Things to Do in Waterville, County Kerry

Waterville (An Coireán) sits on a narrow strip of land between Lough Currane and Ballinskelligs Bay, on the Ring of Kerry in County Kerry. The N70 runs through the village, and the Skellig Ring starts a few minutes away. Golf, lake fishing, dark skies and a good local brewery are the main reasons to stay a few days.

The links is a par 72 course designed by Eddie Hackett, which opened in 1973. Tom Fazio later redesigned some holes in the early 2000s. It ranked 35th in the UK and Ireland in the Top 100 Golf Courses list for 2022, and a bronze statue of Payne Stewart stands beside the clubhouse.

Visitors can play every day, and tee times are booked through the club website. The club publishes no fee, and summer green fees are typically several hundred euro, so ask before you plan around a figure. Winter rates apply from November. Hogs Head Golf Club nearby takes a limited number of visitor tee times, mostly on weekdays, with advance booking.

Fly fishing on Lough Currane

Lough Currane covers about 2,500 acres and has around 22 islands, and it is known for salmon and sea trout. Sea trout must be released: Bye-Law No. 971 of 2019 bans keeping them in the Waterville area. A state licence is needed for salmon and sea trout, and local ghillies and tackle shops can sell one.

Local guides include Tom O’Shea, who runs fly fishing on the lough, and Neil O’Shea, who offers a ghillie with a boat and engine. Lakelands hires boats and runs trips to Church Island. Wear a lifejacket, because the weather on the lough changes quickly.

Sea Synergy Marine Awareness Centre

This centre in the village has a touch pool, shore workshops and snorkelling led by a marine biologist. It also acts as a booking office for Skellig Michael trips. Opening hours change with the season, so check before you go.

Stargazing in the Kerry Dark Sky Reserve

Waterville lies inside the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, which covers about 700 square kilometres and reached Gold Tier status in 2014. Kerry Dark Sky Tourism runs 1.5 hour guided tours from €35, and the meeting point is the church car park in Castlecove, not in Waterville. You can also stargaze for free from beaches and headlands on a clear night. Take warm clothes.

McGill’s Brewery

McGill’s Brewery is at Murreigh, in the Gaeltacht near Waterville. Tours are for adults only (18 and over) and are booked on the brewery website: the Brewery Tour is €20 and lasts about 50 minutes, the Barrel Aged Tour is €25 for about an hour, and the Irish Experience Tour is €40 for about two hours. Check that tours are running before you travel.

Surf and diving

St Finian’s Bay is known for surf and diving. Inny Strand and Waterville Strand are open Atlantic beaches with strong swell, and they suit experienced surfers. Treat both as open water without lifeguard cover unless a flag is flying. Do not swim here when the surf is heavy.

Read more: sightseeing in Waterville covers the statues, stone forts and viewpoints near the village.

Tee times are on the Waterville Golf Links site, the sea trout rules are on the Inland Fisheries Ireland bye-law page , tours and dark-sky nights are listed on Kerry Dark Sky Tourism , and guided options are on GetYourGuide .