County Kerry Contains Some of Ireland’S Most Iconic Killarney Scenery: Surf-Pounded Sea Cliffs and Soft Golden Strands, National Park

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CountyPOP 145,500 / AREA 4746 SQ KM Kerry

Includes  Why Go? Killarney...... 255 County Kerry contains some of Ireland’s most iconic Killarney scenery: surf-pounded sea cliffs and soft golden strands, National Park...... 260 ­emerald-green farmland criss-crossed by tumbledown stone Ring of Kerry...... 267 walls, mist-shrouded bogs and cloud-torn mountain peaks. Killorglin...... 268 With one of the country’s finest national parks as its backyard, the lively tourism hub of Killarney spills over with Caherciveen ...... 269 colourful shops, restaurants and pubs loud with spirited Valentia Island...... 271 trad music. The town is the jumping-off point for Kerry’s Dingle Peninsula...... 279 two famed loop drives: the larger Ring of Kerry skirts the Dingle Town...... 281 mountainous, island-fringed Iveragh Peninsula. The more Blasket Islands...... 290 compact Dingle Peninsula is like a condensed version of its southern neighbour, with ancient Christian sites, sandy Northern Kerry...... 292 beaches and glimpses of a hard, unforgiving land. Tralee...... 292 Kerry’s exquisite beauty makes it one of Ireland’s most Listowel...... 295 popular tourist destinations. But if you need to escape from the crowds, there’s always a mountain pass, an isolated cove or an untrodden trail to discover. Best Places to Eat When to Go? ¨ ¨Jacks Coastguard Lots of festivals take place throughout the county during the Restaurant (p270) warmer months, particularly from June to August (when ¨¨Smuggler’s Inn (p275) you’ll need to book accommodation well ahead). ¨¨Idás (p285) Some of the highlights on Kerry’s annual calendar in- clude Listowel’s Writers’ Week in June and Dingle town’s ¨ ¨Spillane’s (p292) races and regatta in August. Killorglin’s famous Puck Fes- ¨¨Tom Crean Fish & Wine tival, which dates back to the 17th century, also takes place (p279) in August. Even in the depths of winter, you’ll find storytellers and musicians taking part in impromptu sessions in pubs Best Walks throughout the county. ¨¨Muckross Lake Loop (p261) ¨¨Bentee Loop (p270) ¨¨Mt Brandon (p289) ¨¨The Saint’s Road (p289) ¨¨Carrauntoohil (p267) a y k e K l # \ e e d r r s i r r a e a

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