County Kerry in Ireland: all you need to see
In the south-west of Ireland, you’ll discover golden sandy beaches, sumptuous mountains, winding roads and one of the country’s most beautiful national parks. If you stay a while, you’ll find yourself at the heart of the Irish soul in the pubs of County Kerry’s charming towns.
Explore County Kerry and discover the wild beauty of Ireland. From Tralee to Kenmare, on the Ring of Kerry or on the coast of the Dingle peninsula, County Kerry, known as ‘the Kingdom’, is a truly timeless journey. With its varied landscapes, wide open spaces and traditions, this county is a veritable compendium of Ireland, which you simply have to visit to immerse yourself in Irish culture!
Killarney and Ireland's oldest National Park
Between mysterious lakes and majestic mountains, Killarney National Park is one of County Kerry’s treasures, open since 1932. It is one of the county’s most impressive landscapes, with plains as far as the eye can see, mountains that rise higher than anywhere else, and fascinating lakeshores. The sumptuousness of Kerry’s wilderness is humbling.
You need to take the N71 towards Kenmare to discover Moll’s Gap, a superb passage between lakes and forests, whose charm lies in its sinuosity and imperfection. The views from the summit are indescribable.
Between the Black Valley, the wild beauty of the Upper Lake and the sumptuous Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, you can contemplate the immensity in silence.
The view from Ladies View, overlooking the park, is almost breathtaking. The panorama over the lakes, the green plains below surrounded by impressive mountains, is a landscape that must be contemplated in silence, to feel as close as possible to this precious nature.
It’s hard to remain indifferent to the wild charm of the Gap of Dunloe valley, in the heart of an idyllic landscape. It is here that a taste for adventure and exploration is born for all travellers in search of harmonious landscapes.
In the heart of the park’s wild forest, at the foot of Torc Mountain, a natural waterfall offers its most graceful dance. The bewitching Torc Waterfall knows how to use its charms to seduce hikers and travellers alike.
The park’s untamed wilderness and sumptuous scenery lull travellers into a world of fascination and emotion. A hiker’s paradise, this natural setting nestled between lakes and mountains will delight your desire to escape.
At the entrance to the park, the atmosphere is more traditional and less wild. In the heart of Killarney town, the atmosphere of the pubs and busy streets contrasts with the grandeur of the park.
The intensity of the park gives way to cute, colourful facades where the atmosphere is more intimate. A stroll through the narrow streets of the town is a must before contemplating the immensity of Killarney National Park!
Driving through the Ring of Kerry
Hair in the wind and eyes wide with wonder, that’s how you discover the Iveragh peninsula, on the winding roads of the Ring of Kerry. Nestling in the south-west of Ireland, this is one of the country’s best-known roads. Known as the Ring of Kerry, this route forms a loop, which you can follow at your own pace and which offers some of the most picturesque scenery in Ireland.
This enchanted interlude begins and ends in the town of Killarney. The road that crosses the Iveragh Peninsula promises a unique experience and spectacular views. This charming route is sure to win you over.
The Ring of Kerry is a succession of surprises, with roads leading you through bucolic landscapes where calm and intensity meet at every turn.
The landscapes change from craggy coasts to sparkling plains, peat bogs and high peaks. The colours blend here, as they do elsewhere in Ireland, between the paleness of the wild beaches, the brilliant blue of the water and the lush green of the hills as far as the eye can see.
Along the way, the wilderness gives way to pretty towns and charming villages such as Waterville, Sneem and Kenmare.
Off the Iveragh peninsula, the fascinating Skellig Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, seem to rest on the water.
Here, travellers plunge into a magical atmosphere and are taken by surprise by these craggy islands that stand out from the landscape. And that’s probably why the Star Wars film-makers fell in love with the landscapes of County Kerry, and in particular those of the Iveragh Peninsula.
A visit to the village of Portmagee and a chat with the locals is a must!
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The Dingle Peninsula
Here you’ll find heavenly little bays, breathtaking cliffs and lush plains. On the Wild Atlantic Way, the Dingle Peninsula is a jewel of a place, full of treasures such as the unique view of the Blasket Islands. One of the most impressive can be seen from the rocky headland of Dunmore Head.
As well as a wild peninsula with undeniable charm, the region is also home to a number of picturesque villages, from which emanate a pleasant smell of hops and sweet Celtic melodies. The charming, colourful village of Cloghane is a little piece of authenticity lost on the Dingle peninsula.
From the small town of Dingle, the scenic Slea Head Drive allows you to discover the peninsula at your own pace, amid breathtaking views.
Driving along the peninsula’s roads leads to superb beaches such as Coumeenoole Beach, nestling at the foot of a cliff, or Inch Beach, a huge beach popular with surfers.
Set course for one of the curiosities of the Dingle peninsula, the Gallarus Oratory, an amazing building dating back to the 7th century, whose surprising preservation never fails to amaze visitors.
At the end of a winding road, you’ll find Dunquin Harbour, a charming little fishing port hidden away below a steep cliff.
Here, you face the immensity of the ocean. It’s also the starting point for a trip to the Blasket Islands, uninhabited since the 1950s. A change of scenery is guaranteed on these wild islands.
