My wife and I will have 9 days and nights in Ireland this July, flying into Shannon and out of Dublin. I've done a lot of research and had pretty much decided to folow the plan below based on TimS's advice on another post. However, I what I have seen of Kinsale looks very interesting and I was wondering if it would make sense to drive from Shannon to Kinsale on day 1, then drive on to Kenmare (along the southern coast) on day 2. I would then cut either a night from Kenmare or a night from Dingle, staying one night in one and two in the other before heading on to Galway. If you do recommend Kinsale, which town should I cut back on, Kenmare or Dingle? Thanks in advance!

Day 1 - Arrive at Shannon. Drive to Kenmare. Have a nice dinner to celebrate your first night in Ireland. Sleep in Kenmare.

Day 2 - Explore either the Ring of Kerry or the Beara Peninsula. (If you want to avoid the tour buses, pick the Beara.) Spend the night in Kenmare.

Day 3 - Drive to Dingle. If the weather is clear as you approach Dingle, drive over Conor Pass. You may not get another chance. Spend the evening in one or more of Dingle's pubs that have traditional music sessions and get in on some good craic (conversation). Sleep in Dingle.

Day 4 - Explore Slea Head and as much of the rest of the Dingle Peninsula as time permits, either by car or bike. More music and craic. Sleep in Dingle.

Day 5- Drive north, taking the Killimer-Tarbert ferry across the Shannon River and then the coastal road to Galway. More music and craic in a pub. Sleep in Galway. http://www.shannonferries.com/

Day 6 - Either visit the Aran Islands or drive the Connemara loop. More music and craic. Sleep in Galway.

Day 7 - Get up early and drive to Dublin. Turn in your car at the airport and take a bus into the city. Explore as time allows. Go to the theatre, a concert, or a pub. Sleep in Dublin.

Day 8 - More time in Dublin. If you haven't already done so, see the Book of Kells at Trinity College. Go to the theatre, a concert, or a pub. Sleep in Dublin.

Day 9 - Fly home from Dublin.

I would leave the itinerary as it is. Kinsale is lovely but you would have to travel through Cork City which is a nightmare to get there.

I agree I dont think Kinsale is worth a whole day, you would be crazy ( not literally)! to cut your time from either Dingle or Kenmare as both are really lovely

Enjoy
Lucie

Our last trip to Ireland, we stayed for several days in Kinsale. While it is nice, I agree with the others. I was somewhat disappointed and would not spend the time it takes to get there sacrificing time from Dublin, Dingle, or even Cashel. At least it may give you a reason to return!

Here's another vote for leaving your plans as is. Though I did not stop in Kenmare - I have spent time in Dingle, Cashel and Kinsale. Kinsale is nice - but in comparison - not special like Dingle or Cashel. Dingle is beautiful and feels very authentic. Make sure to check out a restaurant by the name of Out of the Blue - awesome food. And for a pub experience that is out of this world - check out O' Flaherty pub As for Cashel - at first glance the town of Cashel looks rather depressing. But the pubs are great and the locals are awesome. Check out Cormac's Castle. Very beautiful. I think it's worth a day trip.

Good luck.

I'll put in a vote for poor Kinsale and say that it was my Irish friend's one big recommendation to me when I told him I was going to Ireland.

I loved it.

If you like food, Kinsale is supposed to have some of the best restaurants in Ireland.

The harbor is beautiful, as is the town. There are lots of shops and galleries. Interesting buildings and streets to wander.

If your research made you want to go there and you feel drawn, go!

Kenmare and Dingle.

Have to agree with everyone else about leaving out Kinsale. I was there last summer, drawn by the "gourmet capital of Ireland" appeal only to discover that the restaurants were no better than what we discovered in Dingle. It was also a hassle getting to Cashel from there. Highly recommend Cashel and taking no time away from Dinge.

I have heard from people who have been to Kinsale, this Summer, that the place is a a tourist crowded mad-house. Know doubt, similar to Killarney. There are at least four restaurants in Kenmare that are better than anything in Kinsale. Besides, the drive out to Kinsale is, mostly, a dead end. Forget the hype.

The thought of Kinsale gives me a headache. By all means, skip it. Anywat, you REALLY don't want to drive there straight from Shannon. (It takes twice as long to get anywhere in Ireland than you think it will.) If you want good food and a pretty harbor, you will get that in Dingle. I loved Dingle and wish we could've stayed there another night. The food was excellent and the music was everywhere!! Trust us, Kinsale is a nightmare.

Skip it or don't skip it, but Kinsale doesn't deserve this kind of dialog.

Calling Kinsale a nightmare is ridiculous. The OP was intrigued enough to make the inquiry and he might want to go there on a subsequent trip.

Lay off.

I'll put in a vote for Kinsale, though I don't know what I'd cut out to make it work as Kenmare and Dingle are graet spots also. The drive from Shannon is pretty straightforward, less than 100 miles I think. I did get lost in Cork, but it was only a matter of minutes to get back on track. I especially liked the star fort just outside of town.

we stayed in dingle, kenmare and kinsale and loved all three. Of course, the guys got to play golf at Old Head, which may be the greatest location of a golf course in the world. Make sure you budget at least half a day, if not more, for Killarney Natl Park- Walking around the lakes gives an entirely different perspective of Ireland- Parkland as opposed to the coast. Ditto comments on Out of the Blue and O'Flaretys- the best pub music of our stay

We are renting a self catering in Kinsale for a week and will let you know how we like it....gee, I sure hope we like it after all the bad press!!!

We loved Kinsale, it was just like a postcard.