When I went to Ireland a few years ago, I spent a really long time trying to plan the perfect trip and the one thing I kept getting hung up on was the Ring of Kerry vs. the Ring of Dingle. We didn’t have time to do both, so we had to pick one. I ended up choosing the Ring of Dingle (aka Slea Head Drive).

I am incredibly happy I did the Ring of Dingle for a few reasons:

1. Dingle is AWESOME.
Dingle is a small coastal town on the southwestern side of Ireland. There are only around 1,965 people residing in the village. They are the last village in Ireland to still speak only Gaelic, although most residents also speak English.

2. The Ring of Dingle is less populated than the Ring of Kerry.
There are considerably less people driving the Ring of Dingle because you must either drive to get there, or take a day trip via a tour company. No public buses come this far out.

3. It’s a Shorter Trip.
The Ring of Dingle is 30 miles around vs the 111 miles around the Ring of Kerry. We ended up driving the Ring of Dingle in less than a day, but there is also the option for adventure travelers to bike the entire Ring of Dingle. If doing this, make sure to get a good start in the morning.

4. History and Little Villages.
There are Fahan Beehive Huts, igloo-shaped stone homes of monks who fled the chaos of Europe during the Dark Ages. You can see the Blasket Islands off the Slea Head Drive, along with beautiful views of Tralee Bay. And there are lots of little villages to drive through. Having lunch at one of these and just hearing the locals speaking only Gaelic is awesome.

If you go to the Ring of Dingle:

Stay: Greenmont Bed and Breakfast- Very welcoming, great breakfast. Located up on the hill from Dingle. Short walk from town.

Eat: Out of the Blue – Amazing Seafood. Only open if they get fish that day.

Drink: Foxy Johns – Half Irish Pub, Half Hardware Store

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Amy, Hashtag 59 Co-Founder