Day trips from Kilkenny and Killarney

pandio · Veteran Member

Day trips from Kilkenny and Killarney

Judy · Guru

We recently stay a week in Killarney doing self catering in a house that would be ideal for your family. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. You can see it at www.vrbo.com/21485 You could contact the owner John King directly to see if the house is available and what the cost would be for your 6 nights in Killarney next March/April.

During our stay in Killarney we did a day trip to Cobh and Blarney. Adding Kinsale that day during March/April would be a stretch. I would do Ross Castle on your day 2 and allow The Gap of Dunloe as a full day on day 3 if you are doing the tour bus to Kate Kearney's with pony and trap or hiking the gap. The boat that takes you back over the lakes after the trip through the gap arrives back at Ross Castle, but to late for a guided tour. The Ross Castle guided tour would easily fit into day 2 in Killarney.

We also stayed in Kilkenny before heading to Killarney. We did Cashel and Cahir on the way from Kilkenny to Killarney taking the R693 to pick up the M8 then continuing on down to Cork catching the N22 into Killarney. Not the most direct route but better roads.

-- Edited by Judy on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 09:10:41 AM

pandio · Veteran Member

Ok great! Thank you for those tips. I'll plan on doing Ross Castle on day trip 2 then. I wasn't sure how long it would all take. I'll check out that self catering place as well. What about doing Kinsale and Blarney and skipping Cork? Or i might have to do Kinsale on our next trip :) idk.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Limiting to Kinsale and Blarney might work -- depending upon which routes you take. The full, N71 would be difficult, but taking the more direct, N22 would probably allow adequate time for the two. A third option would be to take inland routes to Bantry and then follow the N71 up from there -- if you have an early enough start and the weather is agreeable.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Most of your days are pretty full so you might not get to everything on each day's list. But you can fine tune things when you are there, also taking into consideration the weather.

tony2phones · Guru

I run from Ennis round the Dingle figure of eight to Killarney and generally say to do the reverse if aiming for Dingle from Killarney. Its about an hour extra over returning to Killarney but if the aim is to head North why not include Dingle and save a day for some other options? Beara would be my choice.. Same size peninsula as Dingle but 90% fewer tourist traffic.

pandio · Veteran Member

Thanks all :) hmmm I think we will try to see Kinsale via the N22 and then a short stop at Blarney. Originally I was going to head to Kinsale from Kilkenny and stay the night there but I'm not sure that would be easy with 6 people for just 1 night... we still could do it that way, idk.
Tony, Thanks for that idea. I'll have to see what hubs thinks about that. It would be nice to have that extra day.
Yes Michele they are full days! I plan on not seeing everything lol, depending on the weather and how we are all feeling. I'm sure there will be days when we just want to take it easy :)

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

There are any number of diversions of interest along the N22 route -- http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/majestic-kilcrea-abbey-ovens-co-cork/

http://www.macroom.ie/tourism/216-sir-william-penn-and-macroom-castle http://www.kilmurry.ie/villages/carrigadrohid/carrigadrohid_castle/carrigadrohid_castle_1.htm

and my personal favorite, Millstreet: http://www.millstreet.ie/blog/information#placestovisit

Not listed, but nearby, are: http://www.megalithicireland.com/Knocknakilla%20Stone%20Circle.html

http://www.voicesfromthedawn.com/city-and-the-paps/

Or, you could just return straight to Killarney and further enjoy the delights of the town.

Ireland -- SO much to see -- and, never enough time . . . biggrin biggrin

pandio · Veteran Member

Those are all great Bob, Thanks! Of course I'd love to see them all, but like you said there's just not enough time lol. I'll play it by ear while we are driving and see what we can fit in. I'm super excited!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Excellent idea to "play it by ear". Plus the weather is always a consideration too. Only problem is self-catering can make you lazy. Did you find your rentals yet?

pandio · Veteran Member

Yes I agree and I have some back and neck issues that make me very sore when I over do it. I booked the one for Kilkenny area so far. It's a detached 4 bedroom house near Callan. We booked 5 nights there. I'm still looking for a place near Killarney/Kenmare area for 5 nights. Found a couple as far up as Kilorglin or Miltown that look promising. I'm also looking for 3 nights in Dublin when we arrive and 3 nights in the Limerick or Ennis area's. Then on the way out I need to find a hotel or something for 1 night in Dublin for the 6 of us, yikes! I'm spending a lot of time on the computer lol! I appreciate all the input I'm getting and have changed my itinerary a few times lol.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I highly recommend these in Kenmare:

Doire Farm Cottages Anne is a wonderful host.

Kenmare Rentals Ger also owns O'Donnabhain's Pub in town

pandio · Veteran Member

I just checked them out. The Kenmare rentals wont let me book this far in advance. I did send a message to the Doire Farm though to ask a few questions. Thanks for the suggestions :)