Travel to Ireland

Day 9 Dingle peninsula (156 Km.)

(in 41 Km.) Brandon Point: We begin our tour of the north coast. The intention was to make the first stop at Cappagh beach, but it is raining and we decided to continue to Brandon Point. It is a viewpoint, located at the foot of Mount Brandon, which offers fantastic views over the sandy Brandon Bay to the east and over the cliffs to the west. Due to the fog, we could barely see the landscape.

(in 15 Km.) Conor Pass: This 456-metre (1,496 ft) high pass connects Brandon Bay, in the north-east, with Dingle, on the south-western end of the Dingle Peninsula. A twisty one-lane asphalted road leads to the pass. The drive, inadvisable in bad weather, is considered one of the most beautiful in Ireland. The scenic road leading to the pass weaves its way around the sharp cliff faces and past high corrie lakes. Vehicles over two tonnes in weight are prohibited from using the road in order to avoid difficulties in passing. Arriving at the top, where there is a viewpoint, we can see a waterfall.

(in 20 Km.) Dunbeg Fort: Dunbeg Fort (Irish: An Dún Beag) is a promontory fort built in the Iron Age. The cliffs have eroded since it was built, and much of the fort has been lost to the sea.The fort's wall cut off access to the triangular promontory, which was later occupied by a single large "beehive" hut. Near to the fort there is a group of clocháns, small stone structures also known as beehive huts that seem to have been built around 1000 BC. For us this visit was a waste of time and money because the fences don't allow you to see well this site.

(in 4 Km.) Slea Head: Slea Head is a promontory in the west part of the Dingle Peninsula, where we find a large white crucifix. There are small viewpoints on the road, offering spectacular views of the Blasket Islands. Along the Slea Head Drive the landscape is dotted with huts made of stone, known as "clocháns" that archeologists speculate that were built in the Bronze Age and that technique was continued until the year 1200 BC, approximately. The collection of beehive houses at Fahan is said to be the most remarkable in Ireland. The date of the Fahan clochán is uncertain, since stone huts with this design have been built from Neolithic times to the twentieth century.

(in 2 Km.) Dunmore Head: Dunmore Head is a promontory in the westernmost part of the Dingle Peninsula, the westernmost point of mainland Ireland and one of the westernmost points of Europe. The headland, together with parts of Mount Eagle's northern slopes is formed from steeply dipping beds of the cross-bedded sandstones of the Eask Sandstone Formation, dating from the Devonian period and traditionally referred to as the Old Red Sandstone. There is a parking lot near Coumeenoole beach, where we find people surfing.

(in 2 Km.) Dunquin: Before entering to this town, we made a stop at the Dunquin Harbor (Dún Chaoin pier). In addition to being one of the points from which the boats depart to visit the Blasket islands, it offers a postcard view: From the hill just above the port, you can see at your feet the access road to the pier, the natural rocks that make the port breakwater and the Blasket Islands in the background. A museum in the village tells the story of the Blaskets and the lives of the people who lived there. We take the opportunity to eat at the museum's restaurant, which offers fabulous views of the islands.

(in 10 Km.) Riasc: We deviate from the main tourist route, just one kilometer, to visit the monastic site of Riasc. Although nothing remains of the buildings but low walls and a cross-slab standing stone 1.64 metres in height which sits in the middle of the compound, this site gives a very good idea of the layout of a small monastery of the Early Medieval period.

(in 4 Km.) Gallarus Oratory: The Gallarus Oratory is the best preserved Paleochristian church in Ireland. The foundation of the church is between the sixth and ninth centuries although there are theories that indicate that its construction can date from the twelfth century. The construction was done by superimposing the stones without mortar, one on top of the other, using a technique similar to that of the Neolithic tombs and inclined towards the outside for a better evacuation of the water. The shape of the construction resembles the keel of an inverted ship.

(in 4 Km.) Kilmalkedar: The church resembles Cormac's Chapel on the Rock of Cashel (built 1127–1134). Its nave is 8.28 m × 9.4 m with antae and steep gables. The chancel is 5.72 m × 5.1 m. The doorway is a notable Hiberno-Romanesque piece. A hole in the east wall of the chancel is called "the eye of the needle"; if one can fit through it, one is certain to go to heaven. Pre-Romanesque remains include a corbelled building, perhaps a monastic cell; an alphabet stone; an Ogham stone; a sundial; a stone cross; and some bullauns.

(in 54 Km.) Blennerville: Without time to visit the Inch beach, we return to our accommodation.