Irish County Colours - Kerry |
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Along the coast, sandy bays alternate with cliffs and rocky headlands; inland too are regions of outstanding scenic beauty - including Killarney's perfect blend of mountain and island-studded lake, wooded shore and glen. But scenery is by no means Kerry's only attraction; there are many coastal resorts, excellent angling waters, climbing that includes Ireland's highest mountain, good golf courses and wealth of ancient monuments. Known as "The Kingdom", breathtaking scenery has attracted people to this county since Victorian times. A sense of independence defines the personality of the people and this is particularly evident in the popularity of the Irish Traditional games. From the Blasket islands and the Dingle peninsula all the way to Tralee and the lakes of Killarney the people of Kerry are great supporters of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The GAA was founded in 1884 to promote indigenous Irish sports and the country's most popular sport despite heavy competition from soccer is Gaelic Football. However, the more intriguing GAA game is hurling-a fast field sport played with sticks. Both football and hurling are played at parish and county level on a wholly amateur basis. The season ends with the All-Ireland Finals held in Dublin which draw large passionate crowds.
Ross Castle Ross Castle, Killarney, Co. Kerry may be considered a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages. The date of its foundation is unsure but it was probably built in the early 15th century by one of the O'Donoghue Ross Chieftains. It is surrounded by a fortified bawn, its curtain walls defended by circular flanking towers, two of which remain. Much of the bawn was removed by the time the Barrack building was added on the south side of the castle sometime in the latter half of the 17th century. Inside, the hall is small, there is a circular stone staircase in the north east corner and this leads directly to all the chambers and eventually to the parapets. The most important chamber is the Great Hall and this is situated at the uppermost level, it has two large six-light windows. The finest fireplace is located here and this room would have been the centre of activity in the castle. At one end separated by an oak partition is a kitchen and above this a minstrel's gallery. The castle contains 15th and 17th century furniture It is situated 2.5 km from Killarney, off the main Killarney to Kenmare Road. April opened daily 11.00 to 18.00, May opened daily 9.00 to 18.00, June, July & August opened daily 9.00 to 18.30, September opened daily 9.00 to 18.00, October opened daily 9.00 to 17.00 Prices: Adult IR2.50, Group & Senior Citizens IR 1.75, Child/Student IR1.00, Family Rates IR6.00.
Kenmare Heritage Centre The Sound tour is available at no extra charge. Kenmare Heritage Trail: An integral part of the Experience of the Kenmare Story is to visit the Historical sites after visiting the Centre. The Heritage Trail map given free to all visitors to the Centre will show you at first hand some of the delights of Kenmare. All the sites are within walking distance from the centre and the trail takes about 40 minutes to complete. Open Easter to the end of September. Admission: Adult: IR2.00, Children under 12 unaccompanied IR1.00 Children under 12 accompanied Free, Senior Citizens/Student IR1.50, Family Ticket IR5.00.
BALLYBUNION This popular resort has many attractions, long beaches, excellent fishing, hot seaweed baths, and a coast line riddled with caves. Dividing the main beach is a promatory on which stands the wall of the 16th Century Ballybunion Castle. At the south end of the beach there are an abundance of caves which can be reached at low tide. Above the main beach there is a spectacular cliff top walk which leads around the headlands to Nuns Beach. Ballybunion offers plenty of activities for the tourist The Golf Course in Ballybunion is rated as one of the worlds top 10 Golf Courses. Ballybunion is a very busy holiday town, with many pubs and an exciting night life...
Castlecove There are plenty of walks to take, the Kerry Way passes through Castlecove linking Sneem and Waterville, and there are tracks through the hills to explore. There is an active harbour at West Cove where fishing trips can be taken, and trips to the ancient monastic site on Skellig Island can be arranged. The Black Shop in the centre of the village is a traditional Irish pub sometimes hosting music sessions.The Staigue Fort Hotel has B & B facilities, as well as a bar and the Staigue Fort Exhibition Centre. There is a pottery where local work can be purchased, and a village shop for everyday needs. Some of the best beaches in Ireland are situated within a short walk of the village centre, with unpolluted waters and clean sand. Within a short distance is the village of Caherdaniel, home of Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator. The house and garden are open to the public. There are some excellent restaurants in Sneem, Waterville and Caherdaniel all within a short drive. Castlecove is a friendly village, with plenty to see and do for all.
DINGLE Further work has been undertaken on the pier and now features a Marina. Dingle has inspired films like Far & Away, and Ryans Daughter to be made here because of the majestic bays and glorious golden sandy beaches of the Dingle Peninsula.. In Green Street there is a magnificent church built around 1862/65. It has attractive red sandstone finish, which was quarried a few miles from Dingle. The town is rich in natural wonder and ancient sites. There is a great feeling of atmosphere, tradition and heritage of the people in Dingle. One can see the work of one of Irelands leading Goldsmiths in Dingle, Brian de Staics exquisite pieces of jewellery are full of mystery and beauty and you can see him at work in his workshop on the shores of Dingle Bay. Attractions Dingle has plenty of glorious countryside & wonderful scenery to offer. One of the biggest attractions in Dingle, is the Dingle Dolphin, discovered off the Kerry Coast in Beenbawn Strand by two Snorkellers in 1984. Fungi named by local fishermen, will amuse you with his performance. Thousands of people take boat trips to see this friendly Dolphin every year. The Dingle Regatta takes place during the month of August. Off the Dingle Peninsula 2 miles beyond Dunmore Head is the Great Blasket Island. The island is 4 miles long and 1 mile wide. The Great Blasket island was sadly abandoned by its 22 remaining inhabitants in 1953. Since then, there has been a centre opened on the mainland in Dún Chaoin, The Great Blasket Centre, which relates the story of the Islanders, and their life style. The Centre was officially opened in 1994 and was built by the Office of Public Works and the Local Blasket Island Foundation. Other facilities in the centre, include, Guided Tours, An Audio Visual documentary, "Blasket Heritage", with a choice of commentaries in Irish, English, French, German and Italian. A model of the island village, A library/archives room, Dingle has a wide selection of restaurants, Bakeries and pubs. Restaurants specialise in seafood and pasta, modern Irish food of the highest order, prepared from fresh local produce. There is a variety of accommodation for the tourist from guesthouses, hotels and hostels. There is plenty of activities to do in Dingle, from hillwalking, cycling, fishing, sailing , canoeing, horse riding. You can visit Dingles own gallery, with musical instruments and woodcraft violins on Exhibition. Dingle Aquarium brings you face to face with some of the Atlantic oceans fascinating sea and plant life. It is opened daily during the summer months
KENMARE It expanded near a 1670 mine works on the banks of the river Finnihy which flows along the edge of the town. The town includes a heritage trail and heritage centre. Kenmare Lace is also a very famous world-wide. Kenmare has a large golf course and is a very extensive salmon and trout fishing region. The town of Kenmare offers a wide range of activities, a friendly atmosphere and welcome. There are regular sailing trips form Kenmare Bay, scenic and wildlife cruises. There is also Marine activities e.g Sea Fishing, Sailing, boat trips, Canoeing, Water Skiing and Tube Rides.
KELLS Plenty of brown trout, sea trout and salmon fishing near by. Local Amenities A beach side restaurant and tackle shop. Other Amenities include hill walking (Kerry Way), bird watching, wild fowling, relics of G.S. & W.R. Railway line, beagle and drag hunting, swimming, boating, canoeing, windsailing and water skiing, two golf courses within 30 minutes drive. One wonders in this place why anyone is left in Dublin or London or Paris when it would be better, one would think, to live in a tent or hut with this magnificent sea and sky and to breathe this wonderful air which is like wine in one's teeth.
TRALEE The Principal town of Kerry is Tralee, a trading and Industrial Centre lies on the south - west coast of Ireland at the gateway to the scenic Dingle Peninsula. Tralee is almost 800 years old. During The Middle Ages it served as headquarters of the powerful Desmond Geraldines. Today it has all the facilities of a county capital: historic buildings, spacious parks, excellent shopping, quality restaurants, traditional pubs, cinemas, vibrant nightlife and a wide range of accommodation. The town has a race course, a grey hound track and a golf course. Designed by Robert Palmer. Tralee also offers Bowling facilities and a Go Karting Arena. As celebrated in the love song "The Rose of Tralee", the beautiful vale of Tralee lies at the hearth of fertile farmland, bounded by high, rolling moorland and the Slieve Mish and Stacks Mountains. To the West of Tralee, Sandy beaches stretch for miles, offering the visitor to Tralee, everything from sailing, Fishing & water sports. Slanting against Slieve Mish Mountains, is Irelands only commercially operated windmill, at Blennerville. The windmill was built in 1780 and recently restored to a craft Centre. Tralee conducts the largest festival in Ireland, - The Rose of Tralee International Festival, which any woman with even remote Irish Connections may enter in the hope of becoming the "Rose of Tralee". This festival has made the town of Tralee famous world-wide. The festival is accompanied by a week of music & merry making. "The Rose" is also the subject of a love song. The Rose of Tralee, written in 1800s by C. Mordaunt Spencer. The song is said to be based on the story of Mary O Connor and her sweetheart, a young soldier sent to fight abroad in the British Army, who arrived home from the wars hoping to marry her, only to see her coffin being carried to the grave yard - a tragic victim of an early death.
VALENTIA ISLAND The Island is easily accessible with a Car/Passenger Ferry operating from 1st April to 30th September from Renard Point to Knightstown. This brings Valentia onto the periphery of the Ring of Kerry Road just a 1/2 mile by ferry.A road bridge connects the Island to the mainland at Portmagee. There are various types of accomodation available on the island ranging from B&B's, Guesthouses, Self-Catering, and Hostels. The Island shores are bathed by the Gulf Stream and are abundant with Fish Life for the Angler and Diver alike. Angling Vessels are available for hire on a Daily rate, also portion of a day, and an hourly rate can be arranged. Diving is easily arranged and equipment is available for hire from Valentia Island Sea-Sports. There is also an 18 hole championship pitch & putt course on the island. Walking is a pleasure on any part of the Island and there are three approved walks complete with stiles ranging in length and terrain from 2 hours to 7 hours. (See Map at tourist office in Knightstown) Bicycles are also available for hire at Knightstown on a Daily or portion of a day basis. Cycling is safe on the relatively traffic free roads of the Island. Glanleam House offers the most westerly Sub-Tropical gardens in Europe and the profusion of colour is remarkable. These gardens are open to the public, and offer a Tea-room for refreshments. There are two shops on Island, two in Knightstown, and two in Chapeltown. During the holiday season they each offer music on various nights. Food is also available in these premises. There are four pubs on the Island, two in Knightstown, and two in Chapeltown. During the holiday season they each offer music on various nights. Food is also available in these premises. There are many restaurants on the Island offering a very wide range of menu's and value for money. Archaelogists will find Valentia a fantastic window to the past as there are signs of habitation from 6,000 years B.C. The Heritage Museum in Knightstown portrays life and conditions on the Island in pictorial and written form from the last century. It also covers the Western Union involvement with Valentia, and the meteorological station, and coastal marine Radio Station, and Valentia Life-Boat. Advance Bookings can be made through Valentia Island Holidays for any of the above activities or accommodations.
The Skelligs The road across the cental highland spine of Valentia commands glorious elevated views, well worth stopping to savour. This road swings west from the heritage centre and then north-east, rising all the time. The exciting views across to the Dingle Peninsula and towards Doulus Head and the rugged mountains of the Iveragh Peninsula are breathtakingly beautiful and continue all the way down to Knightstown. The British Houses of Parliament were roofed with Slate from Valentia Quarry. Now disused, the quarry commands lovely views and there is a striking Grotto at the site which is west of Knightstown. Knightstown is named after the local landlord, the Knight of Kerry, who lived at Glanleam. His former home is surrounded by Glanleam Subtropical Gardens, created over 150 years ago, and famous for a unique collection of rare and tender southern hemisphere plants, and is now open to the public during the summer. Valentia Heritage Museum in Knightstown contains graphic, photographic and three dimensional exhibits featuring the Islands history and people. The first telegraph cable laid across the Atlantic came to Valentia in 1858. The station, near Knightstown was closed in the 1960s. Beginish Island has some Viking remains and Church Island contains early Christian sites. Both lie in nearby Valentia Harbour. Bray Head, at the extreme south-west of the island offers very beautiful views south. Cross back to the mainland and Portmagee , where a substantial fleet of fishing vessels is based in the Harbour of this picturesque village. Head south from Portmagee through Coomanaspig Pass, one of the highest points in Ireland accessible by car. It is imperative to stop and enjoy the magnificence of the land and seascapes on every side. Descend to St. Finans Bay and enjoy the view south to Puffin Island and the Skelligs. Opening Times: Mid April - End September: Daily: 10.00 (last admission at 18.30) Rates: Adults: IR3.00 Child under 12: IR1.50 OAP - Student Card: IR2.70 Family:* IR7.00 * 2 Adults and up to 4 children under 12. Admission: Adult: £3.00 Child under 12: £1.50 OAP - Student Card: £2.70 Family:* £7.00 *2 Adults and up to 4 children under 12 Average Length of Visit: 1 hour "Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself' - Erasmus |
Kerry, in the extreme south-west of Ireland, has two contrasting types of terrain-the mountainous southern part with its three large hilly peninsulas of Beara, Iveragh and Dingle, and the smaller area of undulating plain in the north that stretches as far as the Shannon estuary.
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