hi all. first time trip to ireland with husband and 2 teens. flying in and out of shannon.
we are slow travelers and want to get the feel of a place so want 2 spots to stay.
we can either stay in ballydavid (dingle peninsula) in a lovely oceanfront home for the whole time or add another spot.
i was considering another house in clifden (connmara) but just found out that is 5 1/2 hours away so rethinking initial plan.
maybe kinsale?
many thanks

Ballydavid is for slow tourism! Fishing pier, cluster of houses, two pubs, the sweep of Smerwick Harbour. Note that I don't mention shops. One small grocery/post office a couple of miles away; otherwise you go to Dingle. Very few restaurants outside Dingle.

Both Kinsale and Clifden are busy tourism centres. For good reason, because they are nice towns in appealing areas. You might preferr to consider places near the towns rather than in either.

What time of year will you be travelling?

I personally would not spend nearly 2 weeks in Ballydavid. And I'm a slow traveler. 3 or 4 days there would be lovely, but more than that would be overkill IMO.

If I'm staying a week or longer in a cottage I'd want to be in a larger village or small town. I like being able to walk to pubs and restaurants and green grocers, and shops and new agents etc.

we are going mid-late august. we can walk to some pubs and restaurants. there are walking paths behind the house too. we will be there for horse race and will have a rental car. dingle seems like it might be a bit busy so while we will spend time there it will be nice to come home.

we will head north to connmara region for second week.

The permanent population of Ballydavid is tiny. In August, they will be vastly outnumbered by visitors. Most of the houses are holiday homes, and many of the August visitors will be regulars. Your choice of restaurants within walking distance is one pub doing bar food. There are three other possibilities in or near Ballyferriter - not walking distance, especially after dark. The local catering is of reasonable standard; if you want fine dining, you need to go to Dingle (and probably book in advance).

Connemara is my favourite place in Ireland. I go there every year. Overall, there is a bit less tourism pressure than around Dingle, but Clifden is Tourist Central. I often stop there, but never stay. You might like Roundstone better. It's also touristy, but smaller and quieter, with some reasonable dining options in the village.

we are now staying in an oceanfront home 4 miles from Tullycross. Thanks

It will be lovely but also quite isolated. You sure won't be walking (or even short driving) distance from anything except the beach in front of your cottage and the pub in Tullycross which will probably be a 15 minute drive on those roads.

we are 15- 20 minutes from clifden.

Oh -- when you said four miles from Tullycross I assumed you were out west on the point (that Tullycross is the nearest village). But if you are south towards Clifden that makes things a little easier. Somewhere near Moyard???

Timetables & Fares | Inishbofin Ferry Great day trip

Coincidentally, I have just come back to this thread to suggest island visits: from Ballydavid, the Great Blasket Island, and from Tully, Inishbofin. Sailing schedules will be easily available locally. They are different experiences.

I also have to correct something I said earlier: apparently both local pubs do a food trade in the summer months. I usually visit off-season, so I had formed a wrong impression.

Padraig, I love visiting those little islands. They each have their own vibe. Claire is one of my most favorite islands. We are spending five nights in Ballycotton. I sandwiched it between two city stays. Sometimes we just want that quiet water view. Four pubs, cliff walk, pontoon boats to the lighthouse and a grocery.

here in rental in ballydavid. I know we can walk to one restaurant/pub and there are others 15-20 minutes away.

here is the one in conemarra-renvyle.
https://www.vrbo.com/traveler/th/inb...c8d82b/details

thanks for follow up. boat/island trips are on our agenda.