Ireland’s most easterly county, Kerry, features a coastline of many inlets and peninsulas. It’s also home to the country’s highest mountains – the three peaks of the quaintly-named MacGillycuddy's Reeks range; highest first, they are Carrauntoohil, Beenkeragh and Caher.

The Reeks are part of the Killarney National Park, which covers 26,000 acres, and was Ireland’s first. Californian William Bowers Bourn bought the Muckross estate in 1911 and presented it to the nation in 1932. The park encompasses three island-spotted lakes: Lough Leane, or Lower Lake, Muckross or Middle Lake, and Upper Lake. 

Killarney itself has been a popular holiday spot since Victorian times. These days it fills to bursting point in summer and there’s a regular programme of festivals. The stately Catholic Cathedral, St Mary’s, is on the western edge. The oldest public building is Killarney House, which dates back to the 1740s.

Tralee is the county town of Kerry, the northeast gateway to the Dingle Peninsula and known for its Rose of Tralee International Festival. The town was founded in the 13th century by the Earls of Desmond.