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ESSENTIALS ~ TRANSPORT ~ DESTINATION GUIDES ~ HOSTEL REVIEWS ~ FORUMS |
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Destinations > Ireland > Munster > County Kerry
County KerryCounty Kerry is one of Ireland's most visited counties. Its scenic coastline includes the popular Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula and it also includes the towns of Kenmare, Killarney and Tralee. Kenmare (Neidín)Located between the Beara Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry, Kenmare is a quiet town that makes a good base for visiting either peninsula. Although its location ensures that plenty of tourists pass through town, it still retains a more authentic Irish feel than many of the other major towns in County Kerry. Practical InformationKenmare Tourist Information CentreThe Square, KenmareTel (064) 41233 Website www.corkkerry.ie Open May-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm; Jul-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm Coming & GoingKenmare isn't as well connected by public transport as nearby Killarney and is best suited to people travelling by car. Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) has buses to Cork, Killarney and Tralee. AccommodationFáilte HostelShelbourne Street, KenmareTel (064) 42333 
Greenwood HostelTemplenoe, Kenmare, Co. KerryTel (064) 89247
Kenmare Lodge Hostel27 Main Street, KenmareTel (064) 40662 
SightsKenmare Heritage CentreThe Kenmare Heritage Centre has exhibits on various aspects of local history. The Square, KenmareTel (064) 41233 Website www.corkkerry.ie/kenmareheritagecentre Admission free Open May-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm; Jul-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm Killarney (Cill Airne)This busy tourist town at the eastern end of the Ring of Kerry is an attractive place despite being packed with souvenir shops. It has good transport connections, which make it a convenient place for independent travellers to use as a base for exploring the Ring of Kerry and the nearby Killarney National Park. Practical InformationKillarney Tourist Information CentreBeech Street, KillarneyTel (064) 31633 Website www.corkkerry.ie/killarneytio Open Jan-May Mon-Sat 9.15am-1pm & 2.15pm-5.30pm; Jun Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-1pm & 2.15pm-6pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-1pm & 2.15pm-6pm; Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-1pm & 2.15pm-6pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9.15am-1pm & 2.15pm-5.30pm Coming & GoingAIRAer Arann (website www.aerarann.com) flies to Dublin and Manchester and Ryanair (website www.ryanair.com) flies to Frankfurt Hahn and London Stansted from Kerry Airport (website www.kerryairport.ie), which is about halfway between Killarney and Tralee. A shuttle bus (€6) meets flights from Frankfurt Hahn, but passengers from all other destinations will need to take a taxi to the nearby village of Farranfore, where you can make bus and train connections to Killarney and other destinations. BUSKillarney has good bus connections with Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) services going to Cork, Kenmare, Limerick, Tralee and the Ring of Kerry. Buses depart from the train station on Park Road. TRAINKillarney is on the train line that runs from Tralee to Dublin. The station is on Park Road east of the town centre. AccommodationBunrower HouseRoss Road, KillarnyTel (064) 33914
Fossa Holiday HostelFossa, KillarneyTel (064) 31497 
Killarney International Youth HostelAghadoe House, Ring of Kerry Road, Fossa, Killarney, County KerryTel (064) 31240
Killarney Railway HostelOpposite Railway/Bus Station, Fair Hill, KillarneyTel (064) 35299
Neptune's Killarney Town HostelNew Street, KillarneyTel (064) 35255
Paddy's Palace31 New Street, KillarneyTel (064) 35382
Park HostelPark Road, Killarney, Co. KerryTel (064) 32119
Peacock Farm HostelGortdromakiery, Muckross, KillarneyTel (064) 33557
The Súgán HostelMichael Collins Place, Lewis Road, KillarneyTel (064) 33104
SightsCoolwood Wildlife SanctuaryThis wildlife park and sanctuary near Killarney town is home to the Red Squirrel and the rare Golden Eagle. Coolcaslagh, KillarneyTel (064) 36288 Open Apr-Oct 11am-6pm daily Killarney National ParkLocated south of Killarney town, this 10,000 hectare national park is noted for is lake and mountain scenery. The park is home to red deer and it encompasses several attractions including Ross Castle, Muckross Friary and the majestic Muckross House. Practical InformationKillarney National Park Information CentreMuckross House, N71, Killarney National Park, 6.5km from KillarneyTel (064) 35960 Website www.heritageireland.ie Open mid Mar-Jun 9am-6pm daily; Jul-Aug 9am-7pm daily; Sep-Oct 9am-6pm daily There is also an information point at Torc Waterfall Open end Jun-mid Sep 9.30am-6.30pmAccommodationBlack Valley Youth HostelTel (064) 34712
SightsMuckross FriaryDating from the 15th century, this well-preserved Franciscan Friary features Ireland's only Franciscan tower that is as wide as its church. Muckross Estate, N71, 4km from KillarneyTel (064) 31440 Website www.heritageireland.ie Admission free Open mid Jun-early Sep 10am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm) daily Muckross House & GardensOne of Ireland's most prominent stately homes, this Victorian mansion is surrounded by gardens and is furnished to portray the aristocratic lifestyles of those who lived in the house. N71, Muckross, Killarney National Park, 6.5km from KillarneyTel (064) 31440 Website www.heritageireland.ie Admission €5.50 (€2.25 students) Open Jan-mid Mar 9am-5.30pm daily (last entry 4.45pm); mid Mar-Jun 9am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm); Jul-Aug 9am-7pm daily (last entry 6.15pm); Sep-Oct 9am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm); Nov-Dec 9am-5.30pm daily (last entry 4.45pm) Muckross Traditional FarmsThis open-air museum is comprised of three working farms that feature machinery and farm animals including traditional Kerry cows. N71, 6.5km from KillarneyTel (054) 31440 Website www.heritageireland.ie Admission €5 (€2 students) Open mid Mar-Apr Sat-Sun 1pm-6pm; May 1pm-6pm daily; Jun-Sep 10am-7pm daily; Oct Sat-Sun 1pm-6pm Ross CastleThis fortress is believed to have been built in the last 15th century by one of the Donoghue Ross chieftains. The castle has been restored and is decked out with period furniture from the 16th and 17th centuries. Ross Road, KillarneyTel (064) 35851 Website www.heritageireland.ie Admission €5 (€2 students) Open Apr 10am-5pm daily; May 10am-6pm daily; Jun-Aug 9am-6.30pm daily; Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct Tue-Sun 10am-5pm Ring of Kerry (Iveragh Peninsula)The Ring of Kerry refers to the popular route taken by tour buses along the N70, which follows the coast around the Iveragh Peninsula. It offers lovely scenery and has a good choice of hostels but both the Beara and Dingle Peninsulas offer a similar experience with fewer tourists. Getting AroundTransport connections are part of the reason why the Ring of Kerry is so popular in comparison with the Beara and Dingle Peninsulas, however renting a car is still the best way to explore the region. If you're not driving the best option is to avoid the tour buses that clog the road out of Killarney and take the Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) bus that runs around the Ring of Kerry during the summer months. AccommodationKELLSCaitins HostelN70, KellsTel (066) 947 7614
CAHERSIVEEN (CATHAIR SAIDHTHIN)Sive Hostel15 East End, CahersiveenTel (066) 947 2717
CAHERDANIEL (CATHAIR DONAL)Travellers Rest HostelN70, CaherdanielTel (066) 947 5175
SightsDerrynane House National Historic ParkThe Irish statesman, Daniel O'Connell lived in this house, which contains artefacts relating to his life. N70, 3.5km from CaherdanielTel (066) 947 5113 Website www.heritageireland.ie Admission €2.75 (€1.25 students) Open Jan-Mar Sat-Sun 1pm-5pm; Apr Tue-Sun 1pm-5pm; May-Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-7pm; Oct Tue-Sun 1pm-5pm; Nov-Dec Sat-Sun 1pm-5pm Killorglin (Cill Orglan)This town at the north eastern end of the Ring of Kerry is best known for the annual Puck Fair festival (website www.puckfair.ie), which offers a variety of events centred around a goat being crowned King Puck for the three days of the festival. The 2005 Puck Fair will be held on 10-12 August. AccommodationLaune Valley Farm HostelBanshagh, N70, KillorglinTel (066) 976 1488
Tralee (Trá Lí)County Kerry's most important town is a useful transport hub and a good base for exploring the Dingle Peninsula. Each August Tralee hosts the Rose of Tralee (website www.roseoftralee.ie), one of the world's longest running beauty pageants. Practical InformationTralee Tourist Information CentreAshe Memorial Hall, Denny Street, TraleeTel (066) 712 1288 Website www.shannonregiontourism.ie Open Jan-Apr Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; May-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-6pm; Oct Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Coming & GoingAIRAer Arann (website www.aerarann.com) flies to Dublin and Manchester and Ryanair (website www.ryanair.com) flies to Frankfurt Hahn and London Stansted from Kerry Airport (website www.kerryairport.ie), which is about halfway between Killarney and Tralee. Coming from the airport you will need to take a taxi to the village of Farranfore, where you can make bus and train connections to Tralee and other destinations. BUSBus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) has buses from Tralee to Cork, Dingle, Killarney, Limerick and the Ring of Kerry. Buses depart from the train station north of the town centre. TRAINThe train station on Oakpark Road north of the town centre has direct trains to Dublin. Change at Mallow for connecting trains to Cork. AccommodationCollis Sandes HostelOakpark, TraleeTel (066) 7128658
Finnegan's Holiday Hostel17 Denny Street, Tralee, Co KerryTel (066) 7127610
Westward CourtMary Street, TraleeTel (066) 718 0081
SightsKerry County MuseumIreland's second-largest museum displays artefacts dating from prehistoric times to the present day. Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny Street, TraleeTel (066) 712 7777 Website www.kerrymuseum.ie Admission €8 Open Jan-Mar Tue-Fri 10am-4.30pm; Apr-May Tue-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm; Jun-Aug 9.30am-5.30pm daily; Sep-Dec Tue-Sat 9.30am-5pm Dingle PeninsulaThe Dingle Peninsula provides a slightly less touristy alternative to the Ring of Kerry. It features stunning coastal scenery and has a good selection of backpackers' hostels. Dingle is the only real town on the peninsula and many backpackers spend a night here but the small villages are what most people come to visit the Dingle Peninsula. Coming & Going & Local TransportAlthough driving is the best way to see the peninsula, Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) run buses to Tralee and also to Dunquin at the far end of the peninsula. Anascaul & LougherThe N86 Dingle-Tralee Road passes through this rural region en route to Dingle. Although there are a couple of hostels here, most travellers shoot straight through to Dingle before looking for a bed for the night. AccommodationBog View HostelN86, LougherTel (066) 915 8125
Dingle Gate Hostel (formerly Fuchsia Lodge)N86, AnascaulTel (066) 915 7150
Paddy's PalaceMain Street, Annascaul, Co KerryTel (066) 915 7183
Dingle Town (An Daigean)Dingle Town is the biggest town on the peninsula although it can get very crowded with tourists during summer it has a good selection of pubs and a lot of backpackers spend a night here. Practical InformationDingle Town Tourist Information CentreThe Quay, DingleTel (066) 915 1188 Website www.corkkerry.ie/dingletio Open mid Mar-Jun Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 9.30am-6pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 9.30am-5pm AccommodationBallintaggart HouseRacecourse Road, DingleTel (066) 915 1454
Blackberry Lodge HostelThe Mall, DingleTel (066) 915 0500
Grapevine HostelDykegate Street, DingleTel (066) 915 1434
Lovett's HostelColleen, DingleTel (066) 915 1903
Rainbow HostelMilltown, DingleTel (066) 915 1044
Seacrest Performing Arts HostelLispole, Dingle, Co KerryTel (066) 9151390
SightsCeltic & Prehistoric MuseumThis museum has ancient artefacts dating from the Jurassic era and also including the Stone and Bronze Ages and the Celtic, Viking and Saxon eras. It is home to Ireland's only fossil Woolly Mammoth and dinosaur egg nest. Kilvicadowning, VentryTel (066) 915 9191 Admission €5 Open 10am-5.30pm daily Dingle Oceanworld AquariumDingle's aquarium has the usual assortment of tropical fish, sharks complete with a walk-through underwater tunnel. The Wood, DingleTel (066) 915 2111 Admission €8.50 (€6.50 students) Open 10am-6pm daily Dunquin (Dún Chaoin)This seaside village has lovely views to the Blasket Islands. The Blasket Centre is the main attraction in town. AccommodationDún Chaoin Youth HostelR559, DunquinTel (066) 915 6121
SightsThe Blasket CentreThis museum/interpretive centre in Dunquin at the tip of the Dingle Peninsula has displays honouring the people who once lived on the Great Blasket Island. The island once had a vibrant community that is noted for its unique literary achievements, however Great Blasket was abandoned in 1953 as its population had dwindled to the point where it could no longer support itself. R559, DunquinTel (066) 915 6444 Website www.heritageireland.ie Admission €3.50 (€1.25 students) Open Easter-Jun 10am-6pm daily; Jul-Aug 10am-7pm daily; Sep-Oct 10am-6pm daily Ballyferriter (Baile an Fheirtéaraigh)This small village in the Gaeltacht area north east of Dunquin has a small hostel. The main attraction here is the visitor centre at nearby Gallarus Oratory. AccommodationBlack Cat HostelR559, BallyferriterTel (066) 915 6286
SightsGallarus Visitor CentreDating from the 8th century, this historic church is a stunning example of a dry stone building that is still waterproof after more than 1000 years. Gallarus Oratory, R559 between Ballyferriter and FeohanaghTel (066) 915 5333 Open Jan-Mar 9am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 9am-9pm daily; Oct-Dec 9am-5pm daily Cloghane (An Clochán) & Mount BrandonCloghane is a tiny village wedged between 953m-high Mount Brandon and Brandon Bay. AccommodationMount Brandon HostelCloghaneTel (066) 713 8299
Stradbally (Straid Baile)
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