Ballybunion in County Kerry, Ireland, is a popular seaside resort in the South West corner of Ireland (population 1500). For many decades it has been a popular beach location for locals and those on weekend breaks from the larger cities of Limerick, Killarney, Galway and Cork.

Part of the Ballybunion’s appeal is that it is not one of the more traditional touristic towns that are dotted around the Irish coast so it tends to have a more mellow and laid-back feel to it.

Many visitors arrive to seek out two main activities: enjoying the beach and golfing at Ballybunion golf courses. Traditional tourist attractions are represented by the ruins of Ballybunion Castle down by the beach.

The town is located about 15km drive from Listowel, also in County Kerry, and is serviced by regular Bus Eireann buses (with Listowel and Tralee principally).

The beach itself was the scene of a major battle between two rival clans. Thankfully this occurred in 1834. The town has a small tourist office on its main street with details of local amenities, information, attractions and contact details for Ballybunion hotels and B&B’s (full listings are also available from the home page of this site).

In high season, many families are drawn to Ballybunion for its pleasent sandy beach. The nearby cliffs offer good panoramic views of the beach and surrounding countryside and are well worth the short trek to get away from the crowds during the busy summer period. For older children, and the young at heart, there is a thriving surfing scene down by the beach for the more adventurous. Wave heights are not that extreme and generally suitable for beginners.

In summer, the Ballybunion nightlife consists principally of visits to the few bars that are set along the main street of the town.

Of the two golf courses nearby, the famous Ballybunion Golf Club is rightly seen as one of the most prestigious golf courses in the region, if not in all of Ireland. The course was created in 1893 and is a windswept links style course with views out across the Atlantic ocean on all holes. Prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year and booking ahead is certainly recommended during summer. As is bringing adequate rain gear!

One notable visitor to the town recently was former President Bill Clinton in 1998 when he visited principally to play the Ballybunion golf course. To commemorate the visit the local have now put on display a statue (on the main street, outside the Garda station) of Bill Clinton teeing off.

The Ballybunion Golf Club in County Kerry was founded in 1893 and has, over the intervening years, slowly grown into the course we see today. In 1906 nine new holes were added and in 1927 the course finally reached the customary 18 holes. But that wasn’t the end of the changes. In 1937 it was again re-modeled into a longer 6,542-yard, par 71 course.

For many it is one of the most beautiful and true links style courses in the world.  It invariably is in the top ten or top fifteen courses in the world according to various golf magazine rankings (e.g. Golf Digest placed it at number 7 in 2005).

With Lahinch nearby, the area has some world class courses that offer a very special and enjoyable golfing holiday. While some consider this area of Ireland to be remote, this only adds to the pleasure of playing the course.

There are two championship golf courses to play at Ballybunion Golf Club (both serviced by a single club house).

The first is the Old Course, established in 1893 with various remodelling over the years. The second is the Cashen Course established in 1984.

Both courses are traditional links with their own style (as you’d expect given the difference in dates of their establishment) running alongside the sea and receiving strong Atlantic winds and providing a variety of dunes, dog-legs and pristine greens and fairways.

Both Ballybunion courses are played from a single club house which shares a driving range, a chipping green with bunkers and practice putting greens.

The first hole is a good starting hole for the course, easing you into the play with the strangest of hazards down the right hand side – a cemetery. Challenges on the front nine include the 4th, 5th and 6th holes which all play in the same direction which is into the prevailing wind. This makes 1,400 yards into the wind that can prove a real challenge on the opening half of your game.

The 4th is a beautiful par 5 with a blind second shot. A white stone is placed on a large mount that rises some 20 ft above the fairway. You will note informative place markers, such as the ‘white stone’ upon the mound at the fourth hole, that are there to aid on blind shots at Ballybunion Golf Club.

The 5th hole known as “The Dell” is a 185 yard par 3 with a blind tee shot – a real rarity in links golf! The hole has a beautiful green that banks toward the hole to help stray shots filter back to the green. Just as on the fourth, the location of the flag is marked with a white stone on the obstructing mound.

The second course at Ballybunion Golf Club, the Cashen, is less famous than the Old Course but equally worth the visit. It is a new course designed by Robert Trent Jones but plays like it has been there a long time.

Bookings are strongly recommended, especially in the high season. The majority of visitors choose to play the Cashen course first, have an overnight stay in one of the Ballybunion hotels then play the Old Course on their second day.

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).

Visitors to Ballybunion have a number of outdoor activities all within walking distance of most Ballybunion hotels.

Ballybunion Beach and The Cliffs

The promontory at the beach has some interesting tidal caves that can be explored at low tide. Be sure to find out locally (from the tourist office) when low tide is on the day of your visit.

There are two main beaches in Ballybunion which you access via large, steep concrete pavements. The beaches are divided by the cliff upon which stands the ruined castle. The castle itself is merely a few walls these days.

The beach to the south of the castle is the Men’s Beach and the north beach is named the Ladies Beach. This is a throw back to the days when men used to bathe on a separate beach from women and children. Rest assured, this rule has not been observed for a long time.

At the women’s beach there is a cafe, a hot seaweed baths and a nice ice cream shop. The cliffs north of the women’s beach have shallow caves.

Venturing up to the cliffs over the beach is worth it for its scenic walking path, which features a blowhole and several sea stacks. The walking path takes about 20 minutes to walk and follows the coast around to the Nun’s Beach that sits alongside an old convent. This beach is often a quieter spot than the two principal beaches in the high season, and just as picturesque.

The cliffs around Ballybunion and the general area are notable for their rock formations, sea stacks and other geological features. The view of the strata from the Ladies Beach is particularly good. There is sea stack called The Devils Castle, a blowhole called the Nine Daughters Hole, and an arch onto the Nuns Beach called the Virgins Rock.

The Tintean Theatre

The Tinteán Theatre on Church Road is a 500 seat theatre that opened in 2006. It regularly hosts plays, pantomimes (in Winter), Irish dancing fleadhs (music & dance concerts), comedy shows and small music concerts (usually of a traditional Irish or showband nature).

Golfing

For the avid golfer, the main reason of a visit to the area will be to play the Ballybunion Golf Club. The course has two courses to play of championship standard. The Old Course regularly ranks in the top 25 courses in the world and is certainly one of the finest links style courses.

While green fees are available for the public, you should aim to book a tee-time well in advance.

Thank you for visiting the Ballybunion Hotels Headquarters. We have taken the time to organize information that should help you make the right hotel choice and get the best rates for hotel accommodation in and around the town of Ballybunion, County Kerry, Ireland.

Part of Ballybunion’s appeal is that it is one of the few villages in the region that has not fully succumbed to being a tourist trap and therefore has retained much of its country charm. As a result, it tends to have a more laid-back welcoming atmosphere that proliferates into the hotels in Ballybunion.

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White Sands Hotel

White Sands Hotel

This 3-star hotel located in the town of Ballyheige (11 miles outside Ballybunion) is a modern family run hotel sitting alongside a wonderful sandy beach.

The hotel holds 1 A.A. Rosette and is a member of the Irish Country Hotels. Double/twin rooms are available.

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Halpins Townhouse

Halpins Townhouse

This inviting townhouse in Kilkee (12 miles from Ballybunion) offers 15 comfortable bedrooms with modern facilities, bar, open hearth fire and free wireless broadband internet access.

Located in an ideal position for access to Ballybunion Golf Club, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and Shannon airport. The Townhouse also prides itself on its restaurant menu of Irish favorites (available throughout the day).

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Glin Castle

Glin Castle

A firm favorite in the region for a special stay. Glin Castle is situated on the banks of the Shannon within easy access to all the essential attractions in the area. The interior of the castle has a plush, but comfortable charm of its own with lavish decor throughout (including four-poster beds).

Dining is formal and ostentatious as befits the surroundings with a menu of organically grown local vegetables, lamb and beef. After dinner there are a variety of relaxing walks through the grounds of castle’s own walled gardens.

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Carlton Hotel Tralee

Carlton Hotel Tralee

This well designed modern hotel in Tralee offers comfort, good food and value for money at an ideal location for exploring County Kerry. Rooms are comfortable and well appointed with large fluffy towels, robes, toiletries and bedlinen all to a high standard.

The restaurant is excellent and provides a wide menu selection to fit all tastes. The service is impeccible and the staff are friendly and helpful.

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Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa

Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa
For something traditional, with the added luxury of a spa, the Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee has been welcoming in guests since 1958. The decor is warm and welcoming with Brooks restaurant serving modern Irish cuisine in an open dining room that overlooks the scenic hotel gardens.

The co-located Nadur Spa offers traditional Irish Seaweed Soaks along with a thermal suite and rejuvenating mud wraps.

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Ballyseede Castle

Ballyseede Castle

Ballyseede Castle is located on the main Tralee-Killarney road. This 15th century castle will provide a very memorable location for a relaxing stay in Kerry. The castle has 12 luxurious bedrooms which are spacious and elegant with a variety suite styles available.

The hotel has two large drawing rooms for guests with cornices of ornamental plasterwork and marble fireplaces which draw guests in to spend a relaxing evening in front of the fire. The restaurant serves modern continental cuisine combined with traditional Irish dishes in a wonderful dining room overlooking the lawn and its ancient oak trees.

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Clonmore Lodge

Clonmore Lodge

For the budget conscious traveller a stay in one the of six en-suite rooms in the family owned Clonmore Lodge could be just the ticket. All rooms are fitted with modern facilities and panoramic views of Seafield Beach and the surrounding countryside.

A friendly welcome and excellent home cooking is guaranteed. Located within a short drive of the Cliffs of Moher, Ballybunion and Lahinch Golf courses and Shannon Airport (pick-up from Shannon Airport can be arranged).

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Old Ship Inn

Old Ship Inn

A charming guest-house dating back to 1881 located in Castlegregory on the Dingle Peninsula. Set in a charming Irish town beside Ireland’s longest beach.

Recently renovated in 2007, this inn and adjoining restaurant provides a warm welcome and comfortable modern rooms with all amenities. The restaurant serves hearty Irish fare to locals and holiday goers alike.

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Bellbridge House Hotel

Bellbridge House Hotel

Located by the scenic sandy beaches of Spanish Point in County Clare this hotel provides a relaxing destination that is central to the finest golf courses in the region. All rooms are comfortable and inviting with scenic view of the surrounding countryside and sea.

Dining options include the choice of  sumptuous dining in the Tides Bistro or the more laid-back fair available in the hotel’s own traditional pub.

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