County Kerry for Kids

County Kerry, in the South West of Ireland, is one giant playground with fun-filled activities that will keep Mum, Dad and the kids entertained all summer. Families can spend this year’s summer holidays discovering the forts and castles, dramatic coastlines, secret caves and long sandy beaches; perfect for those with a sense of adventure and a wild imagination.

County Kerry was recently named by Lonely Planet as the runner up ‘best place for family holidays’ in the whole of Europe. Easily accessible, with options for all budgets and ages it’s easy to see why. Kerry is home to some of Ireland’s wildest and most iconic scenery; one of the country’s most attractive national parks, and lively Killarney. The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula are two loop drives providing a great way to take in County Kerry’s very best, including the Wild Atlantic Way, the world’s longest defined coastal touring route.

For Animal Lovers
County Kerry is crammed full of wonderful spots teeming with wildlife but the first stop for any nature lover should be Killarney National Park. The area is home to the native red deer, which have lived in Ireland since the last ice age and now survive only within the refuge of the park. Local waters are home to salmon and trout, and water-loving birds thrive in the park. Another ‘must visit’ is Dingle Bay where one of Dingle’s most famous residents lives. Fungie, the bottle nosed dolphin, made the bay his home over 30 years ago and has been delighting visitors ever since. Oceanworld Aquarium offers another chance to see more marine life, including the fascinating Gentoo penguins, plus a creepy crawly exhibition new for 2015.

For Water Babies
For children keen to spend their summer splashing in the sea and creating spectacular sandcastles, head to Ballyheigue Beach. Recognised internationally for its eco-credentials with a Blue Flag award, the beach looks out over Tralee Bay; a great spot for swimming, surfing, walking and other water sports. Part of a 10km stretch of sandy beach and backed by sand dunes (perfect for hide and seek) it’s located within the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour Special Area of Conservation. In fact, County Kerry is home to some of Ireland’s cleanest, safest and most stunning beaches. Other popular beaches include Ballybunion, Fenit, Ballinskelligis, and Rossbeigh, all of which are Blue Flag certified.  

For Active Spirits
Eclipse Ireland is an adventure activity centre, set on a stunning 90-acre rural estate with views of the McGillyicuddy Reeks mountain range and a private lake. A whole host of activities are on offer, with something to appeal to all members of the family, young and old. There’s pony and horse riding activity camps, assault courses, mud surfing, fly fishing on the Blackwater river, raft building, archery, orienteering, kayaking and mountain bike rental. There are also five self-catering cottages available for rent on the site, the perfect way to ease those muscles after a fun filled activity day.

For Little Adventurers
Crag Crave, the longest cave in Kerry and over a million years old, is an underground wonderland filled with stalactites and stalagmites, one of the finest examples of limestone cave formation in Ireland. Children can marvel at the incredible examples of pillars, flowstones, curtains and straws that have been meticulously forming over the last 15,000 years. Crazy Cave, on the grounds of Crag Cave, covers two floors and has a wide range of fun filled areas with slides, climbing frames, ball pools and mazes. For those who prefer to be in the open rather than underground, County Kerry is famed for its numerous castles, abbeys and ruins; all ripe for exploring.

For Island Hoppers
Little pirates will love a boat trip out to the world famous Skellig Islands, which stand in the Atlantic Ocean some 13kilmetres southwest of Kerry’s Valentia Island (don’t miss Valentia Island’s King Scallop Festival 11-12 July 2015). Skellig Michael is known throughout the world of archaeology as the site of a well-preserved monastic outpost of the early Christian period, now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb up five hundred steps on a 1,000 year old stone stairway to reach beehive huts where monks lived and prayed centuries ago. Small Skellig is equally famous as the home of some 27,000 pairs of gannets, the second largest colony of these sea birds in the world. The Skellig Islands are an unmissable stop on the Wild Atlantic Way – the world’s longest defined coastal touring route.