20 Attractions to Explore Near Valentia Island Lighthouse

Geokaun Mountain is the highest mountain on Valentia Island,[2] County Kerry. From the summit there are views of the Skellig Islands, Dingle Peninsula, the Blasket Islands, Beginish Island, Cahersiveen, Portmagee and MacGillycuddy's Reeks, including three of Ireland's six highest mountains: Carrauntoohil, Beenkeragh and Caher. Situated along the main path up the mountain are 4 viewing areas with 36 information plaques on topics of social, environmental and historical interest in the area.

The Cahergal Stone Fort is an impressive example of an Iron Age ring fort. A few of such forts can be found in Ireland. The current structure has undergone some reconstruction and while the purist may say it is too “clean and pure” it is an impressive site. One of the iconic attraction in this area and attracts a lot of tourists here.

The Kerry Cliffs are located on the Skellig Ring near Portmagee. An astonishing cliff panorama presents itself here, which one would not necessarily expect from the country side. One of the iconic location where you can enjoy the astonishing views and also there are so many other leisure activities possible.

Knocknadobar, is the 102nd–highest peak in Ireland on the Arderin scale, and the 123rd–highest peak in Ireland according to the Vandeleur-Lynam scale. Knocknadobar is one of the main mountains of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, and has been one of the most important sites of pilgrimage in Ireland since medieval times. A good trekking destination and also there are so many things to see and do here.

This is an extension of the famous Ring of Kerry and is a real hidden gem – a small, 20 mile route that will show you the gorgeous beauty of Ireland with none of the hassles. It starts in either Cahersiveen or Waterville depending on where you are on the Ring of Kerry and takes in awe inspiring views of the Skellig Islands at every turn, the wonderful Valentia Island accessed by ferry and bridge, the picturesque fishing village of Portmagee, Ballinskelligs with its great Blue Flag beach.

A beautiful lake in County Kerry, Ireland. Waterville lies on its western bank, close to the Atlantic Ocean, it empties into Ballinskelligs Bay. Raheen lies on its southern bank. It covers an area of 2,500 acres and is 3.5 miles long and 2 miles at the widest point. The lough is famous for its salmon and Sea trout fly fishing.

The Loher Fort was probably built in the 9th century and served as a fortification of a farm yard. Behind the high walls both humans and animals found protection from attackers. Within the fort, the remnats of two buildings can be found – one of them with a circular, the other one with a square layout. In the interior are a large round house and a smaller rectangular house; archaeology has shown that these were preceded by wooden buildings. A souterrain was located in the circular house.

A majestic prehistoric Irish fort located on the Dingle Peninsula. This impressive and interesting fort will captivate lovers of prehistoric archaeological sites and will offer you a breathtaking view of the Dingle cliffs and the ocean. It is located on a rocky promontory just south of Slea Head on the Dingle Peninsula, looking over Dingle Bay to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

The Famine Cottages were built in the mid nineteenth century and originally housed the Long and then the Kavanagh family in Fán, Ventry County Kerry. The cottages were located on the lands of the Earl of Cork who was landlord for some of the lands in the area. A nice museum, which offers an unrivalled panorama of the cliffs of Dun Beag but whose visit does not last more than a quarter of an hour.

Eask Tower is an 18th century stone tower that was built as a beacon for guiding ships coming into Dingle bay. It overlooks the small fishing port of Dingle and seems to silently watch over the ocean, and its approaching boats. The Tower is of solid stone. The building of it on Carhoo hill, 600 feet above sea level, provided work during the Great Famine, at the instigation of Reverend Charles Gayer, Leader of the Protestants, in an attempt to win converts.

An extensive sandy beach in Derrynane Bay, County Kerry. The sheltered dune-backed beach is a crescent of white sand overlooking Abbey Island with its ancient burial ground and ruins of a long-forgotten mediaeval church. The area is rich in biodiversity and of significant national importance. It is a safe and sheltered beach, ideal for swimming and other water sports.

Derrynane House was the home of Irish politician and statesman, Daniel O'Connell. It is now an National Monument and part of a 320-acre national historic park. The house is located on the Iveragh peninsula on the Ring of Kerry near the village of Derrynane in County Kerry, Ireland. The house displays relics of O'Connell's life and career. Guided tours of the house are available, along with a visual presentation. Access for visitors with disabilities is limited to the ground floor.

Oceanworld Aquarium is located in Dingle, County Kerry and is Ireland’s largest aquarium.It hosts a collection of magnificent Sand Tiger Sharks, Gentoo Penguins, Asian Short-Clawed Otters and includes an abundance of different fish species. Submerge yourself in this fascinating underwater world and see sharks, exotic fish, cute penguins and adorable otters.

Dunquin Pier is situated at the northern end of a small secluded bay surrounded by rocky cliffs. Access is achieved via a narrow meandering walkway. The seasonal ferry service to the Blasket Islands operates from the pier. The surrounding landscape is an attractive mixture of mountain and cliff top. The seasonal ferry service to the Blasket Islands operates from the pier.

Slea Head Drive is a scenic route of about 30 miles that encircles part of the Dingle Peninsula. You can enjoy the Rocky cliffs, beautiful sea views, adorable villages, and small, winding roads and so more. Travellers are strongly advised to travel clockwise in order to avoid meeting the large tour buses that frequent the route during the summer. Part of the Slea Head cliff road is very narrow and single lane only.

An independent, family owned distillery located on the edge of the scenic town of Dingle, Co. Kerry. The first whiskeys distilled and matured at the distillery were released in late 2016. In addition to whiskey, the distillery also produces and markets Dingle vodka and Dingle Gin.

Staigue Fort is probably one of the best examples of an ancient ringfort in Kerry. The fort is thought to have been built during the late Iron Age, probably somewhere between 300 and 400 AD, as a defensive stronghold for a local lord or king. The fort consists of a massive circular rampart surrounded by an external bank. The wall is up to 5.5m high and 4m thick, surrounding a circular area of 27.4m in diameter. It shows great skill and craftsmanship in the area of stone building.

Minard Castle stands majestically on a hill high above Kilmurry Bay. The ruin is badly damaged – a result of the siege by Cromwell’s troops in 1650, which no inhabitant survived. The castle is located slightly south of the village of Minard. The current structure is the enlargement of an older house carried out around 1848 by the architect John Thomas Rochead.

A majestic ruin of a crude stone church believed to have been built between the 6th and 9th centuries, and is still in remarkably unchanged condition.The local tradition prevalent at the time of Charles Smith attributed it to one Griffith More, being a funerary chapel built by him or his family at their burial place. This 17-foot tall oratory has a single-room structure, consisting of a rounded triangular shape with a doorway on one end and a small window built into the other end.

This is a medieval ecclesiastical site and National Monument located in County Kerry, Ireland. It is traditionally associated with Saint Brendan (c. AD 484 – c. 577), but also with a local saint, Maolcethair. The surviving church dates to the mid-12th century, with the chancel extended c. 1200.