County Kerry is deservedly renowned for its scenic vistas and picture postcard beauty. The coastline is magnificent and inland you will find rolling green hills, Ireland's highest mountains, Carrantuohill and Mount Brandon and pretty lakes.
The southwest coast of the region has three peninsulas: the Beara, the Iveragh, and the Dingle; and the road known as the Ring of Kerry makes a complete circuit of the Iveragh Peninsula. The most visited part of Kerry is Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, though it is very easy to get off the tourist trail and find a piece of Ireland all to yourself.
Jaunting Car Trips
The traditional way to tour all of the local 'beauty spots' is by Jaunting Car (local 'unique' horsedrawn carriage), in the company of a 'Jarvey' (driver & guide) who will spin the 'old stories' at every corner on the road. Jaunting Cars are available for large groups and independent travellers. Tours include The Lakes, Ross Castle, Muckross House & Gardens, Torc Waterfall and, just about anywhere in Killarney you might want to visit.
Boat Trips & Inisfallen
No visit to Killarney is complete without taking a boat trip on its famous and enchanting lakes. The visitor has a choice of organised group boating trips in open lake boats, group & independent trips on the all-weather luxury Lake Cruisers or, in 'self-propelled' rowing boats. One stop you should make is Inisfallen Island and its monastic ruins dating back to the 11th Century.
The Ring of Kerry and the Iveragh Peninsula
The Ring of Kerry is a 104 mile (166 km) drive around the coastline of the Iveragh peninsula. The trip can be made comfortably in one day and the scenery is stunning with breath-taking views over the Atlantic. There are plenty of bus tours of the Ring of Kerry that also take in the main tourist attractions of the area.
The Inner Ring
A beautiful drive which skirts the foothills of McGillycuddy's Reeks and Lough Acoose and crosses one of the most wild landscapes of Ireland - the Ballaghbeama Pass - before joining the Ring of Kerry road at Moll's Gap and returning to Killarney. About 2.5 hours drive.
The Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is the most westerly part of Europe and stretches away from the mainland offering mountains for hiking, sandy beaches and some of the best celtic ruins in Ireland. The films Ryan's Daughter and Far and Away were filmed on the peninsula.
The Skellig Rocks
Weather permitting a trip to the Skellig Rocks is a fine way to spend a day. The Island of Skellig Michael was once the spartan retreat of a group of monks, who lived in the beehive-shaped stone cells at the summit.