I Left my Soul in the Dingle Peninsula

Posted on April 23, 2013 by The Roaming Bean in International Travels // 14 Comments

Located on the Dingle Peninsula, the Slea Head drive is a circular route that contains nothing but the most spectacular, stunning scenery. National Geographic slated this area of the globe “the most beautiful place in the world,” and there’s no wondering why…

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Legend has it if you dip your toes into this specific part of the Atlantic Ocean, located in Inch beach, you will leave part of your soul behind; the only way to get it back is to return within 20 years and re-dip those babies in the freezing cold water (when I say cold water, I mean COLD water!). If you never return to retrieve your soul, you’ll never be complete.

Unfortunately, most of the drive was super cloudy; many sights our guide Dave was telling us about were completely not visible, so a good imagination and the power of Google is needed to recreate what was in front of us. Thankfully, the most incredible view I have ever laid my eyes on was visible…

This part of the Atlantic ocean is the world’s second most dangerous ocean water after Antarctica. All danger aside, this particular spot in the Peninsula was my absolute favorite; I could sit here all day watching the waves crash below.

The Irish countryside is equivalent to pictures out of a storybook…

After the fantastic drive, a stop in the picturesque fishing village of Dingle allowed some time to sample Guinness ice-cream as well as sea salt ice-cream (the sea salt was unbelievably delicious!!) at Murphy’s, where these flavors and other unusual choices are made in-house. The tiny village is dotted with shops and restaurants, which makes for the perfect opportunity to indulge in some fresh seafood (I suggest the seafood chowder, always served with a side of Irish brown bread).

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If the Irish legend is true, I would choose no better place to leave my soul behind in than the Dingle Peninsula….

Lil ol' me!

A HUGE thanks to Shamrocker Adventures for hosting my travels through Ireland! All opinions, like always, are my own.

About The Roaming Bean (109 Articles)
You're probably wondering what the heck is a "Roaming Bean"... Given that I am clearly not a Bean, and my name is Jen, what gives with this Bean thing, right? A friend of mine called me JenBean as a child, and it kinda stuck. Actually, it really stuck... even my license plate says Jenbean. And seeing as I have this grand lust to wander the world, The Roaming Bean seemed suitable. I've changed my career path more times than I have my underwear (minus all the times I've gone commando).... from animating, to forensic pathology, to international business, to fashion marketing and even to my wonderful and favorite of the bunch, degree in culinary arts, nothing kept my attention. Nothing was fun enough to do every day for the rest of my life. I mean, even though I cooked for celebrities in the heart of Hollywood, CA, why the hell would I want to sweat my ass off in a ridiculously HOT kitchen for most of the day and go home smelling like beef and onions? And the chef hat?? Do you know what that did to my hair?? Enter traveling.... The rainy day I descended down the tower of Notre Dame in Paris, gripping on to the railing for dear life so not to slip and tumble to an early death from the torrential down pour that was causing a small flood in the stairwell, my life changed. When I safely made it to the ground, legs shaky from an apparent lack of fitness it requires to walk up and down 387 steep stairs, I realized my hands were stained a delightful copper color from the rusted hand rail I had so dearly clung to. Desperate to get the icky stuff off my supple hands, and no running water in sight, I did what any other hopeless idiot would have done: I washed my hands in the nearest Parisian gutter. It was that moment that changed my life... I threw away my hair dryer, my rolling luggage and my dignity. I let my hair go natural, I bought a back pack and I CAMPED through Europe for a month and a half. Yes my friends, I crossed over into a savage traveling beast. Ok, a lot of people travel that way. But I didn't. And I'm so incredibly thankful for that rainy day in Paris that made me realize the world is a pretty sweet place. That realization led me on a quest; a quest to get out there, see things, soak up some local culture and eat my way around the world (with minimal food-related illnesses, such as but not limited to raging diarrhea).

13 Comments on I Left my Soul in the Dingle Peninsula

  1. geekhiker // April 25, 2013 at 9:52 am // Reply

    I dunno… I think my soul needs some place with a few more trees! 😉

  2. Melissa McCoy // April 24, 2013 at 8:59 am // Reply

    I was on a tour last summer, ❤ Dave! The sights and land capture the soul without even dipping your feet. What a beautiful adventure.

  3. JM // April 24, 2013 at 6:13 am // Reply

    Amazing place indeed.

    Have you been also to the Ring of Kerry?
    In my memories, it’s even more impressive!

  4. joanfrankham // April 24, 2013 at 12:22 am // Reply

    It’s such a beautiful place, isn’t it. Glad you got to try Murphy s ice cream, its delicious, I am off to try find some today!

  5. Beachbums1 // April 23, 2013 at 10:51 pm // Reply

    Beautiful photos!

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