Kerry Outdoor Pursuits

Diving, rock climbing, hillwalking, biking, surfing, kayaking... what else would you like to do?

• Kayaking in Dingle Bay
• Surfing in Ballybunion, North Kerry
• Diving off the Maharees, North Kerry

Irish Adventures - Kayaking in Dingle Bay
Rather than take a tour, if you’d prefer to paddle your own canoe, as they say, then Irish Adventures offer Kayaking Trips in Dingle Bay. See Fungi and sea caves and a huge variety of marine life. There are also sunset trips for the more romantic among us. You don’t need to be able to swim.

Noel O’Leary of Irish Adventures says he will cater for groups, families and hen or stag parties (we’d recommend doing this before going to the pub :-).

Prices: Adults - €50 / Teenages - €45.
Contact: Tel. 087-419 0318 or www.irishadventures.net

Events on the Dingle Peninsula this week
Over the years Michael Collins and De Valera have been painted as saint or devil, depending on which side your on. Ryle Dwyer, author of 20 books, will give a lecture on De Valera, Collins and the Civil War in Diseart Centre on Green St, Dingle, next Friday night, 22nd July at 8pm. Admission free. All welcome. It may change your point of view on that period of Irish history.

Also, next Sunday, July 24: Ventry Regatta - always a great day out for all the family.

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North Kerry - Ballybunion surfing
One of the best places for surfing in North Kerry. Four miles of magnificent Blue Flag beaches. Ideal for surfing as you get waves suitable for beginners, intermediate or advanced.

Ballybunion Surf School run morning classes for kids aged from 7-16. Learning basic surfing techniques and water safety. All gear is provided. There are also group or private lessons for adults.

A great sport that will give you years of enjoyment.

Contact: Mark Mulvihil at ballybunionsurf.com

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Dingle Peninsula - Waterworld Dive Centre, The Maharees
Last Thursday I did something that I never thought I’d do, I went scuba diving at Waterworld in the Maharees and it was without doubt one of the most amazing things I’ve done in my life.

I had know about their ‘Try a Dive’ for many years but was aprehensive about doing it. To be honest on Thursday morning and I was thinking maybe I’m going out of my depth here in every sense but I need not have worried.

I first went through a safety questionnaire and luckily I was able to say ‘no’ to all the questions about breathing difficulties or asthma problems. Then I had two hours of instruction in the pool, going through all the safety drills before going to the sea.

We were taking last week about the clear waters around the Kerry coast. We seriously under-utilise our own resources. My instructor, a very friendly and competent young man named Philip Steen, he had come from Sweden to scuba dive here and the two other people in the course were from Japan.

Anyway, once I had got familiar with the equipment and safety procedures we headed for the sea. This was really amazing. The visibility was excellent and at one stage shafts of sunlight lit up the forest of seaweed and showed all their different colours. It was just amazing to be swimming along side some wonderful fish. Some of the fish were spectacular, like the Shanny fish in the sand that take their colour from the background or the really big Hermit Crabs.

I would highly recommend anyone who is comfortable in water to try Waterworld’s ‘Try a Dive’. This would be an ideal present to celebrate a special occasion like a 21st or whatever. Sandra Fitzgibbion told me of a 74-year-old man who had recently completed the dive course.

Costs of Pool session : Kids age 8 - 12 : 25 euros / teenager 12 + : 35 euros.
Pool and sea costs : Age 10 upwards : 80 euros
www.waterworld.ie


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