When you book a holiday home at Killarney’s Holiday Village, you have found the perfect base for touring the Wild Atlantic Way. The world’s longest coastal driving route, the Wild Atlantic Way is an epic 2,500km adventure along Ireland’s west coast. And some 350km of it is based in the county of Kerry.
When you leave Killarney’s Holiday Village, you can either turn left and head for Kenmare or turn right and drive in the direction of the Dingle peninsula. Both options are magnificent in entirely different ways. Settle into your comfy living area or sit outside on the sunny terrace and plan your itinerary.
Kenmare
Kenmare is just a 30km drive from Killarney’s Holiday Village. Nestled between the Ring of Beara and the Ring of Kerry, Kenmare is a picturesque village that is tranquil but certainly not sleepy. It is set among lush vegetation and cradled between the craggy mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Renowned throughout Ireland for its restaurants and authentic traditional bars, Kenmare is the perfect place to relax and indulge yourself.
Ring of Kerry
Kenmare is just one of the Wild Atlantic Way towns in the Ring of Kerry. Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen, Kells, and Glenbeigh are all worth exploring. Take a detour just outside Cahersiveen to visit Valentia Island. Accessible via the bridge in Portmagee or via the ferry (summer only) in Renard, close to Cahersiveen. This island is an enchanting place with a dramatic lighthouse, prehistoric tetrapod footprints, and a fascinating history as the site of the first transatlantic cable.
Dingle Peninsula
For a craggier and more rugged take on spectacular Wild Atlantic Way scenery, head in the opposite direction and plunge into the Dingle peninsula. For a drive within a drive, explore Slea Head and find a magical location right on the edge of the continent, where monastic artefacts, towering mountains, and the crashing ocean waves combine to create an unforgettable experience.
Start your Slea Head drive in Dingle town, and head clockwise 46km route around the western tip of the peninsula. Don’t leave yourself short of time to enjoy the gorgeous beaches and wonderful scenery along the way.
If you don’t have time to explore the entire Wild Atlantic Way, basing yourself in Killarney and exploring the Kerry section is probably the best way to pack the most varied and spectacular experiences into the shortest amount of time.
