How to Tour the Dingle Peninsula

A tour of Ireland should include a trip to the Dingle Peninsula. Located in County Kerry, this region is well known for its ancient sites and breathtaking geographical features. Fortunately, the Dingle Peninsula can be easily navigated on a series of roads which take you around the entire peninsula through some of Ireland's most beautiful locations.

Instructions

Travel From Tralee to Dingle

1. Start your trip in the town of Tralee which is to the east of the Dingle Peninsula.

2. Go west, bearing right at the fork in the road just past the town of Camp.

3. Arrive in the town of Castlegregory where you can stop and enjoy the sandy beaches of the Castlegregory Peninsula.

4. Continue west from Castlegregory to the town of Cloghane.

5. Stop at the Cloghane visitor center. Here you can obtain information about the local walking tours and nearby, Mt. Brandon. At 953 meters, this is Ireland's second largest mountain.

6. Travel south from Cloghane. You may stop off at Connor Pass and enjoy views of the area.

7. Continue south from Connor Pass and arrive in Dingle.

Tour Dingle

1. Start at the tourist office located on Main Street in Dingle.

2. Visit with the local legend, Fungie. Believe it or not, Fungie is an Atlantic Bottle-nose dolphin. This dolphin has made the harbor his home as he can be readily found entertaining locals and visitors.

3. Spend time touring the Dingle Oceanworld. You can obtain information about tours and ticketing at [phone].

4. Shop at the Craft Village on the Wood and other numerous craft stores located on Green Street.

5. Enjoy an evening of food, drinks and entertainment as you visit Dingle's many pubs.

Tour West From Dingle to Slea Head

1. Start at Dingle and drive west toward the town of Dunquin. Before reaching Dunquin, stop at Slea Head. From this vantage point, you can see the Blasket Islands and other sites. Also, enjoy the many beehive huts and churches that are scattered throughout this area.

2. Stop in Dunquin to visit the Blasket Centre where you will learn about the people who once inhabited the Blasket Islands.

3. Travel north from Dunquin to the town of Ballyferriter. This is a small community located to the south of Dun An Oir Fort. While little remains of the fort, there are exceptional views nearby, making this trip worth your time.

4. Continue north from Ballyferriter to the Gallarus Oratory, which is an historic Christian church dating back to the 8th century.

5. Go further north through the town of Ballydavid. From here you can go north to Brandon Creek.

6. Venture out of Ballydavid to the south and east, stopping at the Kilmalkedar Church, built in the 12th century.

7. Complete your tour in Dingle.

Travel From Dingle to Tralee

1. Start in the town of Dingle and travel east to the town of Lipsole.

2. Go east from Lispole toward Annascaul.

3. Watch for the right turn to the 15th century Minard Castle. This castle is also located near a natural stone beach which results from large sea storms forcing boulders onto the beach.

4. Continue east to the town of Annascaul.

5. Stop in Annascaul which was home to Tom Crean, the famous Antarctic explorer.

6. Travel further east to the town of Inch. Scenes from "Ryan's Daughter" and "The Playboy of the Western World" were filmed on the nearby beaches.

7. Finish your tour of the Dingle Peninsula in Tralee.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are up for a challenge, you can hike the entire Dingle Peninsula on the Dingle Way. This route will take about 8 days, but will provide you with a more intimate experience with the geography and sites.

• You can also bike around the Dingle Peninsula.

• Don't travel in the summer if you want to avoid crowds.