B
elow you will find the 10 things that I would recommend all of my
guests to undertake while holidaying on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. On check-in you will receive laminated maps of both Dingle Town and the Dingle Peninsula that will also help you make the most of your stay in the vicinity.
No.1: Drive/Cycle Dingle's Slea Head Drive
A
n absolute must! Nobody should leave the Dingle Peninsula without
embarking on this 30 km journey(approximately). Every scene paints a picture! You will pass
through picturesque villages such as Ventry, Dunquin, Ballyferriter, and Ballydavid. You will
witness some truly breathtaking scenery as you look out upon the Blasket Islands and the
"Sleeping Giant"
. Along your way you shall also pass through the most
westerly point in Europe. You will not have witnessed the wonder of the Dingle Peninsula until you
have toured the Slea Head Drive!
No.2: Enjoy a stroll along Ventry Beach
V
entry Beach is probably the most beautiful of the beaches that the
Dingle Peninsula boasts. Located just a short journey from our house, in the quaint village of
Ventry, this magnificent beach is an ideal place to get away from it all and to appreciate the
beauty that the Dingle Peninsula possesses.
No.3: Visit Fungi the Dingle Dolphin
F
ungie, the Dingle Dolphin, is unquestionably Dingle's most famous
resident. Dingle Harbour lighthouse keeper, Paddy Ferriter, first spotted the lone wild dolphin
escorting the town's fishing fleet to and from port in 1984. Since that day Fungie has never left
us and is now a permanent resident of the entrance channel of Dingle Bay. He is the self-appointed
"pilot"
of the fleet. Local fishermen operate boat trips daily from the
main pier or alternatively you can walk out along the coast to the mouth of Dingle Bay (which our
house overlooks) where he is frequently spotted playing around.
No.4: Drive/Cycle to the top of Connor Pass
T
he Connor Pass is another area of immense natural beauty on the
Dingle Peninsula. Lakes, waterfalls, rivers and valleys that have been etched out by enormous
glaciers during the ice age typify the area. The panoramic views of this glaciated valley make the
unusual assent worthwhile. However, BEWARE, the drive is not for the faint hearted!
No.5: Visit the Blasket Islands
T
hree miles west of the tip of the Dingle Peninsula, the Blasket
Islands rise spectacularly from the Atlantic Ocean. They are probably the most famous of all the
islands that are dotted around the coast of Ireland. Sadly, due to persistent emigration, the last
of the island's inhabitants left in 1953, however, with its historic, cultural and literary
heritage aswell as its magnificant location, it remains a splendid place to visit on a day trip.
No.6: Watch the sunset over Dingle Town
W
hether it is just a romantic setting or magnificant pictures you
want, it is hard to match an evening sunset. Why not watch the sunset over Dingle Town as it dips
below the mountains that encase the town. The good news is that you don't have to travel too far
for it - you can watch it directly from our balcony lounge!
No.7: Watch the Fishermen land their Catch
W
hen staying in a fishing town why not take a look and see what the
local fishermen are getting up to. Take an evening stroll down Dingle's Town port and watch as the
fisherman land their day's catch. There's a good chance that what you are watching being landed
will end up being on your dinner plate that night at one of the many local restaurantes.
No.8: Taste some locally caught Seafood
W
ith the local Dingle fishermen landing fresh fish into Dingle's
Town Port on a daily basis it is easy to see why Dingle Town is renowned worldwide for its
delightful award winning seafood restaurantes. For seafood lovers, Dingle is unquestionably a
haven.
No.9: Immerse yourself in some Local History
T
he Dingle Peninsula is steeped in local history. Even in
pre-historic times the Dingle area was well inhabited, and to the present ample relics of this
pre-historic habitation survive. Why not get out and about and immerse yourself in some of this
local history.
No.10: Listen to some Traditional Irish Music
T
he Dingle Peninsula is home to many of Ireland's most famous
Traditional Irish Musicians. Visit one of the many local bars where traditional Irish music is
played nightly, go to a concert or simply stop and listen to one of the street-side buskers who
often perform on the streets of Dingle.
I
f the above 10 items don't appeal to you though,
never fear, there are plenty of other things to do in Dingle including the following selection of
activities:
- Mountain Climbing and Hill Walking
- Golfing and Pitch & Putting
- Fishing and Angling
- Horseriding
- Bowling
- Swiming
- Watersports
- Sea Trips
- Aquarium
- etc.
M
y husband John, our son Ronan, and I will gladly
assist you with further information on sightseeing on the peninsula, dinner recommendations and
with any other information you require during your stay with us on the Dingle Peninsula.
A
ll of our bedrooms also contain visitor information folders in
which we give further information, like above, on what to see and do while in Dingle.