Dingle is a small town perched on the edge of Ireland's South West coast on the Wild Atlantic Way. The surrounding area is known as the Dingle Peninsula and is famous for its unique rocky coastline, amazing scenic views, and beautiful emerald green hills. While the area is traditionally known for its scenic views and crashing waves, in more recent years, it has gained a reputation for fine dining and locally produced artisan food of the highest standard.
There is no need to be bored when you visit Dingle. As a small town in Ireland, it can offer you the perfect quiet place to retreat and relax. Take some long walks in the countryside. Relax with a good book by the fire. Or sample true Irish whiskey at a local distillery. Dingle can be the perfect sanctitude for you.
On the other hand, if you seek adventure and adrenaline, Dingle will not disappoint. You can kayak, hike, horse-ride, surf or stand-up paddleboard to name a few. And if it rains, which it will, you can visit Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium and learn about life under the waves, or scale the heights of one of the largest indoor rock climbing walls in Ireland at Explorers World.
If you are into outdoor exploration, the hikes in the area are endless. Our favourites are Mount Brandon and the walk around Great Blasket Island. Mount Brandon forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way and when you reach the summit, you are at the highest point of the Dingle Peninsula which on a clear day will produce some of the most amazing 360° views. Check the weather forecast beforehand as often it can be cloudy. The Blasket Islands are effectively the westernmost point of Ireland, and therefore Europe. You can take a ferry over and back to Great Blasket Island from Dingle to walk the short loop around the island. However, make sure you keep an eye on your time as although the walk is not too strenuous, it takes around 3.5 hours (8km) and the island is so mystical that you may get distracted.
Overall, no matter what type of break you are looking for in Dingle, you can find it here. There is, however, one thing you cannot miss. The most famous attraction in the whole area. Our local dolphin, Fungie! Visit him in his chosen "natural" habitat of Dingle Bay, where he first appeared in 1984. Take a tour to go out and see him, or you may be able to catch him on the Dingle Lighthouse walk.
Most people do not associate Ireland with great food or culinary genius. But those people have not yet discovered Dingle. Over the last 20 years, Dingle has grown to become a travel destination for all self-professed foodies. Good quality restaurants started appearing in the 80s and 90s, but Dingle really put itself on the food map in 2014 when awarded the “Food Destination Town Award” by the Restaurant Association of Ireland.
The town now boasts 4 Michelin listed restaurants within a 2-Kilometer radius. Choose from The Chart House, Out of the Blue, Global Village and Land to Sea. They are all excellent and will serve you some of the freshest seafood right out of the water.
Aside from Michelin dining, Dingle Town prides itself on offering freshly grown, local and unique food and drink. From craft beer to ice cream, everything is made to a high standard. We love Pantri for breakfast, Anchor Down or Ashes for lunch and really anywhere for dinner. The list is almost too long! We will give you all our recommendations on arrival so that we can take into account your individual needs.
If you are craving something sweet, get yourself to Kool Scoops for a milkshake or Murphy’s for ice cream. Murphy’s artisan ice cream store is an institution. Everything they produce is sourced from the local area. We are talking local milk from local cows, and local sea salt from the surrounding Ocean area. Yes, when we say local, we mean local. Their flavours are constantly changing, so experiment with what is on offer when you visit. If you are lucky, they may even create an ice cream with your requested flavour.
In keeping with recent trends, Murphy’s also serves vegan options and sorbets. Of course all of the milk it uses is already sourced from grass-fed cows, not because of recent climate change trends, but because farms here are still traditional.
Dingle has simply become a home for great food. Each year it hosts the Blás na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, which is the biggest competition awarding the highest quality produce from around the island. It is a very important event in the Irish food calendar, early October, and a worthy time to visit Dingle.
Dingle’s climate is fairly mild all year-round as a result of the Gulf Stream, a warm water and air current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe. The Dingle Peninsula is one of the areas that sees the highest impact of the Gulf Stream, due to its coastal location. As a result, temperatures in winter only fall to between 7°C -12°C (44°F- 53°F), in comparison to 2°C -8°C (36°F- 46°F) in Ireland’s other tourist hotspot, Dublin.
So when is the best time to visit Dingle? If you are seeking the warmest temperatures, then visit Dingle during the summer months (June to August), where temperatures rise to highs of 18°C or 19°C (64°F- 66°F). There will still be some rain, because well, it’s Ireland, but there will be less of it. Visit in July, if you really want to avoid the rain, it’s the driest month. To avoid high tourist volumes, visit Dingle during late spring (May) or early autumn (September). The temperatures are still warm, between 10°C and 18°C (50°F - 64°F) but you will not have as much human traffic in the town.
A small tip from us locals, carry an umbrella or raincoat with you. We always hope that it doesn’t rain, but it's best not to be caught out if it does.
Like most of Ireland, Dingle has a long and interesting history. It became a port after the Norman invasion in the 12th century and by the 16th century was one of Ireland’s main trading ports, mainly exporting fish. To this day Dingle is a major fishing port and its produce is transported around the country. If you walk down to Dingle Marina, you are witnessing a port that has been open for centuries, and one where you can still see local fisherman return with their catch of the day.
Other evidence of 16th-century living comes in the form of Minard Castle. It was built by the Fitzgeralds during this era in a very strategic position, to an estimated four stories. Sadly these days you will only see the remains of the castle since it was overthrown by English forces in the 16th century. While Cromwellian (English) forces were pursuing the chase of Walter Hussey, a battle was fought at this castle, that led to Hussey’s demise and the destruction of the castle.
The ruins and site are truly remarkable, so much so that they were used as a backdrop in the Oscar winning film ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ (1970). In fact, the Dingle Peninsula is no stranger to film crews as a number of blockbuster movies have shot scenes here, including Harry Potter (and the Half-Blood Prince) and Star Wars (The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi).
Unsurprisingly, Dingle, now famous for film scenes, attracts a lot of tourism, which has officially replaced fishing as its number one industry. However the town does not just attract tourists. It draws numerous writers, musicians, artists and poets to the Peninsula, as the scenery allows for creative juices to flow. You will therefore not not struggle to find some musical entertainment, If you want to experience authentic Ireland in Dingle. This traditional town has numerous pubs that host local irish music most nights of the week. You certainly will not have to walk far to hear the sweet sounds of a Celtic jig, especially in summer.
© 2019-2023 Stay Dingle. All Rights Reserved
