TRAVEL INFORMATION
for visitors to the Dingle Peninsula

Eolas Taistíl do chuairteoirí go leithinis Chorca Dhuibhne

Location

The Dingle Peninsula is situated in the south-west of County Kerry.

There are two main roads into the peninsula:
  • The N86 which runs from Tralee, along the south coast of Tralee Bay, through Camp village, then over the mountains to Annascaul, Lispole and Dingle.
  • The R561, which runs from Castlemaine, where it connects to roads from Kerry Airport, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. The road runs along the north side of Castlemaine Harbour, to Inch and then via a cliff top rooad to join the N86 just west of Annascaul.
routemap (34K)

Taxis

Sheehy Cabs of Dingle
Telephone:+353 (0)87 23 999 23
Spa Road, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Republic Of Ireland
  • Long established family business. Reliable booking service.
  • Owner driver with vast knowledge of the Dingle area.
  • Catering for transfers to and from airports, train stations, bus stops, luggage transfers and general taxi business.
 e-mail:
sheehycabs@eircom.net
Moran's Taxi Service
Mail Road
Dingle
Co. Kerry
Tel: 066 915 1155
Fax: 066 915 1553

 e-mail:
moransgarage@eircom.net




Diarmuid and Dolores Begley Taxi Service
Ashmount
Dingle
Co. Kerry
Tel: 087 2504767

  • Up to eight seater cab available.
  • We do transfers to and from Airports,Trains and any functions.
  • Luggage transfers for walkers.
  • Walkers transferred to and from their walking points.
  • We also do private tours of Slea Head and Conor Pass.
e-mail:
diarmuidbegley@eircom.net
website:
Home Page


Scenic Routes on the Peninsula

The Conor Pass
An Conair

The Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland, and provides the most dramatic and scenic way of entering or leaving Dingle. This narrow, twisting road runs between the town of Dingle and Kilmore Cross on the north side of the peninsula, where roads fork to Cloghane/Brandon or Castlegregory.

The views from the road are breathtaking, as the glaciated landscape of mountains and corrie lakes comes into view. From the scenic carpark at the summit there are views as far as the Aran Islands off County Galway.

Due to the nature of the road, there are length and weight restrictions, and vehicles such as caravans, camper vans and trucks cannot use the pass.

More Information





shead map (48K)


Dunbeg Fort


View of Inishtooskert "The Sleeping Giant",
from the Slea Head Drive


Cycling the Slea Head Drive


Some of the exhibits at
Corca Dhuibhne Museum, Ballyferriter


Gallarus Oratory


Reasc Monastic Site


Image of St Brendan undertaking
his voyage to America, from
a medieval manuscript.

The Slea Head Drive
Slí Cheann Sléibhe

The Slea Head Drive is a circular route, beginning and ending in Dingle, that takes in a large number of attractions and stunning views on the western end of the peninsula. The route is clearly labelled by road signs throughout its length. To properly enjoy the Drive, a half-day should be set aside for the journey.

Travellers usually travel clockwise in order to avoid the large tour buses that frequent the route during the summmer. The route is suitable for motorists, but is also enjoyed by cyclists: it is possible to hire a bike at a number of locations in Dingle.

On leaving Dingle, the Drive passes over Milltown Bridge, past the woodlands at Burnham to the seaside village of Ventry. The long, curved strand is a blue flag beach and offers a safe venue for bathing and water sports.

On leaving Ventry the Drive continues westward, past Dunbeg Fort, and continuing with a sheer cliff on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. At Fahan the road crosses a ford.

The Drive now reaches Slea Head itself, marked by a stone crucifixation scene, with dramatic views to South Kerry and the Blasket Islands.

The Drive now follows the coast north, past Coumenoole Strand, where some of the filming of Ryan's Daughter took place, to Dún Chaoin. It is possible to board a passsenger ferry to the Great Blasket / An Blascaod Mór from Dún Chaoin pier.

The Drive continues north and east from Dún Chaoin through wild open countryside, moving inland to the village of Baile an Fheirtéaraigh / Ballyferriter. The village has a number of bars, a shop and is the site of the Corca Dhuibhne Regional Museum.

The Drive now moves eastward, passing close to a number of ancient monuments, such as the excavated early Christian site at Reasc, and Gallarus Oratory.

The traveller will next arrive at the fishing village of Baile na nGall/Ballydavid. On leaving the village the drive again follows a cliff-top route, with a dramatic seascape of crashing waves, rocks and seabirds below.

At An Fheothanach/Feohanagh a bridge is crossed and the route brings you to Cuas an Bhodaigh or Brandon Creek. This inlet was the legendary starting point of the voyage of St Brendan to America, centuries before Columbus.

The Drive now turns south and runs along the base of Mount Brandon, the second highest mountain in Ireland. A pilgrimage route to the mountain's summit begins near here.

The Drive now rejoins the main road south to Dingle, passing over a hill's crest at Ballinlochaigh and arriving back at the entrance to the town.


IRISH RAIL
Iarnród Eireann

Killarney and Tralee are the nearest Train Stations to the Dingle Peninsula.
Timetables and further information can be found on their website.

Timetables
or
General Info


FLIGHTS

Kerry Airport

The closest Airport to the Dingle Peninsula is Kerry Airport in Farranfore. It is about 50 km / 31 miles from Dingle town, approximately 1 hour's drive by car.
Information about Flights to and from Kerry Airport can be found on their website.
The following services are operating in Summer 2006:
  • Kerry - Dublin - daily
  • Kerry - London Stanstead - daily
  • Kerry - Frankfurt Hahn - daily
  • Kerry - Manchester - 3 days a week
  • Kerry - Liverpool - 3 days a week
  • Kerry - Lorient - 2 days a week

Public Transport between Dingle
and Kerry Airport

Bus Eireann provide a public bus service from a terminal outside the airport. Passengers for Dingle should board the 285 bus to Tralee Bus Station. At Tralee, change to the 275 service to Dingle.

Timetables:
(PDF format, require Acrobat Reader) 		Click Here for a location map.

website: www.kerryairport.ie

Cork Airport

Cork Airport is approximately 160 km / 100 miles from Dingle town, about 2 1/2 hours drive
As of summer 2006 servicesthe follwing destinations are served:
  • Within Ireland: Belfast and Dublin
  • 14 destinations in Great Britain
  • 11 destinations on mainland Europe
 Click Here for a location map.

website: www.corkairport.com

Shannon Airport

Shannon airport is about 177 km / 110 miles from Dingle town, approximately 3 1/2 hours drive. Shannon provides connections to dozens of international destinations.		 Click Here for a location map.

Website: www.shannonairport.com
BUS SERVICES
Bus Eireann

Bus Services to the Dingle Peninsula are provided by Bus Eireann.
Killarney - Dingle & Tralee - Dingle
All information can be found on their werbsite.

Dingle is served by a bus service operated by Bus Éireann. There are several buses daily to Tralee, which connect to services to other destinations, and to the rail network operated by Iarnród Éireann.

There are also a number of services during the week to other areas of the peninsula.

Travel Enquiry Offices:

  • Tralee, 066-7123566
  • Killarney, 064-34777

Bus Eireann Website

(Includes interactive timetables and online ticketing)


FERRIES

Fastnet Line
Cork - Swansea
Services commence 1 March 2010

www.fastnetline.com




Irish Ferries
Dublin Holyhead
Rosslare - Pembroke
Rosslare - Cherbourg/Roscoff

www.irishferries.com

Brittany Ferries
Cork - Roscoff		 www.brittany-ferries.ie

Shannon Ferries
Tarbert - Killimer Ferries
Connecting Co. Kerry & Co. Clare		 www.shannonferries.com






Dingle Bay Charters
Blasket Island Ferry

Take a fast (40 Minute) ferry from Dingle Marina to the Great Blasket Island.

Watch out for Fungie the dolphin at the entrance to Dingle Harbour, then sit back and soak in the scenery as you round Slea Head and approach the Blasket Island.

The island evacuated in 1953, was home to many famous Irish writers including Peig Sayers.

Walk the 1100 acres of unspoilt largely mountainous terrain, relax on the beautiful beach or explore the abandoned village and the fascinating cultural and literary history of the island.

Dingle Bay Charters
The Marina
Dingle
Co. Kerry
Phone +353 (0)66 915 1344
Mobile +353 (0)87 672 6100

e-mail :
info@dinglebaycharters.com

Website:
www.dinglebaycharters.com
Most B&B's, Hotels and other Businesses in our area have their own websites and e-mail. Please use the links on our website to directly contact them for any questions or queries you may have.

DINGLE PENINSULA TOURISM
Comharchumann Turasóireachta Chorca Dhuibhne
Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland
©1997 - 2010 Dingle Peninsula Tourism