Dingle, Ireland

In the Spring of 2022 my family and I embarked on a tour of the Dingle Peninsula to visit my beloved brother Dan, who was studying abroad there. Eager to see this extraordinary place crawling with sheep, leprechauns, and Jedi, we departed hoping the storm clouds brewing over Eastern Europe wouldn't disrupt the tranquility of Erin. 

Sheep in pastures near Slea Head

Below are the best attractions I recommend following our adventure:

Slea Head Path:

Follow the Slea Head Loop Drive for astounding views of the East Atlantic. Set off from Dingle, taking note of the brewery on your way west. Stop at Ventry Beach and learn about the old Ventry Estate. You can also horseback ride here...which looked awesome. Continue west enjoying the beautiful views and stop at the Fahan Beehive Huts. Crawl inside. Continue on to Cashel Murphy, check out the subterrean (you pay a few euros to enter). Continue on to Ceann Sibel Lookout. Wow. Then say a quick prayer at the Slea Head Cross. You've made it. Head to Dunquin and walk down to the pier. You can get a View of Sleeping Giant and the Blasket Islands (the visitors center for which is typically open Mar-Oct). Even if you can't visit, read up on the island's poetry-its really beautiful. Head on to Colgher Head for a fun walk over rocky terrain, you can see Sybil's Head, The Three Sisters, and Mt. Brandon. Continue on the drive for two more cool archaeological sites: Gallarus Oratory and Killkemadar Church. The whole route is long (especially if you want to add more stops along the way, which could include Dunmore Head or Coumenoole Beach) and should take you around 3-4 hours if you're taking time to enjoy each spot. It can be tiring so I recommend that you take a picnic lunch (for somewhere around Dunquin maybe) and take your time.

Lighthouse Walk in Dingle:

Accessible right from town, the 4-mi roundtrip walk is short but beautiful. If you aren't able to handle the arduous Eask Tower hike, this is a nice substitute, giving you views of the tower, it's partner Starving Time building project,  the harbor, and the Fungie Lighthouse (during the potato famine in the 1840s, "invented" construction projects gave labor to the starving). Along the walk, you can check out the limpets on the beach, find anemones in tidepools you can scramble down to on sheep paths, and pull sheeps wool out of yellow-flowered-gorse bushes. A lovely walk. 

Dingle Town:

The greatest town on earth - so much fun to walk Dingle Town. Great pubs to explore for food, drink, and music. Also, great jewelry and souvenir shopping - and be sure to try brown bread flavored Murphy's ice cream. 

Within the town, see Fungie. The statue of the playful town dolphin carries a fascinating story. By the Fungie statue in the harbor you'll find Dingle Sea Safari - book a trip! It was amazing! The zodiac boat takes you bouncing across the waves to the inside of caves, and up close to the Blasket Islands. We saw dozens of seals on the Blasket Beach and found a puffin colony! On the way back to Dingle, if you are lucky like we were, you'll get to see Atlantic dolphins off your bow - they come so close to the boat and stay with you, playfully riding the spray. Back in Dingle, be sure to see the Diseart Gardens (to contemplate) and Chapel (with its down-to-earth, very Irish stained glass windows). 

East of Dingle:

If you want to make it a day trip - grab a coffee at The Bean Cafe in Dingle. Then, driving East, stop briefly in Annascaul - a fun little town in which to check out the story of Tom Crean, Antarctic explorer. Continue on to Minard Castle and then hang out at Inch Beach. Do they still "Want it Taken Down"?

Killarney National Park:

We stopped at Muckross House (exploring the home-which I'd recommend-and gardens), Muckross Abbey, and Ross Castle (this inside tour I wouldn't really recommend). We walked to Library Point and stopped at various spots on the walks in between historic buildings to get a good look at the lake-country. 

Cliffs of Moher

Awe-Inspiring. Be sure to visit these white cliffs. And "don't" climb over the walls to feel the breeze ;)