Tralee to Dingle & Slea Head by Coach or Minibus
From Tralee the Dingle Peninsula starts almost at the edge of town. The N86 runs about 50 km west to Dingle, a shorter approach than from Killarney, so a Tralee group gets more of the day on the peninsula itself. The plan is Dingle town, the Slea Head loop and back.
Journey
- Tralee to Dingle & Slea Head
- Approximately Full day
- Serving Tralee
West on the N86
The coach leaves Tralee on the N86 past Blennerville, where the windmill at the edge of Tralee Bay makes a quick first photo stop. The road continues through Camp, Annascaul and Lispole into Dingle, about an hour's drive. The Conor Pass looks like a shortcut on the map, but vehicles over two tonnes may not use the road north-east of the summit car park. A coach or a group minibus therefore goes both ways on the N86.
The loop beyond Dingle
The Slea Head Drive, the R559, starts and ends in Dingle and is about 47 km long. Visitors must drive it clockwise, out through Ventry first, which is the way the tour buses go. Part of the cliff road is single lane. Stops are Dunbeg Fort and the beehive huts at Fahan, the Slea Head viewpoint over the Blaskets, the Blasket Centre at Dunquin, then Ballyferriter and Gallarus Oratory on the way back. Allow at least four hours; a group with several stops takes longer.
Coming home a different way
Instead of retracing the N86, the coach can turn off at Annascaul onto the R561 along the south shore to Inch, whose beach is about 6 km long, then take the N70 through Castlemaine back to Tralee. It adds some distance but gives the group the Dingle Bay side in the evening light. Ask the operator about vehicle size for the single-lane sections at Slea Head when you send your numbers.
Why can't the coach use the Conor Pass from Tralee?
Vehicles over two tonnes are not permitted north-east of the summit car park, which rules out the Tralee side of the pass for coaches and group minibuses.
How long is the day from Tralee?
Around an hour each way to Dingle, plus at least four hours on the Slea Head loop, plus lunch. Most groups are out for eight hours or more.
Is Dingle busy in October?
The Dingle Food Festival in October fills the town, so book lunch ahead and expect slower parking and set-down in the centre.
Popular Transfers from Tralee
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