Touring The Dingle Peninsula

You’ve arrived in the South West corner of Ireland, the beautiful county of Kerry, and you’re packed and ready to go.  But, where to go and what to do?  No traveller or visiting tourist should embark on a grand tour of the Dingle Peninsula without a plan and a good map; and the conscientious traveller might want to include some handy Gaeltacht phrases as this area of Ireland is largely Irish speaking.

The Dingle Peninsula is a point of land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, with its back to the Slieve Mish mountains.  Its scenery is ever changing and on your tour you will see dramatic dark mountains, unspoilt coastline and bustling villages and towns.  The population of this quite traditional area of county Kerry grows in summer as visitors from the island of Ireland, UK and further a-field travel to enjoy the sun and space of Dingle.  Take your tour in spring or autumn and you will be guaranteed peace, tranquillity and your own space – probably the best way to see this beautiful place.

There are two ways to tour the Peninsula – from the comfort of your car or through the hard graft of walking the Dingle Way – 179km of lanes, trails and mountain paths. Most people will start their Dingle Tour at Tralee, the county town of Kerry. Famous the world over for the ‘Rose of Tralee’ festival where young women of Irish descent compete to be crowned The Rose, Tralee is a bustling modern town but with a firm sense of history. It’s the gateway to the Dingle Peninsula and a great place to stock up for your grand tour.

Tralee to Castlegregory

Setting out south west of Tralee you work your way towards Camp – a pretty village set in the stunning scenery of the Slieve Mish mountains. Whether you’re driving or walking you’ll see the pretty Dingle cottages and homesteads that dot the area.  Most people now choose to head north and west towards Castlegregory where they will find the clear waters and sandy beaches of the peninsula’s northern coast. The village itself offers a peaceful and relaxing break on your tour.  Once you’ve dipped your toes in the sea it’s time to go west towards Cloghane. Over looking Brandon Bay and nestled under Mount Brandon there’ll be time to stop off at one of the friendly local pubs or restaurants before continuing on your way.

The West Coast to Dingle

Head westward  and you come to Ballycurrane and Dunquin siting close on the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula, both typical Irish coastal villages. At Dunquin it’s worth taking the ferry from the pier over to the Blasket Islands, a beautiful and remote place, last populated in 1953.  If you’re wanting to ‘cut corners’ you can take the Conor Pass out of Cloghane direct to Dingle, but this short-cut isn’t for the feint hearted. The winding road soon turns to a single track road rising up to 1300tf above sea level before twisting its way towards Dingle.  Make sure you stop off at view points just to stand and gaze at the view, and make sure to take your camera to capture the moment.

As Dingle is both a market town and a fishing port there’s been plenty to see and do for centuries!  You’ll see pretty Dingle fishing cottages, winding back streets and brightly coloured town houses. And if you need a rest after the thrills of the Conor Pass then drop into one of Dingle’s many pubs. It’s better if you plan to stay overnight, whether it’s in a Dingle holiday cottage or B&B, and then you’ll be sure to find some traditional Irish music to entertain you.

Home from Anascaul

On the final leg you travel towards Anascaul. The scenery is breathtaking and you’re not far from the beautiful Inch beach with its golden sands and dramatic views out to the Atlantic and the McGillcuddy Reeks. This really is a place for outdoor activities – walking, fishing, sailing or nature watching – so make sure you plan enough time in your tour.

You’re now on the final leg of the Dingle Peninsula Tour, heading back towards Camp and Tralee.  You’ll have passed through the beauty of the Mountain ranges that form the backbone of the Peninsula, visited it’s traditional villages and towns and seen stunning coastal views and dramatic seas.  The 180km round tour can be done in a few days but we’d recommend that you plan some top overs along the way to ensure that you really get the feel of this amazing western tip of Ireland.  Book into self catering cottage around Dingle or find a number of short stay Dingle holiday cottages – that way you’ll have the freedom to come and go as you please and experience living in area.

View Holiday Cottages in Kerry