Welcome
To the e-travelguide to Hotels, guest houses
and attractions in Dingle.
Make the most of your
time in Dingle, use the information provided
on this web site by clicking on the links
above to plan your visit.
Located on a natural harbour in the shadow of Slievanea Mountain, Dingle lies close to both the River Shannon and the Ring of Kerry.
While Dingle itself is small in size, its spectacular natural setting and old world charm make it a favourite with visitors from all around the world.
The Dingle Peninsula on which the town lies is one of the richest archaeological sites in the world, having been first settled some 6,000 years ago. The region was also converted to Christianity at an early stage and is home to more than 30 monastic sites with a variety of remains such as burials, cross slabs, holy wells and sun dials. However, it was not until the arrival of the Normans in the 12 th century that the society of Dingle Peninsula, and Ireland as a whole, began to take on a more European structure. Their mark can still be seen on the landscape near Dingle with the remains of a number of Tower houses, most notably at Minard, Gallarus and Rathinnane.
It was around this time that the town of Dingle was established by the Fitzgerald and Rice families. Over successive centuries Dingle would grow into the west coast’s second largest port after Galway, conducting extensive trade with France and Spain. Dingle was also the point of embarkation for pilgrims travelling to see the shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostella. It is even reputed that Dingle’s Medieval church was built by the Spanish.
Today Dingle is little more than a village, with a population of less than 2,000, although its spectacular natural setting and traditional, welcoming way of life attract many visitors from all over the world.
Dingle is in one of Ireland’s Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) regions, with many locals continuing to speak Irish to this day, making Dingle particularly popular with visitors looking to see and experience the beauty and culture of authentic Ireland.
Contact: 0118 971 4700 |
