Dayna,

Congratulations on booking your flight.  If you want to see Dingle, Cork, Killarney and Waterford, you might consider leaving the Cliffs of Moher for another visit over. Even with leaving out the Cliffs of Moher, that is an awful lot of ground to cover in 6 days.

Your intinerary might look something like:

Day 1, 2, 3 - Killarney
Day 4 & 5 - Dingle
Day 6 - Ennis or Bunratty

Use your first day, after arriving in Killarney to explore Killarney, the second day to do the Ring of Kerry & the third to do a day trip to Cork. You could consider a long day trip from Killarney(emphasis on long) to Waterford or save Waterford for another trip when you come in from Dublin.

I hope this helps some. Enjoy your adventure!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit

Dayna,

If I had to choose one over the other, I would choose the Cliffs any day. Waterford isn't a favorite because it is more of an industrial atmosphere. You will miss the Waterford Factory, Reginald's Tower and several other architectual sites.  You could make the Cliffs on day 6 and then return to Bunratty for a last night's dinner at Bunratty's Corn Barn. It will be a long day but well worth it. You can get an early start, catch the Killmer/Tarbert Ferry and then follow the coast road to the Cliffs.

Just make sure that you don't rush whilst on Dingle Peninsula and in the Killarney area. There is so much to see that you will scarcely remember what it was that you missed. Besides, you always need a reason to go back!

Slan Go Foill,

Bit

Dayna,

I'm sure you are very excited about getting your flights booked. Now the trip seems like much more of a reallity, doesn't it? Bit's advice is spot on. May I ask what is drawing you to Cork? What did you want to see and do there?

Michele

P.S. I have a very special offer from a fabulous hotel overlooking the lakes of Killarney for my readers. Stay tuned while I finalize the details.

Michele Erdvig wrote:

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Dayna,

I'm sure you are very excited about getting your flights booked. Now the trip seems like much more of a reallity, doesn't it? Bit's advice is spot on. May I ask what is drawing you to Cork? What did you want to see and do there?

Michele

P.S. I have a very special offer from a fabulous hotel overlooking the lakes of Killarney for my readers. Stay tuned while I finalize the details.

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Hi Michele,

Although we are already booked into a BandB in Killarney for 4 nights in May, your "special offer" interests me.  Will anxiously await your posting.  How soon do to think that will be?

Helen

Dayna,

I consider Cork & Waterford as more of a destination when touring the Eastern & southeastern areas, even though Cork is more South Central. Neither Dingle nor Killarney should be short changed, IMHO. Each needs two nights so that the area can be fully explored. As you reach the Cliffs prior to Doolin, might I suggest  taking the coast road to the Cliffs and then completing the circle and overnighting in Ennis or perhaps look in to Moher Lodge in Liscannor, which is walking distance to the Cliffs? (Okay, Okay, everybody pick their jaws off the, yes, I am steering someone away from Doolin) Unless you are considering a Cliffs of Moher Cruise, in which case, Doolin is the logical choice and I would recommend the Doolin Activity Lodge.

You will find "quaint" fishing villages throughout the Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and along the Coast of Clare. I know that I wouldn't go to Cork just for Blarney Castle and the "rock". There are better castles to be seen, again, IMHO. I would rather have a day at Rock of Cashel, myself.

Set an easy pace for yourselves, you will love the experiences in the off chance moments that you will only find when taking your time. Cork, Blarney and Waterford will still be there on your next visit, I promise! There is so much to do on both Dingle Peninsula & in The Killarney area to create fantastic memories and whet your appetite for a return trip and a longer stay.

Slan go Foill,

Bit

Dayna,

I like Kenamre because it is so much smaller than Killarney and it has a nice feel to it. Can't explain it. I stayed 5 nights in Killarney at a five star hotel and enjoyed Kenmare more and stayed in just a guesthouse.

Good luck on your trip and I know you'll enjoy it.

YaYa

Dayna,

I love Kenmare, myself and the drive to Killarney isn't long should you want to spend a day exploring Killarney town, itself. That being said, there is also an advantage to staying in Killarney, though when I stayed there, I stayed on the outskirts. Killarney will be crowded, more so than Kenmare. Of course, whilst staying in Kenmare, you will have to decide between driving the Ring of Beara or the Ring of Kerry, both stunning in their own right. I, myself, preferred the Ring of Beara, as, when I was there, it was less traveled than the Ring of Kerry. It also has its own intense, rugged beauty that is difficult to put into words. Kenmare is known for its food and for its quiet.

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint, you will be there a few days after the Rally of the Lakes (May 5 & 6) and will be too early for the Walking Festival (May 26 is its start). The down side is that you will miss all of the fun on both ends. The upside is that you will enjoy less crowds and easier access to lodgings. For a real treat, take a look at Tara Farm. It is just outside of Kenmare and has lovely grounds all its own.

Slan Go Foill,

Bit

The offer at Loch Lein in Killarney sounds fabulous!  I've got it in my options now.  The question still remains if I want to do 2 nights in Killarney or Kenmare.  I am trying not to jump to a different hotel every night but give one location a 2 night stay if I can.  My options in that area that I have are:
Loch Lein, Killarney
Cahernane House Hotel, Killarney
The Fairview, Killarney
or
Tara Farm, Kenmare

I think I have the rest of my itinerary pretty much set from all the great suggestions I have received from you all!  I will post soon and fill you in on what I think we will try to accomplish.

Once again I say, "Thank You" for all of your great help planning this trip.  I went from almost booking our flight into Dublin and out of Shannon and trying to conquer half of Ireland in 6 nights, to a much more enjoyable paced trip that I know we will truly enjoy.

Here is where I am at right now with the itinerary and please feel free to let me know what you think.  It's still a work in progress.

Day 1:
Land in Shannon at 8:00 am and pick up rental car.
Head North for lunch and the Burren.
Over to the Cliffs of Moher, maybe a short cruise out of Doolin to see the Cliffs from the water???  Has anyone been on this?
Check into hotel for 1 night (choices are Daly's House, Moy House, Moher Lodge) and maybe dinner at Gus O'Connor's.

Day 2:
Head South to Dingle via the Tarbert Ferry Boat.
Spend day touring the Peninsula and maybe Horseback Riding?
Check into Dingle hotel for 1 night (maybe Brambury's Guesthouse).

Day 3:
Drive to Killarney.
I'm not sure if we will choose to spend 1, 2, or 3 nights in this area yet.
We will stay in Killarney or Kenmare (choices are Loch Lein, Cahernane House, The Fairview, or Tara Farm in Kenmare).
Tour this region.

Day 4:
Still in this area.

Day 5:
Still in this area maybe or over to the Cork region for 1 night.

Day 6:
Drive North to Bunratty.
Check into Hotel (maybe Bunratty Meadows B&B).
Dinner at the Corn Barn in Bunratty Folk Park.

Day 7:
Fly out of Shannon at 9:00 am.

How am I doing so far?

xyz99,

Dero's has an email form: http://www.derostours.com/emailform.html

It is a tough decision about Killarney and Kenmare. Any way you look at it some backtracking will happen. The two places are about 45 - 60 minutes apart so you are best off deciding on one and staying put. Since you have the early morning Gap of Dunloe start maybe Killarney has a slight edge in the contest.

Michele

Thank you again for all of the excellent input.  I will check out Michele's lodging page for options.

Michele, it's tough to say what I want to accomplish in the Kerry / Dingle area.  I need to really read up on the area more.  I've always wanted to ride a horse on the beach, so maybe someone can suggest a location for that wish.  As for the rest, we just want to take in as much of God's beautiful Irish countryside as we can.  Beautiful scenery by day and excellent food, great pubs, and Irish music by night.

I know I want to pre-book our stay for the first night and the last night we are there.  I'm just torn about how the middle part will play out in Dingle, Killarney, Kenmare.  Do you think I can get away with not booking rooms for the middle of the trip and go with your list in hand and play it by ear?  We are there from May 8th - 14th.  I just don't want to get there and spend too much time looking for accomodations, but knowing my husband, he'll want to wing it a bit.