16 July 2015

For holidaymakers looking to discover the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry, taking in adventures and making memories that will last a lifetime, leading 4* hotel, Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa is the perfect base.

With an enviable location close to the most spectacular beaches, mountain walks, golf courses and much more, the hotel, which was named number 5 on the best Irish hotels list in the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2015, is offering a brand new range of ‘Wild About Kerry’ packages, taking in the best of Kerry’s Wild Atlantic Way. Located just outside the picturesque town of Tralee, Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa is a luxury 4* country retreat that boasts 64 stylish guest rooms; onsite award winning restaurant, ‘Brooks’; a brand new fully equipped fitness suite; and the elegant Nádúr Spa.

Staying at Ballygarry House places you within easy reach of some of the most breath taking sites on the Wild Atlantic Way. Choose from the rugged beauty of Slea Head or the world famous Ring of Kerry, and explore everything in between! If you are exploring the west then The Conor Pass, Ireland’s highest pass, is the way to see it. The views from here are breath-taking and the decent into Dingle town will create memories to last a life time.

For all romantics out there, Ballygarry’s Romance Under the Stars 2 night break is a must. Escape to the Kerry countryside and take a trip to the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve - one of only 3 Gold Tier reserves on the planet – for an evening of romance. This break includes a luxury picnic hamper including bottle of wine from Ballygarry to enjoy under the night sky with your loved one. Your 2 night stay will also include full Irish breakfast each morning, a four course meal in Brooks restaurant on an evening of your choice and complimentary access to Nádúr Spa thermal Suite, Outdoor hot tub, Fitness Suite and relaxation room.

Ballygarry also makes for an ideal base to explore the outdoors be it by foot or by bike for those ‘Wild About Adventure’. The stunning area offers a choice of easy relaxed trails such as Ballyseedy Woods adjacent to the hotel which can be explored by foot or bike using the hotel’s complimentary onsite bicycles.

The more seasoned walker can explore the Kerry Camino with the hotel’s special Kerry Camino Package which takes you along a 57km Camino route divided into three stages; Tralee to Camp, Camp to Annascaul and finally Annascaul to Dingle; inviting visitors to ‘walk in the footsteps of St. Brendan the Navigator’. Enjoy a one night break at Ballygarry prior to beginning your journey on the beautiful Kerry Camino. You will stay for 1 night and enjoy one four course evening meal, with breakfast the following morning and full complimentary access to Nádur Spa facilities during your stay. Also included in this package is a Camino Information pack containing log book, a walker’s picnic on departure, and one luggage transfer to wherever your next port of call on the Kerry Camino is.

If water sports are your thing, base yourself at Ballygarry House and enjoy an exhilarating experience at one of the many Blue Flag beaches in the area. Be it surf lessons on Banna beach, or a visit to the diving school in The Maharees, there’s something for all abilities and interests. Why not get the whole family active and dip your toes into the world of paddle boarding, kayaking and water trampolines with a 2 night stay at Ballygarry including full Irish Breakfast each morning and one family meal on an evening of your choice, as well as a family pass and wet suit hire at Jamie Knoxx Watersports for 1hr of water activities.

Grown-ups can try their hands at surfing or paddle boarding with a 2 night Wild About Surfing Break from Ballygarry, including a 2 night stay with full Irish breakfast each morning, four course meal in Brooks restaurant, a 1 hour surfing or paddle board lesson including Wet Suit and Board hire, also at Jamie Knoxx Water Sports. 

Home to Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, Tralee is steeped in cultural heritage, and Ballygarry House is the perfect location to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions with the hotel’s ‘Wild About Culture’ packages. Further west, in the heart of the Gaeltacht community sits The Blasket Centre, honouring the community who lived on the Blasket Islands until 1953. Travelling further south along the Wild Atlantic Way, a must for any Star Wars fans is The Skellig Experience visitor centre. Filming for the next instalment of the Star Wars film took place on the Skellig islands during 2014!

Foodies will delight in the hotel’s ‘Wild About Food’ offering. The Kerry section of the Wild Atlantic Way has an abundance of fine food producers and Ballygarry House is proud to use the finest of local ingredients from the best of Artisan producers, including fish landed to Fenit Port as well as Lamb from the Ring of Kerry and herbs from their very own herb garden. The local pastures of Kerry guarantee happy cows, who give delicious milk, which makes mouth-watering ice cream made in the region. To the north of the hotel in Ballybunion, Sundaes Ice Cream Parlour is a favourite of tourists and locals alike; while to the west in Dingle you will find Murphy’s Ice Cream, offering flavours such as carmelised brown bread, Dingle Gin and Irish Coffee!

For guests who are ‘Wild About Golf’ Ballygarry offers some real golfers treats. The hotel’s golfing breaks also include early morning breakfast if required, as well as complimentary tea or coffee to take away so you can hit the nearby courses bright and early. Located just a stone’s throw from the hotel with breath taking sea views, is the Arnold Palmer designed Tralee Golf Club. This 18 hole links course has a famed reputation worldwide, with views of the Atlantic and white sandy beaches from almost every hole. North Kerry is also home to Ballybunion Golf Club which boasts two separate and highly ranked challenging links courses. The Old Course ranks as one of the world’s top 10 courses. Deeper into the Wild Atlantic Way, just west of Dingle sits Ceann Sibeál Golf Club; while Dooks Golf Club is one of the 5 oldest links in Ireland. Going further south from the hotel takes you to Waterville Golf Club. After a long day’s golfing at any of these spectacular courses, guests can soak in Ballygarry’s outdoor hot tub, or enjoy a pint in the Leebrook Bar.

Located on the outskirts of Tralee, Ballygarry House Hotel is the ideal base, just off the main N21 and only 15km from Kerry Airport, for anybody who wants to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, with any of the ‘Wild About Kerry’ options and suggested visits. The hotel’s experienced team is happy to assist with guests planning. For more information on their unique Wild About Kerry experiences and packages call (066) 712 3322 or visit www.ballygarryhouse.com.