County Kerry is renowned for its beauty yet few can know how infinite and varied that beauty is; Thackeray wrote: "Blue sky, roaring water, here black and yonder foaming of dazzling white' Mount Carantouhil, the lake district, the craggy islands, arguably the most beautiful beaches, sub-tropical gardens and breathtaking sunsets compete for your attention. "Puck Fair", three days of singing and dancing, is held annually at killorglin and said to have pre-Christian origins. The area around Tralee, the county capital, has many amazing medieval churches and prehistoric monuments.

Tralee: Little remains of this ancient capital beyond the 19th century, although there is a reconstruction of the medieval city which can be seen aboard a 'Time-car'. Be sure to visit the County Museum which traces the history of Kerry back 5000 years and the Pugin designed Church of the Holy Cross.

Blennerville Windmill:
Built in 1780 and recently restored, this working windmill stands just south of Tralee and is part of Blennerville craft workshops. Look out for the chunky lavender blue crockery.

Crag Cave:
In Castle Island is an astonishing cave that meanders about 3 miles underground.

The Dingle Peninsula:
Fuchia-fringed country lanes twist between ancient pagan and Christain remains many of whose origins are still unknown. The Ogham Stones are remarkable for the primitive form of a twenty-letter alphabet inscribed on them. Nine of them stand at Ballintaggart south east of Dingle.

The Beehive huts of Reask:
Near Ballferriter and the Reask Pillar Stone are extraordinary relics of Ireland's pre-history. And do not miss spiritual calm of the 9th century Oratory of Gallarus, an amazing drystone structure that has stood the test of time and weather.

Inch Beach:
Inch Beach is part of a sandy bar that almost reaches across to Glenbeigh on the Iveragh Peninsula to form Castlemain's superb natural harbour.

The Ring of Kerry:
This is possibly one of Europe's most spectacular scenic drives featuring stunning vistas of idyllic beaches and rocky cliffs, forests, mountains, lakes and dramatic waterfalls and, in its centre, the 3000 year-old Staigue Fort.

Ardfert:
Ardfert has a majestic 13th century cathedral, St Brendan's, now a romantic ruin and two medieval temples.

Fishing, diving, riding, walking, cycling, sightseeing

Tralee: Links course, 18 holes, 6519 yards, Par 71.
Founded 1896. Designer Arnold Palmer.
Ballybunion: Links course, 18 holes, 6477 yards, Par 71.
Founded 1896. Designer R.Trent Jones Snr..
Waterville: Seaside links course, 18 holes, 7184 yards, Par 74.
Founded 1889 Designer E. Hackett.
Killorglin: Parkland course, 18 holes, Par 72.
Founded 1992. Designer Eddie Hackett.
Killarney: Lakeland course, 18 holes, 6734 yards, Par 71.
Founded 1893. Designer Sir Guy Campbell.

Ballyroe Hotel, Tralee, Kerry
Halpins Hotel, Kilkee, Clare - 43 miles
Springfort Hall, Mallow, Cork - 67 miles