Dingle, Ireland:
it’s not the wind that will blow you away

Years back, I was in a pub in Limerick. I wasn’t supposed to be there.

I was supposed to be in Cork, but a plan had changed and my business in Cork was delayed. So I had some days to kill. I’d seen what I’d come to see in Limerick, and was keen to explore the coast.

I struck up a chat with an Irish chap, and asked where might I go.

He thought for a second and said, Dingle, Ireland's best kept secret . A woman at the table over perked up, said, Dingle? What about Dingle? This lad’s off to Dingle, said the chap. Oh, she said, my sister’s in Dingle. Got a place to stay, then?  

I hadn’t said I was going; and no, I didn’t have a place to stay. 

Dingle, Ireland

Where I Stayed

I did go to Dingle in the end. But I declined the woman’s offer to put me up at her sister’s and I stayed at Murphy’s Pub and B&B. I’ve since applauded my decision. Not because of Murphy’s, but because of the glorious Conor Pass, the superbly green Dingle peninsular, and the town of Dingle itself.

Don’t get me wrong, Murphy’s was a fine little place; and still is by all accounts. No bells and whistles, but comfy, well priced, with room for singles, couples or the family.

As a family, we stay at the Quayside B&B. And why not? TV’s in the rooms, large beds, and views of Dingle harbor.

A Destination on the Rise

As happened with me, word of mouth about Dingle has taken effect, and it is not the secret it once was: people are discovering its charms and its tinkle (excuse the pun). What was just an out-of-the-way fishing village is now an entertainment and food destination.

According to the locals, Dingle is the heart of the traditional music scene in Ireland.

I can’t confirm that, but I can confirm it has literally dozens of pubs; and with a population of little over a thousand, Dingle boasts more pubs per capita than anywhere else in Ireland… and having the most pubs in Ireland means that there are a LOT of pub; pubs in which line-dancers join at the elbows and the mandolins do play on.

Dingle's Kitchens

The food scene is very much on the rise. With the fish coming straight of the boats and chefs rising to the challenge of serving international-standard dishes, Dingle has become a competitive foodie destination. 

—Not forgetting Murphy’s ice-cream shop! (What is it about coastal towns? So many have spectacular ice-cream shops. Have you noticed? 

It’s a seaside thing, I suppose. 

For something hot, dine at the very fine Global Village restaurant. The honey-glazed pork cutlet is stellar, and the organic veggies, (served with most dishes) are from the restaurant’s own farm.

Out Of The Blue is a seaside bistro that only serves fish; and when they specialize, boy do they specialize. If the John Dory’s written up on the chalkboard, look no further.

Dingle's Quirks

Scenery near Dingle, Ireland

One of the cooler things about the pubs here: many are dual-purpose: shops by day moonlighting as pubs in the evening. Foxy Johns, for instance, is a hardware store. Ask for a screwdriver in there, you won’t get your vodka and orange, you’ll get… well… a screwdriver.

You gotta love it.

The scenery will send you for a loop

The Dingle peninsular with its staggeringly high cliffs, mountain passes and gorgeous beaches, is scenic royalty. 

Conor pass – wow.

A word of caution though: they drive on the left in Ireland, the roads are narrow in Ireland, there are sheep on the roadsides, and the roads are often wet.

The Mediterranean postcard, with the blue skies and lined-up umbrellas does not apply. But the beaches are as golden, less frequented, and often bigger. Inch beach, for instance, featured in our Best Beaches segment, has a very misleading name. It’s 2 miles long. 

Cycling the Slea Head Loop was I think the best time I’ve had on a bike. It was a lovely salty sea-breezy overcast day, and rounding Slea Head itself, we were at the point in Europe closest to America… and I managed the 26-mile ride, even on these old legs – the route hugs the coast road so is relatively flat. 

You can also rent bikes at Foxy John’s, by the way.

For the active types, Mt Brandon can be climbed in just a few hours. At the summit you’ll see a quarter of Ireland in front of you and the vast Atlantic behind. So special.

The Enduring Past

For the history buffs, the Dingle peninsular is, literally, an open-air museum, packed with ancient sites. The Gallerus Oratory and the Beehive huts are prime examples of the dry-wall structures, built without mortar, that are as solid today as the day they were built, over 1000 years ago. Considering the storms that lash this part of the world, I’d say that’s incredible.

The Ideal Future

Spend sometime in Dingle

It is not the most accessible town in Europe, as it is the most westerly. They say, in Dingle, that the next parish over is Manhattan… from where one can fly straight to Kerry Airport. From there its 30 miles on R561 via Castlemaine and Tralee. If coming on Bus Eireann or Irish Rail, buy a ticket to Tralee, then use the local bus service to get to Dingle.

Typically, renting a car is best.

Road Trips and Car Rental Advice


For your daily dose of ExquisiteCoasts: 


You might like these

  • Discover Cork and you discover Ireland. So many Irish left from Cork and those with Irish ancestry tell me that it is here they cried. It was here that they felt the connection to the old country.

    Discover the Real Ireland. Come to Cork

    Discover Cork and you discover Ireland. So many Irish left from Cork and those with Irish ancestry tell me that it is here they cried. It was here that they felt the connection to the old country.

  • When you picture paradise, what do you see?  It’s fair to say that pristine blue water skirted by a golden crescent beach, beneath a towering cliff of verdant green… makes for a decent description of paradise. So it is on Achill Island in county Mayo.

    Achill Island: Paradise at the Edge

    When you picture paradise, what do you see? It’s fair to say that pristine blue water skirted by a golden crescent beach, beneath a towering cliff of verdant green… makes for a decent description of paradise. So it is on Achill Island in county Mayo.

  • We tend to steer you a little differently. Often, that just means giving some common-sense advice about possibly THE hotspot on Ireland’s tourist itinerary…

    Killarney: the jewel in the Ring of Kerry

    We tend to steer you a little differently. Often, that just means giving some common-sense advice about possibly THE hotspot on Ireland’s tourist itinerary…

  • We assume the best: that when you visit the Ring of Kerry, you won’t be swamped by crowds. But that CAN happen… which is why you might want to hop one over, to the Beara peninsula. Not as mainstream. Just as pretty.

    Around the Beara Peninsula

    We assume the best: that when you visit the Ring of Kerry, you won’t be swamped by crowds. But that CAN happen… which is why you might want to hop one over, to the Beara peninsula. Not as mainstream. Just as pretty.

  • It is said that this 75km Captain Cook Highway is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. One side is the rugged coast, and the other side the tropical, lush rainforest. (Tip: you definitely want to...

    Along the Cook Highway and Beyond

    It is said that this 75km Captain Cook Highway is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. One side is the rugged coast, and the other side the tropical, lush rainforest. (Tip: you definitely want to...

  • Sligo is a festival city, a party city, a music city, a drinking city, and very much a coastal city. One walks in sea air along narrow streets, over bridges, past colorful Georgian facades.

    Sligo Ireland - The Land of Heart’s Desire.

    Sligo is a festival city, a party city, a music city, a drinking city, and very much a coastal city. One walks in sea air along narrow streets, over bridges, past colorful Georgian facades.

  • Starting in Donegal County and finishing down south in County Cork - the real heart and soul of Ireland's west coast awaits - click to discover it.

    Ireland West Coast Essentials & Secrets - From Cork to Donegal

    Starting in Donegal County and finishing down south in County Cork - the real heart and soul of Ireland's west coast awaits - click to discover it.

  • The 8 best beaches in the world. Why is our list different to all others?  Simple, we actually travel the world visiting hundred and hundreds of beaches. These are the results...

    The 8 Best Beaches in the World

    The 8 best beaches in the world. Why is our list different to all others? Simple, we actually travel the world visiting hundred and hundreds of beaches. These are the results...

  • Discover Ireland's hospitality with my top 4 hotel picks. Luxurious comfort, stunning views, and impeccable service await. Your dream stay begins here.

    4 Top Quality Hotels in Ireland

    Discover Ireland's hospitality with my top 4 hotel picks. Luxurious comfort, stunning views, and impeccable service await. Your dream stay begins here.

  • Scattered across the oceans and seas are 4 bucket list islands. All of them are missing only one thing... you!

    4 Bucket List Islands

    Scattered across the oceans and seas are 4 bucket list islands. All of them are missing only one thing... you!

  • Galway City sits in the middle of the Wild Atlantic Way, and is itself a balancing act. It manages to combine cosmopolitan chic, traditional Gaelic culture, and college life… which all mix rather well.

    Galway City - The Warm Heart & Soul of the Wild Atlantic Way

    Galway City sits in the middle of the Wild Atlantic Way, and is itself a balancing act. It manages to combine cosmopolitan chic, traditional Gaelic culture, and college life… which all mix rather well.

  • First stop is Cobh: Ireland's famous port from where so many (America-bound) Irish fled the potato famine in the mid 19-century. After that we head for...

    Sampling the South: a 3-stop Tour of County Cork

    First stop is Cobh: Ireland's famous port from where so many (America-bound) Irish fled the potato famine in the mid 19-century. After that we head for...

  • The criteria for these 5 best beaches in Ireland is based on scenery, surroundings and the beaches themselves. One or two are adventure hotspots… so pack your boards, kayaks and wetsuits, and  prepare to revel in the best waves Europe has to offer.

    The 5 Best Beaches in Ireland

    The criteria for these 5 best beaches in Ireland is based on scenery, surroundings and the beaches themselves. One or two are adventure hotspots… so pack your boards, kayaks and wetsuits, and prepare to revel in the best waves Europe has to offer.

  • In Westport Ireland they say that when God made time He made plenty of it. My advice:spend as much of it as you can in Westport.

    Westport: Ireland's Little Secret

    In Westport Ireland they say that when God made time He made plenty of it. My advice:spend as much of it as you can in Westport.

  • Each one of these 5 spectacular coastal drives should be on your bucket list. Add at least one to your plans for the next year... you'll be so glad you did.

    The 5 Most Spectacular Coastal Drives in the World

    Each one of these 5 spectacular coastal drives should be on your bucket list. Add at least one to your plans for the next year... you'll be so glad you did.

  • Phew, this was a hard list to create. We started with 15 cities. With much heated debate we got that down to six... then to 4.

    The 4 Most Beautiful Coastal Cities in the World

    Phew, this was a hard list to create. We started with 15 cities. With much heated debate we got that down to six... then to 4.

  • When we came to the Connemara, Ireland decided we'd done something right and, finally, bathed us in warm sunshine. Cruising into the harbor I turned to one of the locals on the boat with us that day, and I said to him… you live in a paradise.

    Connemara, Ireland : soft beds, hard country

    When we came to the Connemara, Ireland decided we'd done something right and, finally, bathed us in warm sunshine. Cruising into the harbor I turned to one of the locals on the boat with us that day, and I said to him… you live in a paradise.

  • There is nothing like a little beach therapy and perfect beach therapy needs peace of mind. Lock that in well before you step out upon the beach of your dreams with travel insurance tailored towards beach holidays

    Before The Quest 4 The Perfect Beach Begins

    There is nothing like a little beach therapy and perfect beach therapy needs peace of mind. Lock that in well before you step out upon the beach of your dreams with travel insurance tailored towards beach holidays


New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.