We plan on spending the night in either Sneem, Kenmare, or Glengarriff. We're just looking to stay in a pleasant town center, fairly reasonable rates (&lt;100e).<BR><BR>Do any of these towns (or others nearby) stand out above the others? Can anyone make recommendations for accommodations?<BR><BR>thanks

I can't comment on Glengarriff,but I love both kenmare and Sneem. Sneem is small and quaint,not much going on. Kenmare is bigger and has much more activity,but it is easy to get out of the town to find quiet spaces. I would choose Kenmare since the is much more to offer and spend a few hours in Sneem. If you are driving the ring of kerry,stop in Sneem for lunch and browse,then spend the night in Kenmare.

thanks Doc

Kenmare is great. Small but offers a good selection of places to stay and eat. We stayed at Kenmare Bay Hotel, very nice, easy walk to town center. Some decent shopping as well, and some really good pubs with good music. If you do use Kenmare be sure to check out the stone ring right off the main area of town - very interesting. Kenmare Lace Center may be of interest as well.

I've never stayed in Glengarriff, but it's a nice little town and not far from a beautiful and not heavily visited forest park. I've stayed in the Kenmare area a couple of times, but never actually in the town. Lat yaer I satyed at Tahilla Cove Guesthouse. This is a bit over E100. I think about E110 for two. Very nice and peaceful place about 9 miles outside of Kenmare and much closer to Sneem. Beautiful views and grounds and lots of nice walking areas. The owners are wonderful. James and Diedre Waterhouse. Jame's father owned it before him. <BR>http://www.tahillacove.com/index.html<BR><BR>For a B&amp;B, I stayed at the Harbour View which is on the Ring of Beara Road about 4-5 miles outside of Kenmare. They are in the T&amp;C book and on the website. <BR>http://www.townandcountry.ie/<BR>Beautiful view of the bay. Average price I believe E30-35 pp. <BR><BR>Hope this helps.<BR><BR>Bill

Chuck,<BR><BR>Wherever you stay, you'll be nestled in a most attractive part of Ireland.<BR><BR>Of the three, Kenmare has on offer the widest range of amenities, including several fine restaurants, a good many places to hang your hat, ranging from the moderately priced to the ultra-upmarket (Park Hotel and Sheen Falls Lodge), along with more than a few places to grab a pint. <BR><BR>As regards B &amp; Bs priced under 100 Euro, I can strongly recommend two:<BR><BR>Hawthorn House is located smack-dab in downtown Kenmare. It's 25 - 30 Euro per person rate is very reasonable, and it's clean and well run. <BR><BR>Shelburne Lodge is located a short five-minute stroll from downtown Kenmare. It's more expensive than the former (about 40 Euro), but well worth it. The house is lovely; you'll be well looked after, and, perhaps best of all, Shelburne offers first-rate breakfasts in what has to be one of the sunniest, most appealing dining rooms in the Republic. <BR><BR>As regards Glengariff, it's touristy and attractive, but features little more than a single main street. If you're a fan of G. Bernard Shaw, you might be interested to know that he penned part of his play St. Joan in Glengariff, at the Eccles Hotel. What's more, this town would be a good base for trips to nearby Garinish Island. A short ferry ride takes you to the island and some very attractive gardens. Also, take time to visit nearby Gougane Barra Forest Park, a genuine &quot;back door&quot; attraction that offers many good hiking opportunities or simply a place to get away from the tour bus circuit.<BR><BR>Finally, I've never stayed in Sneem, but it would be a good base for touring either the Iveragh Peninsula (Ring of Kerry) or Beara Peninsula. (But then, so would your two other possibilities.)The town strikes me as a bit thin as regards good places to stay and eat, but it has no shortage of gift shops. Should you stay, you might like to visit nearby Staigue Fort. At about 2,000 years old, it's regarded as one of the best of its kind in Ireland.<BR><BR>Best of luck.

The Glenariff Forest Park's Waterfall walk is absolutely magic. We had a taxi drop us at the top, he advised that we call when we reached the cafe at the bottom. It is wonderful. This is the queen of the glens for good reason, it's magic! Have a grand time

oops... wrong end of Ireland... I was thinking the northeast... never mind <BR><BR>Danna

Has anyone spent time out on the Beara peninsula? We're looking for a nice uncrowded place to take a couple of mile walk.

Chuck,<BR><BR>If it's a good walk you're seeking, you might consider heading for the town of Castletownbere. It's here that you can take a walk, heading west, along the coast to the remains of Dunboy Castle, site of a struggle, in the early 1600s, between the British and combined Irish/Spanish forces. Here you'll also find the remains of Puxley's Castle which was the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier's novel, Hungry Hill. (Well worth a read.) There's little left of Puxley, however, as the IRA torched it in the 20s.<BR><BR>If you're feeling more ambitious, there's always the 125-mile Beara Way, a signposted walk that goes from Glengariff to Dursey Island and then back again. Get your hands on a highly detailed map of the Beara Peninsula, and I'm sure you could find an especially appealing section of the Beara Way. <BR><BR>If you're looking for solitude, the Beara is just the ticket. But do note, the weather in this part of Ireland is especially fickle.<BR><BR>Best of luck.

Chuck, Kenmare can't be beat for a wonderful little town, fab restaurants and nice places to stay. On the Beara Peninsula try Derreen Gardens for good walks by the ocean and through woods.