AN INCREDIBLE DAY IN DINGLE- COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND

An Incredible Day In Dingle- County Kerry, Ireland

First described to me by a friend as “the essence of Ireland,” when we drove into Dingle by way of the narrow Connor Pass (on the left side of the road, of course), it was obvious why. With miles of some of the greenest countryside we had ever before seen and the hills with their cliffs dropping off into the Atlantic Ocean, the scenery was nothing short of amazing.

The town of Dingle, itself, is full of cheerful people, both native and those visiting, and every shop, restaurant or home that we passed was vibrant with color and charm. We had an excellent lunch at The Boat Yard, stopped at Kool Scoops for some homemade ice cream (I swear I got a buzz off of the rum raisin, which was delicious) and spent some time in the cozy Dingle Bookshop. In Dingle, live music can be found everywhere, but the place we were most amused to see it advertised was at Foxy John’s– a hardware store that moonlights as a pub.

Just outside of the town’s center is Slea Head Drive, a circular route forming part of the Wild Atlantic Way, that begins and ends in Dingle. Slea Head may have just been the highlight of our entire Ireland trip with endless breathtaking views at every turn.

Basically everything you’ve ever heard about the gorgeous Irish countryside can be seen along this drive. We pulled over at a couple of different observation areas and ended up climbing a hill which took us to an unbelievable vantage point overlooking the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by miles of nothing but green.

Another favorite stop for us was Inch Beach, a mystical, other-wordly area where sand meets sea. While we were there, the skies were foggy and grey, but the sun shined down brightly over the green hills in the distance. The contrast was amazing. The kids befriended a friendly Australian Shepherd who followed them all along the beach and we gathered a collection of shells and seaglass to take home with us. We all just kept repeating how cool it was.

Dingle is a special place that anybody with an interest in Ireland should see. Its landscape alone is worth the trip, but its culture and charisma make it that much more delightful, as well as a place that visitors return to, time and time again… And while you’re there, be sure to keep an eye out on the water for Fungi, the lovable Dingle dolphin. He’s sure to brighten up anybody’s day!

A traveler since childhood, Juliana Fraioli Wilson has always had a love for exploring. She is a published writer and an accomplished business owner with a background in music and art. Join Juliana, her husband Ryan, and their two kids in Wanderland! Follow along as they share tips, tricks, recipes and reviews from some of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world.