The Best Things to Do in Dingle Ireland

Dingle, Ireland is both a town and a peninsula.

And most folks who visit Dingle make the drive around the peninsula and stay in the town for at least one or 2 nights.

Now I have some strong opinions on Dingle — both the town and the peninsula — which I’ll get to at the end of this post.

But first I do want to offer up some ideas on the best things to do in Dingle as well as some options for where to stay.

Ready?

Here we go!

 

Make the Slea Head Drive

The Slea Head drive is the Dingle Peninsula drive.

And this is truly the best thing to do in Dingle.

Period.

I love love love this drive.

It’s a 47km (30mi) circular route that — in good weather — offers up some amazing scenery.

You get views out to the sea and the cliffs and views back to the interior with Mount Brandon staring back at you.

And — because it’s shorter than the Ring of Kerry — it can easily be done in a half day or you can stretch it to a full day if you make a lot of stops.

Here are some musts along this drive.

 

Beehive Huts

These are just like the ones you’d see on Skellig Michael and what you see in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

There’s a small fee of a few euro to walk around these stone huts that are up on the hillside.

And there are a couple of different locations along the drive to see these monastic settlements.

Be sure to stop at one of these at the very least, if not both.

They’re very cool.

In good weather you’ll have some fabulous views from these sites out to the sea.

And there are some sheep grazing in the hills.

 

Slea Head overlook

By far the best thing to do in Dingle is take in this view — out to Slea Head, the Blasket Islands and Dunmore Head.

The first time I made the Slea Head drive they didn’t have all the parking areas they do now.

These parking lots make it easier to pull off and much safer.

However, there are still some small pull-outs that make good spots to stop and relish the landscape and grab some photos — if the weather cooperates.

The water is an incredible turquoise color, the hills are green and the views are spectacular!

 

Coumeenoole Beach

This beach is pretty popular as sits between Slea Head and Dunmore Head.

While I didn’t walk on Coumeenoole due to not being able to find a parking spot, I did snap a few pics.

It’s a lovely spot for sure.

Just be prepared for it to be fairly busy from May through mid-September.

 

Clogher Strand

A little further along the loop drive you’ll come to a sign that takes you down a wee road to the parking area for this lovely beach.

Clogher Strand tends to be a little less busy than Coumeenoole so for me it’s one of the best things to do in Dingle.

Plus, I just love the views of it before you even come to it.

I remember the first time I laid eyes on it back in 2007.

I kept thinking that my eyes were playing tricks on me and that couldn’t be a beach.

But it is!

 

Dooneen Pier overlook to Three Sisters

This spot is my favorite because of the views.

And probably because I took this image on my first trip to Ireland and Dingle.

*Sigh*

 

I love this image because it evokes so much of what Ireland means to me — desolate, beautiful, lonely, turbulent, soulful.

It was a little different the second time I visited this overlook, but it still evoked many of the same emotions.

Stopping by Dooneen Pier with its view to the Three Sisters is not to be missed — one of the best things to do in Dingle for sure!

 

The best things to do in Dingle Town

I’ll admit that while I like Dingle Town, I like some other towns a bit better.

I’m looking at you Kenmare and Dunfanaghy!

That being said, I highly recommend staying here if you’re going to make the Slea Head drive.

It’s a fun place, with a great pub and traditional music scene and some really good restaurants.

So what are some of the best things to do in Dingle Town?

 

Dick Mack’s Pub

Because I’m partial to good Irish whiskey, this was my pub.

Dick Mack’s has this wall of whiskey.

 

My mouth fell open when I laid eyes on it.

Yes…Heaven!

This pub seems to have a good mix of travelers and locals so I liked it for that reason as well.

While I didn’t catch any music here, I did have some interesting conversations and some damn good whiskey.

A trip to Dick Mack’s is definitely one of the best things to do in Dingle and a must for whiskey lovers.

 

Out of the Blue Restaurant

I had one of the best meals of my trip in 2018 at Out of the Blue.

This restaurant serves all seafood and it’s incredibly fresh.

There’s a board with the menu that’s going to change depending on what fish and seafood are “in season.”

The wine list is good and the desserts divine.

Reservations are a must for this popular restaurant.

If you’re a fish and seafood lover, be sure to eat here.

 

Half Door Restaurant

I ate at this restaurant on my first trip in 2007.

While I didn’t make it here in 2018, travel clients did — and they loved it.

So I’ll continue to recommend this restaurant as one of the best in Dingle.

Half Door combines French and Irish influences in a cozy, house-like atmosphere.

You’ll find seafood, beef, lamb and other locally sourced food on the menu.

It’s delicious and worth the splurge.

 

Dingle Distillery

A new comer to Dingle is the Dingle Distillery.

They make whiskey and gin that’s all pretty tasty.

You can take a tour of their facility so you can learn about how they do it all.

It’s a wonderful tour with a tasting at the end.

Cost is €15 per person.

Dingle Distillery’s operation is all in a warehouse, so be prepared for walking around a very real operation.

Also note that they DO NOT sell their whiskey and gin at the distillery itself.

You’ll have to find a shop in town to buy it.

While not much of a gin lover, I have to admit that their gin is pretty good.

 

The Little Cheese Shop

I’m pretty sure I found this specialty food shop on Grey’s Lane in the Lonely Planet guide.

What a fabulous find!

You can buy cheeses from Ireland and other parts of Europe if you are looking for a do-it-yourself meal or snack.

The great thing is they’re always offering up tastes so you can try before you buy.

And you’ll find olives, jams, chocolates, breads and other specialty food items.

Stop in and have a nibble because this little shop is one of the best places in Dingle Town.

 

Any pub that has a good vibe

There are pubs everywhere in this small town and if you ask the locals they’ll all give you a different answer for where to go.

I popped my head into a couple places and heard some incredible music.

Try An Droichead Beag, The Dingle Pub, Foxy John’s or O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub.

If you hear some music, stop by.

I’ve rarely found a bad Irish pub.

Wait.

I don’t think I’ve ever been to a bad Irish pub 😉

 

Where to stay in Dingle Town

Below are the places I would recommend for your stay in Dingle Town:

Heaton’s Guesthouse — Lovely family-run guesthouse on the road toward Slea Head drive.

Dingle Marina Lodge — This is the accommodation I’ve stayed in twice. It’s a good budget option in a great location and a bit more of a small hotel. But it’s a solid choice.

 

Other places on the Dingle Peninsula

One of the best things to do in Dingle is to drive over Conor Pass.

This road cuts through the interior of the peninsula but is not part of the Slea Head Drive.

I have not made this drive yet as the weather has never been clear enough.

And, from what I understand, it’s a drive you want to make in good weather as the views are supposed to be fabulous.

So put it on your list and cross your fingers and toes for good weather.

 

Final thoughts on Dingle

Dingle has changed over the past 12 years.

I first visited Dingle Town and drove the Dingle Peninsula in September 2007.

The town was not as busy and neither was the Slea Head drive.

As I mentioned above, there weren’t many — in any — paved parking areas.

The beehive huts didn’t cost to visit.

Now, I understand that some of the improvements are needed.

And I paid the few euro to visit a couple of the sites along the way because I know the money goes to maintain the site.

I get it.

But it was busier as I made the Slea Head drive.

And some of the magic disappeared for me.

Not because it was the second time around, but because it felt more commercialized.

Signs for Star Wars and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Dingle Town was far busier than I remember.

It just felt over touristed to me.

Don’t get me wrong.

The scenery of the Dingle peninsula is still beautiful and I still love it.

It’s still the best thing to do in Dingle.

And the town still has its merits.

But some of the magic and some of the charm have been lost.

Would I go back?

Maybe.

Do I still recommend it to my clients?

Yes, but with the caveat that the town is not as charming as it used to be and the Slea Head drive is busier.

For me, there are other places I would choose to travel to instead.

Perhaps because I’m trying to ensure that Wander Your Way promotes responsible tourism.

And I’m not sure if Dingle — both the town and the peninsula — will be able to sustain the level of tourism that seems to be the norm now.

This is just some food for thought.

 

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