Killarney is Ireland's premiere tourist destination, and no better place to
base yourself for a trip to the Dingle Peninsula. Great Accommodation and
ideal for access to Dingle and the Dingle Slea Head Drive. When in Ireland
Dingle tour is a must !
To see the Dingle Peninsula
properly you need a full day. Leaving Killarney
around 10 am. And returning around 6 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 her.Next you will pass close to Annascaul
the home of Tom Crean the Polar Adventurer and Publican at "The South
Pole Inn".
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 over ten 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 Canvas 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 €5.00
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.
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.
( One of Irelands top Surfing and Wind surfing destinations
)
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.
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. The World Pro Windsurfing tour stops here
each Year and the Top Wind Surfers cad be seen here. Kite surfing and tow
in Surfing at Garrywilliam Point has got quite popular.
Its on to Tralee now and home !
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. when you arrive at the main road turn left for Castlamaine and on
into Killarney.
Compiled by Niall Huggard a keen Surfer and regular
to the Dingle Peninsula
No trip to kerry is complete without a ramble around Slea Head and the Dingle Peninsula
