A Little Charm… Driving Dingle’s Picturesque Slea Head Drive

Last updated on August 2, 2025 by Shannon

It’s no secret that I love Ireland—I’ve waxed poetic about everything from the toe-tappingly good Irish music in pubs to the beauty of Connemara to those special days getting lost. And let’s not even get started on that je ne sais quoi that just exists in every pub, lake, and winding back road.

Of all the places in the world that I have traveled—and the list is long—Ireland stands out as a place that consistently delivered the coziest of memories, the most intriguing of local interactions, and the prettiest of natural scenery. And that’s where Dingle’s Slea Head Drive comes into play.

Why Visit the Dingle Peninsula?

Dingle is a small town on the southwest tip of Ireland. It’s a port town on the Dingle Peninsula, which sticks out of from the southwestern mainland like a finger reaching into the Atlantic Ocean.

Dingle town oozes charm. It’s filled with the sort of deep culture you don’t as easily find in cities like Dublin or Galway. And then there’s the beauty and history Slea Head Drive, which is a clockwise, circular driving loop that often hugs the gorgeous Irish coastline for 30 miles (47 km).

This is one of Ireland’s most scenic drives (it’s also a part of the stunning Wild Atlantic Way route) and contains several of the oldest sites in Ireland—all contained in one small area.

This Dingle driving route includes the most popular stops along Slea Head Drive—if you’re on Dingle Peninsula for longer, spend at least an extra day to hike Mount Brandon for panoramic views (it’s no longer possible to visit Fungie the dolphin—he is presumed to have passed away in late 2020).

How Long to Spend on Slea Head Drive?

Since Slea Head Drive is a circular loop route, it’s impossible skip any part of the drive. That said, you can complete Slea Head Drive in less than two hours if you don’t stop at panoramic views, hike around, and make an afternoon of it.

But why do that?!

This is an area worth exploring. Get out of the car and wander through Irish history.

If you pack a picnic lunch and enjoy yourself along the loop, plan for at least three hours. And if you’re a cyclist, have fun! I have no personal experience cycling Slea Head Drive, but the number of cyclists enjoying the scenic vistas that way prove that it’s possible.

And now that they offer e-bike rentals, it’d be a ton of fun on a day without rain.

And if renting a car seems a bit much, there are absolutely small Slea Head day tours that take you through the highlights.

Best Stops Along Slea Head Drive

Before you set out, know that the Slea Head route is called Slí Cheann Sléibhe in Irish—remember these words! Some signs toward the end of the drive are only in Irish and you’ll want to continue navigating the correct route!

These are the best stops along Slea Head Drive discovered while driving and goofing around with travel friends.

1. Dunbeg Fort

Perched on the edge of the cliffs is the promontory fort of Dunbeg. The well-preserved ruins date from the Iron Age, with a piece of ancient wood under one fort wall dated to about 580 BC—meaning the fort was built after that time period.

Dunbeg Fort is small and mostly grass-covered for protection, and until it can be further excavated. This place changes ever single year as the sea reclaims the land and the fort actually tumbles from the cliffs on the reg.

The fort was used as a defensive structure and a place of refuge. It is well-preserved and consists of several circular stone huts, a gate, and a stone wall enclosing the site.

The sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and straight drop down to the jagged rocks are gorgeous. If you visit Ireland, you pretty much have to scramble around some ruins, and this is a good spot for it!

The fort is open to the public and it’s easy to visit as part of a self-guided tour during your dive. There is no admission fee, but even a small donation helps preserve and maintain the site.

The fort is located on Slea Head Drive, about 8 miles (13 km) west of Dingle Town. It’s easy to reach by car, and there is a small parking lot nearby.

2. Fahan Beehive Huts

Called clochán in Irish, these family dwellings and small community of huts could go as far back as the Bronze Age (think 2,000 BC). Today, there is no archaeological evidence dating them earlier than AD 700, but archaeologists believe they were introduced earlier than that.

These type of dwellings were continually built for thousands of years throughout Scotland and Ireland and these beehive huts in particular offer a unique glimpse into the lives of the ancient people who lived on the Dingle Peninsula.

You’ve likely never seen a hut like this: It’s circular and made of stone, and the conical roofs are thatched. Locals used them for all daily business, homes, shelters, and work and they are quite effective at keeping out the strong winds on this stretch of the Dingle Peninsula.

The first thing you’ll notice is that people must have been significantly shorter back then, because these beehive huts are tiny! They are not for the tall—I had to continually duck my head through the doorways.

The huts are open to the public and you can visit on a self-guided tour, or book one online. Like the other sites, there’s no admission fee, but a small donation would help preserve and maintain the huts. The huts are located just off the Slea Head Drive, about 6 miles (10 km) west of Dingle Town.

3. Inch Beach

I say this beach is probably a skip on most classically Irish days unless you happen to be there for one of those days during the rare two weeks of sunshine Ireland gets.

4. Blasket Islands

The Blasket Islands were inhabited until until 1953 by an Irish-speaking population, until the locals were forced to evacuate. Today these islands still boast a unique culture and a rich literary tradition.

If you’re enjoying Slea Head Drive on a traditional Irish day—wet and windy—then you’ll look out to sea and wonder that any human being could live on such remote and rugged islands. Although the islands are only slightly offshore from the coast of the Dingle Peninsula, it was incredibly windy out on the peak and you’d have to be a very hearty person to survive the icy-cold and wet winds.

Daily boat trips leave from Dunquin (a small village on Slea Head Drive) during high season out the islands—and some people even camp out there. The boat ride to the islands takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the tour operator.

You can also book an eco-tour that includes a boat ride around the island, as well as wildlife spotting—whales, seals, and dolphins are pretty common.

However, my backpacker budget instead sent me to the very tip of the mainland, where I could gaze out at the gorgeous seascape.

Just past the sandy beach is a fairly large carpark with a worn and grassy path leading up a steep, sheep-poo filled hillside. In true Irish style, the path is only meant for the adventurous—I laced my fingers together to give Laura a boost over the rock wall (she’s pretty short!) hopped it myself, and we threaded amongst the grazing, sleepy sheep to look out over the Blasket Islands and gaze across the Atlantic toward the US.

The view is stunning and because we went a bit “off the path,” we were the only ones up there for about 30 minutes (which was perfect because each of us were forced to brave the heavy wind and pop a squat!). Although the boat tour is supposedly spectacular, I can’t imagine having missed this short hike either.

The islands sit just off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula, about 8 miles (13 km) west of Dingle Town. The best views of the islands are from Slea Head, the westernmost point of the Dingle Peninsula, which is about 12 miles (20 km) west of Dingle Town.

From this vantage point, you can see the islands in the distance, as well as the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding countryside.

5. Gallarus Oratory

There is no consensus on how old this church is as archaeologists can’t find a way to date it. Some claim it was built as late as the 12th century, while others contend it was an early Christian church built between the 6th and 9th centuries.

Now called the Gallarus Oratory, it was built in a similar style to Dunbeg Fort and the Beehive Huts, which means it’s constructed without mortar. The stones are gradually stacked to reach the top, a form of construction that made it surprisingly airtight inside!

A torrential downpour caught up with us when we reached the Oratory so we huddled inside for some time, giving a good test to this ancient church’s construction. We were all amazed that it completely protected us from the strong winds and rains even after all these centuries since it was first built.

There is no admission fee for the Gallarus Oratory,. The oratory is located just outside Dingle Town, about a 10-minute drive from the center of town.

6. Three Sisters & The Sleeping Giant

Near the village of Ballyferriter, the Three Sisters are a set of three peaks associated with a number of Irish legends and stories. The Irish love their myths and legends, and you can see why this landscape inspired so many.

One local legend even goes so far as to claim that Lindbergh’s first sight of land after crossing the Atlantic was the three jagged peaks of land known as the Three Sisters.

Meanwhile, the Sleeping Giant is fun to witness on the horizon, he’s easy to spot as the land makes it look as though he is lying on his back, resting on the top of the ocean.

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Perhaps the best tip I can offer for driving Slea Head Drive around the Dingle Peninsula is to memorize the Irish name for Dingle town, An Daingean. Although it’s controversial that there’s no English name on the sign, that’s the way it is here and it’s one of the most charming parts of traveling through this region of Ireland.

The Dingle Peninsula is an Irish speaking region, and though it can get confusing to only see road signs in Irish, it’s still lovely. But with that in mind we had to be prepared for the Irish when making our way back to our Dingle hostel for the night when all of the road signs only pointed toward An Daingean!

Other Great Stops Along Slea Head Drive

In addition to these historic and historic stops on Dingle’s famous driving route, here are a few other things you can do—time and weather permitting.

• Ventry Beach. This beautiful sandy beach, located on the Slea Head Drive, is a great spot for swimming and beachcombing in favorable weather. A lifeguard is on duty during the summer months.
• Conor Pass. This winding mountain pass, located on the Slea Head Drive, offers breathtaking views of the Dingle Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean. I drove Conor Pass on a different day, and in conjunction with hiking Mount Brandon.
• Visit the Eask Tower. This well-preserved 19th-century tower, located on the Slea Head Drive, offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding countryside.
• Go fishing. The coast of the Dingle Peninsula is known for its excellent fishing, and there are several charter boats available for hire in Dingle Town.
• Go birdwatching. The Dingle Peninsula is home to a wide variety of bird species, including seabirds, raptors, and migratory birds.
• Visit the Dingle Distillery. This artisanal distillery, located in Dingle Town, offers tours and tastings of their locally produced whiskey and gin.
• Go hiking or cycling. The countryside is truly beautiful here, and there are many opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking and cycling. You don’t have to be a pro to rent a bike and enjoying a day exploring on two wheels.
• Visit the Dingle Peninsula Oceanworld Aquarium. This is a popular attraction for families visiting Dingle. Located in Dingle Town, it’s home to a wide variety of marine animals, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles.

When Should You Drive Slea Head Drive?

Most people head out mid-morning, but to beat the crowds, you should truly start your journey around sunrise. The morning light washes over the cliffs and without the crowds it’s a lovely and quite way to enjoy the nature.

Plus, you avoid the tour buses and caravans that make some of the narrower parts of the road trickier to navigate later in the day. These tour buses are why you should always dive Slea Head in a counter-clockwise direction.

Insider Tip: How to Get Off-the-Beaten Path

About halfway through Slea Head Drive, you’ll encounter a sign for Coumeenoole Beach. Many travelers pass it by, eager for the next viewpoint or fishing village.

Don’t make that mistake.

Turn down that unassuming road and you’re confronted with steep cliffs plunging into jade waters. It’s a raw, unfiltered slice of the Emerald Isle.

While Coumeenoole Beach is no secret, its narrow, single-lane access road keeps most away. Even during busy summer months, this cove is relatively empty. On a sunny day, lay down a blanket, bring a small picnic, and watch as the Atlantic shore.

There’s no safe swimming area on this beach—the waves and currents are far too strong—but it’s gorgeous.

Plan Your Trip to Dingle Town

Where to Sleep

I stayed at the Hideout Hostel, which has small room dorms and was just completely lovely. Highly recommend it. It also offers private doubles, which would make a fantastic option for couples who want the social aspect of a hostel without the lack of privacy from shared dorm.

If the Hideout is booked, then Rainbow Hostel is a great alternative. The Hillgrove Guesthouse is ideal on a midrange budget, and or splurge on the An Capall Dubh B&B.

Where to Eat

While you’re driving Slea Head, you can stop in Ballyferriter if you haven’t packed anything, this small town has a lot of options. In Dingle Town, you must eat at Murphy’s Ice Cream.

Vegetarians will find two options at Marina Inn, a full menu at Adh Danlann Gallery Cafe, my dorm mates loved the chowder at John Benny’s Pub, and seafood lovers will drool over the recommendations in this piece from Saveur on Dingle’s best cuisine.

Best Place for Irish Music

You absolutely want at least one night in Dingle Town so that you can enjoy the live music at most local pubs and restaurants. Head out by 9pm to find a spot and have a chance to really enjoy the music. Everyone at our hostel went out together several nights and truly loved the vibe.

We had an amazing time at Dick Mack’s, which was recommended by the hostel owner, and O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub had an awesome mix of locals and tourists alike. O’Flaherty’s Pub is the go-to recommendation from many, but it was one that people either loved or hated—we didn’t visit.

What to Read

Although I carried the Ireland Lonely Planet, Laura was carrying the Rick Steves Ireland and, in the dual of “which one is better,” her’s won. Although I liked the LP for accommodation and transportation recommendations, her guide had a detailed accounting of this drive.

It had us start our trip-meter when we left Dingle, and then it offered fascinating tidbits we could read as we drove along—each fact corresponded to the mile markers and what we were seeing on the drive. It was a lot of fun and provided heaps of history and facts we would have otherwise missed.