A Guide to Minard Castle and Beach
Read our travel guide on Minard Castle and Minard Beach in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, tips on where to stay, how to get, or when to go.
If you're looking for a stunning off-the-beaten-path place on Dingle Peninsula, Minard Beach and Minard Castle might check all the boxes.
While you should be able to find more impressive places along the Wild Atlantic Way, it's the small and often overlooked stops that make this scenic route so remarkable.
And even though it's not as famous as Coumeenoole Beach or Conor Pass, it quickly became one of our favorite places on Dingle Peninsula.
Simply put, it's one of the finest examples of why the ideal Ireland road trip is not only the Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher.
The visit to the Minard area should be very straightforward, but there are still a few things you should know about it before you go.
How to Visit Minard Castle and Beach
While we couldn't wait to explore the Slea Head Drive, we decided to explore some less-traveled places first.
Roughly halfway between Inch Beach and Dingle is nestled one of the hidden gems of the peninsula.
A narrow road leading through a typical Irish countryside eventually brought us to a small parking area right next to the Minard beach and castle ruins.
Minard Beach
If you arrive from the east, it might seem that you will need to climb over the rocks to get to the beach, as the massive wall of boulders seems almost impenetrable.
However, an artificial entrance at the beach's western end (near the castle) makes access to the beach easier. Still, this beach is not wheelchair or stroller friendly.
By the time we reached this site, it was raining pretty hard. The weather forecast was, unfortunately, accurate, and what even was worse, it promised even more rain in the afternoon.
Still, we had the beach for ourselves, and the atmosphere was almost magical.
As the sea was out, we were able to see even the sandy strip that was revealed only during the low tide.
By the way, a few years back, a violent storm accompanied by huge waves sent the massive sandstone boulders further up the shore and scattered them across the road, which was severely damaged.
The road and beach were restored, and today, you wouldn't guess what happened here on that day.
Still, it's a strong reminder of how powerful and terrifying the natural elements in the coastal regions of Ireland can truly be.
And here is one more piece of trivia. It's said that some of the elongated stones were used as Ogham stones in this area.
Minard Castle
Minard Castle sits above the beach on a tiny grassy hill, only a short walk from the beach.
It dominates the western side of the sandy strip and makes for a perfect photo opportunity, especially if you include the boulders in your frame (I struggled to make any decent photo due to the rain, though).
The setting is stunning, and despite major differences, it reminded us a bit of the Ballinskelligs on the Skellig Ring we visited before.
To get closer to the castle, you need to get back on the road and walk across a cute little stone bridge.
The largest fortress on the Dingle Peninsula, Minard Castle, is said to be built by the Knight of Kerry. Later, it was destroyed by the forces of Oliver Cromwell.
In 1970, it was featured in Ryan's Daughter, a romantic drama from World War 1.
However, access is no longer permitted, and the ruins are closed.
Opening Hours
Both Minard Beach and Minard Castle can be visited at any time of the day.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Minard Beach or Minard Castle.
If you're traveling around Ireland on a budget, this is a great place to visit.
How Much Time Do I Need
Due to bad weather, we spend a relatively short amount of time at Minard Castle and Minard Beach.
In general, we would say that 30-60 minutes should be more than enough for this site.
Obviously, you can marvel at the castle and walk along the beach as long as you want (or as your travel plans allow).
When to Go
Both Minard Beach and Minard Castle can be visited all year round.
Summer is the peak season on Dingle, and you can expect busier roads and attractions.
The beach gets relatively busy on hot and sunny days, and parking might be tricky due to limited capacity.
Also, the journey on a narrow road with a bit heavier traffic will be more challenging.
We visited the beach in the spring, and the road was pretty much empty.
Obviously, watching the sunset and especially the sunrise must surely be an incredible experience.
Before you go, make sure to figure out when to visit Ireland first to know what to expect from each season.
What to Pack
This is a quick stop, so just dress according to the weather. We prefer to wear something lightweight and breathable and usually don't leave our car without a rain jacket in our daypack.
On the day of our visit, a basic rain poncho might have been an even better option.
By the way, leave your umbrella at home this time, as the coastal regions are also known for strong winds.
In summer, sunscreen, swimwear, and beach towel should be in your waterproof dry bag.
Here you can check out our personal Ireland packing list for more inspiration.
How to Get There
Minard Castle is located in County Kerry, and the best way to get there and to the adjacent beach is by car.
Car
Renting a car in Ireland is easy, and this option gives you the opportunity to reach even some hidden places, such as this one.
Keep in mind that the road is narrow, so drive carefully.
Minard Castle is about a 20-minute drive from Dingle.
Tralee is 45 minutes from here, and it takes about 50 minutes to get here from Killarney.
Both Limerick and Cork are a bit over a 2-hour drive from Minard. The journey takes about four and a half hours from Dublin.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Taxi
Alternatively, you could hire a driver for a day from Dingle (or some other town) and explore the peninsula this way.
Bike
If you prefer active holidays, there is always an option to cycle around Dingle Peninsula.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation, you have several options to choose from.
One of the most obvious choices is either Tralee or Killarney. Either of them can be used as a base for exploring Dingle Peninsula.
Dingle, the only town on the peninsula, is another great place to spend a night.
If you're looking for a bit more intimate experience, plenty of family-owned bed and breakfasts and guesthouses are scattered around the peninsula.
Tralee | Ashe Hotel - Situated in the heart of Tralee, this beautiful boutique hotel features modern rooms, a casual dining experience, helpful staff, and great breakfast options.
Dingle | Murphy's Hotel - This family-run bed and breakfast with a traditional Irish pub sits in the center of Dingle town just by the waterfront. It features clean rooms, delicious breakfast, and welcoming hosts.
Killarney | Earls Court House - Set in a quiet suburb, this hotel features spacious rooms with stylish decor, rustic charm, and an extensive buffet breakfast.
Staying Safe
Even though this is a relatively popular beach for bathing, there is no lifeguard on duty, even during the summer.
If you're looking for a Blue Flag Beach, head to Inch Beach (though check first whether it retains this status).
All things considered, driving in Ireland is not that tricky.
Still, driving along these single-lane roads that can be found off the main road requires extra attention from your side as they are narrow and have many blind curves.
Drive carefully, and you should be fine.
And as usual, don't underestimate the local weather and always wear proper clothing when outdoors.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Minard Castle and Beach Worth Visiting?
Minard Castle and Beach are definitely worth seeing, although we would argue this is only an optional side trip.
There are far more beautiful castles in Ireland you can visit.
However, this little detour should be a great way to escape the crowds, and we believe it's a great addition to any Ireland road trip itinerary.
Furthermore, the combination of a beach and a castle makes the Minard area worth visiting even on a rainy day.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
