Out and about
Things to do in Castlegregory and the Maharees
What follows is the short list of what is genuinely worth the drive, arranged by where it is. Nothing here is more than half an hour from the village.
For the water itself, surfing, windsurfing, diving, paddling and the two saunas, see the water sports page. For walks of any length, from a stroll on the strand to Mount Brandon, see getting around.
The list
Castlegregory
The Strand
Miles of golden sand along Brandon Bay, one of the longest beaches in Ireland, minutes from the village.
Discover Ireland ↗ · Map it ↗
Lough Gill
A gentle lakeside loop just behind the dunes, famous for its swans, birdlife and rare natterjack toads.
About the lake ↗ · Map it ↗
St. Mary's Church
The village church at the heart of Castlegregory, a quiet place to pause. Sunday Mass at 11.30am.
Parish ↗ · Map it ↗
Castlegregory Golf Club
Nine-hole links squeezed between Lough Gill and the Atlantic: golf with dunes, sea and mountains for company.
Official site ↗ · Map it ↗
Glanteenassig Forest Park
A hidden valley of forest, lakes and boardwalk trails in the Slieve Mish mountains, ten minutes from the village.
Coillte ↗ · Map it ↗
Maharees Heritage Trail
A self-guided walk out around the tip of the peninsula, with panels along the way on the dunes, the islands and the fishing life. Free pocket maps from the information centre on Tailor's Row.
The route ↗ · Map it ↗
Shopping
Two practical warnings first. Cloghane and Brandon have no petrol station, no cash machine and no pharmacy: the nearest of each is in Castlegregory. And if you are self-catering, do the big shop in Tralee or Dingle on the way in, because the village shops are for what you forgot rather than for a week's groceries.
Castlegregory
Near Castlegregory
Things to do in Brandon and Cloghane
Brandon Point
Dramatic sea cliffs and panoramic views over Brandon Bay and the Maharees, one of the best places in Kerry to watch the sunset.
Discover Ireland ↗ · Map it ↗
Brandon Bay
A fantastic spot for swimming, surfing, fishing, and simply enjoying the scenery, with Murphy's pub keeping watch from the pier.
Dingle Peninsula ↗ · Map it ↗
Brandon Bay Boat Hire
Self-drive boats out of Brandon for a few hours' fishing on the bay, with rods, tackle and bait to hire and lifejackets aboard.
Boats & rates ↗ · Map it ↗
Grotto of St Brendan
A shrine to the seafaring saint who gave the mountain its name. At Faha above Cloghane, where the pilgrim path begins.
Its story ↗ · Map it ↗
Climb Mount Brandon
Ireland's highest peak outside the Reeks (952m). The Faha route from Cloghane is the classic pilgrim's way up: 9km and about four hours.
Route guide ↗ · Map it ↗
Things to do in Dingle
The Harry Clarke Windows
Six double-lancet windows by Ireland's greatest stained-glass artist, installed in March 1924 in the convent chapel on the grounds of St Mary's Church, Green Street. Scenes from the life of Christ, in the jewelled colour and strange elongated faces that made Clarke's name. The chapel is now cared for by An Díseart; worth the drive over the pass.
The National Museum on Clarke ↗ · Visit & tours ↗ · Map it ↗
Shopping in Brandon and Cloghane
Siopa an Phobail
Cloghane's community-run village shop: groceries, essentials and local artisan food.
+353 66 713 8277
Map it ↗
Brandon Gallery
Michael Flaherty's gallery at Cappagh Cross, with original paintings and prints of the Brandon landscape. Ring ahead.
+353 66 713 8233
Website ↗ · Map it ↗
Shopping in Dingle
Original Kerry Shop
Craft from thirty-six Kerry makers, and the shop that pays for this guide.
Our sponsor → · Map it ↗
One request
The dune system on the Maharees is the reason this coast looks the way it does, and it has retreated more than forty metres in recent decades. The Maharees Conservation Association has planted marram and built two kilometres of chestnut fencing to hold it together. Use the marked beach accesses, keep off the dunes, do not drive on them, camp only in the official sites and take your litter home.
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