Recap Movie

Travel Diary

Friday July 10: home to Cork

We left from home to the airport around 2 p.m. so there was still time in the morning to arrange some 'little' things in the morning, such as hiking pants for my dad. Quite essential if you leave on a hiking holiday... We found out that we would be having a noisy flight because a lot of children were seated in our neighborhood. It was only a 1.5 hour flight so all in all it was not too bad.

Once landed, we took a cab into the center of Cork, where we immediately noticed the amazing Irish accent of our driver. Our B&B was a 10 minute walk from the center of Cork. After we got our rooms, we immediately went out in search of a restaurant during which we noticed that Cork was very cozy. Typical pubs, colorful houses, and lots of people on the street. We would go exploring the city the next day.

Saturday July 11: Cork

Today we visited Cork, where we went to the university campus, the St Fine cathedral, the English market, St Anna's Church where we let the bells ring, and the Fitzgerald park. We also visited the gaol on the way, a former prison that looked like a castle from the outside. Being a big rugby fan, I also looked for an Irish rugby shirt, but unfortunately couldn't find one in my size.

Sunday July 12: Tralee

In the morning we took the train to the West, heading for Tralee. The town was small and cozy and lucky for me they had an Ireland jersey in my size here :) Me and my sister decided to emerge ourselves into the Irish culture and went to a pub to watch a hurling game. It proved to be an exciting sport where you combine field hockey with baseball.

Monday July 13: Tralee-Camp

Today our walking journey actually kicked off. We started along a footpath next to the old Tralee Canal and soon passed the village of Blennerville with its famous windmill. Then the route slowly climbed up the side of the Slieve Mish mountain range. From this vantage point there was a beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean. We then followed the trail along the rugged slopes of the mountain towards the small village of Camp.

18km, 400 altitude meters

Tuesday July 14: Camp-Annascaul

Today, the valley of the River Emlagh took us through the heart of the Dingle Peninsula and down to the south coast. We treated ourselves to an ice cream and took a stroll along the beautiful beach at Inch Strand before continuing on to the village of Annascaul where we found the famous South Pole Inn. Fun fact: Annascaul was home to the legendary early 20th century Antarctic explorer, Tom Crean.

17km, 400 altitude meters

Wednesday July 15: Annascaul-Dingle Town

Quiet streets and country lanes first lead back to the sea and past the ruins of the 16th century Castle Minard. We then passed through the village of Lispole with the remains of the Lispole railway viaduct. Then lower mountain slopes lead us to the popular Gaeltacht town (A Gaeltacht is an area of ​​Ireland in which the first language is not English but Irish Gaelic) of Dingle, renowned for its music, its culture and Fungie – a dolphin that welcomed visitors to Dingle Harbor from 1984 to 2020.

22km, 510 altitude meters

Thursday July 16: Dingle-Slea Head

Today's walk was one of the highlights of the Dingle Way - an unforgettable route that took us from modern Ireland to the 'ancient land of myth and legend'. It offered a beautiful beach walk, sweeping coastal views, early Christian 'Beehive Huts', an Iron Age fort, the much photographed pier at Dunquin and breathtaking views from the cliffs to the mystical Blasket Islands.

20km, 500 altitude meters

Friday July 17: Slea Head-Ballyferriter

Delving ever deeper into the Gaeltacht, we continued along the Atlantic coastline. Along the way we passed the old coastal fort of Dún an Óir, with its dark history, as well as some of Ireland’s more picturesque and secluded beaches. All the while enjoying the marvellous views dominated by Sybil Point, the peaks of the Three Sisters, Smerwick Harbour and Mount Brandon, one of the highest Mountains in Ireland. 

16km, 250 altitude meters

Saturday July 18: Ballyferriter-Cuas

The route from Ballyferriter to Cuas first continued along the beaches of Smerwick Harbour, with a detour to see the famous Gallarus Oratory, Ireland’s most iconic early Christian church, and then took us along some of the finest cliff-top walks in the country. The route guided us to the tiny townland of Cuas, with the imposing peak of Mount Brandon watching over our every step.

In the evening we saw the second typical Irish sport: Gaelic football. We were staying in a pub and it was packed by the time the game started. It was the Munster final, Kerry versus Cork. To archrival teams. We were walking in the Kerry region, so everyone supported the men in green and yellow. After an exhilarating game, the score was 14-9 and Kerry won the cup!

16km, 170 altitude meters

Sunday July 19: Cuas-Cloghane

The climb over the shoulder of Masatiompan, a northern offshoot of Mount Brandon, was the steepest and highest ascent on the Dingle Way – but the views were unparalleled and make every last bit of effort expended worthwhile. This walk was another highlight of the week for me!

22km, 1000 altitude meters

Monday July 20: Cloghane-Scraggane Pier

Leaving Cloghane, we emerged onto magnificent Fermoyle Stand, the longest beach along the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches for more than 10km along a narrow peninsula that juts out into the sea towards the Seven Hogs – a group of islands also known as the Magharees.

16km, 100 altitude meters

Tuesday July 21: Scraggane Pier-Camp

Today we followed the eastern side of the peninsula through sand dunes and along long beaches past Castlegregory village and then along a varied coastline, with cliffs, beaches and small headlands, as far as Camp. 

20km, 100 altitude meters

Wednesday July 22: Camp-Tralee

From Camp, we returned to the track we walked earlier in the route which took us along the side of the Slieve Mish Mountains to Blennerville – the site of Ireland’s largest windmill. A path beside the old Tralee Ship Canal then lead us back into Tralee. 

18km, 330 altitude meters

Thursday July 23: Tralee-Dublin

We spent our morning by taking the train from Tralee to Cork and then back to Dublin. We went for a quick stroll through the city as we only had a short time here. We walked past the museum part of the city straight to Trinity College, which looked gorgeous. We also saw an official magnum store (the ice cream) and made ourselves one. In the evening we still went to the old part of the city to St. Patrick's Cathedral, where we enjoyed the sunset from behind this big building.

Friday July 24: Dublin to home

Today we went for a visit to the Irish capital. We started our day by arriving at Trinity College at 9.30 sharp with a relatively short queue for The Book of Kells. It was not the most spectacular book, but it was fun to have seen it. However, the large library room was fantastic. The rest of the day was spent strolling through the city and visiting St Patrick's cathedral. Our taxi driver that took us to the airport in the afternoon was a gem: funny, to the point, informative, that man needs to be a comedian! We had a good laugh! And as per usual we ended our holiday with some french fries once we were back home.