Kerry – so many wonderful places to go and see in this region in south west Ireland. Unfortunately many itineraries only allow two or three days in this region so I will guide you along the way to help you to see as much as possible of this wonderful area with superb scenery and colourful towns and villages.
With majestic mountains and lakes; valleys and glens; forest parks and ancient woodland; rivers and waterfalls; mountain passes; dramatic cliffs and coastal drives; many great sandy beaches for walking, swimming, surfing; some of the best golf links in Europe and long and short distance marked walking routes. Bee hive huts, off shore islands; visitor centres and prehistoric sites and so much more.
Three peninsula – the Iveragh which is better known as the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle & Beara peninsula (half of the latter being in Co. Cork) and I will want to you to spend at least a day in all.
Colourful towns and villages throughout and home to many crafts such as potters, weavers, knitters, woodworkers and candle makers and jewellers; excellent pubs and restaurants, gift, book and antique shops – where to you stop and for how long?
Take the drive – self-guided or escorted, around the Iveragh Peninsula from Killarney and enjoy some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Europe. This will take you to such places as Caherciveen, Waterville and Sneem and then into the heritage town of Kenmare. From there leave the coast and back through the mountains into Killarney.
I want you to visit the Gap of Dunloe – walk or cycle through there and perhaps take the boat then across the lake and finish up at Ross Castle. The National Park is a great place to trek around for half a day and visit Muckross House and Gardens and the traditional farms there.
The Dingle Peninsula is renowned for its rugged beauty with majestic rolling mountains, golden beaches and sparkling lakes -so a ‘must visit’ but then I say that about so many places in Kerry. Take the drive through the Connor Pass – the highest mountain pass in Ireland and the views from there are breath taking but the drive around Slea Head is perhaps one of my favourite.
There are archaeological treasures throughout the area and Skellig Michael, 13 kms of the coast of south Kerry, is perhaps one our greatest historic treasure. This monastic site traces its origins back to medieval Ireland and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The nearby Little Skellig is a bird sanctuary and one of the world’s greatest gannetries.