Dingle

Fast Facts

• Location: In south west Ireland overlooking Atlantic Ocean
• Attraction Type: Historic city with immaculate natural beauty
• Significance: Best preserved archaeological remains dating to 800 BC.
• Best Time to Visit: May to September
• How to Reach: By highway N86 from Tralee or road R561 from Castlemine and Kerry Airport; Killarney is the nearest rail station and Kerry the closest airport
• Nearest International Airport: Cork International Airport at a distance of about 100 miles

Dingle is an exceptional storehouse of traditional Irish culture untouched by current times. Dingle Peninsula with a history of over 6000 years has been successful in preserving its heritage and remarkable monuments of immense archaeological significance. Not only its 2000 monuments, Dingle in Ireland is attractive because of its endless open space, incredible animal life, and exuberant lifestyle. A tour of Dingle in the south west of Ireland would be engulfed in pleasant experiences and memorable escapades. The Dunbeg Promontory Fort in An Dun Beag is perhaps the most remarkable monument dating back to 800 BC or late Bronze Age and used until the Celtic period in 10th century. Resting on a cliff promontory at the base of Mt. Eagle it juts out into the Dingle Bay. Sciuird is another fabulous archaeological site. For further archaeological remains visit the Corca Dhuibhne Regional Museum.

If you love alluring landscapes visit Slea Head the most rugged part of Dingle peninsula or take a hike to Conor Pass. From Conor Pass have breathtaking views of Brandon Bay with County Clare afar. Make a invigorating tour to Blasket Islands to discover red deer herds at Inisvickilaun, Cathedral rocks at Inisnabro, and the seals, dolphins, whales and gannets in Dingle Bay.

For a cultural tour visit Louis Mulcahy's Pottery Workshop and try your skills with the wheel. At Gaeilge Beo you would be encouraged to participate in dancing and sporting activities. In Gaeltacht you would be inspired to meet Irish speaking local people who have no inhibitions in sharing their lifestyles with you. Their spontaneity and exuberance would surprise you. Take a local guide and walk through hedgerows, bogs and mountain streams. In the evening join them in a fun filled session of music and dance. For a serious variety of traditional music pay a visit to Scoil Cheoil and learn about West Kerry music style.

Hotels and Restaurants in Dingle

Throughout Dingle peninsula accommodation is available in forms of hotels, hostels, guesthouses, camping sites, farmhouses, and country homes. Farmhouses would perhaps be the ideal form of accommodation keeping in uniformity with the open landscapes of Dingle. The Phoenix, Garvey's Farmhouse, and Moriarty's Farmhouse are some of these noted places. Guesthouses are also attractive alternative places to put up. You might make your selection from amongst Bambury's Guesthouse, Castlewood House, Bolands Guesthouse, or Dingle Marina Lodge. Among the hotels Dingle Bay Hotel, Dingle Skellig Hotel and Dingle Benners Hotel are noteworthy.

If not for anything else, you could travel to Dingle for its exclusive cuisine. John Benny's Pub specializes in fresh sea food recipes. Gorman's Clifftop House and Restaurant, overlooking Smerwick Harbor and the Atlantic just beyond, is an award winning restaurant serving Irish delicacies. Tig Aine is well known for its home cooked local dishes, fresh seafood items and salads from vegetables grown in their own garden.

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