Sustainable Travel Guide

Many of our hotels and accommodation offerings are within walking distance of the train stations in Killarney and Tralee, and from the many bus stops served by Bus Eireann or TFI Local Link around Kerry, enabling you to arrive at your accommodation without the need for additional transport.

Iconic tour routes such as The Ring of Kerry can be explored by public transport with live journey planners available on the Transport for Ireland (TFI) real time live journey planner. Local route timetables are also regularly updated at Local Link Kerry. 

It's possible and encouraged throughout Kerry to take part in an activity that gives back to the local community. The Maharees Conservation Association welcomes volunteers to take part in Marram grass planting, beach cleaning and encourages donations to their Chestnut Fencing project to protect the sand dunes. In Killarney during the Summer season, Deenagh Lodge Tea Room opens in Killarney National Park, and it is run by Down Syndrome Kerry. Many of the towns in Kerry have lively volunteer led charity shops and events, so be sure to check out our guide to community events in Kerry while you're here.

• Vegetarian and vegan options are more environmentally-friendly and often tend to be cheaper, so make sure to incorporate some meat-free options into your menu. 
• Tap water is a sustainable choice with no transportation or waste packaging.
• Use glasses and water jugs over single use plastic bottles.
• Refill your own bottle at handy refill stations - Refill.ie Tap Map.
• Opt for local, seasonal and organic produce.
• Choose ethical, eco and fair-trade options.
• Select cafés and restaurants that have environmental credentials.
• "If You Bring It In, Take It Out" - take home all litter and leftover food.
• Utilise the bins provided in your accommodation to sort and recycle all your rubbish.
• Go reusable where possible.

Kerry itself is a region of ecological and cultural importance, with a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a 25,000 Hectare Killarney National Park, natural areas of conservation, protected species and habitats. Ancient monuments throughout Kerry are situated in some of the most spectacular landscapes, with sites of important archaeological and historical significance accessible to all. 

With that unique environment, comes a responsibility by our country, our communities and our visitors, to preserve and protect our natural world by respecting the guidelines set out by our agencies such as the National Parks and Wildlife Services and our local guides who endeavour to behave in a sustainable way with the environment, landowners, and natural animal habitats.

Contemporary attractions have drawn inspiration from Irish heritage and local traditions. Renewable farming traditions are visible at Muckross Traditional Farms. Head to the stunning Kerry coast for seaweed foraging walks with Atlantic Irish Seaweed, learn about Kerry’s marine life through water activities at Sea Synergy Marine Awareness & Activity Centre or enjoy a stand up paddling boarding trip with WildSUP where collecting ocean litter to keep Kerry’s waterways clean is part of the experience.