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AROUND THE DINGLE PENINSULA
(Ventry to Dun Chaoin)
VENTRY
The beautiful sandy beach in Ventry Harbour was the scene of the ancient battle "Cath Fionntrilgha" (The Battle of Ventry Strand). Legend says that it was on this beach that Fionn Mac Cumhaill and his band of warriors, the Fianna, defeated Daire Donn, the King of the World, and his warriors as they attempted to invade Ireland.
Besides swimming, water sports such as canoeing, wind-surfing, boating are available during the summertime. Horse trekking is also available nearby at Long's Trekking Centre.
FAHAN
Just off the road between Ventry and Slea Head, are the Clocháns or Beehive Huts. These stone huts were used by hermit monks for prayer and fasting.
DUNBEG
Site of an elaborate Iron Age ring fort with an elaborate souterrain, which is now a ruin gradually crumbling into the ocean. Because of erosion from the sea the site is dangerous.
SLEA HEAD
Slea Head provides excellent view of the Blasket Islands. The nearby sandy beach at Coumeenole (unsafe for bathing) was used by David Lean in his movie "Ryan Daughter".
DUNMORE HEAD
Dunmore Head, the most westerly point of Ireland's mainland, was once the site of a large fort of which only some of the earthwork defences remain. On the headland is an Ogham Stone, inscribed in Ogham with the name Dovinia after whom the area Corca Dhuibhne is named. Just off the headland in the Blasket Sound, the Santa Maria de la Rosa and San Juan of the Spanish Armada were shipwrecked in 1588. There is a monument commemorating the tragedy on the cliffs above the Blasket Sound. A large collection of artifacts recovered from the shipwreck is on display in the Ulster Museum, in Belfast.
DUN CHAOIN (Dunquin)
Dunquin a small village overlooking The Great Blasket. Ferries from the quay at Dunquin take tourists to The Great Blasket. The interpretative centre "Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir" -The Blasket Centre, which tells the story of the Blasket Islands and her people. The famous Blasket Island author Peig Sayers is buried in the local graveyard.
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