re: Has anyone here been to the Dingle peninsula?

Expect to talk to people extensively (which means your plans may get derailed), especially if you get rained out and hit a pub in the afternoon. The only people that talked to me in Manchester were Irish, which is totally on brand. The Craic is the best in ROI. Spend time talking to the locals, do *not* get locked in talking to your group. The Irish as so interesting, nearly no matter where they're from (except maybe Dublin), it's a crime not to listen and tell your own stories, which they want to hear.

You won't have the flexibility I had because of your van/group situation, but my cardinal rule in Ireland is that when you find interesting people in Ireland, find a way to hang around and listen to them. Fantastic stories and memories ensue. Except the Rock of Cashel. I stand there and imagine launching artillery in any given direction because I can see the target from way, way far away.

If you wanted to go north, which isn't on your plan, there are some spectacular views in between Galway and Kylemore Abbey, and I saw a lot of people going on a trek, and it looked somewhat similar to the Brecon Beacons in Wales.

If you're into soccer (football) be aware of what colors you're wearing in certain pubs. I ended up a Liverpool fan in 06 because I wandered into a Liverpool pub in Athlone in a red polo shirt as they won the FA cup. Someone handed me their baby/toddler, and I had no idea what was going on. But that kind of passion was my kind of peeps, so here I am with YNWA shite nearly 20 years later.


TCCDC, I've never though of hitting ROI during the winter, but now that I'm thinking of the smell of peat in the fireplaces, I may just do it. Thanks for the suggestion.