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Hiking trails & Routes

Ireland

Munster

Kerry

Ballybunion loop to Nun's Beach

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Ireland

Munster

Kerry

Ballybunion loop to Nun's Beach

Easy

5.0

(9)

hikers

Ballybunion loop to Nun's Beach

00:53

3.31km

40m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 7, 2024

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

537 m

Ballybunion Castle

Highlight • Castle

Ballybunion Castle (also called Castle Bale Bonan) was built at the beginning of the 16th century. Today's ruin looks back on a long history. The castle sits enthroned on a cliff on the coast of the town of the same name, Ballybunion, to the left and right of which there are wide sandy beaches.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.66 km

Nine Daughters' Hole

Highlight • Natural Monument

Ballybunion is full of myth and legend. Folklore surrounds Nine Daughter's Hole which is said to date to a Viking invasion in 800AD.
The local Chieftain O' Connor, had nine daughters who, depending on which version of the tale you believe, either fell in love with the Vikings or the Vikings planned to kidnap them. On hearing this, O'Connor lured his daughters into this clifftop hole then threw the beheaded bodies of the Vikings in after them. It has ever since been known as Nine Daughter's Hole.

Tip by

1.90 km

Virgin Rock at Nuns' Beach

Highlight • Natural Monument

Nuns' Beach is just gorgeous! The waves have shaped the bay in the cliffs, the Virgin Rock, a huge archway made of rock, stands imposingly in front of the coast. The sandy beach is located under an old monastery, it was formerly used by the nuns as a private bathing place. The easiest way to get to the bay is by boat. The descent from the cliffs requires some climbing skill.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.27 km

Nun's Beach

Highlight • Beach

Perhaps the most spectacular beach in North Kerry, certainly in terms of location and beauty, is the Nun's Beach. Carved over aeons of time by the rough Atlantic waves into a horse-shoe shaped cove, this secluded beach lies just north of Ballybunion Castle. It is located under an old convent, and was used by the resident nuns in times past as a private bathing area. It is part of a scenic cliff walk which includes the Nine Daughters' Hole and wonderful views of sea stacks. The golden sands of Nun's Beach are tantalising, but access is by boat only, or, for the very brave, down the side of the cliff with the assistance of a fixed rope hand-rail.

Tip by

3.31 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.62 km

1.08 km

547 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.43 km

1.01 km

391 m

291 m

191 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Tuesday 7 July

19°C

14°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

August 31, 2023,🇮🇪 Ballybunion Runde

Small, fine tour in Ballybunion (Kerry) along the cliffs with a view of Nuns Beach 🏖 with the rock gate "Virgin Rock" and the north beach with the ruins.
Unfortunately the path slipped at one point and therefore the “Cliff Walk” cannot be walked throughout.

Showing Translation

August 31, 2023,🇮🇪 Ballybunion Klippenwanderung, Strand und Ruine

Ballybunion is in County Kerry and you can go cliff walking, swim on the beach and visit the remains of a castle.

Showing Translation

July 27, 2021,🇮🇪 Kerry: Runde Ballybunion

Round in Ballybunion with a view of Nun's Beach, Vigin Rock, the beach and the castle ruins.
The "Nine daughters hole", an opening on the edge of the cliff that extends down into the sea, is spectacular.

Showing Translation

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Ballybunion loop to Nun's Beach

Ballybunion Castle

Nine Daughters' Hole

Virgin Rock at Nuns' Beach

Nun's Beach

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