Coast/Beach:

There are several pristine, sandy beaches within a few minutes drive of Barr Aidh. Derrynane Sands is a stunning stretch of spotlessly clean beach, backed by dunes and grassy banks. The absence of kiosks and arcades, and the rocky outcrops both close to the beach and out in the ocean, combine to create the feeling 'it was ever thus'. It is perfect for walking on the beach, rock-pooling and money-free play. White Strand is a beautiful but smaller secluded beach and others are within easy reach.

Travel:

From the UK the simplest access by air is with Ryanair from London Luton, Stansted and Gatwick to Killarney which is a 75 minute drive through beautiful scenery, with perfect stopping points en route to the bungalow. Alternatively visitors might fly into Cork and make the two hour drive from there. Longer visits to Ireland might start in Dublin by air or ferry to include the journey across Ireland to the bungalow as part of an extended trip. There are direct flights from JFK to Shannon.

Distances:

Killarney Airport to the bungalow: 78km.

Castlecove: 2km - shop, fuel.

Sneem:15km - pretty town with, river, shops.

Derrynane House: 9km - home of Daniel O'Connell, gardens.

Cahadaniel: 6km - The Blind Piper pub for good food.

Cahacirveen: 35km - shop, walks, museum

Skellig Islands: 50km to Portmagee via the stunning Skellig Ring - boat trips to the puffin islands.

Valencia Island: 55km via Portmagee - restaurants, salmon smokery, walks and views.

Dingle: 115km.

Beara Ring: 90km.

Further Details:

There are supermarkets in Killarney, Shannon and Cork so food stocks can be acquired before making the drive from the airport but there is a good local store from which everything you are likely to need can be purchased. Cahacirveen, a 40 minute drive away, has various shops, including a bakery, butcher and banks. There are maps and information in the house.

There are places to eat in all the towns so it is easy to include a meal out during a day trip. The Blind Piper in Cahadaniel offers soup and snacks all day and hearty and more sophisticated dishes, using locally-sourced ingredients, too.

But what better than a packing a picnic: the area is ideal for walking, cycling, fishing, golfing and beach-combing. The scenery is breathtaking and the opportunities for land- and sea-scape photography are endless. There are amazing sun-sets, light pollution-free skies, the ocean and rivers and banks of flowers (in season) abound. Day-trips will take you to various points around the world-renowned Ring of Kerry to view and walk. But there are also walks from the bungalow on marked ways.

For the more adventurous there is a riding school at Cahadaniel with opportunities to ride on the beach or into the hills. Kayaks and canoes are available to hire (with wet-suits) at Abbey Island beach. There are climbing and bouldering places throughout the area and those wishing to include this in their trip will get details from relevant forum sites.

The drive to Kenmare is about 45 minutes and takes you to a pretty, bustling, market town featuring brightly coloured shops, pubs and art galleries. Longer trips get you to the Dingle Peninsula, Garnish Island in Bantry Bay with its magnificent island gardens accessed by ferry boat passing the basking seals, and the beautiful Beara Peninsula.

Within a very few minutes, however, are the fifth century Staigue Fort, Gleesk Pier, remote Lambs Head, picturesque West Cove, White Strand beach and access to the Kerry Way walking way.