Home > Rick on TV > Guide to Shows > The Best of West Ireland

The Best of West Ireland:
Dingle, Galway and the Aran Islands: Travel Details

This is a quick and handy source for details on the sights, hotels, tour guides and restaurants featured in the "The Best of West Ireland: Dingle, Galway and the Aran Islands" show. For much more (and updates), see this year's edition of Rick Steves' Ireland guidebook.

Ragus Dance Show

Ragus— Irish for "desire," this is a riveting hour of quality Irish song-and-dance performed in the small Halla Ronain community center in Kilronan. Ten energetic young Irish adults give you an opportunity to see Irish step dancing up close, accompanied by a small group of musicians earnestly playing traditional Irish instruments. The center is a five-minute walk from the boat dock and offers day-trippers a mid-afternoon performance you can plan as your last stop before catching the late-afternoon boat back to the mainland. Buy tickets at the door or at the Ragus office in the ferry ticket building at the Rossaveel ferry port (€15, mid-June–Aug Sun-Fri at 14:45 and 21:00, none in off-season, tel. 099/61515, mobile 087-237-1642, www.ragustheshow.com).

Shane Connolly

Shane Connolly leads in-depth, three-hour guided walks through the Burren explaining the diverse flora, geology, history, and man's role in shaping this landscape. Wear comfortable shoes for wet, rocky fields and prepare to meet a proud farmer who really knows his stuff (€15, daily at 10:00, call to book and find out meeting point in Ballyvaughan, tel. 065/707-7168, homepage.eircom.net/~burrenhillwalks).

Captain's House B&B

Captain's House B&B is a shipshape place in the town center, fit for an admiral, with eight classy rooms, peat-fire lounges, a stay-a-while garden, and a magnificent breakfast in the conservatory. Mary, whose mother ran a guest house before An Daingean was discovered, loves her work and is very good at it (Sb-€50-60, Db-€80-100, great suite-€140-160, The Mall, tel. 066/915-1531, fax 066/915-1079, captigh@eircom.net, Jim and Mary Milhench).

Lisbeth Mulcahy's

Lisbeth Mulcahy Weaver, filled with traditional but stylish woven wear, is also the An Daingean sales outlet of the well-known potter from out on Ceann Sleibhe, or Slea Head (Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00, Green Street, tel. 066/915-1688).

West Kerry Craft Guild

The West Kerry Craft Guild — a co-op selling the work of 15 local artists — is a delight even if you're just browsing. The prices here are very good since you're buying directly from the artists (daily June-Aug 10:00-18:00, Sept-May 11:00-17:00, 18 Main Street, tel. 066/915-2976, www.gailearaibeag.com).

O'Flaherty's

Quietly intense owner Fergus O'Flaherty, a fixture since my first visit to An Daingean, sings and plays a half dozen different instruments during nightly traditional music sessions. His domain has a high ceiling and is dripping in old-time photos and town memorabilia — it's touristy but lots of fun.

Tim Collins

Tim Collins, a retired An Daingean police officer, and his son Michael give serious 2.5-hour minibus tours (€20, departing at 10:30 and 14:00, depending upon demand). Drop by the Kirrary B&B (at Dykegate and Grey's Lane) or call 066/915-1606 to put your name on the list.

Fungie

A dolphin moved into An Daingean Harbor and became a local celebrity. Fungie (FOON-gee, with a hard g) is now the darling of the town's tourist trade and one reason you'll find so many tour buses parked along the harbor. With a close look at Fungie as bait, tour boats are thriving. The hardy little boats motor seven to 40 passengers out to the mouth of the harbor, where they troll around looking for Fungie. You're virtually assured of seeing the dolphin, but you don't pay unless you do (€12, kids-€6, 1-hr trips depart 10:00-19:00 depending on demand, behind TI at Dolphin Trips office, tel. 066/915-2626).