Dingle

Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

(Free Mini Guide)

The Dingle Peninsula (Corca Dhuibhne) is located in County Kerry, on Ireland’s south-west coast. Like a scene straight from a postcard, you’ll find rolling green hills, dramatic cliffs, soaring mountains, sandy beaches, turquoise blue water, historic beehive huts and plenty of sheep. Our time exploring the peninsula was a major highlight from our road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The charming fishing port of Dingle is a classic Irish village, filled with colourful buildings, cosy pubs (more than 50!), trad sessions, cute eateries and stores filled with local crafts. It’s become a favourite tourist destination for good reason. Despite the crowds, Dingle still provides a great base from which to explore the peninsula and all its sites (and enjoy plenty of Guinness), and its compact size makes it the perfect place for a mosey too.

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Using the guide

Explore our Mini Guide to Dingle below. Read through a curated list of our favourite places (Grid view), use the Filter to find specific tips on restaurants, bars, coffee spots, retail and more, or use an interactive map (Map view), for when you’re on-the-go. Pins have been colour-coded so you can easily find the places that appeal most to you.

Bean in Dingle

@beanindingle

Bean in Dingle is a community-focussed cafe in the centre of town. With a cosy interior and friendly staff (who seem to know almost everyone that walks through the door!), it’s a great spot for a coffee or light breakfast or lunch. The owners also operate Dingle Coffee Roasters, so specialty coffee is a highlight on their menu, and take-away bags of their small-batch house-roasted beans are also available. There’s plenty of sweet treats available to have with coffee – with different options available each day, including chocolate babka and cinnamon scrolls. We really enjoyed their Spicy BLT and Coronation Chicken sandwiches too. Look out for the yellow front door.

Green St, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Blasket Island Sea Life Tours

@blasketislandsealifetours

Whilst travelling around Ireland, we were determined to experience its natural beauty and wildlife as much as possible, and this tour ticked all the boxes. Blasket Island Sea Life Tours provides a unique and exciting perspective of the Dingle Peninsula and historic Blasket Islands. The family-run business offers 2½ hour tours in a 12-passenger RIB (rigid inflatable boat) – a fast-paced adventure where you’re guaranteed to feel the wind (and waves) in your hair. The tour is educational and the scenery spectacular. But the up-close interactions with a huge array of wildlife is unforgettable. Depending on the season, you may spot humpback whales and orcas, dolphins, seals, basking sharks, and more bird species than you can keep count of. We were lucky enough to see puffins, plus huge pods of dolphins that danced playfully under our boat. You’ll be in the open ocean so dress warmly, including a beanie!

Strand St, Farrannakilla, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Coumeenoole Beach

Coumeenoole Beach

Coumeenoole Beach is tucked beneath the cliffs of Dunmore Head. Whilst small in size, it’s often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland. Its towering cliffs, golden sand, turquoise water (on a sunny day!) and cinematic views make it a popular film location. Romantic classic Ryan’s Daughter used Coumeenoole Beach as a filming location, and further along the clifftop, several scenes of Star Wars were filmed. Due to dangerous undercurrants, it’s not safe to swim at Coumeenoole Beach, but it’s still fun to get your feet wet (if the weather permits!).

Coumeenoole North, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Crinkle Stores

@crinklestores

This lovely little store stocks a wide range of handcrafted Irish homewares, artworks, gifts and produce. Many of the products are made locally, including beautiful jewellery, textiles and ceramic pieces. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and happy to share information about their products. It’s a wonderful spot to pick up a unique gift or treasured memento from your travels to showcase Ireland’s craft and design talent. Or even just some delicious locally-made chocolate or fudge to enjoy on your travels!

Green St, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Dick Mack’s

@dickmackspub

Dick Mack’s, and its bright blue facade, is one of Dingle’s most famous pubs – there’s even a Walk of Fame out the front, documenting its famous patrons. Although you’ll find it filled with mostly tourists, it’s still a great spot for a Guinness or whiskey, and a true Irish pub experience. The venue has been in the MacDonnell family since 1899, and still operates as both a pub and leather workshop today. Shelves are stacked with leather offcuts, whiskey and other items accumulated over many years. Grab a drink in the front bar (and a spot in the snug if you’re lucky), or head further back into one of the many cosy spaces inside, or spacious patio out the back. If you’re looking for a unique Irish souvenir, you can purchase a hand-made leather belt or coasters.

47 Green St, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Foxy John’s

@foxy_johns

Ever wanted a hammer, batteries or new lock with your whiskey? Us either, but sitting in a part-time pub, part-time hardware store (and part time bike repair / rental shop!) is a uniquely Irish experience. The green, cream and blue facade, with subway tiles and red front door, is picture-perfect. Inside, shelves are overflowing with old and new hardware odds-and-ends on one side, and whiskey and other fine liquors on the other. On most nights, it’s a challenge to find a space to sit or stand in one of the pub’s cosy spaces, but the intimate interior makes for an especially lively atmosphere. A beer garden out the back offers additional seating. If you’re lucky you’ll time your visit with one of the pub’s trad nights, with musicians squeezing in behind the hardware counter.

Main St, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

J. Curran’s Shop Bar

@currans_dingle

We think it was the old publican leaning on the window out the front that inspired us to venture into this classic Irish pub – a scene surely straight out of an old Irish tune. The bar has been a family-owned business since 1871, when it also doubled as a general store. Its original shelves still filled with old hardware, tools, ledger books, antiques and horse racing memorabilia. We perched on stools behind the old store counter, which offered us a perfect vantage point to enjoy a Guinness and some good craic (entertainment) provided by the locals at the bar. There’s a large beer garden out the back, with an outdoor bar too.

4 Main St, Grove, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Murphy’s Ice Cream

@murphysicecream

There’s plenty of cafes and restaurants that boast about using local produce in their menu. But when this delicious ice cream store says local, they really mean it! Dingle rain is distilled to make sorbet and the ice cream is made from milk from the rare, indigenous breed of Kerry cows. Dingle Gin flavour is made from gin from nearby Dingle Distillery; the Sea Salt flavour is made from Dingle sea water collected at a local beach; honey comes from beekeepers and farmers on the Dingle Peninsula; strawberries come from County Kerry; and the cookies are made in-store. Whilst there’s nearly always a queue, Murphy’s very cleverly offers free tastings (of as many flavours as you like!) while you wait.

Strand St, Farrannakilla, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Outwest Clothing

@outwestclothing.ie

Outwest is a sustainable outdoor apparel and equipment brand, inspired by – and made for – Ireland’s stunning landscapes. Their unique range is designed in Dingle and made by ethical manufacturers, with items for men and women including waterproof jackets, hats, t-shirts and hoodies. Since starting in Dingle in 2021, the brand has built a community around its quality products and passion for the outdoors, and hosts regular outdoor community events – visit their website and socials for more information. We loved their in-store community map, where visitors from near and far can add a pin to their hometown.

Upper, Green St, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Siopa na bhFíodóirí (Lisbeth Mulcahy)

@lisbethmulcahy

This combined retail outlet and weaving studio sells woven scarves, throws and table linen, wall hangings and unique woven tapestries. The products are designed by the late Danish-born artist, Lisbeth Mulcahy, who became one of Ireland’s foremost contemporary tapestry artists. Her undulating herringbone designs, in a range of vibrant colours, are inspired by the landscapes of the Dingle Peninsula. You’ll also find a curated selection of knitwear, leather goods, candles and handmade soaps, all by Irish designers and makers. Make sure to wander upstairs to see artists working on looms in the weaving room.

Green St, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

The Fish Box

@thefishboxdingle

This family-run seafood restaurant has become a wildly-popular destination in Dingle. And whilst there will almost always be a wait for a table (there’s no bookings available), the fabulous freshly-caught seafood on offer makes the wait worthwhile. Most of the menu features the day’s catch from the family trawler Cú Na Mara (Hound of the Sea), which might include hake, monkfish, prawns, haddock and sole. Locally-sourced vegetables, bread and beer ensures the menu showcases Dingle’s best produce, whilst also being sustainable. We had a very tasty seafood chowder, delicious fish and chips and an amazing bowl of mussels that was a seasonal special. If you’re in Dingle over a weekend, there’s a food truck at the back of Paddy Bawn Brosnan’s Bar serving The Fix Box’s classic fish and chips take away – grab a box and enjoy it sitting by the waterfront.

Green St, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

The Little Cheese Shop

@thelittlecheeseshopdingle

If you’re planning a picnic to enjoy whilst you explore the region, looking for local produce to try, or you just really like cheese, The Little Cheese Shop is a must-visit. The store stocks an impressive range of artisan cheese from small-scale producers all around Ireland. Friendly and helpful staff are happy to share their knowledge about the gooey bries, bold cheddars, strong blues, and lesser-known varieties on offer. Plus you can have a sample before you choose! There’s also a range of deli goods, crackers, chutneys and wines – perfect for putting together the ideal Irish platter.

Grey's Ln, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

sidewalks

Cnoc Bréanainn (Mount Brandon)

Top of Mount Brandon

Mount Brandon is one of the highest peaks in Ireland. Its summit offers spectacular views over the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland’s western coastline, and the vast Atlantic ocean, whilst the journey up offers diverse vistas of farmland, lakes and rocky peaks. And plenty of sheep! A hike up Mount Brandon is great for beginners (like Steph) or the more experienced (like Tim). There’s several trails to the summit – ours was the quickest and easiest option, following the medieval pilgrim’s path (The Saint’s Route) up the west side, from the car park of Ballybrack (Baile Breac). It was an 8-kilometer route that took us 4 hours, including time at the top to take in the views. The route is well-marked, but even on the sunny day that we had, the clouds were still rolling in and visibility was very poor at times – a compass is advised. Be sure to wear sturdy boots (there’ll be some rock scrambling required) and layers of clothing to add or take off, including wind- and water-proof items as the weather can change quickly. Plus plenty of water and snacks too.

Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Cé Dhún Chaoin (Dunquin pier)

Dun Chaoin

Perched at the edge of the Dingle Peninsula, Dunquin Pier feels a lot like the edge of the world. A winding path leads you down, through jagged cliffs, to a tiny secluded harbour, with the Atlantic ocean stretching out beyond. The historic pier serves as a connection point between the mainland and the Blasket Islands, with a ferry transporting locals and supplies to and from these remote islands for centuries. We recommend grabbing a coffee and delicious Blasket Brownie from the tiny Cupán Sé van that sits at the top of the cliff, wander about half-way down the path and sit atop the wall to take in the sea breeze and spectacular views.

Ballyickeen Commons, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Murphy’s Bar

@murphysbarbrandon

Murphy’s Bar is an idyllic spot for a Guinness. Located on the pier in the village of Brandon, a 40 minute drive from Dingle, Murphy’s looks across the bay at the mountains and valleys of the Dingle Peninsula. The family-run pub serves great pub fare, with a focus on fresh seafood – the fish and chips served with mushy peas and homemade tartare sauce was delicious. Murphy’s is open year-round, so if the sun’s not shining, grab a spot inside by the open fire, amongst the maritime memorabilia, and enjoy some good craic (fun) with the locals. Keep an eye out for the Bottlenose Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises that frequent the bay!

Lisnakealwee, Brandon, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Quinn’s Pub

@quinnspub

Whilst Dingle is home to plenty of pubs, there’s not many that have a view overlooking the water – and those that do often have a queue waiting for the prime seats. Just 10 minutes out of town is the tiny neighbouring village of Ventry, where you’ll find Quinn’s Pub. It’s the perfect spot for a Dingle gin and tonic, sitting in their outdoor terrace overlooking Ventry Harbour and Beach. Without queueing for a table! If you’re hungry, the kitchen serves simple pub fare, with a focus on fresh locally-caught seafood.

Cantra, Ventry, Co. Kerry, Ireland

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