Dream Ireland Travel Blog

Carrauntoohill is Ireland’s highest mountain standing at over 1,000metres which by international standards is low but on scenery and beauty it is among the best. My walk with my 14 year old son Cormac took place at the end of August a beautiful sunny day with no clouds. We opted for the well known Brother O Shea’s gully offering dramatic views with a few steep scrambling bits and then a simple walk to the top where a photo with the Iron Cross is the norm. Lunch never tastes as good anywhere else with sweeping views to Inch Beach and far reaching Kenmare Bay down to Allihies. Our route down was via the Heavenly Gates which I generally miss the entry and then have to retrace my steps. Again the views are inspiring and incredibly beautiful. A mandatory visit to Kate Kearneys Pub in The Gap of Dunloe finished a great walking day in Kerry and Ireland! There are  terrific options self-catering houses in Killarney area such as recently refurbished Muckross Lakeside Holiday Village.

Scuba diving in Kenmare Bay!! Yes alot of people think of the Red Sea, The Barrier reef which are for sure among the best but not easily accessible when you live in Ireland! Recently my son Cormac and his two friends attended a Scuba Diving Course for four days in Kenmare Bay. Their instructor was the great Paul Tanner, he is without doubt a highly qualified instructor who exudes confidence built up by many years in the water. To say that they had a terrific time would be an understatement. They laughed and learned at the same time and managed to score 90%+ in their end examination. It is now a skill they can use many times in the future and all three are anxious to enjoy it. National Geographic published an article about the amazing diverse underwater life that exists in the South West corner of Ireland. The relatively calm and sheltered waters of Kenmare Bay are an ideal base for the beginner or advanced. Full details of diving available on www.kenmarebaydiving.com and plenty of houses to rent in the area like Ardgroom and Kenmare Inbhear Sceine Holiday homes.