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 every June Bank Holiday weekend. This year it was held on Sunday the 2nd of June.
St Pats GAA Club hosted the Dingle Way Challenge 2024 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 2024 event attracted over 300 participants.
The 2024 Dingle Way Challenge offered 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 ensured participants had the required energy levels to complete the Challenge.
On completion of the Dingle Way Challenge and following the medal presentations, everyone was invited back to the base camp at the St Pats GAA grounds in Blennerville. A well-deserved celebratory barbecue was 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 next June Bank Holiday Sunday, than in great company, in beautiful surroundings on the Dingle Peninsula.
Registration for the Dingle Way Challenge 2025
To get details for the 2025 event, keep an eye on social media and check back here for updates early next year.
*The details below relate to the 2024 event which took place on the 02/06/2024
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 (42km), or the Regular Route option (30km). This will assist the organisers in planning for transport and for food and refreshments.
*The Eventbrite registration will close at 5:00pm on Friday of the Bank Holiday weekend. Participants can still register on the morning of the event at St Pats GAA Club grounds at the following times:
Ultra Route between 4:15am and 4:45am | Regular Routes between 6:45am and 7:15am
The fee for this one day event is €75 (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 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 2024 – 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 two stages, participants are free join the walk at different points. Transport will be available along the route to facilitate any walker(s) who may decide that they have enjoyed enough of the challenge.
The times listed below are subject to change. The event organisers 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 Coumeenoole on the Western side of Slea Head
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 from Coumeenole to the beautiful Ventry beach, (where they join up with the Regular route participants) then through the lovely town of Dingle and continuing on to Lispole and eventually finishing in Annascaul
Buses will be provided from the end point in Annascaul to St Pat's Club in Blennerville.
Regular Route participants:
Regular Route check in will be open at St Pats GAA Club grounds between 6:45am and 7:15am
Buses will transport the Regular walkers to their starting point at Ventry Beach
Buses are scheduled to leave the St Pats grounds at 7:30am, with an additional pick-up en route at the Junction Bar, scheduled for 7:40am
The walk is due to commence at approximately 8:30am
Starting out at the beautiful Ventry beach, then on through the lovely town of Dingle and continuing to Lispole and eventually finishing in Annascaul (home of the famous explorer Tom Crean)
Transport will be available along the route to facilitate any walker(s) who may decide that they have enjoyed enough of the challenge
Buses will be provided from the end point in Annascaul to St Pat's Club in Blennerville
When the Walking is Done - Back to Base Camp
Buses will transport participants in the Dingle Way Challenge back 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 and Divane Volkswagen), 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 or Dingle are probably the best bets 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 for the next June Bank Holiday weekend, why not sign up to the Dingle Way Challenge 2025, happening on (Details to be announced later) 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 2024 Dingle Way Challenge was another resounding success enhanced again by the wonderful weather experienced over the June Bank Holiday weekend in Kerry. The organisers were once more delighted with the turnout of close to 300 participants and want to thank everyone involved in making this annual event possible. Already the planning for the 2025 Dingle Way Challenge event has started. Check back again early next year for details of the 2025 event. Thanks again to all who took part and supported this great event!
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 2025 event. Thanks again to all who took part and supported this great event!
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