Attractions in County Kerry

Ring of Kerry

This 110-mile loop around the Iveragh Peninsula is one of Kerry's premier scenic drives. There are several tours available if you do not have your own transport. Traditionally, the route begins in Killarney, onto Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Caherciveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem, and Moll's Gap. Be sure to stop at Ladies View and see the entire Long Range of the three lakes, Black Valley, and in the distance, the Gap of Dunloe. Visit Ring of Kerry website

Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe is situated between Macgillicuddy Reeks and the Purple Mountains.. This is a path between the mountains of about 4 miles long. Visitors to the area will be surrounded in natural beauty from sapphire blue lakes, the purple hue of the Purple Mountains, yellow lilies in the lakes, lush green grass, yellow gorse (when in season) and dozens of fluffy white sheep that roam freely around the hills. Visit Gap of Dunloe website

Lakes of Killarney

South and west of the town of Killarney are the world famous Lakes of Killarney. Killarney National Park, 10,236 hectares in extent, comprises the mountains and woodlands surrounding the Lakes as well as the three Lakes themselves. The Park includes the peaks of Mangerton, Torc, Shehy and the Purple mountains while just to the west of the Park rises MacGillycuddys Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland. Visit Lakes of Killarney website

Muckross House Gardens And Traditional Farms, Killarney

This period mansion is set amidst the spectacular scenery of the Killarney National Park, and is open to the public. It is now a museum of Kerry folklife and has an excellent craft centre in its basement. Watch the craftworkers at their trades. Many tender and exotic trees and shrubs flourish in the mild climate and sheltered location of Muckross Gardens. Attractive features include a fine collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, an outstanding rock garden on a natural rock outcrop, and beautiful tree fringed lawns.

The farms are an outdoor interpretation on a 70 acre site of Kerry rural life. The project provides an authentic environment and experience of life in the early part of the 20th. century. Traditional buildings and field systems are represented, and domestic farming and craft practices are carried out on the site. Visit Muckross House website

Aqua Dome, Tralee

The Aqua Dome, at the edge of town has something for all the family. While the children splash away in the paddle pool or on the bubble slide, adults can escape to the sauna, steam room or sunbeds and refresh and revitalise themselves in the cool water pool. Other attractions include an 18-hole, themed miniature golf course or remote-control trucks and boats. Visit Aqua Dome Tralee

Ardfert Cathedral

A monastery was founded here by St. Brendan The Navigator in the 6th century. There are three medieval churches, an ogham stone and a number of early Christian and medieval grave slabs on the site today. The earliest building is the cathedral which dates from the 12th - 17th centuries. It has a fine Romanesque west doorway, a magnificent 13th century east window and a spectacular row of nine lancets in the south wall. Two effigies of ecclesiastical figures of late 13th early 14th century date are mounted on either side of the east window. The battlements were added in the 15th century. The pre-12th century block of masonry is clearly visible in the north wall. One of the two smaller churches is a fine example of late Romanesque and the other is a plain 15th century structure with an interesting carving of a wyvern on one of the windows.
Visit Ardfert Cathedral website

Blennerville Windmill

The windmill at Blennerville is the largest working of it's kind in Europe. Built by a local landlord in the 1770's, it fell into disuse and was derelict by 1880 - but is now fully restored. The visitor centre comprises the windmill, audio visual presentation, exhibition about emigration during the great famine (1845-48), craft shop and restaurant.
Visit Blennerville Windmill website

Celtic & Prehistoric Museum, Dingle

The archaeological collection at the museum has artifacts from the Jurassic, Stone & Bronze Age, Celtic, Viking & Saxon eras. It also has the only genuine fossil Woolly Mammoth and Dinosaur egg nest in Ireland.

The craftshop has handmade crafts, fossils and artifacts. Visit Celtic & Prehistoric Museum website

Crag cave is formed of limestone. It is a colorful wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites. Discovered in 1983 and thought to be over a million years old, this natural, all weather attraction has dramatic sound and lighting effects.

A visit to Crag Cave will delight and enthrall all ages and the friendly guides will explain the origins of the cave and introduce visitors to a world older than mankind. There are a restaurant, gift shop and crazy play area on site. Visit Crag Cave website

Derrynane House, National Historic Park

Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium is situated in Dingle town, opposite the marina. Enjoy a fun day, in an aquarium for visitors of all ages. Feel the fish life in the touch pool, walk through an underwater tunnel and see the creatures of the deep, visit the colourful tropical reef display, watch thousands of magical tropical fish swim side by side the sharks! Visit Dingle Oceanworld aquarium

Famine Cottage, Ventry, Dingle

This old cottage, build of stone and mud is a relic of famine times in Ireland.

See how a large Irish family lived during famine days, through this Dingle Peninsula dwelling.
Visit Ventry Famine Cottage website

This historic Christian church dates from c. 8th century. It is a perfect example of the dry stone building style of the time.

The oratory is in the shape of an inverted boat and it still retains its weatherproofing after more than 1.000 years. Visit Gallarus Visitor Centre website

Glanleam Gardens, Valentia Island

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 officially opened in June 1994 by the then President of Ireland, Ms. Mary Robinson.

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. The Centre 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. Visit Kenmare Heritage Centre

Kerry Woollen Mills, Beaufort, Killarney

The older mill buildings date from the 17th century, when a woollen manufacturing industry was established. Visit Kerry Woollen Mills website

Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, Tralee

Kingdom Greyhound Stadium is a three level multi-function complex with excellent facilities. The stadium is glass fronted and contains a Grandstand restaurant, lounge bar and fastfood facilities. There are two hospitality suites on level three which cater for group/tour bus bookings

Children have free admission so go on - Enjoy a fun night out with a difference every Friday and Saturday night, and Tuesdays in July and August. Visit Kingdom Greyhound Stadium website

Louis Mulcahy Pottery & Visitor Centre, Dingle

Unique handmade pottery to the highest design and technical standards. There is a wide selection of items, from masks to giant urns to tiny egg-cups. Rich lustrous glazes and freehand decoration is used in the production of the pottery. Demonstrations of throwing techniques are given daily from Monday to Friday.

A free visitor room at the centre offers hands on experience of the pottery making, together with explanations of the forming techniques and the glazing and firing processes. A professional potter will be in attendance demonstrating their normal work, while three throwing wheels are provided for visitors and the professional will help them to make a pot. Tools and stencils are also provided to help less adventurous visitors make their items. Visit Louis Mulcahy Pottery website

Michael J Quill Centre, Kilgarvan

The centre is located in what was formerly St. Peter's Church of Ireland and is situated one mile on the Kenmare side of Kilgarvan. It is a memorial to Michael J. Quill, a native son of Kilgarvan, who was founder and first President of the Transport Workers Union of America.

Visit the renovated building and landscaped gardens overlooking the Roughty Valley and Ardtully Castle. Enjoy a light refreshment and if you wish, avail of the opportunity to purchase quality craft items, many of which are made in the centre. Visit Michael J Quill Centre website

Molly Gallivan's Cottage & Traditional Farm, Kenmare

At Molly Gallivan’s Cottage & Traditional Farm the visitor will experience the simple lifestyle in rural Ireland before the days of electricity and modern conveniences. Molly’s enchanting cottage is over 200 years old, and her farm is complete with animals, fowl and traditional farm machinery.

The visitor will also visit the ghostly ruins of a family dwelling from the era of the Great Famine, and a Neolithic stone row that forms part of a very rare ancient sun calendar. Visit website

Ross Castle, Killarney

Ross Castle is a 15th century towerhouse and is a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish chieftain in the Middle Ages. The castle and outer defences were built by the O'Donoghue Ross Chieftains. The Barrack alongside dates fro the mid 18th century. The castle is fully restored and furnished with period oak furniture. Visit Ross Castle website

The Blasket Centre, Dun Chaoin, Tralee

The Great Blasket Centre on the mainland in Dún Chaoin (Dunquin), on the tip of the Dingle Peninsula, is an interpretative centre/museum honouring the unique community who once lived on the Great Blasket Island. This community produced an extraordinary amount of literature, referred to as The Blasket Library, which includes classics such as The Islandman, Twenty Years A Growing and Peig.

The centre, which is operated by the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, was opened in 1993 and overlooks the panorama of the Great Blasket and its family of surrounding islands. Visit Blasket Centre website

The Skellig Experience, Valentia Island

This heritage centre tells the story of the Skellig rocks. There are four themes covered in the exhibition:

- The history and archaeology of Skellig Michael's Early Christian monastery.

- The sea birds who are such a part of the Skelligs, their habitat and their world wide travels.

- The lighthouses which have given 161 years of service to mariners.

- The underwater Skellig, which has colour and magic equal to any sea in the world.

These themes are explored using graphics, models, exhibition items, reconstruction and sound of sea birds and lighthouse keeper ship-to-shore communication.
Visit Skellig Experience website

Seanchaí – Kerry Literary & Cultural Centre
Located in a beautifully restored 19th century Georgian Residence next to Listowel Castle, in Listowel’s magnificent Square, Seanchaí – Kerry Literary & Cultural Centre portrays the lives of North Kerry’s famous writers in a unique audio-visual experience. Writers featured include John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Brendan Kennelly, George Fitzmaurice & Maurice Walsh.

Take a journey with the Kerry writers through historical and scenic North Kerry in a stunning audio-visual presentation in the Landscapes Room. Learn about the places, people, traditions and customs that influenced the writers in their works.

Listen to Ireland's master 'Seanchai' Eamon Kelly tell of the great oral tradition that influences the writers, and experience the memories of Writers' Week Literary Festival that nurtures the talent of many great Irish Writers. Visit Seanchai website