Page 72 - Guerin Media | Cork Airport Holiday & Destination Guide 2015

Horse ride in Killarney National Park © Janmiko1
Dingle town has enjoyed a rich and provocative
history. Once planned as a refuge for the French
Monarch Marie Antionette, this pretty seaside town
is a cosmopolitan haven offering good food, and no
end of opportunities to enjoy the fabulous scenery
and rich local culture. An Lab, is one of Ireland’s
only dedicated Irish-language cultural centres
and offers a rich programme of events. The towns’
brightly painted buildings lend it something of a
mediterranean atmosphere. From here hill
walkers can head out from Dingle town to explore
the winsome hills and valleys that make up the
Connor pass. The most common surname in
Ireland, the name Murphy is derived from the Irish,
Murchadh which means “sea warrior”. Dingle in
Kerry is the home of the award winning “Murphy’s
Ice Cream” made from the milk of the rare
Kerry Cow breed. Kerry Cows are said to have been
brought over to Ireland from Central Asia over
2,000 years ago!
The Slea Head Drive
A route of outstanding coastal beauty, please drive
slowly and stop regularly to take in the full range
of this stunning scenery. Reflect on the lives of
those who have made this land their home for
millennia, resilience in the face of
nature - although whipped by the winds and
crashing waves. In stormy weather the Atlantic
becomes a raging beast and the crossing to the
once inhabited Blasket Islands, unpassable. We can
only admire the courage tenacity and strength of
the people who have lived here for generations.
East of the village of Dún Chaoin is an ancient
burial ground for the Spanish who lost their lives
off the Blasket Islands here in 1588. The stunning
countryside here is famous as the setting of the
film Ryans Daughter.
Take yourself to Ionad na Blascaoid - The Blasket
Centre of an afternoon and learn about the lives
of the Islanders. Here you will find a comfortable
restaurant with sea views, a film in your language
about the Island and a detailed exhibition that
gives meticulous insight into life as it was on The
Blaskets. Many books were published by the
islanders - providing an insight into their way of
life, an Island culture and strength of
community now sadly lost to modernity.
Today their stories live on. You can take one of the hearty local fare.
boats across to visit the Islands for a day and walk
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among the ruined houses of this once
bustling Island community. Rounding the head
at the mysterious rocky crags, from here one can
enjoy a bird’s eye view of the stunning West Kerry
scenery from Sibyl head across to the heights of
Brandon’s mountain. As you wind your way down
between the stone walls and green fields where
sheep and cattle graze you can stop in at the
wonderful Tig Áine’s for some homemade scones
and tea. A charming atmosphere with open fires
and spectacular views of the ocean awaits you
here. Áine is also one of Dingle’s artists, her
paintings immortalise the gentle hues of Kerrys
landscape. On a hot day this is the only place west
of Dingle to get some Murphys ice cream!
Stop at the busy studios, shop and cafe of
Mulcahy’s pottery to your left as you head on
towards Bally Ferriter with it’s Museum of
Archaeology, cosy pubs and beaches of golden
sand. A string of festivals are held here each year
from the traditional music of Scoil “Cheoil an
Earraigh to An Féile Beag Filíochta” BallyFerriter is
alive with culture.
On your travels westwards, watch out for signs
for the ecclesiastical heritage sites of the region
including Gallarus Oratory and Kilmalkedar
monastic site. You will pass these as the road winds
down towards the village with of Baile na nGall.
Baile na nGall or Ballydavid, lies further on and it’s
Trá an Fíona or Wine Strand boasts a fabulous view
of the Three Sisters and Sibyl Head beyond. The
sheltered cove at the harbor of Ballydavid is the
perfect place to relax. Families can enjoy the sandy
beach with its many rock pools and you can sit out
to take the sunshine and enjoy some of the local
food in full confidence that your children are in
your sights. A walk along the cliffs from this point,
in full view of the Atlantic from the lofty cliffs, will
take you around to the next cove of Feothanach
a perfect beach for seaweed and mussel foraging.
The cliff walk continues here to bring you to the
Napoleonic tower that sits on the adjacent head-
land- a remnant of another age.
Driving on around the Slea head drive, you will take
in the shop and church at Bóthar Buí and further
on the road opens onto a dramatic cliff view where
there are two well appointed restaurants serving