Killarney or Dingle

fennellkevin · Senior Member

Killarney or Dingle

Irisheyes · Senior Member

I decided to stay in both to eliminate the choice.

I think I really do want to spend time at the Killarney National Park, so that helped me make my decision.

IE

Date: 1:09 AM, 01/18/06

I spent four nights in Killarney, and despite the 'touristy' flavour of the town I still heard some great music in the pubs. Everything from very traditional to what I call modern traditional. I didn't stay in Dingle, though, so I can't compare.

Anita.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kevin,

Since Killarney is more convenient for you I think you should stick with it. In April things are still pretty sleepy in Dingle. However, since it is Easter weekend you will want reservations. For Good Friday you will need dinner reservations at a hotel as pubs and restaurants will not be open.

As for the "touristy Killarney" thing: Killarney has been touristy for well over 250 years. The reason is it is surounded by fantastic natural beauty and strategically located for seeing most of the southwest. So you just ignore the leprechaun keychains in the souvineer shops and go about enjoying your trip. Personally, in the off-season I think Killarney is just fine. It has plenty of pubs, restaurants and good lodgings. However on an August Bank Holiday, I would skip Killarney.

Michele

fennellkevin · Senior Member

Thank you Michele and friends for your very informative replies. You have really set me straight and set my mind at ease (on this question at least).

While I'm on the subject: if all goes well, we will be arriving Killarney on Thursday evening. This means our first full day will be Good Friday. Michele, I appreciate your advice to make a dinner reservation and I will do that. I'm supposing that for Good Friday it would be wise to go on an outdoor "landscape" type tour, since many "places" will of course be closed. We plan to go to the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Penninsula; one of them on Friday, the other Saturday. Is there any reason to choose one over the other for Good Friday, since many things will be closed?

Another question: Which of these two trips from Killarney (ROK and Dingle) is shorter, thereby allowing time to get in other things such as the National Park?

Michele, I thought of one more question: Do you recommend any particular hotel in Killarney for dinner on Good Friday?

Thanks again,

Kevin

-- Edited by fennellkevin at 12:24, 2006-01-18

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kevin,

On Thursday afternoon you might want to stop at a supermarket and either have some deli sandwiches made or pick up a couple of pre-packaged ones. Ask your B&B to store them in their fridge and take them on whatever day trip you do. This will assure you of getting lunch along the way on GF.

Killarney Hotels for dinner (note none will be cheap on GF):

Loch Lein

The Brehon

Foley's Townhouse

Holiday Inn

Linden House

Great Southern

You can access their sites at: www.irelandhotels.com

ROK will take you perhaps 5 hours (or more depending on stops and if you do things like Skellig Ring or Valentia Island).

Dingle takes 3 hours round trip from Killarney. Slea Head drive (don't miss it) can easily take up the rest of the day, once again depending on stops, etc. or you can do it in a few hours.

Maybe you should do the day trip first thing and see how much time is left over for Killarney. I think I would do ROK on GF.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 19:08, 2006-01-18

fennellkevin · Senior Member

Michele, thanks again!

Is Loch Lein your favorite? Is the dining room situated with a view of the lake? Is it far from town and Killarney Lodge?

Kevin

Mark · Veteran Member

Kevin,

If Killarney is more convenient for you then like Michele says just stick with that plan. Since you're going to be there on a Saturday you should be able to catch a good music session as well. Check out Buckley's Bar at the Arbutus Hotel in Killarney center. There are very good traditional sessions there on weekends.

Mark

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kevin,

Loch Lein is a few miles from Killarney in a rural area overlooking the lake and Ross Castle. The dining room has great views of the lake. If you want something within walking distance of Killarney Lodge, try Great Southern or Killarney Avenue.

Linden House has been a favorite for over 30 years and is consistently good.

Michele

Date: 7:40 PM, 01/25/06

Just a note from a reader in Killarney. Linden House is no longer a hotel it has been sold and now houses Refugees.

All the restaurants in Killarney will be open on Good Friday so will all pubs that sell food you just cant but alcohol. So dont worry you wont go hungry.! No need to pre book anything.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Hi Anonymous Killarney Resident,

Thanks so much for the update on Linden House. What a pity it has sold. I have been eating there since 1973! The original owners son had taken it over and ran it for the past decade or so. Things are changing quickly all over Ireland and I appreciate your input.

Michele