10 things to do in Dingle courtesy of Discover Ireland

Journey along the amazing Dingle Peninsula in Kerry.

Dingle town with its winding streets and vibrant atmosphere is a hub of literary and creative culture. Bustling with people from dawn until dusk, music is the heart of this town with sessions playing well into the evening when the sun goes down.

Taste the fresh seafood that this town is famous for, indulge in traditional music or even take a boat trip out to the iconic Blasket Islands. Here are ten things not to miss when on a visit to Dingle.

1 Learn to speak IrishDingle is Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht town where many speak Irish as their first language. Meet locals in the pub or shops and learn the ‘cúpla focal’ (a couple of words) to take home. If you’d like to go a step further, contact the Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne who offer Irish language learning classes from beginners to advanced learners.

2 Indulge in local food at the Dingle Food FestivalFood lovers flock to Dingle for its Food Festival which takes usually place on the first weekend in October every year. The town comes alive with both visitors and locals as they get to sample foods that they wouldn’t normally get to try.Highlights of this foodie’s delight include cookery demonstrations, over 50 market stalls, wine tastings and workshops.This is but one of the many festivals that are held in this busy town, which also hosts the Dingle Literary Festival, Féile na Bealtaine and the Dingle Maritime Festival.

The Dingle Peninsula Food & Drink Trail

FOOD EXPERIENCESThe Dingle Peninsula Food & Drink Trail

Daingean Uí Chúis (Dingle), Co. Kerry

3 Take a boat tour along Dingle BayEnjoy a boat trip when in picturesque Dingle — the holiday town was home to Fungie the dolphin for 38 years. Book in for a harbour cruise with Dingle Dolphin Tours and spot the local landmarks, sea birds and incredible views of Valentia Island and Carrauntoohill, Ireland’s highest mountain.For more adventures on the water, go stand up paddleboarding with Wild SUP, or get an up-close view of the beautiful landscapes and aquatic creatures of Dingle Harbour, Slea Head and the Blasket Islands with Dingle Sea Safari.

View of the Blasket Islands from a boat tour. — Take in Dingle’s rugged coastal landscape with Dingle Sea Safari.

4 Hop on a horse and go beach trekking

Experience a horse ride that starts in the mountains of the Dingle Peninsula and rises to a panorama stretching as far as the Skelligs. Finish your excursion with an exhilarating gallop across the shoreline. This unforgettable experience with Dingle Horse Riding is sure to get the heart thumping.

Dingle Horse Riding

COASTAL ESCAPESDingle Horse Riding

Daingean Uí Chúis (Dingle), Co. Kerry

5Raise your spirits at Dingle Distillery

A group on a tour in Dingle Distillery, County Kerry — Visit Dingle Distillery in County Kerry

Take a well-deserved sup and a break during your stay on the Wild Atlantic Way with a visit to Dingle Whiskey Distillery. The first purpose-built distillery for a new whiskey in Ireland in over 200 years, its produce is not only delicious but award-winning too. World-class whiskey, vodka and gin can be bought here and if you have time to spare, take one of their tours and learn all about the process behind creating these tantalising drinks.

6 Go back in time on a trip to the Blasket Islands

Two donkeys on the Blasket Islands, Kerry — Take in the breathtaking view of the Blasket Islands

Just off the Dingle Peninsula, the Blasket Islands are at the very edge of Europe. Rich in both history and folklore, these now deserted islands were home to legendary Irish storytellers like Peig Sayers and Tomás Ó Criomhthain. Explore the Blasket Visitor Centre at Dunquin to get a feel for how people once lived, before you head across the water to discover the Great Blasket Island.

7 Be enchanted by underwater lifeEnjoy the wildlife of  Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium where you can come face-to-face with sharks, penguins and exotic fish. At the Touch Tank, visitors can stroke friendly rays and even hold a starfish. Kids and adults will both enjoy this experience as you learn about the wonders of the sea.

Shark swimming at the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium. — Say hello to the sharks at the aquarium.

8 Climb to new heights or take a diveTake out your walking boots and head to nearby Dunshean Head. Climb up on the headland to see the crashing waves and looming sea stacks below. Or if diving is your thing, book in with Waterworld, Ireland’s largest diving and leisure centre. Dive underwater, snorkel and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery off of the wild Atlantic shores.

9 Catch, cook, and eat in Dingle Cookery SchoolExperience the ‘tide to table’ ethos first-hand at Dingle Cookery School. Lasting over three hours, they combine theory with a very hands-on workshop. Using local ingredients like fish and shellfish from the Atlantic, whiskey from the Dingle Whiskey Distillery, as well as lamb, eggs and cheeses, you will create a delicious meal from the land and sea.

Plate of fish at Dingle Cookery School. — Make the most of local ingredients at Dingle Cookery School.

10 Head to a trad sessionWhether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor to Dingle, it’s easy to be captivated by the wealth of musical talent in this lively fishing town. Head to O’Flaherty’s for its regular music sessions, or McCarthy’s Bar, the oldest family-run pub in the town.