Ireland Advice - Dingle, Aran Islands or other??

[kelce]

We have a trip planned to/from Shannon in August.

We will have 3 nights in Adare, but the first 3 nights we are looking to rent a car and go somewhere within 2.5 hrs from Shannon airport.

I've done Ring of Kerry and Cliffs before and both were stunning, so at first research looked like Dingle or Aran Islands (via Doolin) could be of interest as well.

Would love firsthand recommendations. Will by myself, DH and 2.5 year old

Bump please

Visited Dingle for a week before and it's a brilliant little town. Lively, colourful, great pubs for live music, lots of fab local shops and a good range of food options. Very close to some beautiful drives and quiet little coves.

There are 3 Aran Islands and the one that goes from Doolin is a small one. Dingle would be more lively. Kinsale in Cork is beautiful too.

County Galway - Connemara National Park was absolutely stunning. Beautiful mountains and the clearest, bluest seas to rival anywhere in the Med or Caribbean. Dogs Bay in particular. Granted I did wear a wetsuit...! Some really gorgeous accommodation around there aswell, we stayed at the Delphi Resort, we plan to return but this time we want to stay right on the beach at the Connemara Sands Hotel. Galway City was a good night out also!

I'd take the "road less travelled" as Dingle can be heaving in Summer (like Cornwall lol). Although it really is a great spot for sure.

You may not have time to do ALL of this, but have a look at getting to Caherciveen then taking the very short ferry to Valentia Island, gorgeous, then back over the causeway to Portmagee. Boats to the Skelligs go from there but I'm not sure if a toddler would be permitted to travel. From there take the coast all the way around to Kenmare then up to Killarney and back to Adare. All absolutely stunning!

Could I cheekily ask what you plan for your three days in Adare? Maybe it's a swanky wedding in Adare Manor.....