Day 11 (Kerry) – Beaches, the Slea Head Drive and some of the best pubs in Ireland
Day 11 is a little bit more relaxed than day 10.
We’re going to make our way from Cahersiveen up along the coast towards Dingle (with several stop-offs on the way), before tipping on to conquer the Slea Head Drive.
Get a bit of a lie in and get on the road for 10:00.
1 – The long aul drive to Dingle
// Cahersiveen to Dingle – 1 hour and 30-minute drive (aim to arrive for 13:00 with stops) //
We’ve a decent drive to get us to Dingle, but we’ll be breaking it up with a couple of stops.
Stop 1: Rossbeigh Beach
Photo by S. Mueller (Shutterstock)
Our first stop, Rossbeigh Strand, is around a 30-minute drive from Cahersiveen, so you’ll escape the car before cabin fever starts to sink in.
If you fancy doing a hike that’ll treat you to a spectacular view out over Rossbeigh, check out our 48 hours in Kerry guide.
Stop 2: Coffee and a stroll on Inch Beach
// Rossbeigh to Inch – 51-minute drive //
Our next stop takes us to Inch Beach.
We’re going to hop out here and grab a cup of coffee while the waves crash away in the distance.
If you visit here at lunch time, get the burger – it’s one of the best that I’ve eaten in years!
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
2 – The Slea Head Drive
// This Drive takes roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes – we’re going to allow for 5 hours. Start the drive at 14:00) //
Slea Head: Via Tourism Ireland
Resist the temptation to stop in Dingle – there’s plenty of time to check it out later in the evening.
We’re going to kick off The Slea Head Drive while the day is still young.
The Slea Head Drive is a circular route that starts and finishes in Dingle.
My only piece of advice for this drive is to stop and wander wherever and whenever the feeling takes you.
By Chris Hill
The best part of this chunk of our Ireland road trip isn’t the many different ‘official’ stop off points. it’s the constant, ever-changing landscape that engulfs them.
Slea Head Stop 1: Coumeenoole Beach
Our first stop is at Coumeenoole Beach, a place that fans of the movie ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ may recognise, as it was one of the locations used in the film.
This is a fantastic little beach that’s surrounded by jagged cliffs and spectacular coastal scenery.
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
Park the car, explore the area and let the wild Atlantic air gush over you.
A place where cobwebs will be banished.
Slea Head Stop 2: Dunmore Head
You’ll find the lookout point for Dunmore Head a short distance from Coumeenoole Beach, so keep an eye out for it.
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
When you step out of your car and gaze out, expect to be greeted by the crash of waves combined with a powerful, salty breeze.
Slea Head Stop 3: Dun Chaoin Pier
Dun Chaoin Pier is the wonderfully unique departure point for the Blasket Island Ferry, and you’ll find it at the northern end of a small secluded bay enveloped by rocky cliffs.
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
When gawked at from above, the narrow, winding road that leads up to the pier can only be described as a charming little slice of architectural madness.
Slea Head Stop 4: the stop that isn’t a stop
In many of our Irish road trip guides where Slea Head features, I try to emphasise that you need to just take your time and enjoy the scenery that envelopes you from start to finish.
Don’t rush it.
Here are some other things you can do along the drive, if you’d like a bit more guidance.
- Beehive Huts
- The Upside-Down-Bridge
- Gallarus Oratory
- Kilmalkedar Church
- Great Blasket Centre
- Reasc Monastic Site
- Dunbeg Fort
3 – Dingle for food and pints
// The Slea Head Loop will get you back to Dingle for around 19:00. //
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
It’s been a long aul day. So it’s time to eat, drink and be merry, and what better place to do all 3 than Dingle.
Where to eat in Dingle
Here’s a handful of suggestions:
- Doyle’s Seafood Restaurant
- Out of the Blue
- The Boatyard
- Sheehy’s Anchor Down Restaurant
- Paul Geaney’s
Central places to stay in Dingle
€50 to €100
€100 to €150
€150+
Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, dropped off your bags and had a bite to eat, it’s time to sample some of the local pubs.
My two favourites in Dingle are Dick Mack’s and Foxy John’s, but there are plenty to choose from.
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
Leeann Nolan
Wednesday 15th of November 2023
Hi Keith Thank you so much for all the work you have done on The Irish Road Trip. I have used much of it to plan my 7 week trip to Ireland in 2024. It has been invaluable :)
Mick Bourke
Sunday 24th of September 2023
G’day Keith-thanks for your trip. My wife and I will be over there in late April and most of May (about a month in total before heading to Scotland for a couple of weeks). I think I’ll be using your trip (which is great (as also is the additional info at the bottom)) as the basis for ours, however, I would like to do abit more of the inland (like a figure eight of the island). Do you have any suggestions?
Keith O'Hara
Wednesday 27th of September 2023
Hey Mick,
Is there anywhere in particular you have in mind with the inland section?
Cheers,
Keith
MIchael Katekar
Tuesday 11th of July 2023
A big thank you for all of the time and hard work you have put into this blog. Great information. I don't think we can keep up with your pace but will certainly take up many of your suggestions.
Isabella Dennison
Sunday 26th of March 2023
Good day Keith,
Wow, what an amazing work you've done! I'm forever grateful!!! Please can you email this to me. We are planning to explore Ireland for the first time this year 2023, all the way from South Africa.
Thank you
Keith O'Hara
Monday 27th of March 2023
Thanks Isabell!
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply!
I've tried to get this converted to PDF on a number of occasions, but the result is very messy due to the volume of photos in it.
If there's any specific questions that I can help with, please fire them on and I'll do my best to answer them.
Keith
Jodie Wilson
Sunday 26th of March 2023
First retirement trip. Ireland for a month! Go big or go home. So excited to start this new chapter in our lives - and to hit the roads of Ireland. This guide is perfect - but I’d love a more readable copy if you could email it to me.