Kerry is a county located in the southwest coast of Ireland. Place also well known as County Kerry, renowned for its Ireland’s most spectacular counties for scenery and enjoying the beauty of many things and activities.
You should visit not just for explore scenery, you can also be there to see its stunning landscapes, including rugged coastline, mountains, and lakes. However, Kerry is home to popular tourist destinations such as the Ring of Kerry, a scenic drive that showcases the region’s natural beauty.
This country is witnessing much historical evidence, including its rich history, with ancient sites, castles, and cultural attractions. It is very important to enjoy the traditional music, dance, and Gaelic language here. Undoubtedly Kerry offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and Irish culture.
Facts about of Kerry, Ireland
- Kerry’s motto is “Comhar, Cabhair and Cairdeas” which means “Cooperation, Help, and Friendship”.
- Kerry is home to the world’s oldest footprints. Valentia Island where we can find a 385 million year old footprint.
- Place witnessing Ireland’s oldest traditional fair. The Puck fair is a festival that considered to be 400 years older one.
- Well known Antarctic explorer Tom Crean was born here. He was famous for his role in the discovery and Terra Nova.
- Ireland’s oldest thatched cottage can be found in Kerry. Older than Sheehan’s thatched house at Finger cross, which was built 300 years back.
- Ireland’s highest mountain passing through MacGillycuddy reeks range in Kerry. It is called Carrauntoohil Mountain, which stands 3,409 feet.
- Daniel O’Connell was born here. Famous Irish political leader Daniel O’Connell was born in Cahersiveen in County Kerry on 6th August 1775.
- Kerry is also called “The Kingdom”. Because there are 2 kingdoms, Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Kerry and they are simply named as “The Kingdom”.
- Charlie Chapline travelled and liked Kerry. Famous silent actor marked his favorite landmarks such as Waterville, Ballinskelligs bay and festivals here in Kerry.
Things to Do in Kerry Island, Ireland
1. Climb Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry is considered as the Ireland’s tallest mountain, which drives you to one of Ireland’s most scenic drives. However, you are going to find a place full of surfing spots, rivers and stunning coastlines with the best fishing spots. Ring of Kerry even also well known for offering breath-taking views of rugged coastlines, picturesque beautiful villages, and stunning small mountains. Don’t miss Ireland’s one of the famous outdoor activities like Surfing along with seeing the beauty of iconic Ladies panoramic view lookout point for a panoramic vista.
2. Visit Killarney National Park
Park contains many majestic Lakes of Killarney, obviously perfect landmarks for a variety of outdoor activities with spectacular sceneries. Each corner of the Killarney National Park you can cover either on foot, by bike, or even by horse-drawn carriage. In Spite of that you can also take leisurely boat rides or traditional jaunting cars. You should not miss a wide variety of options for walking from lakes and wooden walks to mountains. Never forget to keep an eye on resident red deer while roaming the park.
3. Explore Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael is an old Irish Monastery, where most of the Irish people believe that can be seen even today in their ancient Christian in original and true forms. One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, situated in a rugged island located off the Kerry coast which was established back to the 6th century Skellig Michael. It is renowned for its well-preserved monastic settlement, not just holy place for Irish and also the most sacred site in Europe and well known for well finished ancient pilgrims in Europe. Not just an ancient monastery it is also a spot for boat trip lovers out to the island offers stunning views and a sense of isolation.
4. Visit Dingle Peninsula
It is not just home to the hundreds of ancient beehive huts and also well known for the most westerly point in Europe. Known for its dramatic landscapes and charming villages, it is artistic, genuinely and famed for its hardware pubs. Even if it also has 6,000 years of history and must visit site due to its Kerry coastlines with its pounding waves, salty winds and dramatic cliffs and wide racing skies making one of the Dingle Peninsula is a must-visit in Kerry. Be sure to stop by the town of Dingle to explore its colorful buildings, lively pubs, and resident dolphin, Fungie.
5. Gap of Dunloe
Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass through north – south in County Kerry, Ireland. Under the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks range, the Gap of Dunloe is a popular spot for backpackers to those excited to take hiking and cyclists. It is not just a mountain, it is also named for a popular place due to its scenery, lakes and waterfalls. With its friendly geographical condition, travel enthusiasts can indulge in hiking and climbing to enjoy surrounding beauties. Never miss to opt to take a traditional jaunting car ride through the rugged terrain, soaking in the stunning scenery.
6. Muckross House and Gardens
19th century Victorian mansion located against the beauty of Killarney National Park. Close to the Shore of Muckross Lake and nearby landscapes. Built by Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife Mary Balfour Herbert and designed by the Scottish architect William Burn. It includes a bigger server’s wing, stable block, and orangery and summer house. Its principal rooms are really impressive, which was in elegant style with a landowning class. Beautifully landscaped set gardens are really fantastic and it is much accessible by the guided tour of the house to learn about its history, then explore the surrounding grounds, which include a traditional farm.
7. Take a guided tour with Ross Castle
Situated on the Killenery national park edge of the shores of Lough Leane. Ross Castle is a well-preserved fortress built during the 15th century by the Clan O’Donoghues Mor. Toady Ross Castle was considered as one of the last castles in Ireland to surrender to the Cromwell Army during the Irish Confederate Wars. Its large rock at the entrance to the bay is called O’Donoghues Prison. Never forget to take a guided tour to explore the castle’s towers, chambers, and stunning views of the lake.
8. Drive at Slea Head
Slea Head is not just a top scenic drive in the world and it is also Ireland’s most popular and biggest concentration of heritages. Its heritage includes many ancient monuments, forts, standing stones, megalithic stones, early Christian sites, ancient Neolithic paths and ancient pilgrim’s paths. While enjoying its scenic coastal route that loops around the Dingle Peninsula, Slea Head Drive offers incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean, rugged cliffs, and nearest ancient archaeological sites. It is very important to stop your journey in the Dunquin Pier point to capture some of the stunning photos.
9. Take a relax at Glenbeigh village
Glenbeigh, also called Rossbeigh, is a picturesque village located at the foot of a wooden mountain and head of the Dingle bay. Village where you can relax and enjoy the great scenic beauties. In Glenbeigh Rossbeigh beach is really impressive, stretches 7 kilometers of coastlines and one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches offers panoramic views of the Inch beach and Dingle Mountain. Rossbeigh beach is a perfect spot to enjoy activities like swimming, windsurfing, sailing, horse trekking and sea fishing or shore fishing. Along with Rossbeigh Strand, and its proximity to the towering Seefin Mountain. Surely one of the mesmerizing destinations in the whole Kerry where you wish to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Kerry.
10. Discover Valentia Island
Accessible by bridge or ferry, Valentia Island is one of the largest islands off the south west coast of Kerry. It is a hidden gem off the Kerry coast, where there is a plethora of living flora and fauna. Western part of the Island is dominated by the barren, dramatic cliff of Bray head offers a spectacular view of the Kerry coastlines. It is important to see historic sites like the Valentia Island Lighthouse and the Tetrapod Track way, which preserves dinosaur footprints dating back 385 million years.
Kerry, Ireland Weather analysis
Average temperature during the coolest months (January and February) are between 4-7℃. Months like July and August are considered as warmest months with 14-16℃ and sometimes it will reach 25℃ also. May and June are considered as the sunniest months with an average of 5 to 6 hours of sunshine’s in a day. However, Kerry normally receives 59 inches of rainfall every year.
You will see only a few of the many incredible things to do in Kerry, Ireland, but you can do many things apart from these above. Each of these things offers a unique glimpse into the rich history and stunning landscapes of this beautiful island.
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