DINGLEScenic Tours on the Dingle Peninsula
The Connor Pass The Connor Pass road is without doubt the most dramatic route to take to Dingle. It is not suitable for heavy vehicles or caravans and can be difficult in bad weather. As it swings towards the south, the road rises with mountains on one side and a wide valley on the other. From the top of the pass there are breathtaking views in fine weather of lowlands, mountains and sea. The viewing staitions provide car parking and are in the best positions from which to take in the sweep of the landscape. Looking south you can see Dingle Bay and, to the north, Brandon Bay and the Seven Hog Islands (Magharees). The road then drops towards Dingle with continuous views over Dingle Bay until the town is reached. . Cloghane and Brandon - are situated on the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula, tucked in at the base of Mount Brandon and washed by the sparkling surf of Brandon Bay. . Slea Head Drive The Dingle peninsula west of Dingle is largely an Irish speaking area (Gaeltacht). English is universally spoken however. Starting from Dingle town take the road for 4 miles to the village of Ventry. Here there is a beautiful cresent shape beach. From there, continue on towards Dunquin, passing Dunbeg Fort and the Fahan Group of Beehive Huts and enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery along the way. Here you will get your first view of the Blasket Islands, which look awfully pretty in the summer but which can be a very inhospitable place to be in less good weather. Amazingly the islands were inhabited until 1953. At Dunqiun, there is the opportunity of visiting the Blasket Islands in the summer by boat from the pier, or going to the Blasket Island Interpretive Centre. From Dunqiun you continue on towards Ballyferriter which boasts the famous Louis Mulcahy Pottery. From here the next stop is Riasc monastic settlement which is interesting and well worth a visit. After that, Gallarus Oratory, a simple yet stunning building dating from the 7th century and Kilmalkedar Church from the 12th century, both of which are musts for those interested in early Christianity in Ireland. Continue on back to Dingle town. |
TRALEETralee lies on the scenic south west coast of Ireland at the gateway to the Dingle Peninsula. It is the capital town of County Kerry, an area of spectacular beauty. Tralee is almost 800 years old. It is a smallish town but has the most comprehensive shopping in Kerry. It has a wide selection of hotels, restaurants and pubs. Click here for a guide to Tralee's restaurants and click here for a guide to Tralee's pubs.
Its many attractions include: The Blennerville Windmill The Tralee - Dingle Steam Railway The National Folk Theatre of Ireland Kerry the Kingdom Museum which includes a ride where visitors are seated in time cars and brought on a fascinating journey through the reconstructed streets, houses, Abbey and Castle of medieval Tralee complete with sounds, smells and animatronic figures. The Aquadrome The Rose of Tralee Festival which is held annually in August has grown from a beauty contest into a fully-fledged festival
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