Coming from San Juan, Puerto Rico with a 28 degree Celsius temperature I head towards Dingle, Ireland. Why leave the Caribbean for Dingle? Well mates, I can only say that it holds a beauty unique entirely to the most Western portion of Europe. I’m attracted again to this place. After all, it’s only been my fourth visit! The waters are as clear as those of the Mayor Antilles. Inch beach is located on Dingle peninsula, just about 200 miles (approximately 320 kilometers) from Dublin and only 37 miles (60 kilometers) from the city of Tralee. Town of Castleisland alone holds the best natural resources and ancient structural formations that date over 4,000 years old within the Peninsula. On top of it all, Inch has the best views from any hilltop. With views and temperatures for surfers that can only be compared to the Santa Monica Bay in California and crystal-clear blue waters that have that visibility only seen in the Caribbean Sea for Scuba divers.
Certainly, the Peninsula is magnetic, attracting any driver or hiker through its adventurous roadways. Only 50 miles (or 80 kilometers) if one circles the entire Peninsula, it holds the best scenery in all of Ireland. From any B&B, Guesthouse or Cottage there is the coastline to wet one’s feet, swim with a 5mm wet suit, surf or do some pretty neat scuba from Castleglory. The latter is a northern town on the Peninsula that has coral reefs where divers can experience endless encounters with coldwater seals and humpback whales.
Dingle has a “national hero”, curiously it’s “Fungi”, the best dolphin friend that any man can have. “Fungi” has been impressing tourist for the last 20 years. He is second best to Murphy’s Pub and a Guiness beer in central Dingle. Here, at Murphy’s I rest for a typical-English “Fish and Chips”, and go into deeper territory eating away a “Shepard’s pie”. And I end my “hogging” experience with a Bargofee or better known as a banana, toffee, crumb and cream pie.
The way to transport myself the Peninsula is N86 from Tralee going west. By the way, west is contrary to east and if you go too far, you end up in the Atlantic Ocean. The best route is to follow through the “Corner Pass”. Afterward, you have Anascaul, the town that holds the most beautiful lake in the world and the ancient castle of Minard. Once it is completed with enough time follow route R561 to Inch. I suggest make a stop for a night or several nights at Inch Beach Guesthouse or Cottage. Rest yourself away and follow it with Guiness. If one plans to do the “bending elbow exercise” with a pint or two of Guiness, please have a designated driver!
The same day or the next day, whichever is your fancy; do a tour. Remember, for those of us that are from the Americas one must keep on the left side of the ride. Easy to remember or best way is to tie a small string around the left wrist. My personal method is to use a “3M” yellow sticker note on the left portion of the dashboard. All roads carry you to the town of Dingle and follow the R559 carriage. Once on this road, you can’t go wrong! It’s actually impossible to get lost. The road throws the visitor back to the Dingle Township. To explore, it’s easily to find oneself transported back to the Mesolithic and Neolithic times. On any roadway there are the Beehive Huts that are five stone homes constructed over 4,000 years before. There is also the Borg Fort, a construction established by the ancient Celts 500 B.C. to ward off invaders. To explore further into Irish history, nearby by there is a local Museum that demonstrates the best conserved pieces of Neolithic works in all of Europe. It is easy to reach Slea Head, a beautiful hillside view of the Ocean that is decorated on the right side of t!
he carriage with the Christ and Virgin Mary. Further around the drive is the Kilmakedar Church that was placed here around 900 years ago with an ancient Celtic sun dial and stones that are a symbolism of the first language used in Ireland. After that, there is the Gallarus Oratory another church that holds in beauty; constructed for monastic prayer and has a burial ground on the left hand side.
After all is said and done, any tourist must at least stay a week or so. And for a retiree is to move and be here a lifetime in paradise… Nothing is better than its people, quality of life and nature than Dingle Peninsula. That is why, no matter what part of the world I’m at (even if I’m in the tropics), Ireland is always my second home!
Written by: Daniel Otero, San Juan, Puerto Rico
A consultant that writes part-time as a hobby.
My dream is to retire in Ireland!