Must-Visit Attractions in County Kerry, Ireland

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A rural estate that’s home to horse-pulled jaunting cars, fantastic gardens, lake views and craft stores, Muckross House will give you a glimpse into luxurious 18th-century life at this fantastic, manicured throwback.

A jagged, difficult-to-access island off the Kerry shoreline, Skellig Michael was once an isolated hermitage and is now almost as well known for its core role in two recent Star Wars movies. To get there, you’ll need good summer weather and your climbing legs, but toiling amid the puffins is well worth it for the rustic housing and glorious views.

This Kerry gem is the kind of place you’ll want to drive around aimlessly – its quiet coastal roads are just that beautiful. You might also want to check out the astonishing dual-use pubs (think hardware store or bicycle rental shop and watering hole), an impressive local cheese store and the famous Murphy’s Ice Cream. To meet Dingle’s most famous resident, however, you’ll need to head out on a boat tour of Dingle Bay, where Fungie the Irish dolphin plays to the crowds. You can even swim with him if you like, and if he doesn’t show up, you don’t pay.

The highest peak of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range, Carrauntoohil is a challenging climb for intermediate-level hikers. It rises to just over 1,000m (3,280ft) via the dramatic, slippery Devil’s Ladder. At its peak, you’ll find a huge iron cross and spectacular views across the Kerry countryside.

Not so much a single site as an entire circuit of rugged, rural beauty, this is the one tour you’ll have thrown at you consistently if you drop in on Kerry. The Ring takes you around the Iveragh Peninsula, past a host of gorgeous Atlantic views, quaint towns and tiny, enticing (but cold) beaches. If you can go under your own steam, do.

A 15th-century lakeside castle in Killarney National Park, Ross Castle gives a taste of rural life centuries ago with its old-world charm. The stark structure contrasts nicely with the gentle lake before it, and when it’s lit up at night, the castle is quite a sight to behold.

More uninhabited islands mean more great opportunities for exploration. The Blasket Islands once had a thriving Irish-speaking population, but they were evacuated due to harsh Atlantic conditions in the ’50s. Jokingly called “next parish America”, this spot is as “battered west coast” as you can hope to see. There’s beauty in that.

A glance at life in Kerry centuries ago, the Kerry Bog Village Museum follows a simple concept, but it’s a great way to understand some of Ireland’s old difficulties and explore the way the land was once used. Delve into the whitewashed houses to learn about a way of life that’s long since left the island.

Sure, Kerry has to play their bigger Gaelic football contests up in the capital at Croke Park, but Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium is the home of Kerry GAA. As Kerry is historically the king of the sport, it’s a great spot to get to know Ireland’s beloved traditional leisure offering, still going strong.

A Neolithic stone circle on the Beara Peninsula, this is a worthy detour. It’s easy to imagine how this isolated spot overlooking Lough Inchiquin might have integrated into ancient lives as you stand among the towering stones –the largest around 3m (10ft) – and stare down at the hills and lake that form its backdrop.

The former home of key revolutionary Daniel O’Connell, Derrynane House is a majestic mansion with plenty of historical areas of interest to explore, as well as a surprisingly international garden. Bring a picnic and explore the surroundings – they’re gorgeous, especially the quiet nearby beach.

A tiny village most just pass through on the way to its neighbour Dingle, Annsacaul has one major attraction, but it’s a great one. Antarctic explorer Tom Crean comes from here, and he’s commemorated passionately in the local pub that’s colourfully dedicated to him, as well as in a new statue. With under 300 residents, Annascaul is the definition of rural, but Crean even has his own beer.

A dramatic defensive bastion that was once the last spot in the region to hold out against British rule, Listowel Castle has been restored to its former glory in recent years. Tours are small (book ahead) and take you around the 15th-century fortress and its quirky facilities, from the towers to the old-world toilets.

Sitting on the border between County Kerry, County Limerick and County Clare, the Shannon Estuary isn’t commonly frequented by tourists, but it does have plenty to offer. With day-trip experiences that range from dolphin-spotting estuary tours to boat hire, there’s also some great fishing to be had near the mouth of the longest waterway in Britain and Ireland.

A clunky stone tower overlooking Dingle, Eask Tower is a 19th-century structure that later became a World War II bay guardian. The structure is historically interesting, as lugging the solid stone up the hill provided work during Ireland’s deadly famine in the mid-19th century. At 184m (604ft) tall, Carhoo Hill offers far better panoramic views than you might expect from such a modest exertion.

A fantastic drive into the Kerry Hills will lead you to the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow mountain pass through the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks – it’s a tough trail by car, but easily passable in the popular horse-pulled jaunting cars that are abundant in Killarney National Park. It’s popular to hike or bike the route, with Kate Kearney’s Cottage – a 150-year-old pub-meets-craft shop – a popular launching spot.

A poorly named spot if ever there was one, Inch Beach is a huge, sandy bar stretching between two hilly peaks. It’s a relatively isolated rural spot that’s perfect for those looking for some proper Kerry isolation. You’ll have to be brave to swim here, given the local weather, but yes, you should do it anyway.

The walk to Mount Brandon from the coast is one of a number of walks that now make up the Irish Camino, where you’ll find trails even older than the Spanish equivalent. If you’re ambitious about hill walking, we’d highly recommend the Cosán Na Naomh as an approach to the 953m (3,127ft) peak, an enticing challenge on Ireland’s ninth-highest hill.

Sure, the Cliffs of Moher, to the North of Kerry in County Clare, are Ireland’s most famous seaside drop-offs. But Portmagee’s cliffs offer incredible walks, dramatic drops and views out to Skellig Michael. Why are they less popular than Moher, yet 85m (279ft) higher? Because buses can’t get here. In other words, they’re a lesser-known treat – just avoid them in strong winds.