It is a long and scenic drive to the Dingle Peninsula by car but you won’t be disappointed!
Once you pass over the bridge at Blennerville or Castlemaine and turn west you are leaving the mainland of Ireland and entering into another world. When you drive onto the Peninsula you will notice the roads are different to the national routes.
Allow more time for your journey as maps don’t show how narrow and windy roads are with varying conditions, and hilly terrain. If you are driving onto the Dingle Peninsula by day or at night, slow down and expect the unexpected. Around every bend you can find the things that make this place so charming, a breath-taking view, sheep basking on the warm tarmac, cows being taken to be milked, cyclists or walkers or an antique tractor moving silage.
Driving Guide
Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance have published a Driving Guide to the Peninsula in brochure form which is available from members across the Peninsula and which we have included below. Click here to view or download as a pdf Driving Guide PDF
The guide includes Driving advice under the following categories
- Driving Tips
- Driving the Conor Pass
- Driving Slea Head
- Driving on The Clasach
- Special Advice for Driving Buses, Coaches, Motor Homes or Camper Vans on the Dingle Peninsula
- Understanding Road Signs
We are delighted you have decided to visit the magnificent destination of the Dingle Peninsula. We have put together this information advising on best practice when travelling around the peninsula, especially during our peak season when traffic congestion can lead to time delays for all. DPTA/ CTCD wishes to thank Kerry County Council for their time and support in the development of the Dingle Peninsula Driving Guide
We want you to have pleasant memorable experiences of your time spent in this special part of the world.
Driving Tips for the Dingle Peninsula
- Drive on the left side of the road.
- Enjoy the Slea Head Drive by following the signs for ‘Slea Head Drive’ and ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ and travel in a clockwise direction.
- Follow road signage first instead of being guided by your Sat. Nav. when using the Slea Head Drive and the Conor Pass. The local signs are to ensure free flow of traffic.
- Walkers and Cyclists use our roads too. Please respect walkers and cyclists and pass with care giving them the safety of a 1.5 metre clearance.
- Our road network on the Dingle Peninsula is full of charm but can be busy during the summer season. The roads are often narrow at points, so allow for longer journey times.
- There are lay-bys where you are asked to pull in to let traffic through should a tailback have developed.
- Other road users include farmers with cows and sheep on the roads. Please take due care and allow them to herd their stock safely. In the event of sheep on the road, please slow down and allow them to find their way back on to the hills or into fields.
- Equestrian activities occur across the peninsula. Please slow down, give safe clearance and allow them to carry on in safety.
- There are a number of schools located along the route so please be mindful for the safety of school children.
- Dispose or recycle your litter - “If You Bring It In, Take It Out” please.
Don’t forget to take lots of photos and use #DinglePeninsula and #WildAtlanticWay
Driving on The Conor Pass - An Chonair
- The Conor Pass is a mountain pass with length (max. 7.2m) and weight restrictions (max 2 tonnes). Vehicles greater that 2 tonnes in weight are not permitted to travel north-east of the car park at the summit of the Conor Pass. Vehicles such as coaches, caravans, camper vans and trucks cannot use the pass as they will not get through.
- The first 2 km descent of the Conor Pass towards Cloghane Brandon, Castlegregory and Camp is narrow with several lay-bys to allow traffic to pass. Please yield beside lay-bys to allow any oncoming vehicles to pass with ease.
- The final 2 km ascent of the Conor Pass from Cloghane Brandon, Castlegregory and Camp is narrow with several lay-bys to allow traffic to pass. Signage is in place to advise of their location. Please pull in when you see on- coming vehicles.
- The Conor Pass is not suitable for HGVs. Whilst vehicles can get to the summit of the Conor Pass from Dingle Town, the road from the Summit to Cloghane Brandon, Castlegregory and Camp is not accessible to any vehicle over 2 tonnes.
Driving on Slea Head - Ceann Sléibhe
- To maximise your enjoyment, please follow the signs for Slea Head / Wild Atlantic Way and travel in a clockwise direction only .... DO NOT rely on your Sat. Nav.
- If travelling from Dún Chaoin, Com Dhíneol Beach or Ionad an Bhlascaoid to Daingean Uí Chúis or Ceann Trá, please use the Slea Head Route (R559) in a clockwise direction ONLY
Driving on The Clasach - An Clasach
‘An Clasach’ is the route between Ard A’Bhóthar and Dún Chaoin. This route is Local Access ONLY.
Advice for Coach and Motor Home Drivers
In addition to the general Driving Tips for the Dingle Peninsula Coaches, Camper Vans and Motor Homes are requested to follow the following driving etiquette:
- Road Signage first, then your Sat Nav
- There are lay - bys where you are asked to pull in to let traffic through should a tailback have developed. Please do not travel in convoy. Coaches please allow at least 5 minutes between coach departures from Dingle Town and Points of Interest.
- Please respect all road users of the Dingle Peninsula. Slea Head is a 2-way road - please give way to local community traffic and farm activities as they go about their business.
- If staying west of Dingle please drive in a clockwise direction as going against the natural flow of tourist traffic will create traffic issues at the bottlenecks where only one vehicle can pass at a time.
- The Conor Pass is not suitable for HGVs. Whilst vehicles can get to the summit of the Conor Pass from Dingle Town, the road from the summit to Cloghane, Brandon, Castlegregory and Camp is not accessible to any vehicle over 2 tonnes.
Understanding Road Signs
Much of the Dingle Peninsula 'Chorca Dhuibhne' is a Gaeltacht area where Irish is the first language, hence road signage will be in the Irish language. The following list of the English version of towns and villages may prove helpful:
- Corca Dhuibhne - Dingle Peninsula In addition to the general Driving Tips for the Dingle
- Signage with Dingle, An Daingean and Daingean Uí Chúis are the same name and directing you to Dingle town follow the following driving etiquette:
- Lios Póil - Lispole
- Ceann Trá - Ventry
- Ceann Sléibhe - Slea Head
- Dún Chaoin - Dunquin
- Na Blascaodaí - Blasket Islands
- Baile an Fheirtéaraigh - Ballyferriter Points of Interest.
- An Mhuiríoch - Murreagh
- An Fheothanach - Feohanagh
- Cnoc Bhréanainn - Mount Brandon their business.
- An Clochán - Cloghane
- Cé Bhréanainn – Brandon & Brandon Pier