Things To Do In Ireland

What is there to do in Dingle?

Dingle has so much to do. There are many famous pubs, locals playing traditional Irish music, small shops, an aquarium, boat tours of the harbor, and much more. You could easily spend a full day or two exploring the town and still not see everything.

What is the best pub in Dingle?

This is a trick question, as there are so many. It’s hard to describe what makes a Dingle pub special relative to others (even for Ireland’s standards), so you’ll have to check them out and see for yourself. But here are Magen and James’ top picks:

Dick Mack’s - easily our favorite. It’s locally owned and doubles as a leather shop. Sit in the front room and talk to one of the locals. Bonus points if you can find Joe (you’ll understand why).
Foxy John’s - like Dick Mack’s, this pub doubles as a hardware store. It’s one of the most well-known pubs in Dingle and is worth checking out.
Curran’s - lucky for all our guests, our welcome drinks reception on Friday will be held in the back area of Curran’s!
Kennedy’s - have a drink here and feel like you’re sitting in someone’s kitchen. If you’re lucky, you might be able to sit in the booth underneath the staircase like you’re Harry Potter.
Bob Griffin’s Bar - this is another great little pub that’s owned by a hilarious local. Take a seat and see where the conversation goes.
Those are our favorites but there’s so many more - check out the rest and find your favorite!

What is there to do in Dublin?

If you’re staying in Dublin before or after the wedding that’s great! We highly recommend visiting the Jameson Distillery Bow Street and the Guinness Storehouse - make sure to book your tour in advance. You can also have High Tea at the Shelbourne Hotel located in the “West Village” of Dublin and across from a lovely park. Helpful tip: The area around Temple Bar is an absolute mess, the pictures you’ll get online will be far better than elbowing your way in to see it. We haven’t spent a ton of time in Dublin but Magen remembers really enjoying the cute shops near the Shelbourne.

What else is there to do in Western Ireland?

Close to Dingle: You can explore the Dingle Peninsula. Rent a car and take a drive on Slea Head Drive and stop at the numerous scenic spots - including Dunquin Pier, Coumenoole Beach, and Clogher Head. The complete drive around Slea Head Drive could be completed in ~2-3 hrs including stops.
Within ~1 hour of Dingle:

Perhaps the most well known attraction in County Kerry is the Ring of Kerry, an amazingly scenic drive that is absolutely worth seeing if you have the time. Start in Killarney (an hour drive from Dingle), where you can rent a car or join a tour bus. Head towards Kenmare and continue driving west along the Ring of Kerry. The drive will take you along amazing cliffs and beaches, through valleys and across rivers, and everything in between. If you’re not convinced, ask Magen and James to share pictures to show you what you’ll see. The whole Ring of Kerry can be done in as little as ~3hrs without stopping, though we recommend stopping at all the small little towns (Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Killorgin, and many others).
If you want to spend less time driving, check out Killarney. Magen and James spent 2 months living here and have plenty of recommendations. There’s a pub for whatever vibe you’re looking for, the Killarney National Forest if you’re interested in hiking, or visit Muckross House if you want to see an old fancy building.

Within ~2-3 hours of Dingle:

Head over to Galway. It’s a small seaside town with a college vibe. Make sure to stop at the Cliffs of Moher, which is a can’t miss activity if you’re headed in this direction.
Check out Cork City. It’s Ireland’s second largest city after Dublin. There’s plenty to do here, including plenty of restaurants, pubs, and a comedy club that’s actually pretty good. It’s also a short drive over to Cobh, which is known for its colorful buildings along the sea.
If you’re feeling even more ambitious, drive further and visit Northern Ireland. Belfast has a ton to offer (including the Titanic Museum, on the spot that the Titanic was built), and just a little further drive you’ll reach Giant’s Causeway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.