Explore the islands off the Kerry coast

PLANNING a staycation holiday here in Kerry and fresh out of ideas for what to get up to over the course of the few days?

What about going off the beaten track a little and taking in two of the most amazing off-shore locations in all of Ireland, which just so happen to be right on Kerry’s doorstep?

Two shining examples are the Blasket Islands in West Kerry and Skellig Michael off the coast of South Kerry’s Portmagee.

First up, the Blaskets.

The islands, uninhabited since the mid-20th century, are accessible via from Dún Chaoin Pier (booking is required) and have always been an intrinsic part of the parish of Dún Chaoin. Visitors to the main island of the Great Blasket (An Blascaod Mór) will be transported to a place steeped in Gaelic heritage and which boasts a rich cultural tapestry.

Here, visitors will be able to explore the remnants of abandoned and refurbished stone cottages which were once home to a vibrant community of storytellers and fishermen. Thanks to the island’s brilliant guides and experts, visitors will be be immersed in the timeless tales of island life that have been immortalized in the literature of renowned authors such as Peig Sayers and Tomás Ó Criomhthain, who so eloquently captured the spirit of the Blaskets in their writings.

Remember though that as you plan your staycation in the Blasket Islands, you are still in Ireland so keep in mind the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. While summer offers long days and mild temperatures, do be prepared for sudden changes in conditions. Packing sturdy hiking boots and waterproof clothing is a must.

See https://www.greatblasketisland.net/ for further information.

If the Blaskets don’t whet your appetite or you’ve done them before and are looking to do something a bit more out there, then read on to find out everything you need to know about visiting the one and only Skellig Michael.

Nestled 12km (8 miles) off the Kerry coast in the Atlantic Ocean, Skellig Michael is renowned for its rugged beauty and ancient history. The earliest reference in history to the Skellig Islands dates back to 600AD. During the time of the Penal Laws, Skellig Michael and Little Skellig became a haven for many Catholics whose beliefs and rights were being suppressed. The largest of the Skelligs is Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichil) and was home to one of the earliest monastic settlements in Ireland.

The monks of St. Fionan’s monastery led simple lives and lived in stone, beehive shaped huts. They would descend the 670 steps early every morning and fish for the morning’s breakfast and would spend the rest of the day praying in the church, tending to their gardens and studying.

If you are interested in booking a landing tour on the island, here are some things you should know:

• The tour departs from the marina in Portmagee.

• The ferry crossing to Skellig Michael takes about 50 minutes and once there, you will have around twoand-half-hours on the island.

• Children under the age of 14 are not permitted on the island.

• Landing on Skellig Michael is very restricted and only licensed boats are permitted to land once per day during the season which runs from mid May to the end of September.

• The departure time for the Skellig Michael Landing Tour is subject to change because of the sea conditions, tides and landing time slots but the tour normally departs between 08:00am and 12:30pm.

All further information on the Skelligs and booking tours can be found on https://skelligislands.com/

KNOWN locally as the ‘canal walk’, a stroll from Tralee to Blennerville and the Lock Gates is one of the best kept secrets when visiting Tralee.

Whether you are staying in Tralee or just passing through, the canal walk is an ideal way to enjoy one of the most historic places in Kerry. The walk has some of the best scenery imaginable, including nature and natural beauty set in a fantastic nature reserve.

It is widely used by locals but visitors should consider making the most if it when visiting the county capital. Not every urban space can boast of such a scenic retreat just a few minutes from a bustling town centre.

Walking from Tralee, the first thing that greets you is the sloping Slieve Mish Mountains and the historic Blennerville Bridge and windmill, built in the 19th Century. In behind the windmill is the original 17thcentury pier where emigrants from all over Kerry left for America, Australia, and the UK in the 1800s.

The fact the pier, with its beautifully cut limestone, is partially hidden is astounding given the history it represents. A picture standing on this pier is to stand where thousands of emigrants left Ireland for the last time. The pier is also where food was shipped from Kerry during the Industrial Revolution in England to help feed thousands of factory and mill workers.

For nature buffs, there’s a vast array of birdlife to savour. People can walk as far as the Lock Gates and along Cockleshell Strand. This brings in beautiful views of Tralee Bay and Fenit Pier on the horizon. The swan pond is another tranquil addition and at this time of year the cygnets will be arriving soon.

The pathways are clean and very accessible making them ideal for cyclists or pushing baby buggies. There is ample opportunity for stops along the way with benches and picnic tables. This is a wonderful amenity for visitors inTralee and a great way of meeting with locals who will be happy to stop and offer advice and directions.

An amenity like this is free and requires nothing but a good pair of walking shoes and some ambition. There’s much to see in Tralee town, but don’t forget to explore what was once the gateway to Tralee.

USING the city as a base, Rebel County visitors have plenty to chose from when in the city and beyond and one region close to hand is ripe for exploration.

Mid Cork boasts the old market town of Macroom and there are many treasures in town and just beyond.

From stunning nature reserves and fascinating historical sites, to adrenaline pumping and quirky activities, Mid Cork is filled to the brim with opportunities.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the area is The Gearagh, a nature reserve located in an area of submerged glacial woodland located around two kilometres southwest of Macroom. The park is the only ancient post-glacial alluvial forest in west Europe and is certainly worth a visit for those looking to see somewhere special. Although its islands are usually covered by the waters of the Lee Hydro-electrical scheme, during dry periods numerous rare species of plants, like mud worth, can be encountered there. Bird watchers as well as nature enthusiasts will be in their element at the reserve too, as The Gearagh welcomes both summer and winter migrants in large flocks from October onwards.

Another must-see in mid Cork for those who value the natural world as well as a little peace and tranquility is GouganeBarra Forest Park, located about 40 minutes southwest of Macroom. The park covers over 137 hectares of wild and beautiful scenery, consisting of sharp crags, pine forest and even a lake, for visitors to explore, whether they come to picnic, hike or just inhale the fresh air and the park’s panoramic views. It’s in this park where Cork’s River Lee rises, flowing to Cork Harbour nearly 90km way, and where St Finbarr, patron saint of the county, founded his early monastery on a tiny island at the edge of the lake in the 6th century AD.

Along with those who love the outdoors, those who have a taste for history will be in their element in mid Cork. Under 15km south of Macroom is the site of one of the most infamous scenes in recent Irish history, Béal na Bláth. Here is where Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins was ambushed and shot dead on August 22, 1922. At the small location, situated on a small local road outside the village of Béal na Bláth, a cross is situated to commemorate where Collins was shot by anti-treaty IRA forces during the Civil War. While there’s not whole pile to do in terms of other sites or activities, the site offers plenty to reflect upon and for Irish history buffs, it’s certainly a must-see.

In Macroom itself lies another site that will be of interest to those into their history, or just nice, old looking buildings! The centre of the town is dominated by castle walls, equipped with old stone arches and guns, thought to have been built during the reign of King John on the site of an earlier stronghold. Over the centuries, it is believed that the site passed from the hands of the Carew Clan to the McCarthys before it was taken by Cromwellian forces in 1650 when Bishop Boetius McEgan failed to hold it and was then hanged at Carrigadrohid. Later, the castle was rewarded to a man named William Penn (whose son founded the state of Pennsylvania in the USA) who lived there for some time, and then sold it to the Hollow Sword Blade Company.

For those who like to do rather than see, then Farran Park, located between Ballincollig and Macroom, is one place which must be visited. While the park is located next to Inniscarra lake and also has a children’s playground, deer enclosure and a duck pond, its ‘ZipIt’ highwire course is what will appeal most to thrill seekers, young and old. The treetop ropes course is built high above the ground and features zip lines, swinging logs, cargo nets and rope bridges, which participants, using safety equipment, must overcome!

If you’re more of a maritime explorer than a tree top traveller, than some kayaking in Inchigeelagh could be the ideal way to spend the day. Kayaks can be rented from K2 Sports & Leisure at Inchigeelagh and participants in the activity will not only be able to enjoy navigating Lough Allua, but take in the beautiful scenery that surrounds the area (made all the better when the weather is fine!) For those who prefer to sit on the shore, coffee can be purchased at the dock so the serene setting can be savoured.

Stayers who prefer to take things slow or not face the elements may wish to stay indoors for a while, and the Toy Solider Factory in Kilnamartyra near Macroom can provide something different to do, no matter your age.

The factory offers workshops that allow participants to paint miniature figures, which come in a range of sizes and styles, that they can then bring home. On arrival attendees can choose the mould they want to cast and then paint to their hearts content, whether it be soldiers, fairies, footballers or bunnies they are colouring.

For young ones, or those with young ones, then the Tiny Feet Fairy Garden, located in Masseytown in Macroom, is another stop well worth making while in mid Cork. The garden is free to enter and features a sensory garden, planting beds, a kids’ playhouse, picnic tables and a reading corner as well as other attractions. Located close to a river, the sound of flowing water and birdsong from nearby trees in the garden can offer a sense of tranquillity to older guests looking to relax.

With so much on offer, it is well worth taking the alternative Rebel route and exploring mid Cork, a region which can offer up just as much as anywhere else if given the chance.

THE North West of Ireland might be one of the least visited corners in Europe, but without doubt it hosts some of the must visit destinations. This less touched corner of Ireland is a wilderness consisting of some of the wildest and more diverse scenery with rugged mountain ranges, rocky terrains, pristine sand beaches and natural treasures.

The wild beauty of the region is always deemed a highlight by any visitor to the North West. The dramatic mountain ranges, beautifully dark lakes, and endless dry-stone walls are an absolute marvel.

Of course, Sligo is often referred to as Yeats Country for the amount of poetry that its beauty inspired in the poetry of WB Yeats, who considered it his spiritual home. In his poetry Yeats regals the beauty of Glencar Waterfall, the magic of Rosses Point, and most famously the yearning for solitude and simplicity at the Lake Isle of Innisfree.

The North West is full of natural wonder and beauty, it is a place that has everything a person could ask for with mountains, lakes, rivers, and beaches. It is not only rich in natural beauty but packed with culture and mythology and the North West could be viewed as one of the most prominent areas for these things.

The Wild Atlantic Way has led to the West of Ireland being more visible and more accessible than ever before. But while almost 10 million visitors annually flock to tourism hotspots from Kerry to Donegal.

The home of WB Yeats, great golf courses, dozens of walking trails and some of the best surf breaks in Ireland, nowadays Sligo has a much broader range of options for tourists, many of them based on fresh air, stunning views and rugged coastlines.

The SligoWalks.ie website provides you with all of the information you’ll need to get to immerse yourself in a great outdoor holiday experience. There are over 50 walks and trails, encompassing some hundreds of kilometres, the length and breadth of the county.

From walks along the Atlantic shoreline at Strandhill to upland walks at the Devil’s Chimney – home to Ireland’s highest waterfall, you’ll get to walk some of the most scenic walks anywhere in Ireland, and – for the most part – far away from the milling crowds.

The North West has an incredible array of outdoor experiences – you just need to wrap up, get your walking boots on and start exploring. From the greatest array of megalithic tombs anywhere in Ireland – you can’t miss Queen Maeve’s cairn on the top of Knocknarea, visible from almost anywhere in Sligo, through to the ancient Sligo Way, a 10km cross-country route along the shores of Lough Gill, the Benbulben walking trail, a 5 KM walk around the foots of Sligo’s most popular Benbulben Mountain and lots of stop off points in between for food and refreshments, it’s hard to beat.

Sligo also offers some adventurous hikes for people who like to challenge themselves and find the rewarding scenery at the end. The Benbulben hike is a 12.9 KM hike, on a steep and difficult terrain but with great views and rewards for the efforts. Some of the popular trails are the Caves of Keash, a 1.3 KM short trail for people who want to explore some natural limestone caves and spend some time in solitude.

A new Maritime Centre has opened in Strandhill while Coolaney has a new National Mountain Bike Centre with trails for beginners to the experienced cyclists. The great thing about Sligo town is that it’s at the very centre of the county, and all of the walks are located less than half an hour from this starting point.

The town itself has a beautiful Doorly Park trail along the Garavogue river and the Cleveragh retail park trail for people who do not want to go to the rocky terrains and like to spend a quite evening with their loved ones. With restaurants offering variety of Irish and international cuisines, bars and shops never more than a few minutes away from each route, you’ll find the complete package without any difficulty. Sligo also offers a great experience of culture and traditional music, with live performances in pubs and music festivals round the year.

The newly opened Queen Maeve’s Square in the centre of town not only offers a space for relaxation beside the Garavogue river but also allows you to participate in some of the vibrant festivals organised throughout the year in Sligo. Sligo is around 2.5 hours from Dublin airport, is located just 40 minutes from Ireland West Airport, and has regular rail and bus network. It has all you’ll want on a holiday, and it’s there to be explored.

For those looking to take some time to get away from it all, there’s nowhere more ideal than the North West of Ireland.