Despite my lack
of quality preplanning, we were able to get in a
driving tour around the Dingle peninsula.
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The Ring of
Dingle refers to the road
network starting at the city of Dingle
that eventually loops back on itself to
return to Dingle. This drive is a delight
to the passengers and an adventure to the
driver. Winding around narrow costal
roads the "Ring of Dingle"
provides magnificent views and
opportunity to visit some interesting
historic remains. |
Photo Right - One of the
historic sites that drew me to this area,
the Gallarus Oratory.
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few o sights along the Ring of
Dingle: |
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Links:
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The area is doted with ancient
monuments but you will need a good local map and
more than a day to see but just a few of them. We stuck to visiting the
major historic sites and taking in the
picturesque views. Never the less, we some how
still bypassed a few of the attractions we were
on the look out for.
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Photo Left - On the
Dingle Peninsula much of the road signage
was displayed only in Irish.
One of the limitations
of driving the Ring of Dingle, is there
are a limited number of places to pull
over ones car. Consequently, you may see
a spectacular view, or that potentially perfect
photo, but you can not linger, as a parking place for your car is some distance ahead, or behind you.
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a photographer, my heart twinged as we
drove pass scenery capable of producing
award-winning photos but there was no
place to stop the car. The road narrowed
and traffic slowed considerably as we
started a series of hair pin curves . |
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Coming out of a
sharp curve, not more than 20 feet ahead was a
second sharp curve with water rushing over it.
Concentrating on my driving, I could see from the
corner of my eye what appeared to be a waterfall
dropping on to the road way. I had a flash back
to my childhood, when I was 11 years old my dad
had dragged me to a Travelogue on Ireland. Now,
the almost forgotten scene I had witnessed in the
Travelogue was to become part of my personal
experience. From the moment of seeing the water
on the road to having it hit the top and sides of
the car we have little time to prepare. As the
driver, all I could do was watch the road, this
day I wished I had been a passenger. Sadly, I
realize there was no place to park in order to
truly appreciate the water fall; there would be
no photo of the experience to share with others.
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The City of
Dingle was bustling with
activity. A good location for exploring
the area west, Dingle's main attraction
is its shops and restaurants. Photo
Left: City of Dingle
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