Dingle Ireland

Located in the southwest part of the country, Dingle Ireland has quickly become a favorite among travelers. Breathtaking Dingle Peninsula spans over 48 km of rugged green mountains, golden sandy beaches, glacial valleys, and deep verdant woods. The region’s sprawling countryside also boasts rare prehistoric and early Christian structures and artifacts. Many archaeologists, anthropologists, and curious travelers have trekked through the peninsula’s fields and meadows, eager to see the ruins on Dingle Peninsula built in Bronze Age.

Although Dingle Peninsula contains several towns and villages, Dingle is the main town, also called An Daingean. Nestled at the base of misty mountains, this attractive port is built at the edge of a quiet, sheltered harbor. Within the streets and avenues of Dingle Ireland visitors will be happy to find a relaxed, picturesque Irish community. Local restaurants and pubs are famous for their down-to-earth service, lively entertainment, and delicious beverages. During July and August, live music is offered nightly. Besides an energetic music scene, Dingle is also famous for its resident dolphin, Fungie. The beloved bottle-nosed dolphin first appeared in 1984, leaping and playing around the boats in Dingle Harbor. Since then, the docile dolphin has pleased locals and travelers alike. In fact, daily boat rides take eager tourists out on “Fungie Sighting” trips, offering voyagers their money back if the dolphin doesn’t show. Dolphin enthusiasts can also swim with Fungie, provided they wear a wet suit. Wet suits and snorkeling equipment can be rented at local Dingle stores. Both Dingle Harbor and the nearby Blasket Islands offer superb snorkeling and scuba diving. Local businesses also offer fishing trips and horseback riding.

Buses run between Dingle Ireland and the towns of Ventry, Dunquin, Ballyferriter, and Tralee. Ventry is quite a bit smaller than Dingle, but nevertheless holds its charms. With a long sandy beach with calm water, ponies for rent, and a handful of pubs and grocery stores, Ventry is a pleasant resting place between longer ventures. Many travelers will head from Ventry to Slea Head, where several archaeological sites are located. From these ruins on Dingle Peninsula Ireland travelers can catch an awe-inspiring glimpse into the fascinating history of the Irish people. Dunbeg, one of the ruins on Dingle Peninsula built in Bronze Age, is located about 6 km west of Ventry. It has been excavated and tests reveal that it was constructed in the late Bronze Age and used until the 10th century. Prehistoric beehive huts (called clocháns) can be seen on the southern slopes of Mt. Eagle. With such captivating ruins on Dingle Peninsula Ireland certainly contends for a spot with other archeological sites around the world. Over the past few decades, archeologists have rapidly added southwestern Ireland to their “to-visit” list.

The town of Dunquin attracts many students of Irish language and legend, and its magnificent seascapes and cliffs lure sightseers, kayakers, boaters, and adventurous tourists. The Dunquin pier rests between Silurian rock cliffs, which are over 400 million years old and replete with fossils. Both Dunquin and Ballyferriter are Gaeltacht villages, but Ballyferriter also includes a number of historic Christian churches. The Gallarus Oratory, with its ingenious corbelling, dates from the 7th or 8th century, and the Kilmakedar Church is a striking example of Romanesque architecture.

The Loch A"Dúin Valley, near the village of Cloghane, contains some of the greatest examples of historic ruins on Dingle Peninsula Ireland has to offer. There are stone structures, field walls, and several monuments.

Tralee, about 50 km northeast of Dingle, is County Kerry’s capital and its largest town. It holds the annual Rose of Tralee International Festival, associated with the song “The Rose of Tralee.” At the end of August, Irish communities worldwide send their young lasses to Tralee to compete for the title of “Rose of Tralee.”

With vivid forests, dramatic seascapes, and glorious ruins on Dingle Peninsula built in Bronze Age, this region of Ireland provides a soothing, rejuvenating experience to the Ireland traveler.