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noshot9


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Ring of Kerry & Dingle Peninsula
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Can you do justice to the Ring of Kerry in one day and to the Dingle Peninsula in one day?  If so, where would be a good place to stay(town, etc.) for these two day trips or should you stay in two separate places, one for each trip?

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WCOMALLEY


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We did the 30 mile tour of the tip of the Dingle Peninsula in about 4.5 hours with plenty of stops for photos, etc. Didn't get to the Conor Pass, and saw the south shore of the peninsula on our way to Killarney, so I can't actually say we "did" the whole Dingle experience, per se. I have it on very good authority the Ring of Kerry takes a lo-o-o-ng and intense driving day. WC

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Sidz


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Depending on what time of year you are making the drive, the Ring of Kerry is something that can be missed, in my opinion. The tour buses, traffic, etc. make a pretty slow experience.  Dingle -- as well as some of the other peninsula drives --  are just as nice and much more laid back.

-- Edited by Sidz at 14:38, 2007-11-06

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Michele Erdvig


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noshot9,

I have done both from a base in Killarney. Since they are basically loop trips Killarney is a good location. Kenmare would be my second choice because it is a bit farther from Dingle. Both the ROK and Dingle will take most of the day, especially when you stop for sightseeing and photos. If the weather is good I like to take a picnic lunch.

Another beautiful peninsula is Beara.

Michele

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noshot9


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RE: Ring of Kerry & Dingle Peninsula
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Thanks.  If we make the trip, it will either be in September or October.  We hope to miss the crowds by then, although we realize there will not be as much daylight.  I was told that during this time of year that you could expect about 10 hours of daylight.  Is that accurate?

A lot of travelers, according to their trip reports, do not seem impressed with the Ring of Kerry, yet everything I read just raves about it and says it is a "must see".  What is your honest opinion about it?  Is it because of the crowds?

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Michele Erdvig


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noshot9,

I think the Dingle Peninsula has some of the best scenery in Ireland. The ROK is scenic too but since it covers a larger area there are some portions that are a bit standard. If you can go off the beaten path a bit and do the Skellig Ring, Valentia Island, Cara Lake, the various beaches and Ballinskelligs Beach you will see things and lovely scenery that the tour buses bypass. The ROK is well-worth seeing, just different from Dingle. It is more subtle. l aways suggest seeing Derrynane House, Gardens & National Park (if open when you are there) and Staigue Fort. In Sept/Oct you will probably have the ROK mostly to yourself.

Michele

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Michele Erdvig


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noshot9,

Go to my Weather page for sunrise and sunset times.

Michele

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Sidz


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RE: Ring of Kerry & Dingle Peninsula
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And note Michele's mention of the Beara Peninsula. This doesn't get the action as the others do, but I thought it was spectacular and well worth the drive. I also share her thought that Dingle is the best. Too each his/her own, but I would not call ROK a "can't miss" destination since you can do many other drives that are just as nice. Have a good time. smile




-- Edited by Sidz at 13:26, 2007-11-07

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zerf77


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We just got back yesterday from our trip to Ireland. We did the ROK only, and drove the entire loop from Kenmare. We left around 8:30 am, drove it clockwise (the buses usually go counter-clockwise) and got back into Kenmare around 3pm. However, we didn't stop at any of the Ring forts (totally missed them!), nor did we stop in any of the towns.... but we did drive the Skellig Ring, and stopped at a little B&B just before Portmagee to walk out to the cliffs for better views of the Skellig Islands. This also included a quick stop at Muckross House to get some pictures we forgot to take the day before. It's totally doable in a day, depending on how much you want to stop and see.

Also, we were to the Skellig ring by about 11-11:30, and missed meeting any buses head on the entire way - lucky us! :)

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Michele Erdvig


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zerf,

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip on the ROK and that you missed the tour buses. There are just so many wonderful things to do in Ireland that choices must be made. Now wouldn't it be lovely to have a year in Ireland to see just everything you wanted to?

Michele

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