DINGLE FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

The Kerry County Airport, Farranfore, is about 31 miles from Dingle (a one hour drive). It is served by Ryanair and Aer Arann as well as summer charters and has regularly scheduled flights to Dublin, London Stansted, London Luton, Manchester, Lorient and Frankfurt Hahn. If you are flying into Kerry, please note that it is a small regional airport and is not well linked to other public transport services. The train station is 15 minutes walk from the airport with poor service at best, but Bus Éireann provides a public bus service from a terminal outside the airport. Passengers for Dingle should board the bus to Tralee Bus Station where they will change to the 275 service to Dingle. Ideally you will have booked a rental car from the airport in advance. However, Kerry is easily connected to Cork Airport and Shannon Airport nearby.

Cork International Airport is located approximately 100 miles from Dingle and offers a much wider selection of flights into South West Ireland. Allow approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes drive time between Cork and Dingle. It is also possible to get a bus connection or train connection from Cork to Tralee then continue to Dingle by bus. Please note that you will have to get a connecting bus from Cork airport to Cork bus station or train station to pick up your connecting bus or train. Connections are not very frequent so plan in advance.

Shannon International Airport is located approximately 110 miles from Dingle in Shannon, Co. Clare. Allow approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes drive time between Shannon and Dingle. When coming from Clare (or Galway) there is a car ferry across the Shannon estuary between Killimer (Clare) and Tarbert (Kerry) that can save driving time and is a scenic route. It departs hourly year round and every half hour in Summer from both sides. The ferry crosses the mouth of the river Shannon as it enters the Atlantic and dolphins are commonly seen from the ferry.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

There is no train station in Dingle Town. Killarney, Tralee and Kerry County Airport - Farranfore are the nearest train stations to the Dingle Peninsula. Irish Rail trains from Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Galway arrive daily at the Killarney Railway Station, Railway Road, off East Avenue Road and at the Irish Rail Station, John Joe Sheehy Road, Tralee (tel. 066/712-3522).

How do I get from the bus station to my hotel?

Buses from all parts of Ireland arrive daily at the Bus Éireann Depot, John Joe Sheehy Road, Tralee (tel. 066/716-4700). From Tralee, regular bus service continues to Upper Main Street, Dingle. Bus Éireann also provides service from Dingle to other towns on the peninsula, but as a general rule, the smaller and more remote the town, the less frequent its bus service. Some of the smaller villages on the Dingle Peninsula (Corca Dhuibhne) have bus service only one day a week in winter. Dingle Town is so small that you can proceed to your hotel on foot, but you can also contact Dial a Dingle Cab (tel. 087/222-2248) for local taxi or minibus service.

How do I get around the city using public transportation?

Dingle Town has a population of only 1,200 and is, therefore, too small for a local bus service, but don't worry about getting around. The street along the waterfront is Strand Street, with Green Street, John Street and Main Street being the other three main thoroughfares, all of which can be explored on foot in less than an hour. Or you can contact Dial a Dingle Cab (tel. 087/222-2248) for local taxi or minibus service.

Where can I rent a bicycle?

Mountain bikes can be rented at Foxy John's, Main Street, Dingle (tel. 066/915-1316) or Mountain Man Outdoor Shop, Strand Street, Dingle (tel. 066/915-2400). The cost is around €15 per day or €55 per week. The staff at both shops knows the area well and can recommend various day trips. After your ride, enjoy a couple pints at Foxy John's, which is also a pub!

How do I call/hail a taxi?

You can contact Dial a Dingle Cab (tel. 087/222-2248) for local taxi or minibus service.

Note: Not all cabs are equipped to accept credit cards so make sure you ask BEFORE you get in.

I will have a car in Dingle, where can I park?

A car is the ideal way to explore County Kerry, abundant as it is with scenic routes and remote villages. Driving in Ireland might seem a daunting prospect at first, but provided you take appropriate care your trips will be safe and result in enormous pleasure. Unfortunately, road upgrades have not kept up with the increased usage so prepare for peak-hour traffic jams. If you plan to do a lot of exploring, keep in mind that narrow winding roads (as well as flocks of sheep) can often mean that journey times are longer than might be expected from distances calculated from a map. Plan your itinerary in advance to avoid spending excessive amounts of time behind the wheel.

There is a large public parking lot in the center of Dingle Town where parking costs around €1.50 per hour and up. Or you can park at Dingle Pier - just be sure to have €1 and €2 coins handy. We recommend you leave your car in one of these lots unless you're heading out for the Slea Head Drive (part of the Wild Atlantic Way) beginning and ending in Dingle, the Ring of Kerry around the Iveragh Peninsula or Killarney National Park on the Muckross and Kenmare road (N71).

Please Note: There are no fuel stations west of Dingle. Therefore, drivers should ensure that their vehicle has sufficient fuel before beginning a journey such as the Slea Head Drive.

Warning: The Dingle Peninsula is serious Gaeltacht territory, so under Irish rules, all signs - even road hazard signs - are in Gaelic only!

Is Dingle a walking city?

You can explore the narrow, winding streets of tiny Dingle Town in less than an hour. The street along the waterfront is Strand Street, with Green Street, John Street and Main Street being the other three main thoroughfares. Once you've figured those out, you should have no problems, but if you do, the Dingle Tourist Office is on Main Street, Dingle (tel. 066/915-1188). The office is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm from mid-April to October with extended hours during peak summer season.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Ireland is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATM's can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Ireland by clicking here.

What is Irish food like?

Traditionally, Irish food was plain but hearty. However, in one generation Irish cooking has changed beyond all recognition. Warm fare, excellent drinks, and freshness form the base of Irish food. While most think of Ireland as a meat and potatoes country, there's much more to Irish cuisine than that (although the meat and potatoes dishes are excellent). County Kerry is one of Ireland's gourmet destinations, with numerous traditional restaurants scattered across the county, from Killarney to Dingle. On a trip to Ireland, you won't go hungry and you won't have to spend a lot if you check out pubs, local markets, and take-away restaurants.

What is there to do on the Dingle Peninsula?

There are more than two thousand archaeological sites on the Dingle Peninsula including the Kilmalkedar Church and the Gallarus Oratory. Many ancient sites and stunning scenic views can be seen along the Slea Head Drive (SlĂ­ Cheann Sléibhe), a circular route beginning and ending in Dingle Town, and forming part of the larger Wild Atlantic Way. The Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland, and provides the most dramatic way of entering or leaving Dingle. The Dingle Peninsula also has some of the most amazing beaches in Ireland where you can enjoy swimming, windsurfing and diving - maybe you'll even see Fungie, the famous Dingle Dolphin. In addition, you can take the passenger ferry to the remote and wildly beautiful Blasket Islands for some bird watching.

What else is there to do in County Kerry?

County Kerry may be best known for the Ring of Kerry, a 111 mile driving route around the Iveragh Peninsula, but there is much more to see and do. Kerry has a rich history and an abundance of scenic beauty including the Skellig Islands and Killarney National Park, which is comprised of 24,700 acres of absolutely gorgeous lake and mountain scenery and is famous for its' native natural habitats and species. Within the park's limits you will find two estates, Muckross House and Knockreer House. The Gap of Dunloe, stretching through the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range, is a beautiful glacial valley while Ross Castle sits on the edge of Killarney's lower lake. Innisfallen Island, approximately one mile offshore from Ross Castle, is home to the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey.

In addition to its quaint towns and villages, castles and other attractions, you will also find a wide variety of activities like walking routes, forest trails, cycling, fishing, golfing and horseback riding. Whenever you visit Ireland it's wise to come prepared for wet and/or windy conditions, especially along the west coast; and, although beautiful in all seasons, the best time to visit Kerry depends of your preference for sun versus solitude.

What are the best areas for shopping?

There is quality shopping to be found in Dingle Town and in County Kerry overall. The best items to buy are wool sweaters and knitwear, local glassware and Dingle Crystal, Irish linen handkerchiefs and tablecloths, Irish lace, pottery and jewelry. Shopping hours are typically Monday through Saturday, 9am to 6pm, but from May through September or October, most stores are open daily until 9pm or 10pm.