I was searching the web for any forums on Holidaying in Ireland as we are goin there for Xmas this year and so far have found Ireland closes for Xmas . However, my reason for adding to this thread is because we have been going to Ireland for our summer hols for several years. We started going because we have dogs who go on holiday with us and the hassle is too much getting pet passports for the continent.
We have always gone to the Kerry area, mainly from the first because a friend recommended a place to stay. But we keep going back to the same area as there is always something new to discover. We have found a very friendly farmer (as most of the Irish are; both friendly and farmers, at least away from Dublin) where we have stayed for the last seven/eight years in a cottage at the end of a track up in the Mackillycuddys Reeks, the mountain range that runs from Killarney into the Beara peninsula. Here we can let our dogs run free (yes, dogs plural, we have six at the moment but have been there with eight). They do not bother the sheep on the farm or the mountain, where we walk regularly. Up high in the mountains there are spectacular views from Killarney over Lough Leane (very good fishing I am told) across middle Kerry to the Dingle peninsula.
So, there are mountains to walk, especially up to the top of Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain. There are spectacularly empty beaches, at least mid week, at Rossbeigh (or Rossbehy) and particularly at Inch, a mile long, wide strand, backed by dunes, that you can drive down. Excellent for children to get lost in (and dogs) without having to worry about them !!. Inch Strand is famous as one of the locations for the film Ryan's Daughter. On the north side of the Dingle a vast expanse of beach and strand runs from Ballyquin to Derrymore, centred on Castlegregory, where various watersports are catered for.
You can do the tourist thing and drive around the Beara from Killarney (about 120 miles). This is very scenic, will take you all day with short stops to admire the views. You can do the same around The Dingle (one of the areas where the Irish language comes first (the Gaeltacht)) which again is very scenic. Dingle town is worth a stop for Funghi the dolphin, the harbour, the Aquarium and Smoked Haddock and Chips. The drive over Connor's Pass is a must. If you make it to the end of the Dingle a trip around the Blaskets will see you at the most western point in Europe.
You can cover most of County Cork from the Killarney area, we particularly like the drive through Kenmare, Glengarriff to Bantry and around the Sheep's Head. We have been up the coast north as far as the Cliffs of Moher and to The Burren, again more than worth the long day. Cross the Shannon on the Tarbert ferry.
For shopping Killarney is a typical Irish tourist centre. A mix of gift shops and specialty suppliers (butcher, baker, candlestick maker). There are out of town supermarkets for self caterers. Tralee is well worth a visit, especially if you go late August when the 'Rose of Tralee' week is on. A form of beauty pageant in the old sense, competitors must be of Irish blood, but come from all over the world.
We have travelled both crossing routes, into either Rosslare or Dublin (or Dun Laoghaire). The drive across Ireland from either gives a good cross section of what ireland can be like, with lowlands, rivers and hills (or mountain ranges) to take the eye. From Rosslare a visit to Waterford and the glass factory is worthwhile. From either port to the west a detour to stop in Cashel will show the heart of Ireland, where many of the Irish 'kings' ruled from its spectacular castle on the rock.
As you may gather from the little I have written above we find Ireland to be our ideal holiday destination. If you aren't looking for the sun it a beautiful place to visit, good (and hearty) food, very friendly people and ,of course, Guiness.. It is not called the Emerald Isle for nothing.