The Dingle Way is a trail that takes hikers through the stunning landscapes of the Dingle Peninsula, in West Kerry, incorporating rugged coastline, rolling hills, and sandy beaches. The trail passes through picturesque towns and villages, while hikers have an opportunity to see ancient ruins, historic sites, and stunning natural landmarks along the way.
Want to enjoy these experiences as part of a well organised and long established one day event? Then why not sign up for the annual Dingle Way Challenge, arranged by the local St Pats GAA Club in Blennerville. This extremely popular annual event takes place over the June Bank Holiday weekend. This year it was held on Sunday the 4th of June.
St Pats GAA Club host the Dingle Way Challenge 2023 Event
St Pats GAA Club in Blennerville, have been running a version of the Dingle Way Challenge since 2008. This event caters for all levels, from casual walkers to Ultra competitors. Drawing from the enthusiastic local population, participation has grown over the years and includes an ever-increasing number of people travelling long distances to attend the West Kerry event. The 2022 event attracted over 300 participants.
The 2023 Dingle Way Challenge offers participants a chance to take in the spectacular landscapes and seascapes of this beautiful part of the Dingle Peninsula, while being able to enjoy a great day of walking and talking with friends, old and new. Stops along the route for a hot breakfast, snacks and refreshments will ensure participants have the required energy levels to complete the Challenge.
On completion of the Dingle Way Challenge, and following the medal presentations, everyone is invited back to the base camp at the St Pats GAA grounds in Blennerville. A well-deserved celebratory barbecue will be followed by an evening filled with more chat, live music and laughter.
All funds raised go to the St Pats GAA Club development fund, which is used to invest in the upkeep and development of the Club. Like so many GAA Clubs around Ireland, St Pats play a vital role in the life of the local community.
So, what better way to spend your June Bank Holiday Sunday, than in great company, in beautiful surroundings on the Dingle Peninsula.
Registration for the Dingle Way Challenge 2023
To sign up for the 2023 event, participants were asked to register on Eventbrite.
Please note that the event has an over 18’s age limit.
Please make sure to indicate whether you are planning on taking the Ultra Route (48km), or the Regular Route option (32km). This will assist the organisers in planning for transport and for food and refreshments.
*The Eventbrite registration closed at 5:00pm on Friday the 2nd of June. Participants could still register on the morning of the event at St Pats GAA Club grounds at the following times:
Ultra Route between 4:15am and 5:00am | Regular Routes between 6:15am and 6:45am
The fee for this one day event was €60 (plus charges).
Considering the hospitality, food and transport included, this is indeed a great value day out in West Kerry.
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
The Dingle Way Challenge 2023 can be the perfect corporate day out, for companies looking for a relaxing, yet challenging team building experience for employees.
Corporate sponsorship packages are available, which offer great promotion opportunities, while supporting a very worthwhile cause.
For details contact Michael Moriarty on +353 86 3855428, or mmoriarty@3dpersonnel.com
The Dingle Way Challenge 2023 – Programme for the Day
Participants meet at the St Pats GAA grounds for a rundown of the days programme.
It is important to note that although the event covers three stages, participants are free to finish after any stage, or indeed join the walk at stages two or three. Transport will be provided back to base camp for those finishing at any of the stages.
The times listed below are subject to change. The event organisers will email all participants with actual times in advance of the event.
Ultra Route participants: (all times below are subject to change)
Ultra check in will be open at St Pats GAA Club grounds between 4:15am and 4:45am
Buses will transport the Ultra competitors to their starting point at Brandon Creek, on the West side of Cnoc Bhréanainn
Buses are scheduled to leave the St Pats grounds at 5:00am, with an additional pick-up en route at the Junction Bar, scheduled for 5:10am
The walk is due to commence at approximately 6:00am
The route will see participants walking over the shoulder of Mount Brandon, via Fothair na Manach and descending into Arraglen towards Teer Cross on the Eastern side (of the 2nd highest peak)
Trekkers will then take a left turn and rejoice in the magnificent and spectacular scenery of Sauce Creak. Then following the route to Brandon Point, enjoying the incredible views of Tralee Bay, Loop Head, The Seven Hogs & the Maharees Islands and the sandy beaches of Lower West Kerry
Ultra walkers will join up with the Regular Route walkers at Brandon Point
From there, walkers will join the main road, passing the nostalgic fishing village of Brandon Quay before enjoying a well-deserved hot breakfast at Halla le Chéile
From here, walkers will follow the main road, through Cloghane Village to Fermoyle Beach and exit at the nearby Castlegregory Golf Club, continuing en route to Castlegregory Village for further refreshments
The final trek is a mix of back roads and beaches with Gleanteenassing Forest, Sliabh Mish Mountains on the right-hand side & Tralee Bay to the left as walkers approach the final stop at Fitzgerald’s Bar in Camp
Regular Route participants:
Regular Route check in will be open at St Pats GAA Club grounds between 6:15am and 6:45am
Buses will transport the Regular walkers to their starting point at Brandon Point
Buses are scheduled to leave the St Pats grounds at 7:00am, with an additional pick-up en route at the Junction Bar, scheduled for 7:10am
The walk is due to commence at approximately 8:00am
From Brandon Point the walkers will join the main road, passing the nostalgic fishing village of Brandon Quay before enjoying a well-deserved hot breakfast at Halla le Chéile
From here, walkers will follow the main road, through Cloghane Village to Fermoyle Beach and exit at the nearby Castlegregory Golf Club, continuing en route to Castlegregory Village for further refreshments
The final trek is a mix of back roads and beaches with Gleanteenassing Forest, Sliabh Mish Mountains on the right-hand side & Tralee Bay to the left as walkers approach the final stop at Fitzgerald’s Bar in Camp
Regular Route Walkers have a few options for how they complete their walk
Complete the full 32km route, starting from Brandon Point
Start from Brandon Point and finish in Castlegregory
Start in Castlegregory and finish at Fitzgerald's Bar in Camp
Transport will be available along the route to facilitate any walker wishing to return to base camp.
At the finish line in Camp, a warm welcome awaits (along with a camera person – so make sure to have on your bravest face for the approach to the finish line!)
When the Walking is Done - From Camp to Base Camp
Buses will transport participants in the Dingle Way Challenge from Fitzgerald’s Bar in Camp, to the St Pats GAA Club grounds in Blennerville.
Participants are asked to plan their days walking, to ensure that they have completed their route and returned to base camp and signed in before 5:30pm.
Showers will be available for any participants who wish to avail of them at the Clubhouse.
After the day’s exhilarating walk/run, all participants are invited to relax in the GAA grounds where a barbeque and live music will be provided by the Club.
3D Personnel are proud to Support the Dingle Way Challenge
As a joint main sponsor of this event (alongside POFF Motors), 3D Personnel are once again proud to offer our support for this fantastic event. Our Director, Michael Moriarty was born and bred in Blennerville and has a long association with the St Pats Club. Current Juvenile Chairperson at the Club and with his own three boys regularly lining out for St Pats at various grades, he knows that the Club and by extension, the Dingle Way Challenge fundraising effort is vital for the local community.
Michael had this to say about the Dingle Way Challenge event:
We are delighted to be hosting the Dingle Way Challenge again this year. It is an event that has grown and grown over the years, with people coming from all over Ireland to take part. Many new friends have been made along the routes over the years.
It’s the main fundraiser for our Club, so it is vital for us to keep going. I’m delighted that we here in 3D Personnel can support the event again this year as joint main sponsor.
I would say to anyone, come along and join us and experience the best of West Kerry welcomes. Visit us once and you’ll want to keep coming back!
Make your Plans Early to Avoid Disappointment
As you can imagine, arranging a weekend away in Kerry over a Bank Holiday weekend needs some forward planning. If you are not already organised, don’t delay.
As a base for newcomers to the event, Tralee is probably the best bet for accommodation, with an array of hotels, B&B’s and AirBnB type accommodation.
Already booked in, don’t forget to register for the Dingle Way Challenge. Once that is out of the way, you can spend your time letting everyone know where you will be spending your June Bank Holiday weekend. Jealous or what!
So, if you’re looking for something special to do this June Bank Holiday weekend, why not sign up to the Dingle Way Challenge 2023, happening on Sunday the 4th of June and enjoy the spectacular landscapes and seascapes of the Dingle Peninsula, while in great company.
For a look back at the 2022 Dingle Way Challenge see our previous article
The 2023 Dingle Way Challenge was indeed a resounding success enhanced even more by the wonderful weather experienced over the June Bank Holiday weekend. The organisers were delighted with the turnout of close to 250 participants and went on to thank everyone involved in making this annual event possible. Already the planning for the 2024 Dingle Way Challenge event has started. Check back again early next year for details of the 2024 event. Thanks again to all who took part and supported this great event!
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