Dingle is a town in the west of Ireland that’s a perfect stop along the Wild Atlantic Way. The local scenery is stunning, with rolling green hills and rocky shorelines that jut into the North Atlantic Ocean. Dingle is known for preserving some of Ireland’s great traditions like folk music and crafts. With scenic drives and outstanding pubs, there are so many things to do in Dingle that you’ll wish you had more time there.
Dingle Highlights Video + Map
@temporaryadventurer Dingle is a magical town on the west coast of Ireland! 🇮🇪 🌊 The scenery is gorgeous and there’s so much to do. 🎻🥃⛰️ It’s a perfect place to slow down and enjoy for a few days on your trip to Ireland. #irelandtravel #visitireland #travelguide
♬ Irish music, irish dance(1287224) – 2strings
Traditional Music in Pubs
My #1 favorite thing to do in Ireland is going out to the pubs and listening to traditional music. With toe-tapping rhythms and infectious melodies, traditional or “trad” music is an amazing experience to enjoy live! Fortunately, there are many great pubs where you can find traditional music in Dingle. A few of my favorites are O’Flaherty’s, Foxy John’s, Hannie Agnes, and the Dingle Pub. But there are many others.
To find out where traditional music will be happening you can look for a sign in front of the pub or check the listings in West Kerry Live magazine (ask at your hotel). Alternatively, you can let your ears be your guide. Head out for a stroll around 9:00 pm and listen for the lively sounds of music coming from one of the pubs.
There’s generally no cover charge at pubs–just pop in and see what’s going on. If you like what you hear, buy a drink at the bar and stay a while. To learn more about traditional music in Ireland, check out my post on Dublin’s musical pub crawl.
Slea Head Scenic Drive
You’ll pass through beautiful country on the way to Dingle, but the very best scenery is at the end of the peninsula. The drive out to the rocky point of Slea Head and beyond is an absolute must-see! This scenic route features incredible views of the Blasket Islands and a number of interesting sights along the way. You’ll see ancient “beehive” dwellings made of stacked stones. Close by is the TikTok-viral farm where you can hold a baby lamb (look for the sign that says “hold a baby lamb”). The viewpoints at Slea Head, Dunquin Pier, and Clogher Head are all worth exploring just for the breathtaking scenery. And you’ll also pass by the excellent Blasket Center museum (see below).
The best times to do the Slea Head drive are early morning or in the afternoon. Tour busses tend to clog up the road mid-morning. You can bring lunch or a snack and make a whole day out of exploring this beautiful corner of Ireland.
My wife and I did this drive in a rental car, but you can also find a bus tour if you are car-less. I recommend picking up the Rick Steves guide where there’s a detailed explanation of the whole drive.
Dingle Sea Safari Boat Tour
The Dingle Sea Safari is an exciting way to tour the Blasket Islands and the Dingle coast. You’ll get the chance to spot wildlife like dolphins and seals as you zoom around. On my trip, we saw a big group of dolphins that swam alongside the boat and did some impressive jumps! I also loved seeing the Cathedral Rocks on Inis na Bró, one of the smaller islands. These spires of rock really look like something out of a movie.
Dingle Sea Safari uses reinforced inflatable boat (RIBs) that are fast and maneuverable in the water, which adds to the fun. You might get a bit wet, but don’t worry–they supply you with a set of waterproofs for the journey. Believe it or not, the Dingle scenery is even more beautiful from the water.
The 3-hour tour with Dingle Sea Safari costs €80 and runs at least a few times a day in season. Check their website for details.
Dingle Distillery Tour
Dingle Distillery is a must-see for fans of whiskey and gin, but it’s an interesting visit even if you’re not an aficionado. The distillery was founded in 2012 by a team that started in the craft brewing business. Dingle was chosen not just for it’s beautiful scenery but also because there’s an excellent natural water source on the site of the distillery.
On your visit, you learn all about the distilling process for gin and whiskey. Gin is actually their top seller, infused with a blend of botanicals that include some plants native to the Dingle peninsula. For me though, it’s all about the whiskey. Made from a 100% malted barley, their whiskey is distilled in a series of three huge pot stills. This triple distillation process gives it a smooth and rich flavor. After a few years of aging in oak barrels, the result is a fine Irish single malt whiskey that rivals bigger names across Ireland.
Tickets to tour Dingle Distillery are €23. Hours vary seasonally. Age 18+ only.
The Blasket Center
The Blasket Center is a museum that tells the fascinating story of the Blasket Islanders who lived in relative isolation from the Irish mainland for many years. The tiny Irish-speaking community on Great Blasket Island (An Blascaod Mór) numbered around 175 people at its peak in 1916. But by 1954, the population declined to the point where the last few residents were relocated to the mainland.
Life on Great Blasket Island is remarkably well-documented by a few notable storytellers who lived there. At the museum, you’ll learn interesting bits from everyday life through recording, artifacts, and interactive exhibits. There’s a reconstruction of a typical Blasket Island home, complete with furniture and other belongings. My favorite exhibit was the long naomhóg boat that Blasket Islanders used for fishing and transportation.
The Blasket Center is free to visit, and there’s a handy cafe attached to it. It makes a great stop if you’re driving around Slea Head.
Harry Clarke Stained Glass Windows
If there’s a beautiful old church, I will be visiting it. And Dingle has one! Located inside a former convent, you’ll find a chapel with an excellent collection of 12 stained glass windows by Irish artist Harry Clarke. Commission in 1922, each of the windows depicts scenes from the life of Christ. Clarke was a master inspired by medieval art as well as the Art Nouveau movement of the early 20th century. If you enjoy this style of art, Clarke’s windows are definitely worth a visit.
The chapel and the windows are under the care of the Díseart Centre of Irish Spirituality and Culture (An Díseart). A few other artworks round out your visit. Admission is €3. I also recommend checking out the garden located nearby behind St. Mary’s Church.
Murphy’s Ice Cream
This is a very specific recommendation, but believe me that Murphy’s Ice Cream is a place you shouldn’t miss if you visit Dingle. They’re an ice cream shop that has gained some measure of fame for top-notch (if slightly pricey) cones. Murphy’s is known for serving up unique local flavors like sea salt, chocolate whiskey, and brown bread. Don’t worry–they’ll let you try a sample! There are now multiple Murphy’s locations across Ireland, but the one on Strand Street in Dingle is the original.
Dingle Artisan Shopping
I’m not much of a shopper, but I have to give a shoutout to the impressive artisan shops of Dingle. Probably the most famous products you’ll find are knitwear and woven accessories. Check out shops like Fiadh Woven Design and Lisbeth Mulcahy’s (Siopa na bhFíodóirí) to find the nicest wool sweaters and scarves anywhere!
My personal favorite shop is The Little Cheese Shop, which is exactly what it sounds like. They stock a selection of the best Irish cheeses, plus all the fancy accoutrements you might need to go with them. If you want to elevate your picnic game or stock up on gourmet snacks, look no further.
And there are many more. Dingle Crystal proudly shows off locally made glassware (some of it is souvenir sized). The Dingle Bookshop carries an impressive range of titles, including many editions in the Irish language. Ignore the shamrock-covered souvenir shops and look for these local gems!
Tips for Visiting Dingle
- Where to stay – Dingle is small and charming, so stay right in town if you can. It’s well worth spending a little extra so you can walk places. There’s something really magical about strolling around to the pubs at night before finding your way back to your lodging. If you’re staying farther out, see below for parking options.
- Make advance reservations! – Dingle is a popular place, especially in the summer high season. Make sure to book things like tours and nice restaurants in advance. I usually try to have this done a couple weeks in advance.
- Finding parking – There are two large parking lots (AKA car parks) with plentiful pay-and-display parking. The first one is right by the harbor on Strand Street. The other is just beyond the town center on Spa Road. There is street parking too, but good luck finding a spot when it’s busy!
- Driving tips – Driving the tiny roads around Slea Head can be challenging. Plan to go slow and be patient. If you need to pass another vehicle on a narrow road, look for a passing place where the road widens. You might have to pull all the way on to the shoulder, but drivers will make it work.
