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The Slea Head Drive is a 38km (24-mile) loop that starts and ends in Dingle Town, County Kerry. Drive it clockwise on the R559, allow at least 3.5–4 hours, and don't rush — the joy is in getting out of the car at the viewpoints, beaches and ancient sites along the way.
What to know before you set off.
The Slea Head Drive is the most spectacular short loop in Ireland — a circuit on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry where the Atlantic, ancient stone and emerald farmland collide on every bend. It begins and ends in Dingle Town, takes a comfortable half-day, and packs more scenery per mile than almost anywhere on the island.
This guide covers the full route, the stops worth your time, where to pause for a coffee with a view, and the practical details that make the difference between a rushed lap and an unforgettable afternoon.
The Need-to-Knows Before You Set Off
Where it is. Slea Head is the headland at the far western tip of the Dingle Peninsula. The loop strings together coastal villages, early-Christian ruins and some of the finest sea views in the country. Don't confuse it with the longer Dingle Peninsula Drive — Slea Head is the compact, scenic heart of it.
Where to start and finish. Both ends are in Dingle Town. Aim for the Dingle Distillery on the western edge of town and you'll pick up the signed route easily.
How long to allow. Driven non-stop, the loop takes under an hour — but that misses the point entirely. Plan for at least 3.5 to 4 hours so you can get out of the car at the viewpoints, walk a beach or two, and linger over lunch.
Drive it clockwise. Follow the R559 clockwise out of Dingle. You'll keep the sea on your side for the best views and avoid meeting tour coaches head-on along the narrow stretches.
The headline stops. If you're short on time, the unmissable four are Dunmore Head, the White Cross viewpoint, Dún Chaoin Pier and Coumeenoole Beach.
Base yourself in Dingle the night before so you can set off early and beat the coaches. For a relaxed stay close to the start of the loop, the Dingle Bay Hotel sits right on the harbour with the route on its doorstep.
Check Dingle Bay Hotel rates & availability — coming soonThe Stops, In Order
1. Ventry Beach
About 8km west of Dingle, the village of Ventry opens onto a glorious 3km arc of Blue Flag sand backed by dunes and a freshwater lake. It's one of the quieter beaches on the peninsula and a lovely place to stretch your legs before the drama of the headland begins. Insider tip: drive over to the pier on the far side of the bay for a sweeping view back across the entire strand.
2. The Drive Itself
Leaving Ventry, the road runs inland past stone-walled fields, working farms and brooding mountain slopes. Most guides skip this stretch because there's no marked stop — but the unnamed scenery here, where wild green hills tumble into the blue of the Atlantic, is among the best of the whole loop. Optional pull-ins along this section include Dunbeg Fort, the Cashel Murphy beehive huts and a roadside fairy fort.
3. The White Cross
One of the most photographed points on the entire peninsula. A small pull-in beside the cross fits four or five cars, and on a clear day you'll look straight out to the Blasket Islands, with the coastline curving away towards Dunmore Head. Insider tip: the parking spot is easy to miss because it looks too small from a distance — know what you're looking for before you arrive so you don't sail past it.
4. Radharc na mBlascaoidí (Blasket View)
A generous pull-in with a knockout view towards Dunmore Head and the islands beyond. Park up and admire it from the top, or take a few steps down to the grassy ledge below for an even better angle.
5. Caife na Trá — Coffee with a View (optional but recommended)
Just before Coumeenoole, this little café serves the kind of view that's worth the stop on its own. Grab an outdoor seat on a clear day, order something to eat and watch the Atlantic roll in. It's one of the great pause points of the loop.
6. Coumeenoole Beach
A jewel of a cove ringed by rugged cliffs, and a filming location for Ryan's Daughter. Walk left for the beach itself or right towards the cliffs of Dunmore Head — but mind your footing, as the cliff edges are unguarded. Safety note: the water looks inviting but hides strong currents. Keep to the sand.
7. Dún Chaoin Pier
A famously photogenic zig-zag pier carved into the cliff — and the departure point for the Blasket Island ferry. The turn is sharp and easy to miss, so watch for it on the left. Park near the ticket booth at the top. Important: do not attempt to drive down to the pier itself — the path is for walking only, and cars regularly come to grief here.
A boat trip to the Great Blasket from Dún Chaoin is one of the best half-day add-ons on the peninsula — bring binoculars for seals and seabirds. Spaces are limited and sell out fast in summer, so book ahead.
Blasket Island tours8. The Blasket Centre
In Dún Chaoin, not far from the pier, this superb museum tells the story of the islanders who lived on the Great Blasket until their evacuation in 1953. Interactive displays, artefacts and audiovisual exhibits bring island life — its farming, fishing and remarkable literary tradition — vividly back. It's also a good spot for lunch and facilities.
9. Ceann Sibéal Viewpoint (for the Star Wars fans)
The headland here featured at the close of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where the production recreated the Skellig Michael beehive huts. Even without the film connection, it's one of the most striking viewpoints on the loop. The parking area is makeshift and easy to miss.
10. Clogher Strand
A lesser-known gem, especially as the sun drops. The bay is almost circular, hemmed by jagged cliffs, and out to sea you can pick out the silhouette of An Fear Marbh ("the Dead Man") — the most northerly of the Blasket Islands. A fine spot for a quiet wander along the sand.
11. Gallarus Oratory
The final landmark of the loop and a genuine bucket-list site. This drystone chapel is thought to date from the 11th or 12th century and has stood watertight for the best part of a thousand years. The interior is tiny — under 5m long — lit by a single window, with a charming local legend that anyone who climbs through it is assured a place in heaven. Tip: you only pay if you visit the adjoining visitor centre; the oratory itself is free to see.
Back to Dingle
From Gallarus it's a short run back into Dingle Town — the perfect place to end the day over dinner, a pint and some live music in one of its famous pubs. See our full guide to where to stay in Dingle for hotels and B&Bs.
Make a Day (or Two) of It
The beauty of Slea Head is how easily it combines with the rest of the peninsula. Add the white-knuckle climb over Conor Pass for the best views in Kerry, or set aside a morning for the Mount Brandon hike if you're feeling energetic. Treat the route as a framework, not a checklist — the best moments are often the unplanned pull-ins between the named stops.
Prefer not to drive the narrow roads yourself? Guided minibus and small-group tours of Slea Head run from Dingle and Killarney, often paired with the Blasket Centre or a boat trip. For a full Kerry plan that builds the Slea Head Drive into a longer trip, see our 4 days in Kerry itinerary, and read our guide to renting a car in Ireland before you go — especially the notes on narrow roads and the Conor Pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Slea Head Drive take?
Allow 3.5 to 4 hours at a relaxed pace. You'll want to stop often, so the more time you give it, the better.
Slea Head or the Ring of Kerry — which is better?
Both are spectacular. Slea Head tends to be quieter and more intimate, while the Ring of Kerry is longer and busier. If you want fewer crowds and more raw coastline, Slea Head wins.
What are the best stops?
Dunmore Head, Dún Chaoin Pier, the Ceann Sibéal viewpoint and Coumeenoole Beach are the standouts — but the views between them are half the magic.