- 1. Ring of Kerry
- 2. Muckross House & Gardens
- 3. The Skellig Islands
- 4. Crag Cave
- 5. Ross Castle
- 6. Fungi the Dolphin
- 7. Gap of Dunloe
- 8. Kerry County Museum
- 9. Torc Waterfall
- 10. Blennerville Windmill
1. Ring of Kerry
The 'Ring of Kerry' is a circular driving route of the Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry, starting in the bustling town of Killarney. This route is about 170km long and takes a full day if you wish to make stops along the way. The route takes you through the picturesque towns of Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen, Waterville, Sneem, Kenmare and finishes in Killarney.
You will see some spectacular scenery, tourist attractions and plenty of pretty towns and villages a long the way. There are a lot of picnic areas and miles of golden sandy beaches on the route.
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2. Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
Situated in the heart of Killarney National Park is one of Ireland's great visitor attractions.
Completed in 1843, Muckross House was the epitome of a typical 17th century mansion.
The rooms are furnished in period style and portray the elegant lifestyle of the 19th century landowning class who were the houses last residents. You can also visit the servants living quarters, which are, located in the basement the house. The house is surrounded by beautiful sprawling gardens with are abundant with flowers, shrubs and fauna. Making it a great place to explore and relax.
Muckross Traditional Farms showcases Irish farm life in the 1930's. Visit three separate working farms complete with animals, poultry and horse drawn machinery. Watch the farmer's go about their daily chores. This is a wonderful experience for children and adults alike.
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3. The Skellig Islands
The Skellig Islands are made up of Skellig Michael (a renowned world heritage site) and the Small Skellig. They are located approximately 12kms from Valentia Island in the Atlantic Ocean. The island inhabits thousands of gannets and many other types of sea birds including puffins, guillemots and razorbills to name a few. Monks settled on Skellig Michael during the 6th century and built an early Christian monastery. The only way to access this well-preserved monastic settlement, which is some 200 metres above sea level is to climb the 1,000 year old stairway.
For a truly great experience, ensure you visit the Skellig Experience Centre which is located on the waterfront at Valentia beside the Valentia Island bridge. This will give you an insight into what life would have been like for the monks in the early Christian days on the Skellig Islands.
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4. Crag Cave
Crag Cave is located one mile from Castleisland. It's a colorful wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites. Discovered in 1983, it's an exciting show cave with 4km of surveyed caves of which 350 meters is open to the public. Over a million years old, it's abundantly decorated with calcite forms which are superbly lit.
The Cave Centre offers a restaurant, a large souvenir shop as well as toilets for the disabled and a free car and coach park. The Crazy Cave activity centre covers 2 floors and have a wide range of fun filled area's for children up to the age of 12. Facilities include a Mega slide, climbing frames, crazy maze, rope bridge and lots more.
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5. Ross Castle
Ross Castle is located on the shores of Lough Lein in Killarney National Park, just outside Killarney town. The castle is a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages. It was built in the 15th century by the O'Donoghue Ross Chieftains. It was the last stronghold in Munster to fall to the Cromwell army.
You can take a boat trip from the lake shore onto the Killarney lakes or take a journey on a jaunting car around the national park, where you are guaranteed to see some of the most breathtaking scenery this beautiful county has to offer.
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6. Fungi the Dolphin
One of Dingle's best known residents has to be Fungi the bottle nose dolphin. He's been a permanent resident of Dingle Harbour since 1984. Local fishermen gave Fungi his name.
Tour boats regularly go out into the harbour to meet him and visitors can swim and play with him. Visitors can arrange boat trips at the Pier in Dingle town.
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7. Gap of Dunloe
The Gap of Dunloe is located 10 miles from Killarney. It is one of Ireland's most popular glaciated valleys and runs between the McGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland's highest mountain range and the Purple Mountain. To get the best views of the valley and lakes, you can commence the seven mile journey through the Gap of Dunloe to Lord Brandon's Cottage by jaunting car, pony or on foot.
At the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe, you will find the famous Kate Kearneys cottage, named after a woman called Kate Kearney, who was famous for sharing her poitin (an illegal alcoholic drink)! This is now a very popular traditional Irish pub and restaurant, which also features a gift shop.
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8. Kerry County Museum
Kerry County Museum is located at the Ashe Memorial Hall in Tralee town centre. It is well worth a visit as it tells the story of Kerry and Ireland from the earliest times and is steeped in history. The Medieval Experience will take you back in time, as you get to walk through reconstructed streets of the 1450's and experience life as it would have been in the early days.
At the museum gallery you can view many ancient artifacts or take in an audio-visual tour which will show you how Kerry looked over 50 years ago.
Visit the Knights Hall and meet a Norman family or take a stroll through the Tom Crean Room and find out about the greatest Antarctic explorer of his time.
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9. Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall is located approximately 5 miles from Killarney town. It is situated at the base of Torc Mountain and it is one of Killarney's top attractions. A visit here is a must! The waterfall cascades down the mountain and looks spectacular especially after a downpour of rain. You will hear the sound of the water before you see it.
There is a public hiking trail that begins at the car park and continues all the way up to the top of the waterfall, making for some excellent photographic opportunities.
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10. Blennerville Windmill
Blennerville Windmill is the located 2kms from Tralee town. It is the countries only commercially operating windmill. The windmill was built in the 1800's and spans over 5 floors in height. The Windmill Visitor Centre features an exhibition centre with the history of the Blennerville and the windmill. It also has a craft centre and craft shop. The famous Irish famine ship the Jeannie Johnson was built next to the windmill.
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