Lauragh - County Kerry

Lauragh is a small rural village located on the scenic Beara Peninsula and one of the last villages in Kerry before entering County Cork. This scenic village is 20 km from the vibrant seaside town of Kenmare. Kenmare is a lively and scenic town offering a wide selection of gourmet food, you will be spoilt for choice with the number of cafes and award-winning restaurants located in the town and surrounding area. 

Lauragh is also home to Derreen House and Gardens, set at the head of Kilmakilloge Harbour and surrounded by the Caha Mountains. The gardens cover 60 acres and consist of a network of winding paths that pass through a mature woodland garden laid out 150 years ago. This unique garden is home to a variety of sub-tropical plants from around the world and incomparable views of the sea and mountains. 

This area of outstanding beauty is a walker’s paradise with the Beara Way passing through the village as well as plenty of quiet roads.  

This scenic location on the west coast of Kerry Lauragh is an ideal base for exploring Healy Pass which provides spectacular views of Glanmore Lake. The route officially begins at Adrigole Bridge in County Cork and proceeds to Lauragh Bridge in County Kerry. Along the way are 12 km worth of hairpin turns winding through the borderlands between these two counties. 

Pedals & Boots is a beautiful family-run cafe serving freshly ground coffee, a selection of teas, and delicious home-baking. This pretty café also stocks local artisan foods and gifts and is set in a beautiful, scenic location looking across the water to Derreen Gardens. 

Visit Teddy O’Sullivan a two-story late Victorian building with sash windows that overlooks Kilmakilloge Harbour. A quaint interior and outside there is a selection of harbour-side picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy tasty locally caught seafood served daily. 

Star Outdoors, a 22 km drive away from Kenmare, is a purpose-built adventure centre. Enjoy an array of water sports such as banana boat rides, wakeboarding, an outdoor water park, and much more. 

There is also a local scuba diving centre, Kenmare Bay Diving which runs daily boat dive trips for novice and experienced divers, open from May to October each year. Explore the prolific wildlife of Kenmare Bay on Ireland’s premier seal-watching and eco-nature boat trip, Seafari Cruises.  

Dromquinna Stables, Riding School & Stud offer lessons, treks, and camps throughout the year, a wonderful riding experience along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. 

Killarney, Glengariff, and Bantry are all within 30 km to 59 km from this coastal holiday home in Kerry. Killarney town is a stop on the Ring of Kerry scenic drive, and the start and finishing point of the 200-km Kerry Way walking trail. 

On the Beara Peninsula visit the colourful and picturesque villages of Ardgroom, Eyeries, and Allihies. Cross the turbulent waters of the Dursey Sound via a cable car. Originally opened in 1969, the Dursey Island cable car offers a remarkable experience. Ireland’s only cable car and the only cable car that traverses open seawater in all of Europe. 

Dzogchen Beara is a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat centre situated which runs weekly classes and a café serving delicious vegetarian lunches with breathtaking views across to Beara Island. 

Lauragh is a wonderful base for your self-catering holiday, you will be ideally situated to explore the rugged coastline of counties Cork and Kerry, imposing mountains, and breath-taking scenery – a base for all ages to enjoy.