Things to do in Kerry:
1. Kerry County Museum & Geraldine Tralee: a fascinating guide to the archaeological riches and heritage of the county. Starting with the first settlers at Ferriter’s Cove in the Dingle Peninsula, explore the archaeology and history of the county. A trek through the award-winning Antarctica Exhibition reveals how a heroic Annascaul man, Tom Crean played a major role in the exploration of the frozen continent in the early 20th century.
2.Tralee Town Park: A wonderful oasis in the heart of Tralee. The park comprises of 35 acres of restful expanse with leisure walks, rose gardens, children’s playground and “Garden of the Senses”. The park hosts an annual Garden Festival on the 3rd weekend of June.
3. Tralee & Dingle Steam Railway: Europe’s most westerly rail line links Tralee with Blennerville on the coast, a distance of 3km. The carriages are fitted out in the traditional manner and depart every half hour in the summer season.
4. Blennerville Windmill & Craft Centre: A living reminder of Ireland’s rich, industrial heritage. The working windmill has been painstakingly restored and now visitors are guided by the miller through each element of the flour making process. The centre also features an exhibition covering Blennerville’s colourful history as a main port of emigration during the Great Famine (1845-50).
5.The Aqua Dome: Ireland largest waterworld features a range of exciting features for children & adults alike. The Aqua Dome’s unique design feauters a Castle, complete with whirlpool spa and water canons as well as an area designed exclusively for small children.
6. Siamsa Tire: The showcase for Ireland’s celtic culture through music, dance, storytelling and mime. Siamsa Tire is reknowed internationally for its exciting performances and has presented an important aspect of Irish cultural life all over the world.
7. Rose of Tralee International Festival: Annual event in the 3rd week of August. As well as street theatre, family entertainment, live music and concerts, there is the Rose of Tralee selection which takes place over 2 nights. Thousands of people come from all over the world to experience the entertainment, parades, fireworks, and fun; as well as to see who will be crowned Rose of Tralee from the Roses who have traveled to the festival from the four corners of the g lobe.
8. Samhlíocht Chiarrai - Celebrating the Art of Kerry's Imagination. The uniqueness of Samhlaíocht has been its ability since its foundation to bring together the people of Kerry and its artistic community to provide a wide range of events.
9. Predator Paintball: Predator Paintball is the most stimulating adrenaline packed game of our time. It is the ultimate high tech pursuit sport ever conceived, given an action packed day of teamwork, strategy a skill never to be forgotten. A day of predator will be the best day of your life. In Predator Wargame it's a case of ATTACK or be ATTACKED, AMBUSH or be AMBUSHED, SHOOT or be SHOT
10. Tralee Races: 2 meetings annualy
May - Kerry Festival Meeting – Last Weekend in May
August – Rose Meeting – Last week in August
Tralee Golf Club is just an 8 mile drive from Tralee and is located in a beautiful setting at Barrow Peninsula, this 18 hole Links Golf Course was opened in 1984 and was the first European golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. "I designed the first nine but surely God designed the back nine", Palmer explained. "I am happy that we have one of the worlds' great golf links here."
Dooks Golf Links, Ceann Sibeal - For the golfer who is seeking a beautiful and tranquil environment to enjoy good golf. Dooks presents a convincing case.
Killarney Golf club - Killarney Golf and Fishing Club are widely considered the jewels of the southwest and very deserving of their title - "The Nearest Golf Club to Heaven!". Nestled amongst the splendor of the famous lakes of Killarney and with the spectacular backdrop of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland's highest mountain range, lies three unique Lakeside courses to challenge you - Mahonys Point, Lackbane & Killeen.
Dingle Golf Links, Ceann Sibeal - Championship Links. Each hole on this magnificent links is carved from the natural landscape of one of the most unspoiled parts of Europe, with hazards laid down long before the game of golf was dreamt of, including a winding "burn" that twists and turns through the entire course.
Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club - Famed for its spectacular scenery, its VIP playing guest list and the intoxicating hospitality of the Kerry people, the Ring of Kerry Golf and Country Club has now established itself as the "must play" course of any golfer visiting Ireland's south west.
Castle Island Golf Course - A new parkland course, built on 200 acres, with modern sand-based greens and tees. This excellent course is built to the highest championship standards, which allows the course to be played throughout the year.
Slí na Sláinte - Slí na Sláinte is a health promotion initiative aimed at encouraging people of all ages and abilities to walk for pleasure and good health. Since its introduction by the Irish Heart Foundation in 1996, Sli has grown to include a network of almost 140 walking routes around the country. These are marked by bright colourful poles at Km intervals.
The North Kerry Way - "Slí Chiarraí Thuaidh" in Irish - is one of Ireland 's long-distance pathways approved by the National Waymarked Ways Committee. Its total length is 48 km (near enough to 29 miles). Average walkers should find little difficulty in completing it in two days, but it can be broken up into shorter stages.
The Dingle Way Trail - This walk completes a circuit of the Dingle Peninsula , starting and finishing in the capital of Kerry - Tralee . The trail is 179km long and takes an adult who is reasonably fit an average of 8-9 days to walk.
Nature has blessed Kerry with a wonderful number and variety of beaches, several of the m just a short drive from Tralee . The vast expanses of Banna to the north and Derrymore to the west are hugely popular. Likewise Ballybunion and Maherees, where the delights of sea and sand are augmented by a diversity of entertainments and sea sports.
The bonus is that many of the county's beaches have safety and cleanliness endorsement in the form of European Flags. The County Council has worked hard to secure those flags.
A new 100-berth marina facility has been developed at Fenit, just 8 miles from Tralee . Fenit is also the home of Tralee Sailing Club and Tralee & Fenit Sea Angling Club both of whom have developed extensive clubhouse facilities.
The recently rehabilitated Tralee & Fenit ship canal further enhances opportunities for water based leisure activities in and about the town. Fenit, Banna and Ballyheigue Blue Flag beaches are all within easy reach of Tralee also.
Racing:
Listowel Horse Racing
2006 Fixtures:
June - Sunday 4th June 2006, Monday 5th June 2006
September - 7 Day Festival: Monday 18th to Sunday 24th September 2006
Killarney Horse Racing
2006 Fixtures:
May Festival: Sunday 7th - Tuesday 9th
July Festival: Monday 17th - Thursday 20th
September Festival:Sunday 3rd
Kingdom Greyhound Racing
Regular Race nights Friday & Saturdays (Tuesdays from May - Sept)
Horse Riding:
We can organise horse riding over the Kerry mountains or on one of our dramatic beaches.
Padraig Hayes Tel: 066 7117800 / 087 2629292, Kennedy's, Ballyard Tel: 066 26453,
El Rancho, Ballyard Tel: 066 21840
Outdoor Adventure:
Ballyloughran Outdoor Adventure Centre - Ballyloughran centre has first class indoor, including a leisure complex, and outdoor facilities to offer visitors interested in an active holiday. The leisure complex includes a swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and gymnasium and outdoors you can partake of tennis, canoeing, crazy golf, pitch & putt, orienteering etc. Fully qualified instructors are available for all activities. Contact the Centre at: +353 68 47222
Crag Caves - Discovered in 1983 and thought to be over one million years old Crag Cave is a magical wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites. It is an all weather visitor attraction located in Castleisland Co. Kerry. A visit to Crag Cave will delight and enthrall all ages and our friendly guides will be pleased to explain the origins of the cave, describe its many beautiful formations and introduce visitors to a world older than mankind. Open daily mid March to November 1st.
Cappanlea Outdoor Adventure Centre - Courses are run at either introductory or at more advanced levels of proficiency. So whether you are young or not so young, whether you are fit or not quite so fit, whether you are by yourself or with a group...Cappanalea is the place for you.
