I, my husband and another couple will be staying in Dingle for a week at the end of May. The couple has never been to Ireland and would like to explore a little more than the peninsula. Any suggestions for day trips? Lots of daylight that time of year, so a two hour radius is fine. Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6989 posts
Yes, two awesome options:
Great Blasket Island is nearby, pretty and makes a wonderful day trip. You can spend most of a day easily hiking the island and on a fair day it's lovely and breathtaking. Take the little ferry from Dunquin.
Skellig Michael is a bit further, but OMG so worth it if you can pull it off. Logistics are tricky and with thin margins, so it's best to spend the night before close to your boat's departure point (most boats go from Portmagee); they make a go/no-go decision each day, based on sea conditions, and they DO cancel if it's rough. It's possible to do it from Dingle though, if you don't mind the long drive to/from and allow enough time (get up early). The "landing" tour gets you on the island (there are also non-landing tours). The season typically starts in May (you'll need to check) and the trips routinely sell out well in advance, so book ASAP. All the hassles are worth it (the climb up Skellig Michael is on exposed, sometimes rough/irregular paths/steps, no railings, and a slip there could be your last, so take it seriously - it's no place for rambunctious, wandering toddlers or anyone with serious mobility/balance issues. But if you can manage it, it'll be something you remember all your life.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
882 posts
In addition to seconding the idea of Skellig Michael, the Blasket Center near Dunquin is newly renovated and has fabulous displays and information about the island.
There's a day's worth of stuff close to Dingle including Gallarus Oratory, Riasc Monastery, Cashel Murphy, Dun Beag,
Eask Tower, Conor Pass/Waterfall (often fogged in). There is also music to be heard even in the afternoon. Don't miss St. James Church concerts. https://www.stjamesdingle.com/cultural-and-the-arts
- these are on the Slea Head Road and run by the farmers that own the land, with silly prices for small treasures. Slea Head is an gorgeous adventure in itself, with very narrow spots, opposing traffic, and steep cliffs on both sides of the road.
Posted by
OP
24 posts
Thank you! My husband and I have been to Dingle and the entire peninsula several times, so we're pretty familiar with sights to hit there. I was more interested in day trips off the peninsula, if anyone has recommendations for those. And we will be hitting Skelling Michael. Excited for that. Thank you1
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2590 posts
Two very different ideas whiuch fit within your two hour radius and could be done in a day.
• Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum
Stop off in Tralee, Listowel and possibly Ardare....
There is of course Killarney with its National Park, Ring of Kerry etc....
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2597 posts
It is just about two hours from Dingle but it was a good day trip. Went to Sneem on the Ring of Kerry, walked around, ate lunch outside then wen further towards Casherveen and saw Ladies View and then back to Dingle. It was a long day but really very leisurely one. I remember a very quirky bridge in Sneem that went over the waterfall But there was no exit from ..the other end. Anyway good luck.
Posted by
5 posts
Regarding Skellig Michael landing: Which boat company have you used before and can recommend?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6989 posts
We used Skellig Walker, and would recommend them with no hesitation.
Looks like there may have been a change in ownership/management since we went with them, but when we did they were great.
Nice big boat, plenty of cover inside to get out of the wind (and the literal **-storm from all the birds). Bring a good, washable hat - trust me on this: there will be blessings from above. Marine head (loo) on board too, characteristic Irish wit handed out frmo the tour guide. We had a great experience. be careful on the hike up and down, one false step and it could be your last...take it seriously.
Posted by
5 posts
Thank you. Somewhere I read that one should only use a licensed boat company and the licenses have not been released yet as of March 30, 2025. The Irish Office of Public Works actually responded to my email asking for guidance, though just repeated the license issue. Many of the companies are already being booked online, yet I am hesitant to spend over 100 Euro per person, maybe non-refundable if a boat company ends up not being one of the 15 getting a license.