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Post Info TOPIC: Ring of Kerry or Ring of Beara
DeborahAnn


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Ring of Kerry or Ring of Beara
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How does a first time visitor to Ireland decide whether to drive the Ring of Kerry or the Ring of Beara, if it comes to an either or because we aren't there enough days to do both?

In September we will be in Kenmare for 4 nights coming from Dingle and I can't decide which drive to include in our plans or if we should take either of them.

There seems to be so many possibilities in the area---far too many choices!! We don't plan on taking long hikes but just making  stops along a drive to justify packing our hiking shoes!! Thanks, Deborah

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DeborahAnn


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Michele, sorry, I don't know why this came up as a trip report---I think I posted the question while reading a trip report of stew.  Can you move it or should I repost it.  Deborah

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tony2phones


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Why not drive round the Ring from Dingle to Kenmare. My favourite has to be Beara and even the Sheeps Head. Do Dingle 1st and save the best till last.

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Judy


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I vote for Beara. Or at least part way if time is a problem. Kenmare to Lauragh (R571) over Healy Pass (R574) to Adrigole, then (R572) to Glengarriff and (N71) back to Kenmare. I think Healy Pass is more scenic than Connor Pass on the Dingle Peninsula.
Hope you will have time to do the Dingle drive around the tip of the peninsula.

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Michele Erdvig


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Deborah, 

No problem. I moved your post to the correct area. 

As Tony suggested you could do the ROK when you go from Dingle to Kenmare. I have to admit that I like Beara better. It is more "undiscovered" and does not have the tour bus traffic. You could do a couple of hikes there: 
I also suggest driving Healy Pass. And stop for tea at Josie's.

Michele







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DeborahAnn


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Michele, thanks for moving my post, I'll "look before I leap" the next time!! I appreciate the suggestions for taking the drives around the peninsulas-.

Tony has a good way of looking at the plan, we will save the Beara for last. Judy, thanks for the specifics, I'm including them in my notes. Michele, I'm hoping to not encounter many tour buses, maybe if our timing is right we'll have the road to ourselves!! Thanks for the suggested hikes. Ron and I are used to walking through the hill towns of Italy and the perched villages of France. Ireland is going to be a very different trip for us. I know I'm going to have many more questions after reading my Ireland Dream Trip book---I don't know yet what my DREAM of Ireland will resemble!! Thanks again, Deborah

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Michele Erdvig


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Deborah,

If you get onto the ROK before about 10 am you should beat out the buses. Or if you go a couple of hours after that you will be well behind them. But with tourism down and it being Sept you may not have any problems anyway.

Everyone's dream of Ireland is different. Hopefully you will recognize it when you stumble across it in Ireland. It can surprise you at the most unassuming moments.

Michele

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stewh


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Deborah, you probably know from my trip report that we prefer Beara. It is spectacular and pretty much undiscovered as Michele says. Derreen Gardens was a pleasant surprise for us a few years ago and I didn't even know about Gleninchaquin Park until I read Michele's posting - you won't go wrong following her advice. There are different options depending on how much time you want to spend. I really enjoyed the area West of Lauragh where we turned right at Ardgroom to enjoy the very quiet single lane roads out to the colourful village of Eyeries. I'm sure you will have a great trip.
Stewart

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DeborahAnn


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I'm happy to take Michele's advice about the ROK and thanks Stewart, I'll be looking for those villages you mentioned. Deborah

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