With a global market size of trillions of dollars, tourism is a truly massive industry, with some countries’ economies almost entirely dependent on it. For a lot of people, going on holiday to a different country, or a different part of their own, is the highlight of their year, and it’s not difficult to see why. Travelling offers an amazing opportunity to see breathtaking sights, expose ourselves to new experiences, de-stress after long periods of work or maybe even discover something new about ourselves. County Kerry is somewhere you need to add to your travel list.
However, with rising costs of living, inflation and the emergence of a lot of new diseases, a lot of which are spread to different areas through air travel, it might not be the best idea to think of going abroad on a holiday, if it’s a possibility at all. With international tourism taking a hit, a lot of people have started to explore their own countries more, and luckily, County Kerry has a lot to offer in that department as well.
Killarney is one of the best places to visit in the country. It offers a variety of sights to see, from religious sites like St. Mary’s Cathedral and Muckross Abbey to historic places like Ross Castle and the Muckross House to the natural beauty of Killarney National Park, the first national park in Ireland. It has also been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1981.
The park has three lakes, with the largest one, Lough Leane, hosting Innisfallen Island in its waters, another popular tourist site. It’s a good idea to be prepared for going off the beaten track with emergency supplies and a tech survival kit for emergencies in remote areas, though these lakes shouldn’t give you too much trouble.
The town also has horse-drawn carriages called “jaunting cars,” which one can use to go sightseeing in the area. Tourism is the biggest industry in the town and it has won the Best Kept Town award and has been named Ireland’s cleanest town in the past. Killarney is also well connected to all the major cities in Ireland.
Source: “Dingle Harbour. Kerry. Ireland” by Jim Linwood (CC BY 2.0)
The only town in the Dingle peninsula, Dingle, is another notable tourist site in County Kerry. With thrilling landscapes, clear water, and art exhibits, it would be a true delight for any tourist. There are many long stretches of beaches in the area, including ones like Coumeenole Beach, which leads out to Blasket Island. Brandon Bay, located on the north side of the peninsula, is a large bay with ideal conditions for windsurfing.
The nearby Mahrees area is a popular water sports location. The Dingle Food Festival, which takes place in October over the course of two days, is also an attraction of its own. Another notable event in the area is the Fiele na Bealtaine arts festival, which is hosted on a weekend in May. Other places of interest include Dingle’s St. Mary’s and The Chapel of the Sacred Heart, both built in the 1800s. The town is connected to the Kerry airport and other nearby towns.
These are just two of the phenomenal travel destinations that County Kerry has to offer. One needn’t go far to make a holiday worthwhile; sometimes the best things are right next door!
