I am working on my 4th trip to Ireland and am planning to visit the west coast, bottom to top. This will be a bit different for me, as it is 2 couples in a car, rather than traveling by bus/train. On those trips, I obviously stuck to the bigger towns and also took some day tours. Now we will be free to visit the out-of-the-way places. Also, we are going in mid-October and spending 3 weeks.
I've started my planning at the bottom and I'm wondering if Glengarriff would be a good place to stay for a few days -- to visit Mizen Head and the Beara Peninsula. (We've already done the ROK, and spent time in Killarney.) Would there be other things to do if we had very bad luck with the weather?
I think I will put other questions in later posts, as I move my planning north!
Welcome to the forum! I think that you will really enjoy seeing Ireland by car. It will be very different than taking public transportation and you can easily get to all those lovely off the beaten path places that you have missed previously.
In October, I think that Kenmare would be a better base than Glengarriff. It is a little larger with more options in the way of lodgings, pubs, restaurants, etc. It is my favorite small town in Ireland. I have done both Beara and Mizen from Kenmare with no problems. If the weather is bad you are closer to larger towns, shopping and inside things to do.
I needed a little push to help me make up my mind. I have been a bit concerned about how many things will be closed. My guidebook reading seems to show that some B&Bs close in October and many of the tourist offices close in September. I don't know that I'll miss them too much (since I tend to get all the info I need ahead of time), but I wonder if it is an indication that other things will be shut down for the season.
In any case, the scenery will be there and pubs will be open .
Do you know how long a drive it would be to Cahir and Tipperary? I know there is a genealogy center up there, and I'm toying with the idea of stopping in. I don't have a lot to go on, so I'm not sure it's worth it, but if it is rainy, would it be a possible day trip?
Things do start slowing down and closing in October and beyond. After all, the season is just about over. From Kenmare to Tipperary town via Cahir is probably around 3 hours one way. A very long day trip. You said you are doing more of the west. Perhaps you can fit Tipperary in on another day.