Dingle Peninsula - Ireland 2014 - page 352

two miles, turn left at the brown sign to Holden's Leather Workshop . A narrow leafy lane
leads another two miles to a hut on the right marked Eask Tower (the tower looms on the
bare hill above). There seems little risk of bike theft on this quiet rural lane, but lock your
bike to the fence post by the hut just to be sure. Pay the €2 trail fee at the hut (if unat-
tended, feed the honor box) and hike straight up the hill. Pace yourself on this steep trail.
You'll zigzag around sheep and tiptoe over their droppings. You'll also need to climb a
couple of waist-high metal-rung gates. After 45 minutes, you'll have huffed and puffed up
to the stone signal tower on the crown of the hill. Enjoy fantastic views of Dingle town (to
the north) and Dingle Bay with the Iveragh Peninsula (home of the Ring of Kerry to the
south). Try to spot the two distant jagged Skellig Islands off the tip of the Iveragh Penin-
sula. The tip of the right-hand island (farthest from the mainland) was home to a monastic
hermitage for five centuries (see previous chapter). This was once the edge of the known
world.
Horseback Riding
Dingle Horse Riding takes out beginners (€35/hour for a trail ride) and experienced
riders on two-hour (€65), half-day (€100), and full-day (€150) excursions (call ahead
to book, follow Main Street out of Dingle, turn right at sign, tel. [phone],
www.dinglehorseriding.com ) . Long's Horseriding Centre is farther out on the peninsula
just past Ventry (look for sign on right)—an easy stop for bikers or drivers doing the
Slea Head Loop (€30/one-hour beach ride, €50/two-hour beach and mountain trail ride,
short rides often depart at 9:00, call to book, tel. [phone], mobile [phone],
www.longsriding.com ) . In either case, mountain rides are only for advanced riders, and
all horses come with English-style saddles (no horns to hang on to).