Hi All,
My husband and I are traveling to Ireland for our 4th time. We have stayed in Connemara, Co. Galway, Ring of Kerry, Waterford County and Cork. This time, we are planning on arriving in Shannon in early May, traveling to the Aran Islands, then meander up to Ardara, County Donegal for a week. After that, off to Northern Ireland, Giants Causeway, and down on to Belfast. From there, we plan on spending a bit of time in Dublin, but really want to see Newgrange and Glendalough also.

On to my REAL question - - I am wondering if anyone has any advice about spending a week on the Dingle Peninsula??? I have searched and researched and feel that perhaps Brandon or Cloghane might be a really perfect spot for us. I think by that time we might like to be tucked away with beautiful scenery, but not too far from a welcoming pub. Can't decide which little town would be the best. I am Frustrated!! Can anyone help by sharing their experience in either of these villages? I'm sure there must be someone out there who can help! Please.

Lotty

My sister, her husband, and I rented a cottage on the Dingle Peninsula for a week. We loved it and found plenty to keep us busy. We were in Dunquin, which was lovely, but there was only one pub. It was a bit of a jaunt from Dingle. We went to several concerts in dingle and in July it was daylight until after 10 so it was easy to navigate "home". We did the Ring of Kerry from there, went to the Blasket Islands on our one sunny day, explored the Dingle Peninsula, and had a wonderful relaxing week.

So is Dingle Peninsula worth a week? Definitely!!

If you are traveling from Belfast to Dublin you should spend sometime in the Mourne Mountains where the poet Percy French wrote “Where the Mountains of Mourne Sweep Down to the Sea” and if you can stay the night we would recommend staying at Glassdrumman Lodge a lovely family run 10 Bedroom Guest House in the village of Annalong. The Mourne Mountains is also home to C. S. Lewis and its easy to see where he got the inspiration for the books then films "The Chronicles of Narnia".

Thank you Irishface! I have been worrying that a whole week may be too long on the little peninsula, but I definitely think we'll need a bit of a slow down by then. I tried to book a really neat looking cottage in Dunquin, but it was already rented. Hoping Brandon Bay is just as good - but then, how can you really go wrong in Ireland??!! Thanks again for your help. So appreciated.
Lotty

Thanks glassdrumman! I know the poem, but it never occurred to me to spend time there - a wonderful idea! Now, why didn't I think of that?! And I did not realize CS Lewis is from the Mourne Mountains. Glassdrumman Lodge - any connection to you? It does sound lovely and I will check it out right away.
Thank you so much for you thoughts - I start looking the maps and there is just so much I want to see and places where I want to spend time. If only I could spend a few months....or more. Thank you again.
Lotty