Dingle
Peninsula
To
see the Dingle Peninsula properly
you need a full day. Leaving Killarney (Lake
Hotel)
around 10.00am / 10.30am, and returning around 5.00pm / 6.00 pm
would be about right.
Take the Killorglin road for 2 miles, turn right at the Golden
Nugget Pub
and head to MILTOWN and then on to CASTLEMAINE (
wild colonial boy, Jack Duggan came from here) head for INCH
BEACH ( do not drive your car on
any beach in Kerry ! ) some of Ryan's Daughter was filmed here.
Passing the Anascaul Rivermouth you may want to turn right for
Anascaul and Tom Crean's South Pole Inn Pub. It was here Tom Crean
the famous South Pole Explorer returned after his magnificent
courageous journey with Lord Shackelton to the South Pole. After
this you can continue on to DINGLE town.
You can take a boat trip to see Fungi the wild dolphin who has
been a resident in Dingle Harbor for eighteen years, alternately
you can visit
Ocean World with its Underwater Tunnel with Sharks, Turtles and
a huge array of fish.
Leaving Dingle head for VENTRY home of legend and great
kerry footballer
Padi O'Shea. You will pass his Pub here with its pictures of many
famous visitors
on the walls of the pub. Prepare your cameras for the next bit
of the journey,
the best coastal scenery this country has to offer in our view
so please
spend as much time as you can in this area. Check out COOMEENOLE
BEACH
( the most westerly beach in Europe, New York 3000 miles ) do
not swim here !
As you look west you can see GREAT BLASKET Island and to
the North West INISHTOOSKERT ( the sleeping giant ! ).
Many SPANISH ARMADA ships went down here as the currents
are very strong. Looking out to sea, here you will forget all
the
stresses of modern day life. As if in slow motion the huge Atlantic
swells crash on the bare rock at DUNMORE Point, sending
the spray towering into the sky, 3000 miles west
and 8000 miles south the Atlantic can send a sting in its tail
to these shores especially in Autumn, Winter and Spring. Continue
on 1/2 mile and from the lay-by you can see a pier
at sea level on the opposite side of the bay, here you can walk
down to the pier and see Currachs ( traditional boats used by
Islanders ) and in good weather can get a boat to
Great Blasket ( check time of return ! ). In bad weather I recommend
you
pay a visit to the BLASKET CENTER admission €4.00,
Audio Visual multi image show.
Head back to Dingle turning right and over the mountains or continue
on to see the GALLARUS ORATORY ( 12 AD Christian
Church ) and take the Dingle road.
In Dingle check out the shops and pub food ( great Seafood ! )
Head for The Lake Hotel via CONOR PASS, stop at the car
park at the top
and stretch your legs, looking South you can see Skelligs in the
distance and Dingle Bay,
and to the North, Brandon Bay and the Hog Islands.
( One of Irelands top Surfing and Wind Surfing destinations known
as the " Hawaii of Europe")
Descending to near sea level on the left is a short road to Kilcummin
Beach, here lies
a huge anchor as a monument for those who died in 1894 on the
PORT YAROOK,
a Californian registered ship which took refuge from the strong
southerly winds
but unaware or the huge Northern Swells ( surfing waves ) which
arrive here
on a consistent basis, all met their death that day, and today
in low tide
the Keel can be seen even to this day from a timber constructed
boat.
Brandon
Surf Reports
As a keen Surfer Brandon Bay is my favorite spot, you can see
Dolphins, Whales
and Seals here especially when the ocean is calm, ( unfortunately
rare enough ! )
I have seen Dolphins shoot out of the faces of large waves, racing
each other here
but I cannot promise you you will see any on your visit, but if
you keep
your eye on the horizon, who knows !
A walk on the beach here is recommended, to the left Brandon Point
and
to the right Rough Point with its reefs. Many species of birds
are found here.
Its on to Tralee now via Blenerville and the Windmill and back
to
The Lake Hotel for a relaxing drink looking out at the magnificent
view !
For the adventurous driver try my " Surfers route
"
from Brandon to Killarney
via CAHERCONREE
( only for very experienced drivers ). At Camp take
the side road beside Ashes pub which will bring you out on the
Inch - Killarney road.
This road is not suitable for buses of any kind or not in frosty
weather !
The road is narrow and steep, the price you pay for the view at
the top.
Drive safely and keep your eyes on the road and put your hand
brake on when stopping.
You can see Tralee Bay to the north and Cromane and even Caragh
Lake in the distance
to the south, with the mountains at Glenbeigh to the south west.
We recommend you self drive but we can also book a bus tour with
a private guide.
Dingle tour Accommodation : Click
!
