The following suggested attractions in the vicinity of Ballybunion can easily be reached within a short car drive (certainly under 2 hours drive to any of the items mentioned here) and could easily be combined to visit two or three within the one day. Many visitors to the area base themselves in one of the Ballybunion hotels due to the ease of getting to and from the following locations.
Dingle Peninsula, Anascaul and the South Pole Inn (Tom Crean)
Heading slightly further south onto the Dingle Peninsula (65 km south of Ballybunion) provides excellent scenery and a truly wonderful drive out to the village of Dingle . While taking in the southern part on this day trip of the peninsula any admirer of polar explorers will wish to take a stop at the South Pole Inn pub in Anascaul (Annascaul). The pubs former owner was the Irish polar explorer Tom Crean who completed several trips to the Antarctic with both Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton.
Rattoo Round Tower
The Rattoo Round Tower just outside the small town of Ballyduff (on the road heading south out of the village, 10 km south of Ballybunion) is notable in Kerry as being the last complete tower still in existence in the County. The tower itself is in excellent condition and on the inside has six floors (though access is no longer permitted inside the tower).
Fenit Seaworld
To the south west of Ardfert lies the small resort town of Fenit (38 km south of Ballybunion) which most visitors may overlook. It has a short pier with, what looks like, an unusual looking shed at the end. The external belies the excellent Fenit Seaworld aquaria that is located within which makes use of modern wave machines and touch pools along with a story of piracy (including models) for the youngsters to enjoy what is in fact a very enjoyable aquaria.
Carrigafoyle Castle
Castle enthusiasts and those seeking some tranquillity will enjoy a short day trip to Carrigafoyle Castle outside Listowel (2 kilometres west of Ballylongford village, 17 km east of Ballybunion). It is a five storey castle facing over the Shannon estuary within very attractive grounds. The castles history is a bloody one of sieges and battles fought since the 15th century with Cromwell’s final assault in 1649 having destroyed a fair part of Carrigafoyle Castle.
That said, it is possible to still climb the 100 step (30 metre) spiral staircase inside the castle to gain superb views of the Shannon Estuary and the surrounding countryside. The Castles surrounding grounds are an ideal spot on a summers day for a relaxing afternoon in pleasant surroundings.
Lislaughtin Abbey
The Abbey near Carrigafoyle Castle is on the road to Saleen from Ballylongford so is worth stopping by for a photo opportunity. Lislaughtin had been partially destroyed in 1580 (following one of the sieges at Carrigafoyle).
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