Dingle is a small town of 1828 people (2002 CSO), set on the shores of a scenic natural harbour on the southerly coast of the Dingle Peninsula. The Dingle Peninsula is the most northerly mountainous peninsular in County Kerry, in south-west Ireland, and is home to Mount Brendon, Ireland’s second highest peak. The area is also one, of only two, National Parks in County Kerry. Dingle is sheltered on three sides by hills, and is surrounded by some of the world’s most stunning natural beauty, which attracts visitors looking for peace and quiet, lovely countryside and great touring opportunities. The town, which is located 50 kilometres south-west of Tralee, is the most westerly town in the whole of Europe!! It is also an Irish speaking area, or Gaeltracht area, and as such is known locally as, An Daingean. The town, although small, has a variety of eccentric and colourful pubs and fine restaurants. Traditional Irish music, with its unique sound is played in many of the pubs.
The local economy is based on agriculture, fishing and tourism, being home to an active fishing fleet, and the centre for touring of the Dingle Peninsula, which is famous for its large number on historic sites, and awesome scenery!! To see the mountains at their best, take the road from Dingle to Tralee over the Connor Pass, Ireland’s highest mountain pass, and experience the thrill of the tight, curving, road, with steep mountain slopes and views over Mt. Brandon, Ireland’s second highest peak!!
Dingle has several places of interest, for example, Louis Mulcahy pottery workshop, Dingle’s Ocean World Aquarium or the Dingle’s World of Leisure Centre, for Ten Pin Bowling. The thing that makes Dingle famous though is the ancient stone remnants, dating from the Stone, Bronze and Celtic Iron Age. Just 10 kilometres west of Dingle on the Slea Head Drive, you can visit the Celtic and Prehistory Museum, which houses 500 artefacts from the Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages, and from the Celts, Vikings and Roman periods, and traces the history of the Peninsula over these times. The Museum also features the world’s largest fossil Woolly Mammoth skull and tusks, a fossilized dinosaur egg nest and a fossilized baby dinosaur skeleton!!
The Dingle Peninsula has the largest number of prehistoric and medieval stone structures and remnants left by man’s activity over a period of approximately 6000 years. Such as Megalithic Tombs, Beehive Huts and Ring Forts. Within the area there are nearly 2000 sites, some of which are listed below.
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Dunbeg Promontory Fort and visitors centre. Located on a sheer cliff, the fort is one of the most dramatic archaeological sites on the peninsula, dated from the late Bronze Age 800 B.C. It is located near Fahan on Slea Head Drive, on Mount Eagle.
Beehive Huts, these lies on the hillside along the Slea Head Drive, in the townland of Fahan.
Gallarus Oratory and visitors centre. A unique building, believed to be an early Christian Church, which overlooks Smerwick Harbour at Ballydavid.
Kilmalkedar Church. The most important church ruins on the Dingle Peninsula. Traditionally associated with St. Brendan. Dates to the last half of the 12th century.
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