Best Things to do in Dingle on a Rainy Day
Best Things to do in Dingle on a Rainy Day
In Ireland, the ‘Emerald Isle‘, we are known to get our share of rain or what we call ‘soft days’. It rarely stays for long, usually blowing over quickly.
Without it though we wouldn’t be blessed with our spectacular Irish landscape, famously described as ‘Forty Shades of Green‘ world over. Fear not though, if you do have a rainy day in Dingle, while staying with us at Cill Bhreac House, there are plenty of activities and really memorable experiences to keep you occupied (and dry!) on the Dingle Peninsula. Below are some of our top suggestions for the best things to do in Dingle on a rainy day.
No. 1: Visit the enthralling Blasket Island Heritage Centre – Ionad an Bhlascaoid
The architecturally stunning, Blasket Island Heritage Centre & Museum, is situated on the Slea Head Drive, in Ireland’s most westerly parish – Dunquin.
You will enjoy a unique and immersive experience that celebrates the extraordinary legacy of the Blasket Islanders, the tiny Irish speaking community who lived on the Great Blasket Island until the mid-20th century. Delve into the heart of Irish culture, literature, language and history.
Life on the Blaskets was difficult. People survived by fishing and farming and every day involved a struggle against the elements. Emigration and decline led to the final evacuation of the Great Blasket in 1953. The Great Blasket population left a massive cultural footprint. The island authors documented the life of their community in a series of books that are invaluable social records and classics of Irish literature.
The Centre, which underwent an extensive €2.9m upgrade in 2021/2022, features a fascinating audio-visual presentation and a series of imaginative interactive exhibits on various aspects of the history and culture of the Great Blasket. It is a Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point and a highlight of any visit to the Dingle Peninsula. The site also incorporates a spectacular and fully accessible clifftop viewing platform that offers dramatic views of the Blasket archipelago and the Atlantic coastline. A restaurant / coffee shop that boasts fantastic views of the islands is also located on-site.
For further information visit: www.blasket.ie
No. 2: Be Enchanted by Underwater Life at Ireland's Largest Aquarium
Dingle is home to Ireland’s largest aquarium – ‘Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium‘. This is a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with some fascinating marine life.
You will get to experience Dingle’s enchanting underwater world, learn the wonders of the ocean, and see the magnificent sharks, cute penguins, adorable otters and an abundance of other exotic fish species.
For further information and to make a booking visit: www.dingle-oceanworld.ie.
No. 3: Enjoy a Local Brewery / Distillery Tour Experience
Dingle Peninsula boasts it’s very own independent distillery and micro breweries where you can visit, take a production tour and talk to the makers.
Guided tours will take you through all aspects of production. Better still…you will get the opportunity to sample some fantastic produce (craft beers, Dingle Gin, Dingle Vodka and Dingle Whiskey) in the location where they are made!
Dingle offers you a wealth of brewhouse / distillery experiences for both the connoisseur and the novice to enjoy. For further information and bookings you can check out the following websites:
- Dingle Distillery: www.dingledistillery.ie
- Dick Mack’s Brewery Tours: www.dickmackspub.com
- Beoir Chorca Dhuibhne / West Kerry Brewery: www.westkerrybrewery.ie
No. 4: Embark on an immersive tour of Dingle Crystal's Workshop
Dingle Crystal is is a local, family run business, specialising in unique hand-cut Irish crystal. It features Celtic designs that are inspired by the rich heritage and breathtaking landscape of the Dingle Peninsula.
Located a 4 minute drive from Cill Bhreac House, at Dingle Crystal’s workshop, you’ll embark on a 45-minute immersive tour that takes you through the fascinating world of hand-cut crystal. You will be taken from design right through to the traditional cutting and polishing techniques used by their master craftsmen in creating one of their wonderful individual pieces.
For further information and to make a booking visit: www.dinglecrystal.ie.
No. 5: Enjoy the best of Local Arts, Crafts & Shopping
Dingle offers a unique shopping experience with an extensive array and variety of independently owned shops. Small workshops, galleries and studios, boutiques with personality and a quirky mix of unusual stores dominate Dingle’s colourful streets. Enjoy rambling through the streets and lanes and step inside the delightful bijou shops and small stores as you desire. You are sure to find something nice to bring back home. In typical Dingle style you’ll meet plenty of interesting characters along the way.
To help you make the most of your time, check out this page we have put together for you on the Best Shopping in Dingle.
No. 6: Admire the creations of one of the world's greatest stained glass artists - Harry Clarke
Harry Clarke (1889 to 1931) was undoubtedly Ireland’s greatest stained glass artist and indeed is one of the foremost stained glass artists of all time. During his short life, Clarke created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions throughout Ireland and all over the world.
In 1922, Sister Ita Macken, commissioned Clarke to design and install 12 stained glass windows (6 sets of two Gothic style lancet windows) in the convent chapel here in Dingle to represent the life of Christ. For the princely sum of £1,000, Clarke set to work and in 1924 installed a most magnificent series of windows.
Clarke’s windows at Bewley’s Oriental Café in Grafton Street, Dublin attract hordes of visitors each year but the lesser known series of windows at the beautiful Diseart Chapel here in Dingle gives you the opportunity to view an even more impressive display. For further information visit: www.diseart.ie
No. 7: Take a Cookery Lesson at Dingle Cookery School
Located a 2 minute drive from Cill Bhreac House, the multi-award-winning, Dingle Cookery School, is a popular destination whatever the weather. Fun and learning are intertwined within classes allowing a very enjoyable experience for all skill levels, while ensuring guests receive a warm welcome and eat wonderful food. A very unique and highly rated experience.
For further information and to make a booking visit: www.dinglecookeryschool.com.
No. 8: Spoil yourself at 'The Peninsula Spa'
Indulge yourself with a Spa day at ‘The Peninsula Spa’ at the Dingle Skellig Hotel. ‘The Peninsula Spa’ offers a holistic, restful and relaxing experience surrounded by the healing properties of the sea. Facilities include a relaxation suite, Finnish sauna, steam room and an outdoor hot tub.
An extensive list of Spa treatments are available. These include a variety of face, body, maternity and signature treatments as well as hot stone massage, holistic and massage treatments, tanning and beauty. Using products from Irish range, VOYA, and the French range, YonKa, The Peninsula Spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind in a magnificent panoramic setting overlooking Dingle Bay. The Peninsula Spa is open daily from 10am.
For further information, a full list of treatments, and to make a booking visit: www.dingleskellig.com/spa.
No. 9: Experience Something Different - A Seaweed Bath
The Seaweed Baths at Dingle Wellness use the natural power of organic hand-harvested fresh seaweed and seawater to detoxify, deeply moisturise your skin, increase circulation and promote healing.
You can opt for a private one-person bath in a completely quiet room with relaxing lighting and the sound of the sea or avail of twin seaweed baths room which is ideal for couples, friends, mother/daughter, father/son, etc.
For further information and to make a booking visit: www.dinglewellness.com.
No. 10: Visit the pub of Annascaul-man Tom Crean, Shackelton's Antarctic Companion
The rural village of Annascaul (17 mins drive east of Dingle), is the birthplace of renowned explorer Tom Crean. Known as the Irish Giant, Tom was a member of three major antartic expeditions starting in 1901 during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration – under the command of Captain Robert Scott & Sir Ernest Shackleton. Tom Crean’s name might be dwarfed by Scott and Shackleton, but to the people of the Dingle Peninsula and to the people of Ireland, Tom Crean is a hero. His endeavours even resulted in him being awarded the Albert Medal for Lifesaving.
Following his exploits in Antarctica, he went on the buy the South Pole Inn in Annascaul. It is a pub beloved by locals and international explorers alike thanks to its famous former owner. While Tom Crean passed away in 1938, in the South Pole Inn, his strong presence remains. The South Pole Inn is filled with photos, medals, articles, and all sorts of memorabilia from Tom’s antartic travels. It is well worth a visit.
For further information about Tom Crean visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Crean_(explorer).
No. 11: Enjoy family fun at WAVE DINGLE
WAVE Dingle (Wild Atlantic Virtual Experience) is an indoor family fun 3D immersive experience that takes you on a virtual dive under the sea, visiting the natural world of Dingle Bay, the sunken wrecks that lie off the Kerry coast, underwater mythological lands and some of the incredible creatures that inhabit our seas.
You will travel through a series of spaces housing large-scale projections and soundscapes, discovering the under-water sea life of Dingle Bay, where you meet Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin. Then travel on to explore the shipwrecks that lie beneath, and discover the perils that face those who go to sea. Enter a mythological land to uncover the myths and legends of the sea, and finally, be amazed as you get up close to majestic humpback whales and see them as never before.
For further information and to make a booking visit: www.wave-dingle.com
No. 12: Visit Páidí Ó'Sé's Pub - Home of the Legendary Gaelic Footballer, Manager and Media Personality
Páidí Ó’Sé (1955 – 2012) was one of Ireland’s top Gaelic footballers, and later a football manager for Kerry, Westmeath and Clare. A visit to Páidí Ó Sé’s Pub in Ventry, 7km / 8 min drive west of Cill Bhreac House on the Slea Head Drive, is a must for all GAA fans who visit the Dingle Peninsula.
There is a great sense of tradition in the pub, not only from the point of view of sports, but also famous political figures, movie stars and other celebrities that have been to visit here. One of the most compelling reasons to visit is to browse through the hundreds of pictures from down through the years which adorn the walls – ranging from the great Kerry GAA teams to the countless number of famous faces who have visited the pub during their time in Dingle including international stars such as Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Martin Sheen and Dolly Parton.
For further information visit: www.paidiose.com.
