Top Things to do in County Kerry
Countries
Top 8 Specialty Museums in County Kerry, Province of Munster
Discover the best top things to do in County Kerry, Ireland including The Kerry Creamery Experience, The Blasket Centre and Great Blasket Island, The Story of Waterville Cable Station Exhibition, Blasket Besucherzentrum, Kerry Writer's Museum, Harry Clarke Stained Glass Windows, Kilgarvan motor museum, Laurel and Hardy Tribute Museum.
Restaurants in County Kerry
1. The Kerry Creamery Experience
2. The Blasket Centre and Great Blasket Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 429 reviews
This striking visitor centre, situated at the western end of the Dingle Peninsula on the Slea Head Drive / Wild Atlantic Way celebrates the history, heritage, literature and beauty of the Great Blasket Island. It has a fascinating audio-visual presentation and a series of imaginative exhibits on various aspects of the history and culture of the Great Blasket. A wonderful place to spend an hour or two, with a restaurant, services and ample parking. Follow the signs for Blasket Centre
Reviewed By dawnaclark - Rush, Ireland
On our weeks stay on the peninsula, we came here 3 times! Twice just for a walk around and today popped into the centre. Beautifully laid out with artifacts, a very informative short film and a lovely restaurant with stunning views over to the Blasket Islands. The whole place including the car park and paths, extremely well maintained and spotless. Would highly recommend stopping off here.
3. The Story of Waterville Cable Station Exhibition
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
4. Blasket Besucherzentrum
5. Kerry Writer's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Ignite your imagination and discover a dream world, a whole world of magic told by the Seanchaí – the bearer of Irish folklore. Embark on a journey set against the canvas of some of the greatest wordsmiths Ireland has ever seen. There will be mystery, there will be murder, there will be love, there will be comedy and then there will be more magic. No other part of Ireland has ever produced as many world-class writers and storytellers. Be immersed in the universes of John B. Keane (The Field), Bryan MacMahon, Brendan Kennelly, Maurice Walsh (The Quiet Man) and George Fitzmaurice in a dizzying swirl of words. At Kerry Writers Museum we celebrate their work and invite you to gaze through the windows of wonder to discover a wider and greater world. Follow the hare and find the elephant in the classroom. Let the Seanchaí hypnotise you and don’t let the shy singer distract you. Follow the hare and widen your world!
Reviewed By connermc22
The Kerry Writer's Museum is a wonderful site for exploring the great writers of North Kerry. The museum is beautifully worked out in a Georgian house, with individual rooms for each of the 5 great writers of this area: Bryan MacMahon, John B. Keane, Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Brendan Kennelly, and Maurice Walsh. Each room is interactive, filled with material objects, information, and literary material. The gift shop is a great bookstore and gift shop with all sorts of wonderful things. It's right next to Listowel Castle and nestled off the town square in Listowel, which is surely one of the loveliest towns in Ireland. Be sure to request the guided tour by one of the actors who really bring the literature to life. I bring my university students there every time I take them to Ireland. Not only is the literature of great importance, but the museum and its staff are incredibly helpful and attentive. Lots of great restaurants within 100 feet of the museum, and the Listowel Arms hotel is lovely. I highly recommend spending a few hours here on your travels through Ireland.
6. Harry Clarke Stained Glass Windows
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Diseart Institute of Celtic Spirituality and Culture is housed in a neo Gothic building designed by J J Mc Carthy. The bulding and its artworks are open to the public for viewing. The small chapel contains 6 sets of two Gothic style lancet windows by Harry Clarke. The building is set in gardens which contain the nuns graveyard and two upper gardens designed by Mary Reynolds.
Reviewed By EllenF317 - New York City, United States
Behind every stone in Dingle, a story is waiting to be discovered. Behind St. Mary's church on Green Street is a beautiful meditation garden inspired by the Tree of Life, divided into three realms of being, roots, trunk, and crown reflecting past, present, and future. Great to relax here with a coffee or tea. The serene Garden leads to the Convent of the Presentation Sisters, now the Diseart Centre of Irish Spirituality and Culture. Open to visitors, Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, at 3 euro each, Children Free. Check out their interesting courses in Irish Culture. Do see the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, with exquisite stained glass windows created by artist Harry Clarke in 1922, and, commissioned by the savvy Superior Mother Ita for a mere 1000 pounds. Movie scenes from the 'Agony and the Ecstasy' run through my mind… I grin to myself thinking, Mother Ita must have been one fierce lady. Amen. Sunlight floods the Chapel and story of Christ's life in stained glass artistry. I am swept into Harry Clarke's delicate faces filled with joy and sorrow. Six windows are inspired by gospels from Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. My favorite window is when Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. The image of Mary is striking, on her knees in humility and awe, looking up at Christ who stares through her towards something only he can see. Most endearing is the way they are both holding their hand to heart. Good to read about Harry Clarke online before you go... like most artists he had a hard life and understood that sorrow always turns to joy if you follow the light. This is evident in the rich palette of colors in facial and hair features, garments and back ground choice. If you're patient, the windows change in tone and vibrancy as the sun moves outside. Tip: Stop by the former Sisters Dining Room before you leave and stare awestruck at a massive wall Fresco painted by Colorado mural artist, Eleanor Yates in 2011. The mural represents the moment when Jesus consecrates the bread and breaks it for distribution to the eleven apostles, but Judas has left in a hurry leaving his empty chair fallen on the floor. The Apostle at the extreme right looking at the viewer is Doubting Thomas. The one on Jesus' right is Peter, and the one on his left is John. Eleanor created a large scale Last Supper embedded with local images, scenes and art forms. The Apostles are all local men the artist found in various searches throughout the town of Dingle with just the right face and demeanor. They were asked to model, sometimes in full costume, for drawings and photographs. The items on the mural table were also pieced together in much the same way as the Apostles. Local artisans crafted the glasses, pitcher and ceramic vases. Even the bread, fish, olives and wine were all locally made. It's amazing really, from Italy to Denver to Dingle... art is a living gift that never dies.
7. Kilgarvan motor museum
8. Laurel and Hardy Tribute Museum
Part of the annual Charlie Chaplin Film Festival in Waterville..
