The county of Kerry is known
colloquially as the Kingdom and it is found in the extreme
south-west of the island in the province of Munster. Kerry is the
fifth largest of Ireland’s counties and it shares boundaries with
just Cork and Limerick. It remains as one of Ireland's premier
tourist destinations boasting such breath-taking natural attractions
as the Lakes of Killarney (within Killarney National Park), the Ring
of Kerry scenic drive, and the spectacular Dingle Peninsula.
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The tip of the Dingle Peninsula is the most westerly point in both
mainland Ireland and Europe. This area was selected as the set
location for the award-winning classic film Ryan’s Daughter.
Immaculately clean beaches, such as the Inch Strand, beckon visitors
along with an often surprisingly mild climate. Visitors can
investigate many other surprising attractions such as Valentia
Island (accessible by road), Daniel O’Connell’s birthplace and even
Charlie Chaplin’s favourite holiday resort of Waterville.
Kenmare Heritage Centre
Kenmare was designated a Heritage Town by Fáilte Ireland. The town
was designated under the theme a "Planned Estate Town". The Centre
was offically opened in June 1994 by the then President of Ireland,
Ms. Mary Robinson. There is ample parking outside the Centre. The
Centre covers various themes including Famous Visitors to Kenmare,
The Nun of Kenmare, Kenmare's history and historical sites, Effects
of the Famine on Kenmare and the Landlords of Kenmare. It also has a
Kenmare Lace Exhibition. An integral part of the experience of the
Kenmare Story is to visit the Historical sites after visiting the
Centre. The Heritage Trail map 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.
Kerry Bog Village Museum
The Bog Village is situated half way between Killorglin and
Glenbeigh on the main Ring of Kerry route. It is a must for you to
stop off and enjoy a step back in time to the early 18th century to
recapture the way life would have been at that time. Peat,or turf as
it is usually called in Ireland, is harvested from bogs and is still
used as domestic fuel. The village is here to preserve the past for
your enjoyment. This is a most worthwhile and historic visit to see
the real Kerry life as it was, in the heart of Kerry's bogland. The
Bog Village is adjacent to the Red Fox Inn Bar and Restaurant, which
is open seven days a week.
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Kerry Airport
Kerry Airport (IATA: KIR, ICAO: EIKY), or Aerphort Chiarraí in
Irish, often called Farranfore Airport, is an airport in County
Kerry, Republic of Ireland. It is 15 minutes from Killarney and the
Ring of Kerry, and 20 minutes from Tralee. It is just over one hour
from both Cork and Limerick cities using the newly constructed
bypass roads. It is the only airport in the Republic of Ireland to
be within walking distance of a train station, with Iarnród
Éireann's Farranfore station half a kilometre away. A new airport
bus terminal opened in January 2006 which has hourly bus service to
Cork, Limerick, Tralee and Killarney. Over two million passengers
have traveled through Kerry Airport since its first scheduled flight
in 1989. Aer Arann and Ryanair are the scheduled airlines operating
from the airport. The first aircraft to land at Kerry was flown by
Captain Milo Carr of the Department of Transport and Power (now the
Department of Transport and the Marine on 25 August 1969. The first
scheduled flight from Kerry Airport was on 22 May 1989 to Dublin by
Aer Lingus, followed the next day by Ryanair to London Luton. The
first large passenger jet to use the new facility was a Boeing 757.
The first transatlantic charter flight was operated by American
Trans Air (now ATA Airlines from New York City). The airport is a
public limited company (PLC) but not quoted on any stock exchange.
It had a profit of €385,000 in 2004 on a turnover of €6.4 million.
The main shareholders in Kerry Airport are the Kerry Group, bin
Mahfouz family, Kerry County Council, Electricity Supply Board (ESB)
and Denis Kelleher. Kerry Airport employs 49 people and is reported
to offer some of the lowest costs to airlines in Europe. In 2006
there were 185,000 passengers.
The Lartigue Monorailway
The Lartigue Monorail was a unique railway line which ran from
Listowel to Ballybunion between 1888 & 1924. Reputed to be the only
one of its type in the world to commercially operate, it was
characterised by an engine and carriages which ran along a single
rail standing 3 feet off the ground through the centre of the train.
Designed by French engineer Charles Lartigue, you can now be part of
history and experience this unique mode of transport at the
reconstructed Lartigue Monorailway.
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Kerry County Museum
Kerry County Museum explores the archaeology and history of the
county, with each object on display telling its own story, whether
it is a beautiful sunflower pin worn by the fashion-conscious in the
Bronze Age or duelling pistols used by the Liberator, Daniel
O’Connell, in the early 19th century. Stroll through the streets of
Tralee in 1450 AD in the Medieval Experience and experience the
sights, sounds and smells of a bustling medieval community. The
award-winning Antarctica Exhibition tells the story of the heroic
Annascaul man Tom Crean, one of the many colourful characters
brought to life at Kerry County Museum
Kerry Alternative Technology
Kerry Alternative Technology is located on a 40 acre farm with 10
acres of meadows and 3 acres of vegetables. With 3 wind turbines, 3
water turbines, a solar panel array, batteries and inverters all
electricity is made on site. Hydraulic ram's pump 6000 litres of
water a day to provide irrigation for two vegetable gardens and two
polytunnels all run on strictly organic lines. There's a 5 pond reed
bed system that deals with the grey water waste. There are chickens
and goats at the centre, who help make compost.
Anam Cré Studio
Anam Cré gives the visitor hands on experience of working with clay.
Choose between a morning or afternoon session. It is a suitable
activity for children, adults, individuals or groups. Participants
can paint their own ceramic plates, have a go on the potter's wheel,
build with slabs, or make coiled pots. Beginners and all other
levels are catered for at the studio. The Ceramic Gallery features
work by Irish Studio Ceramicists. Kenmare Pottery is also available
in the gallery. An exhibition of Irish potters is held during the
summer months.
The Ring of Kerry
Explore ancient monuments, romantic castles, spectacular gardens and
colourful towns and villages. You won't want to leave... For many
people around the world, the Ring of Kerry drive encapsulates their
image of Ireland. The spectacular scenery, dramatic coastline,
colourful towns and villages and ancient archaeological treasures
have been featured in postcards, film, poetry and song. Each twist
and turn on the road will reveal new sights - windswept cliffs,
breathtaking scenery, spectacular lakes, rich flora and fauna, green
and yellow chequered hills and unspoilt beaches. It is said that the
landscape varies a hundred times in 100 kilometres. There is
evidence of the region's unique heritage and culture everywhere, in
the place names, the standing stones and the many archaeological
sites. Visit the 6th century beehive huts on Skellig Michael -
UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stone forts at Cahersiveen and
Castlecove, the Neolithic stone circle in Kenmare, the 15th century
Ballycarberry Castle, the magnificent O'Connell Memorial Church,
Derrynane House and Gardens, or visit the pretty 19th century
Heritage town, Kenmare. The area is also full of culinary delights,
from the superb cheeses, superb seafood and shellfish, to the
succulent lamb and hearty homemade breads. As you travel the Ring of
Kerry the diversity and quality of the restaurants in the various
towns will delight you. The concentration of eateries in Kenmare has
earned it the title of the only town in Ireland with more
restaurants than pubs. It's not just chefs who are inspired by the
region. Artists, writers and sculptors abound, with craft shops and
galleries such as Cill Rialaig showcasing their best works. The Ring
of Kerry offers a variety of activities, from walking and cycling
routes and adventures sports, to its array of championship golf
courses - Waterville, Dooks, Kenmare and Killorglin - to name but a
few. The region is world famous for its superb diving and angling,
and you couldn't ask for more beautiful trekking paths. The Ring of
Kerry is truly a voyage of discovery. The coastal roads provide an
ever-changing landscape around the Iveragh Peninsula, with snapshots
of the famous offshore islands popping in and out of view around
every corner - it is a must for all visitors to Ireland. It is
deservedly Ireland's most popular touring area. Wherever you go
you'll be drawn into conversation. The people of Kerry are renowned
for their laid back lifestyle and you'll be guaranteed a warm
welcome. Holiday
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The Dingle Peninsula
The Great Blasket island to the west, which was evacuated in the
1950s produced at least three well-regarded Irish writers, the most
well-known being Peig Sayers. Until recently the western end of the
peninsula, including Dingle was very cut off from the rest of
Ireland by sheer distance and poor roads. The peninsula has an
association with St Brendan the navigator who sailed from Brandon on
the north of the peninsula to America, by way of Iceland and
Greenland in the dark ages, on a sailboat made of laths and hides.
Tim Severin replicated this journey in the 1970s, demonstrating that
the story was plausible. Once described by the National Geographic
Traveller as “the most beautiful place on earth”, the Dingle
Peninsula is a place of intense allure, with a plethora of green
landscapes, rocky hills, long sandy beaches and staggering cliff
edges. The warm Gulf Stream reaches the peninsula, giving has a
wonderful mixture of sometimes rare and unusual flora and fauna.
Dingle is one of Ireland’s Government-protected Irish
(Gaelic)-speaking areas, called “Gaeltachts”. Dingle's Irish name is
Daingean Uí Chúis which, to fit on signposts, is generally
abbreviated to An Daingean. Many of the towns and villages in the
region have Irish names too and, as many maps use the anglicised
versions of these names, visitors are advised to purchase maps that
give both the Irish and English versions of all place names.
Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael is a 6th century monastic settlement on a small
Island. You can go there on boat from Port Magee. The boats are
small (licensed for 12 passengers and you might get seasick). The
steps to the top are small and steep, so do not fall off. The boat
ride takes 30-40 minutes each way and you get to spend approx. 2
hours on the island. There are no water, food or toilets on Skellig
Michael so bring your own lunch.
Killarney
Killarney town itself is probably the main tourist centre outside of
Dublin. There is probably a hotel bed for every inhabitant. However
the scenery begins right on its doorstep. You can see Ireland's
highest mountains from the town (weather permitting) and walk
straight into beautiful parkland from the town streets. The weather
needs to be mentioned. Ireland is rainy and Killarney, in the
southwest, is one of the wetter parts of of the country. It is
located on the Ring of Kerry, a circuit of various towns and
villages in Kerry, which showcases some of the finest scenery in
Ireland.
Towns and Villages
The county town is Tralee, the home of the eternally delightful and
unique Rose of Tralee festival. Nearby, Fenit, the port of Tralee,
can claim to be the most westerly commercial shipping port in
Europe. Other interesting towns within Kerry include Abbeydorney,
Anascaul, Ardfert, Ballybunion, Ballyduff, Ballyheigue,
Ballylongford, Beaufort, Brosna, Cahirsiveen, Castlegregory,
Castleisland, Causeway, Cromane, Glenbeigh
Gneevgullia, Kenmare, Kilgarvan, Killorglin, Knightstown (on
Valentia Island), Listowel, Lixnaw, Milltown, Newtownsandes Moyvane,
Rathmore, Sneem, Spa, and Tarbert.
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