County Kerry / Co. Ciarraí All photos kindly supplied by MacMongle Publications, Killarney, Co. KerryPhotos clockwise from bottom left: The Lakes of Killarney, The Blennerville Windmill, Fushia which blooms in the hedgerows all summer, The Conor Pass north of Dingle port, The Rose of Tralee, Clogher Strand, 14ft gallaun at Kilshannig in The Maharees, Fishing boats at Dingle Pier, Iced up Cummeenslaun Lake, Inch Beach where "Ryan's Daughter" was filmed and Muckross House gardens. In the centre, Fungi the dolphin who has come to live in Dingle Bay and is loved by all. County Kerry is Ireland's most popular tourist destination. With the main tourist attractions of the Lakes of Killarney, Dingle penninsula and the Ring of Kerry all within an hours drive. Kerry can be roughly divided into two areas; North Kerry - Tralee the capital of Kerry is truly a unique city. By most standards [in size and population] it would be classed only as a country town - yet it has more places to visit, more entertainment and sports facilities all year round than many large cities. It hosts the world famous Rose of Tralee Festival and the Siamsa Folk Theatre of Ireland; there are a dozen golf courses within a half-hour drive of Tralee; a steam railway, an indoor Sports Centre, Museums, and is the centre of the fabulous North Kerry region. The spectacular coastline ranges from rugged sheer cliffs to some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Ireland like Inch and Banna which are miles in length to sandy coves like Ballybunion, Ventry, and safe harbours like Fenit and Dingle. The countryside ranges from rich farmland to wild mountains that rise steeply from the sea which makes it fine touring country. It has many of the finest wild life sanctuaries such as the Inch / Annascaul area of the Dingle Peninsula. South Kerry South Kerry in one of Ireland's best known tourist destinations as it is renowned world wide for the beauty of the Lakes of Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. But there is much much more to see and do. It is an area of two long peninsulas dotted with secluded beaches and coves which rise up to the highest mountains in Ireland. Starting in the South is the Beara Peninsula, divided between Co. Cork & Kerry, with Bantry Bay on the southern side (one of the deepest bays in Europe). It was from Valentia Island on the Western tip of the peninsula that the first transatlantic telephone cable was laid. The biggest peninsula is the Iveragh Peninsula (Gaelic: Uibh Rathach), where the "Ring of Kerry" Tour is located (Cahersiveen). The area is dotted with lakes and beautiful beaches. The highest mountains in Ireland are here, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks with the highest peak Carrauntoohil at 1038 metres. The mountains drop down to the northeast to the Lakes of Killarney which can be seen in all their splendour from Ladies View. Even by car it will take many days to tour the area © DM - 1994 - 2006. - All rights reserved. Back to Destination Ireland Homepage or Main Server