Beara Peninsula and or Dingle Peninsula

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Beara Peninsula and or Dingle Peninsula

AKLR · Veteran Member

Curious about these two very close together peninsulas. In all my research and reading on many sites, it seems recommended by "seasoned travelers" to see both. AND TO NOT MISS BEARA IF WE HAVE THE CHOICE. I was wondering what is so different about them. There seems to be a lot to see in Ireland, but these two coastal drives pop up a lot. I've looked at pictures and the scenery of both but that isn't the same as actually hearing from those that have seen them. On a second note, the time we'd be traveling will be mid October not summer so wondered if that would change the decision as the weather won't be nearly as warm as if we would be seeing and walking these areas in July. Thanks

tony2phones · Guru

Well put Bob.

My suggestion, Throw the guide book on the fire and get a copy of McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy. Good read, good insight and more eloquent than I could hope to be,

Michele Erdvig · Host

On both peninsulas you will get:

Ocean & beaches
Coastal Drives
Mountains
Mountain passes
Small villages
Offshore islands
Antiquities

Unique to Dingle:

Blasket Islands
Blasket Island Center (check opening times)
Fungi the Dingle dolphin & boat trips to see him
Beehive huts
Gallarus Oratory

Unique to Beara:

No tour buses
Cable car to Dursey Island
Derreen Gardens (more of a woodland walk type place than a formal garden)
View from top of Healy Pass - WOW!
Far from the madding crowd

So you have 6 of one and half a dozen of another. Flip a coin and let chance determine it. biggrin

AKLR · Veteran Member

Thanks for your answers to my question . It was one I've been wanting to ask for awhile. How right everyone is, there are definitely choices to be made and am sure what ever we choose will be spectacular. I, will however, continue to ask questions, if I can't find the answer anywhere else as those are helping with my choices.

Thanks
Sue

PS: Michele's guide book has been very helpful, so definitely won't throw it away. Tony, I find you very eloquent and appreciate all your help. Bob,you're very fortunate to have been able to travel to Ireland so much. I envy you. I hope to be able to post our travel experiences when we return.

tony2phones · Guru

It wasn't Michele's book I was referring to

AKLR · Veteran Member

Good, as that is the only one I have purchased. But agree about maybe cutting out internet sites except for two.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks Tony! wink What a relief.

I loved McCarthy's Bar. I laughed out loud so many times while I was reading it.

tony2phones · Guru

I will have to read your book sometime Michele, I would assume it to be informative and unbiased rather than You must go too *****, Don't go too *****, which is the approach of a certain well know Journalist/Travel writer.

Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks is also in my book box and a good light read for folk wanting to visit. There was a recent forum question posed on Bed Bugs in Limerick? I think Angela's Ashes can claim that one.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tony,

I do give my opinion when warranted but generally just lay out the facts and let people pick and choose. For instance concerning the Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig I say, "Since you can see the real things all over Ireland, you may not want to go out of your way to visit this attraction, though the kids might enjoy it." That was my genuine experience, which I pass along to my readers. There are other "folk parks" that do a much better job at recreating Ireland's past.

A few years before writing my book I went to England with a guidebook that was horrible. My husband wanted to throw it off a cliff in Cornwall but I wouldn't let him. When I sat down to write my book I used the English one as an example of what not to do.

Michele

chaika · Veteran Member

As you can see, the two peninsulas are poles apart, so you'll just have to visit each. We did on our first trip two years ago. If you're like me and take a camera and binoculars, you can spend a whole day driving, stopping, driving, stopping ....

And I agree with Itallian Chauffeur, you'll just have to bite the bullet and realize that you will be able to experience only a miniscule amount of what is available. What we did on our first trip was to rent a house for a week on the Dingle peninsula, then went over to a B&B at Kenmare and were able to tour those other two peninsulas from there, about one a day. Right now we are planning our third trip, up in the North, then down through Donegal, Connaght, the Burren and a couple days in Dingle for old times' sake. And you know what -- we still have hundreds of sights unseen. Guess we'll just have to keep coming back! (It's already been suggested.)

AKLR · Veteran Member

Thanks for the advice again. Guess we'll just hope we get as lucky as most of you and can go back more than once. That would be wonderful. But for sure we'll enjoy what we can see and not feel we missed things we don't see. We do have the time to see both peninsulas at this point in our planing, but were wondering about hitting the other "coast" some before we headed west. Have choices to make.

Green Dragon · Guru

Michele, you forgot two (important to me) items on your comparative list:

Dingle: Conor Pass (IMHO, it's spectacular IF you can get there when the mists are clear) I would be hard pressed to decide which is better compared to Healy Pass!

Beara: Stone circles/ogham stones - I love exploring these, and found many more of them dotted around Beara than anywhere else, except Carrowmore.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

I love the view at the top of Healy Pass going into Co. Kerry. You can see Glanmore Lake, Josie's Restaurant (with binoculars) and half the peninsula. Gorgeous! biggrin

Michele