Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head

People have lived at the western end of the Dingle Peninsula for thousands of years, and the landscape is unusually rich in standing stones, ring forts, clochans and early Christian sites. Gallarus Oratory, set against Mount Brandon above Smerwick Harbour, is one of the best-known: once thought to date from the eighth century, it is now considered more likely to be from the eleventh or twelfth century. Its corbelled stone roof is still intact, a feature it shares only with structures on Skellig Michael.

The Blasket Islands, just offshore, were once home to a small Irish-speaking island community, and the Blasket Centre on the mainland at Dun Chaoin tells their story. The headland itself is built of Devonian sandstones and conglomerates that also form much of Mount Eagle's southern slopes. The peninsula's dramatic scenery has also drawn film-makers: Coumeenoole Strand was a filming location for Ryan's Daughter.

West of Dingle you are in the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht, one of Ireland's strongest Irish-speaking areas, where the language is heard in shops, schools and on local radio. Farming, fishing and tourism sustain small communities,. Expect to share the road with sheep, horses, tractors, walkers and, during term time, school children.