We had an incredible dinner at Limetree in Kenmare. Both food and service were excellent. It was the best meal of the trip (close 2nd to dinner at the Shores).
As Oopsy has suggested The Lime Tree is always excellent, if a bit pricey. Kenmare has recently lost several restaurants. Foley's is usually good and the Lansdowne Arms Hotel is also.
I enjoyed Packie's a couple of times. Have your found your accommodations yet for Kenmare? I have been following you on Fodor's and you were having a problem getting answers to your e-mail. Again have a great trip.
Packie's is good too. It has been a couple of years since I have eaten there though. I am hoping some new restaurants open to replace the others that have recently closed.
Last time I heard Irish 57 was booking Driftwood in Kenmare (nearby The Lodge). I am not sure if the reservations are finalized or not.
the trip has shaped up nicely, thanks to this forum. I've booked the following:
Kilkenny (2 nights) @ Alcantra B&B
Kenmare (2 nights) @ Driftwood B&B
Dingle (2 nights) @ Heatons Guesthouse (might be re thinking this as the price is very very high)
Kilkee (1 night) @ Nolan's B&B
Bunratty (1 night) Bunratty Lodge
Heaton's Guesthouse came highly regarded by Rick Steves and also another forum. If anyone has been here and has opinions they'd like to share, please do.
As far as the trip, we'll arrive in Kilkenny late afternoon and our plans are to just wonder Kilkenny. The same goes for the very next full day.
On our way to Kenmare we'll stop at Rock of Cashel. Others have mentioned Cahir Castle (don't know though). We'll continue to Kenmare via Mallow>Macroom>Kenmare.
On our full day in Kenmare we were thinking of Glengarriff sidetrip and then just wondering Kenmare.
Heading to Dingle via Killarney (Muckross, Ladies View)
Dingle we'll have a full day and a half around the pennisula.
After Dingle it's Kilkee (do the loop head drive, dinner at Long Dock Pub in Carrigaholt. Night in Kilkee
Leaving Kilkee, travelling up the west coast road to the Cliffs of Moher, lunch in Ballyvaughn and back down to Bunratty for the evening and the trad Irish night.
Heaton's is very nice. I have stayed there myself and have a complete review of it in my book. It is more expensive since it is a guesthouse as opposed to a B&B. Their breakfast alone may make it worth the price! I hope you have another guidebook besides Steves? His is a bit skimpy on Ireland, although his driving tour of Dingle is good. Melissa5 (see her extensive trip report) found his restaurant selections not to her taste but enjoyed his Italy guidebook, which she thought much more comprehensive than his Ireland book.
Have you downloaded Corey's free walking tour of Kilkenny? If not, go to my "Discounts" page to find it.
All the B&Bs mentioned are listed in my 2007 book with the exception of Nolan's in Kilkee. I haven't been there yet. I will be staying personally at Driftwood in a few months, most likely before you depart. It really seemed super when I stopped by for a look last fall.
We enjoyed our meal at Mulcahy's so much last May that we ate there the following night, too. The presentation of the seafood chowder and onion soup was unique.