My family just returned from ten incredible days in Ireland. The Emerald Isle is full of stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Whether you are seeking adventure, relaxation, or history, there is truly something for every type of traveler.
We started our adventure on the West Coast of Ireland known as “The Wild Atlantic Way.” We spent three nights in the quaint seaside town of Dingle. We fell in love with this town and had the best time exploring. We spent one full day driving the famous Slea Head Drive. This 24 mile drive has multiple stops with dramatic coastline views, adorable farm animals, beautiful beaches, and historic sites. One of our first stops was Fairy Fort Farm which is located on a preserved Ringfort (also known as a Lios). Ringforts were built during the Bronze Age. The early inhabitants told stories about how fairies and ringforts like this had “Druid Magic.” The legend states that anyone who enters the Lios between the hours of 1 AM and 5 AM would not leave the Lios alive. Thankfully we were there a little later than 5 AM! We loved this stop! There were so many animals to feed and pet and the views of the ocean were just stunning!
Another favorite stop along Slea Head Drive was Dunmore Head and Coumeenoole Beach. We spent the most time here exploring. Dunmore Head is the filming location from scenes of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It’s a decent hike to get there, but worth every second! When you get to the top of the mountain, you can see what is known as “The Devil Horns.” This is an incredible rock formation that juts out into the ocean towards the Blasket Islands and is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. We sat on the edge of the hillside taking it all in and then hiked down to the rocks as far as we could possibly go. I was a little hesitant because the cliff sides were so steep and there were no barriers to protect you from falling, but we stayed on the “path” and it wasn’t as scary as I expected. After our hike we made our way to Coumeenoole Beach which is right beside Dunmore Head. My boys did more exploring and found small caves in the cliffs around the beach. We had a picnic on the beach and rested our legs, which was much needed! It was the perfect end to our stop here!
Our next stop was Dunquin Pier (Dún Chaoin). This pier served as an access point for the Blasket Islands during the early 20th century when they were still inhabited. The pier was essential to the islanders and served as a route for trade, supplies, and communication with the mainland. The pier is located on the edge of a steep cliff and has a winding path that leads down to stunning panoramic views of the ocean and the Blasket Islands. If you are traveling with kids, you want to be extremely careful here as grass is uneven and there are no barriers on the edge of the steep cliffs.
Our next day in Dingle was quite an adventure! We went out on the Dingle Sea Safari which is a boat tour where you get to experience the breath-taking coastline of Dingle Bay and famous Blasket Islands. These small boats hold only 12 people and they give you waterproof pants and big winter jackets before the safari. We were so glad they did because it was raining when we got further out to sea and it was freezing! We saw tons of seals in the water at Seal Beach and dolphins and minke whales in the bay. In order to see the puffins, you have to go way out to the Blasket Islands. The water was very rough at times, but it made the adventure that much more exciting! My whole family agreed that this was one of our favorite experiences we have ever had!
One of our favorite things about Dingle were the lively pubs with authentic Irish music. The Dingle Pub was our favorite. It was the perfect place to relax with the best fish and chips we have ever had and of course, a pint of Guinness!
