Itinerary feedback and Cork Coastal Route or Gougane Barra Advice

Sister 4 · Newbie

Itinerary feedback and Cork Coastal Route or Gougane Barra Advice

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

First and foremost --- Welcome to Michele's Forum -- and Congratulations on choosing a visit to the Greatest country in Europe!

You asked:

In Dublin trying to decide between Literary Pub Tour, Original Dublin Walking Tour and Hop on- Hop off bus
When leaving KInsale, trying to decide between Cork coastal route and Drombeg or Gougane Barra
Any general advice on the above itinerary, any recommendations for experiences and dining in those areas.

Firstly, a General answer to your questions would be: "You won't be disappointed with whatever you decide to go with!" Or, as Michele has said -- "You won't miss what you don't see." Ireland is SO densely packed with sights (and sites) that tough choices need must be made. I've enjoyed over two dozen visits (averaging two weeks at a time) and still have a lengthy "Bucket List".

A bit more specific:

The HO/HO Bus provides 24 or 48 hours of use and provides an excellent 'Overview" of the city. It also passes by, or nearby to pretty much all of the key Dublin attractions, which makes it a popular tourist draw. The other choices seem a bit more a question as to WHICH appeals most, to YOU. However, since you mention music and pubs, I always recommend The Cobblestones, in Smithfield (nearby to the Jameson Distillery) for the music and The Gravediggers, AKA Kavanagh's (adjacent to Glasnevin Cemetary) for an atmospheric pint, after a walk through the history of Ireland.

The Cobblestone (cobblestonepub.ie) John Kavanagh The Gravediggers - Pub in Dublin (business.site)

If you are on Facebook Publin offers more in-depth information on ALL Dublin area pubs: (2) Facebook

As to your route from Kinsale to Kenmare -- Again, you really can't go wrong with either. I've found both routes incredibly scenic. However, have you considered combining BOTH?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1F331ZjFjLZLNvqDA

It doesn't add a lot of time -- and, since you plan on visiting the Bearra, the only part of the N71 you'll miss out on would be the relatively short stretch twixt Ballylickey and Glengarriff. There's a nice little castle ruin along the way, in Kealkil you might find interesting, as well. There's a delightful, single-lane bridge twixt Glandore and Union Hall that is a minimal detour from Drombeg that I enjoy. It featured in an old movie called "The War Of The Buttons". Views of the bay are quite scenic, in MY opinion.

Hope this gets you started!