Dingle Peninsula - touring Dingle County Kerry

Holidaying, romantic breaks or family fun the Dingle Peninsula ia an ideal choice for a great day in Kerry. Don't be put off by the weather if it is not pure blue sky, there are interesting things to see on a good day and on a cloudy or wet day also. I'm going to give you suggestions for a good weather on the Dingle Peninsula. I will add points of interest in RED for rainy days.

Leaving the Hotel turn left into Killarney and take the Killorglin Road, turn right at the Golden Nugget Pub and head for Milltown, Castlemain and on the South side of the Peninsula to Inch Beach. Do not drive your Car on any beach in Kerry. Scenes from Hollywood's Ryans Daughter were filmed here, it is popular for walking and Surfing. A mile up the road there is Inch Reefs, one of the great Irish Surf spots. If it is working you will see 10 foot waves unbelievable clean, not for the fainthearted. Passing Anascaul you can visit the South Pole Inn former home of the great explorer who helped lead Scott and Shakelton to the South pole.

When you arrive in Dingle Town you can get a boat to see "Fungi" a wild yet friendly resident Dolphin, you can also visit Ocean World a magnificent indoor Aquarium with a large shark tank among many other fish tanks and even a "touch pool". After exploring the town, get your camera film and be ready for the great scenery you are about to see. Sun, rain, hail or snow each day offers something of amazing natural beauty. From here you do the Slea Head drive clockwise and do not hurry this is as good as it gets for the distance you travel and the scenery on offer. Enjoy your tour passing ancient beehive huts, stone forts, cliff drives, beaches a few pubs and a choice of famous pottery shops. You will see a pier at dunquin set in the headland, a monument for a Spanish Armada Galleon and not forgetting the Blasket Interpretive Center. A stop at Coumeenole Beach, scene in Ryan's Daughter and Far and Away with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. There are strong Currents here so be careful. Looking west you will see Great Blasket Island and the Other Islands, one known as the Sleeping Giant.

Returning to dingle head up to Connor Pass a winding scenic drive which will lead you down to brandon Bay "The Hawaii of Europe" famous for High Surf and windsurfing. It is common in calm weather and large swells to see Dolphins surf the waves here. Again watch out for Strong Currents here. Up to the left is Brandon point and to the right is Garry william Point which produces waves as steep as the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. It is extremely dangerous and for the chosen few only. In low tide you can see a timber structure on the left side of the bay. This was once the "Port Yarok a ship full of copper, it sunk in 1890 and all sailors drowned in the atlantic storm. There is a monument near Kilcummin Beach just inside the wreck. You can head on to Tralee past the Windmill at Blenerville, steam train, the Aqua Dome and back on the killarney road.

To give the Dingle Peninsula full credit you should allow at least 6 hours to do this tour. This will give you time to get out of the car explore, walk, shop and relax. It is 110 miles but done correctly it feels like a short drive and not to be missed. Forget the weather and do it regardless, it has different attractions in all weathers.

To enjoy the "Dingle Peninsula" you should give yourself a full day, leaving before 10am and expect to return around 6pm to fully enjoy the experience. There are many other points of interest indoors and outside, this guide is just to give you a reasonable feel for this wonderful Natural Arena.

. In the Blasket Sound lies the Santa Maria De la Rosa one of the Spanish Armada boats, destroyed by storms in 1588