Recommended Tours & Itineraries

The Killarney Area is a convenient base for exploring Ireland’s South West, and an ideal starting point for many interesting day trips. To help you make the most of your time here with us in Friars Glen, we suggest a few of the best day trips and we can help you organise a self-drive itinerary. Coach tours with reliable professional local companies travel daily around the Ring of Kerry & the Dingle Peninsula. We can make the tour arrangements for you.

The Ring of Kerry
See the dramatic scenery of the Iveragh Peninsula change as you travel west. Go from lush woodlands and sheltered glens to barren mountains and wind blown, rugged coastal regions. Ireland’s finest beaches are en route as are some of Kerry’s nicest little towns and villages. There are many other attractions along the way – visit Valentia Island, Skellig Experience, Derrynane National Park, Staigue Fort and the historic town of Kenmare.

The Dingle Peninsula
Passing the superb beach at Inch and onto the quaint fishing town of Dingle, with it’s many excellent restaurants and little interesting shops. Take a boat trip out into the mouth of the harbour to see Fungi, the bottle nosed dolphin that resides in Dingle Bay. Further West, the Slea Head Drive is a spectacular circuit with incredible views of the the Blasket Islands offshore. Stop along the way to view the historic beehive huts around Ireland’s most westerly point. Stop off at the famous Gallarus Oratory, one of Ireland’s best preserved archaeological monuments. Back to Dingle Town and out towards the Connor Pass with Mt. Brandon looming above you.

Skellig Islands
A visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site will be a day to remember. An 6th century Monastic settlement is located on the top of this tiny island 12 miles off the coast of Kerry. This day trip involves a 75 minute drive to the village of Portmagee, just off the Ring of Kerry, a boat trip out to the island, and a very steep walk to the top of the rock to visit the monastic site. A great trip for wildlife spotting –whales and dolphins; sea eagles, puffins and a huge gannet colony on Little Skellig. A fabulous trip that may involve a choppy sea and will involve heights!

Cork City, Blarney and Cobh
The historic city of Cork is about 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Friars Glen and has great shopping! About 20 minutes east of the city is the old port town of Cobh – the last port of call of the ill-fated Titanic and home to the Titanic Experience Visitor Centre. From Cobh, the town of Midleton is about 20 minutes drive and has the famous Midleton Distillery and visitor centre – a must for whiskey lovers! Finally returning west again the village of Blarney and Blarney Castle where you can kiss the famous stone and possibly never stop talking again!

Glengarriff and the Beara Peninsula
Travelling south to Kenmare, you can then head south-west for the fishing town of Castletownbere, passing some fabulous coastal and mountain scenery on the way. From Castletownbere, head east and go to the scenic village of Glengarriff. The subtropical gardens at Garinish Island (Ilnacullin) are worth a visit. The mystical Gougane Barra and historic Bantry can also be included in this trip.