Valentia Island

When Valentia´s Mick O´Connell played Gaelic football for Kerry in the 1960s, Valentia Island really was an island. Today it is linked to the mainland by bridge at Portmagee and the Valentia Island Car Ferry at Reenard Point.

Its history dates back to woodland clearance by Neolithic man over 5,000 years ago. Isolation has preserved much of its traditional charm. Valentia is Europe´s most westerly harbour, which explains why the first trans-Atlantic cable landed here in 1858. In the years that followed there were to be closer links with America as many destitute islanders took the emigrant boat. Today the island is growing in popularity with tourists, especially anglers, divers, and those who just want to ´get away from it all´. Of special interest are Glanleam Gardens, the slate quarry, the lighthouse, Valentia Heritage Centre, and the Skellig Experience.

Where To Stay • Where To Eat • Where To Shop • Shows/Concerts • Events Diary • Maps • Getting Around Things To Do • Things To Know • News • Video Downloads • Sound Files • Your Comments