Dingle is a must on any visit to the Wild Atlantic Coast of Ireland.  The Dingle Peninsula is a remote location extending into the Atlantic Ocean.  The area is rich is history that can be traced for almost 6,000 years and of course like all history many forces have been here including The Celts, the Spanish.  But probably the most famous is Skellig Island,  the island used in the Star Wars film series as the refuge of the Jedi Warrior, Luke Skywalker.  

Here are things to see and do while in Dingle:

Slea Head Loop is a drive around the Slea Head peninsula to find one extraordinary view after another.

Gallarus Oratory is about 1200 years old, made of dry stone and looks like a Beehive Hut.  There several on the Dingle Peninsula on the Slea Head Loop.

Dingle Crystal Workshop is just outside of town.  Watch a master craftsman at work.  The owner was at the Waterford Crystal for many years before opening his own workshop in Dingle in 1998.

Fresh Air in Dingle, there is so much to do.  Stroll Inch Beach or go surfing here.  Climb Mt. Brandon not really a mountain rather a large hill with the views of the splendid landscape or the Atlantic can be seen from the top.  Book a tee time for a round of golf. 

Walk the Dingle Way is a beautiful well marked route that is 110 miles long.    A great way to see the land and meet the people but about 9 days are needed to complete your walk.  Don't want to do the entire 110 miles?  No worries!  A short stroll is almost as good. 

Blasket Islands are just off Slea Head and to get a wonderful view of the Dingle Peninsula from here.  What does Springfield Massachusetts and the Blasket Islands have in common?  In 1953 the last of the 200 inhabitants had to leave because of lack of basic services (doctor, school, shopping, priest) and surprisingly a great many of them moved to Springfield Massachusetts.  These residents of Springfield still get a copy of the weekly Kerryman newspaper.

Stroll the streets of Dingle there is always something wonderful just around the corner.

Enjoy Fresh Fish after all Dingle has always been a fishing village.  Local restaurants will be serving the best salmon, bream, crab, sole, turbot, scallops, mussels and lobsters on the menu today.

Ice Cream at Murphy’s on Strand Street is a must.  There is a wonderful selection from Pink Champagne Sorbet to Chocolate Whiskey ice cream.  Locals say they serve the best coffee in town.

Pub Crawl in Dingle:   The town is relatively small but there are about 65 pubs, and many have music.  The pubs are not big, and many will not take credit cards so be prepared and drink like a local and you will meet locals.  A short list to get you started:

• Ashes Pub & Seafood, Main Street
• An Droichead Beag, Main Street (music)
• Foxy John’s, Main Street (pub, hardware store, and bike shop)
• Adam’s, Main Street (music)
• Dick Macks, Green Street (pub and leather workshop since 1899)
• O’Flaherty’s, Bridge Street (traditional Irish music)
• McCarthy’s Pub, Goat Street (oldest pub in Dingle 1867 music)

 

Join The Professor on a small group tour to Ireland and it's Wild Atlantic Coast.