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Suggested Tours and Self Drive Itineraries around Killarney
and Ireland's South West
Killarney Highlights
This is the Local Highlights Tour of approx. 3 hours duration, taking
in all of the key local attractions e.g. Aghadoe (panoramic view
of Killarney Lake district), Kate Kearney’s Cottage (Gateway
to Gap of Dunloe), Ross Castle (15th Century restored Castle), Muckross
House, Gardens & Traditional Farms (Magnificent Victorian Mansion & Gardens
in the National Park), Torc Waterfall and Lake Views, etc.
Gap of Dunloe
Arguably, the most varied and exciting tour in Ireland. The Gap of
Dunloe Tour is of approx. 7 hours duration. The day begins with a
coach ride to Kate Kearney's Cottage where, after partaking of suitable
refreshments, the visitor then travels through the 7mile Gap of Dunloe
mountain pass on horseback, horse drawn trap or on foot if so desired,
to Lord Brandon’s Cottage on the shore of the Upper Lake. Lunch
can then be had before departing by boat through each of Killarney’s
three lakes, arriving at the 15th Century Ross Castle, where your
coach awaits to return you to Killarney.
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is the most renowned scenic tour in Ireland. Throughout
its 110 miles and 7 hour duration, you will travel around the MacGillicuddy
Reeks and the Iveragh Peninsula, along the breathtaking Atlantic
coast, Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay, returning to Killarney through
the famed Molls Gap, Ladies View and Killarney National Park. Enroute,
are the lovely coastal villages of Glenbeigh, Waterville, Caherdaniel
and Sneem and the thriving market towns of Killorglin and Caherciveen.
The beautiful town of Kenmare is included in some tours and is a
must for the independent traveller. The Ring embraces many points
of historic and archaeological interest such as, Caherciveen Heritage
Centre, The Skellig Rocks, The Skellig Experience (Valentia Island),
Derrynane House & National Gardens, prehistoric Staigue Fort
and Kenmare Heritage Centre.
Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head
Slea Head is Europe’s most westerly point and its outlying
historic Blasket Islands are known locally as the “next parish
to America”. The unsurpassed beauty of its rugged coastline
and landscape inspired the famous film director David Lean, to shoot
his epic film “Ryan’s Daughter” on location on
the Dingle Peninsula. The landscape has over 2,000 ancient historic
and archaelogical sites and early Christian dwellings such as, Gallarus
Oratory (9th Century Christian Oratory), Beehive Huts (early Christian
Monks dwellings) and the Blasket Islands Interpretive Centre. This
tour passes through Milltown, Castlemaine and Inch before arriving
at the beautiful fishing harbour town of Dingle, home of Dingle Oceanworld
and Ireland’s favourite dolphin – “Funghie”.
This trip takes approx. 6 hours. Other famous scenic spots and locations
include the Conor Pass (Ireland’s highest mountain pass), Brandon
Mountain (Ireland’s second highest mountain), Inch Beach, The
Maharees and Brandon Point.
Beara Peninsula
Forming the coastal boundary between Kerry and Cork, the Beara Peninsula
is the third of the great touring peninsulas of the south-west. This
tremendous scenic tour takes in Kilgarvan, Kenmare, numerous coastal
villages (Tuosist, Lauragh and Ardgroom) on the Kerry coast and through
the West Cork coast fishing ports of Castletownbere, Bantry and the
beautiful town of Glengarriff and nearby Garnish Island Italian Gardens.
Places of interest include the Healy Pass, Bonane Heritage Park,
Gleninchaquin and Derreen Gardens.
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