Things do do / where to stay in Dingle & Kinsale?

onekeano

I have a colleagues traelling from China to Ireland at the begining of June. From what they have read they would like to visit Dingle and Kinsale. I am trying to do a bit of research on the most effective way of getting from Dublin to either and then onto the other.

I am also looking for some recommendations of things to do, places to stay or places to eat in Dingle / Kinsale - any advice would be much appreciaited.

Roy

Whitehawk

Re things to do - Sheep Spotting , cow tipping and lots of drinking!

On how to get there just look up trains and buses , Killarney and Tralee are the nearest Train Stations to Dingle i think, and buses will get you right there theres a few companys that run that route i think - bit of google work will be need there
Dingle to Killarney have a look here - http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1278083999-281.pdf

Badgermonkey

Courtesy of Fionn Davenport, Newstalk travel expert.

WEST CORK:

Kinsale

Kinsale enjoys a food reputation beyond its size and boasts numerous good restaurants, including one excellent seafood bistro. The compact centre is good for walking and there are artsy little shops aplenty. More walks wander off along the shore in several directions.



To See

Charles Fort

One of the best-preserved 17th-century star-shaped forts in Europe, Charles Fort would be worth a visit for its spectacular views alone. But there's much more here: ruins inside the vast site date from the 18th and 19th centuries and make for some fascinating wandering. Displays explain the typically tough lives led by the soldiers who served here and the comparatively comfortable lives of the officers. Built in the 1670s to guard Kinsale Harbour, the fort was in use until 1921, when much of it was destroyed as the British withdrew. The best way to get here is to walk - follow the signs on the lovely walk around the bay from Scilly to Summercove, 3km east of Kinsale.



To Sleep:

Old Presbytery (tel 021-477 2027; www.oldpres.com; Cork St; single €90, double €90-170) The Old Presbytery has gracefully moved into the 21st century with a careful refurbishment that maintains its character without pushing it into the 'batty old dowager' category. The timeless pine furniture contrasts with the refitted bathrooms. Stay in room 6 only if you have plans to see nothing of Kinsale - with its sunroom and balcony, you'll never want to leave. The breakfasts, cooked by landlord and former chef Phillip, are the stuff of legend.



To Eat:

Fishy Fishy Cafe (tel 021-470 0415; www.fishyfishy.ie; Crowley's Quay; mains e\uro13-33; hnoon-4pm Mon-Fri, noon-4.30pm Sat & Sun) Fishy Fishy is a superb place for fish. The setting is beautifully understated, with stark white walls splashed with bright artwork and a terrific decked terrace at the front. All the fish is caught locally; have the cold seafood platter, a tasty spectacle that's a concert of what's fresh. Scallops are trollops of goodness. Front-of-house staff are charmers but servers can look as tired as week-old haddock.

Jim Edwards (tel 021-477 2541; www.jimedwardskinsale.com; Market Quay; bar meals e\uro7-20, restaurant meals e\uro15-30; hbar 12.30-10pm, restaurant 6-10pm) Like many places in Kinsale, this much-frequented eatery has bar food of a high standard. The restaurant has a traditional vibe that is thoroughly calming. Steaks feature but - as always locally - the seafood shines. Service couldn't be more sparkly.

Balmed Out

Best way to go between the 2 is to rent a car and spend a bit of time and use the west cork coastal route. Can check out places like clonakilty, skibereen, bantry and kenamre on the way and theres some lovely scenery.

Around clonakilty check out the red strand, galley head lighthouse then by rosscarberry check out drombeg stone circle and have lunch at hayes's in glandore for the best lunchtime view in ireland.

If they do rent a car id recomend the Carlton a little outside kinsale if you can get a special offer.


In dingle www.castlewooddingle.com pancakes for bfast unreal. make sure to eat at out of the blue restaurant for amazing seafood.


The train service is crap, busses are a rip off. Travelling Ireland unfortunately really does need a hire car.