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.
Courses and Services
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
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 centred 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.
Mr. Joe McHugh, Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, offically opened An Halla on 19 June 2018 in the company of UCC President, Prof Patrick O'Shea at an event which was attended by the communities of Corca Dhuibhne and UCC.
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.
Events in Dún Chíomháin 2025-2026
Irish and Cultural Courses for International Students in Dún Chíomháin - September 2025.
On 7 September 2025 we were very happy to welcome students from Slovensko to Dún Chíomháin for the first time ever. They spent eight days with us while attending an Irish and cultural course. Six students came to us from Comenius University in Bratislava and one student came from Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica. James Ó Conaill, who teaches an Irish module in Slovensko accompanied the students on their trip. The majority of the students were never in Ireland before and they really enjoyed the scenery that Corca Dhuibhne has to offer.
Students from Ruhr-Universität Bochum are coming to Dún Chíomháin for many years and the link between the Centre for Spoken Irish and this university can be traced back as far as the 90's. Along with their annual trip to Ireland, a staff member from the Centre for Spoken Irish regularly visits Bochum, where an Irish module is being offered to students for over 30 years. Eight students from Bochum came to us this year along with their director, Sylvia Botheroyd Lic.Phil.
