My husband and I have been to Ireland for a couple of longish trips several years apart. In the interest of going more frequently we have decided to go for yearly one week trips.
On a previous trip we fell in love with Kenmare and are planning to go back next May. On that trip we spent a day driving around the Beara Peninsula and another day visiting the Killarney National Park.
This time around we would like to take to two or three days driving around the Beara Peninsula and the rest of the time at the far end of the Iveragh Peninsula. We had been planning on doing this all from Kenmare but are now rethinking things.
Were wondering if we should split our days between staying in Kenmare and then somewhere on the Iveragh Peninsula. The thought of facing down the tour buses as we drive over is off-putting. Does this make sense? Or are we better off just staying put in Kenmare?
If we do decide to spend a few days on the Iveragh Peninsula, what is a good spot?
I suppose it all depends on what you want to do in each area. As you already discovered Kenmare makes a nice base for the SW (as does Killarney). From Kenmare there are other things you could do and more options such as Gougane Barra, Ilnacullin Gardens on Garinish Island (Glengarriff), the Killarney area, Bantry House & Gardens, as well as the two peninsulas south of Beara.
If you want to take it really slow and thoroughly explore smaller areas, then you might want to break up the trip. I can recommend Brookhaven Country House in Waterville, Ferryview in Cahirciveen or Carraig Liath House on Valentia Island (on the ROK). On the Beara Peninsula you might consider staying Castletownbere.
More options from Kenmare as day trips or split your time between Beara and ROK for a slower pace.
Thanks for your help, Michelle. We are definitely wanting a slower pace so we will split our trip up. Now we need to decide whether we want to split our days up three and three or four and two. There seems to be so much to see and do on the Beara Peninsula.
I will take a look at your B&B suggestions. Were one of the towns (Waterville, Cahirciveen, Portmagee) a better bet for restaurants and pubs?