The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Delightful DINGLE
– Sea Glass Studio
Dingle artist Abi Dillon gathers beach materials from the shores of the Dingle Peninsula, and transforms them into a range of beautiful jewellery, décor, gifts and wall art. Abi creates inspiring pieces using sea-tumbled sea glass, pebbles, beach plastic and driftwood, and her working studio/shop space is open from April to October, with a range of local crafts on offer too. Come and visit her in Sea Glass Studio, in the heart of Dingle town, for a truly unique shopping experience. With sand on the floor, driftwood filled fishing nets suspended from the ceiling, a stunning beach photo backdrop and the sound of ocean waves to accompany your browsing, Sea Glass Studio is one of Dingle’s hidden gems.
– The Dingle Crystal Factory
Experience true craftsmanship with the talented Sean Daly as he demonstrates how his crystal works are unique in every way possible. The Dingle Crystal Factory is located just outside the town and Sean and his crew provide a truly amazing experience as they demonstrate to groups up to 35 people on how each piece of his work is different. No two pieces created in the factory are the same so you are guaranteed a truly one of a kind piece of art. Sean’s pieces are inspired by his rich heritage and the breath taking landscape that he has been surrounded by for year. True Celtic design. If you fancy picking up a few tips on how the work is created why not give them a buzz on 066-9161550 or email them at adam@dinglecrystal.ie Or if you just want to pick up a few pieces of their work you can visit their store.
– Dingle Distillery
While you’re in one of Ireland’s most fun and welcoming towns, why not pay a visit to the Dingle Distillery for its tour on the edge of the town?
The distillery opened in late-2012, and visitors are more than welcome to drop in and witness the entire production process that goes into their whiskey, gins, and vodkas.
In typical west Kerry fashion, the people at the distillery promise to welcome everyone to their facility with a smile, and you can even treat yourself to a sample of some of their produce.
Further information is available from www.dingledistillery.ie/tours/ or call them at (066) 4029011.
– The South Pole Inn, Annascaul
West Kerry has never been short of famous sons and daughters, but you’ll struggle to name anyone as heroic as Annascaul’s Antarctic Explorer, Tom Crean.
Crean took part in three momentous Antarctic expeditions in the early 1900s, and his legacy lives on to this day in Annascaul in the form of the South Pole Inn, the pub that Crean built.
Besides boasting a cosy bar and delicious food, the building is home to some wonderful Crean memorabilia, and it also houses a tribute to another famous Annascaul man, Irish-American sculptor Jerome O’Connor, in the form of a purpose-built gallery.
– Slea Head Drive
Looping around the heart of the west Kerry Gaeltacht, the Slea Head Drive is one of the jewels of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
Beginning and ending in Dingle, there’s no shortage of attractions including – but certainly not limited to – the gorgeous villages of Ballyferriter and Ventry; incredible views of the legendary Blasket Islands and Coumeenoole; and the postcard-perfect Dunquin pier.
The route is superbly signposted throughout, and is ideal for either a summer drive or cycle. With the amount of attractions it takes in, you might be best advised to set the best part of a day aside. It’s also home to Ceann Sibéal Golf Club and settings used in ‘Star Wars Episode VII: The Last Jedi,’ so don’t be surprised if you feel compelled to take a few lengthy stops!
– Explorer’s World
A facility in Ballinaboola just outside Dingle town, this centre has something to offer explorers of all ages. Among its attractions is a climbing wall that’s up there with the largest in Ireland, and it caters to climbers of all abilities. Elsewhere in Explorer’s World, younger visitors can enjoy a giant slide, indoor zipline and other exciting challenges.
Whether you’re popping in with your family, a birthday party group, or a hen or stag, the people at Explorer’s World pride themselves on being able to offer you the kind of day out you’re looking for. For more information, contact the crew at 066 9152822 or email them at info@ explorersworld.ie
– Mara Beo – Dingle Oceanworld
Where education and fun meet. This is one place where fun and education go hand in hand as visitors enter a unique world where marine life and reptiles are encountered and virtual tours offer glimpses of life in the Amazon, Peru and Bolivia - all the way down to the depths of the ocean. Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium is immersed in conservation and it has helped several species from extension over the years, including the Angel Shark, Crayfish, Lobster and Triggerfish to name a few. It’s also a world where Sand Tiger Sharks, Otters, Turtles, Seahorses, Penguins and Piranhas captivate the imagination which are housed in beautifully designed aquariums and habitats.
There’s now a really impressive jellyfish tank to view and this is one place you must spend a few hours in when next in Dingle. It’s an amazing addition to Kerry’s tourism hotlist and it’s constantly evolving by introducing different species and ways in which the public can explore them. This is a living museum in every sense of the word.
For information about planning your visit check out their Facebook page for details. Phone: 066 91 52 111. Email: info@dingle-oceanworld.ie
– Blasket Islands
Uninhabited since 1953, the Blasket Islands’ legacy was cemented by its former dwellers and their unique literature, language, and way of life.
While on your Slea Head Drive, you could pop into Dunquin’s Blasket Centre, a fascinating heritage and cultural museum that honours a unique community. Or, if the weather holds up, why not visit the islands themselves by contacting Ventry-based Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours through their website www.marinetours.ie, or by calling them at 086 3353805.
A part of the world made famous by the likes of Ó Criothain, Ó Suilleabáin, and Peig Sayers, the islands’ history, wildlife and scenery put them up there with Kerry’s most beautiful attractions.
– Lios Póil
Another part of west Kerry with no shortage of scenery, Lios Póil is home to two gorgeous beaches in Kinard and Minard, both of which have plenty to offer.
Kinard is probably most famous for the view it offers of one of Ireland’s most famous seastacks: ‘An Searrach’, or ‘The Foal.’
Minard Castle, made famous by the Oscar-winning film ‘Ryan’s Daughter,’ overlooks the tiny but beautiful Minard beach, while the heart of this Gaeltacht parish provides an excellent viewing area, taking in the historic Lios Póil viaduct in Deerpark, a viaduct that once provided a passage for the train that moved through west Kerry in the earlier part of the 20th century.
– Maharees
On the northern side of the west Kerry peninsula you can find Castlegregory and the Maharees.
With a three-mile long sand spit and views of the Seven Hogs islands, the Maharees peninsula between Brandon Bay and Tralee Bay is another of West Kerry’s many beauty spots and is known for its beautiful walks, beaches, lakes, and excellent conditions for surfing and other water sports.
The peninsula isn’t short of wildlife, excellent restaurants, or facilities for campers, and anyone who’d like to find out more about the Castlegregory area can do so by phoning its visitor centre at (066) 713 9422.