Annie's Blog
Touring Kerry - My County
As we approach the end of 2020, a year that put the touring business in a state of upheaval, I used my spare time to review what tours I offer and particularly recommend.
As a experienced tour guide, who for a number of years has toured every part of Ireland, I have often pondered what is the most beautiful part of this beautiful island. There are many locations which would qualify for this title, plenty of competition. But for me, my mind keeps coming back to the county where I was born and reared and where I have always lived, County Kerry.
County Kerry, situated in the South West of Ireland is one of the coastal counties of the Wild Atlantic Way. A rural county it is drenched with natural beauty and it has attracted visitors from far and wide since transportation began. With a population o roughly 140,000, and given its location, its not one of Ireland’s Industrial Hubs like Dublin, Cork, Limerick or Galway. Its rural terrain helps keep its attractive scenery and topography. To put it a simpler way, its unspoilt.
Kerry’s coastline could only be described as awesome. Rugged coastline formed over many years by erosion from the roaring Atlantic seas and dotted with golden sand beaches, it give the visitor a jolt as they progress through every corner of the roads that border it. High on my last of special places on the coast is The Skellig Ring, a magical drive centred on The UNESCO Protected Skellig Islands. On one of these islands fifteen hundred years ago Irish Monks established a very special Monastery. The remains of the monastery still exist. I grew up in this area, I know every side road and corner. The magic from those islands lit up my childhood. I looked at them every day, but even today when I see them again its still special.

The Skellig Road is part of a trip on The Ring of Kerry. This route is the best known and most visited driving route in Ireland. Don’t be put off by those that tell you there are too many buses on it. Tour with me and I’ll bring you to places on this route no package tour ever gets to. Its a full days touring but well worth it.
Aside from the Ring of Kerry, Dingle and everything west of the town is another magical tour. Not only is the scenery stunning, but on this route you will experience one of the oldest languages in the world, the Gaelic Language. This area is one of the few parts of Ireland where the original Irish language is still used as the primary means of communication. A visit to The Blasket Centre on this route will educate you on the origins of this mystical brogue. Again another day tour well worth doing. Keep your camera ready to photo the sheep you will meet on this route (see photo above).
Another precious scenic area in Kerry is Killarney and its adjoining lakes and mountains. Set inland, Killarney Town is situated in a valley. The Lakes and Mountain scenery around the town will blow you away. A guided boat trip on these lakes followed by a walk through the Gap of Dunloe will be an experience you will never forget. Let me show you this lagoon of beauty. Again be sure to bring your camera.
I could list many more locations in Kerry that are a dream to tour. Locations like Kenmare, The Beara Peninsula, Tralee, Kerry Head and North Kerry are in themselves a paradise to explore.
If you are thinking of coming to Ireland in 2021, send me an email and include Kerry in your bucket list of what to see while here. You will be delighted you decided to do so.