Where2Travel

Does anyone have any comments on the following tentative itinerary for a 6 night trip to south-west Ireland:

Day 1 (24 May) - Arrive 10.30 pm at Cork Airport, pick up rental car. Overnight in Cork.

Day 2 - Blarney Castle, Co'bh (if there's time), Kinsale (and overnight here).

Day 3 - Drive to Killarney via Mizen Head and overnight in Killarney.

Day 4 - Killarney National Park and overnight in Killarney.

Day 5 - Ring of Kerry (clockwise) as far as Glenbeigh and overnight here.

Day 6 - Drive to Tarbert for the ferry to Killimer and onto Cliffs of Moher. Overnight Ennis.

Day 7 (30 May) - Drive to Shannon Airport, drop off rental car for a 1pm flight.

I am still reading lots about the area we are covering and so if there's anything else that we could fit in that is not there, then please say. I have tried not to fit in too much. We are looking for a mixture of sightseeing in the day and staying in places with good nightlife in the evenings.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

McShane

Hello,
My main recommendation is to stay somewhere like Kenmare rather than Killarney. I've driven through Killarney several times and it's just not looked appealing, what with the big hotels with buses parked outside.

Day 3 - drive to Kenmare. Along the way you can either explore Mizen Head or Sheepshead or Bantry House or, if you like gardens, Ilnacullin near Bantry should be amazing in late May.
Day 4 - stay in Kenmare and explore the Beara Peninsula.
Day 5 - Kenmare again exploring Killarney and Moll's gap.

Ireland isn't so much about seeing specific sites as enjoying the scenery, the town you're in and finding a great pub or two.

Have a great trip.

Itallian_Chauffer

My only concern is with day 3. The begining of April, we drove from Clonakilty to Killarney, mostly along the N71, without detouring to Mizen. We were on the road by 10:00 and didn't arrive in Killarney until 3:30 or so. If you figure in AT LEAST 2-3 hours to explore Mizen, it could be a rather long day.

It is definitely doable, though. You just need to be aware of the time involved. Assuming you don't have rain (we did) and don't run into too many construction delays (there was a bit through the Caha Pass, and a wait, at Windy Gap), you should STILL make Killarney before dark. It also heps that you'll have 1.5-2 hours more sunlight, than we had.
Hope you have a great trip!
Bob

JOHNOD

If I only had time to do one I would choose Cobh over Blarney Castle, more to see and do. I agree with Bob on the drive from Kinsale to Killarney. I have done it 7 or 8 times and it is a nice drive but adding Mizenhead might make it a touch too long. Staying the night in Glengarriff or Kenamre might break it up nicely. The drive up to Killarney will take you through a major part of the National Park so you might want to consider the Gap of Dunloe for your day in Killarney. Day six, if you get on the road early you might have time for a swing through the Burren as the Cliffs do not take all that much time. Have fun

sabatino

My husband and I just got back from Ireland a few weeks ago. The best advice I can give you is to not cram too much in. We did, and by the end of the trip we were utterly exhausted. I wanted a vacation after the vacation! I would say The cliffs of Mohr since it is much further north from where you are going to be, may be too ambitious. We really wanted to see them too, but decided it was too much. I am glad that we dedcide to save it for another trip. We loved Kinsale, and would have liked to spend the night there instead of just driving through. Balarney Castle was by far our least favorite site that we saw. It was so touristy and there are many more beautiful castles that aren't so crowded. Also, we did the gap of dunlow and it was increadable. The Dingle Penninsula is a less populated version of the Ring of Kerry, and very beautiful. Try to allow for a full day to do that because it's a lot of driving. Also, definately stop in Kenmare. It's a charming, quaint town with great restaurants. We stayed at Sheen Falls which was the best place in the area. And my last tip for you is to try to fit in the Rock of Cashel. It was truely amazing. Cashel is a very adorable town as well. You could drive from Cork there on your first day, and stay over at the Cashel Palace Hotel which is fantastic. I hope that helps!

NEDSIRELAND

If you don't have a reservation for the 6th night (Ennis), forget it! The 29th will be the final night of Ennis' Fleadh Núa (week-long Spring Music Festival). Ennis will be fully booked for that entire week.

Where2Travel

Thanks very much for these ideas. I will take a closer look at all of them today.

Perhaps we are planning to be in Ennis just as the festival has finished since we are having no trouble finding places in the centre of town with rooms available.