The Brandon and Cloghane offers wide ranging activities for all ages and tastes. From exhilarating outdoor sports such as mountaineering, windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing to leisurely walks along stunning empty beaches.

The Dingle Peninsula is world famous for its outstanding scenery and here at Ballyguin House, located between Brandon and Cloghane villages, we can boast some of the peninsula’s finest views. Encircled by craggy mountain peaks, rivers,lakes, waterfalls, valleys and of course, the Atlantic Ocean, this Gaeltacht regionis truly unique – rich in language, music, dance, flora, fauna and history. Cloghaneand Brandon received a Beatha Environmental Quality Award highlighting that thisexcellent environment is beingmanaged in a sustainable way.

However, should you decide to venture from the house, there is a host of exciting and exhilarating Things to See and Do nearby - let the sea breeze brush through your hair as you stroll along Fermoyle Beach, catch a fish off Brandon Pier, get down in the surf of Brandon Bay or climb Ireland’s second highest mountain – Mount Brandon!

Please find to follow a selection of the wonderful Activities and Amenities that are close by on the Dingle Peninsula. If we can help you to arrange any of these adventures, please just let us know what you would like to do!

Beaches

Some of Ireland’s most amazing beaches are on our doorstep! Ballyguin Beach, distinctive for its red sand, and Cappagh Strand are just a short stroll away. With stunning views, these beaches are gorgeous for relaxation, swimming and building sandcastles. (Please ask us about tides and safe locations when you arrive). Ireland’s longest beach starts in Cloghane and runs unbroken through Fermoyle, Kilcummin, Barrick, Stradbally, Castlegregory, and down the Maharees peninsula for approx. 12 miles. This is a must for walkers who would like to exchange boots for bare feet!

For other great beaches on the Dingle Peninsula, Inch and Ventry are musts with Coumeenole at Dunquin, a favourite for Ryan’s Daughter fans.

Walking, Trekking & Mountain Climbing

You are in a Walkers Paradise! What choice – Mount Brandon, Ireland’s second highest mountain (you can start from the house), the Conor Pass, Ireland’s highest mountain pass, to Ireland’s longest beach (12 miles long), stretching from Cloghane village to the tip of the Maharees. The Slieve Mish Mountains and Glanteenassig are just a short drive away and The Kerry Way passes the front door! There are many trails and most of the walks offer spectacular views over the lakes, bogs, rivers, waterfalls, mountains and bays and you will come across deserted villages and uninhabited valleys as you explore this unique place. Please enquire at Cloghane’s Information Office for local guides and maps. What a selection!

Shore, River, Lake & Sea Angling

The Owenmore River and its environs are quite spectacular, from its source in Mullach, down through the valley to the estuary and into Brandon Bay. The river is popular with anglers, with salmon and sea trout being plentiful. The Owenmore Estuary and Brandon Quay are popular fishing spots while Fermoyle Beach, Kilcummin, Stradbally and Castlegregory Beaches are “Hot Spots” for shore anglers. Loughs Gill, Slat, Doon and Caum are favourites for local anglers and Deep Sea Angling is available from Dingle Pier.

Cycling

The quiet lanes of the Brandon area are ideal for cycling and taking the beautiful countryside in. Explore the Dingle Peninsula at your leisure and an ideal way to enjoy the magnificent scenery.

Archaeology

There are over 2,000 archaeological sites on the Dingle Peninsula and Loch a’Duin is one of the most significant sites in the country. It contains a most remarkable series of monuments from the Bronze Age. In this 1,500-acre valley, there are 90 stone structures dating from 2500 BC up to modern times. Guided and self-guided walks can be taken through this area. Call in to Cloghane’s Information Centre formaps and more information. Other famous Dingle Peninsula archaeological sites include Gallarus Oratory, Kilmalkedar Church, the Beehive Huts and Riasc. Visit www.dingle-peninsula.ie for more information of the archaeology, history and culture of the Dingle Peninsula.

Local Festivals

Feile na Lughnasa is held on the last weekend of July. It is a lovely colourful festival with activities and events for all the family. Highlights include sand castle competitions, village parade, open-air entertainment, poetry reading and the ascent of Mount Brandon.

The Brandon Regatta is held on one of the last Sundays in August every year. This is a series of traditional curragh (boat) races. It is a great local tradition still very popular and everyone celebrates the event with music and song locally.

Windsurfing, Surfing and Kite Surfing

For a combination of surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, this is one of the best places in Europe. Visit www.jamieknox.com for more information on all these adrenalin sports on offer and the full range of programmes and courses available to suit all levels from beginners to professionals.

Diving & Snorkelling

Waterworld at Scraggane Pier on the Maharees offers a combination of experiences for divers from beginners to the most experienced. PADI courses are available for all levels and a variety of dive holiday experiences are always on offer. Visit www.waterworld.ie for full details and be prepared to enjoy some of the best diving in Ireland.

Water Sports Adventure

Sandy Bay on the Maharees provides a great Watersports Adventure Club for kids and teens. Activities include canoeing, paddle boating, surf biking, snorkelling, trampoline, catamaran sailing, banana riding and bouncy castle. Visit www.jamieknox.com for their full range of programmes and summer camps.

Canoeing

Canoeing is available at Waterworld Watersports at Sandy Bay and is a lovely way to take in the vistas of the Slieve Mish Mountains and Mount Brandon range.

Pony Trekking

Pony trekking is available on the Maharees, in Dingle and Ventry. All offer a variety of trails and treks including beach and mountain rides.

Links Golf

Located between Lough Gill and Brandon Bay, Castlegregory Golf Club is a superb 9 hole links course. The backdrop of Mount Brandon creates a magnificent vista while the challenges of the dunes makes every round a unique round! Other choices within a 40 minute drive of Brandon are Dingle Golf Links, Ceann Sibéal, an 18 hole Championship Course and the famous Arnold Palmer designed course of Tralee.

Soft Days!

There are great activities on the Dingle Peninsula and in Tralee for the soft days! If wellies and rain gear have been left at home then Dingle Aquarium and Tralee’s Aquadome are a wonder for all ages particularly the children. Indoor play centres are available at Dingle World of Leisure or Tralee’s Tobyworld; the latest in films can be seen at Tralee’s Cineplex or the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle; Dingle’s Climbing Wall provides rigorous excitement; educational insights can be gleaned at The Blasket Heritage Centre and Tralee’s Geraldine Experience, is a must for an introduction to the local history of the region; and of course, there is a choice of shopping in Dingle or Tralee with an immense variety of shops, galleries and craft shops.

Annual Festivals & Events on the Dingle Peninsula

Dingle Film Festival – March
Ballyferriter Feile na Casa Easter Festival – April
Dingle’s Feile Na Bealtaine – May
Brandon Regatta – July / August
Cloghane - Brandon Festival of Lughnasa – July
Dingle Races – August
Maharees Regatta – August
Dingle Regatta - August
Rose of Tralee – August
Listowel Races – September
Ballyferriter Eigse Chorca Dhuibhne – September
Dingle Food Festival – October
Anascaul Tom Crean Walking Festival - October

Visit www.dingle-peninsula for more information on What To Do and See on the
Dingle Peninsula.

Dingle Town

Dingle town is only a short 20 minute drive over the Connor Pass - Irelands highest mountain pass.

Here you will find numerous shops, restaurants, pubs and activities. You can also take a boat trip to meet Dingle's resident Dolphin - Fungie.

The Slea Head Drive is one of the Worlds finest coastal drives with breathtaking views of the Atlantic. Vist numerous potteries and cafes along the way to make it a most memorable day out.

Castlegregory

Castlegregory is a bustling village only 20 minutes away which has a farmers market on sunday, numerous pubs and restaurants and convenient shopping. The village is also the gateway to the Maharees famous for its fantastic beaches and fishing and watersports.