Traveling to Dingle Peninsula we make our first stop at Inch Beach. This is a spectacular sand spit jutting out into Dingle Bay. “Playboy of the Western World” & David Leans “Ryan’s Daughter” were filmed here.

Departing here we drive toward Dingle along a rugged cliff road with stunning panoramic views of the bay. The road eventually turns in land & meanders through rolling hills. We pass by Annascaul village, the home of Ireland’s famous Antarctic explorer Tom Crean. The pub he owned, The South Pole Inn, is still in operation to this day.

We are now nearing Dingle. In medieval days, Dingle was the principal harbor in County Kerry. Today Dingle Town is one of the most popular small towns in Ireland with an array of fine shops, restaurants & pubs. The town is a haven for artists and artisans & so has some interesting shopping. We stop for Lunch.

Leaving Dingle via Ventry village, where Ron Howard filmed his movie “Far and Away” staring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.  We take the rugged coast road along the peninsula in a ring out around Slea Head. This is the most westerly point in Ireland. Dún Chaoin is the most westerly settlement on the Dingle Peninsula. It is said next Parish to Boston and New York.  Along the road we travel by Dingles Dun Beg Fort & Beehive Huts. An example of early christian settlements in Ireland, dating back to 500 BC.

From the tip of the Dingle Peninsula out on Slea Head you can see the now deserted Blasket Islands & perhaps you’d like to visit The Blasket Islands Heritage Centre in Dunquin.

Next stop on the tour is Gallarus Oratory. Thought to have been built by the early Christians as part of a monastic settlement some time between the 6th and the 9th century. The oratory, shaped like an up turned boat, according to folklore, if a person climbs through the window their soul will be cleansed. Leaving here we  return to Dingle for some lunch and energetic shopping in the many local craft shops and art galleries. Then onwards to Killarney.

Duration:6 – 8 hours