December 14-23, 2025
A hillwalking adventure in Ireland
December 14-23, 2025
A hillwalking adventure in Ireland
We’ve been coming to the Dingle Peninsula together since 2015 but it was Christina’s college study abroad experience in 1994 that was our initial inspiration. Since that first trip together in 2015 when we stayed on peninsula for five months, we’ve been calling this little corner of Kerry our “home away from home.” We loved it so much we came again in 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2024. We’ve always stay in the same place, among the same people, uncovering each time more of what makes this the most magical corner of the country. Our Irish friends have been known to say we know the peninsula better than some who are from here. It’s true that we are captivated by this place in a way that has made us go deep here: exploring all the roads, meeting more and more people, and visiting the places we love again and again. If you like the idea of a trip that offers more depth than breadth, one that gives the opportunity to avoid crowds, see “less seen” sights, offers the experience of meeting local people who speak the Irish language, and ultimately allows you to spend more time “experiencing” (and less time commuting from one town to another), then this is the trip for you.
Day 1
Arrive in Dingle; easy afternoon coastal walk to Hussey's Folly from Dingle Town; dinner in Dingle; transportation with luggage to house in Coumeenoole on Slea Head Drive.
Day 2
Dingle Way walk above Slea Head to Ventry Beach and town. Optional ocean cold plunge and wood-fired sauna at Sona Sauna. Drinks and dinner at Quinn's Pub; transport back to Coumeenoole.
Day 3
Tour of Dunquin. Follow the Dingle Way visiting Dunmore and the Dunquin Pier. Enjoy lunch at Mulcahy’s Pottery and walk along the Dingle Way to Kruger’s Pub via Ryan's Daughter schoolhouse. Transport back to Coumeenoole.
Day 4
Van transport to Clogher Strand. Ascend Sybil Head; picnic at summit tower; descend and walk to Ballyferriter for dinner at Murphy’s Pub and drinks at Kane’s Bar. Van transport back to Coumeenoole.
Day 5
Van transport to new house in Dingle Town. Walk up Eask Tower for amazing views of Dingle Harbour and town; free day for Dingle shopping. Optional group dinner in Dingle and pub crawl.
Day 6
Walk to Bean in Dingle for coffee and breakfast. Take the Local Link bus to Lispole; walk from Lispole to Dingle along the Dingle Way through the Irish countryside, visiting The Famine Graveyard above Dingle. Christmas concert from The Dingle New-Music Choir and Orchestra at St. Mary’s Parish. Dinner in Dingle after the concert.
Day 7
Van transport to Brandon Point; hike Sas Creek Loop (picnic enroute); transport to Fairy Land and the Cloghane ruins; transport to Brandon Pier for Guinness and toasties at Murphy’s Bar. Transport back to Dingle.
Day 8
Transport to Young's Cottage; cliff walk to Murreagh; section of the Saints’ Road (Saint Brendan's Oratory; Kilmalkedar Church; Cathair Deargáin; Gallarus Oratory); transport back to Young's Cottage; Christmas dinner at Young's Cottage; transport back to Dingle.
Day 9
Climb Mount Eagle in Dunquin. Final dinner together.