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1 Share the passion of former marine biologist, racing sailor and water wildlife guide Raymond Ross on a Seafari cruise in Kenmare. 2011 marks the 18th anniversary of these nature watching trips of which a 300-strong seal colony is a highlight. April to October. www.seafariireland.com 2 Come out of season. Winter and Spring features striking sunrises and sunsets and incredible photography opportunities. Birdlife is abundant and it is often possible to see whales and dolphins as well as shoals of herring. www.iwdg.ie 3 Binoculars are a must bring item for wildlife watching as well as making the most of amazing views. Ladies View is to be particularly recommended and is so called because when Queen Victoria came to Killarney in 1861, her ladies-in-waiting were overwhelmed by the view. 4 See 350 million year-old tetrapod tracks on Valentia Island. The prints form a trail about 15 metres long, and are the oldest prints in the northern hemisphere. 5 Birdwatching. See one of the largest colonies of gannets in Europe on Little Skellig with more than 20,000 pairs during the summer nesting season. There are also plentiful puffins. 6 Fish on Lough Currane Ireland s leading sea trout fishery. The season runs from January to the end of September. www.oshealoughcurrane.com 7 A family run butchers produces famous Sneem Black Pudding which can be sampled in many local eateries and hotels - it is baked rather than boiled and contains no added extras. 8 Enjoy masses of vibrant rhododendrons and azaleas which reach their peak in early summer. They are particularly noted on the McGillycuddy s Reeks. 101 things to do around the Ring of Kerry 9 Watch waves. Research has suggested that the sound of waves alters the wave patterns in the brain, soothing you into a deeply calm and relaxed state. Ballinskellings is a great example of a beautiful Kerry beach. 10 Relax on Kells beach one of the Ring of Kerry s Blue Flag Beaches. Sea air is full of healthy negative hydrogen ions which are found in sea spray and improve the ability to absorb oxygen. These also help balance levels of serotonin which improves mood. 11 Enjoy the craic with some live Irish music. Every town will have live music at least one night of the week, ask a local for advice. 1
2 12 Walk Caherdaniel to Sneem on the old Butter road which was used to transport butter to Cork for export in the 19th century. 13 Meet small, hardy bog ponies, once used to haul peat from bogs, at the Kerry Bog Village. 14 Spot deer there are several hundred red and Sika deer in the 10,000 hectare Killarney National Park. www.killarneynationalpark.ie 15 Explore the smuggling heritage of Portmagee or Magee s Port, as it was known. It is named after a notorious smuggler of the 18th Century, Captain Theobald Magee. 16 Try an Irish facial a walk in the crisp Derrynane Dew will make you feel fresh and invigorated. 17 Glanleam. Europe s westernmost garden, created by a Knight of Kerry in the 1830s, features the tallest tree ferns in Europe and bamboo forests within forty acres of sub-tropical garden. www.hiddenireland.com/ glanleamhouse-kerry 18 Visit the amazing art centre linked to Cill Rialaig artists retreat. Located in small Gaeltacht village of Dun Geagan in Ballinskelligs. Children are welcomed for workshops in drawing painting and ceramics, prefect for a rainy day! www.destinationringofkerry.com/ siopa-chill-rialaig.html 19 Dating from the late Neolithic to the early Bronze age, rock art prehistoric carvings can be found on outcrops of bedrock and boulders. The highest concentration of rock art in Kerry can be found in the Sneem and Behy river valleys, www.irishmegaliths.org.uk 20 Tour the Skelligs, outcrops of rock rising from the Atlantic and one of only two World Heritage Sites in the country. Depending on the time of year, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, Minke whales, and leatherback turtles can be spotted in the surrounding waters. 21 Walk to the top of the 18m high, pretty Torc Waterfall to see many shades of green vegetation and for views of Torc Mountain. 22 Enjoy the Sneem Family Festival in July featuring the Paddy Power Irish National Wife Carrying Championship. www.sneemfestival.com 23 A 6th century monastic settlement, within a nature reserve on the small Island of Skellig Michael can be reached by boat (watch out for choppy waters) from Portmagee. This is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland.
24 Tour the Gap of Dunloe in a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car. 25 Pickable wild blackberries can be found growing along the roadside in Portmagee in August and September. 26 Visit Derrynane house the birthplace of the famous Irish politician Daniel O Connell and learn a little about his life and Ireland s history. www.heritageireland.ie/en/ South-West/DerrynaneHouse 27 Watch a game of Gaelic football at the Fossa GAA ground near Killarney. This is Ireland s national game and the dominant sport in Kerry. The county team has won more All-Ireland Senior Football Championships than any other. 28 Colourful houses. The brightly colored houses around the Ring of Kerry date back to the mid 1950s when an annual Tidy Town competition encouraged Irish towns to compete to see which could be the most colorful and tidy. 29 This is where it all began. It is on Valentia Island that the first transatlantic telephone cables come ashore more than 140 years ago and began, though they could never have imagined it, the Internet age. 30 Whether land or water based activities are your preference, Star Outdoors in Kenmare cater to all needs, offering everything from archery, to a cruise on Kenmare Bay. www.staroutdoors.com 31 Connect with the nature and history of Ireland by taking a tour with Kerry man Con Moriarty s Hidden Ireland Tours, who provide intimate tours of the Ring of Kerry. www.hiddenirelandtours.com 101 things to do around the Ring of Kerry 3
4 32 The Ring of Kerry Cycle Route travels along many quiet country roads and passes through all the main towns and villages on the Ring of Kerry along the way. It should be cycled over at least a week to allow time to appreciate the experience. Killarney is a good starting point. 33 The Oysterbed near Sneem is an ideal location for wind surfing. 34 Book a Summer Solstice Night Ascent of Carrauntoohil with Outdoors Ireland. Climb through darkness with head torches and mountain guides and stand on the summit of Ireland s highest mountain at dawn. www.outdoorsireland.com 35 Learn climbing and abseiling on warm sandstone cliffs in the glaciated Gap of Dunloe just outside Killarney. 36 The Kerry Way is ten days of exhilarating walking around some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland. The walk is about 215km, beginning in Killarney. www.kerryway.net 37 The coastal village of Waterville is noted for its world-class golf courses including the championship Waterville Golf Links which is rated among the top 20 links courses in the world, as well as the Skellig Bay Golf Club. 38 Go up Geokaun, the highest mountain on Valentia Island at 888 feet. Fogher Cliffs form the edge between this mountain and the Atlantic Ocean and 360 degree panoramic views include the Skellig and Blasket Islands, Dingle Peninsula, McGillycuddy Reeks and Valentia Harbour. 39 Lighten up with laughter therapy at Eclipse Ireland gentle, playful exercise, facilitated by a laughter specialist, lasting around 30 minutes and guaranteed to release some feelgood endorphins. www.eclipseireland.com 40 The lakeshores of Killarney National Park are home to many Killarney Strawberry Trees which have red, non-edible fruit. 41 Sneem features one of only two coral beaches in Ireland near Gleesk Pier.
42 Adopt a sheep. Kissane s working mountain farm near Kenmare allows visitors to experience the life of traditional sheep farmers in the Kerry hills. You can also adopt a sheep to help preserve this way of life! 43 Coming from Caherdaniel, a quartz vein can be seen along the roadside just over 1km before Coomakista Pass on the land side of the road. 44 See the Yew Wood in Killarney National Park one of only three in Europe. 45 Staigue Fort is located near Castlecove and is the finest example of a stone fort in Ireland and about 2500 years old. No mortar and it is still standing! 46 Between Cahersiveen and Glenbeigh near Kells village look out for local man John Ferris and his sheepdogs who stage regular displays of their prowess in working with the local mountain sheep. 47 Look for majestic White Tailed Eagles which can regularly be seen over the Lakes of Killarney. 48 Try local mussels and clams available from Glenbeigh Shellfish. 49 View water cascading into pools at the slate quarry and grotto on Valentia Island. The quarry has supplied slate used on the roof of the Houses of Commons and large pieces can be seen at the entrance. 50 Treat yourself, sample some fine handmade chocolate in Lorge Chocolatiers Kenmare, stay a little longer and do a chocolate making course!! www.lorge.ie 51 Visit Ballinskelligs Castle - a 16th century two storey ruined tower on the seashore overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay. 52 Billy Clifford s Organic Farm just outside Kenmare supplies herbs, meat and vegetables from a farm gate which is open to the public. His produce is also used in many local restaurants. 101 things to do around the Ring of Kerry 53 The South Kerry region has been identified as one of the most significant geological regions in Europe and as such is seeking Geopark status for the area with Sneem as its capital. www.kerrygeopark.ie 54 Visit Cahirsiveen the capital of the Iveragh Peninsula, and notably the birthplace of Daniel O Connell, known as the Liberator of Ireland. 5
6 55 Study the marks on an Ogham Stone between Beaufort and the Gap of Dunloe. These are are characters from an alphabet that was used in the earliest forms of writing in Ireland. Known as Ogham, the 25-letter alphabet was supposedly inspired by Ogma, god of eloquence. 56 Underwater nature-watching. The seals around the Skelligs are used to divers and may play! And while underwater, divers might encounter a Gannet that has dived on the bubbles. The arrival of a Gannet can be noted by a loud thump as it hits the water! 57 For a little romance, visit the ruins of Ballycarbery Castle near Caherciveen where legend has it that two runaway lovers, Grainne and Diarmuid, first consummated their love. 58 Admire the exceptionally green fields around Coomcallee Mountain, created by underlying gravel. The geological terms for this feature is kame. 59 Keeping history alive Muckross House runs a book conservation service including disaster recovery for libraries and archives. A laboratory features a specialist freezer unit allowing for immediate treatment of damaged books. www.muckross-house.ie 60 The Blue Pool near Killarney is coloured by natural limestone and other rocks and is a peaceful spot for watching kingfishers. 61 Get in touch with your inner moss lover in Killarney National Park. The mild oceanic climate brings a luxuriant growth of mosses and filmy ferns growing on the branches and trunks of the trees. 62 Relax in a large natural seaweed bath at The Derrynane Hotel in Caherdaniel. http://derrynane.com/holiday-homes/ indoor-facilities/ 63 Choose from an enormous range of locally-produced charcuterie products from The German Butcher s Shop in Killarney as well as Killarney venison, boar, duck, rabbit and hare. www.germanbutchershop.com 64 Collect shells on one of the many Ring of Kerry beaches where there are often more than 80 varieties. 65 Boats with wheels offers a unique amphibious boat trip from Cahirsiveen around Valentia Harbour. www.valentiaharbourtours.com 66 Visit the unique outdoor display of international sculpture in the Sculpture Park at Sneem. See the Peaceful Panda (China) a White Marble Panda, Arbor Chalybeia Immaculata (Israel) - a stainless steel tree sculpture, The Angry Christ (Singapore) http://sneem.net/sculpturepark/ 67 Different regions of Kerry have different traditional dances. Learn the moves of a Kerry Set, a Portmagee Miserk, a Kenmare or Sneem Polka, the Valentia Island Right and Left or a Caragh Lake Jig.
68 Take a picnic and go anywhere. The abundance of scenic, atmospheric locations is such that wherever you go you will find a lovely spot. 69 Visit Ballinskelligs where the traditional Gaelic language is spoken. Dia dhuit, Conás átá tú - Hello, how are you?, and you reply Dia is Muire duit, tá mé go maith - Hello, I m doing well/good. 70 See the statue of Charlie Chaplin in Waterville. Chaplin and his family were regular visitors to the village. 71 The late fifteenth-century Ross Castle, on the shore of Killarney s Lower Lake, enjoys a spectacular setting and view across the lake. It is reputed to be haunted by a horseriding member of the O Donoghue clan to whom the castle was home. 72 Take a guided kayak or canoe tour of Kenmare Bay and get up close to the colony of seals. 73 Visit the Valentia Observatory. Ireland s oldest synoptic weather station is a few minutes from Cahersiveen town on the Waterville road. Viewing by appointment. www.met.ie/about/valentiaobservatory/ default.asp 74 Waterville and Kenmare Bay are recommended locations for windsurfing. 75 In Portmagee, each year around St Patrick s Day, you can walk out to a wonderful little island across the Bay. For the rest of the year it can only be reached by boat. 101 things to do around the Ring of Kerry 7
8 76 On Valentia Island, homemade ice cream is produced from the milk of the Daly family s pedigree herd of Friesians and contains no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives. Lots of flavours available. 77 If you are touring the Ring of Kerry by car, ensure that you go clockwise to avoid the buses. Several car rental companies offer more eco-friendly car options. 78 In 2009 more than 25 Ring of Kerry lamb producers came together to create the Ring of Kerry Quality Lamb label. Check out their recipes on www.ringofkerryqualitylamb.ie and look for Kerry lamb in many local restaurants. 79 See plentiful types of funghi in Gleninchaquin Park in Spring and Autumn. 80 Watch cows being milked and the cheese-making process at Wilma s Killorglin Farmhouse Cheese which is open to visitors. The owners produce a Gouda type cheese which is available from mild to very mature and mixed with either cumin, garlic or cloves. 81 Hear the dawn chorus outside your bedroom window. 82 A). Dooks, B). Ring of Kerry and C). Skellig Bay Golf Clubs have joined together to launch the Peninsula Pass. For just 99 you can play three rounds of golf, one on each course, a saving of over 100 off normal rates. www.peninsulapass.com 83 The Red Fox Inn next to the Bog Village near Glenbeigh is well-known for its exceptional Irish Coffee. 84 Go horse-riding on a beach at Rossbeigh or trek through daffodil-laden fields in Spring. 85 Spend time drawing, painting, walking, photographing, or writing in the great outdoors at the Valentia Island Artist s Retreat. 86 Ask the barman to show you the technique for pulling the perfect pint of Guinness. 87 Revisit your inner child, take advantage of the rain, don some wellies and go puddle-jumping. 88 Loher Stone Fort 4.5 km from the village of Waterville is a wonderful example of a late Mesolithic site, believed to be the home of a local chieftain; the fort overlooks the bay allowing visitors to enjoy the wonderful views below. 89 At Kenmare see the large Bronze Age Druid stone circle, which has 15 stones surrounding a dolmen tomb.
90 St Patrick s Day (March 17th) activities take place all around the Ring of Kerry. Visit www.discoverireland.ie/ whats-on for details. 91 See horse-racing on the beach during the Glenbeigh festival and races in August. www.glenbeighfestival.com 92 Take a day off touring and learn how to surf in the Atlantic Ocean. Surprisingly surfing is one of Ireland fastest growing sports, even during winter!!!!! 93 Visit one of the many farmers markets which take place around the Ring of Kerry. www.bordbia.ie has details of locations, times and dates. 94 Enjoy the Puck Fair in Killorglin which dates back to pre-christian times and features horse fair, street theatre and parade. www.puckfair.ie 95 Tea at Dinis Cottage. Originally built in the 1700 s as a hunting lodge, these tea rooms have been around for over 200 years. Some of the graffiti etched on the windows dates back to the 1820s. Engaged couples carved their initials on the glass windows with their new diamond! 96 Catch a glimpse of the rare and protected Kerry Lily (only found on the Ring of Kerry) around Lamb s Head near Caherdaniel and Derrynane from the middle of June until the end of July. 101 things to do around the Ring of Kerry 9
10 97 Enjoy everything from tractor pulling to free open air concerts at the Cahirsiveen Festival of Music and Arts, held every August Bank Holiday Weekend. 98 Visit the Woollen Mills in Killarney which were established over 300 years ago and offer items made from the wool of organically-farmed sheep. www.kerrywoollenmills.ie/ 99 Visit the Kenmare Lace and Design Centre. Demonstrations show how the Poor Clare nuns taught local children to make their living from lace in the 19th century. www.kenmarelace.ie 100 In Killorglin a community of rowers organise coastal rowing competitions at sea which can be seen on various dates throughout the summer. http://killorglinrowing.wordpress.com 101 Legend has it that Brian Boru High King of Ireland was educated by the monks in Innisfallen Abbey situated in the heart of the Killarney Lakes. Built in 640 by St. Finian it was inhabited for 850 years until the monks were dispossessed of the Abbey by Queen Elizabeth in 1594. For more on what the Ring of Kerry can offer you check out www.discoverireland.ie/kerry
101 things to do around the Ring of Kerry