County Kerry
County Kerry is affectionately called “The Kingdom” by its residents and visitors alike. That is probably because it offers so much to see and do. It’s the fifth largest of the counties of Ireland, and its boundaries only touch two others, Cork and Limerick.
Kerry’s claim to fame, however, is probably the fact that it was chosen as the site for shooting the award-winning American film, Ryan’s Daughter. It was also the favoured resort of the American film icon Charlie Chaplin, who spent most of his holidays here.
County Kerry is one of Ireland’s premier tourist destinations, probably because of the breathtaking scenery one can experience at every turn. It offers such natural attractions as the Lakes of Killarney and the Killarney National Park. These sites offer a full range of recreational pursuits, from water activities such as boating and fishing, to a plethora of opportunities for nature walks. Kerry is a photographer’s paradise as well, offering many scenic lookouts where shots can be framed using the natural beauty of the countryside as one’s backdrop. For the sightseer, there is the famed Ring of Kerry scenic drive that can be made, as well as viewing the wonders of the nearby Dingle Peninsula.
Valentia Island is located nearby, and interestingly enough, it can be reached by road. There are also many attractions located right in the county town of Tralee, which is home to the famed Rose of Tralee Festival that takes place each year. Tralee is also home to the commercial port facility, which is one of the premier facilities of its kind in all of Europe. Other notable towns in this county include Abbeydorney and Ballylongford, each containing its own unique flavour and ambience. Abbeydorney is probably best known for its railway station that has served the province since the late 1800’s. It services the track line going from Tralee to Limerick, making those areas easily accessible to the residents of County Kerry. Ballylongford, whose name means the "anchorage ford mouth" in the Irish language, is a quaint little village best known for its laid back, easy style of living. You won’t find an active nightlife here, but you will find an unassuming people who are friendly and welcoming to those who take the time to visit their humble community.
Visitors to County Kerry can enjoy all manner of activities, from world championship level golf courses, to a variety of water sports including scuba diving and boating. The area is also popular with windsurfing and surfing enthusiasts of all skill levels. There are plenty of opportunities for boating here, including sailing, cruising and fishing, with plenty of watercraft available for hire either with or without crew. Personalised USB sticks.
Bicyclers also flock to County Kerry since there are a variety of scenic bike trails with much to see along the way. There’s hill walking as well, since Kerry contains plenty of both flat and hilly terrain, making it a suitable area for walkers and hikers of all fitness levels.
Scenic drives are also quite popular with tourists to County Kerry. In fact, the drive from Tralee to Brandon is a particular favourite since it goes through some of the most breathtaking natural scenic wonders in all of Ireland. In fact, there are a series of oil paintings that capture these wonders hanging in the Brandon Art Gallery, also located in Kerry County.
Climbers can head over to nearby Mount Brandon. Hike to the summit and experience some of the most magnificent views of nature at its best.
County Kerry is also home to several resort towns dotting the coast, and these too provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for residents and tourists alike. Fishing, golf, water sports and cycling are just a few of the activities on tap at these resorts.
For the serious shopper, County Kerry offers a variety of opportunities, most notably if one is looking for hand-made craft work. Kerry is well-known for its knitwear, pottery and art. A wide variety of highly skilled artisans maintain shops throughout the county where they sell their often one-of-a-kind wares. Often they are available to do custom pieces and will bargain with visitors who are interested in getting the best price on high quality crafts unique to this area of the world.
If one thing had to be singled out for having put County Kerry on the map, it would have to be the natural scenic wonders so plentiful here, along with the mild year-round weather that makes seeing them a pleasure. Visitors seem to be drawn to County Kerry, even though there are far more “happening” counties in Ireland. Kerry just draws its visitors with the sheer beauty contained within its borders.