Discover the spectacular scenery and the thriving Celtic spirit of the Dingle peninsula. Gaelic culture is very much alive with the native Gaelic language widely spoken. The walks of 10-20 km (6-12.5 miles) bring Ireland’s myths and folklore to life with visits to ancient archaeological sites to a present day Irish pottery workshop. Dingle is a wonderfully welcoming village and a great base to sample Irish music and dance at it’s best – enjoy!
This weeklong tour begins in the picturesque town of Killarney, transfers to the fishing harbor village of Dingle and ends at an inn in the peaceful seaside village of Cloghane.
Tour Highlights • The Dingle Peninsula boasts the highest concentration of archaeological sites in Ireland • Gallurus Oratory (8th C) and beehive huts • Visit Louis Mulcahys Irish pottery workshop • Irish Set Dancing in Dingle town • Thriving Gaelic culture and language • Boat trip to the Great Blasket Island (home of famous early 20th C Irish writers) • The rugged beauty of the peninsula was immortalised in the film Ryan’s Daughter • The most westerly point of Europe • Fishing village of Dingle with it’s 50 pubs, craft shops, restaurants and Fungi the Dolphin
Itinerary Day 1 - Arrival Arrive at accommodation in Killarney. Evening dinner at 18.30 hrs followed by briefing.
Day 2 - Ballysitteragh Mountain A gentle ascent through blanket bog and scree slope onto the Mount Brandon ridge gives a perfect overview of the territory to be walked over the coming days – panoramas of mountains, mountain passes, ice-carved valleys, drowned river valley, islands and Atlantic Ocean.
Day 3 - The Dingle Way (Ventry to Slea Head) Through landscape littered with archaeological sites, walk over the rocky shores of Dingle Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. The spectacular scenery of Slea Head and Dunquin (“the nearest parish to America”) has been captured in many movies. *An extra 3km/2miles will take you to Dunmore Head, the most westerly point in Ireland, marked by an ogham stone. Day 4 - Free Day Discover the delights of the fishing village of Dingle.
Day 5 - Great Blasket Island/Celtic Culture Day In the early part of the 20th century the inhabitants of Great Blasket Island produced a body of literature in the Gaelic language, describing a harsh existence battling the elements. A walk on the now-abandoned island allows us to appreciate the conditions that stimulated that output. The Slea Head Drive on the way home allows visits to the renowned Louis Mulcahy Pottery, the heritage centre of Baile an Fheirtéaraigh (Ballyferriter) and the unique stone oratory of Gallarus (8th C). Return to Dingle will give time to visit the town’s craft shops, sample its literary coffee shop and pubs or call on Fungi, Dingle’s own dolphin.
Day 6 - The Dingle Way (Brandon Creek to Cloghane) An old military road leads from Brandon Creek (from where St Brendan sailed to America), crossing the Brandon Ridge at the saddle of Masatiompan, before descending by the abandoned village of Arraglen to the fishing village of Brandon and onward to Cloghane.
Day 7 - The Dingle Way (The Northern Beaches) A leisurely coastal walk – three beaches, two medieval church ruins, one wildbird sanctuary – on a walk that can be shortened or lengthened to suit you and the day.
Day 8 - Departure
Note that, for weather or other reasons, on occasion the guide may have to change the sequence of walks or the walks themselves.
Price includes • Courtesy transfer from and to Kerry and Shannon Airports • 7 nights accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved accommodation, with en-suite facilities* • Boat Trip to the Great Blasket Island • Visit to Louis Mulcahys Pottery workshop • 7 full Irish breakfasts • 5 packed lunches • 6 dinners • Experienced guide • Transfers to and from walks.
