Right now I have 2 nights booked at THE Shores and am really looking forward to it.. But I will be driving from Kinsale to Castlegregory on one day... will I have time to do either of the Beara Loop or the Ring of Kerry before checking in ... Or should I split it and stay in Kenmare one night... ? Thanks for all of your experienced help!! Aprilmay
Just replied to your Fodor's post, and now I see you mention The Beara. I would certainly do The Beara over the ROK! It is similar to the Dingle, very dramatic, and interesting.
Here is what I would do. Get an early start on departure day in Kinsale. Out the door of the B&B by 9:30 am. Do the coastal route to Clonakilty, Bantry & Glengarriff. From Glengarriff you can go southwest and do a portion of the Beara Peninsula, cutting across at Healy Pass and into Kenmare. From Kenmare proceed through Killarney and Tralee to The Shores. It will be a long day but lots of scenic driving.
In an ideal world you would have more time for the SW but you have to make the best of what you do have. Skip the ROK.
I agree with Michele. The entire Beara peninsula is a day in itself. If you find that time is running short, the world won't end if you don't get to do the Healy Pass and just go over the N71 into Kenmare. Caha Pass is beautifull also and for some reason, rarely makes anyones lists for a great scenic drive. I beg to differ.