Slea Head Drive

The Slea Head loop runs about forty-seven kilometres from Dingle around the western end of the peninsula and back, and the convention is to drive it clockwise - tour coaches do, the road is narrow, and going the other way means meeting them head-on on blind bends. The density of things along it is unusual: the Fahan group of clochans, corbelled drystone beehive huts on the hillside above Ventry, several of them on private land with an honesty box at the gate; the Dunbeg promontory fort, partly lost to the sea in storms and closed for periods as a result; the crucifixion shrine at Slea Head itself; Coumeenoole beach below; Dunquin pier and the Blasket Centre; the Gallarus Oratory and Kilmalkedar inland. The Blasket Islands sit offshore for much of the route. It is fully exposed and cloud regularly removes the whole reason for driving it.

What you actually see

• The beehive huts - corbelled drystone clochans above Ventry, on private land.
• Dunbeg fort - the promontory fort, damaged by storms and periodically closed.
• The Blasket view - the islands offshore for much of the western section.
• Dunquin pier - the zigzag ramp down the cliff to the water.

When to go

April to October. Drive clockwise. Early morning avoids the coaches, which fill the narrow sections from mid-morning. Cloud and rain remove the views entirely and are common.

Honest expectations

Narrow with blind bends and coach traffic - clockwise is not optional in practice. Several sites are on private land with gate charges. Dunbeg has been closed after storm damage. Parking at the popular stops is minimal.

Nearby

Dingle town is at both ends; the Conor Pass crosses the peninsula north.