stay in Tralee or Killarney?
Apr 4th, 2004, 09:40 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
stay in Tralee or Killarney?
On day two of our trip we play golf at Ballybunion, finishing around 5pm. On day three we will tour Killarney National Park/lakes before heading to Dingle. Want to avoid the touristy Killarney noted by Rick Steves. Any suggestions on B&Bs in Tralee, outside Killarney, but near good pubs?
Apr 5th, 2004, 10:38 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I find Tralee to be a pretty nondescript city and not a place I would choose for a nights stay. Though I've never stayed in Kilorglin so I don't have any recommendations for B&Bs, you might want to give it a try. Regardless of where you stay, there is a good chance that you will be arriving after 6:00, so I would let the B&B know that you will be late arriving. Standard arrival time is between 4-6PM.
Hope this helps.
Bill
Hope this helps.
Bill
Apr 5th, 2004, 11:06 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bill, we are spending 2 nights at the Shores in Castlegregory. Since I won't be imbibing until I get over the Connor Pass (Maybe I'll have a pint or two --Mrs. Budman refuses to drive on the left), please tell me there are pubs and restaurants in the area.
Just wondering if that would be a good place for khepps to stay prior to heading into Dingle??
Have you had dinner at the Shores B&B?
I told the folks there that you recommended the place, and they said to say hello!!
Just wondering if that would be a good place for khepps to stay prior to heading into Dingle??
Have you had dinner at the Shores B&B?
I told the folks there that you recommended the place, and they said to say hello!!
Apr 6th, 2004, 06:26 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey! Rick Steves and I agree on something. Miracles do happen.
I haven't stayed in Tralee, so can't address that.
But Killarney truly is tourist hell. But if you enjoyed staying at South of the Border or Niagra Falls, you will love Killarney.
The pubs there are awful. They actually have folding table and chairs that are filled with people off the tour buses.
It's too bad, because the countryside is truly beautiful. Just stay somewhere outside the town, and don't eat at any restaurants in Killarney. Bad, overpriced food.
I haven't stayed in Tralee, so can't address that.
But Killarney truly is tourist hell. But if you enjoyed staying at South of the Border or Niagra Falls, you will love Killarney.
The pubs there are awful. They actually have folding table and chairs that are filled with people off the tour buses.
It's too bad, because the countryside is truly beautiful. Just stay somewhere outside the town, and don't eat at any restaurants in Killarney. Bad, overpriced food.
Apr 6th, 2004, 09:22 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nope. Tried 4 different restaurants in the town. I'm shuddering now at the thought. My husband's friends and family warned us not to stay in the town, but our visitors wanted to anyway. It is by far the most touristy place on the planet. Whoops. No, it's in second place, after Knock, followed by South of the Border, Gaitlinburg (Tenn) and Wall Drug.
We tried desperately to find a decent pub. One place even served drinks in plastic glasses! I've tried to block out the entire experience.
We tried desperately to find a decent pub. One place even served drinks in plastic glasses! I've tried to block out the entire experience.
Apr 6th, 2004, 01:24 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Budman:
I'm glad that Annette remembers us. We tried to stay there last November, but she closed the day before we arrived for some cleaning and repais and to have family guests the following week. I have not had dinner there, but Annette's breakfasts are very good and I'm sure her dinners are superb. They are a bit on the pricey side for a guy who enjoys a nice plate of fisn n chips and a pint of the black stuff.
Right up the road is Tomasins in Castlegregory and they put out a good meal at what I remember were pretty good prices. I hope I don't send people the wrong direction food wise because I don't go to Ireland for high end meals and I'm comfortable with pub grub in almost every situation. I think you will be happy with a meal at Tomasins.
Really the drive over the pass isn't that bad for the driver. Mrs. Budman may be screaming the whole way but you've got to get your entertainment somewhere don't you.
By the way, I remember something about a pub in Castlegregory that does music in the summer, but in May, there usually isn't much going on.
As far as khepps is concerned, that would be more of a drive than I would want in the morning, but I like to enjoy a leisurely start to the day when I am there. I would probably drive some people crazy. Fortunately, my wife, sister and brother-in-law enjoy the same laziness that I do.
Bill
I'm glad that Annette remembers us. We tried to stay there last November, but she closed the day before we arrived for some cleaning and repais and to have family guests the following week. I have not had dinner there, but Annette's breakfasts are very good and I'm sure her dinners are superb. They are a bit on the pricey side for a guy who enjoys a nice plate of fisn n chips and a pint of the black stuff.
Right up the road is Tomasins in Castlegregory and they put out a good meal at what I remember were pretty good prices. I hope I don't send people the wrong direction food wise because I don't go to Ireland for high end meals and I'm comfortable with pub grub in almost every situation. I think you will be happy with a meal at Tomasins.
Really the drive over the pass isn't that bad for the driver. Mrs. Budman may be screaming the whole way but you've got to get your entertainment somewhere don't you.
By the way, I remember something about a pub in Castlegregory that does music in the summer, but in May, there usually isn't much going on.
As far as khepps is concerned, that would be more of a drive than I would want in the morning, but I like to enjoy a leisurely start to the day when I am there. I would probably drive some people crazy. Fortunately, my wife, sister and brother-in-law enjoy the same laziness that I do.
Bill
Apr 7th, 2004, 03:07 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bill: We are staying at the Shores too, based on your recommendation. We mentioned you to Annette too! Seems like you ought to get comped next time you stay there - Budman will be there a couple of days before us, maybe we can put the bug in her ear.....
We had planned on staying in Dingle until you said how great this place was, but I wonder - can you tell me how long it takes (not miles but normal drive time) from Dingle to the B&B? We will be there 5/30 and 31, Sunday and Monday, and she does not do dinner on Sunday nights. We planned on checking in and driving down to Dingle town for a bite to eat.
We had planned on staying in Dingle until you said how great this place was, but I wonder - can you tell me how long it takes (not miles but normal drive time) from Dingle to the B&B? We will be there 5/30 and 31, Sunday and Monday, and she does not do dinner on Sunday nights. We planned on checking in and driving down to Dingle town for a bite to eat.
Apr 7th, 2004, 11:52 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bill,
Thanks for your response. I guess we'll wing it, especially since it doesn't get dark until about 10:00pm.
HappyCheesehead, that's nice you are staying at the Shores. We are looking forward to it -- 2 days there and Dingle. As I can remember, it is only about 1/2 hour (15 miles) over the pass. It's slow and windy, and if it is clear, lots of places to pull off and take pictures.
We're leaving Killarney the morning of the 27th and heading toward Kenmare & the Beara Peninsula. What's your schedule look like? Maybe have a pub lunch (now that they're no smoking) somewhere on the Beara? We're looking forward to it. I'll have to bring you a bottle of my wine for you to enjoy during a sunset on the Dingle Peninsula.
Thanks for your response. I guess we'll wing it, especially since it doesn't get dark until about 10:00pm.
HappyCheesehead, that's nice you are staying at the Shores. We are looking forward to it -- 2 days there and Dingle. As I can remember, it is only about 1/2 hour (15 miles) over the pass. It's slow and windy, and if it is clear, lots of places to pull off and take pictures.
We're leaving Killarney the morning of the 27th and heading toward Kenmare & the Beara Peninsula. What's your schedule look like? Maybe have a pub lunch (now that they're no smoking) somewhere on the Beara? We're looking forward to it. I'll have to bring you a bottle of my wine for you to enjoy during a sunset on the Dingle Peninsula.
Apr 7th, 2004, 12:37 PM
#12
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I stayed in Tralee on our first trip to Ireland. There really isn't much to do, and it's not a cute little place like most towns, it's a pretty decent sized city. As far as Killarney, I asked our Innkeeper in Dingle whether he thought we should go to Killarney or Kinsale and he said, "Neither, Kenmare." So we went there. I would strongly recommend it!! Beautiful little town! 
Apr 8th, 2004, 03:31 AM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Tralee is very much a business town while Killarney is the major Irish tourist town outside of Dublin.Tralee is the headquarters of Kerry Group wwhich is a dairy and food company employing 20,000 workers worldwide including quite a few plants in America.Tralee has made a big effort to get some of the tourist trade from Killarney and its Rose of Tralee festival is very popular with young people.Both towns have lots of facilities in fact and you can see details in www.killarney.ie and www.tralee.ie
Apr 8th, 2004, 08:42 AM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You don't want to stay in Killarney as it is very touristy, but there are some lovely B&B's and a wonderful hotel on the outskirts, and within walking distance or a very short drive to the center. Killarney is incredibly convenient for so much sightseeing around that area, that it is worth staying there for that reason. We stayed at a couple of nice B&B's - one on the way to Muckross House, and one above town with fabulous views (sorry I don't remember the name of either) but my favorite place was the Lake Hotel right on the lake. Inexpensive, not fancy, but friendly and relaxed and with the most beautiful views I've seen almost anywhere. I found Dingle peninsula was really pretty, but Dingle town was very touristy too...
Apr 8th, 2004, 12:33 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi guys:
Actually, Annette gave me a bottle of wine last time I was there. The idea was that we would drink it on the boat. We ended up hauling it all the way back to the States. I would say 30-45 minutes drive time over the pass. I know everyone freaks out about driving Connor Pass at night, but at that time, there is very little traffic and you can see the glow of the headlights. Well, unless there is dense fog like we had.
Bill
Actually, Annette gave me a bottle of wine last time I was there. The idea was that we would drink it on the boat. We ended up hauling it all the way back to the States. I would say 30-45 minutes drive time over the pass. I know everyone freaks out about driving Connor Pass at night, but at that time, there is very little traffic and you can see the glow of the headlights. Well, unless there is dense fog like we had.
Bill
Apr 8th, 2004, 02:09 PM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Killarney is ok prior to June. True, there is lots of in-your-face tourism, but in May or earlier, we've actually found it fairly toned down. And it is close to some remarkable sites, where Tralee is more out of the way.
And I have had a good meal in Killarney. I think for a busier season, Kenmare was a good suggestion.
Apr 19th, 2004, 08:00 AM
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed at The Shores last summer for one week but next time I would much prefer to stay in Dingle. The drive over the Connor Pass took us at least 50 minutes, much more when it was foggy - and it WAS foggy... the Dingle side of the Connor Pass is SO much nicer then the Castlegregory side! There's nothing much to do on that side and tons of must sees in the Dingle area.
Have fun
Karen
Have fun
Karen
