A Day Trip to Dingle Peninsula, Kerry Co., Ireland

Dunquin Harbour - Dingle Peninsula

Dingle Peninsula: Ring of Kerry is a well-known destination in Ireland among tourists. However, if you are looking for dramatic views, the Dingle Peninsula is a perfect choice. With beautiful views, scenic drives and amazing cliff walks, Dingle is known for its rugged beauty. During summer months, tourists flock to Dingle. There are loads of activities like surfing, boat tours, and whale watching. 

Inch Beach

Inch Beach is a famous summer destination and is one of Ireland's blue flag beaches. But if you love the beautiful scenery and would like to have the entire place to yourself, fall is a better choice. Nothing beats a long walk on a quiet beach. Minard castle ruins are a short drive from Inch beach. The ruins are on private property and are not accessible. But there is a nice beach with smooth round rocks next to the castle.

The next stop is the Dingle town. This is the only town in the Dingle peninsula. Dingle is a cute Irish town with restaurants and bars. Dingle aquarium is a nice stop for kids. Though the aquarium is not big, it has a good variety of fish in the display. The famous Murphy's ice cream shop is a short walk from the aquarium. Dingle sailing club is right across the aquarium. Boat tours to Blasket Islands start from this yacht club during summer months.

Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium

Slea Head Drive starts from Dingle town. It is most definitely one of the best scenic drives in Ireland. The views are breathtaking and with several lookout points.

Cross at Slea Head

Coumeenoole beach is just a short drive from the cross. Park the car and walk down the stone stairs to reach the beautiful beach. Coumeenoole beach is a gorgeous little beach with pristine views and strong waves. I find that the water in Ireland to be cold even in the summertime. But, you can see a lot of people enjoying the views and playing in water even in colder months.

Coumeenoole Beach

Dunmore Head is the most westerly point in Europe. Hike up to the cliff opposite the beach to reach Dunmore Head. The hike is steep and runs through pastures. It will take around half an hour to reach the top of the cliff. The views from the top are unparallel and well worth the effort.

Picnic Bench in The Middle of Rugged Beauty

Basket Island Ferries run from Dunquin Harbour every day during summer months. They offer day tours and ferry services to Blasket Islands. For an average tourist, Ireland is hard to reach and not convenient. Hence it's beauty is well preserved. If you want to be one with nature, and if you seek solitude and peace, Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is your answer.

Dunquin Harbour

Clogher Head

A Day Trip to Ring of Kerry, Kerry Co., Ireland

Ring of Kerry: The Ring of Kerry is a well-known tourist destination in Ireland. The Ring generally starts and ends at Killarney. Cork is the nearest airport to Killarney. Private tours and tour buses run throughout the year from all major cities. Even though renting a car in Ireland is painful, driving is the best way to see the Ring of Kerry. The tour buses start at Killarney and go around the ring in the counter-clockwise direction. If you are planning on driving, go around the ring in a clockwise direction so that you can avoid spending time behind a tour bus. A quick tour around the Ring is about 200km and would take about a day. But you can easily spend a day in Killarney, a day driving the ring and a day visiting Skellig Michael in summer months.

Torc Waterfalls

Killarney: You can reach Killarney the day before and have a good night's sleep at one of the many hotels. On the day of the trip, pack a good amount of snacks for the road. Killarney National Park and the surrounding areas alone would take a day to visit. Ross Castle is a 15th-century castle on the banks of Killarney lake. A quick tour of the castle and boat tour of Lough Leane is a good addition to the itinerary. Muckross House is a 19th-century mansion with gardens and working farms. A short visit to Muckross House is time well spent. Kerry Mountains are a short distance from Killarney National Park. There are a lot of walking and hiking trails around the mountains. Cronin's Yard is a good place to park the car and hike the beautiful Kerry Mountains. The gap of Dunloe and wishing bridge are magical places to visit.

Ladies View

Ladies View & Molls Gap: If short on time, a shortstop at Torc waterfalls, Ladies View and Molls Gap would suffice. For a day trip around the ring, the best route is to take N71 from Killarney to Kenmare, drive on N70 around the ring till Killorglin and follow N72 from Killorglin to Killarney.

Molls Gap

Ring of Kerry Map

Kenmare & Sneem: Kenmare and Sneem are two cute Irish villages along the ring and are good stops for a quick bite. There are several B&B, golf courses along the way. Keep an eye out for lookout points and beautiful beaches. During summer months, Glenbeg caravan park is very popular with the campers.

Glenbeg Caravan and Camping Park

Scarriff Island Viewpoint

Skellig Ring: Skellig Ring is a link to the Ring of Kerry. At Kenneigh, take a left on to R567 and head towards Ballinskelligs. Ballinskelligs is a small village with beautiful secluded beaches. A short ride from Ballinskelligs takes you to a small village of Keel. With a beautiful beach of St. Finian's Bay and Skelligs Chocolate factory at a walkable distance, Keel is a fantastic choice to spend a few hours.

Ballinskelligs

St.Finian's Bay

Kerry Cliffs: They might not be as popular as Cliffs of Moher but they are still beautiful to visit. 

Kerry Cliffs

Portmagee & Valentia Island: Skellig Ring ends at Pormagee. During summer months, several tour operators run regular tours from Portmagee to Skellig Michael. Valentia Island has rich geological resources and is reachable by the bridge only from Portmagee. A slate quarry, lighthouse, and beautiful views attract visitors to this island.

From Portmagee, follow R565 towards N70-North. If time permits, visit the Bog village museum on your way to Killorglin. At Killorglin, take N72 towards Killarney.