My mother and I had the most wonderful time doing the Slea Head Drive/Dingle Tour with Billy. He has so much knowledge of the area from the best places to get pub grub in town, to the history of Dingle and how it became a popular vacation spot of Ireland, to the history of the ancient ruins, to Gaelic language and culture. He’s happy to answer questions and so personable. He’s very caring about safety and mobility so if you have to use a cane or walking sticks he’ll make sure you’re okay and he knows the sites that are more mobility friendly vs the ones that are better to take a picture from the car so he’ll make sure you use your energy where it counts. Speaking of sites he will take you to many that you won’t see spoken of on social media or popular travel sites. Lastly, he was super punctual and considerate of our time. All around a great experience with a wonderful human being! So thankful for our time with Billy. Highly recommend anyone to take a break from the research, take a break from driving yourself and take the tour from Billy.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Excludes
- Lunch
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Entry fees to Beehive Huts, Famine Cottage and Mannings Fort (Total approx €10)
- Fahan BeeHive Huts
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Eask Tower, also known as Eask Viewpoint, is a prominent historical tower located near Dingle, a town on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. The tower is situated on a hill known as Eask or Sliabh an Iolair, overlooking Dingle Bay and the surrounding scenic landscape. Driving time 3 minutes
Ancient Ogham Stones - Coláiste Íde Ogham Stone, located near Coláiste Íde, a local educational institution. This stone bears an Ogham inscription and is a replica of an original stone that was discovered in the area. 3 Minutes Driving Time
Enjoy a stunning view of Skellig Michael Island from the Dingle Peninsula. This is the location of the Star Wars film "Return of the Jedi" 5 Minutes Driving Time
Ventry Beach, also known as Ceann Trá, is a beautiful sandy beach located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated in a picturesque bay and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscape. 3 Minutes Driving Time
Páidí Ó Sé's Pub and statue are dedicated to the memory of Páidí Ó Sé, a renowned Gaelic football player and manager from County Kerry, Ireland. Páidí Ó Sé's Pub is located in Ventry, a village on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. 5 Minutes Driving Time
Manning's Fort and Animal farm. Ancient earthen ring fort plus rare animals €3 entry. 5 Minutes Driving Time
The purpose of the Irish Famine Cottages is to give visitors a glimpse into the harsh living conditions endured by the islanders during the Famine era. The cottages are built using the same materials and construction techniques as the original structures. Inside, you can see simple furnishings and artefacts that reflect the daily life of the islanders during that period. €3 Entry. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
The Fahan Beehive Huts, also known as Caher Conor, are ancient stone structures located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. These unique huts are an excellent example of early Christian monastic settlements and provide insight into the history and architecture of the time. €3 Entry. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
Photo opportunity with stunning backdrop of the Blasket Islands and the Iveragh Peninsula. 3 Minutes Driving Time
Coumeenole Beach is a captivating sandy beach located on the Slea Head Drive in the Dingle Peninsula of County Kerry, Ireland. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rugged coastal scenery. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
Dunquin Pier, also known as Dun Chaoin Pier, is a picturesque pier located in the village of Dunquin (Dún Chaoin) on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated on the western coast of the peninsula, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Blasket Islands. Dunquin Pier holds great significance as it serves as a departure point for ferry services to the Great Blasket Island, a remote and uninhabited island known for its rugged beauty and rich cultural heritage. Apart from its practical function, Dunquin Pier itself is a beautiful spot to visit and enjoy the coastal scenery. With its traditional stone construction and the backdrop of the rolling hills and cliffs, it provides a quintessential Irish coastal experience. The crystal-clear waters, the sound of crashing waves, and the panoramic views create a serene and captivating atmosphere. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
The Blasket Centre, also known as Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir, is an interpretive center located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated in the village of Dunquin, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The Blasket Centre is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage and unique history of the Blasket Islands. €5 Entry. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
Inishtooskert, also known as Sleeping Giant Island, is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of County Kerry in Ireland. It is part of the Blasket Islands group, which is situated in the Atlantic Ocean. The name "Sleeping Giant Island" refers to the island's distinct shape, which resembles a reclining giant when viewed from a certain angle. The island rises steeply from the sea, and its prominent cliffs and rugged landscape contribute to its unique appearance. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
Billy will talk about all the famous movies filmed on the Dingle Peninsula, including, Star Wars, Far and Away and Ryan's Daughter. 1 Minute Driving Time.
Ballyferriter is a charming village located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Situated approximately 10 kilometers west of Dingle town, Ballyferriter offers a tranquil and picturesque setting with a strong sense of Irish culture and history. 5 Minutes Driving Time.
The Reask Monastic Site, also known as Riasc Monastic Site, is an ancient monastic settlement located near the village of Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is an important archaeological site that provides insights into early Christian religious practices in Ireland. The Reask Monastic Site dates back to the early Christian period, estimated to be from the 6th to the 8th century AD. The site consists of a number of stone structures, including a small oratory (prayer chapel), several beehive huts (clocháns), and an enclosing wall. The beehive huts are distinctive circular stone structures with corbelled roofs. This monastic site is believed to have been a small monastic settlement, possibly a hermitage or a place of retreat for religious monks. The presence of the oratory and the beehive huts suggests that it served as a place of worship, meditation, and communal living. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
Gallarus Oratory is a well-known historical and architectural gem located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is an ancient stone church, dating back to the early Christian period, and is considered one of the finest examples of early Christian architecture in Ireland. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
Kilmalkedar Church is a historic site located in the Dingle Peninsula of County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated near the village of Dunquin, approximately 13 kilometers west of Dingle town. Kilmalkedar is known for its ancient church ruins and rich history. 3 Minutes Driving Time.
St. Brendan's Oratory, also known as St. Brendan's Church, is a historic religious site located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated near the village of Cloghane and is associated with the early Christian saint, St. Brendan the Navigator. St. Brendan's Oratory is a small stone building that dates back to the 6th century, making it one of the oldest Christian sites in Ireland. It is believed to have been constructed by monks as a place of worship and reflection. The oratory follows a rectangular shape and features a simple design with a sloping roof. The significance of St. Brendan's Oratory lies in its connection to St. Brendan, who is renowned for his legendary voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. According to folklore, St. Brendan embarked on a remarkable journey in a curragh (a traditional Irish boat) in search of the "Isle of the Blessed" or "Promised Land." 1 Minute Driving Time.
Brandon Creek is a picturesque coastal village located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Situated on the northern side of the peninsula, Brandon Creek offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. Historical Significance: Brandon Creek has historical significance as it is believed to be the legendary starting point of Saint Brendan the Navigator's voyage to America in the 6th century. The area is associated with stories and myths surrounding the legendary voyage. Recreated by Tim Severin in 1977. 5 Minutes Driving Time.
Ballynavenooragh Fort was constructed during the early medieval period, estimated to be around the 7th century. It was likely used as a defensive structure and a residence for local chiefs or important figures. 2 Minutes Driving Time.
Conor Pass is a spectacular mountain pass located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is one of the highest mountain passes in Ireland, reaching an elevation of approximately 456 meters (1,496 feet) above sea level. Conor Pass connects the town of Dingle on the southern side of the peninsula with the northern side. 15 Minutes Driving Time.
Return to the start point of the tour where Billy will drop you off at your accommodation. 10 Minutes Driving Time.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We had a wonderful morning. Lots of stops and history. We saw a sheep dog demonstration. A fun morning and pretty drive.
We had a great day! Billy was a fount of knowledge about West Kerry. Having the perspective of someone who grew up… and still lives in the area.. was fantastic! Such a beautiful area and great stories to go with it!
Billy gave a great private tour-he’s obviously very knowledgeable about the history and culture of the area. I learned so much, and he tailored the tour to my specific interests.
This was a wonderful excursion for our family! Being that we were driving, if it rained this is a perfect way to see the sites while staying dry. It happened to be beautiful during our trip and the outside views and activities were amazing. Star Wars memorabilia, quaint petting zoo, cliffside views, baby lambs, and more! And our tour guide Billy was incredible. We loved it
Billy was great!! The tour was amazing and we loved every stop!
The driver was local born and raised in the area. Billy had so much knowledge and was very pleasant. The fog did come in and obstructed some of our views.
Although he had a planned agenda he offered options and was very flexible and accommodating of what we wanted to see, picture-taking stops, ready with information, etc.
The trip was wonderful! Just the right amount of stops and historical information. We’d definitely recommend it. Took the stress out of driving ourselves and everyone got to enjoy the views.
Nice drive. Our driver was very friendly. I’m not sure we needed to see three petting farms. We didn’t have any young children with us. The sheep dog presentation should not be missed. It was excellent!
We had a wonderful time touring the Slea Head Drive with Billy. Being a local lifelong resident, he was full of information about the history of the Dingle Peninsula which was so interesting. He knew all the best places to stop along the drive. Some of our favorite stops were the Beehive huts, feeding the farm animals, watching the sheep dog herding demonstration & just taking in the breathtaking scenery! Plus, the drive was so much more enjoyable for my husband since he didn’t have to drive! We thoroughly enjoyed spending the morning with Billy & it was definitely a highlight of our Ireland vacation!
We enjoyed our tour with Billy. He showed us all of the sights along Slea Head drive. If only the weather held. Fun trip though!
BEST TOUR!! Billy Kavanagh was an amazing guide! Despite the weather being cloudy Billy was able to take our family to many sites, while share interesting information about the Peninsula along the way. A highlight for us was holding sheep. Since it’s a private tour Billy was able to stop at more sites than the larger bus tours 🍀 thank you Billy for a great day!
Billy was an amazing tour guide. I was blessed to be able to take a solo trip around the Dingle Peninsula and Billy was able to share stories and history that I wouldn’t have gotten had I toured in my own. He also masterfully tackled the thin winding roads filled with tourists. 10/10 would recommend!
Our family of 5 loved this tour (all adults)! Billy was a great tour guide and knows the area well. He has lived there his whole life so who better to give the tour. We took our time at each of the stops and got some amazing photos. I would highly recommend!
Enjoyable trip. Fairy fort was a pleasant surprise and loads of fun for the family. Thank you, Billy!
This was one of our families' favorite memories of our trip to Ireland! We had a family of four, including 2 adult daughters traveling on this tour. Our daughters love to take pictures in unique and beautiful places, and this tour did not disappoint. Loved the "Hold a Baby Lamb" stop and all the amazing scenery! Billy was very accommodating in allowing us the time we wanted at each stop and provided the additional history and personal insights we were hoping for with a personal tour. Some of the stops had limited or difficult parking so it was very helpful to have a driver. We also appreciated not needing to drive ourselves on those narrow winding roads on the opposite side! You must see the Dingle Peninsula on your trip to Ireland!
Our driver Billy Cavanugh was outstanding. He took us places we would have passed by and took the time to explain everything to us. He patiently waited for us to explore these places. At the end of our tour he took the time to tell us other places of interest we might want to visit.
This was such a wonderful experience from start to finish. Billy picked my family and I up from our Airbnb. We weren’t in any rush and neither was he so we spent the entire day together going to many beautiful spots. We only got to spend one full day in Dingle and we still say that this was the best part of our entire trip. When we return to Ireland we will definitely be spending more time in Dingle and will be touring with Billy again. Traveling with 4 small children is not easy, but Billy was extremely patient and kind to us. We recommend this tour 1000%!
Billy is an amiable and knowledgeable guide. He knows all the stories and all the places! As someone who has known the Dingle countryside from boyhood, he is the best companion for discovering the interesting history, monuments and, sights of Dingle, both ancient and modern.
We had THE best experience with Billy! To begin with, he was flexible with our pick-up and that really helped. He took us by and to so many amazing sites. As a lifelong Dingle resident with a generational imprint on the area, he was able to share so much information and personal insight into the sites. He was quite accommodating and regularly asked if we were okay or needed anything. We felt 100% safe and were certainly glad he was driving those roads. That way, we could look all around and not worry about oncoming drivers. We are so grateful we booked Billy and got to know him!
This tour was the highlight of our Ireland trip. Billy was great! The scenic drive was beautiful and we were happy to have a local drive and share information instead of attempting the drive ourselves.
We had a great time with Billy. It was very foggy but he made sure we still had fun and saw everything we could. He was fun and funny. Defiantly recommend so you can see so many different things.
Billy did such a great job! We had an amazing day touring Slea Head drive. He was so knowledgeable and showed us all of the best spots to stop and enjoy without ever feeling rushed. Highly recommend!
We ( 2 couples) were fortunate enough to book a half day tour of the Dingle peninsula with Billy. He was entertaining, informative and a blast to spend time with. He safely took us to spots on the Dingle most sane people would never try driving to themselves and not just the loop around the peninsula. He was accommodating to the physical limitations of one member of our party .It was great day in a spectacular part of the world.
Our family had a wonderful experience with Billy, who engaged us with personal anecdotes and his great knowledge of local history.
This was a awesome tour Our driver was a local guide whose family has lived on the Dingle pennisula for generations. Billy had awesome stories about the area
We had a great time with Billy. We have a rental car, and I drove the Ring of Kerry, but I really wanted to enjoy the Dingle Peninsula without having to keep my eyes constantly on the road. Since it was just our family we were able to skip a couple sites that were of less interest, and add time at others. Billy told us about his family (his parents were dairymen with 16 cows) and showed us the elementary school he attended, and explained the history of each place we stopped.
Kevin gave a fantastic tour. As a life long Dingle resident he has insights that a non local cannot convey or learn in a script. He took great care helping my mother in and out of the van at the various spots. Breath taking views mixed with history. Hard to fathom that the bee hive huts are still standing.
Great tour of Dingle Peninsula. Our driver, Billy Kavanaugh was knowledgeable, humorous and a safe driver…excellent experience
This is was a great way to see Slea Head Drive and the Dingle Peninsula. Billy was a great guide. He was very informative, funny, and catered the tour to our interests. Would highly recommend this tour!
This was the most memorable experience in every way possible. The length of the trip was perfect. The host picked me up from my hotel, was very knowledgeable about the area, & he made sure I got to see everything you wanted to on the tour + more before taking me back. This exceeded my expectation for sure. I will be back, and will be booking with him again!
Billy, our driver was wonderful. The scenery was absolutely beautiful and Billy was patient and did not make us feel rushed throughout the entire tour. He made several stops along the way and allowed us to roam the area, take pictures and enjoy the views.
This tour is an excellent way to enjoy all of the scenery and attractions along Slea Head. Drivers. The tour was tailored to or specific needs. We stopped at some of the major sights along the way but were also taken to some amazing places off the beaten track. It was nice to sit back and let someone else do the driving. Although it was a bit spendy we felt like it was worth the price.
We had a very knowledgeable guide and visited a few more historical sites than your average tour. Although we had a car I am glad we opted for a private tour - not only did we have extra context but we had more time to take in the scenery. He also pointed out several 4th century Ogham stones and explained the writing system. We would have passed them by without realising their significance.
Our driver Billie was very helpful and accommodating, and added lots of information of all the different sites
Billy is awesome! He grew up on the Dingle Peninsula and shares his own experiences of how it was 30 years ago. We comfortably fit 6 people in the van, but could have added another if we needed. All of us really liked the personal attention a private tour offers, and we were not disappointed. There were a few places to stop along the way and Billy let us stay as long as we wanted. He never rushed us. I thought the tour was only about 2 hours, so we had made plans for that evening. The tour is over 2 hours, I recommend you do not make plans for at least 3.5 hours after the tour start. Billy, we really wish we had had time to see the highest point in Dingle, next time we come to Ireland, we will have to make a point to stop there. Thank you so much for some great memories!
This was an incredible experience from pick up to drop off. Billy was so helpful, so kind and even cracked a few jokes. I would absolutely book with him again. This tour allowed us to go at our own pace, spending more time at the places that we found interesting. His van was incredibly clean and he did such a good job to make us feel welcomed. This was the highlight of our trip!
Great service and tour information. Definitely use again! Very informative, assisted me with seeing things that worked around my disability.
Beautiful views with a guide who really knows the area! Billy was funny, entertaining and full of knowledge! We would highly recommend this tour!
We went for the Slea Head tour after reading about it in Rick Steve’s travel book as it was highly recommended. It was incredibly beautiful annd some of the most breath taking views I’ve seen yet in Ireland. Billy was a great tour guide- local and very knowledgeable about the area. He flexed some for our schedule which was great. Having a private driver was totally worth it!
Billy was a wonderful guide. He took us to all the great spots and was knowledgeable about their history. He went above and beyond getting us close to spots and even took us to additional places we asked about. I would 100% recommend this tour! It was the best thing we did in Dingle!
Great afternoon traveling around the Dingle Peninsula with our guide Billy. We had to shorten our time due to a change in our ship schedule but Billy was able to get us to the sights we really wanted to see and what we were interested in. Billy was prompt, his van was clean and comfortable, and he was knowledgeable about the area. I would recommend booking with him.
Driver Billy Kavanagh was polite, funny and a wealth of knowledge from his many years of personal experiences. The tour showed us the wonders of the region.
Billy was wonderful and showed us lots of sites and was very informative. He was very friendly and didn't make us feel rushed at all. Would definitely recommend him for other tours.
Laid back tour. Billy let us set the pace with flexibility on time spent at the various stops. As a local, he’s very knowledgable about the area. Tour started and ended right on time.
This is a must-do if you have a short time in Dingle! We were able to experience all the beauty and adventure of Dingle on this tour. Billy was incredibly kind and patient!
Billy was great! Because he was born and raised in the area, he had a special insight into the history of Dingle. We enjoyed the planned stops and he was also very gracious and made a couple of stops—one to see a pod of dolphins one of our group saw, and he found his binoculars so we could see closer! It was a wonderful day.
Superb. We were given chance to look at all we knew we wanted to see, and were taken to more that were wonderful too.
My sister and I had a great tour of Dingle Harbour and the Slea Head with Billy. He gave shared lots of historical details and also personal stories of his experiences in the area and showed us many of his favorite spots along the drive. He was flexible with us and generous with his time. A great experience.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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