May 1-2, 2019

The Dingle Way is a walking trail encircling the stunning Dingle Peninsula off Ireland’s southwestern coast. The trail begins and ends in the small city of Tralee and comprises approximately 108 miles of hills, fields, country roads, and extensive walks along deserted beaches.

The often rugged seaside landscape is known for its natural beauty, but its claim of being the most archaeologically dense region in Ireland is a big part of what drew me. Sadly, I didn’t get to view much interesting archaeology along the way, but the Dingle peninsula does have a rich history, a lot of great local culture including food, music, literature, art, and a lot of native Irish speakers.

The recent influx of tourists has made the place a bit of a nightmare for locals during the high season, but generally people are very friendly, helpful, and willing to give you some leeway if you don’t make a nuisance of yourself. It would be a shame to see such an unspoiled place go the way of so many others that have seen a rise in tourism. It’s a unique part of Ireland in its history and topography, but like most of the country, it is captivating and charming in a familiarly Irish way.

to be continued… (when I have time to post more pics)