Co.Kerry Ireland

Day 81/Ireland 15

Travelled:130km Wild Atlantic Way in Co.Kerry

Visited: Ballybunion, Ballyheigue, Ardfert, Fenit, Tralee, Castlegregory

Stay:Magherabeg - ‘Wild’ spot next to the beach N52.2720 W10.0273

Shortly after we left Carrigafoyle Castle, on the Wild Atlantic Way, we diverted to have a look at Beale Strand. Unfortunately the parking area had a height barrier and we were lucky it was early so we could manage a 5 point turn to get back out. 

We continued on to Ballybunion, a popular holiday destination. 

The Castle ruins sit on a small promontory overlooking two lovely sandy beaches named Ladies and Men’s beach from the time where bathing occurred separately. 

After a stroll through town we drove along some beautiful country roads lined with dairy farms. We had to stop several times as the cows were moving to their field. 

We parked at Ballyheigue Bay below the remains of the Castle, had some breakfast and then went for a stroll along the lovely 10km stretch of sandy beach. 

Further along we had a look at the remains of the 12th century Ardfert Cathedral. St.Brendan the Navigator founded a monastery here in the 6th Century. During the 15th century battlements were added. We admired some lovely features including the delicate Romanesque doorway. 

Not far away we managed to find the memorial/fort of the Irish patriot Roger Casement who was arrested after being caught in 1916 bringing rifles on a German U-boat for the Easter Rising.

 We then had some lunch whilst we were parked up at the Fenit Marina located in Tralee Bay. At the end there was a large bronze monument of St.Brendan standing proudly looking out at the ocean. 

There was also a memorial to lost sailors that had departed from here.

In 1851 a lighthouse was built on the little Samphire Island. 

We decided to head on to Tralee which is host to the renowned Rose of Tralee festival (missed it by a week).  After filling up with gas and deisel we managed to find a parking spot next to the tourist centre. We strolled through the rose garden. 

We then admired the cathedral which is the the start to the Kerry Camino trail to Dingle. 

After a brief walk through the centre that was mainly shops we headed to the Dingle Peninsula. Along the way we drove past the only working water mill in Ireland. 

We then stopped at Castlegregory beach for a rest. As we then drove further on we spotted a possible spot for tonight and nearly got stuck in the soft sand. Luckily Bluey got us safely onto a grassy verge and here we decided to stay.