Gaeltacht Travel in Ireland

Beach, Dún Chaoin, Dingle Peninsula. Copyright GaeltachtTravel.com.

The Gaeltacht of Kerry is represented by 6 towns or villages: Baile an Fheirtéaraigh (Ballyferriter), Baile na Sceilge (Ballinskelligs), Ceann Trá (Ventry), An Daingean (Dingle), Dún Chaoin (Dunquin) and An Fheothanach (Feothanach).

Kerry’s Landscape

County Kerry is traditionally known as The Kingdom. It’s situated in the south-west of Ireland. Kerry has two contrasting types of terrain – the mountains of the Beara, Iveragh and Dingle peninsulas, and the plains that stretch as far north as the Shannon estuary. Along the coast, sandy bays, cliffs and rocky headlands alternate, that is if you can see them. The Kerry Mountains are the first landmass on the edge of the Atlantic, which means that the moist or better, wet air masses hit the coast with its most powerful force and drop most of its humidity in the shape of heavy rain and fog in Kerry.

Just off Kerry’s coast are a number of islands, including Na Blascaoidí (The Blasket Islands), Valentia Island and the Skelligs. The Skelligs are two small, steep and rocky islands, the Small and the Great Skellig, known for their puffin population and the early Christian monastery near the top of Scilig Mhichíl (Great Skellig), which put this island on the map of the World Heritage Site.

For accommodation information, check out our Kerry Gaeltacht Accommodation.

Na Blascaoidí – A Deserted Gaeltacht

View of the Blasket Islands from the mainland. Copyright GaeltachtTravel.com.

A visit to the Blasket Islands should be on the “must see” list of your trip. Na Blascaoidí (The Blasket Islands) are a group of islands off the west coast of Kerry. They were inhabited until 1953 by a completely Irish-speaking population, the hardships of life on the islands left behind in favour of the modern facilities offered on the mainland. Many of the descendants currently live in Springfield, Massachusetts and some former residents still live on the Dingle peninsula. The Blasket Islands and the people who used to live there have marked the Irish cultural heritage in a great extent.

The Islanders wrote a number of books about their harsh life, every day battle for survival and traditions that kept them going. These include An tOileánach (The Islandman) by Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig by Peig Sayers and Fiche Blian ag Fás (Twenty Years a Growing) by Muiris Ó Súilleabháin. The six principal islands of the Blaskets are: An Blascaod Mór (Great Blasket Island), Beiginis (Beginish), Inis na Bró (Inishnabro), Inis Mhic Uileáin (Inishvickillane), Inis Tuaisceart (Inishtooskert) and An Tiaracht (Tearaght Island).

The Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a tourist trail in County Kerry. The route covers the 170 km circular road, starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin. Popular points include Muckross House (near Cill Áirne – Killarney), Staigue stone fort and Derrynane House, home of Daniel O’Connell. South of Killarney you will find Ross Castle, Lough Leane, and Ladies View all located within Killarney National Park. You can explore this beautiful part of Ireland by car, with a coach tour, or if you’re in great shape you can even cycle it.

Muckross House, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Copyright GaeltachtTravel.com.

However, if you want to experience the real Kerry, the smaller ring of Kerry might be the answer for you. It’s suitable for hikers and cyclists, while the cars and big tourist coaches don’t look too reliable on those narrow roads of the old Ireland, however, they do show up in great numbers and spoil the pleasure a little. To make it a little easier the coaches do only drive clockwise on the ring. If you want to cycle the small ring, don’t save on time, take a couple of days and enjoy the slow cycle and the magnificent views of the countryside. The small ring is situated entirely on Corca Dhuibhne (Dingle Peninsula). It starts in An Daingean (Dingle), where you can rent the bikes, and continues to the north-west towards Baile na nGall (Ballydavid).

On the way from Baile na nGall to Baile an Fheirtéaraigh (Ballyferriter) there are long and quiet sandy beaches, perfect for picnics, horse riding or even swimming for the brave. (Don’t forget to tidy up the spot before you leave). Baile an Fheirtéaraigh (Ballyferriter) is a lovely little town on your way to Dún Chaoin (Dunquin). This could be the first challenge as there are some ups and downs in the landscape. The route continues to the magnificent Ceann Sléibhe (Slea Head). Stop and spend the night in the traditional B&B Feirm Chinn Sléibhe – Slea Head Farm, run by native Irish speakers. Onwards through Ceann Trá (Ventry) (great beaches again – Trá is a beach in Irish) and ends in An Daingean (Dingle). There are some roads that cross this ring and would be suitable for more advanced cyclists.

A boat in An Daingean (Dingle), Co. Kerry Gaeltacht. Copyright GaeltachtTravel.com.

Historical Sites of Kerry

The beaches aren’t the only attraction of the Dingle Peninsula or Kerry as a whole. There are numerous historical sites that make a person wonder about the mighty history of the island. The western end of the Dingle Peninsula, and its offshore islands, preserve ancient monuments. They include Iron Age fortifications such ad Dunmore and Dunbeg; beehive huts used probably for secular purposes (such as pilgrimage shelters), Early Christian monuments such as monastic sites, cross-inscribed pillars, and small stone oratories; Ogham stones; a romanesque church at Kilmalkeadar, influenced by Cormac’s chapel at Cashel, and a promontory fort at Dunanoir which played a tragic role in the Elizabethan wars.

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