Hi, My wife and I will be taking our 3rd trip to Ireland (from Canada) in the Spring of 2006. We will spend the 1st week self-catering in Corofin and the second week in Clonakilty. We will have a rental car and have used this "based touring" method in other areas with success. I have heard when traveling East from Clonakilty I might want to avoid the traffic around Cork city. My Michelin Atlas shows a road (?N24) that runs south of Cork and through a tunnel. I have also heard of a small ferry that connects to the East through Cobh. As I have no 1st hand experience of these routes I would appreciate advice. Also, after leaving Clonakilty on Saturday morning we fly out of Shannon around noon on Thursday. Any suggestions? We have on previous trips spent time in Kenmare, Birr, Westport, and Kilkenny Town.
The problem with Cork City is it is like a black hole. It sucks you in before you can get your bearings or find the right signs to follow. Once inside it is hard to get out because of confusing roads and signage. If you can avoid it all the better. You are correct there is a tunnel south of Cork that avoids the city. You can also take the Cross River Ferry: http://www.merseyshipping.co.uk/photofeatures/shipco/crossriverf/crossriveridx.htm
As for your remaining time, have you ever spent time in Dingle?
I registered with your site as I did not want to be "anonymous" in another post. Thank you very much for the information. It sounds like the Glenbrook ferry will probably be the best bet to keep me away from Cork traffic. I am not sure how friendly the tunnel road (?N24) would be. If we decide to go to Cork city center there will be a bus involved.
I was pleased that you suggested Dingle for our last few days. We have toured the Beara and Iveragh peninsulas but have never been to Dingle. I have done some research on B&B and Guesthouse accommodation but will probably not book until we are there in May. I have seen some places in Ventry that look interesting. My thought is that we may want a little quiet after a week in an apartment in Clonakilty. What do you think. It is always important to me to have at least one local pub to relax in after a day of touring.
Your website is an excellent resource for anyone travelling to Ireland.
If you don't need to be in the heart of Dingle town you might consider staying on the sleepy north shore of the peninsula. There is a B&B there called The Shores that is a real hidden gem. Go to my "Lodgings" page for the link. I can't recommend this B&B highly enough. Annette also does dinners that are absolutely fantastic. If you do decide to stay there you will need reservations. Word is out and The Shores is getting very popular. There is a pub nearby.
Another quiet place less than a mile from Dingle town is Clooshmore House. They have no website or email so if you are interested you will have to take my word on that one. Unless it is the Bank Holiday Weekend you probably will not need reservations there. Let me know if you want the phone number.