Explore more from Tobervilla
The ideal base for seeing the beauty of County Kerry
Tobervilla House is an ideal location to base your exploration of the magnificent Ring of Kerry. We are about half-way around the Ring in terms of drive time and boast many local attractions worthy of your itinerary.
Derrynane Beach and House
Would you believe the founder of the modern Irish Republic grew up just a stones throw from our very house. Daniel O’Connell’s ancestral home is on the shores of the iconic Derrynane Beach. Argueably one of the best beaches in Ireland! You can take tours around the home and explore the vast gardens and beach, just beyond Caherdaniel Village. During the summer this is a patrolled beach and a safe place to swim. There are many designated walking tracks around here, which also intersects with The Kerry Way. The tea gardens café/store are a lovely option for an authentic homemade soup, sandwich or cake.
Close by is the ancient abbey island and church ruins. Imagine the monks of early Christianity in Ireland making ale here from the 6th century, or wander the graveyard, still used in the present day.
Beaches
Just minutes from there house there are two other secluded strands. These are a great option for swimming and relaxing in the summer months. Both are quite protected for safe swimming environments; though they are not patrolled. Silver Strand in Castlecove and Reen beach are fabulous spots to lounge on a sunny summer’s day.
Wild Derrynane Tours with Vincent Hyland
Vincent is an expert on natural history of The Skellig Coast. He has been featured many times on national TV and is passionate about sharing the native fauna, flora and species of the Coast. He is a published author, talented photographer & Videographer and shares his knowledge with guided walks exploring Derrynane & surrounds, or The Dark Sky Reserve and Bioluminescence.
Staigue Fort ‘an Stéig’
Just 2 kms from Tobervilla is one of the best-preserved and most remarkable stone forts in Ireland. Deemed to be from the Iron Age about 300-400 AD the fort stands as a testament to the building skill of the early Irish chieftains. At 27.5m (90ft) diameter, with walls 4m think and 1.5m high it is of epic proportions. You can walk around and through this structure of years ago, and there is no admission fee.
Dark Sky Reserve tours
Tobervilla Guest House is fortunate to be under the skies of Kerry’s Dark Sky reserve. Even with the naked eye it is possible to see the constellations vibrantly on a clear night. In the past year we have experienced two showings of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) on separate occasions. Tours are available locally to explore the nights sky with more detail and to learn to ‘star hop’ for those interested or enthusiasts.
St. Crohan's Well
Just a kilometre up the boreen (road) in Coad, you will find the well of our patron saint, St. Crohan. The well is set beside a church and graveyard ruin and was reputed to have cured eye ailments on several occasions. St. Crohan landed here on this side of the bay, having drifted from West Cork (Beara Peninsula), by luck or the spirit. He was alleged to have upset the pagans on the opposing peninsula and as a form of natural death or punishment was sent adrift without means to survive or make his way to shore. He then established a church here around the 1300s which you can explore.
Skellig Michael and Marine Tours
Kenmare Bay offers much to explore by boat both for interesting sites of historical note and for beautiful marine life. If you’re fortunate to have time to explore the marine environment it is always a well-regarded tour by guests. If you’re even more fortunate to make your way onto Skillig Michael it is considered widely to be a once in a lifetime experience!
Walking
Tobervilla is just a small walk from connecting to The Kerry Way Walking track that completes The Ring of Kerry on foot. If you are walking the Kerry Way we offer boot drying facilities, can facilitate luggage transfers, and our hot tub is loved by walkers looking to restore muscles after days on foot. If you are just looking to complete part of the track we can recommend walks from 1 – 5 hours that use this track. There are also some fabulous short walks at Derrynane Gardens which are beautiful.
Golfing
Just 20 mins away is the internationally renowned Waterville Links course. Club hire and a tee time can be arranged if you wish to enjoy a round. It is known for its stunning scenery overlooking the Atlantic and satisfyingly challenging greens. No round is complete without a meal and drink at the 19th; which is also open to guests whom aren’t golfing.
The Kerry Cliffs
Beyond Waterville, towards Portmagee is the Kerry Cliffs, which feature incredible views of the Skelligs with sheer drops into the wild coast below. A must see if you’re passing, and you might even catch a glimpse of a puffin to swoon over.
The Skellig Chocolate factory
No trip to the cliffs would be complete without a trip to our very own chocolate factory! They offer tours and factory sales and are a lovely road stop on your trip around the ring.
The Transatlantic Cable Visitor Centre
Just across from Portmagee on Valentia Island is a visitor centre capturing the history of the first transatlantic cable from Europe to America. It truly was a feat of engineering with many setbacks. A remarkable story of how for the first time Europe and America communications were connected, without need of weeks of time to ship a message across the Atlantic. An important point of interest for historically-interested and engineer-minded tourists alike.
Whisky, Gin & Craft beer Tasting Experiences
It’s almost hard to believe we have so much on offer so close; but we do! And that includes three different tasting experiences and tours, for the discerning foodie.
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