|
42. A circular Slea Head Drive
from Dingle to Dingle!, Dingle
Peninsula, Co. Kerry
The photographs plot the drive in
a clockwise direction including a lovely walk on Dunmore Head
- amazing views of the Blasket Islands[Author
&
photographer
©
Dr Phil Brown PhD
+ help from AI,
page re-edit April 20th 2026]
SCENES
from IRELAND
*
*
Starting from Dingle Town and Harbour take
the westerly R559 road to Ventry Bay (more
Ventry
Bay pictures or more Dingle pictures).
Slea Head Drive (Slí Cheann Sléibhe) is one of
the most spectacular coastal routes in Ireland — a 38 km loop around the
western tip of the Dingle Peninsula, beginning and ending in Dingle
town. It combines Atlantic cliffs, Gaeltacht
villages, prehistoric sites, film
locations, and panoramic views of the Blasket Islands.
Below is a structured, comprehensive guide to every major stop,
synthesised from the most authoritative and up‑to‑date sources.
⭐ Quick Overview
- Length: 38
km / 24 miles
- Start/End:
Dingle town
- Recommended direction:
Clockwise (safer, avoids meeting tour buses
head‑on, better pull‑ins)
- Minimum time:
3.5–4 hours with stops (half‑day ideal)
- Route type:
Circular, part of the Wild Atlantic
Way
The Full Route: Every Major Stop & What to See
Below is the definitive stop‑by‑stop guide,
integrating all major viewpoints, heritage sites, and natural landmarks.
1. Dingle Town – Starting Point
A lively harbour town with:
- Colourful streets, pubs, craft shops
- Dingle Distillery
- Boat tours and marine wildlife
- Traditional music
It’s the natural base for the loop.
2. Ventry / Ceann Trá – Blue Flag Beach
A long, curved, sheltered strand ideal for:
- Swimming
- Walking
- Water sports
The village marks the beginning of the Gaeltacht
section.
3. Dunbeg Fort (Dún Beag)
A dramatic cliff‑edge promontory fort,
dating to the Iron Age.
- Perched above the Atlantic
- Exhibits and visitor centre
- One of the peninsula’s most important
archaeological sites
4. Fahan Beehive Huts (Clocháin)
A cluster of early medieval stone huts, possibly
monastic or domestic.
- Over 1,000 years old
- Dry‑stone corbelled construction
- Atmospheric and photogenic
5. Sheer Cliff Road & Atlantic Views
This stretch is iconic:
- Narrow cliff‑hugging road
- Pull‑ins for views of the Atlantic
- Skellig Michael visible on clear days
6. Slea Head Viewpoint (Crucifix Scene)
One of the most famous viewpoints in Ireland.
- Stone crucifixion scene
- Sweeping views of the Blasket Islands
- Wild Atlantic panorama
7. Coumeenoole Beach
A dramatic, windswept beach used in Ryan’s
Daughter.
- Powerful waves
- Cliffs and sea stacks
- Not safe for swimming, but stunning for
photography
8. Dunmore Head – Westernmost Point of Mainland Ireland
A short walk leads to:
- The westernmost point of the Irish mainland
- Star Wars filming locations
- Views of the Blaskets
9. Dunquin / Dún Chaoin Pier
One of the most photographed piers in the world.
- Steep zig‑zag path
- Ferry departure point for Great Blasket Island
- Dramatic cliffs
10. The Great Blasket Island Centre
A major interpretive centre telling the story of:
- Island life
- Blasket literature
- Evacuation of 1953
- Ecology and culture
Includes a spectacular viewing platform.
11. Ceann Sibéal (Star Wars Viewpoint)
A viewpoint overlooking the headland used for
Luke Skywalker’s Jedi village set in The Last Jedi.
- Rugged cliffs
- Atlantic views
12. Clogher Head & Clogher Strand
A wild, wave‑lashed bay with:
- Huge Atlantic swells
- Views toward Inis Tuaisceart (The Sleeping Giant)
- Nearby: Louis Mulcahy Pottery
13. Ballyferriter Village
A Gaeltacht village with:
- Pubs
- Museum (Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne)
- Shops and cafés
A cultural hub of West Kerry.
14. Reask Monastic Settlement
Early Christian site with:
- Stone cross‑slabs
- Monastic enclosure
- 6th–8th century remains
15. Gallarus Oratory
One of Ireland’s best‑preserved early Christian
buildings.
- Perfect dry‑stone construction
- Over 1,000 years old
- Completely waterproof
16. Kilmalkedar Church & Medieval Complex
A rich archaeological site including:
- 12th‑century Romanesque church
- Ogham stone
- Sundial
- Crosses and grave markers
17. Return to Dingle
The loop completes back in Dingle, where you can:
- Enjoy seafood
- Visit pubs
- Explore shops
- Walk the harbour
Best Time of Day
- Morning or late afternoon
for the best light on cliffs and islands
- Midday is busiest in summer
Driving Tips
- Drive clockwise to avoid buses
and get better views
- Roads are narrow — use pull‑ins only
- Follow local road signs, not sat
nav
- Allow plenty of time to stop and explore
The lovely beach at Ventry Bay with its
scenic backdrop of hill and mountain scenery.
TOP OF PAGE
Continuing westwards passed wonderful
hedgerows of monbretia.
Looking back down to Ventry Bay.
Further along the coast are the Fahan
prehistoric beehive huts. (more pictures)
TOP OF PAGE
The coastline between Fahan and Slea Head,
looking east towards Dingle.
TOP OF PAGE
TOP OF PAGE
Dunmore Head - a great short scenic walk can be done.
Dunmore Head
The beach by Dunmore Head, just down off the Slea Head coast road.
TOP OF PAGE
Slea Head - looking east.
The Dunmore Head walk starts from near the picnic area.
|
 |
 |
|
 |
Tig Slea Head
Cafe, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, South-West Ireland has a commanding view of Slea Head (above) and the
Blasket Islands (left) on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry
Ireland. The circular tour of this beautiful and spectacular part of the
west coast of Ireland is very
popular and its the only tearoom for miles! |
TOP OF PAGE
The Slea Head road heads towards the Blasket Islands
Dunmore Head from the Slea Head road
View north along the coast from Dunmore Head
Looking back from Dunmore Head
Start of Dunmore Head walk
A great view of Great Blasket Island from Dunmore Head
WWII aircraft observation station ? and a turf wall,
perhaps from an iron age fort that a farmer ploughed out on Dunmore Head
Prehistoric standing stone on Dunmore Head
Fantastic view of the Blasket Islands from the tip of
Dunmore Head, its a very safe walk/
Looking out to the Blasket Islands from
near Slea
Head.
The coast beyond Slea Head
The coast near Dunquin, looking out to the
Blasket Islands (more on Dunquin on page 41).
The coast near Dunquin, looking out to the
Blasket Islands (more on Dunquin on page 41).
TOP OF PAGE
Views from the road near Clogher Head
Call in at the little beach at Clogher, take
care, do NOT swim, dangerous waves and currents.
TOP OF PAGE
Mount Brandon mountain range and Ballydavid
Head, viewed from
Ballyferriter ....
.... which has plenty of pubs, several cafe's
and a museum.
Beyond Ballyferriter on the R599 road there
are two historic early Christian monastic site at Reask/Riasc (above) and the very
famous Gallarus Oratory (below) (more on these
sites on page 45).
Eventually you look down on Dingle Harbour
....
... and back to Dingle Town for an evening meal and
traditional music.
TOP OF PAGE
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