ireland revised

Irish 57 · Veteran Member

ireland revised

Michele Erdvig · Host

Irish 57,

You're getting there. Cutting out Galway gives you more time in Kilkenny and the SW. Also a bit less driving involved.

Tuesday: Is Jerpoint Abbey worth it? Depends on what you like. I actually prefer Kells Priory but more walking is involved there.

Wednesday is a killer. Don't even think of Glengarriff on this day. Avoid Cork City at all costs. It is a black hole that will drag you in and won't let go till you are lost and dizzy. Instead go from Cahir to Fermoy. Take the N72 to Mallow and the N20 to Blarney. From Blarney head toward Tower and on to Macroom. (This avoids Cork City.) Take the N22 to Poulgorm Bridge and take the R569 to Kenmare.

If you want to see Glengarriff do it from Kenmare Thursday. In fact you could see Illnacullin Garden and then do part of Beara through Healy Pass back to Kenmare.

Friday: I suggest stopping in Killarney for Muckross Gardens (the house if you have time) and perhaps Ross Castle.

Sunday: Either Doolin or Ballyvaughan would be good, depending on what you want to do and see. Doolin is closer to the cliffs and they can be lovely around sunset.

Everything else looks fine.

Michele

Irish 57 · Veteran Member

Thank you Michele. I will take that route from cashel/cahir that you posted, avoiding Cork at all costs. On Thursday we'll go to Glengariff, another good suggestion. From there maybe to Gougane Barra Forest Park or as you suggested, Beara through Healy Pass.

I don't know much about the Beara Pennisula. I did the ring of kerry a few years back and I'm anxious to see Dingle. While researching these forums, the beara pennisula does pop up now and then. Is it like the ROK or Dingle?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Irish 57,

I take that route from Cahir to Kenmare all the time. It really is best for avoiding Cork City and a lot of traffic. The only tricky part is getting out of Blarney. But by heading to Tower you will then see signs for Killarney. That is the direction you want to go. There is not a lot to tell you when you are in Poulgorm Bridge. It is just an area with some houses. You need to keep an eye out for signs to Kilgarvan and Kenmare. They will be on your left.

If you liked the ROK you will love the Beara Peninsula. It is less traveled, more rugged and spectacular. Gougane Beara is fine but I would opt for Beara. Near Lauragh is Derreen Gardens which is lovely; more of a natural woodland park with water views. A bit closer to Kenmare is Gleninchiquin Park & Waterfall. If you like walks and hiking you will enjoy that.

Now that you have your itinerary nailed down you should start thinking about where to stay.

Michele