Exclusive Dingle Peninsula Experience
April 25 to May 2, 2023 SOLD OUT
April 30 to May 7, 2024 SOLD OUT
This intimate small group tour is led by Tommy and Saundra O’Sullivan. Over the years, the most common phrase they have heard from tour guests who have visited O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub is that they wish they had more time in Dingle. With this tour, the O’Sullivan’s are making that wish a reality.
Known as one of the most beautiful places on earth, the Dingle Peninsula is nestled between the emerald hills and crystal sea of stunning County Kerry and features the most westerly point in all of Europe. With its lush landscape, rich culture full of arts, music, culinary and literary abundance, visitors always want more time in Dingle.
Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, you will find this very special tour equally captivating, and, as the O’Sullivans’ guest on the Dingle Peninsula Experience you will be part of their world and community. During this tour, you will meet local friends and musicians and visit places no other tours will even go. Not to mention there will be exclusive activities featuring plenty of craic-good-times and mischief making!
We recommend flying into and out of Shannon for this tour and allowing one additional day on the front and back of the trip in case of travel and luggage delays.
7 Nights in an exclusive luxury hotel accommodation in the middle of Dingle town center
7 Breakfasts
4 Group Lunches
2 Group Dinners
Pickup and return to Shannon in a luxury coach
Entrance fees to all group activities
Expert guides
Immerse yourself into one of Ireland’s largest Celtic Arts Festivals
No wasted time with long bus trips
Small group experience that takes you beyond the typical tourist stops
Morning pickup near Shannon airport. Exact location to be announced. We will gather for a short meet and greet before heading to the Dingle Peninsula.
Off to the Dingle Peninsula we go, and what a day we have planned. First stop Glanteenassig Woods, Valley of the Waterfalls, where we will walk the Lough Caum Loop tucked against
Stradbally Mountain.
Next, we head to Spillane’s, an amazing family run seafood restaurant and pub tucked away in the Maharees, the north shore of the Dingle Peninsula. Spillane’s features delicious food, all of which is locally sourced & freshly prepped.
Following lunch, we will take a short drive to visit the ancient Killshannig graveyard and monastery, located on the coast of Killshannig Village on the Maharees. This is a 15th century church ruin & cemetery and some of the legends, lore and mysteries of this magical place will be revealed on arrival.
Our final destination on this first day is Dingle, Daingean Ui Chuis. Here we will stay 7 nights at the exclusive Benner’s Hotel, a Georgian Manor House Built in 1752. Benner’s is Dingle’s oldest and most exclusive hotel. We have arranged for our guests to enjoy luxury old-world rooms with 4 poster beds and antique furnishings. Those with the stamina can join us on a walking tour of Dingle and tunes at our world famous, traditional Irish pub, O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub, for a traditional Irish session of tunes and songs.
We will embark on a tour of the famous Slea Head Drive. Here we will highlight the rich archaeology as well as the breathtaking beauty of the western part of the Dingle Peninsula. Today we will view the most westerly point in Europe with a local folklorist and guide archaeologist. During our adventures we will have a group lunch at a place tucked away “back west” as they say. Once we arrive back to Dingle for a bit of R&R we will venture out for traditional Irish music & Craic!
Let the adventures continue! The group will cruise from Dingle Harbor for a Sea Safari experience. Here we will see the western part of the peninsula from the sea, taking in the majestic coastline, caves and cliffs all the way to the Blasket Islands. That evening we will gather and have a group dinner at one of Dingle’s most exclusive restaurants. Then off to find the Craic for tunes and a nightcap!
How are we with tiny, winding roads and heights? Today we venture back to the north shore of the peninsula over the Conor Pass. This is the highest pass in Ireland and the most dramatic way of crossing from the south to the north shore of the Dingle Peninsula. We will stop at the top of the pass for a 360° panoramic view of the north and south sides of the peninsula. Then we will slowly venture down the twisting 12km road heading to Brandon Point. Once on the other side of the hill, as we say, we’ll head for Murphy’s Pub at Brandon Point. This is a family run 5th generation seaside pub that’s tucked into the landscape of Brandon Point, where the mountains meet the sea. Oh, by the way, they have the most amazing open crab sandwiches and fish & chips, literally from the water at the front of the pub! After lunch we’ll have some friends join us for tunes and songs by the sea. Once the sun sets we’ll make our way back to Dingle and for anyone who’s up for a bit more Craic, oh we’ll find some!
FREE DAY……ENJOY THE FESTIVAL AND ALL IT HAS TO OFFER, MUSIC, POETRY, ART, STREET PERFORMERS, FOOD! Hopefully we will see you in the Courthouse Pub for a bit of a catchup from the day’s activities and music!
We will all gather and watch the wonderful madness of the festival. If you are coming in May, you will be enjoying the Feile Na Bealtaine’s magical parade. Dingle will be swathed in a sea of color as the annual parade hits the streets. The local primary schools literally spend months creating fantastical attire in keeping with the theme that changes yearly. From here we will hit the road and head west to a working sheep farm and equestrian center. Here we will see dog trials, meet horses and see a real working farm. At this point a mighty hunger and thirst will have been worked up so we will head for TP’s in Ballydavid. Here we can sit seaside and enjoy a delicious lunch and perhaps partake in a bit of the porter! Back home to Dingle we will wander for an evening of festival entertainment! Oh, the Craic is mighty.
Today our home becomes your home. We are inviting you to explore some of the unsung treasures tucked away, off the beaten path, yet at our own doorstep. We’ll see and walk across Ireland’s oldest bridge, we’ll see one of Ireland’s three 16th century Tower Houses. We’ll see Standing Stones, walk one of Ireland’s blue flag beaches, learn of the local hero and antarctic explorer. All the while we’ll experience the simple sites of what’s in our own backyard. After all this, there’s more. We will wind around the backroads to the O’Sullivan’s Stone Cottage where you will be met with a warm fire, a good and hearty traditional Irish meal, music and friends. Oh, what a way to end a day!
All good things must come to an end. Today we say farewell to the Dingle Peninsula and will embark on the road back to Shannon airport.
PLEASE NOTE
This is a summarized itinerary and there are more activities, music sessions and surprises planned that are not detailed. All activities are optional and subject to change due to weather or other influencing factors.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]