The Dingle Peninsula is the smaller and northernmost of the two peninsulas that make up County Kerry, in Southwest Ireland.

The landscape is wild and beautiful from the eastern spine of the peninsula in the steep Slieve Mish (mountain of phantoms) to the western end where the land breaks into a scattering of uninhabited and dramatic islands and cliffs and beaches alternate around the coast. Dingle town (An Daingean) is small enough to walk and big enough to be lively.

Regions

• Northern Dingle. A land of low hills and windswept beaches, and lots of sheep. The most popular activities here except for swimming and windsurfing. Arriving into this region from Dingle Town takes you through Connor`s Pass; a treeless area of majestic rugged beauty, and highest point on the peninsula.

• Western Dingle. The most visited part of the peninsula; this region abounds with dramatic cliffs, terrifyingly breath taking drives, lovely beaches, and countless historical sites. Popular locations include; Dunberg Fort, Gallus Oratory, Slea Head, Riasc, and Kilmakedar.

• Dingle Town. Located in a perfect natural harbour, this pretty town is the main hub for the peninsula. most of the buildings date from the 1800s, and all are awash with riotous colours, as the houses slope up and down the hills on which the town is built. This is a very artsy town and a center for many great handicfrats.

• Southern Dingle. Containing some of the most eye splittingly green scenery in Ireland, Southern Dingle is a land of rolling hills. There are a few historical sites, and a fantastic beach and Inch. Great views of the Iveragh Peninsula across the water.

Other destinations

• Mount Brandon. At just under 1,000 meters, this is one of Ireland's highest mountains, and it offers wonderful panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding country-side. There are various routes to the peak, though due to its close proximity to the Atlantic, weather conditions are unstable and prone to sudden changes. Therefore, it is advisable to check weather forecasts before setting out and to carry rain gear and other provisions.

• Slea Head. This magnificent head is located at the tip of the Dingle Peninsula and is the site of the most dramatic scenery in the area. Towering cliffs drop straight in the water, and the most dramatically situated beach in Ireland beckons invitingly. Great views of the Blasket Islands.

It is possible to follow a trail to the tip of Slea Head; the most westerly point in Europe (excluding islands)

Eat

Paudies Bar and Longs Restaurant at The Dingle bay hotel: Originally known as Paudie's, we are still here but have created a new look for you, whilst retaining the traditional atmosphere and style of the past. With large stylish leather seats, elm and walnut wood and magnificent stone.The food at the Hotel has been a long standing favourite both to locals and visitors alike. With local produce a priority, it's proximity to the pier ensures the very best in the freshest of fish and seafood with a wide selection of dishes and snacks served throughout the day.
Relax over the morning papers with freshly brewed coffee and oven fresh scones.
Afternoon tea is available offering a choice of delicious sandwiches and decadent homemade desserts.
The lunch and dinner menu attracts many casual diners due to the variety of dishes offered. You'll be torn between the choice of dishes.
Entertainment is offered on a regular basis, from traditional West Kerry and Irish music to ballads and modern tunes wwww.dinglebayhotel.com

• Murphy's, Strand Street (Near the pier), ☎ +353 66 915 1450 (murphyspubdingle@hotmail.com), Murphy's Pub offers excellent food at very reasonable prices. Has an extensive menu so suit all tastes.

• The Dingle Pub, Main Street (Across from the Bank of Ireland), ☎ +353 66 915 1370 (thedinglepub@eircom.net), Great value food with excellent service and Irish humour
• The Doghouse (The Best In The West), Strand St, The best hotdogs in Ireland. Try the Chilli Dog, its fabulous!

Drink

• The Dingle Pub, Main Street, ☎ +353 66 915 1370 (thedinglepub@eircom.net), For the best craic try out The Dingle Pub
• Murphy's, Strand Street, ☎ +353 66 915 1450 (murphyspubdingle@hotmail.com),

The Blue Zone Jazz Wine Bar, live jazz & blues, gourmet pizzas, great atmosphere, Green Street, right opposite the church.

• The Doghouse (The Best In The West), Strand St, The best hotdogs in Ireland. Try the Chilli Dog, its fabulous!

Sleep

• Pax Guest House (High-quality guest accommodation with spectacular views of Dingle Bay), John St Dingle Ireland, ☎ +353669151518 We provide high quality guesthouse accommodation with exceptional views of Dingle harbour, and just a short walk into Dingle.
• Southbound Holiday Cottages (Luxury standard holiday cottages on Dingle Peninsula), John St Dingle Ireland, ☎ +353669152224 Dingle Holiday Cottages and Southbound Holiday Cottages have a stylish selection of luxury self-catering holiday accommodation on the Dingle Peninsula.
• Cill Bhreac House, Milltown, Dingle (on Slea Head Drive, 1km from Dingle Town center), ☎ +353 66 9151358 (info@cillbhreachouse.com), Fantasic B&B with amazing views overlooking Dingle Bay.
• Murphy's Pub, . facing the pier. Offering excellent food/accommodation and music all year round.
• The Dingle Pub, . Very famous bar located in the centre of town offers delightful accommodation. Your host Tom will make your stay as pleasant as possible. Offering excellent food/accommodation and music

• Dingle Benners Hotel, .
• Dingle Skellig Hotel, .
• Ballintaggart House - Ballintaggart House is a 300 year old Manor, situated at the entrance to Dingle Town overlooking Dingle Bay, The Skellig Rocks, Valentia Island and the Ring of Kerry.Ballintaggart’s situation could not be more beautiful, with spectacular views overlooking the sea, elegantly appointed rooms, exceptional service and a fantastic location, just minutes from the Town Centre, all set within its own private grounds.
• Mount Brandon Hostel, . A beautiful hostel in an even more beautiful landscape. Open all year, self catering kitchen, laundry, all rooms en suite, linen included, 2 very nice common rooms, small shop,pub next door. Shiatsu, massage and Cranio Sacral Therapy on request! Quiet place, ideal place for mountain tours. Dormitory 16€, twin room 18€, single room 25 €.
• The Lighthouse Dingle - A great B&B just a short walk (uphill) from the center of Dingle. The house has well-appointed rooms, a terrific breakfast (good for both a full Irish Breakfast or lighter fare), and is run by a very helpful local family.
• Torann Na Dtonn, . A Country home beside Ventry Village with a truly magnificent view of Ventry Harbour and Dingle Bay. Located on Slea Head Drive.
• Ashes, . Open all year - Charming six bedroom townhouse with non smoking rooms, all ensuite with television. Full traditional Irish Breakfast menu.

• Allan's Bed & Breakfast - turn left as you approach the town centre (as if turning into the Skellig) for a modern, homely B&B with fantastic views of the town, the bay and the mountains plus a great Irish breakfast!
• Heatons Guest House - Situated on the shore of the renowned fishing town of Dingle

• There is an official An Oige hostel at Dunquin near Slea Head.
• Moan Laur Bed and Breakfast, Slieve East, Camp, Dingle Peninsula, ☎ 00353669158957 Cosy traditional Irish cottage in the heart of the Dingle Peninsula with great views of the Slieve Mish Mountains. Within walking distance of the Dingle Way. 28.

Understand

The Great Blasket island to the west, which was evacuated in the 1950s produced at least three well-regarded Irish language writers, the most well-known being Peig Sayers.

The peninsula has an association with St Brendan the Navigator who sailed from Brandon on the north of the peninsula to America, by way of Iceland and Greenland in the dark ages, on a sailboat made of laths and hides. Tim Severin replicated this journey in the 1970s, demonstrating that the story was plausible.

Once described by the National Geographic Traveler as “the most beautiful place on earth”, the Dingle Peninsula is a place of intense allure, with a plethora of green landscapes, rocky hills, long sandy beaches and staggering cliff edges. The warm Gulf Stream reaches the peninsula, giving has a wonderful mixture of sometimes rare and unusual flora and fauna.

Dingle is one of Ireland’s Government-protected Irish (Gaelic)-speaking areas, called “Gaeltachts”. Dingle's Irish name is Daingean Uí Chúis which, to fit on signposts, is generally abbreviated to An Daingean. Despite this, everyone calls the town Dingle and you will be extremely hard pressed to find a single person who calls it An Daingean

Many of the towns and villages in the region have Irish names too and, as many maps use the anglicised versions of these names, visitors are advised to purchase maps that give both the Irish and English versions of all placenames.

Talk

The greater part of the peninsula is Irish speaking, although no-one will expect you to speak any. However it has recently been decided that all road signs referring to Irish speaking areas will only be in Irish, so they might not look as they sound.

Get in

Get around

See

• IrishDolphins (Find out about interactive dolphins in Ireland), Charting and supporting interactions with solitary interactive dolphins around Ireland, including Fungie the Dingle Dolphin
• Fungi the dolphin. Fungi is a male bottle nose dolphin who has taken up residence in Dingle Harbour. He has been there for about twenty years, during which time he has become something of a local celebrity. Boat trips run from Dingle to see Fungi, which are fee refundable if he doesn't show up. Wet suits are also for hire, so it is possible to swim with Fungi.

Do

• Fishing, On the Dingle Peninsula, you're never too far from the sea, and the fishing here is spectacular!
• Horse Riding, Horse Riding on the Dingle Peninsula.
• Dingle Golf Club, ☎ +353 66 915 6255 (dinglegc@iol.ie, fax: +353 66 915 6409), The Dingle Golf Course is highly recommended!

Get out

• Visit the small village of Ventry (Ceann Trá), four miles west of Dingle.

• Dingle is conveniently located near the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park