You can stay in Dingle and take a day or so trip up to Doolin or vice versa using the ferry. Both nice areas. I would definitely book your accommodations asap because that is the high season Good luck with your planning as there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this website.

Thanks for the info. We are trying to avoid driving as much as possible, so a ferry trip to Doolin sounds good, Any other suggestions? I am working on booking accomodations. Just need to get itinerary settled.

We're going to Dingle on Monday! We'll arrive at Shannon and drive straight to Dingle, about a 3 hour drive. We plan to take the ferry across the Shannon which will actually make the trip a bit longer. We just like the ferry.
I'd suggest spending your first nights in Dingle and then heading up towards Doolin and spend your last nights around there, rather than trying to do that as a day trip.
Day trips from Dingle...do the Slea Head drive and explore the peninsula. Killarney National Park is also an option. You could drive down to the Beara Peninsula with an overnight in or around Kenmare.
I haven't stayed at Pax House, but have read positive reviews. Not sure it's an easy walk from Dingle Town, though. We stay at Clonmara B&B. (www.familyhomes.ie) A beautiful B&B right on the harbor. I recommended it to another poster who liked it, but found the owners to be kind of impersonal and business-like.

Thanks for you reply and info, I hope you have a wonderful time. How many times have you been? Any other suggestions? Please update on your return, Thanks again, we are very exited!

We've made several trips to Ireland, but this will be only our second time in Dingle. We really did know that it was a place we wanted to spend more time in.
I'll be glad to report when we return. Anything specifically you'd like us to look at for you?

We stayed in Dingle at The Lighthouse, www.lighthousedingle.com, and it was by far the best B&B of our entire trip. The owner, Mary Murphy and her daring family were just delightful and so helpful.
The Lighthouse is brand new, decorated beautifully, and the rooms are generously sized. There is a cozy family room for your use with reading material on the area.
The breakfast room overlooks the harbor and it is a 10 minute walk to the pubs, or an easy 2 minute drive. Mary's breakfasts were delicious. If you stay with Mary, you will thank me!!

Hi Newfy,

Look in Heaton's Guest House - a great place w/wonderful breakfast and host, Nuala.

Go to the Small Bridge Pub for great local Irish Music.

I'll offer more once I get my notes from home.

Bye-now.

That was me who found the owners of Clonmara to be a bit impersonal but I still recommend it highly. It's in a great location close to town but very quiet and has an amazing view of the hrabor. The en-suite bathroom facilities were the largest and nicest of any place we stayed on the entire trip. It was a great value at $56 Euro per nigth for two people but book quick - they get sold out regularly.

Thanks for the info, speaking of Irish music, Are there open sessions during the week in Dingle, or Dingle area?

Me and my father stayed at a B&B named Milltown house while in Dingle. INCREDIBLE! I suggested this to a friend of mine and he and his wife stayed there. They loved it as well.

We absolutely love Dingle. The peninsula is fantastic and the town even better. We had a fabulous fish dinner at "Out of the Blue" restaurant, right in town. We also loved the music at Murphy's and the pub about two doors away where the owners wife, Eilis Kennedy, often sings. She also has an album out which we purchased in town and it is superb. We just returned and would love to be back in Dingle again. Have fun!!

Stayed in Dingle last week at Heaton's - very clean and very nice. Great breakfasts! Or have you considered staying in an Irish farmhouse to get a better "feel" for the Irish and how some live? I would do this going back. We drove into Dingle town from Heaton's and we could have done the same from another place on the peninsula...along the peninsula drive that everyone takes it's a pretty short distance. Also there is another smaller town on the peninsula (can't remember the name) but it looked cute - smaller than Dingle town.

I second the recommendation for Miltown House. Beautiful, huge rooms, great breakfast and breakfast room and wonderful hosts!

I also second the drive around Dingle and will be going back again and again. I'll take it over the Ring of Kerry any day. (Don't get me wrong, I loved RoK, too; just preferred Dingle is all...)

Happy travels!

Wendy
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