County Kerry

Kerry is home to Ireland's highest mountain, and on clear days you can see the rocky pinnacles of the Skellig Islands rising from the Atlantic. A vacation in County Kerry means lakes and oak woods around Killarney, coastal roads on the Ring of Kerry, and Gaelic-speaking villages on the Dingle Peninsula. Hardly any other part of Ireland is photographed more often.

Mountains, Lakes, and Peninsulas

Kerry is made up of several peninsulas reaching into the Atlantic: Iveragh with the Ring of Kerry, Dingle in the north, and part of Beara in the south. In between rise the MacGillycuddy's Reeks with Carrauntoohil (1,038 m). Killarney National Park encompasses three lakes, ancient oak woods, and Ireland's only wild herd of red deer. In the north around Listowel, the land becomes flatter and more agricultural.

Sights in County Kerry

Around Killarney, Muckross House with its gardens, Torc Waterfall, Ross Castle, and a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Gap of Dunloe are all worth your time. The Ring of Kerry, a roughly 180-kilometer loop road, leads via Cahersiveen, Waterville, and Sneem to Kenmare; the detour onto the Skellig Ring and to Portmagee is especially rewarding. In summer, boats leave from there for Skellig Michael, where early medieval monks built their beehive huts on a rock, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the Dingle Peninsula, the Slea Head Drive links Stone Age forts, the Gallarus Oratory, and views of the abandoned Blasket Islands.

Towns and Culture

Dingle (Daingean Uí Chúis) is a lively harbor town with colorful pubs where live music is played almost every night; Irish is still spoken on the peninsula. Tralee, the county seat, hosts the Rose of Tralee festival in August. Kenmare surprises with its restaurants and shops, while Killarney is the bustling starting point for tours. In August, Killorglin celebrates Puck Fair, during which a billy goat is crowned king for three days.

Hiking, Beaches, and Food

At around 200 kilometers, the Kerry Way is one of Ireland's longest long-distance trails and follows old paths away from the road for much of its length. The ascent of Carrauntoohil via the Devil's Ladder is demanding and should only be attempted in good weather and with experience or a guide. Beaches such as Inch on the Dingle Peninsula, Derrynane near Caherdaniel, or Banna near Tralee invite long walks, and surfers will find good conditions in Brandon Bay. On your plate you'll find Kerry lamb, crab, and lobster from Dingle, and a small distillery in Dingle makes whiskey and gin.

Getting There and Best Time to Visit

Kerry Airport, a small airport near Farranfore, is served by flights from Dublin and a few European cities, among others, and trains run to Killarney and Tralee. If you're driving the Ring of Kerry, expect to go counterclockwise because of the tour buses, and start early. The best time to visit is between May and September; Skellig tours run only in this season and only when the sea is calm. Places for landing on the island are limited and should be reserved weeks in advance. If you're traveling in July and August, book accommodations in Killarney and Dingle early as well.