Discover County Kerry

County Kerry combines sweeping landscapes with places where history and nature can be experienced firsthand. The Iveragh Peninsula gives the region a distinctive geographical setting; in Killarney National Park, the focus is on lakes, mountains and forests. Museums, historic buildings and trails add to these impressions. Which of these aspects interests you most can help guide your choice of holiday rental and your trip planning.

Iveragh: Peninsula and scenic drive

The Iveragh Peninsula is the largest of Kerry’s Atlantic peninsulas. It extends 60 kilometres from the mainland into the ocean and is 32 kilometres wide. The Ring of Kerry is a scenic circular route around the peninsula. The measurements and the circular route offer two different perspectives: the scale of the landform and one way to experience it on a drive. Check road conditions and seasonal traffic before your trip.

Blasket history and historic buildings

The Blasket Centre in Dunquin is a cultural centre and museum. It tells the story of the Blasket Islands and the Irish-speaking community that lived there until the mid-20th century. Refreshed interactive exhibitions bring this history to life; the centre also has a fully accessible cliffside viewing platform. The exhibition and viewing platform offer two different points of interest for a visit: the community’s story and the view from the platform.

Gallarus Oratory can also be viewed from a different perspective. It is a state-owned National Monument cared for by the Office of Public Works. Access is free and direct via a public OPW path; check the latest access information before your trip. The Gallarus Oratory Visitor Centre presents an audiovisual depiction of the surrounding landscape. This means that a historic monument and a depiction of the landscape are the central features at the same named visitor site.

The monastery of St Fionán stands at the summit of Skellig Michael. Many of the surviving beehive-shaped stone huts are still there. Those interested in early monastic settlements and historic architectural forms will find another distinctive subject here. Self-guided walking trails to Ross Island begin at Ross Castle, along with other trails into the park. These trails offer a different way to engage with the surroundings than the exhibitions and historic buildings.

Lakes, trails and protected coastline

Killarney National Park in County Kerry covers 10,000 hectares of lakes, mountains and forests. Its three main lakes lie in a broad valley within the national park. This landscape gives the park its particular character: water, the valley and the wooded and mountainous surroundings are all interconnected.

Fenit Beach offers a different connection with nature. The sandy beach is also a Special Area of Conservation and a proposed Natural Heritage Area. Its combination of beach and protected status makes it a good subject for travellers who would like to include coastal areas in their plans, alongside cultural sites and parkland.

Plan experiences around your own interests

The Dingle Whiskey Distillery offers a tour about Irish whiskey and the history of the distillery, followed by a vodka and gin tasting. As tour arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the latest tour information before making plans. Along with the Blasket Centre, Gallarus Oratory and the trails at Ross Castle, this experience shows how varied the cultural and active activities in County Kerry can be.

When choosing your holiday rental, it is therefore worth first asking what kind of trip you would like to plan: a scenic drive, trails for independent exploration, exhibitions and historic buildings, or a combination of these.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Dingle, Kenmare, Killorglin, Portmagee, Caherdaniel, Kilgarvan, Knight's Town, Tralee, Sneem, Castleisland, Castlegregory, Cahersiveen, Ballyheige, Ballyferriter, Ballinskelligs, Beaufort, Lauragh, Waterville, Killarney, Aughrim, Gortrelig, Ballybunion, Curraheen, Tarbert, An Ráth Mhór, Dromod, Lispole, Castlemaine, Glencar, Glenbeigh, Anascaul, Milltown, Fossa, Ballynaskreena, Inch, Valentia Island, Faha, Glenflesk, Listowel, Farranfore, Muckross, Parknasilla, Tahilla, Ventry, Ballylongford, Ballyduff, Cloghane, Dunquin, Causeway, Fenit, Mastergeehy, Brandon, Fybagh, Feohanagh, Ardfert, Glenderry, Gunsborough, Fieries, Chapeltown, Tuosist.

For the broader travel overview: Munster.