Special wheelchairs available on Ballinskelligs beach to help people with mobility issues.
Beach-friendly wheelchairs have been introduced to two of the top strands in Co Kerry, which boasts 13 Blue Flag amenities.
The specially adapted beach Hippocampe chairs are available at Inch at the entrance to the Dingle peninsula and at Ballinskelligs beach in the south of the county.
The chairs, with specially-designed wheels, are free of charge, available seven days a week but must be booked in advance at the two beaches, council spokesman Owen O’Shea said.
They glide over the soft sand, unlike regular wheelchairs.
The chairs are available through July and August from 12pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and from 11am to 7pm at weekends.
n To make a booking for Ballinskelligs, contact 087 296 5874
Ballinskelligs Bus Services
Local Link Kerry provide a range of Public & Community Bus Services all over Kerry and provide the following services in Ballinskelligs;
R287b Dromid – Ballinskelligs – Caherciveen – every Monday & Wednesday (timed to meet Local Link Kerry 285 in Caherciveen which travels to Killorglin and there it is timed to meet Bus Eireann 279b to / from Killarney
R37 Ballinskeligs – Caherciveen – Glenbeigh – Killorglin – Tralee – every Thursday
R40 Ballinskelligs to Caherciveen – Every Friday
The above Services are door to door where possible in Ballinskelligs – therefore intending Passengers would need to ring us on 066 7147002 in order to be collected. As you can see the Services R287b is designed to bring people / tourists to Ballinskelligs and also local’s who may wish to travel to Caherciveen or further afield.
R287b & R40 are provided by McCarthy’s of Caherciveen and R37 is provided by Goggin’s, Ballinskelligs on our behalf.
For full timetables and info click here
Open Gardens Day July the 4th 2021
We are enthusiastic and committed gardeners with plenty of ideas to share on how to garden so close to the Ocean and all the challenges that entails.
You are very welcome to come and look around any or all of the gardens in the description you will receive by email.
The times for visiting the gardens are between 11.00am and 5.00pm.
Our garden’s range from very small to Architectural, wild and much too big for us! There are polytunnels full of vegetables, flower and shrub borders and beautiful seating areas by the pub. There are labyrinths a ring garden and keyhole gardens. There are tranquil places for a quiet walk or a meditation.
All hosts are enjoying living the ‘Good Life’ and are happy to show you their own bit of paradise overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay or Valentia Harbour.
All proceeds will be donated to the Community Centre which helps so many people in this remote community offering meals on wheels a laundry service and many activities especially for the elderly.
Ballinskelligs Open Garden Day– FAQ
- How do I register?
You can register online on Facebook or on this website.
Registration will close on Friday the 2nd of July.
After registration you will receive a description of the gardens participating and a route to go with it. You will receive this on Saturday the 3rd of July by email. So please leave your email and name on the registration form.
- How many gardens are there and do we have to see them all?
There are between 9-11 gardens.
Most people visit 4 or 5 gardens each year; you are free to try to visit them all but cannot realistically do justice to them between 11.00- 5.00
- How do we get from garden to garden?
We will send you descriptions of each garden with the map co-ordinates by email on the Saturday before the event.
We recommend you use that. They gardens are quite far apart; you need to use your own transport to get to each garden.
- What happens when we arrive at a garden?
Most gardens will have a one-way system in place, which they want you to follow.
If there is a group of people already looking around you may have to wander a little or even sit in the sun and rest a while by a stream or shady tree!!!
- How long does it take to look around each garden?
Any time from 10 minutes to an hour. An estimate of the time to follow the one way system will be included in the garden descriptions.
- Can children attend?
Yes, children are very welcome, and they are not charged but we do ask that they are supervised at all times.
- How much do we pay?
10 euro’s per adult, children free.
Dear visitors, please note the following:
Due to Covid-19 also please note our special arrangement below to maintain social distancing.
- Most gardens will have a one-way routing in place, which they want you to follow.
- Be conscious about where you need to park your car in a safe manner.
- Always let the owner of the garden know your name or booking number.
- Each person should take responsibility for themselves concerning social distancing.
- You enter each Garden at your own risk.
- There is uneven ground so do tread carefully.
- Children must be supervised at all times.
- No dogs allowed into the Gardens.
Ballinskelligs (Baile ’n Sceilg)
“The Diamond on the Ring”
Home of the famous Skellig Monks, who called it ‘the nearest thing to heaven’ when they settled in the area and turned it into the spiritual centre of early Christian Ireland.
A beautiful Blue Flag Beach nestled at the western edge of a gorgeous sheltered bay, right at the centre of the Kerry Dark-Sky Reserve.
A beloved haven for artists with a world renowned artist’s retreat at Cill Rialaig village, a gallery at Cill Rialaig Arts Centre and regular craft fairs.
Part of the Wild Atlantic Way, the longest coastal driving/walking route in Europe.
McCarthy Mór Tower (the famous ‘castle on the beach’) and the 12th Century Abbey are just two of Ballinskelligs’ iconic sights to visit in this area steeped in heritage.
Home to Five Music Venues and an annual Festival with a Family Fun Day, you’ll never be short of entertainment, whether it’s Traditional sessions, music by the beach or singalong gigs.
Baile ’n Sceilg (in Irish) is a Gaeltacht region, where you can hear Irish spoken by the locals. It’s taught in the schools and is promoted in order to maintain its rich heritage and history. You can take courses here in the summer.
There is something here for everyone. Swimming and surfing, gentle strolls along the beaches, adventure hikes on our hills and glens, fishing from beaches and boats, cycling round the Skelligs Ring, drinking and dining in our pubs and cafe’s and boat trips to Skellig Michael, the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ballinskelligs, a spiritual retreat that will leave you refreshed and invigorated, and the perfect place for a family holiday by the sea.
