Location: Ventry
Top Things to do in Ventry
10 Things to Do in Ventry That You Shouldn't Miss
Ventry (Irish: Fionntrá, meaning "White Strand"), an anglicization of Fionntrá, is a Gaeltacht village in County Kerry, Ireland. Located on the Dingle Peninsula, 7 kilometres west of Dingle, the village of Ventry was once the main port of the peninsula. Due to its long sandy beach, Ventry is now a popular tourist destination.
Restaurants in Ventry
1. Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours - dolphin, whale watching, bird watching, wildlife boat tours from Ventry Harbour, Dingle Bay, Kerry, Ireland. Ventry Harbour is situated 4 miles west of Dingle town on the Slea Head drive [R559] and we run a morning (2 1/2hr) tour departing at 1000hrs ; an afternoon (4 hr) guided tour departing at 1300hrs and an evening (2 1/2) specialist whale and dolphin watching tour departing at 1700hrs. We also do an all day combination eco marine tour around the Blasket Islands archipelago including landing on the Great Blasket Island.
Reviewed By MickeyMuis - Antwerp, Belgium
We went out with eco marine tours for the fourth time today and totally hit the jackpot. As soon as we picked up the extra guests on the blaskets, we went to open sea and saw big blows. They were fin whales who were to far away to reach but Britta said to keep moving in their direction and we came across a spot with diving gannets and lots of dolphins...in the middle of the gannets was a humpback and a little further on a fin whale and some minke whales...we did not know where to look first and all oohs and aahs. I even got pictures of three kinds of whales in one frame. The humpbacks were here the third day now and the fin whales the second day so we got very lucky
2. Slea Head Drive
Overall Ratings
5 based on 954 reviews
Scenic drive from Dingle Town to the Dingle Peninsula and back.
Reviewed By DAO11351403 - Toronto, Canada
This drive is exceptional! Rain or shine, this is a MUST NOT BE MISSED.
The views are amazing and just when you think it can’t get better....you turn a crazy corner and the next images are breathtakingly beautiful! This is NOT to be missed on a trip to Dingle!
3. Coumeenoole Beach
Overall Ratings
5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By tiboatguy - Rochester, New York
Amazing views, nice sand, beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Not only are the beach views worth seeing but the hiking trail to the right of the parking area takes you up the hills, through the sheep, to another glorious view of the Blasket Islands. Take a picnic and spend some time soaking up the Atlantic views.
While at the beach we saw a family of dolphins heading into the bay.
4. The Great Blasket Centre and Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 322 reviews
This cultural center explores the unique history, art and culture of the Blasket Islands.
Reviewed By Betula103 - Australia
I knew nothing about the Blasket Islands, just three miles off the Dingle Peninsula when I arrived here, however I was captivated by story told through the exhibits. Great Blasket is about three miles long. Just prior to the First World War about 160 Irish speaking people lived there. What a harsh life the people endured on the Islands. Many of the inhabitants on Great Blasket had little option but to leave and a considerable number went to America to reside in Springfield, Massachusetts. Eventually in 1953 the government agreed to relocate the remaining people across to the Mainland. Today some Mainland farmers have sheep on the island and this also helps control the vegetation.The well designed buildings of the Centre are on the Atlantic coast where you look across to Great Blaskett. There is a large café in the Centre. It's well worth Reading more about the Islands and former islanders in some interesting articles on the internet.
5. Louis Mulcahy Pottery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
At his studio/workshop in Clogher, Ballyferriter, on the Dingle Peninsula, Louis Mulcahy designs and makes the very best Irish craft Pottery in robust stoneware and exquisite fine porcelain. Louis Mulcahy has been potting for over forty years. The last of the big potteries making all their pottery exclusively in Ireland, his workshop and its sister companies in weaving and lampshade decoration have grown from his and his wife Lisbeth's original two-man operation to employ over twenty people. Pottery Experience At our pottery we have an area dedicated to those visitors who wish to experience the craft for themselves. A professional thrower can be seen going through the daily routine of throwing pots. This person will deal with all the questions that may arise pertaining to the process and even allow visitors try their skill at making a shape. Learn how the pottery is made from start to finish - during the Summer (July & August) we offer fully guided workshop tours. (Pre-booking essential). This gives visitors an interesting break on their Slea Head tour. “Brilliant service & make your own pot experience was excellent” - Sara Marcozi, UK
Reviewed By Colleen D - Palo Alto, California
Our hotel had a display of Louis Mulcahy Pottery in the lobby so we were on the lookout for this shop/cafe when we did our driving tour of the peninsula. You will see signs well before you arrive and some interesting clay mask/sculptures greet you once you arrive. There is a small room when you enter but that is just the beginning. Be sure to climb the stairs to see the complete collection. In addition to an amazing array of beautiful and unique ceramic bowls, vases, lamps, etc you can see Lisbeth Mulcahy's gorgeous woven scarves. This is a wonderful spot to buy unique and quality gifts/momentos. They will ship for you or wrap things up in bubble wrap if you want to take them with you.
6. St.James Church
Overall Ratings
5 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By TriRidge - Issaquah, Washington
Our group went to 3 of the Irish music folk Concerts while in Dingle. We enjoyed every one of them! A good variety of musicians in terms of style and instruments. Some similarity of types of music, but all done somewhat differently. And each musician brought their own unique musical personality to the performance. The price was very low for the experience. And the setting was such that the focus was on the music & the performers. The timing of the Concerts fit those of us who couldn't effectively stay up late enough for the pub music. (We were told that Americans & especially "seniors" seem to go to bed early!) The pews aren't very comfortable, but they're tolerable for the relatively short time.
7. Celtic and Prehistoric Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By sdlhgt - Eulenbis, Germany
This very small museum has some fascinating fossils and stones from prehistoric times. The museum has each item well displayed and detailed information about each. There is a gift shop for purchasing small items after your self guided tour. The most interesting thing. for me was the head of a Wooly Mammoth.
8. Eask Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By Alexandra T - Murrieta, California
There is a path to follow to the Eask Tower through pastures and along the cliff. There is a terrific view of the bay.
9. Long's Horse Riding
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Jennifer W - Atlanta, Georgia
I organized taking nine family members of all ages to take the mountain/beach trek. The weather was terrible but everyone still had a wonderful time. The instructor took me and another experienced rider to a separate area area to gallop/canter on the beach and it was a blast!!
I sincerely mean it the owner and all the staff and guides loved their jobs and the horses seemed really happy and well cared for, far different than somewhere I rode in Killarney. Go to Dingle instead!
10. Harry Clarke Stained Glass Windows
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Diseart Institute of Celtic Spirituality and Culture is housed in a neo Gothic building designed by J J Mc Carthy. The bulding and its artworks are open to the public for viewing. The small chapel contains 6 sets of two Gothic style lancet windows by Harry Clarke. The building is set in Gardens which contain the nuns graveyard and two upper Gardens designed by Mary Reynolds.
Reviewed By jesselodge - Charlotte, NC
My family visited here as suggested by Reading a Rick Steves book on Dingle. It was nice to see and we thought it was very pretty. But I didn't think it was necessarily the number 1 thing to see in town. It's basically just pretty glass windows that are old. I would recommend seeing if near, but wouldn't say go out of your way to come to Dingle and see.
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