Dún Chíomháin is a university centre which is part of University College Cork. It is situated close to the town of Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry. It is located in the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht and the beauty of the landscape as well as the Irish language and culture that can be found in the region attract many people to visit the area every year. The Dún is in use as a university unit since 1974. The hall, or Halla Cheaibhin as it is better known, was previously used a dance hall and a picture hall. Locals have many fond recollections of when the Dún was owned by Seán Ceaibhin and his wife Neilí, when it was used as a shop, a guest-house and as both a dance and public hall. The hall was recently renovated as a learning unit with movable and flexible equipment.
Many people use the Dún each year including staff and students of University College Cork, people who live in the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht and other Gaeltacht regions, people from all over Ireland and even people from abroad.
Here are the courses and services that are available in Dún Chíomháin.
A Gaeltacht semester for Irish students of University College Cork
Specialised Irish and cultural courses for groups in Ireland as well as international groups
Weekend courses for students of University College Cork
During the summer months the Dún is made available as part of the UCC Family Language Scheme in order to promote the use of the Irish language amongst staff members.
Lectures in literature, culture and local history for members of the community are organized in collaboration with Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne
A University Diploma in Irish for locals of Corca Dhuibhne
A centre for conferences/seminars that is available to the public
A centre for research and study that is available to the public
Resources
Accommodation in the form of a hostel for up to 18 people (two or three people in every room)
Modern kitchen
Dining room
Sitting room/library
Fully fitted apartment which is wheelchair accessible
A learning unit with workstations and video-conferencing facilities
Fibre-optic broadband
Seminar/Lecture room
Carpark and an area to sit outside
An Halla at Dún Chíomháin
An Halla in Dún Chíomháin is designed with the needs of the 21st century learner in mind. It is fitted out with moveable and flexible equipment and furniture which are directed at the e-learning approaches associated with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), and which encourage a student centered approach to teaching and learning. This new age learning space encompasses all aspects of the modern approach to teaching and learning insofar as it facilitates individual learning, group learning, informal learning, and the traditional lecture: at the same time as providing students with a social area with a strong climate conducive to the learning process. The principles of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) were firmly applied to the design and construction of this learning space.
A lot of classes and events are held in the hall every year such as dancing classes, music classes, sketching classes, music classes, a book club as well as lectures, talks and conferences.
Travelling to Dún Chíomháin
Dún Chíomháin is situated approximately half a kilometre east of Ballyferriter. You can find pubs, a hotel, a grocery shop a coffee shop and other such services in Ballyferriter. The mountain summit of Cruach Mhárthain and one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland, An Béal Bán, can both be found close to the Dún.
If you do not have access to a car, you can get a bus or a train to Tralee and then you can transfer to the bus to Dingle. On occasion a bus may even travel as far as Ballyferriter. There is a good taxi service in the region too.
The Surrounding Region
There are many restaurants and pubs nearby. Traditional music can be found in various different pubs in the region. It is worth visiting the Great Blasket Island and The Blasket Centre in Dún Chaoin to get an insight on the lives of the people who lived on the island up until 1954. If you are interested in walking, there are many amazing tracks and trails in the vicinity such as Cosán na Naomh, The Dingle Way and Heritage Walks. You can walk on these routes on your own or you can be accompanied by a guide. Many historical and archaeological sites can be found in the area too. If you are interested in water sports you can avail of sailing classes or you could even go kayaking.
We were very happy to welcome students from Slovakia to Dún Chíomháin again this year as they attended an Irish language and cultural course for eight days. These students study in Comenius University, Bratislava and Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica. James Ó Conaill, who teaches Irish language classes in Slovakia accompanied the students.
These students were full of life and energy and they had a keen interest in the Irish language. Many of the students had never visited Ireland before and they were very taken by the beauty of the scenery and the nature around them, including the beaches, the hills and the cliffs. They really enjoyed meeting people from the locality to such as Mossie Ó Scanláin who taught them some Irish dancing , Barry Ó Siochrú, Tobar Dhuibhne and the great storyteller, Tomás Ó Lúing.
Students From Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Students from Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) in Germany are travelling to Dún Chíomháin for many years and we welcomed our old friends with a new group of students again this year. The group worked hard in their Irish classes, but they also spent some time playing cards, swimming, picking berries, baking and making pottery. Our thanks goes to our guest speakers – Bríd Uí Lúing, Susie Ní Chearna and Tomás Ó Lúing who shared a wealth of information with these students.
The group really enjoyed the good weather as they travelled around the area, west to Dún Chaoin, over to Dún an Óir and across the beach to Baile na nGall. Here they got a chance to sing Trasna na dTonnta in Tigh Uí Bheaglaoich, with thanks to the local musicians that accompanied them. They were very lucky that "Culture Night" was held while they were visiting the area, as it gave them an opportunity to partake in a number of events.
Certificate in Spoken Irish
In April 2026 the students of the Certificate in Spoken Irish spent their second weekend in Corca Dhuibhne. The students stayed in Dún Chíomháin as part of this course.
4 students are studying for the certificate this year.
Céilí na nGael
We had a great night of music and dancing in Dún Chíomháin on Saturday, 6 December 2025 when a large group from the local community gathered in the hall for Céilí na nGael.
We are very lucky to live in a community with such talented musicians, dancers and singers. Some lively music was played by the band Cuas on the night - Nicole Ní Dhúbhshláine, Kyle Macaulay and Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich as well as the special guest, the musician and young singer, Ruairí Ó hUanacháin.
Where would we be without the master of the sets, Christy Mac Gearailt, who was the master of ceremonies and he also directed all the dances. Christy planned and organized the night and we are very grateful to him for the work he put in. We are also very grateful to Barry Ó Siochrú, Tobar Dhuibhne, for his support and also to Ealaín na Gaeltachta for providing funding. We would also like to thank those that made cakes and those that spent the night dancing with us. It was a night that lifted our spirits!
Contact Details
Caitríona Budhlaeir and Susan Feirtéar Managers of Dún Chíomháin Dún Chíomháin Ballyferriter Tralee Co. Kerry T: +353 (0) 66 9156136 E: c.budhlaeir@ucc.ie or sfeirtear@ucc.ie
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