Things To Do and See in Kerry

Some suggestions for your trip to Kerry, if you are for example coming from the West Cork side why not head staight to the beautiful town of Kenmare, you may not want to go any further as it is a great town to explore and you may be lucky to visit the town when the Farmers Market is on. There are many great shops to explore, with its old Church holding court over the town, with its great stone work. Out of Kenmare you can take a number of great walks or scenic drives such as the Ring of Beara from West Cork or the renowned Ring of Kerry. For the cyclists in Kenmare it is also great to take in the views by bicycle with many routes available.

Traveling onto Killarney town again take some time out to enjoy the atmosphere in the town centre, and then it is off to see the fantastic Killarney National Park where you can do large or short walks around it but be sure to visit Muckross House and Gardens, Killarney’s beautiful lakes by boat if you like. If you do not wish to walk the park you can take a jaunting car the traditional old Irish house and trap out to see the lakes and the beautiful area around Ross Castle. It is also possible to hire bikes and cycle around the Park and take in Muckross House, Abbey and Castle. Take a visit to Torc Waterfall which is just a short drive from Killarney Town Centre or can be accessed on foot if you would like to walk from Killarney’s National Park and cross over the road to the Torc Waterfall. Starting at Kate Kearney’s Cottage drive out along the beautiful area of the Gap of Dunloe or stop the car and take a stroll, during the Summer it can be busy with touring buses and jaunting cars, but it is an area not to be missed, with viewing points at Ladies View and Molls Gap. Killarney also has some wonderful clubs and courses for golf so be sure to take in some. Hiking and Walking is especially wonderful in the Killarney area, as it is here  just an 11 minute drive to Beaufort that you will find Irelands highest peak, Carrauntoohil part of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, where you can climb starting off at Hags Glen, Devils Ladder, Howling Ridge, O’Sheas Gully and Caher Route just some of the points and routes along the climb only to be attempted if you are a regular hiker. Also there are the Purple Mountain Trail and the Tomies Mountain.

Heading to Farranfore, home to Kerry Airport continue onto Castleisland and visit Crag Cave, onto the literary town that is Listowel, home to the much respected late author John B Keane and a area which is well known for its Listowel Race Week.  You will find some wonderful Blue Flag Beachs and Golf Course and Links at both Ballyheighue and Ballybunion, travlling down to Ardfert, Fenit and onto the town of  Tralee home to the Rose of Tralee Festival, call to the Kerry Museum and the newly developed Tralee Bay Wetlands and Nature Reserve and visit Tralee’s own beautiful windmill at Blennerville. There are many Bay’s and Beach area’s near Tralee such as Tralee Bay, Banna Beach, and golf is available at Tralees Golf Course a links course with great views !

A 40 minute drive from Tralee town will see you landed in Dingle, located in the Kerry Gaeltacht area, you can drive out along the wonderful Dingle Peninsula and the Slea Head area. Take a boat trip with all the family from Dingle town out to see the attraction that is Fungi the friendly local dolphin ! For the walkers there is The Dingle Way Walk and Mount Brandon at the foot of the fishing village of Brandon and for the explores take a boat out to see the haunting beauty of the Blasket Islands. Visit the Dunbeg Fort and Visitor Centre.  Towns and villages along the Dingle Peninsula include Ballyferriter with its horse racing on the beach, the seaside village of Ventry and then Anascaul made famous as the home town of Tom Crean the Antartic explore. Castlegregory and the Magharee Peninsula on the Dingle Peninsula is where you will find great beaches and clear waters, with lots of water activies for the family including  Banana Boat, Sail Boats, Surfing, Wind Surfing and  Water Skiing. The area also has Pony Trecking and Angling and Fishing.  Back to Castlmaine and onto to Killorglin town on the River Laune, which plays host each August to the well know festival that is the Puck Fair.