Cork and Kerry recommendations

[Numbers]

A good day out down those parts, missus and I done this a few years ago, first the Michael Collins Centre (his birthplace) just outside Clonakilty, from there down the N71 to Skibbereen, the Famine Commemoration Exhibition in the Heritage Centre is really rather humbling, followed by a visit to the famine pits in Abbeystrewery.

Just outside Skib on the way back along the N71 there's Irelands own Stonehenge - the Druids Altar/Drombeg Stone Circle and a coastal drive that would take your breath away at times, coming in the back way into Kinsale.

 

[Maggot]

Hutcha Boy!

Tripe and drisheen -- a culinary experience not to be missed:

Yuk!

 

[Maggot]

I'm going today and quite excited.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[danny la rouge]

I'm going today and quite excited.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[spitfire]

We're off to Rosslare on Friday for the weekend and then off to Cork (Clonakilty) for 3 days after. Some good recommendations.

 

[peterkro]

Kissing that bit of wall that hundreds of other tourists have been doing the same thing to. Yuk!

Not to mention the locals habit of pissing on it.

 

[Numbers]

We're off to Rosslare on Friday for the weekend and then off to Cork (Clonakilty) for 3 days after. Some good recommendations.

I spent every summer of my youth in Rosslare Strand in a caravan, not much to the place but holds such fond memories for me I love going back, there's a lovely beach there too. Kilmore Quay and Hook LIghthouse are good little spots for a quick visit, as is Wexford Town and none are far from Rosslare. If you do go in to Wexford Town try the famous rissoles in the Premier chipper on South Main St, opposite there's a pub called Bugler Doyles which has 1 of the nicest pints of Guinness you can get, + you can eat your rissoles in there.

 

[Maggot]

We had a lovely time. Visited Clonakilty, Bantry, Dingle, Baltimore, Drombeg Stone circle, Kinsale and Cobh. Didn't even make it into Cork, will have to go back again.

 

[krtek a houby]

We had a lovely time. Visited Clonakilty, Bantry, Dingle, Baltimore, Drombeg Stone circle, Kinsale and Cobh. Didn't even make it into Cork, will have to go back again.

Sounds great - I take it you mean you didn't make it into Cork City? It's alright but you managed to get to some lovely places!

 

[Numbers]

We had a lovely time. Visited Clonakilty, Bantry, Dingle, Baltimore, Drombeg Stone circle, Kinsale and Cobh. Didn't even make it into Cork, will have to go back again.

I love that part of Ireland. When I was 16 I went on a FAS course in Ballyferriter (proper Gaeltacht area) which is 8 miles west of Dingle (overrated place IMO), meant to be a 6 month computer course, meant to be... 6 months of mushrooms and poitin and ceili dances in all sorts of places between Ballyferriter West and Dunquin, I must have walked the Slea Head road a thousand times. Love going back there.

Is the horse still there on the way into the stone circle?

 

[Maggot]

I love that part of Ireland. When I was 16 I went on a FAS course in Ballyferriter (proper Gaeltacht area) which is 8 miles west of Dingle (overrated place IMO), meant to be a 6 month computer course, meant to be... 6 months of mushrooms and poitin and ceili dances in all sorts of places between Ballyferriter West and Dunquin, I must have walked the Slea Head road a thousand times. Love going back there.

Is the horse still there on the way into the stone circle?

We didn't see the horse, but there was a cross in a circle made out of flowers, possibly something to do with the Solstice.

Dingle is very touristy, but they now have a brewery named after Tom Crean, one of my ancestors!

 

[oryx]

I love that part of Ireland. When I was 16 I went on a FAS course in Ballyferriter (proper Gaeltacht area) which is 8 miles west of Dingle (overrated place IMO), meant to be a 6 month computer course, meant to be... 6 months of mushrooms and poitin and ceili dances in all sorts of places between Ballyferriter West and Dunquin, I must have walked the Slea Head road a thousand times. Love going back there.

Is the horse still there on the way into the stone circle?

Went on holiday near there in 1990 - still remember a sunny day on the gorgeous beach at Ferriter's Cove.

 

[Maggot]

The Ring of Kerry smells nice but Macgillycuddy's reeks.

 

[Maggot]

Thinking of going back next year to do some Whale watching. What time of year is best for that?

 

[krtek a houby]

Thinking of going back next year to do some Whale watching. What time of year is best for that?

• March to May - Risso's Dolphins
• March to November - Minke Whales
• April to July - Basking Sharks
• July to August - Atlantic Sunfish
• August to December - Common Dolphins
• September to December - Fin Whales
• November to January - Humpback Whales
  
  
  Whale Watching in Ireland Irish Whale Watching West Cork Ireland

 

[Maggot]

Thinking of going back next year to do some Whale watching. What time of year is best for that?

Looks like I'm going back very soon. Hopefully to see some whales and Cork City. Just go to check a few things first.

 

[Maggot]

Probably not going now as my travelling companion doesn't want to go to Ireland.

Looking around for other destinations.

 

[J Ed]

Is Cork worth going to gon holiday if you don't have a car?

 

[bubblesmcgrath]

Of Cork and Kerry which would be the best to go to for a short holiday without a car?

You're fucked without a car in Kerry and the main big towns are ok but at least if you're in Cork you've a good chance of getting public transport to places like Clonakilty and Blarney. And Cork city itself is a good tourist spot (even if I hate it).

If you're not interested in a city break...then Killarney is lovely. The lakes and scenery are spectacular and you can get a jaunting car or go on bikes out to Muckross and the Killarney natuonal park.
Great walks there...lovely waterfall..etc.
Killarney is usually good for music events too. Plenty day tours around the ring of Kerry too.

Cork is a typical city...nothing too special despite it's reputation

 

[J Ed]

You're fucked without a car in Kerry and the main big towns are ok but at least if you're in Cork you've a good chance of getting public transport to places like Clonakilty and Blarney. And Cork city itself is a good tourist spot (even if I hate it).

If you're not interested in a city break...then Killarney is lovely. The lakes and scenery is spectacular and you can get a jaunting car or go on bikes put to Muckross and the Killarney natuonal park.
Great walks there...lovely waterfall..etc.
Killarney is usually good for music events too.

Cork is a typical city...nothing too special despite it's reputation

Looks like there's a good rail link from Cork to Killarney too. Thanks

 

[bubblesmcgrath]

Looks like there's a good rail link from Cork to Killarney too. Thanks

You'll get the best of both then

 

[Artaxerxes]

We are off to the Skibbereen area for a few days in September.

Guessing we'll mostly tool around by car but would be nice to get any tips on where to find seals in the area.

 

[Pickman's model]

We are off to the Skibbereen area for a few days in September.

Guessing we'll mostly tool around by car but would be nice to get any tips on where to find seals in the area.

Try the ilen river blueway Ilen River Blue Way launched there's a brochure with more info you can download

 

[Baronage-Phase]

That looks amazing!

Would Killarney be a good place to watch Ireland V Italy in a pub?

Killarney is a great place. Plus you're going at a quiet enough time. Fewer tourists. Killarney national park is gorgeous. Lovely drives and sightseeing around there.
Dingle is very busy. Lovely but tourism has imo ruined it. Go along the coast to Sneem. Absolutely stunning drive around that peninsula ...the further south you go the better it gets.

Cork... hmm. West Cork is really beautiful. Clonakilty...Inchydoney...
Cork city is mixed. Lively for music...etc.

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Oh

Just saw this was a 2016 thread.

 

[Maggot]

Oh

Just saw this was a 2016 thread.

 

[Pickman's model]

Killarney is a great place. Plus you're going at a quiet enough time. Fewer tourists. Killarney national park is gorgeous. Lovely drives and sightseeing around there.
Dingle is very busy. Lovely but tourism has imo ruined it. Go along the coast to Sneem. Absolutely stunning drive around that peninsula ...the further south you go the better it gets.

Cork... hmm. West Cork is really beautiful. Clonakilty...Inchydoney...
Cork city is mixed. Lively for music...etc.

you missed out dunmanway and kilmichael

 

[Artaxerxes]

Night time kayaking on Lough Hyne and Whale Watching.

Fecking fab so.

 

[hash tag]

Anyone mention Castle Blarney?

 

[flypanam]

Listowel is pretty good town and close to Ballybunion which itself is a bit meh but has some of the best beaches and warm water around. Portmagee for the skelligs trip, careful though, the trip is rough and the smell of the guano can be overpowering and vomit inducing (I'm speaking from expereince)