The best running trails around Castleisland-Corca Dhuibhne

From the parking lot of Ceann Sratha (Clogher), you look directly at the monumental red sandstone cliffs of Ceann Sibéal. These 200-meter-high rock faces cut through the Atlantic surf like a knife and served as a spectacular backdrop for the Jedi temple in Star Wars. For cyclists, this spot offers an unparalleled 360-degree view: from the jagged 'teeth' of the Blasket Islands in the south to the distant contours of Mount Brandon in the north.

Marked by a cross, as many high or exposed locations, the point offers a grand panorama. The steep cliffs are impressive. To the south, on a clear day, you can clearly see the heights of Valentia Island. To the west the silhouette of the Blasket Islands and to the north the curve of the beautiful Coomeenole beach, where scenes from the film Ryan's Daughter were filmed. On the slopes you can distinguish other stone huts, some covered with earth and grass. As you approach the beach, you will see on the left some abandoned houses, now used for vegetable gardens whose land has been enriched over the years with a mixture of sand and seaweed: cultivation is still carried out by hand, with shovels and pickaxes. Due to the steepness of the fields, the plough only appeared in the region very late. Beyond Coomeenole the cliffs become lower and the landscape greener, up to Dunquin (5 km from Slea Head). Be careful when you get close to the edge, the cliffs gradually collapse.

The place called Fahan brings together more than 400 dry stone huts, gathered in small groups, circular forts and underground passages. These beehive-shaped huts are called clochán in Gaelic. Their origin, still mysterious, probably dates back to the end of the Palen period or the very beginning of Christianity. Given their size, it is assumed that their inhabitants were small. They must also have shown organizational skills, according to these multi-chambered dwellings, well defended by mountains and cliffs, close to the ocean and thus to resources. The whole could have been a kind of town or, at least, an extensive community. Other groups of clochán mark the route to the point. To visit them, park at one of the road widenings, where local owners have placed signs. Many other remains are visible from the road, a little further on.

This famous pub and its accompanying statue are a tribute to the eight-time All-Ireland champion Páidí Ó Sé. The walls are adorned with photos of world-renowned guests—from Tom Cruise to Bill Clinton—who came here to soak up the authentic atmosphere. An ideal spot for a quick stop and a photo by the statue of the 'King of the Peninsula' before tackling the Slea Head climb.

This vast, crescent-shaped bay offers one of the safest and most beautiful sandy beaches on the peninsula. Only the view is somewhat spoiled by the caravans behind the beach. For the cyclist, the passage along this Blue Flag beach is a relief: a flat road with a sweeping view of the crystal-clear water and the green headlands protecting the bay. The rugged peaks of Mount Eagle lie in the background.

This vast, crescent-shaped bay offers one of the peninsula's safest and most beautiful sandy beaches. Only the view is somewhat spoiled by the caravans behind the beach. For the cyclist, the passage along this Blue Flag beach is a relief: a flat road with a wide view of the crystal-clear water and the green headlands protecting the bay. The rugged peaks of Mount Eagle lie in the background.

This sheltered natural harbour is the vibrant hub of the peninsula. As a cyclist, you roll along the quay between the colourful fishing boats and the salty sea air. With the white Dingle Lighthouse guarding the narrow entrance and the green hills as a backdrop, the harbour offers a constantly changing spectacle of ebb and flow. An ideal, flat passage to admire the bustle of the fleet before embarking on the climb to the mountains or the rugged coast.

This small but powerful beach is nestled between the monumental cliffs of Clogher Head and the red sandstone walls of Ceann Sibéal. For the cyclist, the descent into this bay is a visual spectacle: at high tide or during a storm, you can see the region's highest waves crashing against the rocks here. With the 'Three Sisters' as a backdrop and the characteristic black rocks jutting out of the sand, this is the ultimate spot to experience the unfiltered power of the Atlantic Ocean.