Dingle Peninsula
Photos: One of Dingle's most popular attractions - a view of Fungie, the dolphin, from boat trip along DingleBay harbour.
Remember the glorious scenery in the films "Ryan's Daughter" or "Far and Away"? That was the Dingle Peninsula at its best on the wide screen.
Although the Ring of Kerry usually gets more limelight as a spectacular driving route, the Dingle Peninsula is equally beautiful — but slightly off the beaten track, not as well known, and less developed. For those reasons alone, it should not be missed!
Less than 40 miles long, the Dingle Peninsula juts into the Atlantic like the Ring of Kerry. The route takes in pristine beaches, rugged mountain passes, and deep green valleys as well as colorful little towns and fishing ports.
The western tip of the Dingle Peninsula is also home to the West Kerry Gaeltacht, an area known as "Corca Dhuibhne," where the Irish language (Gaelic) is readily spoken in everyday communication. Along with the language, native Irish traditions, folklore, crafts, and music flourish on the Dingle Peninsula.
The chief town on the peninsula is named Dingle/An Daingean, a popular fishing port, seafood
center, and home base for "Fungie," a resident dolphin who frolics with visitors
on boat trips in Dingle Bay. For details on joining one of these trips, see "Kerry - Sightseeing Tours." The town itself is a feast of great pubs, restaurants and shops.
The driving highlight of the peninsula is the Slea Head Drive – this much-photographed drive is a sign-posted and scenic route west of Dingle Town toward Dunquin, along the southwest coast of the peninsula. The drive passes through Ventry and Fahan, with Mount Eagle on the right and the Atlantic Ocean and Dingle Bay on the left. At Slea Head, there is a scenic lookout with parking area. Along the route are several notable attractions including Dunbeg Fort, Fahan, tel. 066-915-9970, an Iron age (800 BC) promontory fort perched on a sheer cliff over the sea; and the Beehive Huts, Fahan, a cluster of dry stone corbelled huts, believed to have been habitation sites dating back to the 12th century.
Another spectacular drive is over the Connor Pass, cutting through the mountains between the north and south sides of the peninsula - providing views of Dingle and Tralee Bays, Mount Brandon, the Ring of Kerry, and beyond. The place name comes from the Irish An Chonair, literally meaning "the path." And what a path it is - a winding and twisting route rising to over 1,500 feet above the boglands and beaches. It is the highest mountain pass in Ireland. Although the road has been greatly improved inrecent years, there are still some very narrow sections, so be cautious.
Other attractions of the area include:
Celtic & Prehistoric Museum, Kilvicadownig, Ventry, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, tel. 066-915-9191. An ideal stop between Dingle Town and Slea Head on a rainy day (or a sunny day), this museum showcases the history of the area back to prehistoric times. The exhibits range from floors of 300 million year old sea worms and a 70 million year old dinosaur egg, to the largest complete wooly mammal skull in the world (its tusks are 10 feet long). In addition, there are Ice Age and Neolithic tools as well as Celtic jewelry and weapons – a tangible history of times past. Opening hours vary according to season. Web site: www.celticmuseum.com
Gallarus Oratory, Gallarus, Ballydavid, tel. 066-915-5333, is an archaeological highlight of the peninsula. It is a 8th century Christian site, set on farmland overlooking Smerwick Harbour. It is a perfect example of the dry stone building style of the time, made in the shape of an inverted boat and still remaining weather-proof after more that 1,000 years. The site includes a visitor centre which shows a 15-minute audio-visual explaining the oratory’s history.
Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir/The Blasket Centre, Dunquin (tel. 066-915-6444), a spectacular and evocative heritage centre built to recall what life was like on the Blasket Islands, seven offshore islands that are no longer inhabited. It also contains contemporary art works, statues, photographs, and paintings that help to convey the history and lifestyle of the area. Open daily April – October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; schedule varies in off-season. Web site: www.heritageireland.com
Mara Beo/Oceanworld, Strand Street, Dingle (tel. 066-915-2111), is a modern and well-equipped aquarium that tells the story of the mariculture and fish farming along the west coast of Ireland. Walk through an undersea tunnel to see up-close views of more than 100 fish and other sea creatures, both rare and common in the area. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Web Site: www.dingle-oceanworld.ie
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