Fergal's Guidebook

Puck Fair is Ireland's oldest festival and takes places each year from 10 to 12 August. There are different theories behind the origin of the festival. The most popular celebrates the puck goat warning the townspeople of a Cromwellian attack. Most likely, however, the fair's origins stem from the Celtic festival of Lughnasa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puck_Fair https://www.facebook.com/puckfair/

Killorglin hots K-Fest during the June bank holiday (typically the first weekend in June). Is a really cool festival for the emerging arts. (Mostly vacant) properties in the town are transformed in pop-up galleries. Shops and pubs also become venues for live music, poetry readings, workshops and other interactive events. https://www.kfest.ie/

Celebrates Cromane's seafood and maritime heritage. Eclectic festival that covers culinary, music, arts, family fun and even has a triathlon thrown in. Takes place typically mid-September. https://www.cromaneseafest.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CromaneSeaFest/

Kerry has loads of walking and hiking trails. The “discoverkerry” website below lists the main trails: https://www.discoverkerry.com/en/things-to-do/walks-and-hikes/

There are some terrific cycle routes in Kerry and close to the house. The route I take is basically a variation on No. 5 "Caragh Lake to Lough Acoose to Killorglin" but obviously I cycle from the Lodge to Caragh Lake and back from Killorglin to Cromane. https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/5-best-most-scenic-cycle-routes-in-kerry-ranked/ Route length, elevation, ride time, difficulty, and Strava map links can be found here: https://caraghlakehouse.com/kerry-cycling/ You will obviously need to add in cycling from Cromane to join up with the route(s). That will add another 15km to 20km total.

The links below have all the info: https://fishinginireland.info/salmon/southwest/laune/ https://fishinginireland.info/salmon/southwest/caragh/ https://www.facebook.com/glencarsalmonfishing/ The places listed (Killorglin, Beaufort, Killarney and Caragh Lake) are all pretty close to The Lodge (10km, 22km, 32km and 8km, respectively).

The Reeks District (that includes the Cromane area) is one of the Rough Guide’s 6 Regions to Visit (2019). The Reeks District Visitor Centre is a great visitor resource for the area. The visitor centre is at Library Place, Iveragh Road in Killorglin. You will basically pass this on the way to Cromane. The related website is: https://reeksdistrict.com/

Kerry must have world highest concentration of top golf courses. It is invidious to namecheck just Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee, Killarney which are regularly ranked amongst the world's top course. Dooks (only 5km from the Lodge) is voted Ireland’s Most Scenic Golf Course (2020) and there are so many other top courses in Kerry. Check out the links below: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-courses/britain-ireland/ireland/kerry https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186610-Activities-c61-t60-County_Kerry.html

This is the only Gold Tiered Dark Sky Reserve in the entire Northern Hemisphere. On clear moonless nights the sky is stunning; with many more astronomical sights to be seen with the naked eye than in any other region in the Northern Hemisphere. The Reserve takes in the area from Kells (just 15km from The Lodge) to Portmagee, Valentia, Ballinskelligs, Waterville, Derrynane/Caherdaniel). You will see different recommendations to many of these places elsewhere in our guide. Even at our place we have sat out many nights star- and meteor-shower -gazing with the kids after dinner or a late swim.

The tradition of coastal rowing races dates back to the 1800s in South Kerry. Each locality hosts its own Regatta over the summer. The Seine Boat race is the highlight of the Regatta. Seine boats are timber-built and hold 12 oarsmen and a coxswain. Used by generations of fisherman in the Iveragh Peninsula to haul fish in floating nets, this type of boat race is unique to South Kerry. You will see local crews training in the evenings in front of the house. The Regatta is worth checking out if your stay coincides with the Regatta (mid-July). Cromane Rowing Club FB page will have dates.

Lovely community playground at Lios na Gaoithe ("Fort of the Wind") 2.3km from The Lodge up past the church opposite the GAA pitch. Just search for "Cromane Children's Playground" in any Maps app. Also has basketball / football court and football/rugby pitch adjacent.