The Ultimate Kid's Guide to Dingle

Hi! My name is Harriet, my parents own Harriet's Cottage. If you’re visiting Dingle for the first time, you’re super lucky because there are so many fun things to do. There are animals, beaches, hikes, yummy food, shopping, sports and even boats! Here are my favorite things — and a few secret tips too.

🐬 Go on a Boat Ride to See Dolphins

Dingle is famous for all it's sea life! You can take a boat trip from the harbor to try to spot a dolphin or seals jumping in the water. If you want to go on a super fast boat definitely check out Dingle Sea Safari

🍦 Irish Ice Cream (It’s the Best!)

You must go to Murphy’s Ice Cream in town. It’s made right in Dingle and tastes amazing. My favorites are sea salt and caramel honeycomb. They let you try samples, so don’t be shy! If you prefer soft serve Ice Cream go to Kool Scoops, just as tasty. Both are located on Strand St, a 10 min walk away.

🚗 Check out Slea Head

Driving around Slea Head is like going on a giant adventure! The road twists and turns along the cliffs, and you can see the ocean the whole way. 🌊 There are sheep everywhere (sometimes right in the road 🐑), and the views are so pretty you’ll want to stop all the time to take pictures. You can see beaches, old stone huts, and even islands far out in the water. It feels like driving through a movie — windy, wild, and totally awesome!

🐑 Hold a Baby Lamb

This is just the most fun and cute thing to do. Is there anything better than a selfie with a woolly lamb. Definitely do this. It's a 25 min drive from Harriet's Cottage (on the Slea Head road, see above). Your parents will love it as well.

🧭 Explore the Beaches

There are lots of beaches near Dingle.

• Inch Beach is long and sandy — perfect for building sandcastles or running.

• Coumeenoole Beach (on Slea Head Drive) has big cliffs and waves — it looks like a movie!

• Ventry Beach is great for swimming or paddling. Bring a kite — it’s usually windy enough to fly one.

🐎 Check out a Farm

Sandy Feet Farm is a 40 min drive from Dingle. Very fun place to visit. They have loads of different animals that you can see and pet up close including Cows, Donkey's and Llamas, as well as a playground.

⚽ Ever try Soccer Golf??

This is something I never heard of before, it's like golf but with a soccer ball, It sounds kinda weird but I had so much fun playing it. It's located just outside the town, you can walk there from Harriet's Cottage. They also have a Pitch n' Putt & Crazy Golf course. More info here

🏰 Climb Up to Eask Tower or See a Lighthouse

This is one of my favorite adventures. You walk up a hill (watch for sheep and their poop!) and at the top there’s a big round stone tower called Eask Tower. The view is incredible — you can see all of Dingle Bay and boats far below. It’s windy, so bring a hoodie! Have your parents click this link for instructions on how to get there. Another hike you can take (it's a little easier) is to go to Hussey's Folly and Dingle Lighthouse located at the entrance to Dingle Harbor.

🛝 Play in the Playground??

There is a great playground located by a stream downtown in Dingle. It's a short walk to get to it and you can easily spend lots of time there having loads of fun

🦭 Visit Oceanworld Aquarium

This is one of the best places for a rainy day! Dingle Oceanworld has sharks, otters, penguins, and giant fish tanks. You can watch the penguins play and even touch some sea creatures in the rock pool.

🍔 Try Tasty Food

Even kids will find yummy stuff in Dingle! Some of my favorites are:

• The Fish Box – for yummy fish and chips (fries) 🍟

• Bean in Dingle – for coffee, hot chocolate or a cookie break ☕

• Dingle Diner – pancakes and waffles for breakfast 🥞

• Piccolo Cafe - lots of yummy treats as well as drinks and bowls ☕

• The Blue Zone - Delicious pizza

• Courtney's Bakery - Scrumptious pastries. Their fresh cream cake is so good.

  
  

Most restaurants have wifi, ask for the password.

🚤 Splashy Fun for Kids!

If you are here during the summer, Jamie Knox Watersports is a place in the Maharees / Castlegregory area (on the Dingle Peninsula) where you can do all sorts of water stuff. The best is their Aqua Park. This is so fun: water trampolines, kayaks, paddleboats etc. You can also take Surfing Lessons or do Stand Up Paddleboarding. If your parents like to golf there is a great 9-hole Links course nearby.

🛒 Go Shopping

This are lots of place in Dingle to find fun unique things. On Main street is Once Upon a Time, a great little toy store. If you are looking for Irish Sport Jerseys got to Garveys on Strand St. For little trinkets I like to go to Griffin's on Strand St (across from Garveys).

⚽ Watch Gaelic Football

This is a unique Irish sport that’s kind of like a mix of soccer, basketball, and rugby. The football field is close by, a quick 15 min walk. Click here for their Facebook page and fixture list so you can see when the local team plays.

🏊‍♀️ The AquaDome (especially if it's raining out)

The AquaDome in Tralee is an indoor water-park that’s great fun for kids. To get there from Dingle is a 50 min drive so make sure your parents are ok to do this. Here you will find a wave pool, a lazy river, a great water slide. For the adults there is a sauna/steam room/plunge pool.

🐎 Go Horseback Riding

You can go horse riding at places like The Dingle Horse Riding Center, located a short walk up the street from Harriet's Cottage. They will take you through the mountains that surround Dingle. You can also ride ponies along the beach with Longs Horse Riding Center It’s so cool when the horses splash through the water! Another option is Seaview Equestrian that takes you through some beautiful valleys.

🎮 Have Fun at Harriet's Cottage

On the top floor of Harriet's Cottage my parents have converted the attic into a kid's loft. This is a fun place to make our own.. There is an Xbox, a small foosball table and a TV to stream YouTube video. There is also a desk if you want to draw. Out the front is a grassy area to play ball.

💚 Final Tip: Bring a Raincoat!

It rains a lot in Ireland — even when the sun’s out — but that’s part of the fun. You might even see a rainbow over the harbor! 🌦️🌈

Dingle is one of the best places ever. There’s always something exciting to do — whether you like animals, beaches, exploring, or eating ice cream! If you visit, I promise you’ll have the best time ever.