A Golfer’s Dream Holiday on Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula
DAY 1 – Spend the day in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh / Ballyferriter
Play 18 holes on one of Ireland's Top 100 courses at Dingle Golf Links, Ceann Sibéal. A natural links, every hole is full of undulations and swales, with hazards laid down long before the game of golf was thought of. Soak in the views, (and maybe a pint), from our award-winning restaurant before or after your game of golf. "A delight to play, such a natural links in a beautiful place." Ronan Rafferty PGA.
Steve Fahy, Club Manager at Ceann Sibéal Golf Links will ensure you are well equipped for your round of golf, with golf clubs, trolleys, and buggies all available to hire. Be sure to enquire about their early bird and twilight rates, family packages and family vacations with golf lessons. Ceann Sibéal run open competitions throughout the year, they offer special rates to Golf Ireland members and accept the Kerry Shamrock Pass and the Kerry Links Pass.
Please allow 4 hours for one round of golf (18 holes) or 2.5 hours for the first nine holes.
At the end of the day be sure to check out Ballyferriter’s quaint pubs – Tigh an tSaorsaigh, Tigh Ui Chathain and Murphy’s. (Sláinte pronounced a bit like ‘slawn-che’ meaning cheers!)
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TIPS
- Before you kick start your day, visit the local shop in Ballyferriter – Siopa an Bhuailitaín (Bring a picnic/refreshments).
- Toilets are available at each visit so be sure to avail of them as public toilets are not available on route.
- Bring a jacket and a warm cap as it can be blustery when out along the coastline.
- There is a café and bookshop at the Blasket Island Visitor Centre (Ionad an Bhlaoscaoid) and the Great Blasket Island is visible from the centre.
- Have your camera to the ready.
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DAY 1 - HIGHLIGHTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
(Enjoy your day in the Baile an Fheirtéaraigh / Ballyferriter area-Baile an Fheirtéaraigh - Ballyferriter (dingle-peninsula.ie).
- Enjoy the breath-taking landscape at Ceann Sibéal Golf Links - Dingle Links – Perfect Irish Golf Vacation at Ceann Sibeal, Ballyferriter, Kerry.
- Make your very own masterpiece at Louis Mulcahy Pottery - Louis Mulcahy Pottery Workshop Tours & Pottery Making Experience (dingle-peninsula.ie).
- Listen to the stories of the Great Blasket Island at the Blasket Island Visitor Centre (Ionad an Bhlaoscaoid) and soak up the spectacular views at the Signature Wild Atlantic Way Viewing Platform adjacent to the Blasket Island Visitor Centre - Blasket Islands most westerly European archipelago of islands | writers | evacuation heritage (dingle-peninsula.ie).
- Feeling peckish – David, restaurant manager at Ceann Sibéal Golf Links Clubhouse - Galf Chumann Ceann Sibéal Bar & Restaurant (dingle-peninsula.ie) will take care of you.
DAY 2 - Play the Dingle Peninsula’s Testing Challenge – Castlegregory’s 9-hole Link’s Course on the North Shore
Take the scenic route over the Conor Pass Conor Pass scenic drive high mountain pass Dingle Peninsula Ireland (dingle-peninsula.ie) to get to Castlegregory Golf and Fishing Club Home - Castlegregory Golf Club (castlegregorygolflinks.com). Castlegregory is one of the most stunning and challenging 9-hole links golf courses in Ireland – panoramic vista of Mount Brandon Walking and Hiking on the Dingle Peninsula Ireland | Visitor Guide (dingle-peninsula.ie) (Ireland’s second highest mountain) and overlooking Brandon Bay (world class windsurfing location) on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The course is rarely closed even during a harsh winter as the proximity to the sea keeps the area frost and ice free.
Please allow 2.5 hours to play nine holes or have a second round! You won’t be disappointed!
Your day ends back in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh / Ballyferriter village Baile an Fheirtéaraigh - Ballyferriter (dingle-peninsula.ie) or down at the Ceann Sibéal Club House for some Guinness and a chat with the locals on your days adventure.
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TIPS
- Before you take off, check your vehicle for fuel ~ gas stations are only available in Dingle town. You will be going through Dingle town on your way.
- Public toilets are not available so please avail of the toilets at each visit.
- Be careful when driving on the Conor Pass ~ beautiful narrow/mountainous terrain.
- When driving over Conor’s Pass be sure to look out for the waterfall and Pedlar’s lake. Also have a pit stop at the summit, the view is fantastic! Remember to bring a warm layer as the temperature is always a few degrees cooler at the top.
- Driving the Conor Pass in rain, fog and mist is a very different but exhilarating experience. Long distance views disappear as you literally drive up into the clouds. Drive with caution. Use fog lights when driving in poor visibility and watch out for the signs that indicate how far motorists have to travel to the next passing bay.
- Grab some refreshments for a picnic or refreshments ~ Lynch’s Spar Castlegregory - Lynch's Country Store, Castlegregory (dingle-peninsula.ie).
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DAY 2 - HIGHLIGHTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
(Enjoy your day on the Dingle Peninsula North Shore)
- Have your camera at the ready as you drive one of Ireland’s highest mountain passes ~ Conor Pass.
- Enjoy the panoramic vista of Mount Brandon and the Atlantic, playing Castlegregory’s testing Links.
- For time on the surf, try some windsurfing, surfing or a little SUP (Stand Up Paddle boarding) at Jamie Knox Watersports - Surfing Lessons with Jamie Knox (dingle-peninsula.ie)! (Or a ‘SUP’ in one of the local pubs!)
- Rent a boat at Brandon Pier - Cloghane & Brandon - An Clochán & Bréannain (dingle-peninsula.ie)
- Enjoy some local cuisine at the award-winning Murphy’s Bar - Murphy's Bar, Brandon (dingle-peninsula.ie) in Brandon, Spillane’s - Spillanes Bar and Restaurant, Maharees, Castlegregory (dingle-peninsula.ie) on the Maharees.
DAY 3 –Baile an Fheirtéaraigh to Fahan ~ Recommended by Rick Steves, dine at the unique Stonehouse Restaurant in the hearth of the Dingle Peninsula Irish Gaeltacht
End your three-day trip back at Ceann Sibéal Golf Links. Also check out the highlights and recommendations for more activities to fill up your day. Please allow 4 hours for one round of golf (18 holes) or 2.5 hours for the first nine holes.
TIPS
- Bring a picnic (Stop at the local village shop in Ballyferriter)
- Depending on the weather, you may need to bring a waterproof jacket and waterproof over-trousers.
- Wear walking boots or shoes suitable for use on rough ground.
- Bring a mobile phone, but while a mobile phone may be useful in an emergency, it should not be relied on as a safety aid as network coverage is often poor in the hills and countryside.
- Be aware of traffic if walking on roads.
- Don’t rush, take breaks, and most importantly enjoy yourself!
Please Remember to Leave no trace. If you bring it with you, bring it with you back! Leave No Trace is an outdoor ethics programme designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships - Leave No Trace (dingle-peninsula.ie).
DISTANCE** - Remember always left-hand drive on Irish roads. Allow yourself sufficient driving time due to the mountainous terrain and beautifully narrow roads here on the Dingle Peninsula. You may want to stop to take some photographs. Also please note, driving distance in Ireland is different to other countries. For example: driving a mile in Ireland is equivalent to driving 4-5 miles in America.
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DAY 3 -HIGHLIGHTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
(Enjoy your day in the Baile an Fheirtéaraigh / Ballyferriter area)
- Learn about the geology, archaeology, heritage and history of Ballyferriter at Museum Chorca Dhuibhne (West Kerry Museum) - Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne (dingle-peninsula.ie).
- Walk the fabulous Cuas na Neighe (starting from Clogher Beach car park) - Cuas na nEighe Walk (dingle-peninsula.ie) giving superb sea vistas and views of the surrounding mountains (Brandon and Eagle) and headlands like the Three Sisters ~ wonderful opportunity to have a picnic.
- End your day with some bistro style food at one of the most unique restaurants in the world, the Stonehouse Restaurant The Stone House Café & Restaurant (dingle-peninsula.ie). The Stone House Restaurant is also adjacent to what remains of one of Ireland's most famous prehistoric sites, Dún Beag Fort - Dún Beag Fort Visitor Centre (dingle-peninsula.ie)
