Dingle is a relatively compact town, and it's one of the more popular places on the "tourist trail" in Ireland, so yes, it will be very busy in July, with a lot of European and American visitors.

If weather allows, try to get out to the Blasket Islands. I've never been able to do it on my visits because the water was too rough, but it's supposed to be a fantastic trip.

There are also archaeological tours of the peninsula that you may want to look into, check at the tourist office.

You didn't ask for food recommendations, but one of my personal favorites there is Lord Bakers.

Melissa - you should enjoy Dingle - or An Daingean as it's now officially known (it's a long story!) Anyway I wouldn't worry about making any hard and fast plans because it's a smallish town so you'll get to see it all.

Food is fantastic everywhere, it seems to me. I'd particularly recommend Doyle's Seafood bar and the Charthouse.

Go out in a boat to see Funghi the resident Dolphin - he's fantastic and impressively large - there are heaps of fishermen offering tours.

Also go for a walk on nearby Slea Head - stunning views of the Blaskets.

It might be worth your while picking up a translation of Peig - you'll find it easily in Dingle, or you might even be able to get it in an online bookshop before you leave.

It's an account of life in the 1900s on the Blaskets from her perspective.

This book made the lives of thousands of Irish students hell because it used to be on the curriculum for studying the Irish language but actually I'd imagine that it is an interesting read if you're coming at it fresh and unprejudiced!! Personally I found the woman a bit of a moan but don't let that put you off!!

In fact here's a link if you do want to purchase it:

www.buy4now.ie/eason/productdetail.aspx…

Dingle busy all summer. Loads of trad music in lots of pubs. You'll hear it as you walk around. D i c k (had to put spaces between these letters because it's listed as a swear word!)Macks, Maire De Barras, Drochead Beag, etc. (Apologies if my spelling of the Irish names is dire). Trip to the Blaskets is good. The Blasket centre is worth a look. The drive round from Inch beach out to Slea Head is spectacular. You can take in Louis Mulcahy's pottery shop en route if you need some retail therapy. There are trips out to see Fungi the dolphin (have never got round to that one myself). There's the Gallarus Oratory. They say if you climb out of the window your soul is cleansed. (I used the door!). The Chart House restaurant on the way into Dingle on the Cork side is fantastic.

Doyles is closed now, Enic.

Actually, sorry, maybe it's not. The guy who owned it died and it was up for sale but it seems to be still open for business.

Hi, it's CruiseKing again....I see that enic & Marie have made the same suggestions that I made on another post to you. Yes, I agree Lord Bakers is very good...yummmm, crab claws for lunch...still remember it! I stopped Louis Mulcahy to get some beautiful pottery pieces...And yes, do yourself a favor and get a map at SNN airport...after I was there in Feb '05 the signs in Kerry/Cork have been to Gaelic, so a "new" map will be helpful.

Sorry, that was IrishFan who recommended Lord Baker's. Also, I got a copy of Ann Peig's book about her growing up Blasket Islands....very, very good! Also, got a book on "the fairies", got both books in Killarney bookstore!

Wow, you guys are great, thanks for all these tips on enjoying Dingle in July! I'm printing all this out, and if anybody has anything to add, please do. Yes, yes, restaurant recommendations too. We especially love family-run restaurants where the locals eat (they know the best food for the best prices usually.)

I do want to read Peg Sayer's book, I will try to order myself a copy. I think it will make the trip to blasket islands more meaningful...I hope the weather is good and we can take the boat over for a day-trip.

Fairies! Please tell me the name of the book and the author/publisher. My daughter who is majoring in creative writing and also draws for fun loves fairies. We find them intriguing and are always looking out for fairies. Maybe I can order these books.

Ah! One thing I don't like about tripadvisor is once you start answering, the other people's posts disappear, you can't see them while you're answering.

I'll be back later, love to chat with you folks about Dingle. Does anybody have any tips about beating the crowds at dingle? (for example I got a tip that the Vatican museums in Rome don't have a line at noon in the summer because tourists go for lunch. I followed this tip and it turned out to be true, we had a lovely visit, walked right in with no lines in the summer at noon.) Anyway has anybody found any times in July when places like Inch beach, the Blasket Island center, the pubs, the shopping etc. aren't so crowded? Are weekdays just as crowded as weekends? Thanks!

Sorry Melissa5...don't know where I got the name "Ann" Peig from!!! Have the book in front of me and it's just titled "PEIG" with "The autobiography of Peig Sayers of the Great Blasket Island", by Talbot Press...Translated into English by Bryan MacMahon.

The book on the fairies is "Meeting the Other Crowd"....The Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland by Eddie Lenihan by Gill & MacMillan, Ltd 2003 (www.gillmacmillan.ie) I bought this at the "Ennis Book Shop" for e14.99 and the other at "Killarney Book Shop" for e12.95.

As for food....it's great everywhere!!! I still think about the Irish Stew @ Murphy's Pub in Killarney. Of all the breakfasts the one at Adare Manor (castle) was the most incredible...as was their "high tea"...hmmmmm can't wait to get back there.

Also, had "lamb" in Kerry...can't remember the restaurant name, but supposed Kerry is known for the tenderest lamb!!

And had a wonderful lunch at the Middleton Distillery...along with a Jameson's Whiskey, of course! If I think of anything else I'll send it off to you....