Friday, May 22nd, 2026
This morning we drove from Killarney to explore the Dingle Peninsula. Our first stop at the Aghadoe View which is famous for its sweeping panoramas of Lough Leone, the Lakes of Killarney, and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains.
Near the Aghadoe View is the ruins of the Aghadoe Cathedral. It is from the 12th century and overlooks the Lakes of Killarney.
We passed through Milltown on our way to Castlemaine.
Milltown is located near the Ring of Kerry and is situated on the Iveragh Peninsula. It is a small urban town.
The Castlemaine Harbour is located at the head of the Dingle Peninsula.
In 1990 Castlemaine Harbour became a protected nature reserve. In the town center was a statue of the legendary Jack Duggan. He was a fictitious bushranger from a folk ballad. Castlemaine claims it was his legendary birthplace.
Inch Beach is located on the Dingle Peninsula. It is a little over three miles of sand and dunes. It is popular for swimming, surfing, and fishing.
Our next stop was the Annalack Viewpoint along the Dingle Bay Peninsula. This scenic outlook offers views of the surrounding rolling hills and lush greenery.
Slea Head Drive starts and ends in Dingle. Parts of this drive is narrow and one lane only in parts. One of the most iconic stops on Slea Head Drive is the White Cross that shows the crucifixion. It is located between the rugged cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean.
From the “White Cross” we could see the Blasket Islands. They are a small archipelago of six islands and other smaller islands. These islands are Ireland’s and Europe’s most westerly point.
One of the Blasket Islands looks like a “Sleeping Giant” or “Sleeping Monk”. Does this island look like a giant that is sleeping to you?
We made a stop at the Lios Stone Circle and Animal Feeding along the Slea Head Dr. The animals at the pet farm included sheep, lambs, goats, kids, horses, pigs, donkeys, and llamas. We walked around the grounds and fed the animals. We all enjoyed our time here.
This was another Discovery Point along the Wild Atlantic Way that looked out at Coumeenoole Bay.
Scenic countryside as we drove along the Dingle Peninsula.
We stopped in the town of Dingle. It is a port town that sits on the scenic Dingle Peninsula. We had time for lunch and some exploration of the city.
Dingle was busy with tourists and finding a place for lunch that had open tables wasn’t easy. We found the Dingle Marina Inn Bar and Restaurant. They didn’t have tables but we could sit at the bar and order food.
The Fungie Statue was a bronze memorial to Dingle’s most famous resident, a wild dolphin. The dolphin interacted with locals and tourists from 1983-2000.
At the Dingle Pier is a Rope Sculpture that was finished in 1995. It was two piles of bronze rope in a snake like fashion.
This evening when we returned to Killarney we all went to dinner together at The Porterhouse Restaurant. We were celebrating one of our travelers, Donna’s birthday. It was an enjoyable dinner and celebration!
Tomorrow we will be leaving Killarney.
