Dingle Peninsula

Many people pass up visiting the Dingle Peninsula in favor for the famous “Ring of Kerry” drive in Ireland. However, this beautiful place packs a big punch. The town itself has plenty to do including a beautiful harbor and an aquarium, not to mention shopping and plenty of pubs. We decided to take a rental car (yes, the driving is on the left hand side) and make the scenic loop in a day. The views are not only spectacular, but full of history. On one turn, we discovered a famine era house, on another, beehive huts that were built by monks centuries ago. There is a beach and even a nature center there to enjoy. Even though the twisty road is about a car length wide, the drive is easy. Other drivers are conscientious, and of course, everyone takes a leisurely pace to enjoy all the sights. I suggest that you take a picnic lunch with you. Not only will you avoid the high restaurant prices, but you will find a spot with a beautiful view and make a wonderful memory too.

I’ve never been a big nature person. I usually prefer visiting cities and historic sites on my vacations. But I heard enough people tell me to visit the Dingle peninsula while in Ireland that I, thankfully, followed their advice. The Ring of Kerry might be more popular, but Dingle is where you’ll find the breath-taking views. There’s something about driving around the rugged cliffs of this peninsula, knowing that all that stretches before you is the Atlantic Ocean and eventually America. Dingle doesn’t take long to drive around, so take your time stopping to see the sites. Get a good guidebook (I recommend Rick Steves) to help you understand the history of the peninsula and the amazing historic sites you see, including a fort that is literally falling into the ocean. Some of the sites are hidden, so a good guide will also help you find them. Bring food for a picnic and walk out onto one of the rugged cliffs to enjoy a lunch with an amazing view. Also make sure to stop by the small but great Blasket Island Centre, which tells you about the people who lived in the western most portion of Ireland and who stuck to their way of life until just the past century. Many of them ended up in America. Finally, make sure to enjoy some of the beautiful beaches you come across. Where else can you find such gorgeous beaches that are so deserted? Sure, the water will likely be cold, but don’t let that stop you.

A drive around the Dingle Peninsula is must-do when visiting this part of County Kerry. The landscape is spectacular, the water churns green, white and blue, and the cliffs are just as stunning as in tourism photos.