What to do and see in Dingle, Province of Munster: The Best Museums

March 4, 2022 Venice Greaves

Perched on the hem of the Atlantic in Ireland's southwest, charming Dingle looks out over Dingle Bay to the Blasket Islands. Chock full of friendly pubs where live traditional music plays, the Irish-speaking area fills to the brim with tourists on weekends and through summer. Another regular visitor to Dingle's Gulf Stream-warmed waters is Fungi, the dolphin, the town's unofficial mascot. Popular tourist attractions include the beaches, Mount Brandon and Ballydavid and Ballyferriter villages.
Restaurants in Dingle

1. Musaem Chorca Dhuibhne

Ballyferriter, Dingle Ireland +353 66 915 6333 [email protected] http://www.westkerrymuseum.com
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5.0 based on 22 reviews

Musaem Chorca Dhuibhne

A small museum with displays on the geology, archaeology and history of the Dingle Peninsula, as well as changing temporary exhibitions. With artefacts on loan from the National Museum of Ireland, as well as those sourced locally, this is where you will get a good idea of how people lived in the area from the time of the first known settlers in the late Mesolithic. The museum text is displayed in Irish (Gaelic) and English, and translations are also available in German, French, Polish and Norwegian. The museum has been involved in the Museum Standards for Ireland Programme (MSPI), managed by the Heritage Council, and is a Fully Accredited Museum. Interactive touch-screen displays are available on topics of the Irish Language (learn a few words!), Ogham stones (with fun games included) and the Early Medieval Period - with so many sites from that time to be found in the area. The café/bookstore has many book choices for those learning Irish, and for children

Gortadubha, Ballyferriter, Dingle Ireland +353 66 915 6508 [email protected] http://www.theoldbarngallery.com/
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Old Barn Gallery

Upper Green Street, Dingle V92 DV58 Ireland +353 86 103 1074 [email protected] http://www.carolcroninpainter.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 81 reviews

The Carol Cronin Gallery

The Carol Cronin Gallery is also a working studio. Visitors can see the original seascape paintings in the gallery, meet the artist and see works in progress.

Reviewed By 747nualam

We loved Carol’s gallery, we had to go back a second day! Her work is astounding, especially how she can capture the sea and skies in their beauty and enormity. Well worth going to! Bought her book whilst there. We were also lucky enough to meet her on our first day. Such a lovely lady. Well worth visiting!

4. Fiadh Woven Design

Main Street Near Spa Rd, Dingle Ireland +353 87 754 2141 [email protected] http://fiadh.ie
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5.0 based on 19 reviews

Fiadh Woven Design

Contemporary woven accessories for fashion and home designed by Fiadh and skilfully made in Kerry using traditional weaving techniques. Fiadh (meaning deer in Irish, pronounced Fia) draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Dingle peninsula paying particular attention to organic yet geometric patterns in plants indigenous to the area. She is passionate about the marriage of inspired design and skilled craftsmanship.

5. Original Kerry Irish Crafts

Upper Green Street, Dingle Ireland +353 83 852 0705 [email protected] https://www.originalkerry.shop/
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Original Kerry Irish Crafts

The Original Kerry Craft Centre in Dingle sells the work of Original Kerry craft makers and serves as an information point for the Original Kerry Craft Trail. All items in the shop are crafted in County Kerry by Original Kerry artisans. Our first floor gallery showcases a revolving exhibition of authentic handmade Kerry crafts. Original Kerry is a consortium of thirty two celebrated craft professionals whose studios and workshops are located across the County of Kerry, many of which can be visited in a short drive from the Centre.

Holyground, Dingle Ireland +353 66 915 2018 [email protected] http://www.GreenlaneGallery.com/
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4.5 based on 23 reviews

Greenlane Gallery

The Greenlane showcases some of the most vibrant and distinstive creative talent from Ireland and abroad with work ranging from Fine Art to Applied Art and Jewellery.

7. Dingle Artworks

Green Street, Dingle Ireland +353 66 915 2220 [email protected] http://www.dingleartworks.com/
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4.5 based on 7 reviews

We are a family run business, exclusively featuring local artists, specializing in silk paintings, oil paintings,papier mache models, prints ,greeting cards and postcards to suit all tastes and pockets .Situated next to Dingle's st Mary's church opposite the famous Dick Macks Bar.

8. Harry Clarke Stained Glass Windows

48 Green Street Díseart Institute of Irish Spirituality and Culture, Dingle V92 VW74 Ireland +353 66 915 2476 [email protected] http://www.diseart.ie
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4.5 based on 146 reviews

Harry Clarke Stained Glass Windows

Diseart Institute of Celtic Spirituality and Culture is housed in a neo Gothic building designed by J J Mc Carthy. The bulding and its artworks are open to the public for viewing. The small chapel contains 6 sets of two Gothic style lancet windows by Harry Clarke. The building is set in gardens which contain the nuns graveyard and two upper gardens designed by Mary Reynolds.

Reviewed By EllenF317 - New York City, United States

Behind every stone in Dingle, a story is waiting to be discovered. Behind St. Mary's church on Green Street is a beautiful meditation garden inspired by the Tree of Life, divided into three realms of being, roots, trunk, and crown reflecting past, present, and future. Great to relax here with a coffee or tea. The serene Garden leads to the Convent of the Presentation Sisters, now the Diseart Centre of Irish Spirituality and Culture. Open to visitors, Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, at 3 euro each, Children Free. Check out their interesting courses in Irish Culture. Do see the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, with exquisite stained glass windows created by artist Harry Clarke in 1922, and, commissioned by the savvy Superior Mother Ita for a mere 1000 pounds. Movie scenes from the 'Agony and the Ecstasy' run through my mind… I grin to myself thinking, Mother Ita must have been one fierce lady. Amen. Sunlight floods the Chapel and story of Christ's life in stained glass artistry. I am swept into Harry Clarke's delicate faces filled with joy and sorrow. Six windows are inspired by gospels from Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. My favorite window is when Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. The image of Mary is striking, on her knees in humility and awe, looking up at Christ who stares through her towards something only he can see. Most endearing is the way they are both holding their hand to heart. Good to read about Harry Clarke online before you go... like most artists he had a hard life and understood that sorrow always turns to joy if you follow the light. This is evident in the rich palette of colors in facial and hair features, garments and back ground choice. If you're patient, the windows change in tone and vibrancy as the sun moves outside. Tip: Stop by the former Sisters Dining Room before you leave and stare awestruck at a massive wall Fresco painted by Colorado mural artist, Eleanor Yates in 2011. The mural represents the moment when Jesus consecrates the bread and breaks it for distribution to the eleven apostles, but Judas has left in a hurry leaving his empty chair fallen on the floor. The Apostle at the extreme right looking at the viewer is Doubting Thomas. The one on Jesus' right is Peter, and the one on his left is John. Eleanor created a large scale Last Supper embedded with local images, scenes and art forms. The Apostles are all local men the artist found in various searches throughout the town of Dingle with just the right face and demeanor. They were asked to model, sometimes in full costume, for drawings and photographs. The items on the mural table were also pieced together in much the same way as the Apostles. Local artisans crafted the glasses, pitcher and ceramic vases. Even the bread, fish, olives and wine were all locally made. It's amazing really, from Italy to Denver to Dingle... art is a living gift that never dies.

9. An Diseart

Green Street, Dingle Ireland +353 66 915 2476 http://www.diseart.ie
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4.5 based on 7 reviews

An Diseart

Dykegate Lane, Dingle Ireland +353 66 915 5340 [email protected]
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4.0 based on 5 reviews

Danlann Gallery

This arts and crafts gallery specializes in the work of local painters and craftsmen.

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