County Kerry Adventure – We are heading to County Kerry for a 3 day adventure around Tralee, and the local greenways.
Everywhere we visited on our 3 Day trip
Summary of our 3 day on youtube – HERE
Table of Contents
Known the world over for its rugged natural beauty, artistic culture and warm hospitality, Kerry provides a place for heritage and innovation, families and adventurers, diversity and connection to thrive. Our celebrated coastline and national parks give visitors space to breathe, explore and dream, while our thriving towns and businesses remain always open to welcome you.
With a signature spirit that resonates internationally but lives locally, Kerry offers something for everyone. We welcome you and invite you to discover Kerry.
2 March – Ardare
Our lunch stop on the way to Tralee
2 March – Tralee Bay Wetlands Park
They offer interesting guided and self-guided wildlife and natural heritage tours against the backdrop of the beautiful Slieve Mish mountains in a tranquil urban nature reserve.
Positioned on the coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way and the mouth of the Tralee Bay
We are a popular destination for all our locals and visitors. The Wetlands Eco Park is full of nature and wildlife, experiences and character among the stunning and scenic views of our beautiful mountains, the range of Habitats including Coastal Reedbeeds, Marsh and River channels. Experience our Guided Tours with picturesque views, landscape and nature sounds that surround you during your visit to our Nature Reserve. Sit back and breathe the coastal air while enjoying the panoramic views of our Activity Park and lake from the onsite Lakeside Café. If are looking for a quiet and peaceful break in nature and the outdoors we have a range of options here to suit you all, making your visit a uniquely individual experience.
2 March – Roundys
Across from The Ashe
Open Friday & Saturday
From 6pm
Across the street from The Ashe Hotel in Tralee, you’ll find Roundy’s: a quirky yet traditional neighbourhood bar. Named after 1930s Kerry footballing legend Tim Roundy Landers, the bar serves excellent cocktails, and expert resident mixologist Andrew, couldn’t wait to prepare some of his cocktail creations for us to try.
I couldn’t resist ordering the Smoked Away; an old fashioned style drink with Woodford Reserve, Orange Bitters, Angostura Bitters, sugar, then smoked over wood chips, and the Busy Bee was a sweet treat with Irish Mist, Disaronno & Honey.
And we loved two of the most popular customer favourites; the Purple People Eater- a vodka & blue curaçao concoction with a syringe of grenadine to add just the right amount of purply sweetness, and the sweet and sour Caribbean Splash with rum, curaçao and Chambord!
With music, board games, and a great selection of beers, wines and spirits, Roundy’s cosy, intimate atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for drinks after work, catch ups with friends, date nights, or special occasions.
Doggy customers are also welcome, and there are water bowls and dog treats available so your pet doesn’t feel left out while you sip a cocktail!
Roundy’s is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 18:00, and can also be hired out exclusively for special events and parties. Contact a member of the team on +353 (0)66 710 6300 or email celebrate@theashehotel.ie.
2 March – The Ashe Hotel & Room
What a pleasure to be staying in The Ashe Hotel in Tralee. Conveniently located just a short cycle from the beginning of the Tralee to Fenit Greenway, the hotel was perfectly situated as a base for our Kerry tandem adventures!
More than just a cool, boutique hotel with an eclectic, contemporary vibe, The Ashe features many retro design features which are a respectful nod to the past. From antique coloured glassware, to an array of vintage clocks behind reception, the hotel oozes style and taste.
This eclectic mix of furnishing styles, striking decor, and clever lighting was totally up our street, and the hotel’s popularity as a cool local meeting spot was evident from the moment we arrived.
As well as a variety of guest rooms, there are some beautiful event spaces, a restaurant, a cocktail bar, and four luxurious suites, one of which, The Derrymore, was to be our home away from home for our Kerry stay.
Perfect for a relaxing stay, this spacious suite has a comfy, super-king size bed underneath a gorgeous glass vintage chandelier.
There was also a roll top, freestanding bath in the bedroom for a rejuvenating soak after a day exploring the beautiful Kerry greenway. The spacious bathroom was tiled in restful greens and beiges, and featured many amenities such as a rainfall shower and twin washstand sinks.
The restful decor of this suite was inspired by the romantic Derrymore beach, just a few miles from the hotel, which lies between the patchwork green Slieve Mish mountains and the ocean.
2 March – Alfies in the Ashe Hotel
Alfie’s at The Ashe has become renowned as a favourite Tralee foodie spot for locals and guests alike. With an excellent bistro-style menu, served in a relaxed, informal style, there’s also an alfresco terrace which is becoming the neighbourhood’s go-to meeting place.
We enjoyed a superb Sunday evening meal at Alfie’s. From the starters of plump, juicy King Prawns Pil Pil and panko-coated Bluebell Falls Goats Cheese with beetroot and walnuts, to our mains of Baked Salmon En Croute and Slow Roasted Supreme of Chicken, everything was utterly delicious.
And to finish, Alfie’s legendary Sharing Cookie Pan is hugely popular, and it wasn’t hard to see why; a meltingly decadent chocolate chip cookie, baked and served in an iron skillet, accompanied by vanilla ice cream & salted toffee sauce: stunning! And the Lemon Curd Roulade was zingy with citrus, passionfruit, mango, raspberry and sprinkled with chocolate shavings.
Of course, the evening wouldn’t have been complete without a couple of excellent nightcaps, a Boulevardier and an Old Fashioned, at Alfie’s bar before turning in for the night.
Many thanks to the team at Alfie’s Lounge at The Ashe Hotel for a terrific meal.
3 March – Breakfast at The Ashe Hotel
3 March – Heading out to the Greenway
3 March – Dinner in Kate Brownes, Ardfert
A family run pub and restaurant in Ardfert, Co. Kerry, serving up traditional Irish fare in a modern bistro style, Kate Browne’s is definitely worth calling into when visiting the Wild Atlantic Way.
The thatched roof and quirky rustic interior created a warm, homely venue to enjoy food from the a la carte and daily specials menus.
We started with a Warm Salad of Grilled Pear with roast Sichuan peppered almonds & a Crozier Blue cheese dressing, and a comforting bowl of Dingle Bay Seafood and Smoked Bacon Chowder served with wholemeal bread & butter.
We continued the seafood theme with Fried Scampi; crispy, juicy breaded prawns with roasted bell pepper & dill mayonnaise, salad and chips, and an outstandingly rich and satisfying Fresh Dingle Crab in a creamy grain mustard sauce, sprinkled with grated cheese, baked to perfection, and served with croutons and a mixed salad
To finish the warm and oaty Blackberry & Apple Crumble topped with vanilla ice cream was a delicious homemade dessert.
Many thanks to Kate Browne’s for a wonderful evening of tasty dishes.
4 March – John B Keane Bar
The bar was being redecorated when we visited so alot of the historical artefact were not on display. So we’ll have to call again
4 March – Lizzy’s Little Kitchen
Facebook here :- HERE
What a pleasure to finally meet the force of nature that is Lizzy Lyons at her amazing café, Lizzy’s Little Kitchen. Located on Church Street in the delightful Kerry town of Listowel, the restaurant serves up delicious, nutritious dishes using locally sourced foods.
There are plenty of excellent choices and crowd-pleasing favourites on the menu, served up indoors in the pretty café, or in warmer weather, al fresco in the covered outdoor terrace which is full of historical significance; Listowel-born Irish writer, Bryan MacMahon, used to keep his horses here when he lived nearby.
We had a wonderful lunch, enjoying Lizzy’s sparkling company and gorgeous, homemade food. The Salad of the Day was served on a bed of mixed greens topped with a cornucopia of grated carrot, spring onion, peppers, cucumber, red onion, sweet potato, avocado, beetroot, feta cheese, pomegranate, cherry tomato, candied nuts, cous cous, tabbouleh, and a tangy pomegranate dressing.
And the Open Salmon Sandwich had a perfectly cooked fillet of salmon resting on homemade brown bread, drizzled with Marie Rose sauce, and accompanied by a selection of house salads.
Of course, make absolutely sure you leave some room for Lizzy’s wonderful, freshly baked desserts and legendary sweet treats!
What a brilliant afternoon of fun, fantastic food, and finding a fabulous new friend! We’ll definitely be back!
4 March – The Kerry Writer’s Museum
Since 2001, Kerry Writers’ Museum has been an outstanding example of exhibition excellence, promoting the understanding and appreciation of the county’s distinctive literary and cultural heritage.
As visitors to the museum for the first time, we loved discovering the lives of some of Kerry’s finest storytellers, from John B. Keane to Maurice Walsh. We were transported into inspirational worlds of creativity and imagination as we entered each of the writers’ rooms, exploring the landscape, history and folklore of County Kerry.
An important part of the community, the museum provides engaging cultural experiences, and as a centre for the promotion of Ireland’s literary heritage, it appeals to both young and old alike.
4 March – The Listowel Arms Hotel
Situated in Listowel’s old square, The Listowel Arms Hotel is a striking Georgian building covered with greenery which, when we arrived at dusk, was a riot of beautiful birdsong as its twittering inhabitants settled in for the evening.
The hotel is a fine example of how traditional and modern can blend seamlessly creating a venue which oozes comfort and hospitality, and also has a proud tradition of fine food and quality service.
Before we had our meal, we were invited by Marta to enjoy a tour of the hotel and we were struck by the warm ambiance created by the impressive wooden features, luxurious fabrics, fine wall coverings, the homely fireplaces, culminating in a peek at the spacious Suite overlooking the River Feale from the balcony: the epitome of elegance and classical décor.
We were seated at a beautiful window table in the cosy Writers’ Bar to enjoy a delicious meal celebrating County Kerry’s best local produce; Pil Pil Prawns with Toasted Sourdough, and Tossed House Salad topped with Warm Roast Chicken to start, Baked Atlantic Hake with Artichoke & Chardonnay Cream, and Seafood Linguine for mains, and a rich Dark & White Chocolate Brownie to finish.
The Listowel Arms is also home to many annual festivals: Writers’ Week, the Listowel Races, Listowel Food Fair and from 11-28 April, guests can follow the Greenway to Adventure!
Enjoy a gateway of fun and leisure with the hotel’s special offer, “Cycle & Stay”; a two-night stay in a beautiful Double room or in a spacious Family room, including breakfast and a takeaway lunch for your journey along the Listowel Greenway.
If you have your own bicycles, the hotel will store them for you, but if you’re looking for cycles to rent, the team can arrange bike hire from LiKe Bikes, and we couldn’t recommend this award-winning local business highly enough; they even provided the Gourmet Boys with the ubiquitous tandem so that we could enjoy the incredible Kerry scenery along the Greenways!
Summary of the 3 Days
Video on Instagram – see it HERE
Watch on youtube channel – HERE
Trust Ford – New All-Electric Ford Capri
