Dingle Peninsula Travel Guide

Dingle Town

The main town of the peninsula, Dingle town is a buzzing little place. Located at the centre of the peninsula on the southern shore, Dingle is well known for its famed Irish trad music, lovely arts and crafts shops, vibrant atmosphere and great seafood. Previously, Dingle was also known for its famously friendly resident, Fungie the dolphin, until his untimely demise in 2020.

Dingle has long attracted artists of all kinds – we recommend that you take the time to meander through the town’s many arts and crafts shops to meet the artisans long inspired by this mystical peninsula.

It’s a good place to eat and drink too. Favourite spots include Foxy John’s, which still has a dual function like in bygone times, combining a pub and a hardware shop. Out of the Blue – a spectacular seafood-only restaurant, Dick Mack’s – for drinks and whiskey tasting as well as a plethora of others. It is worth noting that there is limited accommodation in the town centre.

Tralee

Though perhaps not the most beloved of all Irish towns, Tralee town is important for a few reasons. Sitting at the edge of the Dingle Peninsula, Tralee is the closest train station to Dingle.

It is also the official start and endpoint of the Dingle Way. Tralee is where you’ll find plenty of larger shops, businesses, restaurants and accommodations. While staying on the peninsula itself is perhaps nicer, Dingle is a popular destination and can fill up quickly. Tralee and its environs make a good alternative.

Annascaul

This little village only comprises a few buildings – really only a couple of roads. While sleepy by day, the village is all abuzz by night. Though small, Annascaul still manages to house half a dozen pubs and cafes, and there are several guesthouses there too. Situated along the Dingle Way, this little village is popular with hikers. Its most famous habitant was an adventurer too – Tom Crean was an Antarctic explorer who went to the South Pole with both Scott and Amundsen. Upon returning to Ireland, whose weather must have felt positively mild and balmy after Antarctica, Crean decided to open a pub. Interested in learning more? Why not head down to the South Pole Inn for dinner or drinks while perusing the Antarctic exploration paraphernalia on display.

Dunquin

At the westernmost end of the peninsula, only a stone’s throw from Slea Head, Ireland’s westernmost tip, sits the little harbour village of Dunquin. Heading to the Blasket Islands? This is where you’ll likely catch your boat. Even if you aren’t heading out to sea, the twisty, narrow pier itself, built into the dramatic rocky cliff, is worth seeing. There are also a couple of cosy cafes with stunning views over Slea Head and the Blasket Islands. Whether you’re headed out to the islands or not, you should take the time to visit the Blasket Island Heritage Centre situated in Dunquin. 

Brandon Village

The north side of the island is far quieter and more sparsely populated than the south and east. For those hiking the Dingle Way or simply traversing Mt Brandon or the Saddle, a stop at the tiny village of Brandon is a must – a pint at the seaside pub is a well-deserved treat for getting over the mountain. The tiny, traditional Murphy’s Pub at the shore offers some nice coastal views and refreshing pints. Though actually very small, the village will feel practically cosmopolitan after spending all day out on the hills. Those up for a bit of extra credit can head another 2.5 km north to Brandon Point to enjoy great views to the north. 

Castlegregory

Still small, Castlegregory is at least a little bit bigger than Brandon Village. Castlegregory is home to a couple of cafes, pubs and restaurants. Sitting on a tiny peninsula on a larger peninsula, the seafood is pretty great, as one might expect. This small peninsula along the Dingle Peninsula is known as the Maharees and is home to quite a stretch of sandy beaches. In fact, a system of beaches run from the northern tip of the Maharees peninsula nearly all the way to Brandon, over 10km of beach. This is one of the final walks along the Dingle Way (for those travelling clockwise, the traditional direction).

Cloháns / Beehive Huts

Along the Dingle Way and beyond, there are a number of cloháns or beehive huts of different sizes.

Related to the famous beehive huts on the iconic islands of Skellig Michael – read more about the Skellig islands here – these dry stone structures are erected in the shape of a beehive. Beehive huts range in sizes and construction styles throughout Ireland. Their mysterious origins make them hard to date – some date to as early as the 6th century, while others might be even older.

There are many such cloháns, particularly the small ones, built into the wild emerald landscapes of Ireland. A section of the Dingle Way from Dingle to Slea Head weaves through a number of cloháns. 

Gallarus Oratory

One of the most unique places in Dingle is the Gallarus Oratory.

The Gallarus Oratory is an early Christian site, dating from sometime between the 7th and 12th centuries. This uniquely impressive place is a dry stone “church,” meaning it was constructed without the use of mortar. One of Ireland’s most intriguing archaeological sites, this site is worth a visit for anyone with an interest in architecture, history and heritage.

From the church, visitors can enjoy lovely views of Smerwick Harbour, Mt Brandon and more. There is also a small visitor centre and amenities located on-site.

Minard Castle

Following a narrow lane south of the wee village of Annascaul, hikers will arrive at a remote, stony beach.

Here, gaze up at the romantic ruins of Minard Castle, a 16th century fortified tower-house built by the Fitzgeralds, the family who once ruled the Dingle Peninsula in bygone times.

Minard Castle is the only one of the three historic Fitzgerald castles built in Dingle to have substantial ruins still visible. The imposing coastal ruins of Minard Castle sit along the Dingle Way, and makes for an imposing sight.

Blasket Island Centre in Dunquin

Whether you plan to head out to the Blasket Islands or not, a visit to the Blasket Island Centre in Dunquin is a must.

The centre is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what life was like for the island community, as well as a look at their rich literary and story-telling heritage.

Here, you will learn the rise and fall of the community who once called the Blaskets home, details of their lifestyle and culture, scenes from daily island life, and what has become of the islands today following their 1952 evacuation.

Read more about the Blasket Islands and their connection to Irish storytelling below.

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The South Pole Inn in Annascaul

Antarctic explorer and local Annascaul resident Tom Crean went on several expeditions to Antarctica with both Robert Scott and Roald Amundsen.

Lucky enough to survive his dangerous adventures, he eventually retired to his native Dingle. Upon his return to Ireland, Tom Crean hung up his crampons and instead decided to go into the (slightly) safer publican business.

Visit his pub, South Pole Inn, decorated with Antarctic paraphernalia to learn more about this fascinating fellow – and enjoy a pint while you’re at it.

Ancient & Neolithic Monuments

While not Sligo or the Boyne Valley, both of which are home to enormous amounts of Neolithic sites, Dingle still has its fair share of monuments. Check out the Aughacasla standing stone.

According to local archaeologists, this area also has Ireland’s highest concentration of Ogham stones – about 60. Ogham is an ancient form of writing using notches carved into stones to represent the ancient Irish language dating from the 4th-8th century. There is an Ogham stone along the Mt Brandon saddle trail, others in small graveyards such as Kilmalkedar Church, still more scattered across the peninsula. Interested to learn more? Learn about Ogham and its connection to Irish trees here.

Another ancient site is the relatively complete Cathair na bhFionnúrach – a stone fort that is likely Iron Age or early medieval.

Interested in Ireland’s early history? Learn more on our guide below.

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Blennerville Windmill

If you have time, you might like to take a short detour to visit the restored early 19th-century Blennerville Windmill, a dominant landmark on the outskirts of Tralee.

Ireland’s largest working historic windmill, Blennerville Windmill was lovingly restored in the 1980s. The on-site visitor centre hosts plenty of information about the windmill itself as well as the Kerry Model Railway, a delight for children and adults alike.