Dingle Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Dingle, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland)



Photo showing the Dingle PeninsulaDingle town is not overrun with tourist attractions, but has just enough to warrant staying around for a few days. The Dingle Peninsula at large is a major reason for coming to the town and is a must do, as is the quaint and rather charming harbour.

A popular standalone attraction is Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, which comes with exotic sea creatures including sharks, as well as native fish. St. Mary's Church is also a worthwhile sight, while Fungi the resident dolphin is a firm favourite with tourists and can be seen on a tour from the harbour.


Dingle Peninsula view of beach

Dingle Peninsula

Address: County Kerry, Dingle, Republic of Ireland, IE
The Dingle Peninsula is the main attraction in the area and surrounds the town. Most people who make the trip here to take a drive or tour around the coast. This is one of the most sublime regions of south-west Ireland, featuring as it does dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches and many islands. The journey around the peninsula is less than 50 km / 31 miles and you could easily do it in a day, even on a bicycle, using Dingle as a base.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Oceanworld Aquarium picture

Oceanworld Aquarium

Address: Dingle, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 066 915 2111
Featuring a walk-through tunnel and Ireland's biggest collection of sharks is the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium. The Shark Tank is the main attraction and features fearsome tiger sharks, while the more sedate Touch Tank has kids handling harmless sea creatures, such as starfish and friendly rays. There are creatures from the Amazon region including piranha and catfish, along with a native tank stocked with Irish river fish. A gift shop and coffee shop are also onsite.
Open hours: daily, July and August -10:00 to 20:30; September to June -10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts for kids and families

Fungi the Dolphin

Address: The Pier, Dingle, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 066 915 2626
The main attraction in Dingle for those with kids will be the resident bottlenose dolphin, Fungi. This friendly male bottlenose dolphin has lived in the harbour for more than 20 years and is something of a local celebrity, with frequent boat tours going out to meet him when the weather is up to it. Visitors can also don wet suits and swim with him if he comes out to play. Trip time is about an hour and boats leave roughly every 30 minutes or so in the summer.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge for boat trips, discounts for children under 12 years old

Dingle Harbour image, showing local sailing boats

Dingle Harbour and Sailing

Address: Dingle, Republic of Ireland, IE
Dingle Harbour is a major focus of the town and comes with the Dingle Marina Sailing Club and the Marina Centre. Outdoor types can enjoy sailing courses, as well as windsurfing and fishing trips. You can book a sailing session in the summer, or, if you prefer dry land, take a wander around the harbourfront and check out the shops and pubs.
Open hours: sailing in summer, daily - 11:00 to 14:00
Admission: charge for tours, sailing

St. Mary's Church photo

St. Mary's Church

Address: 46 Green Street, Dingle, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 066 915 1208
One of the main sights in Dingle was previously a neo-Gothic church which hails from the 1860s. The church has been greatly modified since its inception, however, including the removal of its arcades and aisles. St. Mary's definitely deserves a visit, plus you can also check out the nearby former convent, now the Celtic Culture Centre Diseart, which comes complete with stained-glass windows. The Trinity Tree sculpture stands alongside St. Mary's Church and is worth looking out for.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free