Cahersiveen ‘Gateway to the Skellig Region’
CAHERSIVEEN town, ‘Gateway to the Skellig Region’ and its surrounding environs have often been overlooked by the passing tourist throughout the busy season. However, there is a mood change in the air with more and more tourists not only choosing to stop off on their Ring of Kerry excursions and explore the area, but also choosing to make the area their choice of destination.
The abundant activities, accommodation, shops, cafes and restaurant not the mention the many traditional pubs on offer has been providing the more discreet traveller with lasting memories down through the years who choose to return year after year. The area probably offers some of the most diverse and spectacular range of scenery and activities in the Kingdom if not the whole country. It can boast three Blue Flag beaches, Kells, the White Strand and Ballinskelligs. It has one of only 13 national Pilgram paths in Ireland, Cnoc Na dTobar, which is located only 3 Km from the town and forms part of the ‘Irish Camino’ the first fully guided pilgrim walk in Ireland which was launched last August.
The area is also at the heart of the Kerry International dark sky reserve area, one of only 3 GOLD TIER Reserves on the planet, and the only GOLD TIER Reserve in the Northern Hemisphere, the other being in New Zealand and Namibia. The world famous UNESCO world heritage site of the Skellig Michael lies only 12 Km off the coast. Cahersiveen is also perfectly located at the start of the Skellig Ring, a scenic route off the main Ring of Kerry that takes in Valentia Island, Portmagee, The Glen and Ballinskelligs. The route was included in the top 10 regions in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel for 2017 amongst other world renowned destinations such as The Tuamotus in French Polynesia, Coastal Georgia, USA, and Choquequirao, Peru.
A dedicated website www.cahersiveen.ie was launched in February 2016 by ACARD Limited, the Cahersiveen local voluntary community development company, and contains all the information and local events for tourists and locals alike. It also contains listings for places to eat and stay as well as things to do.
In all, Cahersiveen Town and its surrounding areas continues to make progress and offers a multitude of activities form water based activities to mountain climbing and hill walking to leisurely strolls through the towns many attractions including trails, museums and historic walks. With the introduction of the South Kerry Greenway currently in its planning phase Cahersiveen will become one of the ultimate tourist destinations not only in Kerry but throughout the whole of Ireland.