Ireland's Dingle Peninsula, Tralee

Celtic Music, Gaelic Folk, Cliffs of Moher, Rose of Tralee Festival

Apr 8, 2007

Taste the true Irish culture, language and traditions. Head for the Dingle Peninsula - in a Gaeltacht - perfect for hiking, cycling, exploring and warm Irish hospitality

The Dingle Peninsula (An Daingean Peninsula) in Southwest Ireland has more than 2000 archaeological sites, a heartbreakingly beautiful coastline, and mountains that ask to be explored.

When exploring Ireland's Dingle Peninsula, Dingle, home of Funghie, the bottle nose Dingle Dolphin is a good base. From here there are a wide range of morning and day tours around the area by bus run by a variety of tour companies. With its brightly painted houses, pubs and galleries, Dingle is a great place to spend a few days while you explore the area and become more familiar with Irish culture, language and heritage.

Dingle is in a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area), so there are many opportunities to hear traditional Celtic music in the town, particularly in the summer tourist season. Dingle has plenty of pubs as well as restaurants and cafes and accommodation across the board.

Walking, Riding and Cycling on the Dingle Peninsula

Walkers can enjoy some or all of the Dingle Way and Kerry Way long distance paths or can have their own customized tour designed for them by a company like Celtic Nature. This is a wonderful area to walk and cycle because of the mild climate, the archaeological remains, the dramatic scenery, and the lush vegetation.

For non-walkers who don't want to drive or cycle, why not see the countryside on horseback? Long's is a family-run riding centre located in Ventry Village on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. They offer beach, mountain and half or full day rides.

Five Other Dingle Penninsula Attractions:

Dunmore Head – mainland Ireland’s most westerly point with dramatic views of the Blaskets.
The Blasket Islands. The Ferry leaves Dunquin pier 1/2 hourly from 10am weather permitting.
Dunberg Fort at Sleahead –a well-preserved fort dating from the Iron Age.
Gallarus Oratory, built between the 6th and 9th century, one of Ireland's best-preserved early Christian churches.
Visit the Crag Caves 2 kms outside Castleisland.

Visitors will always encounter a friendly welcome from the locals in the little fishing villages and genteel towns they pass through. And because it is Ireland, there is a rule that visitors may never be thirsty! The weather here is often misty, foggy, and rainy. But don't complain — as locals will explain, there is no bad weather...only inappropriate clothing.

Travel north-eastwards from Dingle to Tralee through the heights of the Conor Pass and a view of the summit of Mount Brandon, Ireland's second highest peak.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is based on the love song The Rose of Tralee, by William Mulchinock, a 19th century wealthy merchant who was in love with Mary O’Connor, his maid. This year the festival takes place from Friday 17th to Tuesday 21 August in Ireland’s biggest town.

The Southwest of Ireland has true Gaelic magic. Maybe it is the snatches of the Irish language heard spoken in the streets or the signposts that are often only in Irish with old style writing. It might just be the sounds of traditional music floating out of doorways on the damp Irish air. It doesn't really matter, what does is that this is an experience no serious traveler can afford to miss.