When planning my trip to Ireland, there was one recurring suggestion I continued to get from those who have traveled the country extensively. Go to the Dingle Peninsula, they said. You MUST go, they urged. Skip the Ring of Kerry and drive the Dingle Peninsula instead, they mandated. You’ll be sorry if you don’t, they warned.
To be perfectly honest, Dingle didn’t make my initial itinerary. My road trip through Ireland was with my husband, which meant that the pace was (at least slightly) less hectic than my typical international itinerary. We didn’t want to feel like we were racing from location to location. Ideally, I would have liked to spend two nights in each city before driving off to the next. But, I refused to ignore the sage advice I heard time and time again, so I worked Dingle and its majestic peninsula into my Irish road trip itinerary. Unfortunately, I was only able to spend one night in Dingle, but it very well may have been my favorite destination in Ireland.
Is the Dingle Peninsula Ireland’s Most Beautiful Destination?
Although Dingle Town itself is quite charming, the draw to Dingle is driving its ruggedly beautiful peninsula. As I mentioned, I was even told by some travelers to skip the tourist-heavy Ring of Kerry and focus more of my time on the Dingle Peninsula.
The most famous portion of the peninsula drive is called the Slea Head Drive. It is only about 26 miles, but trust me when I say you won’t be flying quickly through it.
Much of the drive will have your vehicle hugging the side of the road as you climb upward and are forced to navigate narrow hairpin switchbacks looming over green valleys…
sandy beaches…
….and dramatic coastline.
Between slowing your vehicle to navigate the stressful drive and stopping frequently to take plenty of photos, you can expect the 26 miles to take you more than two hours.
After you complete the drive, check into your B&B, Milltown House, which is known for being the former home of movie star, Robert Mitchum. Celebrities aside, Milltown House is a delightful, waterfront bed and breakfast. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable, and the breakfast is made-to-order and delicious. The B&B’s unofficial mascot is a stately and well-behaved Irish wolfhound named Seamus, pictured above.
Milltown House is only a 10 minute walk to Dingle’s downtown area, but you can find the Dingle Distillery just across the street if you need to calm your nerves after the time you’ve spent in your car. Once you’ve sampled the distillery’s whiskey, make your way to colorful and vibrant Dingle Town.
Live music and fresh seafood is plentiful in the downtown area which borders the harbor. Although not as bustling as Galway, Dingle has a certain energy that made me wish I was able to stay more than just the one evening.
If you’re lucky enough to have more time in the area you can explore the coastline on horseback, go sailing, climb Mt. Brandon, swim with Fungi (Dingle’s very own bottlenose dolphin) or visit the Blasket Islands.
Here’s a few more photos of the Dingle Peninsula in case you’re not convinced yet (although, I can’t imagine that being a realistic possibility)…
So, what do you think? Is the Dingle Peninsula Ireland’s Most Beautiful Destination? Is Dingle on your bucket list?
Related Posts: The Ultimate Ireland Itinerary; Galway: Gateway to Ireland’s West Coast, and What You Need To Know Before You Go to Skellig Michael, Ireland.
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Although I was a guest of Milltown House, my love for the B&B’s understated elegance (and Seamus) is all my own.
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January 19, 2016
Very nice place and post 🙂
January 20, 2016
Thanks, Saad!
January 23, 2016
Very nice
January 23, 2016
Thanks, Mari! 🙂
February 29, 2016
I love your post and I agree with the people who told you to absolutly go there. I sent to Ireland in May 2015 and this part of my travel was one of the bests. The drive is amazing and the town is so cute I didn’t want to leave the next morning. I hope I will go back one day and enjoy more of this lovely place. 🙂
February 29, 2016
Went to Ireland ** sorry.
February 29, 2016
Thank you! I agree, Meli. I really do hope to be able to go back soon!
March 6, 2016
Yes, it’s the most scenic part of Ireland, but then I’m bias….my GGrandfather was Tomas O’Crohan and I love going to the Blaskets! I didn’t get there in Sep 2015 due to poor weather conditions, but it’s a great experience when you make the journey!
March 6, 2016
I will definitely have to try and get to the Blaskets on my next trip over!
December 17, 2016
Lovely post. We’re visiting Ireland for the first time thus coming June 2017 and after doing internet research over the past couple years, driving the peninsula is definitely on our itenary. We might even recite our vows (25th anniversary vow Renewal) in this area. Now to find a good photographer for our event.
December 19, 2016
That sounds like a lovely idea! Have a fantastic trip! (Your hotel/B&B may be able to give you recommendations for a photographer as well).
July 30, 2017
This looks so fantastic! I will be hiking the Dingle Way this year, so I already am quite convinced, but this made me even more excited to explore the area. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
July 31, 2017
Great – I hope you have a good trip!
August 10, 2017
We stayed the night in a lovely cottage southeast of Dingle, in a village called Castlemaine. Our plan was to visit Killarney National Park the following day. However, in talking with our host in Castlemaine, she recommended Dingle and driving Slea Head Road instead. Are we ever glad that we did! We got up very early to beat the tour buses, and drove to Dingle in time to watch the sunrise as we drove the Slea Head loop. There are no words to describe. Then we ventured into town, which was still asleep, but found a little coffee shop (Bean in Dingle) for a bit of coffee until a breakfast diner was ready to open. Visiting Dingle was one of the highlights of our trip!
August 16, 2017
Wow – the view at sunrise must have been amazing, Laura! I’ll have to try and wake up earlier when I return! 🙂
August 16, 2017
We were in Ireland in September of 2016 for two weeks. We loved all of Ireland, but I think my favorite spot was Dingle. We only had a day there, and hope to go back in 2019. I would love to stay several nights in Dingle on the next trip. It is absolutely beautiful!!!!
August 17, 2017
I had the same experience as you, Debbie. Only had 1 night, and I wished I had more. Next time, I will!
January 21, 2018
Dingle was my absolute favorite city on my 2 week vacation to Ireland. When I go back, someday, I will spend most, if not all of my time in that area.
January 22, 2018
I can’t blame you, Courtney! It really is a striking place.
March 25, 2018
We stayed 2 nights in single at the greenmount house in April 2016. It was my favorite stop on our trip. Can’t wait to go back!
March 26, 2018
I loved Dingle too!