County Kerry: Peninsula, Heritage and Nature

County Kerry Between the Peninsula and the Scenic Drive

County Kerry offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: the Iveragh Peninsula and its scenic drive, Killarney National Park with its lakes, mountains and forests, and cultural sites with stories of their own. If you are looking for a hotel in County Kerry, these themes can help you shape your trip around the places and experiences that interest you most.

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, a scenic drive, runs around the peninsula. This brings two different scales together: the size of the peninsula and the route that circles it. Check road conditions and seasonal traffic before setting out.

Lakes, Mountains and Trails in Killarney

Killarney National Park in County Kerry covers 10,000 hectares of lakes, mountains and forests. The three main lakes of Killarney lie in a broad valley within the national park. The landscape is defined not only by individual bodies of water: the valley, mountains and forest are just as much a part of its character.

For walks, self-guided trails to Ross Island start at Ross Castle; other trails from there lead into the park. These destinations differ in direction: one route leads to the island, while others open up further trails in the park. Ross Castle is also linked to a history that features in the wider destination of Munster.

Heritage and Atlantic Views

In Dunquin, the Blasket Centre, a heritage centre and museum, tells the story of the Blasket Islands and the Irish-speaking community that lived there until the mid-20th century. The centre features renewed interactive exhibitions and a fully accessible viewing platform on the cliff. Here, the story of a community and views of the coastal landscape come together.

The Gallarus Oratory is a state-owned National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW). It can be accessed directly and free of charge via an OPW public path. The Gallarus Oratory Visitor Centre offers an audiovisual presentation of the surrounding landscape. Check visitor information before your trip, as operational details may change.

The monastery of Saint Fionán is located at the summit of Skellig Michael. Many of the surviving beehive-shaped stone huts are still standing. These preserved structures give the site a distinctive architectural character, different from the museums and exhibitions in Dunquin.

More Regional Experiences

Dingle Whiskey Distillery offers a tour about Irish whiskey and the history of the distillery, followed by a vodka and gin tasting. Tour arrangements may change, so check the details before booking. Fenit Beach is a sandy beach as well as a Special Area of Conservation and a proposed Natural Heritage Area.

In the wider destination of Munster, Ross Castle stands in a bay on Lough Leane. Access to the interior is available only on a guided tour and on a first-come, first-served basis. Check visitor information before your trip. This means you can consider the trails at Ross Castle and the conditions for visiting its interior as separate aspects of your trip planning.

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 wider travel overview: Munster.