James Knox Watersports, Maharees, Castlegregory, Co Kerry
James Knox Watersports, Maharees, Castlegregory, Co Kerry Courtesy Valerie O'Sullivan, Fáilte Ireland/Tourism Ireland

Maharees Peninsula

📍 Maharees Peninsula, Kerry

🏛️ Attraction

Last updated: 28 April 2026

Overview

The Maharees (Na Machairí) is a striking 5 km long tombolo that juts north‑ward from the Dingle Peninsula, separating the wild Atlantic waters of Brandon Bay from the calmer Tralee Bay. Its sandy spine is dotted with dunes, white‑sand beaches and three small hamlets – Fahamore, Kilshannig and Candeehy – that together create a laid‑back yet adventurous holiday base. Surrounded on three sides by the Wild Atlantic Way, the peninsula is a magnet for surfers, divers, walkers and wildlife enthusiasts, all of whom are drawn to its dramatic seascapes, rich history and community‑driven spirit.

History & Background

The name Maharees derives from the Irish Na Machairí – “the cultivated lands”. Geologically it is a classic tombolo, formed when sand carried by long‑shore drift linked a former island to the mainland. Off its northern tip lie the Maharee Islands, locally known as the Seven Hogs. The largest island, Oileán t‑Seanaigh (also called Illauntannig), bears the ruins of a 7th‑century monastic settlement founded by St Senan, with beehive huts, oratories, a souterrain and a stone cross still visible on the cliffs.

The peninsula’s human story continues in the medieval ruins at Killshannig, where a 14‑century church incorporates a 7th‑century cross‑pillar slab. In the 16th century a castle built by Gregory Hoare gave the nearby village of Castlegregory its name. Today the area is a Special Area of Conservation, protecting sand‑dune habitats, rare amphibians such as the Natterjack toad, and a wealth of wintering bird species.

Beaches

  • Front Beach (Maharees Beach) – The west‑facing stretch that faces the open Atlantic. It is the main surf spot on the peninsula, with two surf schools operating from the beach. The beach is popular with experienced surfers in the autumn and winter swells and with families in the summer when the waves are gentler.
  • Back Beach – The east‑facing, more sheltered beach that offers calmer waters for swimming and paddle‑boarding. Public toilets are located here and open during the summer season.
  • Sandy Bay (Béal Geal) – The start‑point of the Maharees Heritage Trail. It has a large car‑park, a small shop and easy access to both the Front and Back beaches.
  • Blue Flag status – Several of the Maharees beaches hold Blue Flag awards, guaranteeing high water quality and good facilities.

All main beaches have free parking at the adjacent caravan parks and designated access points to protect the dunes.

Wildlife & Conservation

The Maharees dunes are a living laboratory. The Maharees Conservation Association runs a community‑led programme – Neart na Machairí – that combines climate‑adaptation workshops, creative arts projects and practical dune‑restoration (marram‑grass planting, chestnut fencing). Visitors are asked to stay on designated paths, avoid trampling dune vegetation and use official campsites only.

Key species:

  • Natterjack toad – Ireland’s only native toad, found in shallow dune pools. Its breeding sites are fragile; keep dogs on a lead and stay on marked routes.
  • Birds – Brandon Bay supports gannets, kittiwakes and great‑northern divers, while the Maharee Islands host internationally important numbers of Whooper Swan, Light‑bellied Brent Goose, Little Tern and the occasional Arctic Tern. The wider Tralee Bay is a breeding ground for critically‑endangered angel sharks and white skates.
  • Marine life – The waters around the Seven Hogs are rich in kelp forests, nudibranchs and colourful reef fish, making them a favourite for scuba divers.

Food & Drink

  • Spillane’s Bar and Restaurant (Fahamore) – A family‑run pub serving fresh seafood, locally grown root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, swedes and onions) and a good selection of craft beers.
  • Harbour House – The on‑site restaurant of the Harbour House hotel offers award‑winning seafood dishes with views over the Atlantic.
  • Local produce – The sandy soils of the Maharees give a distinctive flavour to the vegetables grown in the area; many cafés feature these in salads and soups.
  • Cafés & take‑aways – Small cafés in the three hamlets provide coffee, pastries and light meals for a quick break between activities.

Walking & Cycling

  • Maharees Heritage Trail – A 2.5‑hour circular walk that starts and finishes at Sandy Bay, linking 16 points of interest – shipwreck sites, the Killshannig church, dune ecology spots and panoramic viewpoints. A downloadable PDF map is available from the local tourism office.
  • Dingle Way – The long‑distance trail passes through Castlegregory, offering the option to extend your walk onto the peninsula’s coastal paths.
  • Coastal walk to Stradbally – A gentle, family‑friendly route that follows the shoreline northwards, providing spectacular views of the Seven Hogs and Mount Brandon.
  • Cycling – The flat, traffic‑free roads along the peninsula are ideal for leisurely bike rides; mountain‑bike routes branch off into the surrounding hills for more adventurous cyclists.

Additional Activities

The Maharees is a hub for water‑based pursuits year‑round. In addition to surfing, windsurfing and paddle‑boarding, visitors can try horse‑riding along the beach, kayaking or canoeing from Fahamore or Scraggane piers, and scuba diving at the PADI‑certified dive centre (Waterworld & Splash Sports). Power‑boat courses, water trampolines and kite‑surfing are also on offer, catering to all skill levels.

Events Calendar

  • Maharees Regatta – Held in July, this traditional naomhóg (currach) race draws crews from Clare, Galway and the Dingle Peninsula.
  • Brandon Bay Half Marathon & 10k – Also in July, the race starts in Castlegregory and follows a scenic coastal route.
  • Castlegregory Summer Festival – A weekend of music, food stalls and family activities in early July.
  • Seasonal island visits – Access to the monastic ruins on Oileán t‑Seanaigh is restricted from mid‑May to mid‑July to protect nesting Little Terns.

Conservation & Community Initiatives

The Maharees Conservation Association was founded in 2016 in response to accelerating coastal erosion and increasing tourist pressure. Working with Kerry County Council, the National Parks & Wildlife Service and academic partners, the group has implemented nature‑based solutions such as:

  • Marram‑grass planting and chestnut fencing to stabilise dunes and direct sand away from the single access road.
  • Community‑led beach clean‑ups and educational workshops on climate adaptation and dune ecology.
  • Creative arts projects (through the Neart na Machairí programme) that engage visitors in the story of the landscape.

These actions have helped the dune system recover after severe sand‑inundation events – the road was impassable on 17 occasions during the winter of 2015‑16 – and have contributed to the area being recognised as a valuable natural capital asset.

Visitor Numbers & Economic Impact

Research by NUI Galway (2019) recorded an average of 580 visits per day during the summer, amounting to over €9 million contributed to the local economy each season. A traffic count in August 2019 recorded 23,040 cars travelling the narrow Maharees road in a single week, underscoring the peninsula’s popularity.

Access & Road Conditions

  • By car: From Tralee, follow the N86 west, turn onto the R560 at Camp Junction and continue north to Castlegregory; the Maharees lies just beyond the village. From Dingle, take the Conor Pass (R561) to Stradbally, then turn left toward Castlegregory and follow the same route. The drive from Tralee is about 28 km (½ hour).
  • Public transport: Bus Éireann runs a service between Tralee and Castlegregory (stop in the village). The nearest train station is Tralee (32 km). Kerry Airport (50 km) is the closest air gateway.
  • Road note: The peninsula is accessed via a single narrow road that can become blocked by sand after storms. Early arrival in peak season is advisable, and drivers should watch for temporary sand‑fencing.
  • Parking: Free parking is available at the main beaches, the caravan parks and the harbour, but spaces can fill quickly in summer.

Facilities

  • Public toilets – Available on the Back Beach and at the Sandy Bay car‑park (opening times seasonal).
  • Dog policy – Dogs are welcome on the beaches but must be kept on a lead in dune areas and during the bird‑nesting season (April–July).
  • Accessibility – The main beach access points have level paths suitable for wheelchair users; however, the dunes themselves are not wheelchair‑friendly.

Accommodation & Facilities

  • Harbour House – 16 en‑suite rooms, indoor heated pool, gym, sauna, restaurant and a PADI‑certified dive centre. Phone: 353 667 139 292.
  • Sandy Bay Caravan & Camping Park – Pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, with shower blocks and a small shop.
  • Castlegregory Golf & Fishing Club – Nine‑hole links course with a clubhouse and a lake for freshwater fishing.
  • Waterworld & Splash Sports – Operate the oldest family‑run watersports centre on the peninsula, offering surf lessons, kite‑surfing, paddle‑boarding, water trampolines and power‑boat courses.

Seasonality

The surf season runs year‑round, with the biggest Atlantic swells arriving in autumn and winter. Summer brings calmer conditions ideal for families, beginners and paddle‑boarding. The Maharees Regatta takes place in July; the monastic island visits are limited from mid‑May to mid‑July to protect nesting Little Terns.

Conservation notes

  • The dunes host the rare Natterjack toad; walkers should stay on marked routes to avoid disturbing its breeding pools.
  • Birdwatchers should keep dogs on a lead and avoid disturbing wintering flocks, especially the internationally important numbers of Brent Goose and Whooper Swan.
  • The Maharees Conservation Association encourages visitors to use official campsites, refrain from lighting fires on the dunes and participate in occasional beach‑clean‑up events.