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Mention tourist magnets in Ireland and one place keeps cropping up - the Ring of Kerry.
But the world-renowned Ring is much more than just one place – it is more a state of mind. It boasts such raw beauty that it is hardly surprising that it is one of the most must-see areas of the globe.
Those planning to go there should set at least a full day aside for the pleasure.
Taking Killarney – where better? – as a starting point, the journey will take you through Fossa, Beaufort, Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Kells, Caherciveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel and Sneem while a visit to Kenmare – Kerry’s tidiest town – is also essential.
The attractions of Killarney are already well known, but there is much more to the Ring of Kerry than that.
Killorglin is a charming country town that is home to Puck Fair, a world famous pageant during which a wild goat is captured and crowned King and he is master of all he surveys from his lofty pedestal in the town square every August.
At Kells there is a splendid beach to be savoured and, moving further on into Caherciveen, the capital of South West Kerry, there are so many activities to enjoy.
As well as wandering around the many shops in this busy town you can visit the spectacular heritage centre which is based in the Old Barracks.
For those that want to make a splash, there are some fine beaches within a stone’s throw of the town including the Blue Flag beach, The White Strand. These wonderful unspoilt beaches offer something for the entire family who seek to get away from the hustle and bustle for a good day at the beach.
In Caherciveen there is also a heritage trail, which should keep all the family entertained for a couple of hours.
Then of course there is the Skellig Rock. Standing spectacularly in the Atlantic Ocean, this is a place that has enchanted writers, poets, artists, and monks for hundreds of years.
Nowadays, it can be easily accessed by taking a boat from Portmagee, Valentia or Ballinskelligs. It is a trip which is a must for any person who wants to get a sense of a past time.
Just beyond Caherciveen at Renard Point, there is a car ferry running to Valentia Island, which allows you to travel with ease to the second biggest island off the Kerry Coast.
The relaxed and scenic atmosphere in Knightstown will make any visitor feel at ease in what can rightly be described as convivial surroundings.
Further down the road in Waterville there are several things to do, the most obvious of which is play golf and fish on Waterville Lake.
But with art and photo exhibitions now commonplace in the village, there are alternatives open to visitors when it rains.
This is also the case in Ballinskelligs where Siopa Cill Rialaig in the village of Dungegan offers visitors the chance to see the best in art and crafts.
The vibrant villages of Caherdaniel and Castlecove stand close to some more fine beaches along that most impressive stretch of coastline all the way to Sneem, that village which offers the best in food, crafts and entertainment.
Couple with this the many small areas of culture and beauty which offer the visitor something different, such as The Glen, Dromid and Portmagee and it becomes clear that this is region well worth visiting.
North and West Kerry have become a real lure for tourists
While, as a tourist attraction, the town of Tralee has had to live in the shadow of nearby Killarney for many generations, the North Kerry capital has now come very much into its own.
Destinations like Tralee, Listowel and Ballybunion are now essential stopovers for those visiting Kerry. In Tralee town, visitors can enjoy many attractions like the magnificent Aquadome. Listowel is the literary capital of Ireland and the North Kerry area has produced such noted scholars as John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Brendan Kennelly and Gabriel Fitzmaurice.
Great visual improvements have taken place in Listowel town in recent years and the area is now one of the most attractive in the south west.
Just a short drive from Tralee – or Killarney – is Dingle which is fast becoming one of the most in-demand tourist destinations in the country. The rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula has drawn many visitors to the area time and time again. From every corner of the world they have come, some finding the culture and spirit of Corca Dhuibhne irrestistable. Dingle is, and always has been, the commercial hub of the Kerry Gaeltacht.
A bustling town with a charm all of its own, it attracts more and more tourists every year. Dingle is alive to the sound of traditional Irish music - one of its many charms.
Of course, visitors to the area cannot but be intrigued by the history of the area. An archaeological survey on this peninsula has identified more than 2,000 pre-historic sites - an even heavier prehistoric presence than in Southeast England.
Since Ryan’s Daughter so memorably hit cinema screens around the world, Dingle has provided the backdrop for many films and television programmes, including Far And Away, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
And then, of course, Dingle also has Fungi the dolphin who remains the only real rival to the lakes of Killarney for the title of the jewel in the crown of Kerry tourism.
You can’t buy Killarney but you can share in its magic
How can you buy Killarney? The simple answer, of course, is you can’t but you can have a share of the wonderful capital of Irish tourism by taking a short break – or a long vacation – there.
Mention tourism and Ireland in the one sentence and Killarney springs to mind immediately.
For generations, the town has been warmly embracing visitors who have been mesmerised by the sheer beauty of the area, the friendliness of the natives and the fact that the natural attractions are now mirrored in the town itself.
Up until the early 1980s, Killarney seemed to suffer somewhat from an identity crisis and the town itself did not reflect the natural beauty of the area that is known throughout the world as Heaven’s Reflex.
But a determined policy introduced by Killarney Town Council set about implementing a development plan which was aimed at completely rejuvenating the town and giving it a new sense of purpose.
Plastic and neon were immediately banned, flowers and shrubs were planted at every conceivable vantage point, incentives were introduced to encourage public participation, and the end results are there for all to see.
Local traders willingly played their part by improving their shop fronts and local residents rallied to the cause by erecting flower baskets and hanging baskets outside their homes.
The rewards have been many. Killarney has been totally transformed and it now ranks among the main prizewinners in the annual tidy towns competition every year. The town has also scooped a silver medal representing Ireland in the prestigious Entente Florale competition to determine the identity the best town to live in in Europe –.
Killarney now has the infrastructure and visual urban amenities to match its many surrounding attractions.
These attractions are many, including the famous lakes, Killarney National Park, Muckross House and Gardens and a wonderful choice of golf courses.
Much of the credit for the visual improvements in Killarney town must be attributed to the annual Killarney Looking Good Competition – sponsored by The Kingdom newspaper and organised by Killarney Working Group.
It offers prizes in a number of categories, including best street, best hotel, best private residence and best guest house and the public has really risen to the challenge, ensuring that the competition grows in size and stature every year.
In nearby Kenmare, the locals have also made their mark in the tidy towns competition, winning the prestigious overall award in 2001.
In clinching that much sought-after title, the town emulated the achievements of the nearby beautiful village of Sneem which won the top award some years earlier.
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