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Once among Ireland's rural poor counties, Kerry has successfully marketed the natural beauty and magical atmosphere that the county has in abundance and is the most popular destinations outside of Dublin.
Located in the south western tip of Ireland, Kerry is a rugged county of mountainous peaks, scenic Lakeland valleys and timeless rural character. Kerry is home to Ireland's highest mountain, Carrantouhil at 1039m situated in the heart of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks forming a beautiful backdrop to the Killarney National Park.
The ever-popular town of Killarney makes an excellent base for exploring the region and is the main port of call for many touring along the Ring of Kerry, the coastal road along the Inveragh Peninsula, which accounts for the bulk of the Co. Kerry, known locally as the Kingdom of Kerry. Indeed in the Gaelic sport of football the Kingdom often reigns supreme, with the Co. Kerry Football team taking the trip to Croke Park in Dublin and returning with the All Ireland trophy more times than any other county.
Way out west is Dingle, Europe's most westerly peninsula a place of timeless character, famed as the location for the film Ryan's Daughter. Dingle is largely a Gaeltacht, an Irish Speaking district and is a place where the language and lore of old are both kept very much alive. On the Dingle is Ireland's second largest mountain, Mount Brandon standing at 951m high.
Northern Kerry by contrast is more flat and arable as it runs into Co. Limerick with some wonderful sandy beaches and the famous links golf course at Ballybunion.
Famous Kerrymen include Antarctic explorer Tom Crean from Annascaul on Dingle who travelled with Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton, statesmen Daniel O'Connell, known as the Great Liberator, who worked tirelessly for the Catholic Emancipation act and who came from Cahirciveen and later lived at Derrynane and Hugh O'Flaherty, also from Cahirciveen the Irish Priest who saved 4000 allied soldiers and Jews in the Vatican during WWII.
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