Leisure activities:
Ballynaraha Cottage is located in the village of Dunquin in the Gaeltacht region of Kerry. Dunquin is in an area of exceptional natural beauty, with rugged sea coast, Mount Eagle, beaches and countryside everywhere.
Within five minutes’ walk, you will find Kruger’s Pub, the westernmost pub in Europe. A ten minute walk will take you to the Blasket Islands Heritage Center with an excellent program and exhibits on the Blasket Islands and Peig Sayers.
A ten minute walk in the other direction brings you to the Dunquin Pier, where boat trips are available to the Islands daily, weather permitting. You will also find beaches and hill walks available nearby, including a walk to the schoolhouse featured in the Hollywood movie, Ryan’s Daughter.
A short drive (10 minutes) will take you to Ballyferriter Village with pubs, church and a museum, or to Ceann Tra (Ventry) with a pub, post office and shop.
Ceann Tra also offers a sheltered, wide sandy beach with boat rentals and horseback riding available nearby.
Just outside Ceann Tra is Paudi O’Se’s pub, with pictures of the famous Kerry footballer with the various celebrities who have visited there, including Tom Cruise.
Dunquin is located on the scenic Slea Head Drive, encircling the Dingle Peninsula. Only minutes from the cottage is Coumeenole Beach, Clocher Strand, Louis Mulcahey’s Pottery and many, many scenic walks. Cheann Sibeal Golf Course, an 18 hole course, is also nearby.
A 20-minute drive will take you to Dingle, where there are 50+ pubs with nightly music, shops, world-class restaurants, a movie theatre, casino, fitness center, bowling and swimming.
Dingle is home to Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin who swims in to greet the tour boats which leave several times daily from the pier. Other boat trips are available at the Dingle pier, including trips around the Blaskets, and trips to the Skellig Islands.
There are several internet cafes in Dingle, and the library offers free internet access.
There is a weekly market in Dingle with local produce, cheese, olives, crafts and plants offered for sale. A whole-foods market and café is open across from St Mary’s church. During the summer, weekly folk music concerts are offered in St.James’ church.
An aquarium is open daily in Dingle, with exhibits and hands-on activities to entertain both children and adults. Leading out of Dingle is the Conor Pass road, with breathtaking views of Mt Brandon and the Maharees in the distance.
The city of Tralee, with its Kerry Museum is a 45 minute drive. Also near enough for a day’s trip is Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, and Kenmare, a beautiful fishing village. The city of Cork is approximately 2 ½ hours away. Shannon Airport is 2 ½ hours away, and Kerry Airport (Farranfore) is 1 hour away.
