Waterville...

Waterville is an attractive village which is on the sea front but is also located next to the beautiful Lough Currane, there are numerous other lakes within ten miles of Waterville; Namona, Lough Derriana, Lough na Capaill and Cloonaghlin. There are lots of options when choosing accommodation in Waterville, choose from B&Bs, hotels, hostels, self-catering cottages, caravan parks, all with great views of the sea and lake. On your tour of Waterville you will come across many top-class restaurants. The local pubs hold Irish music and song sessions. There are also cafes, a village market and giftshops. Waterville Craft Market showcases Irish craft and design, its one of Ireland's most outstanding outlets, offering a wide variety to the visitor.

Waterville is a golf and fishing paradise. Lough Currane is renowned for the some of the best salmon and sea trout angling in Europe. Ghillies and boats available for hire, with maps and information is also available locally. For anglers you can choose from lake, river, shore and deep sea angling. The fishing season opens on 17th January and closes on 30th September. Waterville boasts two two fine golf courses, Skellig Bay Golf Course and Waterville Golf Links. The latter is a championship golf links with 18 holes, it was voted 34 of the Top 100 Courses in the World, and many famous golfers have played here.

Other activities available in the area include horse riding, cycling, boat trips and watersports. The surrounding area is dotted with quiet sandy beaches. A great way to enjoy the local beaches and scenic countryside is by horse, bicycle or foot. Horse ride or pony trek with the well equipped equestrian centres and stables in the area. Bicycles can be hired locally along with information on several routes. There are several water sports centres in the area that take advantage of the safe and quiet waters of the bay.

 

 

Waterville has a wide range of quality accommodation to suit all budgets, ranging from hotels and bed & breakfasts to hostels and self catering accommodation. Waterville has a nice variety of pubs which are well worth a visit on a warm summers evening or a cold winters one!.

For diners there are a selection of restaurants

The most well preserved ancient Christian monastic settlement in Europe is on the Skellig Islands. Boats leave every day during the season from nearby Ballinskelligs Pier, or from Caherdaniel, Portmagee, Cahersiveen and Valentia Island. Lough Currane has the ruins of a Romanesque church, St. Fionan's, which probably dates to the twelfth century. Eightercua Stone Alignment is located on the Kenmare road as you leave Waterville, archaeologists believe these are aligned to the movements of the sun and moon. Loher Stone Fort is also worth checking out. For history buffs check out The Story of Waterville Cable Station Exhibition at Tech Amergin in the town.

Waterville was a favourite holiday destination for the famous Charlie Chaplin, he revisited the picturesque village time and time again. In his honour Waterville holds an Annual Comedy Film Festival Competition. Circus acts and film screenings are among the events held all in the spirit of Charlie Chaplin. There is also a commemorative statue of the comic in the village.

On your Kerry tour you will notice South Kerry is famous for its love of boats and with such an extensive coastline this is no wonder. Each summer the local villages but together boating teams which compete against each other in regattas. This tradition dates back to the 1800s and Waterville plays its part hosting a number of these events. Other festivals during the year is Féile na Gréine, Solstice Arts Festival offering a wide range of theatre, film, music, literature, visual arts, dance. The festival ends with St John's Eve bonfire - an ancient Irish and European tradition. Eigse na Brideoige February, Waterville Children Festival June and Norish Fest held in October - a Norwegian-Irish initiative to strengthen the cultural, social and business links between Norway and Ireland.