Ring of Dingle, Slea Head Drive. and other Ireland Things to Do Tips

If you are planning a trip to Ireland, I would recommend flying into Shannon Airport in Co. Clare, and to start exploring the Southwest and West Coast.

Dingle Peninsula is a must...DO NOT MISS IT...you will find a treasure trove of Irish Life here.

Slea Head Drive is one of the best in Ireland. The scenery, the ancient ruins, the history of the Blasket Island off the coast from Dunquinn, the Gealic language and traditional music is one of the most pronounced.

Stay in Dingle Town, and you will not want to leave. The Pubs and Restaurants are Grand!!!

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Address: Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry
Directions: North of Killorglin, West of Tralee, South of Shannon, on the West Coast.
Website: www.dingle-peninsula.ie

The Grianan of Aileach, Co. Donegal would not have been a personal choice for me to see, but a companion had it on her list, so we went.

Wow.....what a haunting place, so much history and the view amazing. It sits at a place that unites Northern Ireland, Lough Foyle, Inishowen Peninsula, Lough Swilly and Donegal.

A place of High Kings and many battles and ancient rites. I am so glad I did not miss it. And while you are there look forward to seeing the Inishowen Peninsula and then go on to Northern Ireland to see DunLuce Castle and the Giant Causeway, not too far away.

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Website: http://www.stonepages.com/ireland/grianan.html

I did not see much of Co. Mayo, but what I saw, I loved. I must go back and explore it some more.

Cong, is located in between Lough Mask and Lough Corrib, a peaceful and very lovely area. Cong is the site of the old movie "The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Sullivan. It is called the Quiet Man country.
The village is still quaint and the people are fun. Go into Conan's store and pub and he will tell you all about his part in the movie, if he is still alive.

I love the Abbey, the different parts of it from different parts of history. Walk in the monk's gardens and their great little "fishing" house. I know you will enjoy this gem off the beaten path. Study the history if you can, this area is seeping in it.

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Website: http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/Mayo/Towns/CgCrssTN/CgCrssTN.htm

Kinvara is a lovely village between Galway town and Ballyvaughan on N67. If you have done the Burren and are on your way north, you will go through Kinvara....it is a nice place to have dinner, being on the water, a seaport, it has some nice restaurants. It makes a really nice stop after your day doing Co. Clare.

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Directions: On N67. On Galway Bay.
Website: http://www.greensofkinvara.com/

I would not plan a trip to Ireland and not include at least two to three days in Connemara. My first trip I wisked through this area.....and regreted it, always wanting to go back and finish the great gift it was. Other parts of Ireland, except Achill Island did not please me as much. I thought I would find it in the rest of my travels but I didn't.

Go to the West and Southwest of Ireland and savor every moment. It is the best.....it is truly taking a step back in time.... so refreshing and simple.

In my photo on this page we took a by-way road from Rossaveel to Oughterard. It was barren in some places and lush in others, this silly donkey was in the road, and when we stopped he greeted us with the best "Welcome we ever had" and "Number one of a Thousand". This was our first day....and this moment will never be forgotten.

Go............to Connemara, you will be happy you did.

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Address: Co. Galway...not too far from Shannon Airport..
Directions: Between R343 and N59
Website: http://www.connemara.com/

Killarney...oh Killarney, probably the most touristy area of Ireland you can find...but by gosh it is lovely...and so Irish. Ross Castle and Muckross House and Farms are wonderful and located on N71as part of the Killarney National Park..... I actually liked this area more then the continued Ring of Kerry further down the road.

Very close to Lough Leane, the Castle is very typical and almost eiry. It was not open when I was there in April, but I enjoyed walking the grounds and seeing the Lakes and row boats. I love the park area, almost reminded me of Sherwood Forest from Robin Hood, very mossy and green.

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Address: Route N71, between Killarney and Kenmare.
Website: http://www.irelandseye.com/aarticles/travel/attractions/castles/ross.shtm

Donegal is a mystic place, still filled with the Ireland of long ago. If you have a chance to get away to the Blue Stack Mountains to rent a cottage, you will be closed in by the beauty and countryside that most people long for when they invision Ireland. And not far away is the magnificent coast line of Donegal, with some of the highest cliffs in Ireland overlooking the sea.

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Address: Benind Lough Eske near Donegal town.
Directions: R262, N15 and R252.
Website: http://www.travelireland.org/donegal/index.html

Killybegs is a quaint fishing port on the coastline of Donegal.

Have lunch here on the waterfront, and watch the active daily life of the fishermen and their boats.

Not far from Kilcar, where you can stay at a great B&B called Dun Ullan House B&B. See my other tips.

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Website: http://killybegsonline.org/