48 hours in Dingle, Ireland
Explore the Dingle Peninsula in southwestern Ireland
On the far western side of the island is the town of Dingle, shy of a 4-hour drive from Dublin. This town is famed for the multiple scenic drives along the peninsula. Not only is the natural landscape awe-inspiring, but there are also several markers of ancient history scattered throughout the countryside. Once in the town, you will enjoy a slow-paced environment mixing locals and tourists. Dingle is famous for its hardware pubs where you can pick up a pint of paint and then a pint of beer to go with it. Fun fact: in the recent decade, Dingle was home to several of Star Wars: The Last Jedi filming locations and you can find odes and markers to that throughout.
Top 3 Must-do Activities:
Slea Head Drive
Enjoy the pub scene
Shopping in town
Dingle Slea Head Drive
This famous drive along the western part of the Dingle Peninsula is a must-do for first timers. The whole drive can be done in a few hours but you will want the full day to stop at the sights and fully appreciate everything. Along the drive, you will experience some amazing views and witness pieces of ancient history like the Fahan Beehive Huts. You will want to see this for the amazing coastal views on Inch Beach or Ventry Beach. Off the coast, you will see impressive islands like Blasket Islands, Three Sisters and Sleeping Giant, and the Skellig Michael.
Start point: Dingle
Stop 1: Ventry Beach
Stop 2: Fahan Beehive Huts
Stop 3: The White Cross
Stop 4: Blasket Islands View
Optional stop: Caife Na Tra
Stop 5: Dunmore Head Viewpoint
Stop 6: Coumeenoole Beach
Stop 7: Dunquin Pier
Stop 8: The Blasket Centre
Stop 9: Clogher Head View
Stop 10: Gallarus Oratory
End point: Dingle
Dingle Pub Scene
Dingle only has a population of about 1,500 but has over 60 pubs. That is a small pub to person ratio! A must-do while in Dingle is visit the hardware pubs where you can both pick up a pint of paint and a pint of Guinness. There were so many pubs and while there are some more famous and popular ones, I suggest walking through the streets and finding an atmosphere you enjoy.
Ice cream at Murphy’s
An Cupan Tae
Dingle Cheese Shop
Murphy’s Ice Cream
O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub
The Dingle Pub
An Droichead Beag
Dingle Distillery
Foxy John’s
Curran’s
Kennedy’s
O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub
Dingle Cats and Bars
It is not just the shops that have cute cats, the bars have them too!
Places to stay in Dingle
We arrived just in time for check-in, driving past the town of Dingle and up a small country road to this cute, proper bed and breakfast, The Milestone House. At the time, the two of us were able to stay in a single room with a view of the Irish countryside.
2023 Update: The Milestone House had gone under some renovations and hosts larger groups of four or more. I also don’t think they are including Irish breakfasts as a part of the reservation.