Activities On The Dingle Peninsula
The choice of activities on the Dingle Peninsula is vast and varied and the Rainbow Hostel is conveniently located in proximity to all of them. Despite the huge range of activities available, the majority of them share one thing in common—nature. The untouched natural beauty of the area provides fantastic opportunities for hill-walking, rock climbing or horse-riding. The scenery ranges from the dramatic beauty of coastal cliffs and beaches to rolling green fields and forest—a paradise for the amateur and experienced outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The clean Atlantic provides yet another setting for numerous activities. The pier in Dingle town is the jumping off point for many marine activities including dolphin and whale watching trips, scuba-diving, sailing, windsurfing, surfing and deep-sea fishing (including shark) to mention just a few.

Surfing has also caught on in a big way, with many surfers realising the potential of the west coast of Ireland. Currently there are no surfboard and equipment rental facilities, but the market is growing and there is no doubt that in the next few years surfing in Dingle will really take off...

One activity we can't forget is the lure of the local pub. For a town of only 1,500 people there are over 50 pubs—it's easy to see the importance placed on them... Local pubs are a place of social contact, where strangers meet and mingle. Dingle is a major town in terms of Irish traditional music, and with many of Ireland's top musicians living in the area, it is no surprise that there are fantastic sessions nightly in the pubs.

For more detailed information about surfing, fishing, archaeology, music and Fungi, browse through our pages dedicated to those activities. If you are interested in activities not included there, here is a brief list of some of the other various activities that the Dingle Peninsula has to offer.

Scuba-Diving: Diving in the Dingle Peninsula is excellent, with very good visibility in the summer months and abundant marine life. For more information about diving in Dingle visit the Dingle Dive Centre web site.

Sailing: The sailing around the Dingle Peninsula is second to none, with deep waters right to the shore of sheer cliffs, reliable winds and dramatic scenery. There is also a marina facility for those with their own vessel, otherwise there is a sailing club which teaches and also charters yachts. For more information about sailing in Dingle, visit the Dingle Sailing Club web site.

Horse-Riding: Pony-Trekking is available from Dingle Horse Riding, situated only 10 minutes walk from the hostel. For more details about hourly/daily rates: Telephone (066) 915 2199 or visit the Dingle Horse Riding web site.

Archaeological Tours: Visit the many ancient sites spanning 6000 years around the Dingle Peninsula in the company of a local Archaeologist. Trips leave daily from the pier. Bookings advised.

Hill And Shore Walking: There is a wealth of fantastic walking waiting for anyone with the will and the boots! The Scenery is extremely spectacular, with mountains dropping into ocean... and so seldom walked you feel like the one to have discovered it.

Cycling: The Dingle Peninsula is a perfect place to bicycle. People come from all over the world to cycle around the Slea Head Drive, so they can see it at their own pace, more slowly than they could in a car or bus. The Rainbow Hostel is pleased to offer our guests a bicycle rentals.