Discover Ballyheige: Beach, Trails and History

Ballyheige combines a long sandy beach with dunes, walking and cycling routes, and the history of Ballyheige Castle. There are different ways to experience the town and its surroundings: you can spend time by the water, explore a longer route or learn about the castle’s history. The North Kerry Way ends in Ballyheige; the Kerry Head Cycleway starts here.

Beach and Water

Ballyheigue Beach is part of a 10 km stretch of sandy beach lined with extensive dunes. Ballyheigue Beach is also located within the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Special Area of Conservation. There is a specific route along the water for exploring on foot: the 3 km stretch of Ballyheigue Beach can be walked as far as the outflow of Lough Akeragh. This means you can plan the beach as an outing in its own right, rather than focusing your time on the coast solely on swimming.

You can swim and surf at Ballyheigue Beach. If you would rather combine your day with a walk, you can choose between the beach and longer routes. The coastal landscape is also part of the North Kerry Way: this 48 km linear walking route ends in Ballyheige and reaches the town via Banna Strand. This connection makes Ballyheige a destination that can also be explored from the perspective of a walking route.

Walking and Cycling

The North Kerry Way also leads into and around the scenic mountain area of Kerry Head. The route has a variety of surfaces: it runs mostly along quiet country roads, tracks, bog roads and field paths, as well as over firm beach sand, except at high tide. If you are planning a walk, you can take these different surfaces and the high-tide exception into account when planning your day.

The Kerry Head Cycleway follows a steep slope overlooking Ballyheigue Bay and runs along quiet roads with very little traffic. This makes the cycling route different in character from the North Kerry Way; which one better suits your travel plans depends on whether you prefer cycling or walking.

Castle History and More to Explore

Ballyheige Castle is the remains of a detached, two- to three-storey country house in the Tudor Gothic Revival style. The house was built in 1809, incorporating parts of an earlier house dating from 1758. Today, the castle has largely collapsed; it was later used as a prison. The surviving remains therefore represent several chapters in the town’s history: the earlier house was followed by the 1809 building, and later came its use as a prison.

Golf is another option in the area: Ballyheigue Castle Golf Club welcomes visitors. Ballyheigue Castle Golf Course offers views of the white sands of Ballyheigue Beach. If you are interested in golf, you can add another activity to your travel plans alongside the beach, walking and cycling.

Nearby, the North Kerry Drive connects coastal areas around Ballyheigue with sections of the Wild Atlantic Way. Our Lady’s Well and Grotto, a long-established pilgrimage site, is located near Ballyheige in the townland of Dirtane. A local group installed the statue and grotto in the 1940s. These places add a historical and religious dimension to the beach and route options, without making the castle’s history the sole focus.

Choose the Right Focus

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ballyheige, the kind of trip you want can be a useful starting point: the beach and water sports, walking the North Kerry Way, cycling the Kerry Head Cycleway, or an interest in castle history and golf. For families or groups travelling together, it can help to think in advance about which of these interests you want to shape your stay.

Discover More Places

If you would like to explore more destinations: Anascaul, Dromod, Castlemaine, Valentia Island, Mastergeehy, Lispole, Fossa and Gunsborough.

For the broader travel overview: County Kerry.