Cliffs of Moher or Beara Peninsula?

TravelinDee · Newbie

Cliffs of Moher or Beara Peninsula?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Dee,

First off, welcome to the Forum. We look forward to helping you plan your best first Ireland adventure.

I would suggest that you head to Dingle first, then Kenmare. It would make more sense than backtracking. You can cut off travel time by utilizing the Killimer-Tarbert Ferry

I would definitely choose the Beara Peninsula over the Cliffs, as I am an off-the-beaten path person myself. I prefer the rugged beauty of the beara region.

Be aware that the Gap of Dunloe, done as a tour, will be an all day affair. That will leave you little time for exploring either the Beara region or Killarney National Park. I would suggest that you take time enroute between Dingle and Kenmare to explore KNP. On your one full day, you can decide which is better for your needs at the time, tarversing the Beara or the Gap. I would still vote for Beara, as breath stealing as the Gap of Dunloe may be.

It is better to give yourself enough time in each area to truly experience the moments. There will be another trip to Ireland, perhaps a longer one, in which you can see that which you didn't see, I can almost guarantee it. For most, once is never enough.

Slan Beo (Take Care), Bit

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Since you mention an evening flight out of the Kerry airport, are you arriving Ireland from Europe, or is the Shannon flight an over night transatlantic flight?

I ask, because your state of rest would vastly change MY recommendations. For example: If you are flying in REASONABLY rested from the UK or the Continent, it would NOT be out of the question to drive to the Cliffs, have lunch in Doolin and then drive, via the ferry, down to Dingle, or possibly, even to Kenmare. But I think that an over night flight DOES limit you to NO MORE than driving to Dingle -- and THAT will be a bit rough.

Bob

TravelinDee · Newbie

Thank you so much for replying. We are taking an overnight from NY (and afterwards are headed to London). Bob, we thought of doing what you said, but are scared to plan that much for the first day on little to no sleep, as you said.

Bit, is there a reason you recommend going to Dingle first? We were thinking of doing Kenmare first (driving through Killarney National Park on the way) partially because it seems like an easier drive from Shannon. It looks like the Kerry airport is the same distance from Dingle and Kenmare -- is that not right?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Dee,

I am not a person who likes to backtrack, which is why, when heading south in Ireland I usually go to Dingle and then head south and east to Kenmare.

Since Kerry airport is in between Killarney & Tralee, it could be considered equidistance. However, the roads are a bit more tricky on the peninsula than between Kenmare & there.

If you use the Shannon Ferry and drive up from Tarbert, it is not a bad drive from Shannon to Dingle. You will also have twenty minutes on the water during the Ferry transport. That gives you a bit of time to shake off the flight.

Slan Beo, Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dee,

What a difficult decision. With your short time something has to go. Personally, I would skip the Cliffs of Moher and Burren. Concentrate on the SW and you will not be disappointed.

Michele