Rí the Kerry Puffin has invited a feathered friend named Puffin Paulie to set off on an epic adventure to keep discovering the magic of County Kerry. Follow their fun adventures as they Unlock the Magic Of The Kingdom!
Puffin Paulie is the star of the book ‘Puffin Paulie Goes West’ and is known as Ireland’s coolest puffin! Paulie has travelled from his home at the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare on the Tarbert Ferry along the Wild Atlantic Way to meet with Rí the Kerry Puffin.
They are setting off together on a fun-filled 10-day adventure across the Kingdom of Kerry and Rí will show Puffin Paulie around. Puffin Paulie is already impressed with the spectacular views, taking in Tarbert Lighthouse and Kerry’s stunning coastline and making sure lots of pictures are captured for Instagram.
DAY 1
First stop is Tralee – Kerry’s vibrant, celebrated capital town. Rí and Puffin Paulie explore over 800 years of history in the town, as well as the shops, galleries, artisan cafés, award-winning restaurants and traditional pubs around the town. Not forgetting a pitstop at the Tralee Wetlands to explore the wonderful wildlife and make some new furry friends!
Puffin Paulie has been hearing endless stories from Rí about the Kingdom and all it has to offer, especially the new Kerry On Us packages. They are excited to enjoy some of the wonderful packages available on their travels. Who doesn’t love something a little extra special when on staycation? That’s exactly what Kerry On Us offers!
They check in at The Rose Hotel in Tralee which is within walking distance of the town and set against the picturesque backdrop of the Slieve Mish Mountains. They are treated to a yummy complimentary cheese platter as part of the Kerry On Us package. Puffin Paulie is already loving his time in County Kerry!
DAY 2
Leaving the city centre to escape to the seaside once again, we hope they have their surfboard, shades and factor 50 packed – we hear the sun is shining in the Kingdom right now. It literally is a hot spot.
Did you know: Kerry has 15 blue flag beaches? This means you have the best of the best beaches to choose from!
First, they make sure to fuel up for their adventure and stop off in Coast Cafe Ballybunion for some delicious breakfast. Flying along seeing the picturesque views of Nun’s Beach in Ballybunion along to Banna Beach taking in the fresh coastal air.
Rí & Puffin Paulie make the most of the sunny day and pay a visit to Sandy Feet Farm where they get to meet lots of new furry friends and experience the magic of the Kingdom through all the different animals and activities!
The puffin pals have decided to visit one of Kerry’s many hidden gems, Glentenassig Woods, which is a sheltered valley among the Slieve Mish Mountains and the landscape is just breathtaking. Rí & Puffin Paulie can fly off the beaten track, it is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream with over 450 hectares of woodland, mountains, lakes and peatland to explore.
DAY 3
Next, they’re off to Castlegregory located on the sandy Maharees Tombolo with beautiful beaches, award-winning restaurants and lots of exciting watersports. Paulie is a surfing pro and is going to teach Rí the ropes! The puffins then stop off in Spillane’s Bar & Restaurant for ice cream to enjoy with a view before embarking off on their adventure again. Is there a summer staycation without ice cream? Rí sure knows how to host Puffin Paulie, only the best for the best.
They make a pitstop in Cloghane because Puffin Paulie has heard about the beauty of Mount Brandon and wants to see it for himself! Rí leads the way up the mountain and they are treated to incredible views at the top. They spot their last stop – The Maharees – and Rí points out Brandon Bay below.
The puffins spread their wings and fly along Conor Pass, a scenic route to Dingle with lots of views to stop and meet fellow explorers unlocking the magic of Kerry. It is simply Insta perfect – expect lots of updates on Discover Kerry’s social media!
After a tough day of flying and exploring, Rí and Puffin Paulie arrive at the Dingle Skellig Hotel. The 4-star hotel has great views and a spa, so you might catch Rí & Puffin Paulie having a VOYA Self Discovery Facial to relax and unwind. They will be ready to glow on the next part of their adventure!
DAY 4
The puffin pair set off to Dingle and enjoy the amazing atmosphere in the town. Stopping into some great craft shops, exploring art galleries and artisan suppliers, they enjoy a break and tuck into some fresh fish caught locally.
They take to the water aboard the Dingle Sea Safari which takes them along the amazing Dingle Peninsula to explore the sandy beaches and hidden caves along the coastline. They spot a pod of dolphins and some friendly seals as they sail around Dingle. We wonder if they will meet more puffin friends on their trip?
Paulie says, “It’s time for bed, I need to rest my puffin head”. The two turn in for an early night after dinner because they have another busy day of exploration ahead of them tomorrow!
DAY 5
After exploring Dingle and its surrounds, you can’t visit Dingle and not drive around Slea Head or – in Rí & Puffin Paulie’s case – fly!
Slea Head Drive is one of Ireland’s most scenic routes that takes the puffins past historic sites, Irish-speaking villages, famous Hollywood film locations and breathtaking views of the Blasket Islands and Skellig Islands.
The puffins fly over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean to The Skellig Islands which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The islands are 12km off the coast of County Kerry and the stunning Skellig Michael is over 200 metres above sea level – that was a long journey for Rí & Puffin Paulie! They are both big fans of Star Wars, so they were very excited when they recognised the scenery from the movies.
DAY 6
After two days of exploring the beautiful Dingle Peninsula, Rí & Puffin Paulie fly on to Inch for some rest and relaxation before continuing their big adventure tomorrow.
Take off again and discover the beautiful Reeks District of Kerry. The stunning Inch Beach is the perfect location to try and catch some waves. Kingdom Waves on Inch Beach offer a great service, learn how to surf or if you already know how you can rent a board and even a wetsuit! Paulie might be best leaving the surf lessons to the pros.
Rí & Puffin Paulie are testing out their surfing skills at Inch Beach – Rí is definitely getting the hang of it! “The sun is hot, the waves are high, Paulie feels like he might fly! Up and down they surf all day, till the sunshine goes away”.
Puffin Paulie has always wanted to stand atop Carrauntoohil to see the spectacular views from Ireland’s highest mountain. They both fly to the summit to catch the beautiful sunset and relax with a mug of tea to top off the day.
DAY 7
Flying down to South Kerry which is a big hidden gem of Kerry in itself, with stunning beaches and views at every stop. Rí & Puffin Paulie can travel along The Skellig Ring and Coast which is an extension to the renowned Ring of Kerry. This hidden gem is 32km in length and is open to cars only due to the narrow country roads. Lucky for Rí & Paulie, no cars are needed!
They take a detour from the Ring of Kerry to drop by the towns of Portmagee and Waterville where Rí & Puffin Paulie can enjoy small casual cafes or high-end gourmet restaurants, shopping and various other activities and attractions and of course great views like everywhere around the Kingdom!
It’s been a busy day, but the feathered friends want to keep discovering! They check in for their stay at Parknasilla Resort & Spa and take part in the complimentary guided heritage walk as part of the Kerry On Us package. Rí and Puffin Paulie are really enjoying the added extras to their stay across the county!
DAY 8
Another very busy day exploring the hidden gems of Kerry, Rí & Puffin Paulie are flying to O’Carrolls Cove for spectacular views and lovely blue seas where they brave the water. A day of relaxing on the sand in the sunshine is certainly needed after a busy few days. Their Instagram is going to look like a little slice of paradise after this trip!
After a refreshing dip, Rí & Puffin Paulie have worked up an appetite and O’Carrolls Beach Side Bar & Restaurant have just what they need. Established in 1984 by the O’Carroll Family, it is still owned and managed by the O’Carrolls and with panoramic views of Kenmare Bay, it can’t be beaten.
DAY 9
Rí and Puffin Paulie are ready to take off again and explore Kenmare. Kenmare is known as a walkers’ paradise and caters for every level of walking. Kenmare and its surrounding hinterlands are located on the Beara Way and the Kerry Way offering visitors an extensive choice of graded walks.
The puffins make sure to stop by Kenmare town for a tasty lunch. They pop into Quinlan’s Seafood Bar for their favourite – fish! And not forgetting dessert, they head to Kenmare Ice-Cream Parlour afterwards for a classic 99. They are on their holidays after all!
Rí & Puffin Paulie head off the beaten track to explore a beautiful lesser-known spot in the Reeks District – Caragh Lake. There are so many different ways to explore this gorgeous lake, but the puffin pals opt to swap the surfboards for kayaks and paddle around.
DAY 10
Rí wants to make sure that Puffin Paulie has lots of fun on the last day of his trip to County Kerry, so they make sure to plan a jam-packed, fun-filled day in Killarney. It’s going to be a busy day!
Rí & Puffin Paulie start their journey at the beautiful Killarney National Park containing 26,000 acres of lakes, mountains, waterfalls, woodlands and Ireland’s highest mountain range – the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. The puffins decide to rest their feet (and wings!) for a while and see the park from one of Killarney’s iconic jaunting cars.
Next, the pair journey on to Ross Castle to take a boat trip out to Innisfallen Island. They depart from the 15th-century castle on Killarney’s lower lake and venture out to the largest island on Lough Leane. The puffins wander around the island and discover ruins and wildlife.
Rí & Puffin Paulie can’t visit Killarney without taking a walk up to Torc Waterfall and seeing the picturesque views. If you want to explore even more, there is also a lovely mountain walk.
Time to rest up before Puffin Paulie heads home across the Wild Atlantic Way in the morning, so they check in at The Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney. Puffin Paulie loved his time in County Kerry and promises Rí that he will be back again – there is still so much to see and do in the Kingdom!
Who knows where their next adventure will take them?
Don’t forget, Rí and Puffin Paulie can visit your favourite place in Kerry by using our new interactive online app here!
Let us know where Rí and Puffin Paulie visit, share your holiday snaps with us on social media!
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Click here to view the exclusive Kerry On Us packages.
Unlock the Magic at DiscoverKerry.com