Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?

Subject: Dingle Peninsula
From: GUEST,Slarttibartfast
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 04:24 AM

Hi

I'm will be going to the Dingle peninsula in a couple of weeks, haven't been there for several years, does anyone know of the best bars to go to for music and is there any "must do" things people could recommend.

Ta

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula
From: Stu
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 04:45 AM

Take a walk on Inch Strand.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sight
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 06:03 AM

If you have been before - you then MUST know - that your choices are very limited.

You can walk all the place twice even thrice in an hour.

Maybe four - at the most six pubs.

Maybe walk out on the jetty and watch the people harassing the dolphin...by the bay entrance.

Good for photography and sometimes some large minus tides. Get up at dawn and walk the area for 5 to 10K around the bay - your time will be best spent that way. Watch the fishing boats unload.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 06:17 AM

Gargoyle

Note the enquiry covered the peninsula, not just Dingle itself!

THIS SITE gives some basic info on sessions in Dingle. As ever, the best trick is to try one, sidle up to a musician who looks like he/she knows what they're doing - and ask what's on locally.

Regards

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Sean Mc
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 06:29 AM

Go to a session at Natterjacks in Castlegregory.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Sean Mc
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 06:36 AM

These sessions were filmed at Natterjacks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVo5uUf3g7U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDG1rychNPU

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: ossonflags
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 06:46 AM

You dont say how many years Guest slarttibartfast since you were there.
I have been going since the Ryans Daughter film put Dingle firmly on the map.Missed a coupla years then the "Fungi" mania gripped the town.Then they built the Marina and a massive car park. Was there last year and The peninsular and Dingle does have a magical attraction for me even though very commercialised.This time of the year is a good time to go before the crowds get there

Some of the best scenery in Ireland is still only a coupla miles outside the town - Ventry Bay, Slea head and view over the Blasket Islands in all its majesty for one.In my humble opinion worth it for that.

'Tother side of Peninsular is Brandon with a coupla pubs the best being Nora Murphys on the quay.Don't mind you playing in there Wonderfull veiws of the Maharrees.

Pubs again a bit of a hit and miss. Most pubs near the Quay have music on every night.Not a lot of impromptu stuff usually paid acts, but some like in Murphys Bar will ask you to sing - Ask for Billy Mckenna in there and give him my best.Sometimes at teh Hillsbro top acts. Christy Moore has played there

O'Flahertys,The Small Bridge, Dingle Pub, all have music.

Dick Macks - a great place for blow ins, students and British ex pats dont mind if you strike up in there .

My Favourite bar Flahives on the Quay is still there but does not open any more.

For proper locals pubs you cant do any better than Currans or Foxy John Moriatys.

Enjoy!!!!
Mick McGarry

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST,Rob the Roadie
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 07:16 AM

Last time I was there O Granneys was a great restaurant for food. That was about 8 years ago!!!

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 04:18 AM

Re-iterate what Ossenflags has already posted, one MUST see is the view from the top of the Connor Pass it is astoundingly beautiful as is the drive round Slea Head, Ballyferriter is a cracking place to stop, four bars, my particular favourite being Murhpys, Maurice and Nora who run it are very kind people and enjoy the craic, quite happy for you to play in there. There is just so much to see it is incredible it is all in one samll area.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 04:26 AM

I suppose I've been in the Dingle area a dozen or more times over the years - and I've never meanaged to cross the Connor Pass in anything other than rain or fog! But don't let that put you off... Mind you, I did manage to sail around the area on a trip from Galway to Dingle in a small yacht, last year - and that really WAS spectacular!

Regards

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: ossonflags
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 05:12 AM

On a good day you may see the dingle puck goat on the top of the pass.

Try the pilgrims path from the top; cross from car park and walk back to Dingle.I did hear a story that a local bus driver backed a single decker bus over and down the pass for charity!! - pass the brown trousers Carruthers!!!!

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 05:36 AM

Ossenflags also mentioned Nora Murphys at Brandon, the views as he stated are magnificent what he doesn't say is that apart from the Maharees peninsula, you also get a great view of the Slieve Mish mountains, Fermoyle Strand, the Owenmore River, County Clare across the bay. The location is great and the landlady (Mary)one of the kindest people I have ever had the good fortune to meet. You can also fish from the pier although the only thing I have ever caught was a 10lb seaweed.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Dick The Box
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 07:06 AM

I have met the goat at the top of the Connor Pass. When I mentioned it to a local he said "It doesn't get much to eat up there but he sure has a good view".

I have played in Ashe's Bar in Camp. Well I had to really....

Richard Ashe

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sight
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 07:18 AM

Don't miss the Blasket Heritage Centre; the Cafe Literatera (spelling's wrong) in Dingle for books, recordings, soup and sandwiches; Gallerus Oratory; Kilmakadar; Brendan's Cove and, if you wish, you can take a boat out to the Blaskets and wander around for a couple of hours (there are NO pubs, stores, or anything much out there -- just memories and great scenery).

My wife's folks are from Ventry-'Cross-The-Bay, and they still have the old farmstead straight down from the Tower.

Oh, yeah -- for good (and expensive) leather goods Holden Leather has their factory and shop in an old National School near the old Ventry estate (follow the signs, it's a one-and-a-half lane road).

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 07:06 PM

Well I was there this time last year. Stayed at Avondale bed and breakfast..great food..wonderful hosts...066 9151606 [e-mail]

Right around the corner from Garvey's grocery store and near to Garvey
's sporting goods store, which are must sees of course. You can sit on the Garvey bench in the Garvey store. Now to get to the home of my ancestors you must go to Dunquin near the Gallyrus? Well, it is called Maum on orhrig or something like that. If you take an archeology tour with the b&b host he will show you where it is. Not to be missed. Now, some ancestors are buried in St. Catherine's in Dunquin and I am pretty sure I am descended from the wild men of Dunquin. I was not able to get there to that graveyard, although I did get to one in Ballyferriter but if you came across any Garvey or Fitzgerald headstones and could photograph them that would be great. Especially one called Mary (Garvey) Fitzgerald..probably died 1870 or so? Not sure. She died of doing a novena in the rain. There are some Fitzgeralds in Ballyferriter that I am related to. It is eeirie going to Ventry Estate and seeing where your ancestors could have been "owned" almost although I am not at all sure they were...

I was told O'Flaherty's was the best place ofr music and while it was good, it was way too heavy on the flute for me. I didn't really hear any absolutely awesome music when I was there, but really did not have time. Did not make it to the Blasket Islands due to weather but it sounds great. Very beautiful land over there. Murphy's right on the bay had very good food and took VIsa which not all of them did. Nice little music store run by another O'Flaherty right across from the Catholic cathedral there. mg

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 07:18 PM

I have a very sad song about the famine in that area if anyone wants it..just pm me. It is about the uphill walk to the workhouse from Dingle to Tralee and that is what it is called. mg

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: ossonflags
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 02:36 AM

Hard to pm you mg as you are a guest.Maybe you could pm me with the song?

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST,bazparkes
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 06:10 AM

You could always stand on the beach and castin he ocean for wild Atlantic bass....:-)

Baz

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 07:29 AM

I have played many gigs in the Small Bridge(An Droichead Beag spelling?) in Dingle. It used to be the good bar for music, but I haven't been for a few years and things may change.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST,Edthefolkie
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 08:11 AM

If you don't mind a drive to the other side of Dingle Bay you could try a boat trip to the Skelligs from Portmagee on Valentia Island. As featured on "Coast" on the telly last night by the way.

You can see billions of gannets on Little Skellig and exhaust youself climbing nearly vertically up Skellig Michael to the beehive huts of the monastery. The guys who run the trips may converse in Gaelic, go fishing while you're on the island, and gut the catch on the way home; ours did!

The whole thing is saved from being touristy by the stark beauty of the islands - and you can try a bar in Portmagee or Carhiserveen afterwards. We witnessed a very good gig from a band called Tuatha and I drank far too much Guinness.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 03:15 PM

We went just the once, in 1977 (I knew diddley squat about music then - aargh!) and we climbed Brandon Peak/Brandon Mountain. In four weeks I got three punctures and the roads nearly wrecked the bloody suspension of me Morris Minor. We stayed for two weeks (unintended, but we loved it) in a lovely B&B at Cross Cloghane, a few miles from Brandon, which was run by Mrs O'Neill, Nellie I think she was, who was well into her 70s then. Our breakfast was massive and we didn't have to eat again until evening. Being the man, I always got one more egg than my wife! Her sister ran the aforementioned pub at the quay at Brandon and it was called Murphy's then. I think it was her surname but I can't be sure. We took a huge salmon to the pub from Mrs O'Neill's house one night, wrapped in plain brown paper (we didn't ask), and they cooked it in the pub and we were rewarded with an invitation to join in the feasting on the magnificent beast in the back room. None of yer factory-farmed muck there. We did get a view from Connor Pass and, being a bit of a botanist, I found the genuine St Patrick's Cabbage growing near the top. I remember a lovely young lady called Ellen serving us the breakfast at Mrs O'Neill's. I wonder whether she's still around.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 08:51 PM

My wife first went there in 1966, and the slides she took then show how MUCH things have changed. Electricity in the barn but not in the house -- and then The Man did "security" for "Ryan's Daughter" (the love scene was filmed in the grove on the property) and they added a room to the house, added electricity.... "What did you do for the security?" I once asked him.

"Ah, the dog and me went down each night and closed the gate. Nobody was going there anyway," he replied.

Now, of course, it's in the Deutschtacht.....

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Raggytash
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 04:02 AM

Think you can get boats out to the Skelligs from Dingle, saves a 70-80 miles drive down to Portmagee

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 10:05 AM

On my trip to Ireland, I found that a good way to locate traditioal music was to ask at the desk of my lodging. Sometimes the innkeeper has to check with someone else, so don't ask at the last minute.

'Traditional' seems to be the favored term. In Bantry, the hotel owner turned to a waitress and asked, 'Is there traditional tonight?'

Once we were in a small Scottish town and saw a flyer for a fine festival in the window of the youth hostel. We drove 125 miles to the festival and amazed the other guests at our B&B.

These events were 5 to 10 years ago. Traditional music may be better publicized now, but I rather doubt it.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: alison
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 03:08 AM

Skellig Michael (Greater Skellig) although its probably usually got to from the Ring of Kerry (we went from Ballinskelligs)- especially if you can get a boat from Dingle. Amazing place. Otherwise it is worth the drive

Slea Head - the beehive huts & the fort (can't remember the name) that clings to the edge of the cliff - brilliant - there are passageways there created with gaps in the overlying footpaths so shafts of light illuminate the passageways - my kids loved it.
Amazing views from all around the headland.

the Conor Pass is great too as long as you don't get stuck behind a big tourist bus.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Rog Peek
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 01:38 PM

You will also need to keep a look out for the horse.

The first time We drove over the Conor Pass, on our return to where we were staying I went down to the local for a pint.

Now my local where we go in Ireland was Dan O'Connell's in Knocknagree, now sadly closed, having been opened by Dan in 1963 with the intension of preserving the local set dancing, which, with the demise of the local dance halls was in danger of passing out of existence.   

So, I'm in O'Connells chatting with Dan and happened to mention that we had driven over the pass and how magnificent the scenery had been. So Dan says to me "Did you hear about the Yank who came over from the states with his Cadillac and drove through the pass?"
"No" says I
"Well" says he "This Yank was driving from Tralee to Dingle to take in the scenery when he came to a fork in the road where the sign post which pointed right had Dingle written on it as did the sign post pointing to the left.
Not knowing which one to take, he happened to spot an old man with his cow tethered on the side of the road.
'I'm going to Dingle old man' he said 'Which road should I take?
'Well' said the old man 'If you're in a hurry, then take the left fork, the lower road is more direct. If you want the scenery though, then the upper road is the one for you, that will take you over the Connor Pass.'
'Yea, the scenery's what I want' he said as he drove off towards the Connor Pass.
He'd been driving for a while taking in the magnificent views when with steam coming from under the bonnet (hood) of his Cadillac he was forced to pull over.
He got out of the car and lifted the bonnet when from behind him he heard a voice say 'It's your fan belt.'
He turned around to see a horse standing there.
'It's your fan belt' the horse said again.
When he looked down he was surprised to find that his fan belt had broken, when he turned round, the horse had gone. He had some spare parts in the boot (trunk) and so was able to replace the fan belt and carry on his way.
He felt pretty shaken by his experience as he drove over the pass and down the other side towards Dingle, so when he spotted a bar he decided to stop for a drink.
As he walked up to the bar 'Give me a whiskey' he said to the girl behind the bar. As she turned, 'No, make it a double' he said.
'Your looking a bit shook' she said 'Anything the matter?
As he sipped his whiskey he told her the story of his journey, the fork in the road, the old man, the breaking down, the horse, the fan belt……….
'What do you think of that girl?' he said
'Well sir, it's a good job you took the upper rod' she replied 'the horse on the lower knows feck all about cars!"

I heard Dan tell the story to visiting tourists more than once, I'll bet if he had a pound for every one he'd have been a rich man.

Anyway, if you on the Connor Pass, listen out for the horse!

Rog

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST,AEOLA
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 03:57 PM

I WENT TO MY 1st CEILIDH IN DINGLE AS THE GUEST OF THE LOCAL ''MAYOR'' IN 1961 AFTER HAVING BEEN TO A PUB ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE PENINSULA, REPUTEDLY THE NEAREST PUB TO AMERICA. I GUESS IT'S CHANGED A BIT SINCE THEN!!

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 04:19 AM

We've been in the area twice during the last 12 months; didn't find much music - but we weren't really looking for it. Don't think you would have too much trouble if you ask around, and there are still a number of Sean Nós singers around Dingle; a friend, Tim Dennehy runs a singers get-together/school there in the summer.
We went to re-trace the rout taken by a Travelling man friend who was a tinsmith in the area back in the 1940s. He would regularly take his horse-drawn caravan over the Connor pass as many of his customers farmed the land on both sides of the pass.
Be sure and visit the prehistoric beehive huts at Slea Head, Gallarus Oratory and Staigue Fort - magic, especially if you catch the weather.
And watch out for the Dingle Puck Goat!!!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Raggytash
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 05:47 AM

Bit of a trek to Staigue Fort (t'other side of Waterville on the Ring of Kerry) must be over a 150 mile round trip from Dingle itself. There's plenty to see on the Dingle Peninsule itself, in addition to whats already been mentioned there's an abandoned on the road up to Tralee, can't recall the exact location but somewhere near Camp. There's also mesolithic, neolithic, iron age, bronze age and early christian sites too numerous to mention, try Reask, out near Ballyferriter for one.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Raggytash
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:24 AM

oh dear, oh dear, Corrections

"Dingle Peninsule" = Dingle Peninsula
"abandoned" = abandoned village

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 25 Mar 18 - 12:18 AM

What a lovely thread.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A googlemaps map concentrating on Dingle (2016)-
some info on music but mainly done to list cafes and pubs and a few tourist sights.
Also info on toll roads and a few places in Dublin.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1G3-enFt2UxKALT1LvwlK6mj95tk&z=17&ll=52.140%2C-10.270
You need to open it in a browser, not maps.

There is a fortnightly mag comes out on a Wednesday I think, with a really good listing of music. Sorry I forget the name.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: mg
Date: 25 Mar 18 - 01:08 PM

I will be there April 16 to 23

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 18 - 01:54 PM

https://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/family-kids-news/fungie-dolphin-kerrys-biggest-attraction-5560798

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 26 Mar 18 - 11:39 PM

i was about to buy a plug for electronics and am reading i need to buy a transformer as well. i will just be charging kindle and cell phone (if that). any suggestions as to what i need to buy? i don't remember buying anything but the plug before.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 05:36 AM

Ireland is 240 volts.

The sockets you'll find in Ireland surely take the UK type plug with three rectangular prongs.
pic here


https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ireland/


or two prong shaver type sockets in bathrooms,
BS 4573 (UK shaver)

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 02 May 18 - 05:06 AM

mg
What did you discover in 2018?

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: mg
Date: 02 May 18 - 08:11 PM

i just had a great time..some family stuff and friends of friends. passed on most music..went to one concert at the place of mr herlily in dingle. had a bit of an injury from a fall so i did not go out as much as usual at night but still had a great time. scenery was awesome of course.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 03 May 18 - 03:46 PM

That wouldn't be Mikhail Herlighy would it, the box player? Back in the 80s he had a cottage just above the bay where Fungie hangs out and we went to several sessions together.

Subject: RE: Dingle Peninsula-best places for music & sights?
From: mg
Date: 03 May 18 - 04:30 PM

probably same guy. has a little cottage in a side lane where he has concerts etc. and has a music store.