All-Ireland winning captain and GAA pundit Dara Ó Cinnéide once declared, in a rather partisan fashion, that; ‘Kerry is the Kingdom’ in a TV advert. It’s a moniker that’s thrown around quite a bit; however Kerry more than lives up to its name as one of the most unique places in the world. It’s breathtaking natural beauty and scenery allows it to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s top tourist destinations. Its charm and local culture is woven together in an intrinsic social fabric; travel fifteen miles in any direction and you will encounter distinctive cultures and custom that infuses the soul of the visitor.

As for activities, the sky’s the limit with all four corners of this coastal haven offering anything from sailing to horse-riding, mountain walking to wind-surfing, sea-angling to swimming with dolphins. Hospitality is at a premium in Kerry; years of welcoming tourists has paid dividends and now the visitor can enjoy anything from opulent award-winning 5* hotels and decadent guesthouses to friendly and accommodating local B&Bs, camp-sites and hostels. Dining is at a premium in Kerry, its restaurants regularly featuring in the columns of Ireland’s top food critics.

The Kerry pub is an entity in itself, celebrated from Boston to Bangkok, where a simple pint can quickly turn into an evening where stories are told, songs are sung and new friends are made. Indeed, music and local custom plays a vital part in the county’s psyche, clearly evident in the sheer number of cultural festivals hosted in Kerry throughout the year. However it is its people that are the real stars of the show.

SOUTH KERRY

The Ring of Kerry, a scenic route beginning in Killarney which takes in beauty and splendour of the county’s beautiful mountain ranges, lakes and forests, has been drawing visitors to Kerry for decades. This scenic drive remains one of Ireland’s top attractions as it offers visitors the chance to explore the beautiful villages and towns on the Ring, each one unique in its own right. South offers dramatic landscapes and a sense of peace, which simply cannot be replicated elsewhere. Killarney is a haven for tourists with top luxury hotels, quaint shops, restaurants and awe-inspiring scenery sure to delight and enthral.

WEST KERRY

The Dingle Peninsula offers a different type of scenery: raw, wild and rugged, its sea-scapes and jagged cliffs on Europe’s most westerly sea-board, has captivated thousands. With Dingle as its capital, tourists enjoy the craic in the pubs, the traditional music, fine sea-food restaurants as well as a multitude of water based activities (including day trips to see Fungie the Dolphin). A Gaeltacht area, the Irish language plays an important part in the area’s culture.

MID-KERRY

Kerry is the Kingdom, but in Killorglin, a Goat is crowned King every summer at Puck Fair, a cultural anomaly which draws thousands from across the globe every summer to this quaint rural town. Rolling countryside and a wealth of small villages such as Milltown, Cromane and Glenbeigh remain untouched by the greedy hand of consumerism. This is the magical appeal of the Mid-Kerry region; offering an authentic taste of Kerry with unspoiled countryside and a warm welcome to boot. It also offers a convenient touring base as it is ideally located in the county’s geographical heart. Kerry International Airport at Farranfore is also located in this region with Tralee and Killarney a mere 30 minutes away.

NORTH KERRY

Beautiful countryside combines with welcoming and quaint villages to offer the visitor a peaceful and serene abode. Conveniently, Tralee and Listowel are within reach offering shopping, dining and plenty other activities for the kids, such as Tralee’s Indoor water-park, the Aquadome, or nearby Castleisland’s underground cave network, Crag Caves. Sea-side towns such as Ballyheigue boast beautiful beaches, while nearby Ballybunion welcomes the likes of Tiger Woods and former US President Bill Clinton to its prestigious Golf Club.

Kerry: Places of interest

Visit Jurassic Park, ahem, I mean Valentia Island!

Forget Jurassic Park, think Valentia Island! The oldest pre-dinosaur prints in the Northern Hemisphere are located there. A 15-metre trail formed by a Tetrapod can be seen there, left there 385 million years ago! Valentia was also the site of the first trans- Atlantic cable station, becoming the first communication centre linking Europe and the USA.

Celebrating 50 years in full bloom

The Rose of Tralee International Festival celebrates 50 years in 2009 as one of Ireland’s best loved and most enduring festivals. Based around the selection of the Rose of Tralee, this international event draws young women of Irish descent from Ireland and across the world every year seeing more than 30 Roses compete for the coveted Rose of Tralee title. This year’s festival runs from Friday August 21 to Wednesday August 26 and will feature the Rose Selection, family carnival, fashion show and live concerts and c o u n t l e s s activites for children. During this time the town’s streets are transformed into a feast of parades, music, circus, funfair, markets and live performance, with fireworks and celebrations galore!

The buzz of Writers’ Week

Considered the literary capital of Kerry, Listowel is the birthplace of the world renowned playwright and author, John B. Keane. John B’s famous pub is still located in the town centre and is a must-see for any fans! Listowel Writers’ Week, which will take place this year from May 27th- 31st, has firmly established itself as one of the highlight’s of the year in Irish literary circles. Thousands will flock to North Kerry again this May in an effort to soak up a drop of the unique of the literey talent that seems to inhabit the region. Founded in 1970, this Writers Week hosts a variety of activities; for example workshops in short fiction, novel writing, popular fiction, poetry, screen-writing and song writing. Over the years the events have attracted some of the world’s leading literary lights to Listowel among them Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney and Booker Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro. With a host of cultural, musical and literary activities to choose from, Writers Week is definitely a date for the diary. Visit www.writersweek.ie

Discover the story of the Jeanie Johnston

The Jeannie Johnston emigrant ship made 16 voyages from Blennerville, just outside Tralee to North America carrying over 2,500 emigrants to a new life in the USA. No crew or passengers lives were ever lost, unlike many other emigrant ships in the 19th century which were also known as ‘Coffin Ships’ due to the high mortality rate of passengers. More information can be seen at the visitors centre in Blennerville Windmill.

Dingle

Dingle is well known for a multitude of reasons. However the magic and mystique the town uniquely possesses in abundance is largely down to one individual, a friendly Bottlenose Dolphin named Fungie who lives in the harbour. Fungie celebrated his 25th year in Dingle last year and despite his advancing years, he remains as curious, playful and friendly as ever! Countless numbers have witnessed his antics first hand over the years heading out to see him in the Atlantic waters of Dingle Harbour. Boats-trips to see Fungie run all year around and are easily booked at their office located at the head of Dingle Pier, where a bronze statue of Fungie proudly stands. What is so special about Fungie is that he, as a wild dolphin, chooses to be there. He has made Dingle his home and chosen the area’s locals as his neighbours and friends. When Fungi is on form, full of belly flips, and playful squeals, there is nothing quite like it. Children will also enjoy a trip to Dingle’s Oceanworld, or Mara Beo, which displays all the wonders of the deep from sharks to starfish.

What lies beneath!

A visit to Castleisland’s Crag Cave, a sub-terreanean wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites thought to be over a million years old, is a truly magical experience. As one of Ireland’s largest cave systems, totalling 3.81Km in length, its educational value is enhanced by the fact that it is also an exciting children's attractions venue. A fully equipped indoor activity centre, the Crazy Cave, with its Mega Astra Slide, Crawl Tubes, Cannon Guns, Spiral Slide, Crazy Maze, Ball Juggler, Rope Bridges and Ball pools, a play area for babies and toddlers and other activities such as the Rodeo Bull make it an exciting destination. Crag Cave recently unveiled their new Garden Restaurant, a state-of-the-art conservatory restaurant which can seat up to 100 visitors.

The Kingdom’s halo

Majestic mountains, dramatic coastline, unspoilt rugged landscapes, castles, gardens, beaches, ancient monuments; the Ring of Kerry really has to be seen to be believed! Many tours are available locally however many enjoy undertaking the drive themselves. From Killarney take the N70 to Killorglin and on towards Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Caherdaniel and over Coomakesta Pass, where you can take in the spectacular views over the Kenmare River, Scariff and Deenish Islands. Next s t o p is Derrynane and on to Castlecove, Sneem and eastwards towards Kenmare. Travel back in the direction of Killarney via the amazingly beautiful Molls Gap and Ladies View. The elevated vantage point offers simply breathtaking views of the Lakes of Killarney, indeed it is considered by many as some of the most amazing scenery in the world. The spectacular 60ft Torc waterfall is also located along this route.

Bringing the past to life

World famous attractions such as Muckross House, including the world famous Muckross Gardens and Muckross Traditional Farms make Killarney a wonderful family destination. Also worth a visit is the wonderfully restored 14th Century Ross Castle, home to the legendary Gaelic Chieftain O’Donoghue Ross and the last Irish fortress to fall to Cromwell in 1652.

Take a jaunt around Killarney

No trip to Killarney is complete without a trip in a Jaunting Car, which are easily located in the town centre. A unique way to experience Killarney by horse and carriage, Killarney Estate and Ross Castle, Muckross and Killarney National Park are some of the delights which can be enjoyed. If staying on terra-firma is more your thing explore the National Park and surrounding mountain wilderness through the Walk Killarney Programme of guided walks.

Let me take you to the Island

A visit to the Skellig Rock, where monastic settlements once flourished over a thousand years ago, is a wonderful experience. Boats trips to the island can be arranged from Derrynane and Bunavalla. The Little Skellig Rock is also the biggest gannet sanctuary in Europe along with Puffins and a wealth of wildlife. The Blasket Islands off the West Kerry coast offers the chance to witness first-hand the home of literary greats Peig Sayers and Tomás Ó Criothain. Unique wildlife, white sands and seals frolicking on the beach are just some of the wonders that await. The most westerly point in Europe is to be found in Kerry on Tiáracht, one of the Blasket Islands.