Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [266]
DINGLE OCEANWORLD
This aquarium ( 066-915 2111; www.dingle-oceanworld.ie; Dingle Harbour; adult/child/€12/7; 10am-5pm) is a lot of fun. Psychedelic fish (how many of them are jealous of Fungie?) glide through tanks that re-create such environments as Lake Malawi, the River Congo and the piranha-filled Amazon. Reef sharks and stingrays cruise the shark tank; water is pumped from the harbour for the spectacularly ugly wreck fish. There’s a walk-through tunnel and a touch pool.
OTHER SIGHTS
Next to St Mary’s Church on Green St is the Trinity Tree, a sculpture representing the Holy Trinity, made from an unusual three-trunked sycamore. With its carved faces, it looks like something out of a fairy tale.
On the other side of the church, in the former convent, is the Celtic culture centre Díseart ( 066-915 2476; adult/child €3.50/2; 9am-1pm & 2-5pm), which has stained-glass windows by Harry Clarke (see Franciscan Friary, Click here) depicting 12 scenes from the life of Christ.
Activities
Mountain Man Outdoor Shop ( 066-915 2400; www.irishadventures.net; Strand St) is a shopfront for Irish Adventures, which offers all sorts of adventure packages including rock climbing, kayaking (half-day €50) and boat trips to the Blaskets. It also takes bookings for Dingle Horse Riding ( 066-915 2199; Ballinaboola; 1hr €30), which organises mountain treks, beach rides and peninsula tours.
Snorkelling and scuba diving in Dingle Bay and around the Blasket Islands, courses and wreck dives can be arranged at Dingle Marina Diving Centre ( 066-915 2789, 915 2422; www.divingdingle.ie; The Wood). A single-tank boat trip with all gear provided costs €70.
In July and August, Dingle Music School ( 086 319 0438; Dykegate Lane) offers beginners’ workshops in bodhrán and tin whistle (€25; 11am Mon). Bodhráns are supplied.
Festivals & Events
During these events, crowded Dingle gets just plain sick with visitors.
Dingle Races (www.dingleraces.ie) Held every second weekend in August, these races bring crowds from far and wide. The racetrack is 1.6km east of town on the N86.
Dingle Regatta A race in the harbour in traditional Irish currach (or naomhóg) canoes, this is Kerry’s largest such event, held at the end of August.
Sleeping
BUDGET
Rainbow Hostel ( 066-915 1044; www.rainbowhosteldingle.com; campsite per person €9, dm/d €16/40; ) Hardwood and bright-blue sheets abound in this rural, houselike hostel some 1.5km west of Dingle town centre. It’s a good choice when a) the in-town budget places are packed out, and b) you want to wake up to the smell of nature.
Grapevine Hostel ( 066-915 1434; www.grapevinedingle.com; Dykegate Lane; dm €16-18, d €21) Tucked away near the centre of town, this dinky hostel has eight-, four- and two-bed rooms with wooden bunks, private bathrooms (with minimalist sliding doors) and a fire-lit lounge. Book well ahead.
Goat Street Café ( 066-915 2770; www.thegoatstreetcafe.com; Goat St; d from €40) Enjoy one of Dingle’s most delightful restaurants (Click here) and then bed down upstairs. Rooms are simple and breakfast is extra, but the value is superb. It’s at the top of Main St.
Brosnan’s ( 066-915 1146; www.dinglebrosnansaccommodation.com; Cooleen; s/d €40/70; ) Flowery decor spans the rainbow at this friendly, great-value B&B.
MIDRANGE
This tourist town has plenty of midrange B&Bs, many resting on their laurels. There are, however, some first-class places.
Kirrary ( 066-915 1606; Avondale; collinskirrary@eircom.net; s/d from €50/90; ) You’ll get plenty of info and chat from Eileen at this cheerful place. Rooms are a reasonable size and the breakfast has fresh options. Enjoy tea and refreshments in the lovely garden, screened by a