In case you always wanted to visit Ireland I would recommend the west coast.
Of course Dublin is a nice city to begin with, but after a weekend of exploring you almost saw everything that you had to see.
And that only means once thing. Why not renting a car and explore the West of Ireland for a day or two, even three?
Be aware: The Irish folk is driving on the left side of the street. That means the steering wheel is on the right of the car and in case you are from a country where all the beautiful metallic four wheelers have the steering wheel on the left side may get a tiny bit confused in the beginning.
Next to rent a car in Dublin you can rent one in Dingle which is a cute little city with a harbour, aquarium, amazing good food and one of the most exotic things to see is Fungie the dolphin. You heard right. A DOLPHIN!
LONG STORY SHORT:
Fungi was once a young dolphin and got eventually separated from his family. But after he figured out that Dingle has lots of things to offer he decided to stay. There are people who love, play and care for him. Next to it, he has always enough to eat in the bay.
Did you know that dolphins can get 40 years old? 40??? I am not kidding. Next to that they enjoy to make love as much as humans do, and they like to rub themselves on a pufferfish to get high. People should not do that. So stay away of these cute little, extremely toxic fishis!
Of course the west coast has many more things to explore, but I would say Fungie is the most adorable, next to puffins. There is a bigger trip which is called “Ring of Kerry” and a smaller one the “Slea Head Drive”.
No matter which one you choose it is advised to use a car and not being afraid of small roads near the cliffs. Don’t get freaked out… There are always gaps where you can stop when a car, truck or a group of motorbikes wants to pass. It is always a good moment to take photos of the landscape which is surrounding you.
Every single mountain has a story which are told by the Irish. So in case you get the chance to drink a pint with some locals you there is a good chance to listen of some of these sometimes eerie and creepy folklores.
I’ve done the trip of Slea Head, but not the Ring of Kerry yet. Still, on my bucket list. But I never had more time than a weekend to spent in Kerry and therefore it was a tiny bit difficult for me to manage everything... Specially that there are minimums of three ways to go to Kerry.
PRO AND CONTRA OF VEHICLES YOU CAN USE
CAR Your expencies always depends on how many people share the car. It can be really relaxed to rent a car, but not during the rush hour. Because that is like hell, not only for the people who sit in the vehicles. But with a car you can take breaks whenever you like and you are to 100% independent, which is an amazingly good feeling when you ask me.
BUS It is the cheapest, but you need 5 hours from Dublin to Tralee and after that another bus to Dingle. It is ok when you don’t feel travel sick and you have no problem that there won’t be any break. Often no toilet in the bus and it is really time-consuming.
TRAIN – FROM DUBLIN/HEUSTON TO TRALEE The prices vary between relatively cheap to highly expensive depending on when you book. Comfortable and the snacks are nice. I recommend the muffins. Time of travel by train will be 4 hours. Goes to Tralee as well and after that the bus to Dingle.
BOOK: http://www.irishrail.ie/
PLANE – DUBLIN TO KERRY Most comfortable and even when you book 3 days before your adventure to Dingle begins it is still 90 Euros in total. Seems expensive, but let me give you a small advice: The flight only takes 1 hour. Next to that no matter what ticket you buy you are always in the high priority lane and a bus goes from the airport to different locations. That means in total you are on the road for maximum of 3 to 4 hours without any big delay. Because as anyone knows: Irish public services are never in time.
In the end you need a car to enjoy the Slea Head Drive. You can rent a bike as well, it just needs longer and would not recommend the up’s and down’s of the cliff roads to anyone who is not in a perfect shape…. Like me!
Now we arrived finally to the Slea Head Tour. In a map I marked the route and spiced up everything a tiny bit with photos of the different locations. Have fun taking a look at it and let me know in case you visited or want to visit that part of Ireland.
I am delighted to hear from you.
#1 DINGLE
Beautiful little city and your starting point. By the way: Are you interested in a little “walk around” to get to know where to sleep, eat and drink? Let me know in the comments below!
#2 DUNBEG PROMONTORY FORT It was built in the iron age (around 1000 BC) and can be found near the city Ventry. During lots of heavy storms and rain in the past years some parts of the fort fell into the sea. It is always sad to see that such important monuments are destroyed by nature or people. It is part of history, part of our life and tells so much of how people lived back then.
#3 BEEHIVE HUT First I thought there are ancient beehives of bees in a museum. But no – Beehive Huts are the houses where the Irish lived in many, many hundreds and thousands of years ago. You can see them very often on your Slea Head drive when your eyes are wide open.
#4 SLEA HEAD Slea Head is well-known for it’s stunning landscape and is a very scenic viewpoint from where you can see to the Blasket Islands.
#5 COUMEENOOLE BAY Beautiful view from the cliffs down to the beach or the opposite an amazing view from the bay to the cliffs and the ocean. Depending on the weather the sizes of the waves differ a lot and in case it is a stormy day while you are on your Slea Head Drive you should be aware of the risks.
#6 DUNQUIN HARBOR Be aware of sheep! Well, during your trip you should be always aware of sheep, because there are a lot and you never know what awaits you behind another curve. But specially here a road is called “sheep road” and that part is one of the most interesting ones.
Strange, but beautifully from mother nature carved cliff formations looking out of the sea, a road behind it to explore by feet, the wind plays cheerful with your hair and fresh air widen your nostrils and fill your lungs with happiness.
#7 AN TLASCAIRE You must be hungry or even hangry by now! I am always hangry when I am starving and get angry, because no food is around. Luckily you do a quick stop and explore the restaurant, which has a museum as well. The view is stunning, because is near the sea and specially on sunny days it is worth it to take a walk outside after you got some nice lunch or a pie. My favourite is apple pie with crumbles, warm vanilla sauce and some cream. Heavy but heaven!!!
#8 CEANN SCRAITHE One of many movie sets for Star Wars – the last Jedi. Beautiful landscape. You should not miss it.
#9 LOUIS MULCAHY POTTERY Not really cheap, but beautiful pottery done by a very talented artist. In case you need a little, but precious AND special souvenir for family or friends: GO FOR IT!
#10 CLOGHER STRAND Nice to take a walk and to take a break. Are you in surfing? Get your board ready and jump in to the water. It is waiting for you!
#11 THREE SISTERS A bit further away, but while you are on the road of the Slea Head drive you will see them from far. Check out the eerie, but fascinating story of these three witches.
#12 KILMALKEDARE CHURCH It is a national monument and in case you like to visit the old church without having a roof you should pay your respect. Specially it is still surrounded by many graves. Some very old and special ones, others just from this year.
A legend says when you fit through the small window in the end of the church you’ll go to heaven after your last day on earth. Luckily I fit through it.
#13 Gallarus Oratory The oldest church of Ireland. Get your tickets and visit it. Totally worth it. Specially they have a tiny theatre where you can watch a short movie about the area. Lots of amazing history of how Paganism and Catholicism merged into lets say sort of one Religion.
PS: Visit me on YouTube and check out the video I made of the Slea Head Drive. I am not a professional videographer and my camera didn’t work properly during that day, but I thought it’s kinda entertaining and always good to know what to expect.
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Give me a shout, in case you need some more advice and leave a comment below to let me know! I am always happy to help out. :)
Thank you so much and see you in the future,
Sina
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