Dingle Peninsula – 7 July 2010
One thing we have learned about Ireland is that you make the most of the good days. We have been in the Kerry house 5 days, 3 have been raining. So last Wednesday we woke to an overcast but fine day, so off to the Dingle Peninsula we went. In the south west of Ireland you will see 3 fingers pointing out to the Atlantic. They are the Dingle, Iveragh and Beara Peninsulas. You are able to drive around them. We are on the Iveragh Peninsula around which is the Ring of Kerry. Anyway, off we went to the Dingle Peninsula which is north of us. This peninsula contains a high concentration of ring forts and other ancient ruins. The Blasket Islands lie off the point. It took us 8 hours to travel from home to home but then we did stop to admire the rugged scenery, have lunch and an ice cream. We drove clockwise around Dingle Peninsula. We lunched at a sandy beach at Inch. There is a surf beach here but it was very windy so we didn’t venture out long. Dingle Town is the local capital and is famous for its dolphin, donkeys and pubs. It is a busy fishing port and the stopping off point for about 2 million tour buses, it seemed. The road round Dingle Peninsula is another spectacular drive. You see prehistoric sites as well as sites of the early Christian monks. Slea Head, at the point, alone is well worth the trip. There is a monument showing the crucifixion which is amazing. It overlooks cliffs and crashing waves. In fact the area is so remote and rugged we wondered why anyone would live there. But then we guessed if you were a nature lover, loved bird watching and tramping this was an ideal spot. There were certainly plenty of potters and artists plying their wares. There are also farms. So another journey done and another view of Ireland. We have been privileged to share in the beauty.