Kerry

Internationally renowned, Killarney National Park encompasses the three Lakes of Killarney. Overlooked by mountains and covered in the most extensive native forest remaining in Ireland, this is a place of great natural beauty as well as scientific interest. It has the only red deerherd on mainland Ireland and is a special area of conservation. As well as this, it is loved by visitors, who can enjoy carriage rides through the park, or a casual stroll.

Muckross Abbey is a major ecclesiastical site situated within Killarney National Park. Remarkably preserved, it was founded by Dónal McCarthy Mór in 1448 as a Franciscan friary. In the centre is a yew tree said to be as old as the Abbey itself!

Where the Owengarriff River cascades through the wooded Friar’s Glen into Muckross Lake, you will find Torc Waterfall. A pretty path winds to the top of this 18m high waterfall looking out at stunning views of Torc Mountain.

View a snapshot of Irish life in 18th & 19th Kerry. Meet bog ponies, Irish wolfhounds and wild mountain goats in this award winning Agritourism centre on the ring of Kerry road.

Ireland’s largest working windmill, Blennerville Windmill was built in the 19th century and great lengths have been taken to restore it to its original grandeur. Weather-permitting, visitors may join guided tours to see the windmill. The Visitor Centre contains a multi-lingual exhibition and audio-visual presentation.

Crag Cave is a magical wonderland of stalagmites & stalactites, thought to be over one million years old. Here you'll find tours, a gift shop, a garden café, the Crazy Cave Play Centre and Kingdom Falconry, a new addition to Crag Cave.

Ross Castle is a classic 15th century, with square bartizans on diagonally opposite corners and a thick end wall containing a tier of chambers and winding stairs.

A breathtaking passage between the MacGillicuddy's Reeks and the Purple Mountain, the Gap of Dunloe was formed 2 million years ago by glacial movements. The area lends itself to exciting activities such as hiking and climbing, cycling, boat tours, horse riding and pony and trap rides. Guided tour options are available. This is truly a magical place, with the route beginning at Kate Kearney's cottage, the home of a reputed witch, and just walking distance from "The Wishing Bridge".

Experience the rustic and simple lifestyle of rural Ireland before the days of electricity and modern conveniences. This enchanting cottage is over 200 years old, and is home to various animals, such as fowls. Learn about the life of Molly Gallivan, a resourceful widow who supported her seven children by subsistence farming, weaving, and dealing in poitín (moonshine). Interact with country traditions and old-fashioned farm machinery. Visitors may take a tour of the farm, enjoy a typical meal and even take part in an Irish "ball night".

This local archaeological museum houses over 500 artifacts from the Stone, Bronze and Celtic Iron Ages, as well as Viking, Roman and Saxon antiquities. Among other things, it contains a dinosaur skeleton and a mammoth skull.

Off Slea Head – the most westerly tip of the Dingle Peninsula – lies a deserted archipelago with a poignant past: the mystical Blasket Islands, now an emblem of the Irish history of emigration. Anchor a boat in the Blasket Sound on the edge of Europe, climb to the top of An Blascaod Mór, and explore the remote wilderness of this fascinating place. In Dingle, visit the Blasket Centre, an interactive centre with a long, white hall ending in a wall-to-ceiling window overlooking the islands.