Things To Do & Places To See
Around Ballinskelligs and the Ring of Kerry
This part of Ireland has so much to offer the visitor. Whether you are a first-timer or frequently
return to this area, there is always ssomething going on and something new to see. This page gives you just a taste
of things to do and places to go - for young and old alike - so please take the time to browse through it and plan
what you are going to do.
Sand, Sea and Fun
Water Sports including surfing, sailing, diving, kayaking, power boating and more,
available in Ballinskelligs, Valentia, Cahersiveen Marina and Caherdaniel. Swimming
and water safety lessons available on several local beaches throughout July and August.
For the Outdoor Life
Hiking |
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Hill walking and the renowned Kerry Way |
Walking |
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Celtic ruins, standing stones, cliffs, mountain trails, lookout towers and gentle walks among the wildflowers, endless possibilities. |
Cycling |
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Cycle the Skellig Ring back to the Glen and beyond. Bicycles available for hire from Eamonn Casey, Cahersiveen. |
Golfing |
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Waterville Links and Skellig Bay Golf Course both near to Waterville. |
Fishing |
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Sea Angling and Fresh Water Fishing in nearby Waterville Lake and Rivers, Ghillies and passes available. |
Full Day Trips
A range of full day trips are available - on land or sea - to help you discover more
about this amazing part of Ireland:
Dingle Peninsula |
Dingle town, Sea World Aquarium |
Killarney |
Killarney Historic Town, Killarney National Park, Muckross House, Ross Castle |
Tralee |
Shopping, County Museum, Blennerville Windmill, Steam Train, Jeanie Johnston Shipyard, Cinema, Aquadome |
Around The Ring |
Touring the complete Ring of Kerry |
Kenmare |
Picturesque and quaint market town with many craft shops |
Special Events
Throughout the year there are many local events and festivals that bring the culture and the coutryside to life.
Below are some examples.
Sea Angling Competitions
Annually and attracting angling enthusiasts from across the World.
Ballinskelligs Regatta
Held every August.
Celtic Music Festival
Held annually in Cahersiveen over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Puck Fair
An ancient festival to celebrate ‘King Puck’ held every August 10th,
11th and 12th in Killorglin.
Cill Rialaig Art Centre Ballinskelligs
Regular exhibitions are held by nationally and
internationally renowned artists in a purpose-built Art Gallery. With excellent restaurant and
art shop on site, many works are for sale by artists who have stayed at the Artist’s Retreat in Cill Rialig.
Places to Visit
Cill Rialig Village
Restored Famine village now housing an artist’s retreat.
Skelligs Heritage Museum, Portmagee
Providing history and a virtual tour of the Skelligs.
Old Barracks Museum Cahirciveen
Local information and filmshow detailing local history.
Glanleam Gardens
Manor house with subtropical gardens on Valentia Island
Cable Station Museum
Providing history of the first trans-atlantic cable laid from Ballinskelligs to Newfoundland.
Valentia Slate Quarry and Grotto
Valentia slate was used in many landmark buildings including the Houses of Parliament in London.
The Skelligs Chocolate Factory
Situated in the Glen, making handmade artisan chocolates - see them being made!
Summer Christian Meditation Centr
In Ballinskelligs, a venue for Christian meditation and prayer hosting regular events.
Monastic Sites and Archaelogy
Ballinskelligs Abbey
Priory of Arroasion Cannons of St. Augustine 13th Century.
Ballinskelligs Castle
This is the ruins of a 16th Century Castle of Tower House.
This was built on the isthmus to defend the place from pirates.
Holy Well
The holy well of St. Michael. This well is dedicated to the saint who gave his name to the Priory.
Cill Rialaig Oramitical Site
With a ruined in Boat Shaped oratory. The ruins of two inscribed Pillars
and a substantial Caisael.
Cill Rialaig
Abandoned settlement on Bolus Head. Cill Rialaig was the birthplace of one of Irelands most
revered folklorist and story teller Seán O’Connall (1853 - 1931). Gradually
being restored house by house, it is now a retreat for artists from all over the world.
Watch Tower
Situated at Bolus Head.
Skellig Michael UNESCO World Heritage Site
Beehive Cells and Monastic remains. No visit to South West Kerry would be complete without a visit to this awesome,
6th century, monastic site where hardy monks lived in beehive huts. Today it’s inhabited by Gannets and the
world’s large colony of Puffins. Charter boats take you on the 8 mile trip available from Portmagee daily
throughout the Summer. Kilreelig alignment of four Standing Stones.
Note for history fans
There is a wonderful video called “The Edge of Europe” all
about the Early Christian Monks who lived, worked and worshipped in places such as Skellig Michael,
Ballinskelligs Abbey and Cill Rialaig. Available for local shops it is well worth watching.
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Latest News & Events
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Giant Inflatable TV screen comes to Ballinskelligs!!
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Fri 31st July - Live music with Katsquire
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Sun 2nd August - Live music in the afternoon with The Harmonicas and The Classics followed by Disco
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Tuesday 4th Aug - Live Music with Clare Horgan
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Wed 5th Aug - Karaoke followed by Disco
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