The Crew of My Real Ireland visited the beautiful town of Dingle that is one of Ireland’s most breathtakingly beautiful locations.
Its wild coasts are shaped by the brutal but beautiful Atlantic Ocean.
This breathtaking landscape has been carved out by the storms that have ravaged this coastline since the dawn of time.
Every part of this landscape has a story to tell, soaked in the Myths and Legends of Ireland, where our ancient culture thrived.
The historic elements of this area of Ireland are vast and magical, its association with ancient heroes and esselastical masterpieces.
Chosen by the producers to be the setting for Star Wars the wild untamed beauty of this area shaped like something from a different time.
Its nature and wildlife seem to be carved from a magical fairytale. Walking through this ancient landscape will transport you back in time, engulfing you in Ireland’s ancient history and culture, our native language still spoken and kept alive but the people of this majestic area.
Dingle and its surrounding area will enchanted you and we promise every step you take on this ancient landscape will make your heart feel at home and you will promise yourself that you will return to this ancient paradise, it becomes a part of your heart and soul.
Sinead and Gene spent several days and Dingle and desperately wanted to return.
Sinead was lucky enough to see Dingle on a Harley Davidson thanks to her wonderful friend Sean who is also the owner of Dingle Crystal “Thank You Sean”
Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael one of Ireland’s most famous locations. THIS ancient craggy island is home to one of the worlds most dramatic isolated monastic settlements.
Deriving its name from Michael the Archangel and the Irish Skellig meaning stone. Its dramatically exposed location and its historical significance earned it a skellig Michael World Heritage Status when it became a UNESCO site in 1996.
It is also home to an abundance of indiginious species of Bird.
The puffin population on Skellig Michael were the inspiration for the adorable Star Wars characters known as Porgs. High up on the craggy island is one of the world’s most famous monastic sites.
Accessible only by boat and by undertaking the steep and dangerous climb, leading to the historic Augustian monastery containing many structures including the famous beehive cuts.
This mystical site may look familiar as it served as the isolated home of Luke Skywaslker in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
Dun Beag
This magical reminder of our ancient past is an Iron Age era Promontory Fort. Located near Dingle town just outside the village of Ventry. There is a visitor centre at this ancient site that dares form approximately 1000BC.
This fort is one of the finest surviving examples of its kind. Its ancient defensive system is still visible today.
This is evidence that this ancient site would have also been home to monastic beehive huts. Due to its exposed position on the wild atlantic coastline this ancient site has suffered damage due to erosion.
Dingle crystal
Ireland’s Historic and Ancient Culture preserved in breathtaking pieces of hand cut crystal holding epic designs, inspired by our Celtic past and historic rugged landscape, each piece is hand crafted by Master Craftsman Sean Daly, who is preserving Ireland’s long and distinguished tradition of Irish handcrafted cut crystal for future generations.
Every piece of Dingle Crystal is hand cut in the Dingle Crystal workshop. As they are handcrafted no two pieces are ever the same, when buying a piece of Dingle Crystal you are getting something truly historic and unique.
Each piece of Dingle Crystal is personally signed and dated by Sean. All phases of production are carried out in Ireland using traditional techniques.
All pieces contain Sean’s personal designs that were all inspired by the rugged landscape of the West of Ireland and Celtic art consisting of designs containing traditional Celtic knot work and circles inspired by our dramatic and historic Celtic culture.
Dingle Crystal offers a wonderful Factory Tour that is a once in a lifetime unforgettable experience. The Dingle Crystal factory caters for group demonstrations for up to 35 people, as well as smaller demonstrations. For more information or to book a demonstration please contact –adam@dinglecrystal.ie Phone – +353 (0)66 9151550.
The Dingle Crystal Store in Dingle is located on Green Street in Dingle Town. We highly recommend visiting Dingle Crystal to buy one of Sean’s historic and timelessly beautifully pieces of Hand Cut Irish Crystal. You can also visit their online store at www.dinglecrystal.ie
Inch Beach, Dingle Peninsula
Inch beach located on the spectacular Dingle Peninsula is a wondrous place to visit. Soaked in the history of this historical and wild landscape you are immersed in everything Irish, it is possible to say that this is a spiritual experience of Ireland, you are completely exposed to nature and the wild Irish Coast.
You are wrapped and engulfed in the pure wildness of the Atlantic Coastline, witnessing the pure power of the Atlantic Ocean and how it has shaped our historic and rugged landscape.
Inch Beach is an exceptional experience and seems to echo the stories of our past and fills you with peace as you listen to the roar of the untamed Ocean.
It is not hard visiting this peaceful location to see where our Myths and Legends were born.
Some of Dingle’s Fantastic Pubs and Restaurants.
Dingle is home to some of Irelnad’s most lively pubs. You will find something for everyone, with wonderfully friendly staff and fantastic live music.
The My Real Ireland Crew enjoyed a night in O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub.
The staff were wonderful and the traditional music was fantastic.
Our crew also visited Dick Mack’s Pub and Brewery.
This is one of the most popular pubs in Dingle. During the summer the beer garden comes into its own, it is wonderful to sit out and enjoy lovely weather.
Kennedys pub is a charming old world pub full of nooks and crannies that are all lit by candlelight. A pint of Guinness in Kennedy’s is highly recommended.
Our crew had a wonderful meal at the Lord Baker, the menu was outstanding with something for everyone, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and the staff were wonderful.
The Fish Box is a local sourced family run business.
It is a super place to have a fish dinner which is caught that day with their own boat. The staff are really friendly, the portions are amazing, and the prices are very reasonable.
Solas Tapas and Wine is, without doubt, one of the most outstanding restaurants that we have eaten in. The food is superb, and without doubt you will enjoy every moscule. This beautiful gem is something everyone visiting Dingle should experience.
Louis Mulcahy Pottery and Cafe Ballyferriter
This cafe is an absolutely lovely location to enjoy a lovely lunch and excellent coffee, all of which is served in its own Louis Mulcahy pottery. A visit to the shop is a must we guarantee you will not leave empty handed.
These wonderful pieces of Irish Pottery have been exported world wide for 50 years. All of the Pottery designs are inspired by the beauty of this wild and beautiful part of Irealnd. All pottery is handmade and unique, each piece is a treasure that you can take home with you.
Ocean World
Ocean World opens daily at 10am and closes at 5.30. Ocean World is Ireland’s largest Aquarium. This is where you will learn about the wonders of the seas.
Whales and dolphins that are rescued on the coast are looked after and rehabilitated at Ocean World. For children feeding time for penguins is 1300 and 1600. There is a very good coffee shop located on site.
Murphy’s Homemade ice cream.
Sean and Kieran started their amazing ice cream production business in 2000.
The ice cream is made from the best and freshest ingredients. Dingle gin, dingle sea salt, butterscotch Irish coffee , candied chilli pepper and just a few of the flavours available.
For anyone visiting Dingle who is an ice cream fan need to try this amazing ice cream.
Walking and Hiking, Flora and Fauna Guided Tours
This outstanding walking and hiking of this historic area of Ireland brings you into the world of Irish Nature. Clair and Kevin who provide these tours are deeply committed to environmentally friendly tourism.
They organise walking tours and will organise accommodation for you which they will make sure is perfect after a beautiful day walking in the beautiful landscape of the Dingle Peninsula.
Email info@celticnature.com
Hotels in Dingle
There is a wide range of wonderful hotels in Dingle that cater for all price ranges and budgets.
The Dingle Skellig Hotel
The Dingle Skellig Hotel is a luxurious hotel that promises to give guests an experience that they will always remember. Dingle Skellig Hotel is a 4 star hotel that is located about 3km from the heart of Dingle town. It boasts panoramic views over Dingle Bay and Fungi the dolphin is often seen playing nearby.
The hotel features three swimming pools, a luxury spa, and gym. The hotel’s wonderful Coastguard restaurant specialises in seafood that is locally sourced. There is a kids club and an award winning crèche. The staff are renowned for their professionalism and ability to make this wonderful hotel feel like a second home.
Dingle Bay Hotel
The Dingle Bay Hotel is located in the heart of Dingle town. Located across from the marina this hotel will give the visitor easy access to all that Dingle has to offer.
Paudie’s Bar is located in the building, it is a wonderful place to enjoy a pint and a meal. Offering a wonderful menu with locally sourced cuisine. They also offer nights full of fun and tradition Irish music including our beautiful and historic ballads
Where the My Real Ireland Crew stayed in Dingle
Dingle Harbour Lodge
When we booked our weekend in Dingle we decided to stay in a lovely locally run Bed and Breakfast The Dingle Harbour Lodge. This lovely Bed and Breakfast is located very close to Dingle Town Centre.
We stayed during a very cold Irish January and it was warm, inviting and very comfortable.
There was free parking.
Our room was delightful with a view of the sea. We enjoyed excellent Wi-Fi, our ensuite was lovely and there was satellite tv.
We enjoyed an outstanding Irish Breakfast, there is a wide range of breakfast options including a continental breakfast.
The staff were wonderful and could not have been more helpful. We would definitely recommend The Dingle Harbour Lodge.
Dingle Distillery
The now world-renowned dingle distillery was founded in 2012 and has taken the world by storm.
In 2016 the first whiskeys that were distilled and matured at this site were released with an outstanding reception throughout Ireland and the world.
Dingle distillery as well as producing fine Orosh whiskey also produce exquisite vodka and gin.
Dingle Distillery is a must-see for anyone visiting Dingle.
Dingle Distillery offers an outstanding Distillery Tour.
Beehive Huts and Hold A Baby Lamb
This is a wind stepped site with magnificent panoramic views looking out over this wild and untamed coastline. You will look out at the historic Skellig Michael. . It is difficult to date these huts, it is thought to be between the 8th and 12 Century.
The builders of these huts stacked rings of stone on top of the other with each ring moving a little further inwards until the last stone ended in a point so that the rain ran off.
They did not use any mortar .It is thought hermit monks lived here. Some of the huts have fallen but many are still intact. You can recreate your own perfect Star Wars photograph.
The Beehive huts are part of the farm that gives you the most adorable opportunity, you can hold a baby lamb. You may be lucky enough to arrive at a meal time and bottle feed a lamb. Anytime of the year is the perfect time to hug a baby lamb.
We really enjoyed this experience and would definitely say this is something everyone should visit when in Dingle.
Eask Tower
This historic stone tower was constructed in 1847 the most brutal year of the Great Famine known as Black 47.
It is 35 feet in height and was built to advise sailors they were entering a blind harbour.
You have to climb up a hill to get to the tower and pass herds of beautiful fluffy sheep . It’s worth the climb as the panoramic views there are stunning and you will see this beautiful rugged coast line in all its glory.
Gallarus Oratory
The Gallarus Oratory is one of the most outstandingly preserved early Christian chapels in Ireland. This ancient and mystical church is over a thousand years old and was constructed of stone sourced from the local cliffs.
This is an absolute must to visit on the Sleigh Head drive. The church looks like the upturned hull of a boat and is very well preserved.
There is a visitors information centre at the site and also a coffee shop and gift shop.
Dingle Sea Safari
Anyone visiting has to take a world famous Dingle Sea Safari brings you on a magical trip around Dingle Bay.
You will be absorbed into the beauty and rugged views along this ancient landscape, seeing it form the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. The guide and Captain have the knowledge that only local seafarers know.
You will get to have a meet and greet with local celebrity Fungie the Dolphin. These tours supply all equipment including waterproof gear.
The tour takes in the magnificent scenery around the Dingle peninsula including the blanket islands. Calm weather is a must on this tour.
Famine Cottages and Sheep Dog Trials.
These 19th Century Cottages and buildings were originally home to the Long and later Kavanagh families.
They were tenants of the Earl of Cork. These historic homes haund the family during the Great Famine, the this part of Ireland was one of the most ravaged parts of Ireland during this tragically and horrifically dark part of our Nation’s History.
Still preserved as they would have been during The Great Famine, thus giving the visitor the ability to travel back in time to see the hardship that was enduried here.
Also on the grounds of the Cottages is an early Christian Burial Site complete with period carving, that was thought to be the burial site of unbaptised babies from the era.
On your visit you can also see working Sheepdog performances. These skilled dogs and their trainers will show you a traditional and historic skill that they are keeping alive and well for future generations.