The

Dingle Way

Dingle-Dunquin-Feohanagh-Kreeks Redge

&

Aran Island3-10 settembre 2010

Dingle (town)

Dingle was once notorious for being the location for the country's bouyant smuggling trade, it also served as a base for trading with Spain and France. These days though, people flock to Dingle for its vibrant social scene; tradi-tional Irish music, dancing and a vast array of restaurants, many of which spe-cialise in seafood for which the town is famous.

This compact town makes a great rest day for browsing through numerous craft shops and enjoying the lively ambiance in general.

Dingle's most famous resident is a dolphin named "Fungi" who lives by himself in Dingle Bay. He has spent over 15 years enjoying the surrounds of Dingle and is responsible for a huge proportion of the tourist revenue that comes into the area. Regular boat trips depart from the pier with some offering money back to the customers that don't get to meet Fungi.

Accommodation Options:

Alpine House Guest House

Archway Lodge Bed and Breakfast

O'Flahertys Bed and Breakfast

Rainbow Hostel

Travel:

Bus Éireann : No 275. Dingle - Tralee

Bus Éireann : No 276. Dingle - Dunquin (Mon & Thurs)

Bus Éireann : No 277. Dingle - Ballydavid (Tues & Fri)

Bus Éireann : No 281. Dingle - Inch - Killarney (Summer)

Bus Éireann : No 286. Dingle - Tralee - Killarney

Taxi : Diarmuid & Dolores Begley (087) 250 4767

DINGLE: Rainbow Hostel Details

Emma RiordanAddress: Milltown, Dingle. County Kerry.Tel: +353 (066) 915 1044Website: www.rainbowhosteldingle.comEmail: info@rainbowhosteldingle.com

Price Per PersonPrivate Twin Room: €20.00 per personPrivate Double Room: €20.00 per person3, 4, 6 & 8-Bed Dorms: €16.00 per person

MealsEvening Meal Available in Dingle

Location on MapOS Map Grid Reference: Q 4340 0155Distance from Dingle Way: 0.3 kmDistance from Dingle: 1.2 km

Services OfferedFree Guest Collection from Dingle WayFree Guest Transport to DingleLaundry Service AvailableFree Scheduled Shuttle-Bus to/from Dingle

Facilities AvailableDrying Room for Wet Gear and BootsInternet AccessCamping Permitted : €9 per person (Access to All Facilities)Fully-Equipped Self-Catering Kitchen

Open All Year

Dingle to Dunquin

Distance: 20km | Ascent: 370m | Time: 7hrsTravelling west from Dingle along the harbour, the Dingle Way crosses the bridge over the Milltown River. The trail accompanies the main road for a further kilometre before taking a side road which leads through an area of low-lying farmland.After around 3km on this road, there is a change to the trail that differs from the Ordnance Survey maps. The map shows a direct approach to Ventry, whereas the signage for the Dingle Way points to the north, joining the "Pilgrims' Route" for around 300m before turning off the road for 1.5km across country in a north-westerly direction. After passing over a saddle at Mám an Óraigh, the trail descends to meet a minor road which approaches Ventry from the north.The Dingle Way takes a pleasant change of scenery as it crosses a beach for the first time. The trail draws a long arc across the sands of Ventry Harbour. This is an excellent opportunity to give some relief to sore feet by bathing them in the beautifully clean waters. Several small rivers feed into the sea along the strand and are crossed by bridge. This sandy section lasts for around 2.5km before coming back to firmer terrain.After following some intertwining minor roads and tracks for 2km the Dingle Way then meets the main Slea Head Road. Again, the markings that are on the

Dunquin (village)

Dunquin shares close ties with the once-inhabited Blasket Islands as it was the nearest point on the mainland from which supplies were sent over to the islands. The Blaskets also fell in under the same parish as Dunquin which is why the village is referred to as the "next parish to America".

The poignant story of the Blasket Islanders can be seen in the Blascaod Centre in Dunquin. The fascinating history became well-documented after several scholars visited the island in the early 20th century to learn of their folklore. They inspired the Islanders to write their own stories and authors such as Tomás Ó'Criomhthain, Muiris Ó'Suilleabháin and Peig Sayers gained world recognition for their work. The Christmas of 1953 saw the last of the Is-landers leave the Blaskets.

The Blasket Islands Ferry leaves from Dunquins pier. Don't be surprised if there is no sailing to the island however as the conditions have to be fairly good in order for the boat to moor on the other side.

Accommodation Options:

An Portán Guesthouse

Dún Chaoin Hostel

Slea Head Farm Bed and Breakfast

Ordnance Survey maps here are to be ignored as there are currently access problems to Cill Mhic an Domhnaigh. Walkers must take the detour along the road for a little over a kilometre.Extreme caution must be taken when walking along this section of the road as it is quite a popular scenic drive and there are no banks on either side to climb and allow room for passing traffic. It is vitally important to walk in single-file to allow the most amount of space for oncoming cars. Always walk on the outer side of a bend in the road to allow drivers greater time to see you. After this long bend in the road, a lane to the right will lead back up to the Dingle Way as it is shown on the map.The next 7km of the Dingle Way pass spectacular scenery on all sides as the trail skirts the base of Mount Eagle. At 160m above sea-level, the view over the Atlantic gradually starts to include the Blasket Islands as the trail rounds Slea Head. A curious feature that distracts from the view to the sea is the remnants of clochains - more commonly known as beehive huts. The mountainside is littered with them in various stages of ruin.The last part of this stage of the Dingle Way finds the trail back on the main road for 3km before descending towards a picturesque pier that has become an true icon of Ireland through its depiction on numerous postcards. The next turn to the right leads to the nucleus of Dunquin. The continuation of trail ahead leads to the heritage centre, where the full poignant story of the Blasket Islands can be heard. An extra day and some luck with the weather will allow for a ferry ride out to the Blaskets and several hours to contemplate the hardships of island life.

Dún Chaoin Hostel DetailsManager: Carmel Brick

Dún Chaoin Hostel is part of the An Óige Group

Address: Dunquin. County Kerry.

Tel: +353 (066) 7127 610

Fax: +353 (066) 7120 332

Website: www.anoige.ie

Email: mailbox@anoige.ie

Price Per Person

Private Twin Room: €17.00 - €19.00 per person

3, 4, 6, 8 & 10-Bed Dorms: €14.50 - €17.50 per person

Location on Map

OS Map Grid Reference: Q 3170 0115

Distance from Dingle Way: 0.0 km

Distance from Dunquin: 0.6 km

Services Offered

Laundry Service Available

Facilities Available

Drying Room for Wet Gear and Boots

Payment Options

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard

Debit Cards:  Laser Card

Open from 1st February to 30th November

Travel:

Bus Éireann : No 276. Dunquin - Dingle

Blasket Islands Ferry : Dunquin Harbour (066) 915 4864

DUNQUIN to FEOHANAGH

Distance: 22km | Ascent: 100m | Time: 7hrsThe road leading out of Dunquin provides a brisk uphill walk. Heading due north the Dingle Way soon turns into a gravel path and then rounds the shoulder of An Ghráig at 120m above sea-level. The route then descends and joins back up with the main road.

It comes as a surprise in such a quiet surrounding that the road should

Distance from Dingle Way: 1.5 km. Ballyferriter is another of the coastal communities on the Dingle Way. Its waters are sheltered by a range of cliffs more affectionately known as the "Three Sisters". The most northerly of these sisters is Binn Diarmada and it was this landmark to be the first part of Europe to greet Lindbergh as he flew the first trans-Atlantic flight in the "Spirit of Saint Louise" back in 1927. He touched down in Paris sucessfully afterwards.Accompanying the Three Sisters is Sybil Head and at the foot of this "Ferriters Castle" can be found. Previous owner Pearse Ferriter was the Kerry commander to submit to the Cromwellians and was hanged in Killarney in 1653.Ballyferriter has a heritage centre that provides a welcome break from walking the Dingle Way. It has exhibits on the local history of the area. Other amenities that the village has to offer include two shops, a post office, restaurant and several pubs. It is also worth noting the this is the largest of the villages left on this side of Brandon Mountain and its advisable to stock up on some of the more difficult to secure items.

Accommodation Options:

Tig Bhric Inn Hotel Óstán Ceann Sibéal

Travel:Bus Éireann : No 276. Dingle - Ballyferriter - Dunquin ]

suddenly come across a large pottery studio/outlet. The work of Louis Mulcahy is renowned in Ireland and a browse around the store provides a welcome break from the trail.

After heading across grasslands and passing the small picturesque Clogher Beach, the Dingle Way skirts some cliffs where the full force of the Atlantic can be felt as waves come crashing in below. Arriving back on tarmac and proceeding in a north-easterly direction, the trail soon comes to a T-junction where there has been a change recently. Ordnance Survey publications show the Dingle Way taking a left turn pointing in the direction of Ferriters Cove where the revised trail should now take a right followed by an immediate left and travelling up the east side of the golf course instead of the west.

Crossing the face of Smerwick Harbour, the Dingle Way treads nearly six kilometers of beach and bypasses Ballyferriter before finally reaching Murreagh and Ballydavid. Those wishing to take an earlier break at Ballyferriter should take the higher line along the sand dunes to spot the second turn-off for

the town.

The Dingle Way takes in a larger section of cliff-walk once it passes Ballydavid, 3 kilometers in total before it starts to head back inland, rejoining the road at Glashabeg. Once having passed through the area of Feohanagh, the Brandon Mountain now dominates the next section of the Dingle Way as the cliffs of Ballydavid Head rise up above the road to the north-west and block the view of the sea. The quiet country road gradually weaves its way to the foot of the looming mountain.

Feohanagh & Cuas (2 hamlets)At the north-west tip of the Dingle Peninsula, small townlands start to merge with one another. Feohanagh and Cuas are two of these that have small dis-persed communities. There is very little in the way of public facilities with just two pubs that are several kilometres apart.

Brandon Creek can be found near Cuas and is reputed to be the place from where Saint Brendan set sail across the Atlantic Ocean to discover North Amer-ica in the 6th Century. This journey was simulated in 1976 by Tim Severin when he also set sail from Brandon Creek in a similar leather skinned vessel to prove that the feat was possible. He completed his sailing to land in Newfoundland.

Looming over the communities of both Feohanagh and Cuas is Mount Brandon. The Dingle Way traverses the saddle between it and Masatiompan.

Accommodation Options:

An Bóthar Guesthouse and Pub

Coill an Róis Bed and Breakfast

Coill an Róis DetailsJimmy Bruic

Address: Ballyganeen, Feohanagh. County Kerry.

Tel: +353 (066) 915 5475

Mob: +353 (086)314 7459

Website: www.dinglebb.com

Email: coillanrois@eircom.net

Price Per Person

Single Ensuite: €45.00 - €55.00

Twin Ensuite: €35.00 - €40.00 pps

Double Ensuite: €35.00 - €40.00 pps

50% Discount for Children Under 12 sharing room with Adult

Bedroom Details

Ensuite Bathroom

Electric Shower

Television

Hair Dryer

Meals

Breakfast Included in Price

Packed Lunch Available

Evening Meal: €35.00

Location on Map

OS Map Grid Reference: Q 4075 0970

Distance from Dingle Way: 0.0 km

Distance from Feohanagh: 1.4 km

Services Offered

Luggage Transfer to Next Accommodation

Facilities Available

Tumble Dryer Available for Wet Gear

Recommendations and Awards

Fáilte Ireland Approved

Merits in Irish Welcome Awards 2003 - 2005

Open from 1st May to 30th September

An Ríasc Guesthouse

Travel:

Bus Éireann : No 277. Dingle - Feohanagh - Ballydavid

Feohanagh to CloghaneDistance: 21km | Ascent: 650m | Time: 7hrsWARNING! The following stage of the Dingle Way sees it reaching its highest point. If weather conditions are poor and visibility is bad then serious consider-ation should be given to finding an alternative method of transport to reach Cloghane. To the west of the trail on the way up Brandon, there is a 450-metre drop into the sea!

Leaving Feohanagh the Dingle Way soon comes off surfaced road and takes to an old green road that leads the trail in a north-easterly direction aiming for Cnoc na mBristi. The long stiff climb to the shoulder of Brandon Mountain sees the trail round the saddle between Masatiompan and Piaras Mór. The ancient marker ogham stone with an inscribed cross can be found here.

The descent from this mountain can be extremely dangerous after heavy rain as the slope is quite steep and the terrain boggy underfoot. The use of walking sticks is well-advised for this section. A stretch of around 2km sees a gravel path greet the trail. This continues downward on a more gradual gradient as it weaves its way down into the valley for a further 4km before meeting up with a wider road section.

After the physical challenge of Brandon Mountain one is enticed to take a short cut on the Dingle Way by cutting out an additional 4km loop that takes in Brandon Village. To do this would be missing out on one of the most tranquil settings in Ireland. The community enjoys its status at the end of the road that runs across the north of the peninsula. With two beautifully sited pubs over-looking Braondon Bay, this makes a great stop-off point.

The final stage of this section sees the Dingle Way leaving the pier at Brandon and heading south-west across lanes for just over 6km before finally making it to Cloghane Village.

Accommodation Options:

Mount Brandon Lodge Bed and Breakfast | Cloghane

Mount Brandon Hostel | Cloghane

O'Connors Guest House & Pub | Cloghane

Mount Brandon Hostel DetailsIngo Lockingen

Address: Cloghane. County Kerry.

Tel: +353 (066) 713 8299

Website: www.mountbrandonhostel.com

Email: mountbrandonhostel@eircom.net

Price Per Person

Private Twin Room: €24.00 per person

Private Double Room: €24.00 per person

3, 4 & 6-Bed Dorms: €19.00 per person

Bedroom Details

Ensuite Bathroom

Location on Map

OS Map Grid Reference: Q 5100 1150

Distance from Dingle Way: 0.0 km

Distance from Cloghane: 0.0 km

Services Offered

Luggage Transfer to Next Accommodation

Facilities Available

Camping Permitted: €9 per Person. Use of all Hostel Facilities.

Laundry Facilities

Payment Options

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard

Debit Cards:  Laser Card

Recommendations and Awards

Fáilte Ireland Approved

Open All Year

Cloghane (village)

Distance from Dingle Way: 0.0 km

Overlooking the Owenmore Estuary, Cloghane is another picturesque rural vil-lage with many stone houses. The area has recently won the prestigious 'Beatha Environmental Award' as an acknowledgement to the sustainable way in conducts its lifestyle.

There are several traditional pubs in the area which serve fine food with also the specialty of locally caught seafood. There are often music sessions to be found in most of the local pubs at night.

When booking accommodation, it is important to take into consideration that the Festival of Lughnasa takes place in the village during the last weekend in July. There is also the popular Brandon Regatta that is held on the last Sunday

in August. If you are passing through the area during either of these two peri-ods make sure to have secured your accommodation well in advance!

Accommodation Options:

Mount Brandon Hostel

Mount Brandon Lodge Bed and Breakfast

O'Connors Guest House & Pub

Travel:

Bus Éireann : No 273. Cloghane - Tralee

Taxi : Tom O'Connor (066) 713 8140 / (087) 291 7835

Shuttlebus : Cloghane to Brandon (087) 795 8022