Dacon_R

Need some help, since my Ireland knowledge is limited to 2 trips:

Friends are going to south-west area of Ireland for the first time and the dilemma is tours vs driving. I love the freedom of exploring/driving freedom and have recommended they drive and find a few educational options along the way.

From my limited experience, I could say:
- Ring of Kerry: Staigue Fort (film) & Skellig Experience Center
- Dingle: Slea Head Drive: not sure. This drive was a highlight of my trip, but I don't remember any education center to give us context. Any suggestions? A quick Google search found a Dennis Ryan as a Dingle tour guide, or Irish Adventures company...
- Galway: I haven't been here, so any half day tour operator suggestions?
- Beara: Loved this drive, not sure what options there are for education/short tours

They are also in Dublin for a couple days, so I'm sure there are plenty of tours, guides, hop-on-hop-off buses options.

Other suggestions would be appreciated. They haven't set an itinerary yet.
Thanks so much.

Tony2phones

Beara Healy Pass famine route Dersy Island Cable car unfortunately there are now tours from Kenmare. Dennis Ryan has been going since before I outgrew Dingle and that's a while ago, Kerry Bog village suddenly become popular since some idiot started giving it out as a good spot or maybe that's just coincidence. Not Galway but just short, take the Inis Oirr and Cliffs of Moher combi cruise out of Doolin some good tours of the burren by the Burren eco collective.

Dacon_R

Thank you for these ideas. Is the Bearable Healy Pass famine route a tour or museum! I couldn't find anything on that.

Dacon_R

Darn autocorrect! Should have read Beara not "bearable"!!

Tony2phones

The Healy Pass is a drive, cycle, walk, There are now tours of Beara from Kenmare on odd days. This link gives some thoughts.
http://www.visitbeara.com/adrigole.htm