Kenmare is one of my favourite little towns in Ireland, and yes, I certainly would recommend it as a base from which to do the various things you listed above.

However, not sure if you'll pack everything you've mentioned into just 3 days . . . You'll need 1 full day to drive around the Ring of Kerry, if you intend to stop along the way - and I'm sure you'll want to as there are so many pretty places to visit, plus presumably you'll have lunch somewhere . . . Guess you could take a little "diversion" to Valentia for a couple of hours. We visited when we rented a house on the outskirts of Kenmare; a very pretty island!

Kenmare to Dingle (town) is approx. a 2hr journey each way, so that will be a long, full day out and even longer if you drive back via the Connor Pass, unless you just drive up to the parking area, then back down and retrace your journey to Kenmare.

http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie

From what I've read on the following web-site, the Gap of Dunloe tour takes up most of the day - 10.30am to 4pm with Deros Tours (I've visited the Gap, but not done the tour. Would highly recommend doing this - the scenery is stunning!):

http://www.derostours.com

So, that's 3 days taken care of already!

Do you mind me asking how many days you're spending in Ireland?? Could you spend longer in this area, maybe 2/3 nights in Kenmare, then 1/2 in Dingle?? Honestly, there are so many other wonderful places to visit in this area: the Beara Peninsula (from Kenmare), a boat trip to Great Blasket (from Dingle) . . .

http://www.bearainfo.com

http://www.greatblasketisland.com

As for accommodation recommendations, well, it's been a long time since I stayed in anything but rented accommodation in these areas, but I've chosen to stay at Brook Lane Hotel in Kenmare next week. It has good reviews here on TA. Bryno, the Cork expert highly recommends Virginia's in Kenmare if you're looking for a b&b.

Sorry I can't help much more than this, but if you read the reviews here on TA, I don't think you can go too wrong!

:-)

Day one: drive Ring of Kerry clockwise from Kenmare with stop in Valentia Island and many more places besides. Driving back through Killarney you will have time to walk around Muckross House and Gardens and some of Killarney National Park.

Day two: drive early to Killarney and take the Deros Tour of The Gap of Dunloe http://www.derostours.com/gapofdunloe.html This will have you in bus from Killarney to start of the Gap, horse and buggy, horse back or walk through the Gap, boat through the Lakes to Ross Castle, bus back to town. Perhaps have an early dinner in Killarney and explore even more of the National Park.

Day three: drive the coast again to Dingle and explore the Peninsula. Driving home from Dingle over the Connor Pass and through Tralee and Killarney to Kenmare. This last day will be a very very long one and you will have already driven the Kenmare to Killorglin and Killarney to Kenmare portions which means you are backtracking and not getting value for money for your time.

I think Killarney would work much better for these trips. You will be in Killarney for the Gap and Park, Killarney is a great place to begin and end a tour of the Ring and Killarney is much closer to Dingle for a day trip without re-driving the same road over and over again.

If you are okay not seeing Dingle and still wish to stay in Kenmare perhaps exploring the less explored Beara Peninsula instead? And if you still want to spend sometime in Kenmare but still wish to see Dingle, I would suggest 2 nights Kenmare to do Ring and Gap, but then spend 3rd night in Dingle to better appreciate it and make better use of your time.

Hoping all that made sense. Please reply if you need further clarification.

The Brook Lane Hotel in Kenmare was our favorite hotel in Ireland and definitely one we would return to. The Killarney scenery is prettier than Kenmare but we found Killarney to be a little more expensive and a little more tourist filled. Of course, it's hard to complain about all the tourists when you're one of them. :)

Thank you all for your splendid advice! We will have a total of 15 days in Ireland. I think we will do the three days in Kenmare and then two days in Dingle. That makes sense to me. Again, thank you so much.

We just stayed 3 nights at Abbey Court B&B in Kenmare. Actually we stay in their 2 bedroom apartment above the garage. It has a kitchen and small living area 2 bathrooms, dishwasher and small washer/dryer combo thing. It was all very tastefully decorated and clean. We loved having so much room and having a kitchen . It was like self-catering for only a few days. We paid 110 euros per night -- but could have chosen to eat breakfast in the main house for an additional fee. Kenmare is a wonderful location for several days and much more charming than the more crowded Killarney.