ACTIITIES TO ENJOY WHILE IN DINGLE
Dingle town and surrounding peninsula offers a wide range of activities
for all ages from touring the beautiful Slea Head drive to fishing
to trips to se Fungi, the famous Dingle Dolphin.
The Dingle Peninsula made famous by the film 'Ryan's Daughter' is world famous for it's beauty, stunning scenery, archaeological sites and sandy beaches.
Touring: Recommended Drives
Tour 1 Connor Pass Approx 1 hour ( including
viewing time)
Climbing between the Brandon and Central Dingle groups of mountains,
this drive passes through some of Ireland’s most spectacular
scenery. On a fine day, there are vast panoramas of mountains,
sea, lakes and valleys. The summit of Connors Pass reaches 460m
and about one mile from the summit on the Tralee side is the tiny
Pedlar’s Lake. From the lay-by at the summit, where there
is ample parking, there is a fine view of Dingle town to the south,
with several small lakes in the deep valley to the left; the north
aspect takes in the wide sweeping bays of Brandon and Tralee.
Tour 2 Slea Head Drive Approx 4 hours
Take the R559 from Dingle village and you will pass through Ventry,
the drive from Ventry to Slea Head has a wide diversity of scenic
pleasures, at times hugging the sides if cliffs high above Dingle
Bay and at others passing through stony fields reaching up sloping
mountains. At the very tip of the Dingle Peninsula are the highg
cliffs of Slea Head, the westernmost mainland point in Europe.
It is from here that you get the most sweeping view of sheltered
below and the Blasket Islands. The largest of these seven offshore
islands, the Great Blasket, was for many years home to a hardy
band of islanders who inhabited one small village. In 1953, when
a living wage could no longer be earned from fishing the islanders
were relocated to the mainland. Nowadays boat trips go frequently
during the tourist season from Dunquin pier. The Blasket Centre
which is located nearby offers a reconstruction of living conditions
for the islanders along with an audio-visual presentation of the
many famous Blasket Islanders who contributed to modern Irish
society. One mile past Dunquin is the fabulous panoramic view
offered on the peninsula. To the left is Clogher Beach and behind
Sybil Head and the paeks of the “ Three Sisters” headlands.
Mount Brandon is in the background. The Louis Mulcahy factory
is located at the bottom of the hill. The road then leads to Ballyferriter
which has a selection of pubs and cafes and is a good place to
rest and take in the scenery. On the return journey to Dingle
a small detour will take you to Gallarus Oratory which is a marvellous
example of early Irish architecture and has survived for over
1000 years.
Guided Tours of Slea Head
Buailtin Private Tours; Contact No. 086 3252996
Private guided archaeological and scenic tour of Slea Head
drive. Tours last approx. 2 hours and operate every two hours
on a daily basis. Tours can be tailored to suit individual needa.
Max 4 people per tour. Cost €20 euro per person.
Scuird Archaelogical Tour
Contact No. 066 9151606
Guided Minibus tours visiting a number of archaeological
sites on the Western part if the peninsula. Tours last approx
2 hours. Prices from €20 euro per person.
Morans SleaHead Tours
Contact No. 087 2753333
Guided Minibus tours leave the head of Dingle Pier daily
at 10.00am and 2.00pm.
Tours last approx 2 hours Prices from €15 euro per person.
Walking
Please ask for tour guide at reception.
Fishing
Please click here for more
information >>
Horseriding
Dingle Horseriding
Ballinabola, Dingle; Contact 066 9152199 www.dinglehorseriding.com
Located on the edge of Dingle town, offers horseriding
on the Dingle peninsula.
1 Hour Mountain Treks,1/2 Day Beach Rides. Full Day rides Offered.
Colaiste Ide Stables
Burnham, Dingle; Contact 066 9159100
Located 2 miles from Dingle on the Slea Head Drive, this
stables is set on the grounds of Lord Ventry’s Estate, now
a boarding school. All riders catered for, from beginners to advanced
riders.
Longs Horseriding & Trekking Centre
Kilcolman, Ventry, Dingle; Contact 066 9159034 www.longsriding.com
Located 3 miles from Dingle. From the complete beginner
to the experienced rider, whether you want a half day hack or
a full day’s trek, an early morning canter on the beach
or even a mounted pub crawl!
Golf
Dingle Golf Club
Ceann Sibeal, Ballyferriter, Dingle Peninsula; Contact 066
9156255 www.dinglelinks.com
Located approx 20 minutes drive from Dingle. At 6690
yds, 18 hole par 72, is one of the truly traditional links. Known
as the St Andrews of the south west, and situated in one of the
most spectacular locations in Europe, it’s magical and mystical
qualities will make your round of golf one you will never forget.
Other Activities
Fungie – The Dingle Dolphin
In 1983 Fungie, a wild Bottlenose Dolphin, chose to make Dingle
Harbour his home.
Boats leaving Dingle Pier all day, every day (weather permitting!)
all year round to see Fungie wild and free in his own habitat.
For the more adventurous you can choose to have a two hour swimming
trip with Fungie. These trips need to be booked in advance and
leave each morning from 8am. Wet suits can be hired from Brosnan’s
Wet Suit Hire, Dingle at 066 9151967 or Email: brosnanawetsuithire@yahoo.co.uk.
For further information on all trips to Fungie call Dingle Boatmans
Association 066 9152626 or 066 9151967
Dingle Aquarium
www.dingle-oceanworld.ie
The Dingle Aquarium is open all year round and is a great
experience for all ages. It is located close to Dingle Harbour
and is home to stingrays, Piranhas and sharks !
Louis Mulcahy Pottery Workshop
www.louismulcahy.com
Open seven days a week the factory is located just outside
Ballyferriter on the Slea Head drive. the pottery is famous and
exports pieces all over the world. You can even try your hand,
free of charge, at making your own pot.
Faoilean Pottery Studio
Email: Faoileanpottery@eircom.net
Located in Ballyferriter West. This pottery offer you
the chance to make your own custom made pots, for that special
gift or to mark a special occasion. All art materials are supplied.
The Great Blasket Centre
Located in Dunquin on the tip of the Peninsula it is a fascinating
interpretive museum, honouring the unique community who once lived
on the remote Great Blasket Island. Open 10.00am to 6.00pm daily.
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