Ireland is famous for its scenery, but also for its sometimes gloomy weather… However, even incessant rain cannot spoil the beauty of the Irish countryside. In the west of Ireland there are three main peninsulas: the Dingle Peninsula, the Iveragh Peninsula with the famous Ring of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula. Each has its own special features and just as many reasons to visit. These peninsulas are some of the most beautiful places in Ireland.
It is possible to visit each of these destinations in a day by hiring a car or on an organised tour. It is also nice to extend your stay and spend several days in each of these places, especially if you choose to cycle or walk, a popular option despite the rain, wind and mountains.
If clouds and mist obscure the view during your journey, wait a few moments as the clouds can disappear as quickly as they appear, revealing sublime landscapes. If you are lucky, you may even see the clouds being carried away by the wind at high speed—a truly impressive sight!
Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula The Dingle Peninsula is the northernmost of the three and its tip, Slea Head, is the westernmost point of Ireland. It is named after the charming and colourful village of the same name, where there are several pubs where you can spend a pleasant evening. The town is also famous for its dolphin “Fungie” who has made it his home since 1984. You can take an organised boat trip to see him up close!
This sparsely populated peninsula is covered in mountains. It is home to the second highest peak in the country after Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. Some of the region’s inhabitants are fluent in Irish, Ireland’s first official language, although it has been superseded by English in most parts of the country. You will also notice that the names of the villages are quite difficult to pronounce: Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Baile na nGall, Ceann Trá, Dún Chaoin…
It is the scenery and the beaches that have made the peninsula so popular with tourists, especially the beaches of Coomeenoole and Inch Beach, where you can meet surfers. It is the region par excellence for discovering the Irish countryside, but you will also enjoy your visit if you are interested in history, ruins and archaeology.
The Ring of Kerry: the scenic route
Before embarking on the spectacular Ring of Kerry road, be sure to check with a nearby tourist office as the roads are so narrow in high season that traffic can only flow in one direction. In addition, pedestrians and cyclists are invited to use the Kerry Way, a 215 kilometre circuit reserved for them.
On the Ring of Kerry there are several places to visit, including Ladies View, a lookout point a few kilometres from Killarney. From here you can admire the valley and Upper Lake, which are part of Killarney National Park. The somewhat surprising name “Ladies View” dates back to 1861 when Queen Victoria, on her way to Muckross House, asked the coach to stop so she could admire the view with her ladies-in-waiting. When you visit this extraordinary place, you will easily understand the Queen’s request as it is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland! So make sure you have plenty of time to explore this stop, but also this exceptional National Park, which includes several other natural and historic gems.
By the way, don’t miss the Leprechaun Crossing sign, which will make you smile.
There are two other villages on the Ring of Kerry worth a stop. In Waterville, discover the beaches and the village that Charlie Chaplin visited in 1959 and the years that followed. Since then a statue of him has been erected in the village square. It is also the perfect place for a game of golf. Then head to Sneem where you can walk over two historic bridges and enjoy the peace and charm of the village.
The Beara Peninsula
Probably the least known and least touristy of the three, the Beara Peninsula is the southernmost and is close to Cork, an absolutely charming city full of culture.
It includes a road of just over 150 kilometres called the Beara Ring, which allows you to visit Kenmare, Healy Pass, Castletownbere, Allihies, Eyeries and Ardgroom and Glengarriff before returning to Kenmare, the starting point. A perfect one day ride. This is a region rich in maritime history with several fishing ports still in use today.
The Beara Way is a 200 kilometre circuit for experienced walkers who can enjoy several archaeological wonders and magnificent scenery. The walk usually takes nine days to complete, so it is recommended that you are in good physical condition.
