*POST UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
Hi friends! How are you this fine Wednesday? I’m so excited to announce a new series on the blog – staycation guides! Now, more than ever, I find myself mooching around the internet, looking for Irish staycation ideas. With that in mind, allow me to introduce: Seven Days on the Dingle Peninsula, A Staycation Guide. I’m so excited to share it with you!
Back in August, I mentioned we were in Kerry with Boyfriend’s family for a staycation. With all the Covid-19 restrictions in place, I thought it would be super helpful to put together a guide on what we did & how we went about staying safe. Covid-19 has affected everyone this year, but I’m going to try my hardest not to let it dampen my travels any more than necessary.
what is a staycation?
S T A Y C A T I O N / stay•kay•shun / (noun): a holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.
Although the airways are open and there are some lovely destinations on the Green List, air travel isn’t something we’re ready to try out just yet. When Boyfriend’s parents suggested a staycation in Kerry, we leaped at the idea. We were so desperate to get out of the house that even a staycation in the next town over would’ve sufficed.
We drove from Dublin to Kerry, had a house to ourselves, and the only tourist-ing we did was in quieter areas. No-risk travel + non-shared accommodation + limited social interactions = the perfect Covid-19 staycation.
staying covid-19 savvy
*2025 UPDATE: this section is largely outdated now, but I’m leaving it here for posterity!
There’s literally no point in going away if you’re just going to go about your business as you would when the world was the right way up. Yes, we were delighted to be escaping Dublin, but we still had to do our part & be careful. Below are some of things to keep in mind if you’re staycation-ing:
keep a space of 6-feet between you & others // be aware and make sure you feel comfortably distant from others.
avoid crowded places & reduce interactions // after driving through Dingle on our way to Slea Head we decided to avoid it like the plague – all Covid-19 measures seemed to have gone out the window! Seek out the quieter areas.
wear a mask // this wasn’t legally enforceable on our trip – but it is now. Be sure to wear a mask whenever you enter a retail outlet, or face a potential fine. I found this Q&A helpful.
do not shake hands with/hug others // how do you know people haven’t been shaking hands with others just before you? Don’t take the risk just to avoid feeling rude.
before you visit
Just two things to keep in mind if you’re Kerry bound!
the weather on the Dingle Peninsula is so unpredictable. One second the sun is streaming through intermittent clouds, the next the mist has rolled so far in that you literally can’t see 10ft in front of you. Be prepared for everything: sun, rain, wind, thunder.
some of the roads in and around the Dingle Peninsula are quite tight and difficult to maneuver in a larger car. The nervous passenger in me reached for the door handlebar often.
where to stay
