Day 7. Portmagee to Dingle
Day 7 is one that I’ve been looking forward to for the entire trip.
It takes us through a corner of Ireland that I fell in love with many years ago, and that I revisit as often as physically possible.
Get some breakfast into you and prepare your mind for the beauty that awaits.
1. One of my favourite places in Ireland
Portmagee to Valentia Island – 2-minute drive (leave Portmagee at 9, arrive to Valentia for 9:02.. handy or what).
Ah, Valentia Island – easily one of my favourite places in Ireland. Connected to the little town of Portmagee by the Maurice O’Neill Memorial Bridge, Valentia Island is one of Ireland’s most westerly points.
Our first stop-off is the car park near Bray Head.
For those of you that fancy an early morning walk, you can do the Bray Head Loop Walk if you like, but for this trip we’re going to just admire the view below, out towards the Skellig Islands.
From here, make your way up to the Geokaun Mountain and Cliffs (€5 entry fee), and start the steep ascent (it’s insanely steep – keep the car in first gear the entire way up) towards one of the best views in Ireland.
I’ve done a reasonable amount of travelling outside of Ireland, and there are very few places that I’ve been to that offer a view as spectacular as the Geokaun Mountain and Cliffs.
2. the Rossbeigh Hill Loop Walk
Valentia Island to Rossbeigh Beach (aim for the car park) – 50-minute drive (leave Valentia at 10:20, arrive at the beach for 11:10).
We’ve a bit of walking up next. Aim the car in the direction of Rossbeigh Beach Car Park – the starting point for the Rossbeigh Hill Loop Walk.
This walk will take you between 3 and 4 hours depending on your fitness levels, and it offers a magnificent view out over the surrounding countryside.
The view of Rossbeigh Beach that you’ll be treated to is worth the trip alone.
3. Lunch by the sea
Rossbeigh Beach to Inch Beach – 49-minute drive (leave beach 1 around 14:30, arrive at beach 2 for 15:20).
We’re going to stop off at Inch Beach for a spot of lunch and a strong cup of coffee. At this stage, you’ve packed in a lot already.
Take some time to kick back and relax while gazing out at the waves. If you’re not too fatigued, spend a bit of time walking along the shore – you usually get a good crowd of surfers here tackling the waves.
4. Checking out a dolphin in Dingle
Inch Beach to Dingle – 26-minute drive (leave Inch at 16:20, arrive in Dingle for 16:50). Our last activity of the day will see us hop on a little boat (it’s a 1-hour trip and boats leave regularly)
If you’ve never heard of him (or her…) Fungie is a wild Bottlenose Dolphin that lives in the waters around Dingle.
He has been in the area for around 32 years and according to experts, he has a lifespan of between 40 and 50 years.
The boats leave Dingle Pier at regular intervals during the day, all year round (weather permitting). This is a nice unique experience to round your day off in style.
5. Dingle for the night
The Fungie tour takes around an hour, so your feet should be safely back on dry land for 18:00.
We’re staying in Pax Guest House (mainly for the amazing views) this evening, so get checked in and chill for a while.
I recently ate in John Benny’s Pub and I’m going to recommend it for this evenings meal. Once you’ve been fed, head to Dick Mac’s Pub for a few and then on to Foxy John’s.
Two of my favourite pubs in the country. Enjoy the food, the drink and the craic (check out our guide to the best pubs in Dingle for more idea on where to go).
I have been using your guide for the past few months to plan my Ireland trip set for April 2019. I figured it was about time I dropped a comment!! 🙂 Your guide has helped me tremendously as it seems to encompass everything we are looking to find in Ireland…. raw natural beauty, unique experiences, good coffee, and good beer! Can’t thank you enough. I hope to comment again once we return!
Ah, thank you. I’m glad. Getting comments like this make it worth it.
I hope you’re trip goes well.
Cheers,
Keith
This is seriously the best travel guide ever. I was getting stressed because I’ll be solo traveling all of March and haven’t planned much (by design) and this gives the perfect outline of exactly the things I want to do and see. So thank you for the enormous amount of time this must have taken. So much appreciated.
Haha! Cheers dude.
Glad you found it useful. This took roughly 3 weeks of research and writing… and rewriting.
I hope the trip goes well.
Keith
We’re traveling to Ireland in November, 2019 and thank you very much for your outline and information. Question: On maps, it shows Northern Ireland almost like another country. Do you need anything to pass from Ireland to Northern Ireland and back, or is it all in the same? Seems trivial, but it could make a big difference if we plan to do things in Northern Ireland and then we could possibly not have the proper travel documents. Also, do you know if your passport is all you need or if you need a travel visa? Thanks for your time. Have a great day!. WandanTexas
Hi Wanda,
You’re welcome.
Northern Ireland is technically part of the UK, so it is regarded as a different country.
Currently, there is no form of ‘hard’ border, but there’s been a lot of talk about the potential of one with Brexit looming.
If you’re driving a rental car, this is where things can get tricky. I had one from Europa car recently and was told I’d be automatically charged (they have GPS devices within the rental) whenever my car passed into Northern Ireland – the max total charge was 90 euro, I believe.
If you’re renting a car, be sure to check this in advance.
I hope this helps.
Keith
Hi,
This is a great guide, but if you had a few extra days…
Three Castle Head is also stunning. You are close enough to it when you are heading for brow head. Well worth it!
Lough Hyne in Skibbereen is also beautiful, lovely forest walk and salt water lake to swim in. Night time kayaking with the bioluminescent water a must!
Enjoy,
Joanne
Thanks for the recommendations Joanne.
Love Lough Hyne in particular. Did the forest climb with my dad last summer on a hot day in July – great spot!
Question for Keith and others. We have a wonderful opportunity to spend a month in Ireland and in previous trips we’ve enjoyed many of the same activities you do…hiking, enjoying the featured sights and geography in general, informal dining, great pubs, etc. We have never been north of Westport, county Mayo. Would it be worth it to spend a week in the Sligo / Donegal region? If yes, we would rent a house for the week. Is there a town that would be central to this region that you could recommend as a home base? We would be there in late August/early Sept 2020.
Thanks in advance for your response (or anyone else who could add their thoughts)
Hi Bill.
Abbbbbbbbbbbsolutely spend a week in Sligo and Donegal.
There’s a tonne of things to do in both, regardless of whether you decide to do something active or just chill.
Personally, I’d spend half in Sligo and half in Donegal.
Here’s a guide to 48 hours in Sligo that should help, along with a 3-day guide to the best things to do in Donegal.
In terms of where to stay – I love Strandhill and Rosses Point. For Donegal, it’s hard to beat Ardara.
I hope this helps!
Keith
Hi Keith,
I am planning our road trip to Ireland in october and I love your Instagram account. I like to use your suggestions for our schedule.
On day 11 you suggest to leave Westport and Achill on the same time (16:55) ? So this is a pretty long day 😉 I prefer to stay an extra night on Achill Island. What do you think?
Thanks
Uli
Aha! OK, that’s clearly a mistake on my part. I’ll get those times updated!
I love Achill, personally.
There’s nothing bad that can come from a second night spent there.
Hi Keith,
I am considering travelling to Ireland this summer via road-trip and AirBnBs. While researching, I found your blog and found it very helpful and resourceful.
I am travelling from New Delhi (India) with my extended family (infants, toddlers, siblings, wife, parents etc.). Assuming this might be our only trip to Ireland together as a family, I am interested in covering Ireland comprehensively within a limitation of 11-13 days.
Is it possible to shorten the suggested 18-day itinerary to the above duration by bypassing some of the locations or sites. I understand this would mean we missing a few locations, but need your help.
Really digging this blog!! I have the travel blog so bad and Ireland is next on the list – your recommendations are speaking to me! Thanks for taking the time to create all the wonderful road trips / ideas.