If you wish to see Dingle and it is clear that you do I would advise that Dingle is best seen by staying there.

If you do wish to do the Ring of Kerry and this seems to be a maybe it would be better to do that from a base such as Killarney rather than Dingle town. The Ring of Kerry is at minimum a full day trip and a detour from Dingle before and/or to Dingle after would make for a very long day.

Boys are you in for a great time, going on your plans

1. Should not have any problem when you get to kinsale with b&b try around or go to tourist office when you get there. Be prepared to spend money here as it can be expensive for food and a pint when you’re out and about.

2. As for killarney or dingle you won’t be going wrong with both, "great crack in the two places"

(Crack here in Ireland means having a great time. Example "the music in great crack". "Dingle is a cracking place to stay" "The people are a great crack.

3. Doolin, some smashing pups, do travel round the area as their is much to see. The RoK, well so so I won’t knock it but, it is a long day's trip that has to be planned.

Hope that’s all right for you; if you need any more help and information don’t hesitate to contact me. Do enjoy yourself here in Ireland when you come, and please don’t let the weather put you off that’s why we have pubs and the CRACK

I suggest basing yourselves in/near Dingle.

And while you are there, do your best to go to Great Blasket Island (which you are less likely to have time for, should you choose to stay in Killarney). Bring your lunch, and have a quiet picnic on the island, overlooking the gorgeous sight of the tip of the peninsula on a clear day.

http://www.d.umn.edu/~pnuhring/BlasketFromClasach.jpg

http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/blaskets.html

ricksteves.com/news/…greatblasket.htm

irishcultureandcustoms.com/ALandmks/BlasketI…

Re having no luck with accommodation in Kinsale -

when are you travelling?

If it's between July 12 and 20th, the Arts Festival is on and could explain why it's busy.

We are indeed trying to find accomodation for July 17th, which would explain the problem. Hopefully will have better luck in Cork.

We are driving from Dublin toward Dingle but want to stop for the Rock of Cashel and the Blarney Stone (touristy yes, but we must). So to get to the Blarney stone before the rest of the tourist hoardes, we'd like to base ourselves near it so we don't have far to go the next morning. But we also want to spend the night somewhere interesting.

If you can think of a location besides Kinsale (which apparently is a no go!) and Cork (have heard it's a traffic nightmare), but is close to Blarney, please do let me know.

It's only for one night but every night to us is precious time in Ireland.

I'm not sure of your budget but the Trident Hotel has availability for the 17th at 65 Euro per per sharing for bed and breakfast. The Carlton too but it's 209 Euro for the room and it's not worth that.

As it's a Thursday night for only one night, there should still be B&Bs available too.

Well, we are awaiting confirmation of our reservation at a well-reputed B&B in Cork. Our itinerary is firming up quite nicely. Can't wait to get over there and start exploring this beautiful country!

We'll be spending our first two nights in Dublin, followed by a night in Cork (fingers crossed on that confirmation), two nights in Dingle, two nights in Doolin and back to Dublin.

Still looking for a sight to see somewhere on the drive from Doolin to Dublin. Will probably post about that later. We like to break up the drives as much as possible. For instance, on the first long drive from Dublin to Cork will be stopping at the Rock of Cashel mid-day. And from Cork to Dingle, will make a stop at Blarney Castle, then Killarney for lunch and perhaps a tour of Muckross, before heading on to our B&B just outside Dingle Town.

WriterG. I presume you will be driving? For me, both Killarney and Dingle are places I love to visit. I have a preferance for Dingle because it's smaller, cosier, and right on the sea front. Killarney has it's beautiful lakes of course, but Dingle is still my fav.

Regarding logistics. Why don't you just drive straight towards Killarney/Dingle instead of spending night one in Cork city or Kinsale.

Getting from the airport onto the Killarney road is simplicity itself and the journey is only 90 minutes on a very direct route.

If you have to stay in Cork City and don't want to drive, you could get a taxi or bus from the airport to your accomm in the city (6 miles away), then next morning, get a bus or taxi back to airport to pickup your rental car. Easy.

Alternatively, there is a great hotel right at the airport now, just 3 mins walk from the terminal called the Cork International Airport hotel. Look it up on the web, it's brilliant, very quirky. They are trying to attract new customers so you might get a good rate with them.

Regarding having great crack, yes, you'll have it in Dingle or Killarney, but be aware we spell it 'craic'

Yes, I'm looking forward to the craic.

This is our itinerary (rather set in stone):

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin from U.S.

Day 2: Dublin

Day 3: Drive from Dublin to Rock of Cashel. Drive to Cork, stay overnight.

Day 4: Up early for Blarney Castle. On to Killarney, then to Dingle, where we stay overnight.

Day 5: Dingle

Day 6: Drive to Doolin via Cliffs of Moher. See the Burren.

Day 7: Possible day trip to one of the Aran Islands.

Day 8: Drive back to Dublin. Stop somewhere?

Day 9: Fly from Dublin to Edinburgh.

Bryno: Hope I didn’t let the flag down with the wrong spelling but you know us Cork fellows can only get it right on the pitch. Not this year you say, maybe the footballers this Sunday please GOD

Speedy 10