blasket island boat trip from dingle

DINGLES ORIGINAL SPEED BOAT ADVENTURE TOUR - VOTED NO.1 TRIP IN DINGLE

An turas báid is fearr riamh

Premium Tour

Our Premium full day tour is the ultimate eco experience, combining a wildlife sea safari with a Great Blasket Island landing.

• Exhilarating speed boat adventure tour.
• Cave and cove explorations.
• Geology and history.
• Marine and Birdlife sighting; Whales, Dolphins, Seals, Puffins, Basking sharks, Sea birds (sea and weather permitting).
• An unforgettable Great Blasket Island landing.
• View one of the largest Grey Seal colonies.
• Island coffee shop and picnic area.
• Complimentary tea/coffee included.
• Toilet facilities.

Approx: 1 hr outward transfer 3.5 hr Island landing 1hr 20 minutes return transfer.

– Max capacity 12 passengers. – Private Charters available

MINI PREMIUM TOUR

A direct transfer from Dingle Bay to the Great Blasket Island, passing the beautiful Dingle coastline and stopping with any marine life on route.

• Guided 40-minute transfer.
• 4 Hour Great Blasket Island Landing.
• Ideal for children and families.
• Spectacular scenery.

Approx: 40-minute outward transfer 4-hour Island landing 40-minute return transfer.

UNIQUE ISLAND ACCOMMODATION

Private self-catering accommodation in five restored cottages on the Great Blasket Island.

• Each cottage includes: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living area, dining & kitchenette space and two fuel burning stoves
• Cooking utensils
• Tea and hand towels
• Basic provisions i.e salt, pepper, oil, tea, coffee (french press), washing up liquid, cleaning supplies
• Candles and head torches provided - no electricity

Cottage Check-in – 2 pm

Cottage Checkout – 10 am

• We do not allow pets to stay on the island.

Join us on this amazing Island

Great blasket island experience – unique boat tours and accommodation..

The Great Blasket Island is a remote Island located off the Dingle Peninsula. With over 1,100 acres of unspoiled largely mountainous terrain, the Great Blasket Island is approximately 4 miles long by 1/2 mile wide. Now classified as a Special Area of Conservation, it is home to an abundance of wildlife and fauna. This uninhabited Island is thriving with Irish history, heritage and life.  Take one of our popular  Great Blasket Island Boat Tours or overnight in unique self catering accommodation, immersing yourself in the ultimate Irish getaway.

The Great Blasket Island is one of the most remote parts of the Irish Language Speaking areas of Corca Dhuibhne. Although deserted since 1953 it is famous for the abundance of literature produced by the Irish speaking inhabitants who will live on forever through the documentation by them of the extraordinary details of their ordinary lives

“ Dheineas mo dhícheall an chuntas cruinn a chur síos ar an dream a raibh aithne agam ortha, ionas go mbeadh cuimhne orainn ar Shlí na Fírinne ”  Peig Sayers 1873- 1958

We offer two day tours options:

Premium Day Tour:  The most comprehensive full day in Dingle Bay. Experience the natural beauty touring the coastline and rugged cliffs of the Wild Atlantic Way all to the Great Blasket Island.

Includes: Marine & bird life, cave & cove explorations, outer Blasket Islands, 4 hour Great Blasket landing, complimentary tea/coffee and use of Island facilities. 

Direct Ferry:

A direct transfer option: a fast 45 minute guided ferry from Dingle Bay to Great Blasket Island. Stopping with any wildlife enroute, this is for those who wish to experience less boat time and more Island exploring. A great option for families and walkers.  

Let’s Get in Touch

• Your Name *
• Your message
• Tick to subscribe to our Newsletter (Special Offers & Promotions)
• By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fill in the fields in Contact Form and ask questions you are interested in The Great Blasket Island Boat Tours or Great Blasket Island Accommodation

Don’t hesitate to contact us via phone: Billy (Skipper) 086 057 2626 | Alice (Bookings) 086 313 5098

We are proud to be in a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) region

The Great Blasket Island is on the beautful Wild Atlantic Way

Supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta

[email protected]    +353 85 2805202

Blasket Island Ferries

dunquin pier

A magical trip to The Blasket Island

SEASON 2024 

9th MAY to 22nd of SEPTEMBER

Relax and soak in the breathtaking views of the most westerly lands in Europe while listening to the calls of the huge number of breeding seabirds such as Puffins, Fulmars, Guillemots, Storm Petrels and Shearwaters. The island is also home to one of the largest Grey Seal colonies in Ireland. Come and enjoy this remote and unspoiled beauty firsthand and we promise you an experience never to be forgotten. The O.P.W offer free guided walking tours around the island village at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm lasting approx 45 minutes.

ADULT TICKET        CHILD TICKET

         € 40                   €30        

Ferry Trips from Cé Dhún Chaoin/ Dunquin Pier to

An Blascaod Mór/The Great Blasket Island:

      Depart Dunquin Pier           Depart Island               

 9:50 am                          2:15pm

      10:50 am                         3:15pm      

11:50am                         4:15pm

12:50pm                         5:15pm

There are set return times for each trip due to limited seating onboard.  Ticket collection for prebooked seats can be made up to 15 minutes before departure from our blue office at the top of Dunquin Pier. Street parking available at no charge.

A quick 20 minute crossing and visitors get to enjoy approx 3hrs 45mins on the island.  To book your seats, once you have read carefully the important info section below, please call or email us with your preferred date/departure time and your mobile number. No need for payment until the day as our service is weather permitting. We will get in touch the evening before your trip to confirm your booking, once we get the latest updates for sea and weather conditions.  To cancel your booking, we require 24 hours notice.

WILD CAMPING

For those interested in 'Wild Camping ' on The Great Blasket Island, departure times from Dunquin Pier are 2:30pm and 3:30pm and pick up the following day at 10:05am or 11:05am. A fresh water source is available at the island village.  To book your seats, call or email us to check availability for your preferred date/time. 

Please note that the toilet facilities have reopened on the island. We advise bringing  a packed lunch, bottled water, insect repellent, light rain gear (just in case!) and wearing comfortable walking/hiking shoes with good grip. Flipflops and slip-on shoes are not suitable for the trip! 

IMPORTANT INFO!

This trip is NOT suitable for people with mobility/joint issues or for those with heart conditions/recent surgeries. You must be sure of your footing as the pathway down to Dunquin Pier is quite steep, along with  parts of the island terrain, which can also be uneven in places. Passenger safety is our priority and we advise that it's best to avoid the trip if you have any of the above issues. After reaching the island, passengers are required to transfer from the Lady Avalon to an 8 passenge r rib to access the shallower waters at the island slip way and when the tide is low at Dunquin Pier passengers are transported by rib to the ferry which is moored close by.

The ferry trip is suitable for adults and children 7 years of age and above.

A Little About Us

All vessels operated by Blasket Island Ferries are inspected annually by marine surveyors of the Irish Department of Marine. We are a family run business and operate a passenger ferry 'Lady Avalon' from Cé Dhún Chaoin/Dunquin Pier to An Blascaod Mór/The Great Blasket Island. Over the last thirty years, more than 80% of passengers landing on the island travelled with Blasket Island Ferries.  Our passenger vessel operating from Dunquin Pier to The Great Blasket Island was purpose designed and built as an inshore Island ferry and boasts a comprehensive intergrated electronic navigation package. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!  

R    * Trip is suitable for adults and children 7 years of age and above.

*Please note that after reaching the island, visitors are transferred from our ferry Lady Avalon to a smaller 8 passenger rib to access the shallower waters of the island slipway.

*As the island terrain is steep and uneven in places we advise that this trip is not suitable for those with heart conditions and/or mobility issues.

     €40 per A dult

 € 30 per Child

Booking is advised!

Ferry service is weather permitting.  

Hourly ferry trips from 9.50am every day (Weather permitting) times may vary due to demand. we strongly advise to email ahead of time to reserve your seats!

Season 2024 runs from 9th May to 22nd September

Suitable for those interested in hiking, walking,birdwatching and nature lovers.

Lots of tracks and trails to follow on the island and a beautiful white sandy beach called An Tra Ban/The White Strand, which is home to one of Ireland's largest Grey Seal colonies. We kindly ask all island visitors to stay a minimum of 50 metres away from the seals. This ensures that they will stay on the beach, undisturbed, so everyone can enjoy seeing them.                 

Testimonials and Reviews

Grabbed the ferry from Dunquin Pier in May with my friends, had an absolutely amazing time! Crew were very friendly and they took great care of us. The island itself was beautiful, very peaceful and we saw hundreds of grey seals up on the beach. Took a guided walking tour around the little island village which was great fun and free! Definitely going back to visit again. Great trip!

Sarah Kenny

I had amazing weekend one of the best in my life and I will remember it for a long time. What a place everyone should visit this beautiful island because words and pictures cant describe atmosphere of Blasket Island. So happy that I had chance to spend time in this little heaven thank you guys for made our trip on the boat more exciting by letting us go to the front of the boat - I did love it!!!

Kasia Katarzyna  

Many thanks to Blasket Island Ferries for a wonderful trip. The staff were helpful and friendly. Booking was very simple especially as contact could be made through FB. I'll definitely make a trip again.

Katherine Ross

Took a boat trip with Blasket Island Ferries with my husband and we had an absolute blast. Very easy to make a booking through Facebook and we were kept updated on weather conditions. Amazing scenery and we did a hike around the first peak on the island. Definitely recommending this trip to all my friends!

Emma  Flaherty

Dunquin Pier, Co. Kerry. Ireland

[email protected]

+353 (85) 2805202

• Blasket Islands

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

Explore dingle's marine beauty on the afternoon boat tour.

Our Guided Tour

What to expect.

What is the duration?

The tour is 2.5 - 3 Hours Long. Please arrive 30 minutes before departure.

What should I bring/wear?

You are advised to dress appropriately, with warm and waterproof clothing. Weather proof clothing and Lifejackets supplied. There is a small dry storage compartment under every seat, should you bring personal belongings or a camera.

Are there toilets on board?

There is one full heads Toilet onboard for passenger comfort.

Are there restrictions?

Please call if you have any underlying health conditions. I.E - heart, back or pregnancy

What about the Weather?

All sailings are subject to safe weather conditions. We have the right to cancel any tour. In the case of inclement weather - your fare will be refunded or another date and time will be offered.

There is hand sanitiser available onboard. Trips may be cancelled due to Government Restrictions. Lifejackets are sanitised after every trip.

Duration 2.5hr Departure 9.30am Age 9+

Duration 2.5hr departure 6.30pm age 9+, booking is essential.

• Blasket Islands Adventure

Dingle Bay Cliff Tour

Mini eco tour, private charter, sparkling sunset cruise, wildlife tour.

• What To Expect

Blasket Island Adventure Tour

Join us on this 2.5 to 3 hour boat tour from Dingle Bay to the Great Blasket Islands along the magnificent Slea-Head coastline. This tour features spectacular cliffs and other natural landmarks. You will also have every chance of seeing marine wildlife such as dolphins, whales, seals and puffins. Please remember this can never be guaranteed as we cannot (and would not want to) control the wonders of nature.

We recommend this tour to adults and children over the age of 10

Adults:  €60 Children: €40

The duration of this tour is between 2.5 and 3 hours

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Wheelchair accessible. Please phone in advance to ensure correct vessel is available

New this season this tour is the perfect trip for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. On this tour we will be specifically searching for wildlife in the area such as different species of dolphins, whales, seals and sea birds. The location of the wildlife will dictate where the tour takes us. Please note wildlife differs throughout the year and specific types cannot be guaranteed at any time of the year.

We recommend this tour to adults and children over the age of 12

Adults: €70 Children: €70

The duration of the tour is 4 hours

Join us on this 2 hour guided boat tour where you will venture outside Dingle Harbour along the stunning coastline. You will see the spectacular scenery with every chance of seeing local marine wildlife such as dolphins, seals and different species of sea birds. Please remember wildlife is exactly that – wild – and therefore we cannot guarantee any sightings of marine wildlife on any tour

Adults: €15 Children: €10

The duration of this tour is between 45 mins to 1 hour

New this season we are offering a wonderful cruise around Dingle bay at sunset hours for July and August only. Join us for an hour and a half tour where you can sit back and enjoy the wonderful scenery with a complimentary glass of prosecco.

 Adults only (over 18s)

Adults: €30 (Includes free glass of prosecco)

The duration of this tour is 1.5 hours

Wheelchair accessible Free glass of prosecco

Hire a private boat for up to 24 passengers with your own skipper. On this tour you will go in and round Dingle harbour and see all the wonderful scenery and landmarks. This tour is ideal for all group types including families, friends, bus tours, school tours and birthday, hen and stag parties

• MOST POPULAR IN BLASKET ISLAND!

Blasket Island Eco Tour

A Fun and Informative Guided Tour Filled with History and Folklore

Quick Details

• User Ages: All Ages
• Hour Glass Duration: 3.5 Hours

Take a Blasket Island Eco Tour in Co. Kerry, Ireland!

Enjoy a fun and informative three and a half hour guided eco tour along the coast past Slea Head, the Great Blasket Island, Beginis Island and out into the bay to the Wild Bank..

Enjoy the magnificent cliffs and 350 million year old sandstone rock formations along the coastline of the Dingle Peninsula. Pause at the Blasket Strand and your guide will talk you through the history and folklore of the unique society that was formed on the Blasket Islands.

Stop off at the Grey Seal colony around the Great Blasket Island beach and Beginis Island then head out the bay to the Wild Bank to search for whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife. (Some species are more common in different months and sightings cannot be guaranteed).

Please arrive in Dingle at least 30 minutes before departure if you need to find parking.

This trip requires at least 10 participants to run. If this minimum is not met, the trip is subject to cancellation

What to bring

•   Bring along your e-tickets with QR code and wear weather-appropriate clothing.

Related Activities

• Hour Glass 4 Hours 30 mins
• User All Ages

Blasket Island Ferry

Looking for a unique island tour with a bit of history? Then this Blasket Island ferry tour is perfect for you! Enjoy a spectacular hike around this rugged and breathtaking location, explore the abandoned village or take a stroll on the beautiful White Strand. Book online!

• MOST POPULAR IN DINGLE BAY!
• Hour Glass 1 Hour

Harbour & Bay Cruise

Relish the delights of a short boat cruise of Dingle Bay with enlightening commentary on local history and landmarks. As you cruise around Dingle harbour and into the bay, learn about the formation of the cliffs and sea arches, local maritime history, and more! Book your tour online!

• MOST POPULAR FISHING TRIP!
• Hour Glass 2 Hours

2 Hour Fishing Trip

Come fish the waters in Dingle Bay with one of our skippers! Whether you are a novice fisherman or an experienced sea angler, you can experience the thrills of deep-sea fishing in Dingle Bay on board our fully-licensed and equipped angling boats. Book online today!

Exploring Ireland’s west coast: from Dingle to Donegal, Achill Island and the Cliffs of Moher

D INGLE, Ireland – The west coast of Ireland is the stuff of travel dreams – filled with soaring cliffs, bright green pastures and grazing sheep, glorious beaches, charming towns and ancient ruins. It’s worthy of a week all its own, if you have the time.

I suspected when I planned this itinerary that I was doing it too fast – covering too many kilometers in just four days, not leaving enough time to stop and smell the rhododendrons (which were in full bloom in County Mayo in late May, by the way).

Ireland’s tourism department created the Wild Atlantic Way in 2014, a driving route along the west coast that covers some 1,500 miles through nine counties. Well-placed signage along the route directs drivers to and from sights along the scenic path.

We didn’t cover it all, skipping some sections entirely and occasionally opting for faster highways to get us to our destinations quicker.

But we covered much of it, starting in Dingle, traveling north to the Cliffs of Moher, then driving through Galway to Clifden, biking out to Achill Island and ending our tour in Donegal. I wished I had an extra day in every location.

Ah well. It’s always better to want more than to stay too long.

And who knows — maybe I’ll be back. The new Aer Lingus flight, nonstop between Cleveland and Dublin, makes frequent trips to Ireland pretty tempting.

Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula is one of several scenic peninsulas along Ireland’s southwest coast. The Iveragh Peninsula, with its well-known Ring of Kerry scenic drive, is directly south and more popular. But I chose Dingle because it’s smaller, more manageable, and typically less crowded.

Dingle’s primary attraction is Slea Head Drive, a 24-mile loop route at the far west end of the peninsula that hugs the coastline most of the way. It’s dotted with ancient ruins and more contemporary sites, with dramatic cliffs, lush farmland and beautiful beaches.

The entire route was spectacular, striking and serene all at once. And though just 24 miles, it took us more than six hours to complete, as we stopped nearly a dozen times to check out interesting sites along the way.

Most of the route was uncrowded, although I imagine that will change as the summer tourist season heats up. The route is two-way, except for tour buses, which must travel clockwise. Most of the traffic flows that way too – in part, no doubt, to avoid getting trapped by one of those mega buses we saw maneuvering some very tight hairpin turns. The route is also popular with bicyclists, although it looked like too much of a workout for me, with lots of hills.

Among the stops:

* The Blasket Centre, on the mainland directly across from Great Blasket Island, the one-time home of as many as 175 residents. In 1953, the island was evacuated – too many people had voluntarily relocated, leaving the existing population too isolated and vulnerable. The island’s rich Irish-speaking culture is chronicled and celebrated at this small museum, built in 1994. Don’t miss it. Note: Separately, tours to the island are available from Dingle.

* Dunbeg Fort, a defensive structure dating back some 2,000 years or more. It’s been substantially eroded and rebuilt over the years, and it’s little wonder why – this fort is precariously perched on the cliffs, hundreds of feet above the crashing Atlantic.

* Gallarus Oratory, an elegantly constructed dry stone building – that is, built without mortar — which dates back as many as 1,300 years. The small structure, about 16 feet by 10 feet, was likely used as a small chapel.

* Irish Famine Cottages, a collection of small, spare structures built in the 19th century, and abandoned during the Great Famine, which hit this area of Ireland particularly hard.

And don’t miss a stop at Dunmore Head and Coumeenoole Beach – a gorgeous stretch of sand and the only place in Ireland I dared take my shoes off and walk barefoot in the water. Brrr!

The town of Dingle is the starting and ending point for the drive and a lovely place to spend a couple of nights. Tucked alongside a protective harbor, the charming town is home to dozens of restaurants and shops. It’s also a thriving fishing port, with a downtown marina lined with commercial boats.

I had my best meal in all of Ireland here at Out of the Blue , which offers a seafood-only menu written on a chalkboard, dictated by what the boats bring in. I also heard some of the best Irish music of my trip in Dingle, at O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub and Neligan’s.

And don’t miss Murphy’s Ice Cream, with two locations in town, featuring a tasty gin-flavored ice cream, and chocolate whiskey, among many others.

Where we stayed: We spent two nights at the quiet and comfortable O’Neill’s Bed and Breakfast , well-located on a side street in town, operated by Stephen O’Neill, who took over the business from his parents several years ago. At 110 euros per night, it was the most economical accommodation of my 9-night trip to Ireland and included a full Irish breakfast.

Note: There are two routes into Dingle, one along the southern coast of the peninsula and another along the northern coast. The northern route, along R560, cuts through the mountains via Conor Pass, a narrow, twisting mountain road that, after reaching its peak at about 1,500 feet, descends dramatically into Dingle. The roadway, which reduces to one lane in sections, is not for the faint of heart – but it is spectacular. Don’t miss it.

A final thought on Dingle: The afternoon we arrived, a large cruise ship was docked off the coast of Dingle – an increasingly common occurrence, according to O’Neill, who said there are four more ships scheduled to visit town this summer. There is no major pier here, so passengers are shuttled via tender to the mainland, where they descend on the small downtown for a few hours of shopping and sightseeing.

It will be interesting to see whether and how the cruise industry alters the small-town charm of Dingle and other Irish coastal communities. On the one hand, the economic impact of the visitors is certainly welcome, but the long-term effect the ships could have on the town may not be.

Cliffs of Moher

From Dingle, we drove north to the Cliffs of Moher, a scenic drive that included a 20-minute ferry across the Shannon estuary, connecting Tarbert and Killimer (23 euros; shannonferries.com ). The Cliffs were another hour-drive north.

Towering up to 700 feet above the ocean, the Cliffs stretch for nearly 9 miles along the west coast of Ireland south of Galway. It’s one of the country’s top sites for a reason, with dramatic views in every direction.

Access to what’s called the Cliffs of Moher Experience is via a central entryway that includes a visitors center built into the ground. Admission, including parking, is 10 euros per person during midday, cheaper in the morning or later afternoon.

You can also hike to the cliffs from the nearby towns of Doolin and Liscannor and avoid paying admission, although you won’t be able to access the visitors center.

The central cliffs area can get quite crowded, so come early or late if you can. My husband and I arrived at about 1 p.m., with the midday sun straight overhead, which tended to wash out our photographs.

Some of the viewing areas closest to the visitors center got clogged with people during our stay, but it was easy enough to escape the crowds by walking a bit farther along the coast.

We spent about two hours here, most of it walking along the coastal trail. And I would have stayed longer, but our next destination was calling.

A castle in Clifden

After stopping in Doolin for ice cream, we continued north toward Galway, motoring through an area known as the Burren (literally “rocky place”), a region so completely unexpected amid the green of Ireland. The area, approximately 200 square miles, features a stark landscape of rocky mountains carved from limestone. It was like driving on the moon.

The only unpleasant part of the trip came as we maneuvered through Galway, population 80,000, where we got caught in traffic and delayed by road construction. If I had to do it over again, I would have spent the night here.

Our destination was another 90 minutes northwest, in Clifden. We arrived at our hotel – the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel – just in time to hear owner Ronan Hughes recount the history of the building and the region and offer a complimentary champagne toast to some of the people who made it possible. (Read more about our castle stay here: Castle overnight in Ireland: What’s in a name? )

Clifden is in the heart of Ireland’s Connemara region, another starkly beautiful area of Ireland to explore, with jagged mountains, serene inland lakes and a dramatic coastline to explore.

We rose early to drive the Sky Road, a short, 10-mile loop that offers panoramic views of the ocean, islands and surrounding countryside. Then we took a short walk to check out the ruins of Clifden Castle, built by the same man, John D’Arcy, who founded the town and built Abbeyglen.

And here we encountered one more example of that famous Irish hospitality: The gentleman who owns the land that includes Clifden Castle came outside to tell us the property was private and to please not go inside the structure, because it wasn’t safe. And then he invited us along for an exterior tour of the space.

If I had another day here, I would have toured scenic Kylemore Abbey (built in 1868), hiked Connemara National Park and maybe taken a boat ride on Killany Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. But time was tight, so we continued our drive north to County Mayo.

Biking through County Mayo

For several decades at the turn of the 19th century, a railroad operated from Westport to Achill Island. In 2010, the rail line was turned into a level, paved path, creating what has to be one of the world’s most spectacular bikeways, the Great Western Greenway , which traverses 27 miles through scenic County Mayo.

We started our trip from Newport, skipping the first 7 miles of the greenway, from Westport to Newport, which I had read was the least scenic part of the route, as it parallels the roadway. The route from Newport was spectacular from start to finish – through farmland and forest, past pastures and lakes, with the Atlantic coast within eyesight through much of it.

We pedaled past horses and cows and sheep – and a handful of humans, too. I imagine it will get much busier as the summer progresses. We stopped for lunch in the tiny town of Mulranny, overlooking Clew Bay, then summoned the energy to finish the final 8 miles to Achill.

My only regret was that we didn’t opt for electric bikes because although this was mostly flat, 20 miles is a lot (for me), and I didn’t need to work that hard.

We did opt for the shuttle ride back, however.

The route ends at the bridge to Achill Island – which, at 57 square miles, is Ireland’s largest island, with cliffs and mountains and some of the country’s most spectacular beaches. It’s a sister city to Cleveland, which is why the group of Northeast Ohio government and business leaders who traveled to Ireland last month spent a night here.

I, however, continued my route north, to Donegal.

But first, I asked our shuttle driver, the owner of Greenway Bicycle Hire in Newport, if he wouldn’t mind driving us the few miles west to see the statue of Johnny Kilbane, the Achill native who found fame in Cleveland as a boxer in the early 1900s.

Though he had never heard of Kilbane, or the statue, he graciously agreed. After I thanked him, I told him I might not be the last Clevelander who makes such a request.

Last stop: Donegal

We ended our tour in the town of Donegal, in Ireland’s northernmost county (also Donegal). Unfortunately, we were here mostly to sleep, before heading to our next stop. Next time, for sure, I’ll allot at least a day or two to explore the rugged coastline in Ireland’s most remote region.

For now, though, our tour came to an end at the Reel Inn, a venue well-regarded for its traditional Irish music offerings.

The place was standing-room only when we entered, filled with the sounds of banjo and button accordion. I eventually secured a couple of seats at a table by the door, where we listened for hours to the lively soundtrack of Ireland’s wild Atlantic coast before returning to our hotel.

Then, the next morning, we were off – to Northern Ireland, to the Antrim Coast and Giant’s Causeway, yet another spectacular coastal region on an island that has so many of them.

Driving in Ireland: Narrow streets, insurance extras and staying on the left side of the road

En route from Dublin to Dingle: Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny Castle

48 hours in Dublin: New Aer Lingus flight from Cleveland makes for an easy international getaway

First flight on Aer Lingus: Go to sleep in Cleveland, wake up in Dublin

(Coming next month: Two days in Northern Ireland: Giant’s Causeway, Belfast and the Titanic museum.)

©2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.