Top 10 Gardens and Parks near Ballycarbery House

(Distance from Ballycarbery House in brackets)

1. Caherciveen Public Park. (5 mins). This local, small public park has some walk-ways with a view of the Fertha river estuary and the local mountain ranges of Clanlinehan & Knocknadobar. It is situated besides the Barracks which is the local tourist office and museum.
2. Toormoore Forest (5 mins).  Though not an official park, this state forest has stunning views of the Iveragh and Dingle Peninsulas.  The rough forest roads are ok to drive but it is best to walk through the forest and see the wild mountain-sides covered with heather and bracken sweeping down to Dingle Bay.  This is only a short distance from Ballycarbery House but is one of the areas best kept secrets.
3. Carhan River Public Park.  (10 mins).  This is a small, sheltered and very tranquil riverside public park just on the eastern outskirts of Cahirsiveen..  Perfect for a peaceful walk along its pathways with park benches available to sit and admire the meandering Carhan river on one side and the mature trees of Carhan woods sweeping down to the water’s edge. It is situated adjacent to the birthplace of the great Daniel O’Connell, “The Liberator."
4. Kells Bay Gardens. (15 mins) This horticultural garden’s history originated in 1837 when one of Tralee’s Gentry, Rowland Blennerhasset built the house and original gardens.  There is great collection of mature Palms, Yuccas, Dasylirions, Asioniums, Xanthorrheoa, Agaves, Aloes, Puya, Aeoniums, Furcreae, Ocahgavea and Fasicularia.  These gardens have received high recognition recently due upgrades by the new owners. See more at www.kellsgardens.ie
5. Glanleam Tropical Gardens, Valentia Island. (25 mins). These unique sub-tropical horticultural gardens are in a sheltered cove  on Valentia Island.  In the immediate area around Glanleam there are exceptional features such as Valentia Slate Quarry, Valentia Lighthouse, Valentia Cable Station as well as views of Beginish Island, Dingle Bay and Valentia Harbour all the way up to Cahersiveen town.
6. Derrynane National Park.  (30 mins).  Derrynane House and National Park exhibit the life and career of  Ireland’s most revered and famous political icon,  Daniel O’Connell “The Liberator”.  There are guided tours of Derrynane House featuring the great Liberator’s early years in Kerry.  The surrounding parkland comprising of woods, sand dunes and beaches is a great area for walking, hiking, beachcombing, windsurfing and swimming. Set in the dramatic landscape of Caherdaniel , the house, park and beach offer visitors much to see and enjoy.
7. Kerry Bog Village. (30 mins). Not really a garden or park, Kerry Bog Village represents a view of village life in Ireland in the 19th century.  The village buildings are exact replicas of those used in Ireland in the early 1800's. Old sites were visited, old ruins measured, and old documents consulted.
8. Killarney National Park.  (1 hour)  This Park comprises of 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) of beautiful lake and mountain scenery. It is famous for its native natural flora and fauna including oak, holly and yew woods as well as Red Deer. Due to its size and scope, a trip to this park requires at least a full day.  With the Lakes of Killarney, Ross Castle, Muckross House, Torc Waterfall, Molls Gap, Ladies View and the Gap of Dunloe there is a lot to explore in one of Ireland’s most famous locations.  Killarney National Park Visitor Centre is located at Muckross House and the Information Point at Torc Waterfall offers information on all aspects of the park.
9. Tralee Town Park.  (1 hour) When in Tralee, it is nice to take a break and walk through Tralee Town Park, right at the heart of Tralee, just off Denny Street.  Famous for the Rose of Tralee, this park has several great rose displays as well as a Celtic Mythological Garden.
10. Ballyseedy Public Park, Tralee. (1 hour & 15 mins)  Ballyseedy Castle is located on its own thirty acres of gardens and woodland.  Ballyseedy Castle was the chief garrison of the legendary Fitzgerald’s, Earls of Desmond. Following the defeat of the Desmoids in 1584, the Castle plus 3000 acres of land was granted as a perpetual lease to Robert Blennerhassett, the rent being one red rose to be presented each year on Midsummer’s Day. The Blennerhassets occupied Ballyseedy until 1966.