Things To Do

Golfing
Golfing in South West Kerry is really all about Waterville, which is a unique place for golf with a choice of 2 courses to play on. Rated in the top 5 in Ireland and in the top 20 Links courses in the world, the Waterville Golf Links Course, conveniently situated across from The Smugglers Inn, is very scenic and one of the longest in the world. In the past Tiger Woods, Mark O'Meara, Ernie Els and the late Payne Stewart regularly used this course prior to the British Open. On the other side of Waterville Village is the Skellig Bay Golf Course.

Fishing
South West Kerry is an Anglers paradise, and just one mile from The Smugglers Inn is Lough Currane, famous for its scenic beauty and for its stocks of salmon, sea trout and brown trout. Many specimen fish have been caught on the lake. Salmon fishing runs from January to September. Sea Trout fishing runs from March to October. On our doorstep is the Inny Strand - great for Bass fishing. Ghillies are available providing boats and engines.

Skellig Michael
Discover Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 8 miles off the South Kerry coast, where 6th century monks built their monastery 200 metres above sea level on this wave lashed rock. On your way out look out for the seabirds that congregate on the Skelligs - puffins, gannets, kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots and many more. If you're lucky you might even see dolphins or basking shark so don't forget your camera. Boats depart from Portmagee and Ballinskelligs each day (weather permitting). Booking advisable in high season and trips can be arranged for you.

Marine Education & Research
Marine Creature Feature workshops and Explore the Seashore events organised by local marine biologist Lucy Hunt MSc. If you or your children are interested in marine life and our coastline, this is a fun and exciting way to discover Irelands marine biodiversity! To find out more contact Lucy info@lhmarine.ie or call +353 (0) 877850929.
Other attractions to enjoy in this area include horse riding, kayaking, rock climbing, hill walking, scuba diving and surfing (we have a room where you can dry your wetsuits and store your surf boards).

2011 Notable Events
Feile na Greine (Solstice Arts Festival) : 21st - 23rd June
Back again this year with its usual artistic midsummer celebrations (arts, theatre, film, music, literature, visual arts, dance) based in Tech Amergin, Waterville.

Waterville Children's Festival : 1st - 4th July
The main emphasis will be on children's activities (face painting, bouncy castle, puppet show, kiddies disco) but plenty of fun for the whole family is guaranteed.

Caherciveen Festival of Music & The Arts : 29th - 31st July
An annual celebration showing the very best musicians, performers and street entertainers, which is looked forward to all year. Musicians and Dancers come from all over the country for this event which has taken place for more than 10 years. Entertainment for all the family - a firework display, concerts and recitals, music workshops, competitions, children's events and much more. Wristbands can be purchased at the Festival Office, Cahersiveen Community Centre.

Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival : 25th - 28th August
The village of Waterville (the Kerry seaside village that Charlie Chaplin loved), with the patronage of Josephine Chaplin, along with other patrons, friends and local businesses, is holding this festival to honour the life and work of the master comedian and film maker whose legacy remains both relevant and influential to comedy today. This 4 day celebration is packed with events including premieres, film screenings/awards ceremony, parades, street entertainment, Fossetts Big Top, Gala Ball, Tramps Ball, 1920s themed parties and much more.