History, Culture, & Heritage

Burnham House - Venrty - Former home of the late Lord Ventry and home to the famous Ogham Stones. Esk Tower - Locals call it Burnham Tower Ventry Harbour & Village - A traditional Irish speaking area. Dunbeg Promontory Fort - Ventry - An Iron age fort overlooking Ventry Bay.

Beehive Huts - At one stage there were over 400 of these drystone, corbelled huts surviving, prompting one antiquarian in the 19th century to refer to the area as the "City of Fahan". These structures occur as single units or can also be found within stone fort complexes. They are generally believed to have been habitation sites, although the tradition of such buildings continued up to the early 20th century for storage purposes. Dating the huts is difficult because the skill of corbelling has been used in Newgrange (3100 BC) and as recently as the 1950s. The huts along the Dingle Slea Head Drive may well date to the 12th century when the incoming Normans forced the Irish off the good land and out to the periphery of the peninsula.

Skellig Michil's - Views of the Ring of Kerry & Skellig Rock - Irelands most famous monastic settlement, Skellig Michil's sharp point juts out of the Atlantic to the South of The Great Blasket Island.

Slea Head Drive - The most beautiful and rugged part of the Dingle Peninsula. Cannot be missed.

Blasket Islands - This group of Islands to the west of Slea Head was inhabited until 1953. Many of Ireland's great Gaelic literary figures were born and raised on the great Blasket Island. Coumineol Strand - This tiny strand lying below the Slea Head Route is an unspoilt, beachy cove, and also the site of four Spanish Armada ships which were wrecked in 1588.

Dunquin Pier - Ferries run from the pier at Dunquin to the nearby Islands.

Graigue - Location of the Tom Cruise film "Far and away" Clogher Strand - Two miles from Ballyferriter village this beach focuses the beauty of the area into one beautiful sandy enclave with unique currents producing spectacular seas.

Gallarus Oratory dates from the 7th or 8th century. Gallarus is a fine example of a Christian cell, using corbelled stone, the cell is as dry inside as the day it was completed.

Cultural Holidays on Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula is a treasure trove of archaeological and historical interest. People have inhabited this peninsula for thousands of years, from Neolithic Man to Celtic pagans, and the area has an abundance of historical and archaeological sites. A learning centre of Early Christianity, and the mythical home of many legends of Irish folklore. If you are staying in the area or just passing through don't miss this opportunity to discover the beauty and heritage of the Dingle Peninsula by taking a guided Bus tour from an established local tour operator. Bus tours leave from the head of the pier daily but it is advisable to book ahead for larger parties as space may be a factor.

Art Galleries & Workshops

Places of work for artists and crafts people dot our Peninsula. There are galleries for paintings, statues and sculptures, and crafts people with a variety of skills to exhibit. Many are housed in the artists homes or are included in shops and cafés. As with any community, at any one time, our Artists provide us with an alternate view of the area. Contemporary painters capture landscapes and wildlife. Photographers and other visual artists produce great snapshots of our area from a different perspective. Viewing workshops - Some crafts people have viewing areas where you can watch them working and creating. It can give an insight into the age-old traditions and manufacturing styles used by potters, weavers and other crafts people. Requests should be made to a member of staff.